One semster down...

Only 4 more left until I complete my Master's degree and certification requirements to become a full-time teacher! I think that's so exciting. Yes, two years is a long time...but hey, it's all good. :)

So this week has been pretty awkward. I've had drama via e-mail that has been a little overwhelming, but things are better now. I am so grateful for God's compassion and grace. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort" (2 Cor 1:3) You know, we think of God in all of the roles he plays--Creator, Savior, Healer...but so often I neglect to remember that in just the right times, His comfort is like that of a good book, a favorite blankie, or a nice warm hug. :)


Well, we're having a Christmas celebration tonight with my brother, so I'm gonna head out. :)

Thankful

This Thanksgiving I have been reminded of how very much I have to be grateful for. But in the wake of our missions conference the past few weeks, I have been remembering some of the amazing experiences I have been able to have.

On my first international mission trip ever, our team encountered three refugees from Colombia in bustling Quito, Ecuador. They had been traveling ever since they returned to their small village after a fishing excursion, only to find their entire village had been brutally destroyed. Through the conversation, our team was able to hook them up with a local church...I still pray for these men regularly.

In the same city, not long after--our team painted Bible stories on the dining room tables at an orphanage. We returned a year later and the kids still remembered us. Seeds were planted that first year, that we were able to see come to life in the years following. (Fun note, I also met a Galapagos tortoise here)

Also in Quito--our teams took up and offering and delivered hundreds of pounds of food and necessities to the "dump people" (as they are called by locals). These people are poor, homeless, they made cardboard houses for themselves in the city dump. Ostracized by all of their society, these people are desperately hungry for the love of God....

Peru, 2006. Traveled to the poorest of the poor districts in Lima, and had the beautiful opportunity to wash children's hair. We put braids and fancy ponies in the little girls' hair. I think the overwhelming joy we were able to see on their faces was a glimpse into the utter excitement we will get to experience in heaven.

Again in Lima--spent the day using my admittedly horrible Spanish skills to converse with local children about the love of God, as we enjoyed some fun and games in the streets (it was in a car-less area, so it was safe)

In Panama astounding things seem to happen every day. We loved on HIV+ orphans in a small orphanage, ministered in a school for abused teens, spent an afternoon with some local politicians (haha--fun), visited a tribe out in the boonies a.k.a. rainforest, and shared the hope and unconditional love with those suffering with AIDS. The next year in Panama, we were able to spend a weekend on a remote island, worshiping with native believers. Possibly one of the greatest privileges I have ever experienced!

Then this summer, I had the opportunity to travel (for the first time ever) with "my" local church to Argentina. While in Tandil, we visited schools of all sorts of schools. The most interesting experience was when we pulled up at this one school. The teachers looked out the door, unsure of whether or not to let us in. They said the students were such bad kids that we would just be disappointed if we went in because they wouldn't listen to anything we said...God is bigger than rebellious teenage hearts though and miraculously each and every student sat at the assembly and listened attentively! Later on that week, some of those very same students attended the crusade where they were able to learn about the life-changing power of God. Awesome!




These are only a few of the amazing things God has allowed me to see in the past 6 years. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him overseas and today as we are thankful for all of our abundant resources, let us not forget to pray for the refugees, the homeless, the "dump people" of our society and others. Let our hearts break for the hurting and dying, and let our resolve be strengthened to share the love of Christ with everyone we can before it is too late.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

So...I was reading this chapter today in Philippians and in context this verse it talking about how Paul had learned that he could get by with little or with much. Even when times were difficult, he could do what God had called him to do because Christ gives him the strength. Going back to school is more difficult financially than I thought it would be. I am in this battle currently about how much I can afford to borrow in student loans versus how much time I can afford to work. It's difficult! But, it's life--and God's grace has provided for me thus far. I know that He will continue to do so, and even when things don't look awesome, God is always there with His omnipotent strength to take care of me. So I choose to have an attitude of gratitude along this journey--God desreves my praises and thanksgiving every single day! :)

So this is my thought for the day. Please don't interpret it as complaining...I'm not--God is good and I'm utterly grateful to Him for all of these wonderful opportunities He has afforded me!

Ponderings...

I love how there are seasons in your life when you have something to say about everything, and then there are other times in your life when everything is happening to you and yet....there isn't much to say. I've been feeling that way for a while now, as a matter-of-fact this year, I have only posted 9 times. heh. Funny.

Lately, I've been totally astounded by the favor of God. You know, I'm so incredibly far from perfect--and yet God blesses me anyway. You know, I used to always think that if I made the right choices, with the right attitudes THEN God would bless me. But it's just really amazed me lately how God loves me anyway and how he's willing to bless me even when I'm not perfect. I am so grateful for all that He does for us!

Oh....how He loves us so!

Wow.

I certainly am a lazy blogger. Boo me.

So, life lately has changed a lot. I spent the second half of my summer working full time at Homeland. That was joyous. Luckily, I had several other things to keep my mind occupied elsewhere. For example--early in July I had the wonderful opportunity to be a teacher's assistant at China camp. SO. MUCH. FUN. Then, I was busy getting ready for school: buying textbooks, making schedules, and all of those types of exciting things.

I have a second job teaching part time at a Christian school here in town. It's about the greatest job ever. I get to teach Spanish, music, and P.E. to Pre-K and Kindergarten students. They are a blast! And of course--school started. August 19th was the day. I was pretty nervous, I won't lie. As it turns out, though, I LOVE my classes. I am pretty stinking excited about being a teacher, which therefore makes me pretty stinking excited to go to class and do all the things I need to do to acheive that goal.

So here's a little tidbit for you (so this post ends on a good/non-rambling note):

"I've come to think of closed doors as divine detours. And while our failed plans can be incredibly discouraging and disorienting, God often used the things that seem to be taking us off our course to keep us on His course."
-from Wild Goose Chase

Argentina!

Since I've last written, I turned 22. Spent my birthday traveling to Argentina. Spent the next 10 days in Argentina. Encountered God in some new amazing ways. Learned some very important lessons. Made some wonderful new friends.

Seriously--God is GOOD!

I have a ton of stories to share from Argentina, and I will try to post them periodically over the next few weeks.

But for tonight, I'll just share one. On our first ministry day in Argentina, our team's bus driver got confused and took us to the wrong place...then we got back to the church that was our meeting point and were going to have to wait for a translator before we could do anything. So, we're sitting in the bus chilling out, and Mario (our coordinator) comes up and apologizes for us having to wait. All of a sudden, one of the people on the team goes--well Toni speaks Spanish. And...all of a sudden, I was a translator.

What an experience! It was crazy, but I think it actually went okay. The students totally seemed to understand what I was saying, and what was even more amazing--every time I couldn't think of a word, the kids knew exactly what word I was looking for. There is no way that they all were that fluent in English, so I totally think that God performed a miracle, so that these kids could learn more about Him. I couldn't be more excited or humbled to be used by Him in such a way! Thank you Lord for the chance to serve you, it is an incredible priviledge.

Lord I believe, help my unbelief

It seems that one of the only consistent things about myself is that I have trouble believing. I moved home, then worried life was passing me by. I decided to go back to school, but worry maybe I should have pursued a job. I got a job, and I'm worrying that I settled and that I could be much better off if I hadn't.

And although my life is full of stories of God doing incredible things, and reminding me to trust Him over and over...this still seems to be one of my life's biggest struggles. I signed up to go to Argentina with my church this summer. I waited and waited to get going on my fundraising--lazy, I know... But then, I found out I had missed apayment deadline--I needed $600 in 2 days before I found out, and sadly I only had $145 raised. And not only that--a week later, another $500 was due. I FREAKED. But after I calmed down, I decided that I was going to trust God and get to work on raising funds and just see what happened.

A mere THREE weeks later, God had paid completely for my trip! Not only that, I was able to give money to other people on our team to help them in their fundraising as well.

You know...I think that I let my mind run away with me sometimes and it helps my heart forget the lessons it has learned.



I guess it's more of a process than I used to think. :)

Busy Week!

It has been a supremely busy week! Saturday, I was at church for ten hours helping out with ribs (church fundraiser for the mission trip). Sadly though, I had to leave early, but it was still super fun. :) It was a great chance to get to know more people from our church family, and it was just all around good fun.

Monday, I called one of the big property management people in Weatherford to see if she had any one bedroom apartments open...The next day she had 3 places in and AWESOME location for me to look at. As I was hanging out around home that morning I ALSO got a call from Homeland and got offered a job. Yay! So...on the drive to Weatherford, I was just praying that God would work it all out, that I could get a job that where I could be a good a good employee and shine the Light of Jesus. It was also my prayer that I could find a great place to live, where I would feel safe and be happy all the same.

We got there...The agent was running late, so she told me how to get in the first apartment, and let us look at the place before she got there...It was a great apartment, but I didn't really love it. Apartment 2--the old tenants had just moved out and it hadn't been cleaned yet, but even with that--I didn't like it. We walked to the third apartment, and alas! The agent didn't have the right key to get in. I was really sad, because I didn't want to make her go get the key and waste her time...but we decided to ask her to go get the key anyway. I'm SOOO glad we did! As soon as I stepped in the apartment, I knew it was the one! It is super cute, super clean, and RIGHT off campus. So...now I have an apartment! Sweet. I move in May first. I'm so excited.

It's going to be totally weird to move out from home though, I'm so used to being here with the family 24/7...but I think the move will ultimately be good, because in Weatherford I can socialize and work, and I think that is important. :) The good news is that the family goes to church with me, so I'll still see them all the time.

I am so greatful for both my job and apartment! After all the time I have spent praying about both issues, I am fully content and at peace about it all, because I know He is in control and that's an awesome thing!

:)

Making Decisions...

So...I'm pretty sure making decisions, especially ones that I consider to be fairly major life decisions is currently my least favorite thing in the world. I keep second guessing myself. I'm questioning the wisdom of going into debt to go to school. Wondering how I can possibly get so much conflicting information from so many different sources....

Then I keep going back to the fact that I know God has a plan, and I know He will let me know what it is...but I'm just afraid I won't hear him. Or maybe I've already been told and I'm too nervous about messing up to follow it....I have no clue. Boo decision making. hahah.

Yeah, so...sorry my first post in forever is whiny. I'll think of something more fun and insightful to say soon.

Lessons on prayer from the heart of children...

My favorite part of living at home is the girls' bedtime...not because they are going to sleep so much, but mostly because they pray every night before bed. I have recently started having them pray their prayers instead of listening to mine.

Natalie loves to pray, she thinks it's super fun. She prays about everything from asking for help to be good at school, so her and Halli don't get spankings to our family's health and security. I think Nat thinks her prayers are best done when they make someone giggle. Her joy in prayer reminds me of how priviledged we are to have such a simple form of communication with The God of the Universe. Praying should be nothing less than a joy to us, because it really is such a wonderful priviledge.

Halli on the other hand, is much more serious. Her prayers involve a list of every one of our family members and their needs...she always know what people need even though we never tell her. Halli prays that everyone in the world will come to know Jesus. *tear..seriously* and she thoughtfully considers all the things that we need God's help with, which occasionally includes casting our worries aside. Halli's meticulous care for our friends' and family members' individual needs reminds me that my prayer needs to be more intercessory and a little less self-involved.

I love that my sisters can teach me so much by something so simple as bedtime prayers. :)

And my all time favorite part of their prayers--"And I love you Lord. And Jesus, too!"

Adventures in Subbing.

This week I worked my first two days substitute teaching.

Well...sorta teaching. Day 1, I filled in for a missing librarian. Mostly I sat around and read a Ted Dekker book all day, but it was fun.

Day 2....was a tad busier. I subbed for a Kindergarten class of 11 students. It was super fun and the kids were great! We got to do a devotion about how God made us all special, and you know...kindergarten stuff. It was super fun. I was super tired by the end of the day though! haha.


Anyway...In a few weeks I'm going back to sub Pre-K classes in the morning and Music classes in the afternoon for two days. Sweet! :)

It's really crazy to me to even be considering going into education for real, like as a full time job...but I don't know...it all seems like a crazy, yet great idea. Guess we'll see how things progress. :)

Memories.

This afternoon, I went out to my grandpa's old house to help clean up before the estate sale in March. It was an eventful day....

Up until I was fifteen years old, I was the only granddaughter on that side of my family. Sadly enough though, my grandma died when I was a baby, so I have no recollections at all of her. However, I have been told all of my life that I am "definitely Ann's granddaughter". I don't really even know what that means, but I like to think that means I'm a little bit like her. :)

Since I have no memories of my granny, I had decided that as they were cleaning the house out that I really wanted something...anything...that could help me connect with my past. Even if I didn't actually remember HER, I wanted something to remember her by. Back before Christmas, I found these wonderful dishes in the kitchen, they are grayish white and blue...nothing I would normally pic out in a thousand years, and yet...utterly beautiful. Tonight I packed up those dishes and got to bring them home with me. I could hardly keep from tearing up a little as I wrapped these precious pieces of (well) worn history into their box for safe keeping.

They are, at this moment, my most prized possession.

A treasured link to the memories I never got to have.


:)

The days go on..

I've been home for over a month now, and it's weird because I feel like so much has happened. But...I don't really know what. Something is profoundly different, I just can't place my finger on it yet. I have been thinking a lot lately about praying without ceasing...I seem to be praying with a lot less ceasing lately and it's sorta the greatest thing ever. But to pray without ceasing...man...it sounds so complex, and yet so wonderfully simple! I love how God is like that sometimes. He Loves more than we can ever understand. He knows more than we could ever dream of knowing. He is beyond measure, beyond all comparison...and yet, He is also very near..

I don't really guess I have a lot to say, just wanted to post. Oh, and I put up a new video. Watch it--well, don't, but listen to the song. It's awesome.