A Momentous Occasion :)

Ahhh!

I just realized today that my Greek Syntax paper is due in two weeks!

Marching Forward

The past few weeks have been a battle spiritually. I can sense that the Lord is about to do something in my life and the enemy is aroused. The Lord has been gracious by bringing Scripture to my mind (the Sword of the Spirit) and covering me with the prayers of my fellow warriors. I have been learning a lot about spiritual warfare in my Spiritual Warfare class, and now I feel the heat of the battle. It has been hard, but I pray by His strength I will stand firm.

Today, the Lord once again allowed me to talk to someone about Christ. While the last time was expected, this one totally was not. I was in the Wal-Mart parking lot, putting groceries in my car, when a young man approached me and told me that his vehicle had ran out of gas. I told him I didn't have any cash, but he said he had a gas container so I walked with him to the Wal-Mart gas station and we filled it up. During this time, I learned he was from L.A., is starting classes this week at a welding school, why he moved to Louisville, and that his girlfriend/wife is pregnant. I shared with him that I also moved here to go to school. Announcing that I go to seminary, of course, steers the conversation towards spiritual matters so we talked about God, Jesus, and Judgment Day. He has a Roman Catholic and Church of Christ background and his significant other (who I later discovered was waiting for him in the truck) has Baptist roots. I am not sure where they stand with the Lord, but they know some Truth. I recommended them to a church on the KY side of the river (where they live) and gave them one of the sermon series I had in my car. I will probably never see them again, but I hope and pray that the Lord would guide them towards Himself. Their names are Billy and Tiffany. Please pray for them. What is really interesting about this situation is that just yesterday I was asking the Lord how I was going to be able to be a witness for Him overseas if I am not a witness for Him here where I'm comfortable, and I asked him to give me opportunities to share His goodness. So He did. :) "Ask and you shall receive." Be assured that God does hear our prayers and He will answer them in His own way and time.

This past week was Fall Break, and, sadly, it is swiftly coming to an end. I did not accomplish all my goals (as usual, I set the standard too high), but I did have two lovely days of no work and no school. One was especially sweet because I got to spend the majority of it with the Lord. Those two days were such a blessing away from schoolwork because even though I didn't accomplish all my goals, I stayed plenty busy with a 10 page paper, reading, a Greek midterm, and a Spiritual Warfare midterm [not the one I am facing right now outside of the classroom, but the one for my actual class ;)]. Speaking of which, I listened to a sermon on spiritual warfare after taking my test which spoke about the armor of God. Besides it being what I needed to hear, I wished I had listened to it before my test so I could have written a better essay on the armor of God, hehe.

I am still praying about serving overseas in the coming year. The sixth month program is still heavy on my mind. I looked at the jobs and locations avaiable and, while I long to work with orphans, an ESL teaching position in South America struck a chord in me. I will keep you posted as the Lord directs me.

I have been considering sharing a struggle in my life (which few people know about) that the Lord delivered me from several years ago. My reasons for sharing: 1. to testify to the Lord's goodness, providence & power; 2. to be more vulnerable (which, if you know me, is something I fight against); and 3. to encourage anyone who might stumble across this blog who is going through a similar struggle. My reasons for not sharing: 1. I am not sure if I am ready to be that vulnerable; 2. I really can't think of another reason at the moment, but I am sure there is a really good one that would be inserted here ;).

There is more to share, but I am too tired to remember what...

Update on Mi Mama

My mom was released from the hospital today. She was told she had a blood clot yesterday then told that she didn't today (the doctor had assumed without looking at the ultrasound). The Ear, Nose & Throat doctor saw her this morning and verified that she has TMJ (lockjaw) which was caused by an arthritic flair-up. Since there is basically nothing they can do but give her pain meds (which she already has plenty of at home), they sent her home. She is feeling much better, however. Thank you for your prayers. I know that she is feeling better because of the Lord's faithfulness to hear His prayerful people.

Aside: The lessons of the Lord are sweet, albeit bitter while in the midst. But I would rather be in the Valley of Trials with the Lord's presence than on the Mountain of Ease while feeling far from Him. His fellowship is sweeter by the day and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Praises & Concerns from the Weekend

I just returned safely, by God's grace, to Indiana. My trip home was eventful and full of ups and downs.

Ups/Praises :)
1. The Lord gave me the opportunity to talk to my aunt about Christ and the Holy Spirit gave me the words to say. It is such an exciting and joyful thing to know that the Spirit is speaking through you. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit." Please pray that the Spirit causes the truth she heard to take root in her heart.
2. The Lord used my sister in a similar fashion to encourage a brother in Christ.
3. I got my car back. :)
4. The Lord ministered to me in such a powerful way throughout the weekend in various ways.
5. I met with my pastor.
6. I got to give Kristi her birthday present. :)
7. I went to church and it was especially comforting and much needed after Saturday night's events (below).

Downs/Prayer Requests :(
1. Trying times with my dad {though the Lord did remind me of my prayer to be more Christ-like while I was driving this evening ;)}
2. We had to take my mom to the ER Saturday night because she suddenly developed excruciating pain in her jaws and ears and also had pain in her chest and neck. My mom has a high tolerance for pain so I cannot even imagine the amount of pain she must of had as she cried and groaned uncontrollably and held her head in her hands for several hours. It was almost unbearable to witness. The doctor did several tests (EKG & 2 CAT scans which, thankfully, came back normal) before finally giving her medicine to dull the pain. They think they may have found a blood clot in her thigh but they aren't for sure (unrelated to the pain in her jaw/ear/neck area). She was admitted into the hospital and there reamains as they continue to run tests and stuff. The doctor she saw today thinks she may have TBJ (lockjaw if I am not mistaken) so a Ear, Nose & Throat specialist is going to see her tomorrow. Please pray for her healing and wisdom for the doctors.
3. Lack of sleep (4 hours last night and again tonight)

Not exactly how I thought my weekend would go, but the Lord was still so gracious in His provision and care. I was reminded of what wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ the Lord has blessed me with. I am deeply touched with the love and concern they have shown. Futhermore, the Lord ministered to me in a special way on the road this evening through songs and a sermon. I was reminded once again that I cannot do it all and that I have to:
1. Put something down: which for me means to suck up my pride and admit I cannot do all my reading for school...sorry New Testament 1, your reading will be the first to go
2. Hand something off: this is something I have been thinking about lately regarding the Connection Team I lead at RF and the organization I lead at school, but the Lord hasn't shown me the who and the how yet.
3. Give something to God: my finances/debt and the schoolwork I am drowning in

Ok, I seriously better go to bed so I can semi-function tomorrow.

Week Ahead

Before I get into my post...We have electricity!!! It came on around 10:00 last night and we are so thankful to the Lord. :)

This means that it is time to get back into the swing of things. This week promises to be a busy one (aren't they all?) but one I am looking forward to. Here is the agenda (Lord willing of course!):
Monday: I am off the entire day...well, except for helping out Mrs. K., but I don't really consider that work.
Tuesday: Back to classes...
Wednesday: My former roommate at Mobap just moved to the area and I am heading to her place after work.
Thursday: Free ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery (YUM!) and ISF (the organization I lead at school) is hosting it's first Praying for the Nations event. We are focusing on Russia & Eastern Europe during this meeting. I look forward to learning about this region and lifting it up to the Lord will my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Sometime between Thursday evening and Friday morning I am heading home. :) This is exciting for many reasons, but most of all I am missing some very dear people to me more than usual and I get my car back. My dad and I swapped cars the last time I was home because my car had a bad strut which he was unable to get off by the time I had to leave. I miss my car and my CD player and music and sermon CDs, and will be glad to have them back. :)
Friday: meeting with my pastor which I am looking forward to. Plus I get to give my sister her bday gift (Today, 9/22, is her 21st birthday...make sure to wish her a happy bday). I also plan on visiting my aunt with the intentions of sharing the gospel with her. Please pray that she will be receptive (and at home!), the Lord will give me the words to say, & that I would be sensitive to the Spirit's leading.
Saturday: no plans...maybe Meadow Heights :)
Sunday: Meadow Heights if not the night before, eating Cold Stone (again!) with my sister for her birthday & heading back to Indiana.
Homework will have to be worked in there whenever possible, of course. :)

I look forward to all that the Lord has in store this week. Following Jesus is such an adventure...my week may look like this or it may not. :) He is worth anything and everything I could possbily give up and I trust His all-wise and sovereign plan. What a wonderful and awesome and beautiful God He is!

Emerging...

I bet you thought I had fallen off the edge of the earth. :)

I am sitting at a friend's house right now *borrowing* internet and enjoying some hospitality. Praise the Lord for good friends. As most of you know, Hurricane Ike came through the Kenutuckiana area causing much damage and leaving many without power, including my roommate and me. We lost power Sunday afternoon and we don't expect it back anytime soon unless the Lord by His grace intervenes. We have much to be thankful for though:
1. We have water! In F'town, when we lost power, we didn't have water either.
2. Our refridgerator wasn't full of food. We lost almost everything that was in there but at least we hadn't just gone to the grocery store.
3. We are safe.
4. We were able to meet our neighbor and invite her over. Please pray that the Lord will continue to give us opportunities to get to know her.
5. It isn't hot or cold outside.
6. Our next electric bill should be cheaper. :)
7. No school. This is such a blessing because I am able to catch up on all the work I was behind. This is such answered to prayer (though not exactly the answer I was expecting :) ).
8. Papers Unique has power so I can still work.
9. We know people who have electricity and are gracious enough to share it.
10. The hot water is insulated enough that I was able to take a hot shower.

"...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." -Philippians 4:11b

Regarding my last post, I have a few updates. I now have one job. I no longer work at B&BW or A+ Tutoring. The Lord gave me those jobs and has saw fit to reduce me to one...which is fine with me.
Please continue praying for my home church, but also pray for my local church. Last Sunday, one of the elders announced he was leaving the church. He really didn't explain why but I appreciate the openeness of it all. Both of these situations have left me a little dishearted, but the Lord has been so gracious in ministering to me. He reminded me through a sermon a few weeks ago that He is still in control of His church and working even when He can't be seen. Also, I was reminded that churches that are advancing the Kingdom of God are a target for Satan.

Aside: Have y'all seen the latests commercials about High Fructose Corn Syrup?! The corn people are trying to pass off that it is healthy and "all-natural." Please! The FDA, of course, is fully supporting them. How can they just get on TV and flat out lie? HFC is hard on the liver and makes you crave more food.

I have a couple more prayer requests before I finish:
1. Please pray for me financially. During my time of unstability of either not having a job or not making enough money, I have accrued some credit card debt. I know this is my fault, but please pray that the Lord will graciously allowing me to climb out of the hole I have dug.
2. A week or two ago, we were challenged in chapel to go overseas for at least one week in the coming year. Those who were willing to take up the challenge were encouraged to stand and were prayed for and I was one of those who stood. I have been planning on going on overseas some time within the next year for A.M. credit at school. There are several options: I could go for one week over spring break to West Africa, two weeks to somewhere in Asia over the summer, or 4 months (!) to South America during one of the upcoming semesters. Please, please pray that the Lord would give me guidance. I want to go and do whatever He wants me to do no matter what the cost.

Thank you for those of you who support me in prayer. I appreciate it more than you know.

Lessons of the Lord: the Lord' s provision and sovereignty, spiritual warfare, the gloriousness of the Son taking on flesh forever, the history of the early church