First of all, here on some major highlights from my week:
On Thursday this week, my heart strayed from the Majesty and goodness of God to other things. I desired and thought about other things above Him, thus committing idolatry, not to mention adultery. As a result, on Friday, I felt so messed up spiritually and I felt like a hypocrite. I thought to myself, "How can I say that I desire God when I'm running after these things?" Soon, though, God uplifted my spirit distracting me with class and other responsibilities. These idols are things that I struggle with on a regular basis, but I pray that God will help me to overcome them.
On Saturday, I worked on homework until about 2:00, and then my mind basically turned off. Thus, I wasted the rest of day, even though I had a mountain-load of homework to do.
As a result of my decision on Saturday to quit doing homework way before the end of the day, this morning I was feeling overwhelmed with things, and the thought entered my head, "Perhaps I should just skip church this morning." The idea only lingered for a few seconds, and I went to church. I felt so blessed and uplifted by going to Sunday school and having fellowship with everyone. The experience definitely reminded me that it is important to go to church, because we need each other. It's amazing when God does those sorts of things in my life, and even amazing when He doesn't! His amazingness (is that a word?) does not change!
Today, it was also communion Sunday at church. I feel like I've been de-sensitized to what Christ did on the cross, so I was praying and confessing that to God and saying, "God, give me a fresh glimpse of the crucifixion and resurrection. Show me a picture of your love." As the elements were being passed out, I saw a a 9 or 10 year-old girl draw near to herself her 4-year-old sister who has spina bifida. At that moment, the human sisterly love was remarkable and overwhelming, but it was also a picture to me of how God wants to draw me near to Himself as His daughter, because of His love for me.
Thus far this afternoon, it has been quiet and peaceful and relaxing working on homework and just spending time in God's presence at the same time. I know that God is always present with me, but one of the signs that sometimes happens to me is a physical heaviness in the chest area. Before I became a Christian, my heart would always pound whenever some pastor invited people to receive Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Treasure. Well, I'm experiencing that physical heaviness this afternoon, and it just feels great. God has been speaking to me about a lot of things. I still have a lot to get accomplished before tomorrow, but I have a peace about it.
Words I learned this week: halcyon, stadholder, nonage, epoch, ethology, castigate.
Quotes from the week:
"The causes of life's history [cannot] resolve the riddle of life's meaning."~Stephen Jay Gould
I must say that I highly disagree with the above quote. In fact, the cause of life's history does solve the riddle of life's meaning. If one acknowledges that God is the Creator, then that also means that the created thing has some sort of purpose. For what would be the reason for creating something that has no use? Thus, knowing that we have purpose, we must adhere to the purpose for which our Creator made us, otherwise we would still be of no use. Our life is filled with meaning as we follow the purpose that God has for us.
Similarly, if we turn this concept on its head and say that we just came about by chance, then what is there to live for? If we're just accidents, then life has no purpose.
"If God's thoughts and ways are higher than our own (as a jet flies higher than a bird), then God is to us as we are to the preschooler, only more so. Just as the preschooler cannot fathom adult logic, indeed is baffled by things that adults easily understand, so we can expect to be baffled by mysteries and paradoxes that are, perhaps, mere simplicities to God."
"If God's thoughts and ways were like our own, God wouldn't be God, or else we would be gods, too."
Have a great week everyone! May our great, sovereign God reveal Himself to you this week in many ways!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 30-Feb. 5
"Change my heart, oh God, make it ever true. Change my heart, oh God, may I be like you. You are the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me-- this is what I pray."
I forgot to mention last week that I got my hair cut. This time, I didn't skip school to get it done, nor did I lead anyone astray by having them skip school too. :) In fact, the girl came to my dorm room to do it! Talk about awesome service!
I feel like I am waiting on God for three main things:
1. Whom my spouse will be
2. What I will major in
3. What I will be doing this summer
Of course, some of these are more urgent than others. For instance, I have plenty of time until I get married. :)
There are different spiritual seasons that people go through. Some people are in valleys of trouble and despair. Other people are at the mountain top, experiencing God with joy. Some might be in between. I feel like I'm at the mountain top, but then again, I feel like I'm sort of going downhill. Either way, embrace the spiritual season that you may be in because God uses all of them to cause you to grow closer to Him.
One blessing that I realized in my life this week: my best friend Janeen. She is the first person my age that I have ever really opened up to about spiritual things. Before, I think I may have been a bit elusive about the subject with people, and I felt awkward whenever I did talk about it. I'm glad that I am comfortable telling Janeen what God is doing in my life, and I think she would agree that it has been a mutually beneficial, growing friendship.
I hope that one day I might be able to sing joyfully to the Lord, "Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you." This week, I've struggled with what it means to desire God in terms of action. I keep on saying to myself, "Okay, if I really desired God, then I wouldn't do this, or I would do that."
God continues to provide for my every need.
As with any other piece of writing, I urge my readers to understand that I am selective in what I write on here. For the most part, I like to write about positive things (since if you want to read about negative things, you can just read a newspaper). However, I still try to be genuine in what I write.
As ya'll begin a new week, I pray that the cry of everyone's hearts will be, "Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord, to you. Let the world around me fade away. Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord to you, for I desire to worship and obey."
Leah Jarvie
I forgot to mention last week that I got my hair cut. This time, I didn't skip school to get it done, nor did I lead anyone astray by having them skip school too. :) In fact, the girl came to my dorm room to do it! Talk about awesome service!
I feel like I am waiting on God for three main things:
1. Whom my spouse will be
2. What I will major in
3. What I will be doing this summer
Of course, some of these are more urgent than others. For instance, I have plenty of time until I get married. :)
There are different spiritual seasons that people go through. Some people are in valleys of trouble and despair. Other people are at the mountain top, experiencing God with joy. Some might be in between. I feel like I'm at the mountain top, but then again, I feel like I'm sort of going downhill. Either way, embrace the spiritual season that you may be in because God uses all of them to cause you to grow closer to Him.
One blessing that I realized in my life this week: my best friend Janeen. She is the first person my age that I have ever really opened up to about spiritual things. Before, I think I may have been a bit elusive about the subject with people, and I felt awkward whenever I did talk about it. I'm glad that I am comfortable telling Janeen what God is doing in my life, and I think she would agree that it has been a mutually beneficial, growing friendship.
I hope that one day I might be able to sing joyfully to the Lord, "Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares with you." This week, I've struggled with what it means to desire God in terms of action. I keep on saying to myself, "Okay, if I really desired God, then I wouldn't do this, or I would do that."
God continues to provide for my every need.
As with any other piece of writing, I urge my readers to understand that I am selective in what I write on here. For the most part, I like to write about positive things (since if you want to read about negative things, you can just read a newspaper). However, I still try to be genuine in what I write.
As ya'll begin a new week, I pray that the cry of everyone's hearts will be, "Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord, to you. Let the world around me fade away. Jesus, draw me close; closer, Lord to you, for I desire to worship and obey."
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 23-29
It's been a busy, crazy week! I cannot believe that it's already Sunday. The weekends are definitely my favorite part of the week, since it's a time to sort of slow down and not have a lot of fixed commitments.
On Tuesday, something really cool happened. I had been planning on doing all of my homework for Wednesday in the afternoon, but then there was an opening for work that evening, so I took it. (I need to make up some work-study hours from last semester, so I'm trying to go whenever possible.) I got back to campus around 6:30, ate dinner, and then I had a mission trip meeting for Guatemala at 7:00. So it wasn't until about 8:00 when I actually got started on my homework. At that point, I was completely exhausted physically and mentally. Plus, I had a headache. I laid down on my bed and prayed, "Lord, I need you. I need your strength to get this homework done. Please take away my headache." As soon as I finished praying that, my headache was gone, and I had a renewed energy, and I was able to complete most of my homework that I had for the next day.
Another thing that has been great to see is God's provision in various areas. On Thursday, I did laundry, and I was sort of overwhelmed with how many clothes God has provided me with, when some people don't even have two T-shirts. He also provided more work-study hours for me on Saturday, which was really neat.
It has also been astounding and overwhelming to see how God has provided support for the mission trip to Guatemala. I had been sort of getting worried about it, but then some money came in the mail, and I also got an email from the leader of the trip, telling me of some money that had been sent directly to him. $750 is due by Wednesday this week, and right now, I'm at $585, but I'm trusting God to work in awesome ways to get that amount in on time.
Even when it doesn't seem as though God is working, He is! That's an important thing to remember when praying for someone's salvation or when showing kindness to someone. From outward signs, it may appear that the person has a rejectful attitude, but God is working in the person's soul.
What college students do in their spare time: shoot their professors with nerf guns. :)
Words I learned this week: spurious, chicany, pettifogging, unctuous, hiatus, ratiocination, bequeath.
Quotes:
"We're good at fighting for causes, but we're not good at loving people."-Dr. Stratman, my Honors English II teacher
"Do you think if the Bible was a bad book it would make men good? Do you think if it was a false book it would make men good?"-Dwight L. Moody
"Many of the passages appear to us difficult to understand, but if we could understand it clearly from front to back at first, it would be as a human book, but the very fact that we cannot understand it all at once, is the highest proof that it is the Word of God."-Dwight L. Moody
I love you all! Email me at butterfingerleah@aim.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Leah Jarvie
On Tuesday, something really cool happened. I had been planning on doing all of my homework for Wednesday in the afternoon, but then there was an opening for work that evening, so I took it. (I need to make up some work-study hours from last semester, so I'm trying to go whenever possible.) I got back to campus around 6:30, ate dinner, and then I had a mission trip meeting for Guatemala at 7:00. So it wasn't until about 8:00 when I actually got started on my homework. At that point, I was completely exhausted physically and mentally. Plus, I had a headache. I laid down on my bed and prayed, "Lord, I need you. I need your strength to get this homework done. Please take away my headache." As soon as I finished praying that, my headache was gone, and I had a renewed energy, and I was able to complete most of my homework that I had for the next day.
Another thing that has been great to see is God's provision in various areas. On Thursday, I did laundry, and I was sort of overwhelmed with how many clothes God has provided me with, when some people don't even have two T-shirts. He also provided more work-study hours for me on Saturday, which was really neat.
It has also been astounding and overwhelming to see how God has provided support for the mission trip to Guatemala. I had been sort of getting worried about it, but then some money came in the mail, and I also got an email from the leader of the trip, telling me of some money that had been sent directly to him. $750 is due by Wednesday this week, and right now, I'm at $585, but I'm trusting God to work in awesome ways to get that amount in on time.
Even when it doesn't seem as though God is working, He is! That's an important thing to remember when praying for someone's salvation or when showing kindness to someone. From outward signs, it may appear that the person has a rejectful attitude, but God is working in the person's soul.
What college students do in their spare time: shoot their professors with nerf guns. :)
Words I learned this week: spurious, chicany, pettifogging, unctuous, hiatus, ratiocination, bequeath.
Quotes:
"We're good at fighting for causes, but we're not good at loving people."-Dr. Stratman, my Honors English II teacher
"Do you think if the Bible was a bad book it would make men good? Do you think if it was a false book it would make men good?"-Dwight L. Moody
"Many of the passages appear to us difficult to understand, but if we could understand it clearly from front to back at first, it would be as a human book, but the very fact that we cannot understand it all at once, is the highest proof that it is the Word of God."-Dwight L. Moody
I love you all! Email me at butterfingerleah@aim.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 16-22
Two words: busy week. Five more words: it will just get busier. Usually the days are long, but, fortunately, the weeks go by quickly. By now, I have fallen comfortably into my new routine of classes.
Basically three major things took place this week:
1. I do not know if I will major in biology or not. I think I might major in Biblical and theological studies for sure, and maybe Family and Human Resources, but I am not sure yet. More than likely, my mind will change again.
2. I feel like God is calling me to interact more with other Christians and fulfill the fellowship part of Christianity. Because of this, I've joined a passion group, which is a small Bible study group.
3. I feel like I actually desire God from within. Spending time with God is not just something I do anymore because it's the Christian thing to do. It's something that I look forward to and enjoy.
A few of the many interesting words and phrases learned: out and out, ossuary, calumny, emendation, paschal, concomitant, masochistic, card sharp, tie one on.
Some favorite quotations from the week:
"So I pray, Lord, that you would give me things to pray about."
"Just because it's the way we are doesn't mean it's the way we're supposed to be."-Hannah Wright
God is ever faithful. He has never failed me yet (and He never will)!
I'm always interested to hear what is going on in each of your lives, so send me an email at butterfingerleah@aim.com, since I only go on facebook on Sundays now. I especially like to hear what God is teaching you. We're in this life together.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Leah Jarvie
Basically three major things took place this week:
1. I do not know if I will major in biology or not. I think I might major in Biblical and theological studies for sure, and maybe Family and Human Resources, but I am not sure yet. More than likely, my mind will change again.
2. I feel like God is calling me to interact more with other Christians and fulfill the fellowship part of Christianity. Because of this, I've joined a passion group, which is a small Bible study group.
3. I feel like I actually desire God from within. Spending time with God is not just something I do anymore because it's the Christian thing to do. It's something that I look forward to and enjoy.
A few of the many interesting words and phrases learned: out and out, ossuary, calumny, emendation, paschal, concomitant, masochistic, card sharp, tie one on.
Some favorite quotations from the week:
"So I pray, Lord, that you would give me things to pray about."
"Just because it's the way we are doesn't mean it's the way we're supposed to be."-Hannah Wright
God is ever faithful. He has never failed me yet (and He never will)!
I'm always interested to hear what is going on in each of your lives, so send me an email at butterfingerleah@aim.com, since I only go on facebook on Sundays now. I especially like to hear what God is teaching you. We're in this life together.
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Leah Jarvie
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Week in Review Jan. 9-15
Wow! So much has happened this week. I feel like I have learned so much in just three days of classes! On Monday morning, I flew back to JBU. I am glad that my flight was in the morning because I was able to see the ground from the airplane. God gave me a new picture of His Sovereignty. It was overwhelming to look out the window because the land just seemed to stretch on for miles. I pictured the earth as God's dollhouse, and God as the person playing and moving the people.
Monday afternoon and Tuesday were spent unpacking and preparing for the upcoming semester.
On Wednesday, classes began. It was great to get into a routine again. Wednesday is my busiest day of the week in term of classes; I have 5!
8:00-8:50- New Testament
9:00-9:50- Honors: English II
11:00-11:50- Plant Biology
12:00-12:50- Introductory Psychology
4:10-6:00- Student Leadership
I am looking forward to the New Testament class, just because one of my passions is the Bible. One problem that I noticed with my schedule is that my New Testament and Honors: English II classes are at opposite ends of campus, so I have to walk really fast to be on time, and I am so used to getting to classes really early that I feel like I am late, even if I am right on time. My Student Leadership class is bound to be the most challenging, just because it will get me out of my comfort zone.
To make up for all of the classes on Wednesday, I only have one class on Thursday: Honors: Western Civilizations II at 11:30, which is right after chapel. Speaking of chapel, it felt great again to worship with such a large body of people again. It just felt great to see lots of people raising their hands in worship.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, I had work-study at the Boys and Girls Club from 3:00-6:00. I always feel so blessed whenever I go there. Just the smile and excitement of kids playing tag make my day.
Other "small" blessings that God gave me this week: pecan pie for desert, my friend Janeen, chocolate milk, sunshine.
This semester, I am currently roommate-less, which is turning out to be quite beneficial in terms of seeking the Lord. I don't have to worry about waking my roommate up at 5 in the morning. (Unlike most college students, I like to go to bed at 9 and get up at 5.)
Words I learned this week: philology, extant, lacuna, inconcinnity, putative, lackey, adumbrate, cowl, conjugal, deleterious. Now let's see if I actually remember all of them 2 months from now!
One of my StrengthsQuest is "Input," which means I like to collect things. For me, that "thing" is information. I just love quotes. Here are some that I enjoyed and found thought-provoking this week:
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you
"God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." John Henry Jowett
"Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength does not mean just getting by. It means we are going at life with the intent of getting something of God out of it. If we are letting life happen to us, we are not finding God in it. Life does not 'happen' to anyone. We either find God in it or we muddle through somehow. There is no middle ground." John Fischer
The last quote is from my Plant Biology textbook: "The concept of intelligent design has recently been proposed to explain many complex phenomena. Its fundamental concept is that many structures and metabolisms are too complicated to have resulted from evolution and natural selection. Instead, they must have been created by some sort of intelligent force or being. This may or may not be true, but this does not help us to analyze and understand the world; instead, it is used as an answer in itself that prevents further study. Photosynthesis is certainly complex, and it may have been designed by some intelligent being; however, believing that does not help us to understand photosynthesis at all, and it does not help us to plan future experiments. In contrast, the scientific method is a means through which we are discovering even the most subtle details of photosynthesis." James D. Mauseth
Of course, I believe that God created the world, but I really enjoyed the author's point that we can't just assert that God is the Creator and stop there. No, we are still required to carefully study this world and the things that God has made. Too many times, we are often afraid to ask questions and study things, because we may enter into unknown territory, which makes us uncomfortable. It's okay to not have all of the answers; however, I also believe that God wants us to seek those answers by seeking Him.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately is the issue of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "Pray continually." However, it seems that once you pray for something, and you pray for it again, it could be seen as a lack of faith that God heard you the first time. So, if you'd like to respond and give me some of your input, that would be greatly appreciated. What does the discipline of prayer look like in your own life?
Blessings to everyone! Thanks for your love, prayers, and support!
Leah
Monday afternoon and Tuesday were spent unpacking and preparing for the upcoming semester.
On Wednesday, classes began. It was great to get into a routine again. Wednesday is my busiest day of the week in term of classes; I have 5!
8:00-8:50- New Testament
9:00-9:50- Honors: English II
11:00-11:50- Plant Biology
12:00-12:50- Introductory Psychology
4:10-6:00- Student Leadership
I am looking forward to the New Testament class, just because one of my passions is the Bible. One problem that I noticed with my schedule is that my New Testament and Honors: English II classes are at opposite ends of campus, so I have to walk really fast to be on time, and I am so used to getting to classes really early that I feel like I am late, even if I am right on time. My Student Leadership class is bound to be the most challenging, just because it will get me out of my comfort zone.
To make up for all of the classes on Wednesday, I only have one class on Thursday: Honors: Western Civilizations II at 11:30, which is right after chapel. Speaking of chapel, it felt great again to worship with such a large body of people again. It just felt great to see lots of people raising their hands in worship.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, I had work-study at the Boys and Girls Club from 3:00-6:00. I always feel so blessed whenever I go there. Just the smile and excitement of kids playing tag make my day.
Other "small" blessings that God gave me this week: pecan pie for desert, my friend Janeen, chocolate milk, sunshine.
This semester, I am currently roommate-less, which is turning out to be quite beneficial in terms of seeking the Lord. I don't have to worry about waking my roommate up at 5 in the morning. (Unlike most college students, I like to go to bed at 9 and get up at 5.)
Words I learned this week: philology, extant, lacuna, inconcinnity, putative, lackey, adumbrate, cowl, conjugal, deleterious. Now let's see if I actually remember all of them 2 months from now!
One of my StrengthsQuest is "Input," which means I like to collect things. For me, that "thing" is information. I just love quotes. Here are some that I enjoyed and found thought-provoking this week:
Others may do a greater work,
But you have your part to do;
And no one in all God's family
Can do it as well as you
"God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters." John Henry Jowett
"Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength does not mean just getting by. It means we are going at life with the intent of getting something of God out of it. If we are letting life happen to us, we are not finding God in it. Life does not 'happen' to anyone. We either find God in it or we muddle through somehow. There is no middle ground." John Fischer
The last quote is from my Plant Biology textbook: "The concept of intelligent design has recently been proposed to explain many complex phenomena. Its fundamental concept is that many structures and metabolisms are too complicated to have resulted from evolution and natural selection. Instead, they must have been created by some sort of intelligent force or being. This may or may not be true, but this does not help us to analyze and understand the world; instead, it is used as an answer in itself that prevents further study. Photosynthesis is certainly complex, and it may have been designed by some intelligent being; however, believing that does not help us to understand photosynthesis at all, and it does not help us to plan future experiments. In contrast, the scientific method is a means through which we are discovering even the most subtle details of photosynthesis." James D. Mauseth
Of course, I believe that God created the world, but I really enjoyed the author's point that we can't just assert that God is the Creator and stop there. No, we are still required to carefully study this world and the things that God has made. Too many times, we are often afraid to ask questions and study things, because we may enter into unknown territory, which makes us uncomfortable. It's okay to not have all of the answers; however, I also believe that God wants us to seek those answers by seeking Him.
One thing that I have been thinking about lately is the issue of prayer. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "Pray continually." However, it seems that once you pray for something, and you pray for it again, it could be seen as a lack of faith that God heard you the first time. So, if you'd like to respond and give me some of your input, that would be greatly appreciated. What does the discipline of prayer look like in your own life?
Blessings to everyone! Thanks for your love, prayers, and support!
Leah
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What God has been Teaching Me
Hey y'all,
I'm just so excited about what God is teaching me at John Brown, that I had to share it with you. This morning, when I was spending time with God, I realized that God often uproots us from the familiar in order to teach us something. The familiar for me would be LCS, my family, and the city of Howell, Michigan. The unfamiliar is JBU and Siloam Springs, Arkansas (even though I've been here for about a month and half, the place is still not "familiar" even though I know it much better than I did at first). Before I came here, I was apathetic about my spiritual life; I wasn't really spending time with God. Now, however, God is the only One whom I have (certainly I'm making friends, but it's not the same).
The first few weeks or so that I was here, I didn't spend any time with God. However, through September 16-17, I went on a retreat, and I "got in touch" with God again. I've been spending time with Him regularly each morning, and He is certainly teaching me a lot. One thing that He seems to keep on reiterating is the idea of being wholly surrendered to Him and what He would want for me. For spring break, I am thinking about going on a mission trip to Guatemala. As for the summer, I am thinking about working at one of the camps down here. However, I am not quite sure what I am doing for Christmas break yet. Certainly, it would be totally awesome to come home (and that's what I really desire). However, I'm not quite sure if that's what God wants me to do yet; He hasn't told me what direction to take. It may seem simple enough that I should just come home for Christmas, but it's not. As of now, I strongly believe that God is calling me to be a doctor, targeting mentally and physically disabled people in foreign countries. Certainly, I won't be able to come home and visit my family for Christmas when I'm in that occupation! So, I feel like it would be great preparation for the future for me to stay down here or go "home" with some other family, instead of going to Howell (if that is God's will).
I must admit that for the longest time, I was having doubts about whether I made the right decision to come here. Homesickness greatly contributed to these doubts. However, now I have absolutely no doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be. I am seeing some of the fruit of why God brought me here: to awaken me spiritually and to have a closer relationship with Him and to learn to trust Him more. If those were the only reasons that God brought me here, it would be well worth it! Don't you think? I am thoroughly convinced though that God has much more in store for me here!
Some specific things to pray for:
1. That my desire would be to desire God, and God only.
2. That I would be obedient to whatever God calls me to do.
3. That God would reveal to me what He wants me to do for Christmas break (whether come home or stay here)- and that I would be able to discern what He is telling me to do.
Thanks for all of your love, prayers, and support!
I'm just so excited about what God is teaching me at John Brown, that I had to share it with you. This morning, when I was spending time with God, I realized that God often uproots us from the familiar in order to teach us something. The familiar for me would be LCS, my family, and the city of Howell, Michigan. The unfamiliar is JBU and Siloam Springs, Arkansas (even though I've been here for about a month and half, the place is still not "familiar" even though I know it much better than I did at first). Before I came here, I was apathetic about my spiritual life; I wasn't really spending time with God. Now, however, God is the only One whom I have (certainly I'm making friends, but it's not the same).
The first few weeks or so that I was here, I didn't spend any time with God. However, through September 16-17, I went on a retreat, and I "got in touch" with God again. I've been spending time with Him regularly each morning, and He is certainly teaching me a lot. One thing that He seems to keep on reiterating is the idea of being wholly surrendered to Him and what He would want for me. For spring break, I am thinking about going on a mission trip to Guatemala. As for the summer, I am thinking about working at one of the camps down here. However, I am not quite sure what I am doing for Christmas break yet. Certainly, it would be totally awesome to come home (and that's what I really desire). However, I'm not quite sure if that's what God wants me to do yet; He hasn't told me what direction to take. It may seem simple enough that I should just come home for Christmas, but it's not. As of now, I strongly believe that God is calling me to be a doctor, targeting mentally and physically disabled people in foreign countries. Certainly, I won't be able to come home and visit my family for Christmas when I'm in that occupation! So, I feel like it would be great preparation for the future for me to stay down here or go "home" with some other family, instead of going to Howell (if that is God's will).
I must admit that for the longest time, I was having doubts about whether I made the right decision to come here. Homesickness greatly contributed to these doubts. However, now I have absolutely no doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be. I am seeing some of the fruit of why God brought me here: to awaken me spiritually and to have a closer relationship with Him and to learn to trust Him more. If those were the only reasons that God brought me here, it would be well worth it! Don't you think? I am thoroughly convinced though that God has much more in store for me here!
Some specific things to pray for:
1. That my desire would be to desire God, and God only.
2. That I would be obedient to whatever God calls me to do.
3. That God would reveal to me what He wants me to do for Christmas break (whether come home or stay here)- and that I would be able to discern what He is telling me to do.
Thanks for all of your love, prayers, and support!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Challenge to Thank God...
I have a challenge for all of you: think of one situation, whether it be eating breakfast, or talking with a friend, etc., and thank God for all that went into it. Today, I want to thank God for everything that goes into mowing the lawn. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the way that you created me. Thank you for giving me two arms and two legs. Thank you for giving me the strength to get up. Thank you for the strength to mow the lawn. Thank you for the lawn mower itself. How blessed we are to have one! Thank you, Father, for good-working ears that can hear the music my Ipod plays. Thank you, Lord, for the Ipod itself. Thank you for the opportunity to serve my family by mowing the lawn. I am so incredibly blessed, Lord! Thank you for your love, O God! Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)