If, 5 years ago, someone had told me what my life would be like now... I would have cried. If they had told me how content I would be (and am), I would have looked at them like they were crazy and done everything in my power to change the course.
Maybe someone did tell me. If so, I probably looked at them like they were absurd and thought I'm glad they don't control my future.
But, here I am. And you know what? Its not at all like I thought it would be, but I'm content. I smile at the future, knowing God has good things for me. I peer at the horizon and, while I don't know what's out there, I can see the silhouettes and I find myself thinking That looks fun... exciting... attractive...
I may not know the details, but I still smile knowing that everything is good. And will be good.
March 24, 2012
March 11, 2012
Vaccinations
I've been horrible at keeping up with this! This term has been absolutely crazy... last semester of college, looking at post-college jobs and careers, planning a trip to Uganda, starting to take my wedding coordinating business seriously (I started a website this weekend!), and soooo much more! (like living with 8 or 9 people)
This weekend has been a very crazy one as so many steps were taken. My Uganda trip is now a full green light and I am waiting for a response from my travel agent to confirm the dates and plans for my flight. And I took the next necessary step and got all my vaccinations done today!
I'll admit, I wasn't prepared for the "sting" of the yellow fever (or was it typhoid?). When I heard sting, I was thinking a sting from the needle. But instead it was a sting up and down my arm. I now have 3 snoopy bandaids and 2 regular ol' bandaids covering my arms.
Well, there's really nothing exciting about vaccinations. So I guess that covers it!
Pray for my penny/coin collection! Funding is going to be a huge "wow! Look at God work!" step in this trip. But my dad has become a faithful contributor and will continue to be as long as his hair continues to grow (he's paying me for haircuts now!) ;)
Feel free to comment your own prayer requests so I can be in prayer for all of you as well.
This weekend has been a very crazy one as so many steps were taken. My Uganda trip is now a full green light and I am waiting for a response from my travel agent to confirm the dates and plans for my flight. And I took the next necessary step and got all my vaccinations done today!
I'll admit, I wasn't prepared for the "sting" of the yellow fever (or was it typhoid?). When I heard sting, I was thinking a sting from the needle. But instead it was a sting up and down my arm. I now have 3 snoopy bandaids and 2 regular ol' bandaids covering my arms.
Well, there's really nothing exciting about vaccinations. So I guess that covers it!
Pray for my penny/coin collection! Funding is going to be a huge "wow! Look at God work!" step in this trip. But my dad has become a faithful contributor and will continue to be as long as his hair continues to grow (he's paying me for haircuts now!) ;)
Feel free to comment your own prayer requests so I can be in prayer for all of you as well.
February 8, 2012
Uganda
Over the weekend I got the go-ahead to come on over to Uganda this Summer! I'm very excited! I have wanted to go to Uganda since Wes Bentley with Far Reaching Ministries came and spoke at church in 2006... this opportunity is one I have been waiting for.... well, for a long time!
I've been scouring the web for the cheapest airfare. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a ticket for $1712 (gotta love hotwire!). Now I just need to confirm dates and some other details so I can buy the tickets!
I'm really just trusting the Lord to provide the finances for this trip. In 2003, I more or less "collected" 130,000 pennies (that's $1300, for those of you who are math-challenged) for my trip to Cambodia. I had four months, and the Lord provided. This time, I have a mere three months and need roughly twice as much money! Maybe more, as I am still waiting to find out lodging expenses...
PLEASE! Be in prayer with me! And, if you feel led, help the loaves multiply by collecting pennies and coins along with me :)
I've been scouring the web for the cheapest airfare. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a ticket for $1712 (gotta love hotwire!). Now I just need to confirm dates and some other details so I can buy the tickets!
I'm really just trusting the Lord to provide the finances for this trip. In 2003, I more or less "collected" 130,000 pennies (that's $1300, for those of you who are math-challenged) for my trip to Cambodia. I had four months, and the Lord provided. This time, I have a mere three months and need roughly twice as much money! Maybe more, as I am still waiting to find out lodging expenses...PLEASE! Be in prayer with me! And, if you feel led, help the loaves multiply by collecting pennies and coins along with me :)
December 23, 2011
The Patience of God
Although my brother and I are only a year apart, we live entirely different lives.
My brother got married at 22 and as I begin to glance at 30, I am still single. He is the sole provider for a wife, three children and a very rambunctious puppy! After five years of the military life, he is now back in the Northwest and embarking on the next phase of his life. In the transition, he and his family moved in with me two months ago.
Suddenly living with three children - and a rambunctious puppy - has been a huge adjustment! Being a full-time student, I quickly realized that home would not be a place to get work (or homework) done. My grades definitely evidence the challenge of this transition. But yesterday I finished up the last of my work for the semester, posted grades for students, and stretched.
Time for relaxation. And play. My niece was quick to approach me... "Auntie, can you play a game with me?"
Sure, this should be relaxing enough, I thought. Little did I know that my patience was soon to be tested. We played the first game (which had no goal or objective or rules whatsoever) until I was falling asleep in the chair. To get us moving, I suggested a shopping trip to the dollar store for some stocking stuffers. I can't count the number of times I had to say "Hurry up, Missy" while we were out.
While making dinner, my niece and nephews were dancing around my ankles. Since I was running behind getting dinner done and it wasn't quite turning out, my patience soon became thin. Thankfully, everything turned out just fine.
After dinner, another game was suggested (this time a board game with rules, points and a clear goal!). I sat down with my niece and both nephews. The youngest needed a little help and between playing myself and helping my nephew, I had very little patience left for my niece as she pondered each move for a solid 2-5 minutes. I'll admit, by this point I began to become a little rough in my attitude towards her. The fifteen minute game was going to turn into 5 hours!
But as I begin to get ready for bed - hours after the little ones have been tucked in for the night - I find myself reflecting on the day. And I see God in those beautiful brown eyes. My niece's "Auntie... I love you" and spontaneous hugs and kisses are a beautiful reminder of the love God has for me. That little girl makes me feel special, cared for, and treasured.
I also see my fallenness as I reflect on the day. How short I fall from the command to "be holy as I am holy." See, God is patient. But I demonstrated impatience toward my niece today. I am so thankful that God doesn't deal with me in the same way that I deal with her. And I am thankful that tomorrow is another opportunity for me to interact with her - to love on her, play with her, and be patient with her. Because that is another opportunity for me to be molded into Christ-likeness as I strive to increase God's character in my life.
If God is patient... I want to be patient too.
My brother got married at 22 and as I begin to glance at 30, I am still single. He is the sole provider for a wife, three children and a very rambunctious puppy! After five years of the military life, he is now back in the Northwest and embarking on the next phase of his life. In the transition, he and his family moved in with me two months ago.
Suddenly living with three children - and a rambunctious puppy - has been a huge adjustment! Being a full-time student, I quickly realized that home would not be a place to get work (or homework) done. My grades definitely evidence the challenge of this transition. But yesterday I finished up the last of my work for the semester, posted grades for students, and stretched.
Time for relaxation. And play. My niece was quick to approach me... "Auntie, can you play a game with me?"
Sure, this should be relaxing enough, I thought. Little did I know that my patience was soon to be tested. We played the first game (which had no goal or objective or rules whatsoever) until I was falling asleep in the chair. To get us moving, I suggested a shopping trip to the dollar store for some stocking stuffers. I can't count the number of times I had to say "Hurry up, Missy" while we were out.
While making dinner, my niece and nephews were dancing around my ankles. Since I was running behind getting dinner done and it wasn't quite turning out, my patience soon became thin. Thankfully, everything turned out just fine.
After dinner, another game was suggested (this time a board game with rules, points and a clear goal!). I sat down with my niece and both nephews. The youngest needed a little help and between playing myself and helping my nephew, I had very little patience left for my niece as she pondered each move for a solid 2-5 minutes. I'll admit, by this point I began to become a little rough in my attitude towards her. The fifteen minute game was going to turn into 5 hours!
But as I begin to get ready for bed - hours after the little ones have been tucked in for the night - I find myself reflecting on the day. And I see God in those beautiful brown eyes. My niece's "Auntie... I love you" and spontaneous hugs and kisses are a beautiful reminder of the love God has for me. That little girl makes me feel special, cared for, and treasured.
I also see my fallenness as I reflect on the day. How short I fall from the command to "be holy as I am holy." See, God is patient. But I demonstrated impatience toward my niece today. I am so thankful that God doesn't deal with me in the same way that I deal with her. And I am thankful that tomorrow is another opportunity for me to interact with her - to love on her, play with her, and be patient with her. Because that is another opportunity for me to be molded into Christ-likeness as I strive to increase God's character in my life.
If God is patient... I want to be patient too.
December 11, 2011
The Isaiah Project
I am SO excited to be a part of The Isaiah Project! I am overwhelmed as I begin to learn more about human sex trafficking which is occurring literally blocks from my University, but as I begin to get overwhelmed, I quickly move to thankfulness. Thankful because I am already a part of doing something about it.
I am sure you'll start to see a lot more about sex trafficking on here as I begin work with The Isaiah Project. I just wanted to introduce it to you quickly.
I am sure you'll start to see a lot more about sex trafficking on here as I begin work with The Isaiah Project. I just wanted to introduce it to you quickly.
November 24, 2011
Thankful
Wow, time flies! And as ironic and cheesy as this post is (it being Thanksgiving and all), I am thankful.
After a month and a half of testing for my heart and more testing to come, I am thankful for doctors and medicine and the technology that exists today. This has been a very trying experience, but it could be much worse than it is.
I am also thankful for hope. I have hope in two things right now. The first is the possibility of a heart surgery that could make my heart healthy - no more heart medication (which I've been on for years now) and no more challenges with my heart either. But this is just a possibility at this point, which brings cause for my second hope - I am hopeful for a new body in heaven. And I am thankful that God promises to give me a new body. I've been hopeful for this for a long time!
Of course I have numerous other things for which I am thankful, but these just top the list right now. I hope you will be encouraged to be thankful for your health as well.
After a month and a half of testing for my heart and more testing to come, I am thankful for doctors and medicine and the technology that exists today. This has been a very trying experience, but it could be much worse than it is.
I am also thankful for hope. I have hope in two things right now. The first is the possibility of a heart surgery that could make my heart healthy - no more heart medication (which I've been on for years now) and no more challenges with my heart either. But this is just a possibility at this point, which brings cause for my second hope - I am hopeful for a new body in heaven. And I am thankful that God promises to give me a new body. I've been hopeful for this for a long time!
Of course I have numerous other things for which I am thankful, but these just top the list right now. I hope you will be encouraged to be thankful for your health as well.
October 15, 2011
Love my job
I know, ironic isn't it? But it's true. I love my job. All three of them.
My first job - working with the commuter life program at Multnomah University - is a complete joy. I get to hang out with students, develop student leaders, and have fun. I have a great team that I work with. But most importantly, I have a great boss.
My second and third jobs are grading for professors. I know I shouldn't enjoy reading the same paper 30 times (or 70 times for the larger classes) but I am invigorated by seeing and reading the development in students' lives. I get to read how God is molding and shaping them. I get to read what they learned in a Bible study. I get to see things click when they understand (and enjoy!) a symphony for the first time.
I love my jobs. I don't know what the future will hold, but I love the opportunities I get to enjoy during my senior year.
My first job - working with the commuter life program at Multnomah University - is a complete joy. I get to hang out with students, develop student leaders, and have fun. I have a great team that I work with. But most importantly, I have a great boss.
My second and third jobs are grading for professors. I know I shouldn't enjoy reading the same paper 30 times (or 70 times for the larger classes) but I am invigorated by seeing and reading the development in students' lives. I get to read how God is molding and shaping them. I get to read what they learned in a Bible study. I get to see things click when they understand (and enjoy!) a symphony for the first time.
I love my jobs. I don't know what the future will hold, but I love the opportunities I get to enjoy during my senior year.
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