. . . school is back in session, and I really don't have time to write. But since this afternoon I'm stuck on campus 'til 5, I thought I'd give a brief update.
This month has been kinda interesting . . . but it's been sooooo good to be back on campus. With every passing day I am loving being here even more. I know I'm exactly where God wants me, and I am so content to be here with all the amazing people He has surrounded me with. One of my friends and I were talking yesterday, and at one point she said "I love school. Wait, no. I don't really love the school part; I just love being here. I love the campus, and all the people." That is so where my heart is. The homework part of school hasn't been too hard--though I have tests coming up next week so we'll see how those go--and I am LOVING being with my campus family! This week I got done with most of my homework over the weekend, and it worked out perfectly 'cause I have been or will be getting together with like 6 different people, besides small group, Chi Alpha, and just seeing people in the Union. :)
Yes, there have been challenges along the way--earlier this week was not a fun time, and I struggled a lot. But God is faithful, and I know He works all things together for my good. Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs EVER.
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes, but
You have new mercy for me every day
Your love never fails
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
And Your love never fails
The wind is strong and the water’s deep, but
I’m not alone here in these open seas
'Cause your love never fails
The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
But Your love never fails
You make all things
Work together for my good
Yeah You make all things
Work together for my good
~Chris Quilala
1.22.2010
1.18.2010
Per Hannah's request . . .
. . . Here are some pictures of me with my amazing friends during my awesome weekend in SD.
Molly, me, Leah, and Rachel
Molly, me, Leah, and Rachel
Megan
Carlina
Tori (one of my roomies for the weekend)
Tiffany (another awesome roomie)
I don't really have time to write about the trip, but suffice to say it was AWESOME!!!!! God's presence was there in a way you couldn't miss. The worship was intense, the teaching challenging and convicting, and the fellowship sweet. I got less than five hours of sleep each night, but it was so worth it, 'cause I spent so much time drawing so much closer to God and my friends.
Anyhow, I'm back on campus for another semester, and am super excited to see what God has in store for me. I'd really appreciate your continued prayers; it won't be long before I start the application process for the nursing program, and it's beginning to overwhelm me a bit. And also, for continued favor in my classes; I made the Dean's List last semester, and to have a chance of getting into the program, I pretty much need to do the same thing this semester. More than any of that, though, is that God would continue to use me in amazing ways, and that I would continue to be able to pour into the lives of those around me. And that I would continue to grow and be stretched.
1.04.2010
New Year's Eve
This past New Year's Eve is one I know I will not forget for a long time, and I hope the memory never fades. We've gotten together with the same friends for NYE for a lot of years, so of course we continued that tradition this year. However, this year I had more fun than I have in a long time. My friend Hannah and I decided that, since we had NO pictures of us together, we were going to have a mini photo-shoot. So after supper and playing games with our families, we headed up to her room to have some fun. And boy, did we ever have fun. Apparently the whole house heard us laughing, and I could definitely believe that. At times we were laughing so hard we were on the ground crying. I think we took around 50 pictures, but here are some of my favorites.
Hannah looks like she's used to this or something; what's up with that? ;)
You've been hanging around my brothers too long.
Yes, that is a clown wig she's wearing with the Western stuff . . . don't ask.
Nothing is as encouraging as the prayers of a friend.
I've known Hannah since I was about five, but in the last couple years I've gotten to know her so much better, and I am blessed to be so close to such an amazing friend.
1.01.2010
2010
My friend Amy wrote this earlier today, and I thought it'd be a good way to start this post.
"An optimist stays up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve to see the new year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. Personally, I was glad to see that both occured successfully."
I think that pretty much sums up what I thought yesterday, too: both relief at the end of last year, and excitement at the new year. Last year was quite the year, and I was ready to move on. It was a rather rough year, with my family having to deal with some trying circumstances. I think we dealt with more deaths in 2009 than we have any other year. We battled a major flood, and had to learn to overcome the stress and anxiety that caused. And I had to work through more changes and transitions in the span of about four or five months than I ever have in my life. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it was hard. But then again, I look at what God has done and brought forth through it all, and I must say it was also a great year. In the last few years God has totally thrown open the doors for campus to receive the hope of Jesus Christ, and seeing the fruit of my parents' labors has been amazing. When we first started hearing of the amazing ways God has been using Chi Alpha to transform students' lives, and how it's growing, and how the kids are so totally on fire for their Savior, God told us "You were a part of that. All the years you spent praying over the campus, pouring into students' lives, being My Light; this is the fruit of your labor. The walls are being torn down, and you had a hand in demolishing that stronghold." And now that I'm so deeply involved with Chi Alpha, and involved on campus, I can see it in an even greater light, and it's overwhelming to see God move in this way. It's overwhelming to consider that He would use us to help make it happen.
And of course I could go on and on and on about the last three or so months, and how they've pretty much been the greatest months of my life. I've grown more in the last two and a half months than I had in the last ten years. And I've been stretched more than I think I ever have. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.
So, looking back on the year 2009, yes it was hard. But it was amazing. And for all the pain and confusion that we may have battled, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because I know that God has and will continue to use it to further His kingdom, and to draw us closer to Him. And that's all that matters.
So now the question is: What will we do with 2010? Will we continue to hold on to the pain and bitterness of the past, or will we hang on to Jesus with all that we are and trust Him to guide us into victory in the coming year? I don't know about you, but I am so excited for this year I can hardly stand it. I'm SO excited to get back on campus and continue to pour into people's lives, and see God move in mighty ways. I can't wait to see how He's going to stretch me and use me. Yes, I know there will be trials to overcome, but that's just it: we "overcome by the Blood of the Lamb." I'll leave you with one final thought. It's something I've been realizing the last couple of months, and while it can be hard, it is--at least in my life--so true.
When you ask God to teach you and stretch you: 1) He will always do it in ways you don't expect; and 2) He will often do it in ways you don't necessarily want.
But it's so worth it.
"An optimist stays up 'til midnight on New Year's Eve to see the new year in. The pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. Personally, I was glad to see that both occured successfully."
I think that pretty much sums up what I thought yesterday, too: both relief at the end of last year, and excitement at the new year. Last year was quite the year, and I was ready to move on. It was a rather rough year, with my family having to deal with some trying circumstances. I think we dealt with more deaths in 2009 than we have any other year. We battled a major flood, and had to learn to overcome the stress and anxiety that caused. And I had to work through more changes and transitions in the span of about four or five months than I ever have in my life. And while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it was hard. But then again, I look at what God has done and brought forth through it all, and I must say it was also a great year. In the last few years God has totally thrown open the doors for campus to receive the hope of Jesus Christ, and seeing the fruit of my parents' labors has been amazing. When we first started hearing of the amazing ways God has been using Chi Alpha to transform students' lives, and how it's growing, and how the kids are so totally on fire for their Savior, God told us "You were a part of that. All the years you spent praying over the campus, pouring into students' lives, being My Light; this is the fruit of your labor. The walls are being torn down, and you had a hand in demolishing that stronghold." And now that I'm so deeply involved with Chi Alpha, and involved on campus, I can see it in an even greater light, and it's overwhelming to see God move in this way. It's overwhelming to consider that He would use us to help make it happen.
And of course I could go on and on and on about the last three or so months, and how they've pretty much been the greatest months of my life. I've grown more in the last two and a half months than I had in the last ten years. And I've been stretched more than I think I ever have. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams.
So, looking back on the year 2009, yes it was hard. But it was amazing. And for all the pain and confusion that we may have battled, I wouldn't trade it for anything, because I know that God has and will continue to use it to further His kingdom, and to draw us closer to Him. And that's all that matters.
So now the question is: What will we do with 2010? Will we continue to hold on to the pain and bitterness of the past, or will we hang on to Jesus with all that we are and trust Him to guide us into victory in the coming year? I don't know about you, but I am so excited for this year I can hardly stand it. I'm SO excited to get back on campus and continue to pour into people's lives, and see God move in mighty ways. I can't wait to see how He's going to stretch me and use me. Yes, I know there will be trials to overcome, but that's just it: we "overcome by the Blood of the Lamb." I'll leave you with one final thought. It's something I've been realizing the last couple of months, and while it can be hard, it is--at least in my life--so true.
When you ask God to teach you and stretch you: 1) He will always do it in ways you don't expect; and 2) He will often do it in ways you don't necessarily want.
But it's so worth it.
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