Study Break

I have emerged from my books to get some fresh air and to write this blog. These past few weeks have been filled with reading, reading and more reading. I thought I would have a little lighter semester this fall with taking only 3 classes and working a few less hours, but not so much. Plus, I am taking Elementary Hebrew. My other two classes have to do with family relations and counseling. My counseling class in particular is going to be quite challenging, but in a very good way. We have a semester long project where we pick a struggle in our lives and use God's Word and rely on the Spirit to change us. I have thought of many issues that I could work on, but the Father showed me that many of my past and current issues are rooted in one thing: fear of man. Ouch. I mean, I knew I had people-pleasing tendencies, but didn't realize how much they ruled my life. The Lord has reminded me that sin affects everything I do, even my best motives (Romans 7). By God's grace, however, He will lead me to fear Him rather than man and make me more and more like Jesus Christ. This is the great hope I and all believers can cling too.

It is an absolutely beautiful evening. I just got done soaking it up on long walk...which wound up lasting one hour! I discovered a very picturesque neighbor on my journey and, as a result, a new route for my morning walks. This is a blessing because the last few times I have been out on my usual route, I have come acrossed a few suspicious folks. One guy asked me for a cigarette (I mean, common on, I am in work clothes...does it look like I have cigarettes on me?) and another guy was on a small bike wearing a Halloween mask (Scream, anyone?).

I am going to be an aunt! Now to those of you who know that I have one unmarried sibling, rest assured: Kristi is not having a baby. My cousin and his wife are though, but saying "I am going to be a 2nd cousin!", just doesn't have the same ring to it. Shawn and Megan are due to have a baby girl, Ella Grace, early November and, if you couldn't tell, I am so excited!

As much as I complained above about my school workload, I have found time to hang out with friends and participate in some pretty cool activities. For instance, two Sundays ago was India's Independence Day so I went to a festival celebrating it. It wasn't a mix and mingle atmosphere like I thought, but it was fun and informative nonetheless. My friends and I dressed the part too:

Two more exciting things:

1. Yesterday, I signed up for a language partner from the University of Louisville.

2. Next weekend I am going to visit Sarah in Alabama!

Now, back to my books...

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Today was nice. I went to RF and small group, which has proved to be the most comfortable and normal thing since my return. I am still settling into my new apartment and getting to know my new roommate. She is sweet, but it takes me a while to open up to people (sometimes this fact fustrates me). It was nice to be around lots of familiar faces today, though, and catch up on what God has been up to in their lives. We just started a study through the Old Testament called "From Creation to Christ." I am pretty excited about this since I have been spending the majority of my time in the NT. As I read these stories that I am so familiar and answer the study questions, I am reminded of God's great faithfulness and grace. He constantly reaches toward us stubborn, hard-hearted people and offers us Himself. These historical accounts reveal God's trustworthy character. With Him in control, why do we fear? If only we weren't so forgetful...or rebellious.

The Lord has given me much to think about lately. This one quote keep reverberating through my mind: "Only one life twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." This quote has taken on new meaning as I look forward to serving overseas next spring. This opportunity is so much bigger than anything I imagined and I know it is only by His strength that I will do any good there.

Finally, this song by Hillsong United spoke to me this evening and I wanted to share it. It is my prayer and I hope it is yours too:

Falling on my knees in worship/Giving all I am to seek Your face
Lord all I am is Yours/My whole life I place in Your hands
God of mercy, humbled I bow down/In Your presence, at Your throne
I called, You answered and You came to my rescue and I
I wanna be where You are
In my life be lifted high/In our world be lifted high/In our love be lifted
high

July in MO: Week 4

My last week at home turned out to be the busiest. I won't go into detail but I attended a family reunion and the MH church picnic, finished that 1000 piece puzzle (below), brought my mom home from the hospital (yay!), beat the latest Tomb Raider game, finished M. Renaissance, met with my pastor, went to a court hearing in support of my aunt and uncle, went to a campfire discussion about the before-mentioned book and visited Bauhaus Kaffee for the first time. I unfortunately did not get to invest in my cousins as much as I had hoped and prayed. Plans fell through, but I was able to talk with them once over lunch and for that I am thankful.

My mom came home the Monday before last. She is doing much better. Both her appetite and strength are coming back. Her foot is doing great as well. Praise the Lord for His excellent care of her!

I was contacted by the company I am going overseas with late last weekend regarding my top three choices of where I want to serve. After reviewing the updated job assignments, I have changed my top choice from South America to South Asia. Besides the fact that the one in South America doesn't exist anymore, the one in South Asia aligns with things God has recently laid on my heart. I don't expect to hear anything official from them until October.

I am back in Louisville now. Welcomed back by torrential downpours and severe thunderstorms. Pray for the people here. We got like 6 inches of rain in a short amount of time and there are many people who have suffered property damage/loss due to the flash floods.

I am mostly finished unpacking. I am currently sleeping on an air mattress until I can aquire new furniture. When that happens, it will feel a lot more like home.

I came to the sad realization yesterday that I need new tires for my car...soon.

July in MO: Week 3

Most of this past week was spent visiting my mom in the hospital. She has been there since Sunday morning and I am ready for her to come home. No word yet on when that will be. The doctor diagnosed her with ulcerated colitis and is trying to find out what caused it.

Last Sunday, my sister and I went to the church she attends in St. Louis. She was very excited to reconnect with all her friends and to be able to attend their yearly church picnic. I am beginning to learn how different Kristi and I are from each other when it comes to church preferences and even some doctrinal stances. Nothing major but it is interesting to see the unique way that God created us.

Tomorrow we plan to go to St. Louis with our cousins to visit the arch. This past week I collected four extra large cups from McDonald's that each have a $5 off coupon for a trip up the Arch. :)

I finished the Noel Piper book and started a new book called M. Renaissance by Reggie McNeal. I am reading it per recommendation of the Associate Pastor/Outreach Leader of MH.

I forgot to report last time that my dad and I went hiking at Pickled Springs in Farmington, MO. The hike was roughly 2 miles and we finished it in less than an hour. We had a lot of fun and I am thankful for the quality time with my dad.

My family and I have almost finished that 1000 piece puzzle. :)

Update on My Mom

Please continue to pray for my mom. The ER sent her home Friday with antibiotics saying that she had a severe bladder infection. The medicine made her very sick so we got her a new prescription on Saturday. My dad took her back to the ER this morning as she continued to grow worse. They admitted her this time and have relieved some of her pain with meds. She is supposed to have a colonoscopy tomorrow. She has not slept or ate much since Wednesday and has been in severe pain. The hospital decided not to do anything today since Sunday is their "day off" and they don't "do much." Thanks to those of you who have been praying. I forget that people actually read my blog so I have been surprised by the amount of people who know about her situation. Colossians 4:2.

July in MO: Week 2

I finished A Call to Die yesterday. The Lord has used that book to show me what areas of my life I still need to die to...and there are many. God is gracious, though, and I am thankful that He doesn't give up on me. I also started a book last week called Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper. The book is very challenging and inspiring. I am always amazed at how God uses no-name people to do amazing things for Him. This theme runs with last week's church service where a lady shared her testimony of how God called and uses her as a vessel to transform the lives of prison inmates. I need to hear/read these things. I have been presented with several opportunities where I can serve Christ in the Louisville community this fall. I have been hesitant to pursue them because I am doubtful of the impact that I could make. God is reminding me, however, that He is the one that will make the impact. My confidence should be in Him and not myself. I am nothing, but He is everything. I am to simply obey Him and follow Him wherever He leads me. The new message series at church is about leadership and I am pretty excited about it.

My family and I have started an 1000 piece puzzle. It is rather nightmare-ish I am not going to lie but we have made a considerable dent in it once we finally got the border finished.

I have been thinking of ways that I can serve while I am home and the Lord revealed to me that I can serve Him by finding ways to serve my family. Isn't it amazing how there are opportunities to serve right under our noses but we fail to recognize them?

My sister and I had lunch with some unbelieving family members last week. We plan on getting together a few more times with them before I leave. I am praying for the opportunity to share Christ with them. We have tentative plans to take them to St. Louis this Wednesday (Lord willing).

My mom has been sick since yesterday. Please pray for her. My dad just took her to the ER. She is having pains in her lower stomach and hasn't slept or ate much in the last day and a half. I hate that she suffers so much (Romans 8:18).

July in MO: Week 1

I am home now. It has been a nice change of pace...sometimes I don't know what to do with myself. I have slowly been clearing out and cleaning my room and closet. It has become a sort of a storage area while I have been away and when I came back with my stuff there was literally now room to walk around. Well, four days, six trash bags and a trunk load of items for Good Will later, I am finished! It is still crowded in my room, but there is much more walking space and organization (which means a lot less stress for me).

Kristi and I have started reading The Count of Monte Cristo together. I haven't read it since high school so it is very fresh to me. We have also been working out together. I am not sure if she thinks it is fun (especially at 7:00 in the morning), but I enjoy it.

I have taken over the cooking responsibilities for the month. I am not sure my parents know what to think since I have been switching up the menu on them. I made beef stroganoff from scratch last night and my dad was like, "this doesn't taste like Hamburger Helper [from the box]." Exactly.

The Lord allowed me to experience His presence last Sunday during church and also during my evening quiet time for the first time in what seems like forever. I cannot even describe what a blessing that is.

I have a dentist appointment today. Dread. Please pray for me.