[Thursday, June 29, 2006]
I am Blessed! I just wanted to share some of the things I've enjoyed in the past week.
- While the electricity was out I stayed one night at my grandparents house. I went swimming a lot, when on two bike rides in the country. A 3-mile ride and a 6-mile ride.
- I heard my 17-year old cousin playing his guitar. He is incredibly talented!
- I met my new roommate and found out that we will have a host family for the internship. (I'm moving next week!)
- I got to see a friend from church who has been living out of state and is moving to another state on Sunday.
- I am making new friends around here! I've been wanting that for a long time
- The group of us that went to Canada met and shared fun memories
- I invited my siblings over to my house for pizza and a movie while the power was still out at their house. They thanked me for it. :)
AND............ I have just been really joyful in life. I encourage you to take time to value you the little things in your life!
I have been reading this devotional book about the names of God and it is so rich. I feel like I'm meeting God for the first time. God is sooooooo big and we forget that His character is so much grander than us. God is amazing. I have so much more to learn and appreciate about Him. I'm sure we all do! If you don't know God, please meet Him! Jesus Christ will lead the way to Him. God is so much more than you or I could ever understand and His love and provision for us is mindboggling! Trust Him. He's worth it!
- While the electricity was out I stayed one night at my grandparents house. I went swimming a lot, when on two bike rides in the country. A 3-mile ride and a 6-mile ride.
- I heard my 17-year old cousin playing his guitar. He is incredibly talented!
- I met my new roommate and found out that we will have a host family for the internship. (I'm moving next week!)
- I got to see a friend from church who has been living out of state and is moving to another state on Sunday.
- I am making new friends around here! I've been wanting that for a long time
- The group of us that went to Canada met and shared fun memories
- I invited my siblings over to my house for pizza and a movie while the power was still out at their house. They thanked me for it. :)
AND............ I have just been really joyful in life. I encourage you to take time to value you the little things in your life!
I have been reading this devotional book about the names of God and it is so rich. I feel like I'm meeting God for the first time. God is sooooooo big and we forget that His character is so much grander than us. God is amazing. I have so much more to learn and appreciate about Him. I'm sure we all do! If you don't know God, please meet Him! Jesus Christ will lead the way to Him. God is so much more than you or I could ever understand and His love and provision for us is mindboggling! Trust Him. He's worth it!
[Monday, June 26, 2006]
My family:
Mom, dad, 4 brothers, 3sisters and
one sister-in-law!
[Sunday, June 25, 2006]
When I began my blog I didn't have a way to post pictures, so I'm going to have to make up for it now. :)
This is one of my fav. pics. I am standing on a hill that overlooks Puebla. In the background, are the famous mountains, Popo and Iczta. That is what I saw looking out my bedroom window each morning!
[Friday, June 23, 2006]
Prophecy or Coincidence? I drove by a sign stating the Sunday sermon title for a local church. It read, "A Huge Storm Came Up." Well, I'm voting on coincidence here, but I'm sure that pastor was quite surprised when the huge storm did come up. For those of you that do not live in Lima, Ohio you may be unaware of the interesting day we had yesterday. Tornado(es) came through our area- they are currently examining where the tornado actually touched down, but whatever the case, it seemed like the tornado came right up Grand Ave, a few blocks from my parents home.
I learned some things about huge storms so I guess I don't need to go hear that sermon.
First, it's not there, then it is. I'm talking within a matter of 2 minutes. Yes, the sky was really dark to one side of me, but it wasn't real windy and it certainly wasn't raining. So, me, being the intelligent person that I am determined I had plenty of time for the 5 minute walk to my house. Apparently, I didn't pay enough attention in Science class to learn that when the tornado sirens are going off, it isn't the time to walk home. Other than getting wet, receiving gifts of dust and debris in my eyes from the wind and walking under a sparking power line that had just been struck by lightning, I made it home safely and "just in time." Next time the sirens are going off, I'll just be a good girl and go to the basement. No, that's not true. Next time I'll remember to look behind me to see what it looks like. :)
Second, who needs a tornado when you have 60-80 mph winds? I eventually went walking around and saw the damage. Power lines were wrapped delicately around homes, cars and were gracefully draped from the sky to the ground. Pieces of shingles, siding and tree branches of every side littered the streets. In fact, I spent well over an hour today trying to clear my aunt's backyard. It looked like a jungle. Anyway, I've never seen anything like it.
I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the area where Katrina hit.
The third lesson I'm learning is that power is great. I know that better now because we don't have any and it could be 4 more days until everyone gets their power back. It'll be interesting. You know , it reminds me of how sometimes Christians lack power in their lives. We disconnect ourselves from the power suorce and we wonder why things aren't getting done in our lives. If only we were so spiritually in tune that we instantly felt the effects of being cut off from the power of Christ. If only we realized how little we can do without Him. Are you living your life today connected to the source of almighty, life changing power? If not- you are missing out on all the things life in Him has to offer! Get Jesus!
I learned some things about huge storms so I guess I don't need to go hear that sermon.
First, it's not there, then it is. I'm talking within a matter of 2 minutes. Yes, the sky was really dark to one side of me, but it wasn't real windy and it certainly wasn't raining. So, me, being the intelligent person that I am determined I had plenty of time for the 5 minute walk to my house. Apparently, I didn't pay enough attention in Science class to learn that when the tornado sirens are going off, it isn't the time to walk home. Other than getting wet, receiving gifts of dust and debris in my eyes from the wind and walking under a sparking power line that had just been struck by lightning, I made it home safely and "just in time." Next time the sirens are going off, I'll just be a good girl and go to the basement. No, that's not true. Next time I'll remember to look behind me to see what it looks like. :)
Second, who needs a tornado when you have 60-80 mph winds? I eventually went walking around and saw the damage. Power lines were wrapped delicately around homes, cars and were gracefully draped from the sky to the ground. Pieces of shingles, siding and tree branches of every side littered the streets. In fact, I spent well over an hour today trying to clear my aunt's backyard. It looked like a jungle. Anyway, I've never seen anything like it.
I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in the area where Katrina hit.
The third lesson I'm learning is that power is great. I know that better now because we don't have any and it could be 4 more days until everyone gets their power back. It'll be interesting. You know , it reminds me of how sometimes Christians lack power in their lives. We disconnect ourselves from the power suorce and we wonder why things aren't getting done in our lives. If only we were so spiritually in tune that we instantly felt the effects of being cut off from the power of Christ. If only we realized how little we can do without Him. Are you living your life today connected to the source of almighty, life changing power? If not- you are missing out on all the things life in Him has to offer! Get Jesus!
[Tuesday, June 20, 2006]
Today I began the packing process, as once again life, well, God, is moving me on. I found out that my belongings consist mainly of 2 categories: Books and clothes. Wow, do I have a lot of both of those things. I parted with several bags of clothes, but can't really part with my books, especially my prayer journals. Anyways, packing brings memories. Just a year ago I packed up from Mexico and came here to Lima. I came across pictures I hadn't seen in a long time- from high school, and college. My life has been filled with so many sweet times. It makes me excited to think about where this next journey may take me.
While I am a person that doesn't mind moving around and meeting new people, I have this longing inside of me for something, someone constant in life. I want someone to go through life with me. I could go anywhere in this world and be fine because the Lord is my strength, protector, healer, provider and best friend, but how much sweeter it would be with a companion. Perhaps that part of life is sneaking up on me and is just around the corner, but I won't know until it happens. We'll just have to wait and see.
So..... that's what has been on my mind today. Don't forget that God is good and without Him there is no life. Hang out with Jesus today. It'll be sweet!
While I am a person that doesn't mind moving around and meeting new people, I have this longing inside of me for something, someone constant in life. I want someone to go through life with me. I could go anywhere in this world and be fine because the Lord is my strength, protector, healer, provider and best friend, but how much sweeter it would be with a companion. Perhaps that part of life is sneaking up on me and is just around the corner, but I won't know until it happens. We'll just have to wait and see.
So..... that's what has been on my mind today. Don't forget that God is good and without Him there is no life. Hang out with Jesus today. It'll be sweet!
[Sunday, June 18, 2006]
Well, friends, I can't believe it's been a year since I last wrote to you. I doubt if anyone will even read this, so I guess I'm writing it more for myself than anyone else. If you actually know me, you will know that I am no longer in Mexico, but have been home in the US for exactly one year and what a year it has been! It has been filled with ups and downs in many different areas of life. Through it all God has been faithful and I have been blessed and stretched. A year ago last week I returned to the US from Mexico and left the same day, after about 10 minutes at home, to go to Canada for a week at a Spiritual Bootcamp. That week was very grueling, but introduced me to a ministry that has impacted my life greatly in the past year. It is called Teens for Christ. It's simple, but focused and that is why God is using it to spread the gospel all over the world! Well, just like last year, I spent this past week on an island in Canada and saw God do some amazing things. I went as a leader for the Spiritual Bootcamp and it was pretty intense, although last year was even more intense. The experience itself is unlike anything so it's very hard to describe. Just imagine yourself being completely surrounded by people passionate about God and having one focus for an entire week, that being God. If only we lived real life with that perspective- completely revolving around God. Everyday we soaked up the Word of God and felt it's power flow through us. We ended each night by praising and worshiping our most Holy and Awesome Creator, God, and His Son Jesus Christ.
One night I had the opportunity to sit under the stars with a new friend and be in awe of God's creation.
Here are some things that God taught me this week:
1.) When God says that you are going to go for Him, it will happen. Don't let anyone talk you out of believing that. They may not understand but it doesn't matter. Christ says that we should be willing to leave our family for His sake. I must obey.
2.) Many leadership principles: I set the standard for my group of followers. At one point I had to confront a group of adults about their lack of respect during the Bible teaching time. I waited awhile to do it, but God was telling me I had to and I hate confrontations. However, it's not usually easy to do what is right when others arent's- even Christians.
3.) People with the same passion as me are out there. I met someone this week who has a passion like mine.Although it's unlikely that it will lead to anything, God reminded me through it that at anytime he could put "the right guy" in my path when I am doing His will, especially when I'm least expecting it.
4.) Don't leave your platoon's flag unguarded, as it could end up flying from the roof of a building while you stand dumbfounded and completely clueless as to how it got there. ( That's just a fun thing I learned.)
Well, now I suppose I should tell you my current plans. In about 2 weeks, I am moving to Findlay, Ohio and saying goodbye to yet another "chapter" in my life. Things just keep right on moving and I'm still not going to be at my final destination. It, too, will be semi-permanent as I take about 2 years to get my Masters Degree in TESOL/ Bilingual Education from the University of Findlay. I have been offered a grad assistant position which will basically pay for my classes and give me a stipend. Isn't God awesome! In the meantime I will be working with a church in the area of evangelism.
My hope is to meet a guy that loves the Lord and desires to go overseas to people that are hungering and thirsting for the gospel. I'm hoping that God will bring him along side me soon, but I trust His timing for sure!
I will write again and let you know how life is in Findlay, Ohio. Thanks for reading this.
One night I had the opportunity to sit under the stars with a new friend and be in awe of God's creation.
Here are some things that God taught me this week:
1.) When God says that you are going to go for Him, it will happen. Don't let anyone talk you out of believing that. They may not understand but it doesn't matter. Christ says that we should be willing to leave our family for His sake. I must obey.
2.) Many leadership principles: I set the standard for my group of followers. At one point I had to confront a group of adults about their lack of respect during the Bible teaching time. I waited awhile to do it, but God was telling me I had to and I hate confrontations. However, it's not usually easy to do what is right when others arent's- even Christians.
3.) People with the same passion as me are out there. I met someone this week who has a passion like mine.Although it's unlikely that it will lead to anything, God reminded me through it that at anytime he could put "the right guy" in my path when I am doing His will, especially when I'm least expecting it.
4.) Don't leave your platoon's flag unguarded, as it could end up flying from the roof of a building while you stand dumbfounded and completely clueless as to how it got there. ( That's just a fun thing I learned.)
Well, now I suppose I should tell you my current plans. In about 2 weeks, I am moving to Findlay, Ohio and saying goodbye to yet another "chapter" in my life. Things just keep right on moving and I'm still not going to be at my final destination. It, too, will be semi-permanent as I take about 2 years to get my Masters Degree in TESOL/ Bilingual Education from the University of Findlay. I have been offered a grad assistant position which will basically pay for my classes and give me a stipend. Isn't God awesome! In the meantime I will be working with a church in the area of evangelism.
My hope is to meet a guy that loves the Lord and desires to go overseas to people that are hungering and thirsting for the gospel. I'm hoping that God will bring him along side me soon, but I trust His timing for sure!
I will write again and let you know how life is in Findlay, Ohio. Thanks for reading this.
