My dad came to visit me at work today. I say that (well, type that) with a smile on my face. I really love when my dad comes to visit me. He always has a huge smile on his face that always catches my attention. It's a great big "I'm so proud of you/I'm happy to see you" smile. I don't always have time to chat while I'm working, but he seems to come right when it's time for one of my breaks. Today I convinced my manager to let me take my last break a bit early because my dad was there, and he agreed. I got to sit down with my dad for a little bit and enjoy his company. Those fifteen minutes were the highlight of my 8-hour work day today. :)
Overall I had a good day at work, but it felt great to go home at 5:45 before Costco closed. I had a good night to look forward to. Lina (my roommate, for those of you who don't know) and I had planned a "date night". Although we're roommates, we don't get to spend a whole lot of time together. Our schedules really conflict during the weekdays, and I always go home and work on the weekends. Because I worked slightly different hours this weekend, though, I was able to come back to Ypsilanti tonight to have a date with my lovely roommate. We went out to dinner at Applebees (I won a gift card at my Costco holiday party this year) and then walked around Target for a while. We had a really nice time just hanging out, and I realized how blessed I am to have her in my life. Lina has been an awesome roommate and friend for the past 4 years. Although our career paths and schedules are so different now, we're nearing the end of our "life together as roommates" and I'd like to treasure every moment. Especially because I'll be out of the country for a year next year! I thank God for the opportunity that I had to spend time with Lina tonight.
Lord, I thank you for my family, especially my dad. Thank you for such a strong, Godly man with a loving smile and a kind heart. Thank you also for my roommate and friend Lina. Thank you for answering my prayers 4 years ago and providing me with such a wonderful Christian roommate. Words cannot express the blessing that she is in my life. Help me to see more of You in each of them every day.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Stealin' My Candy
It was a bit ironic that I blogged yesterday about staying calm in difficult situations because today I encountered a difficult situation. At work today my job was to promote the Costco American Express credit card (free with your Costco membership, no annual fee, cash back on everything you buy, blah blah blah). I was getting tired of standing at the table all day, so I decided to go over to the registers and talk to the members there. I asked one woman if she knew anything about the Costco American Express card and she just made an ugly face and said, "Yeah. I do. I had one before and it's a scam." I asked her to explain what she meant, and she went on and on (very loudly) about how much she hated the card. I simply said, "I'm sorry you feel that way. Have a good day!" And then I continued on to talk to other members. I had kind of forgotten about that woman's negative attitude, and I started walking back toward my table to get more pamphlets. As soon as I looked at the table, there was that woman, with a friend, and they were both loading candy from my bowl into their jacket pockets. When I say loading, I really mean loading. They each took turns holding each other's pockets open while the other one shoveled the candy in. I couldn't believe it! First they were knocking the card that I was promoting, and then they were taking all my candy while I wasn't looking. It took all that was in me not to go over there and ask them what the heck they thought they were doing. I just took a couple of deep breaths, and slowly walked back to the table as they were finishing up their little heist. I realize this is kind of a silly situation, but it really made me upset and I was very tempted to act un-Godly. Lord, thank You for granting me peace at work today.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thirsty Thursday
Today I woke up thirsty. Physically, yes, but also spiritually. I poured myself a large glass of water, grabbed the Joyce Meyer book I've been slowly making my way through (Battlefield of the Mind), and sat down at the dining room table. Typically I do not spend my mornings this way. They usually consist of jumping out of bed as my alarm sounds, rushing around to get ready for class, and running out the door with breakfast in my hands. This morning was a bit different...a good different. I would love to start every morning like this, but I will be honest and tell you that I do not. Anyway, this morning I felt as though there was something that God really wanted to tell me. I felt Him saying that He just really wanted about 20-25 minutes of my time this morning. So I gave it to Him. I opened my book and began reading, and immediately God began speaking to me.
The chapter that I read and meditated on this morning was called, ""I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding, and complaining."" The last couple of chapters in this book deal with what Joyce calls "wilderness mentalities". They are things that we tell ourselves that keep us from experiencing true joy in Christ. This particular chapter was about having a godly attitude in our times of suffering. I was very much convicted about this, as I often encounter situations in which I do not act very godly. Sometimes when someone does something that upsets me, I want to get angry with him or her and show how I really feel. Of course, it's much easier to get upset and complain, so I'm tempted to do just that. In fact, I see why Joyce identifies this attitude as addicting. What stops me sometimes, though, is the power of God. I hear His voice telling me to calm down and act rationally. I recognize a couple of reasons why He might be telling me this. First of all, we are made in the image of Christ. Therefore we are to act as He acts...and "Jesus suffered gloriously! Silently, without complaint, trusting God no matter how things looked" (Meyer, 218). Secondly, we are called to be a light to others. Those around us should be able to observe us and get an idea of the love of Christ through our actions and words. If we walk around grumbling and complaining whenever something in our life goes wrong, what image might others get of the Christian life? Especially if they hear us call ourselves Christians, yet they see us acting poorly in times of trouble. What good is it to talk the talk and not walk the walk? Lord, I pray that You would work through me. I pray that You would give me a patient heart and kind words. Please grant me the courage to act holy in difficult situations. Let me be a light for You.
I organized a little "spring break story time" for after the weekly meeting of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) tonight. It was really awesome and encouraging to hear one another's stories and see how God worked in our lives during break. Some of us went on mission trips and some of us stayed home...but all of us had great stories to share because God works in our lives no matter where we are.
I hope that you all are having a good week. I pray that God keeps you safe this weekend and that He brings you closer to Him each and every day. God bless!
The chapter that I read and meditated on this morning was called, ""I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, faultfinding, and complaining."" The last couple of chapters in this book deal with what Joyce calls "wilderness mentalities". They are things that we tell ourselves that keep us from experiencing true joy in Christ. This particular chapter was about having a godly attitude in our times of suffering. I was very much convicted about this, as I often encounter situations in which I do not act very godly. Sometimes when someone does something that upsets me, I want to get angry with him or her and show how I really feel. Of course, it's much easier to get upset and complain, so I'm tempted to do just that. In fact, I see why Joyce identifies this attitude as addicting. What stops me sometimes, though, is the power of God. I hear His voice telling me to calm down and act rationally. I recognize a couple of reasons why He might be telling me this. First of all, we are made in the image of Christ. Therefore we are to act as He acts...and "Jesus suffered gloriously! Silently, without complaint, trusting God no matter how things looked" (Meyer, 218). Secondly, we are called to be a light to others. Those around us should be able to observe us and get an idea of the love of Christ through our actions and words. If we walk around grumbling and complaining whenever something in our life goes wrong, what image might others get of the Christian life? Especially if they hear us call ourselves Christians, yet they see us acting poorly in times of trouble. What good is it to talk the talk and not walk the walk? Lord, I pray that You would work through me. I pray that You would give me a patient heart and kind words. Please grant me the courage to act holy in difficult situations. Let me be a light for You.
I organized a little "spring break story time" for after the weekly meeting of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) tonight. It was really awesome and encouraging to hear one another's stories and see how God worked in our lives during break. Some of us went on mission trips and some of us stayed home...but all of us had great stories to share because God works in our lives no matter where we are.
I hope that you all are having a good week. I pray that God keeps you safe this weekend and that He brings you closer to Him each and every day. God bless!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Psalm 51
Happy Ash Wednesday. Today is the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. I am excited for this time of drawing closer to God and falling more deeply in love with Him. I can't wait to see how He speaks to me, how He uses me, and how He invites me to know and love Him on a deeper level.
At Mass tonight, the first reading (Joel 2:12-18) particularly struck me. "For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment" (Joel 2:13). I want so much to be like that. I don't ever recall hearing those words and not feeling something stirring in my heart that says, "THAT'S the right attitude." What better time than Lent to practice that kind of behavior? This is a time of deeper prayer, deeper knowledge of God, and deeper belief in His promises. Lord, I pray that you would make me gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Make me more like You.
The Psalm read at Mass tonight was Psalm 51. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so. Even if you have read it, read it again. Something amazing happens when you read scripture multiple times...something different pops out at you each time! That's just how awesome God is and how true His words are. :) So here you go:
Psalm 51 - The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance
"Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty, a sinner,
even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins,
blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice,
burnt offerings and holocausts;
then bullocks will be offered on your altar."
I hope you actually read that and didn't just scroll down to the end. It is really such a beautiful psalm. Anyway, I am just struck by how wonderfully honest this is. It's a cry out to God, saying "I'm a sinner, Lord, but wipe it all away. Give me a clean heart. Just open my lips and I will sing your praises." This psalm is the cry of my heart today as I begin these forty days leading up to the Resurrection. I pray that God would help me put my past behind me and just cling to Him. I pray for the same for all of you as well. Let's join together and grow stronger in Christ!
At Mass tonight, the first reading (Joel 2:12-18) particularly struck me. "For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment" (Joel 2:13). I want so much to be like that. I don't ever recall hearing those words and not feeling something stirring in my heart that says, "THAT'S the right attitude." What better time than Lent to practice that kind of behavior? This is a time of deeper prayer, deeper knowledge of God, and deeper belief in His promises. Lord, I pray that you would make me gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Make me more like You.
The Psalm read at Mass tonight was Psalm 51. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so. Even if you have read it, read it again. Something amazing happens when you read scripture multiple times...something different pops out at you each time! That's just how awesome God is and how true His words are. :) So here you go:
Psalm 51 - The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance
"Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty, a sinner,
even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins,
blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice,
burnt offerings and holocausts;
then bullocks will be offered on your altar."
I hope you actually read that and didn't just scroll down to the end. It is really such a beautiful psalm. Anyway, I am just struck by how wonderfully honest this is. It's a cry out to God, saying "I'm a sinner, Lord, but wipe it all away. Give me a clean heart. Just open my lips and I will sing your praises." This psalm is the cry of my heart today as I begin these forty days leading up to the Resurrection. I pray that God would help me put my past behind me and just cling to Him. I pray for the same for all of you as well. Let's join together and grow stronger in Christ!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
True Community
Life has been a little hectic lately. Hectic, but wonderful. I just enjoyed winter/spring break last week, and it was great to not think about class for a little while. I went to Detroit on a 4-day mission trip with a small group from UCO (University Christian Outreach), and we had an awesome time. I went on the same trip last year, so I was a bit familiar with a few of the things we did. One thing that really struck me about the trip this year was the hope and joy that the people of Detroit have in the midst of their troubled circumstances. It really amazes me. Seeing the smiles on their faces and the light in their eyes makes me wonder something: If I was in that situation, living as they are living, would I have the same outlook on life? I think maybe I would...but only if I had Christ. Otherwise I think I'd be terribly depressed. The people in Detroit that we saw last week really had a passion for God. They knew His love and joy, despite their horrible living conditions and lack of food. I loved being able to pass out lunches one day to about 80 people living in poor conditions. It brought joy to my heart, and I know it blessed their lives as well. Another day that stands out from the trip to Detroit is Friday, when we got to sit in on an AA meeting. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but whatever I expected wouldn't even have come close to what I experienced. There were probably about 15-20 of us gathered around in a small room in one of the soup kitchens. Before I knew it, the meeting was off to an interesting start. These people had such amazing stories to share, and they weren't afraid to share them. There were a couple of women there that shared stories about their lives...how they were prostitutes in order to make a little money, but that they would most often spend that money on drugs or alcohol. One woman even admitted to stealing money from her children. God really broke my heart for those women. I can't imagine what it must be like to feel the need to sell my body for money. Now, before you all get depressed or anything, there is a bright side to this story. Although these women talked about selling themselves, drinking, and doing drugs, they were at that meeting because they want help and they know that God has a better and more beautiful plan for their lives. And they are all so encouraging to one another. When one man told the group that he had been clean for two months, everyone clapped for him. Also, they know each other by name and are like one big community. They're all there to get help and help one another. That really inspires me. We should also be encouraging to one another. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ...but often I don't think we act like it. I love the idea of having a group of friends who all know one another's strengths and weaknesses...a group that rejoices in others' good times and weeps with them during the bad times...a group of people that lifts one another up and supports each other through prayer and kind words. I see the people at that AA meeting as a great model for unity and true Christian community.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40 days of Lent. I will be blogging each day like I did last year to keep a record of the things God is doing in my life as I grow closer to him in this 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For those of you who do not celebrate Lent, I encourage you to take this time to learn a little bit more about what it is and why we celebrate it. For those of you who do celebrate Lent, I hope it is a wonderful time of spiritual growth for you. You are all in my prayers. :)
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40 days of Lent. I will be blogging each day like I did last year to keep a record of the things God is doing in my life as I grow closer to him in this 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. For those of you who do not celebrate Lent, I encourage you to take this time to learn a little bit more about what it is and why we celebrate it. For those of you who do celebrate Lent, I hope it is a wonderful time of spiritual growth for you. You are all in my prayers. :)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Beautifully Silent
I had a really nice night tonight. I got off work an hour early, so that was good. Then my drive back to the apartment was wonderful. Yes, the roads were crazy-bad. There was about 6 inches of snow when I left work, and it just kept coming as I drove to Ypsilanti. But I just drove super slow, turned on my music, and opened the bag of kettle corn (the best!) I just bought from Costco. It was such a relaxing drive home. It took me an hour when it normally takes a half hour, but for the first time, I really didn't mind it. :) When I got home I enjoyed some quality bonding-time with my roommate Lina. We painted our toes together, and then she played guitar and sang to me while I painted my fingernails. I now have freshly painted fingernails and toenails. Ahhh. :) What a wonderful way to start off this going-to-be-crazy week! There's something about the shiny look and smooth feel of a fresh coat of nail polish that I just really love. Anyway, enough about that.
God has been talking to me about truly confiding in Him. He wants me to just tell Him everything...especially the things I'm afraid to talk about with other people. He wants me to just run to Him and let everything out...my good times, my happiness, my troubles, and my tears. And He will be there with open arms and a listening ear. He will listen, wipe away my tears, and understand. I don't have to call first and let Him know I'm dropping by, I don't have to coordinate schedules with Him to work out a convenient time, and I don't have to feel bad about doing all the talking. That's more than any of my friends...even the really good ones...can ever do. That's what He's been teaching me lately. I didn't realize I was holding anything back until this past Thursday when I went to Holy Trinity church to do homework. I have really enjoyed using their student lounge this semester during my breaks from class. It's been awesome having a place not too far from class to get a snack, work on my homework, and take a nap. It's been really wonderful. I think sometimes I forget where I am though, and I forget there's a church upstairs. So on Thursday I walked up there and was struck by how beautifully silent it was. There was no one in the church (except for God of course), and the doors were wide open. How inviting. :) I took a few steps inside and then really felt God drawing me closer. As I continued walking in, I started crying. I think they were happy tears, but I really can't be too sure. I just sat down in one of the pews and cried. Then I just listened for what God might want to say to me. He basically said, "My lovely daughter, why haven't you included me in this situation? You know that I know what's best for you...". I knew exactly what situation He was talking about. And I think I knew why I had been excluding Him. I forgot about His unending mercy, His great great love for me, and His open arms. I think I just assumed He was another one of my friends. A friend that would say "I told you so." But God is not just another one of my friends. How silly of me! Anyway, it felt great to just be in God's presence like that and cry. I was so comforted. :)
Here's my words of wisdom for you all:
1. Paint your nails (if you're a lady reading this).
2. Talk (AND LISTEN) to God more often this week.
3. Don't hold anything back from Him. It's just not worth it.
God has been talking to me about truly confiding in Him. He wants me to just tell Him everything...especially the things I'm afraid to talk about with other people. He wants me to just run to Him and let everything out...my good times, my happiness, my troubles, and my tears. And He will be there with open arms and a listening ear. He will listen, wipe away my tears, and understand. I don't have to call first and let Him know I'm dropping by, I don't have to coordinate schedules with Him to work out a convenient time, and I don't have to feel bad about doing all the talking. That's more than any of my friends...even the really good ones...can ever do. That's what He's been teaching me lately. I didn't realize I was holding anything back until this past Thursday when I went to Holy Trinity church to do homework. I have really enjoyed using their student lounge this semester during my breaks from class. It's been awesome having a place not too far from class to get a snack, work on my homework, and take a nap. It's been really wonderful. I think sometimes I forget where I am though, and I forget there's a church upstairs. So on Thursday I walked up there and was struck by how beautifully silent it was. There was no one in the church (except for God of course), and the doors were wide open. How inviting. :) I took a few steps inside and then really felt God drawing me closer. As I continued walking in, I started crying. I think they were happy tears, but I really can't be too sure. I just sat down in one of the pews and cried. Then I just listened for what God might want to say to me. He basically said, "My lovely daughter, why haven't you included me in this situation? You know that I know what's best for you...". I knew exactly what situation He was talking about. And I think I knew why I had been excluding Him. I forgot about His unending mercy, His great great love for me, and His open arms. I think I just assumed He was another one of my friends. A friend that would say "I told you so." But God is not just another one of my friends. How silly of me! Anyway, it felt great to just be in God's presence like that and cry. I was so comforted. :)
Here's my words of wisdom for you all:
1. Paint your nails (if you're a lady reading this).
2. Talk (AND LISTEN) to God more often this week.
3. Don't hold anything back from Him. It's just not worth it.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What if I just said no?
So, I won't lie...looking at my schedule this week in Google Calendar makes my head hurt. I've closed the window now and I am writing here instead. Between classes, homework, UCO (University Christian Outreach) meetings, Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) meetings, advising appointments (to get things straightened out for graduation), teaching guitar lessons (to raise money for my GAP year...more on that later), MORE HOMEWORK, working about 24 hours every weekend, MORE HOMEWORK, and sleep, I don't have much breathing room. Do I over-pack my schedule? Possibly. Am I trying to do too much? Maybe. Do I still have time to spend with God? Yes. Honestly I do. He's the reason I'm not completely insane right now. I just sometimes sit back and wonder what my schedule would be like if I just starting saying "no" to stuff. No to weekly meetings, no to class and homework (wouldn't that be nice?), no to work (again...that would be nice!), no to lunch dates with friends, no no no.
I think my schedule would be a lot more open. But the key question, then, is this: Would I actually use all of that free time wisely? Probably not. Having such a busy schedule has taught me a few things about myself. It has taught me first of all that procrastination is a really really bad idea. With all these things going on, if I put off an assignment, I will probably never do it. I have learned to make use of the breaks between classes, the time I would normally spend chatting with friends on Facebook, and the time when I could be watching TV while I'm eating. Sometimes it's those little moments that make all the difference. And the biggest thing I've learned about procrastination is this: those assignments that the professor assigns at the beginning of the semester and say you have all semester to work on them...I need to start doing them (or at least thinking about them) as soon as possible. That makes for a much less stressful end-of-the-semester. Another thing I've learned about myself is that being involved in two different Christian groups at school has really helped shape me as a person. Sometimes on Tuesday and Thursday nights I just feel like sitting home and doing homework instead of going to UCO or Cru. So why don't I? I consider it, but I always end up going to the meetings because I hear God saying that He has something He wants to tell me. And you know what? He always does. I go to those meetings and hear the sweet words of my heavenly Father telling me how much He loves me, how beautiful and precious I am, and how important it is to tell others about Him. Hearing those things gives me such peace and joy! I don't exactly get those same feelings doing homework. Also, because I go to the meetings even when I don't feel like it, God blesses me for it. He helps me study and focus on schoolwork when I need to focus. Win-win. :)
Now, moving on from my crazy schedule...
Assuming everything will work out with my advisors, I am going to graduate with my bachelor's degree in speech language pathology in April of this year. Wahoo! :) I am then planning on working all summer and fundraising for my GAP year (September 2011-Summer 2012). For those of you who have not read my previous posts (or haven't talked to me about it), I am going on a year-long international mission/service trip next year. I will be taking a year off from work and school, and I will be serving God and furthering His kingdom in either Ireland, England, or Belgium. I was accepted to the program last September, but because I applied so early I have not found out my exact location yet. I just know that I have to raise about $9-10,000 before I leave in September. Yeah, that's no small amount. I am really depending on support from friends, family, and even strangers to make this GAP year happen. I know that God has called me to serve Him for a year, so I am counting on Him to help bring in the support. If you feel called AT ALL to help me (whether through prayer or financial support), please let me know. Send me an email (rc1120@gmail.com), leave me a message on Facebook, or call me. I am planning on sending out a letter with more information once I find out exactly where I'm going and what I'll be doing, but I just wanted to give you all a heads up. Please pray about this...see if God asks you to help me out. Even if it's just $5 or $10...that would help me. And of course the power of prayer is amazing...so if you can't afford to give financially, I greatly appreciate prayers. :)
I hope you all are doing well. Keep me in your prayers that God will grant me peace and joy. I'll be praying for the same for all of you unless I hear differently. Feel free to share prayer requests with me!
I think my schedule would be a lot more open. But the key question, then, is this: Would I actually use all of that free time wisely? Probably not. Having such a busy schedule has taught me a few things about myself. It has taught me first of all that procrastination is a really really bad idea. With all these things going on, if I put off an assignment, I will probably never do it. I have learned to make use of the breaks between classes, the time I would normally spend chatting with friends on Facebook, and the time when I could be watching TV while I'm eating. Sometimes it's those little moments that make all the difference. And the biggest thing I've learned about procrastination is this: those assignments that the professor assigns at the beginning of the semester and say you have all semester to work on them...I need to start doing them (or at least thinking about them) as soon as possible. That makes for a much less stressful end-of-the-semester. Another thing I've learned about myself is that being involved in two different Christian groups at school has really helped shape me as a person. Sometimes on Tuesday and Thursday nights I just feel like sitting home and doing homework instead of going to UCO or Cru. So why don't I? I consider it, but I always end up going to the meetings because I hear God saying that He has something He wants to tell me. And you know what? He always does. I go to those meetings and hear the sweet words of my heavenly Father telling me how much He loves me, how beautiful and precious I am, and how important it is to tell others about Him. Hearing those things gives me such peace and joy! I don't exactly get those same feelings doing homework. Also, because I go to the meetings even when I don't feel like it, God blesses me for it. He helps me study and focus on schoolwork when I need to focus. Win-win. :)
Now, moving on from my crazy schedule...
Assuming everything will work out with my advisors, I am going to graduate with my bachelor's degree in speech language pathology in April of this year. Wahoo! :) I am then planning on working all summer and fundraising for my GAP year (September 2011-Summer 2012). For those of you who have not read my previous posts (or haven't talked to me about it), I am going on a year-long international mission/service trip next year. I will be taking a year off from work and school, and I will be serving God and furthering His kingdom in either Ireland, England, or Belgium. I was accepted to the program last September, but because I applied so early I have not found out my exact location yet. I just know that I have to raise about $9-10,000 before I leave in September. Yeah, that's no small amount. I am really depending on support from friends, family, and even strangers to make this GAP year happen. I know that God has called me to serve Him for a year, so I am counting on Him to help bring in the support. If you feel called AT ALL to help me (whether through prayer or financial support), please let me know. Send me an email (rc1120@gmail.com), leave me a message on Facebook, or call me. I am planning on sending out a letter with more information once I find out exactly where I'm going and what I'll be doing, but I just wanted to give you all a heads up. Please pray about this...see if God asks you to help me out. Even if it's just $5 or $10...that would help me. And of course the power of prayer is amazing...so if you can't afford to give financially, I greatly appreciate prayers. :)
I hope you all are doing well. Keep me in your prayers that God will grant me peace and joy. I'll be praying for the same for all of you unless I hear differently. Feel free to share prayer requests with me!
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