Dear friends,
It has been a while since I have posted on here. I've thought about it many a time, but life has kept me running. In the beginning of the year I was working several (very) part-time jobs and work study. It was really just too much. The Lord provided just enough that I could afford to quit work study if I just trusted Him to provide another two hundred and fifty dollars somehow throughout the year. (Or, if He doesn't provide that, the other option is for Him to keep my car healthy so I don't actually use up my car repair budget!)I have no doubt that He will provide in one way or another. He always does.
Senior year means Fall Block for education majors. It's a really interesting set up because basically we squish semester long classes into a month and a little. While it means that I only have three classes at once, the workload is definitely increased. Keeps me hopping. The classes are each between two and three hours long, but my professors do a good job of using the time well. When it's not needed (mostly for my Senior Integration Paper class), we get let out early. Woohoo!
I am also down the mountain in a classroom two days a week, on Tuesday and Thursday. It has been so confirming, but a little overwhelming, to be working with kids. Confirming because I love it, but overwhelming because there are so many problems in education that I feel helpless to fix. I've prayed a lot, to say the least.
I got sick this past week. I tried to pull myself together and go to school anyway, but I just ended up being up all that night with a fever and feeling tons worse. After a day off, a shot, antibiotics, a new inhaler, and increased dosage in my old one, I am finally on the mend. I would still love prayers for health. The doctor told me I should expect to be sick a lot for the next few years as my body gets used to being around little kids all the time at school.
The Lord has been teaching me about His power to sustain me and about how I've GOT to live like a child, dependent and trusting. Please pray that He would continue to give me strength, courage, insight, and deep love.
Wow, that was a long update. That's how I am. I hope you are all doing well!
Love and peace in Christ our risen Savior,
April
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Answered Prayer and Vacation
Dear friends,
Greetings from St. Petersburg, FL where I have been joyfully (lightly) toasting my skin in the sun and sipping sweet tea. (While my northerner's preference is NORMAL tea, this is good stuff.) This is my "Sabbath" for the summer and it is delightful. I am visiting my dear friends, Jed and Bethany Mootsey for just a long weekend.
I want to tell you great news of answered prayers since I last posted. The Lord allowed us to go to Casa Hogar in Acapulco and gave me many sweet conversations with the kids there. (My Spanish held up. They told me I was better than last summer... that's a joke!) I was encouraged by the progress of some of my little brothers and sisters and saddened to see the hardness of others. Still, God has brought back some sweet missionaries that are doing great work at Casa Hogar and Sobre el Puente.
The Lord has also recently answered another prayer (a request I had been asking about). Josh is in Costa Rica at language school, and three weeks in he had yet to meet another Christian. He was in need of some encouragement, so we prayed that he would meet a Christian. In a matter of two days, he met two! Praise God! I would love continued prayers for his last week there. Hay que trabajar mucho!
The Lord is teaching me much and being so patient! I will miss the sweet people at Orangewood, but I have such confidence that I am heading where He wants me right now. Continued prayers for boldness, growth, and rest would be much appreciated!
I will be traveling to Chattanooga this coming Tuesday, and then starts senior year of college. Am I really that old? Certainly not at heart.
Thank you for your prayers and love... God is good!
Greetings from St. Petersburg, FL where I have been joyfully (lightly) toasting my skin in the sun and sipping sweet tea. (While my northerner's preference is NORMAL tea, this is good stuff.) This is my "Sabbath" for the summer and it is delightful. I am visiting my dear friends, Jed and Bethany Mootsey for just a long weekend.
I want to tell you great news of answered prayers since I last posted. The Lord allowed us to go to Casa Hogar in Acapulco and gave me many sweet conversations with the kids there. (My Spanish held up. They told me I was better than last summer... that's a joke!) I was encouraged by the progress of some of my little brothers and sisters and saddened to see the hardness of others. Still, God has brought back some sweet missionaries that are doing great work at Casa Hogar and Sobre el Puente.
The Lord has also recently answered another prayer (a request I had been asking about). Josh is in Costa Rica at language school, and three weeks in he had yet to meet another Christian. He was in need of some encouragement, so we prayed that he would meet a Christian. In a matter of two days, he met two! Praise God! I would love continued prayers for his last week there. Hay que trabajar mucho!
The Lord is teaching me much and being so patient! I will miss the sweet people at Orangewood, but I have such confidence that I am heading where He wants me right now. Continued prayers for boldness, growth, and rest would be much appreciated!
I will be traveling to Chattanooga this coming Tuesday, and then starts senior year of college. Am I really that old? Certainly not at heart.
Thank you for your prayers and love... God is good!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Mannnn!
Dear friends,
It is so hard to believe the summer is almost over. I have the weekend, followed by camp with the middle schoolers, followed by Mexico, and then I am down to ten days left here. PLEASE pray that the Lord will still give me some wonderful conversations with my high school and middle school girls. Honestly, I feel like I have not accomplished anything this summer FOR Orangewood, but I am certain that Orangewood has (by God's grace) accomplished much in me. I have grown so much in my understanding of the Gospel, myself, and ministry. I feel... deepened. Yes, deepened.
In a lot of ways, I wish I was called to be here longer. I feel like the Lord is just now opening up a lot of doors into many people's hearts (both students and other people I have met) for ministry and deep friendship. Yet, I know that I need to be back in Chattanooga soon. Please just pray for God to give me peace with not having done anything amazing this summer. It's really pride, I think, that makes me wish I felt like I had really impacted people here. It's funny, because at the beginning of the summer I told the Lord, "I don't care if I don't get to see it... just use me to reach people. It's fine if I don't have a clue that you've used me." ... but now, at the winding up of it all, I wish I saw "results." Oh silly heart! Trust that God works through His people and does what He intends through and despite us! Please, friends, pray that He has and continues to do great things.
If you are one of my sweet praying friends, I would love prayer that:
1. I'd be able to travel to Mexico in a week. (We never know how safe it will be.) Pray that God will allow me to communicate the love of a Christ through another visit to my precious friends at Casa Hogar.
2. I'd be increasingly humbled and lifted up... and that I'd be learning more and more!
3. Wisdom for Josh and me as we talk through a lot of decisions.
4. Peace and love!
God is good, and I am not. Praise Him!
April
It is so hard to believe the summer is almost over. I have the weekend, followed by camp with the middle schoolers, followed by Mexico, and then I am down to ten days left here. PLEASE pray that the Lord will still give me some wonderful conversations with my high school and middle school girls. Honestly, I feel like I have not accomplished anything this summer FOR Orangewood, but I am certain that Orangewood has (by God's grace) accomplished much in me. I have grown so much in my understanding of the Gospel, myself, and ministry. I feel... deepened. Yes, deepened.
In a lot of ways, I wish I was called to be here longer. I feel like the Lord is just now opening up a lot of doors into many people's hearts (both students and other people I have met) for ministry and deep friendship. Yet, I know that I need to be back in Chattanooga soon. Please just pray for God to give me peace with not having done anything amazing this summer. It's really pride, I think, that makes me wish I felt like I had really impacted people here. It's funny, because at the beginning of the summer I told the Lord, "I don't care if I don't get to see it... just use me to reach people. It's fine if I don't have a clue that you've used me." ... but now, at the winding up of it all, I wish I saw "results." Oh silly heart! Trust that God works through His people and does what He intends through and despite us! Please, friends, pray that He has and continues to do great things.
If you are one of my sweet praying friends, I would love prayer that:
1. I'd be able to travel to Mexico in a week. (We never know how safe it will be.) Pray that God will allow me to communicate the love of a Christ through another visit to my precious friends at Casa Hogar.
2. I'd be increasingly humbled and lifted up... and that I'd be learning more and more!
3. Wisdom for Josh and me as we talk through a lot of decisions.
4. Peace and love!
God is good, and I am not. Praise Him!
April
Friday, June 10, 2011
Summer Blog
Hi friends!
As you know, I'm now in Orlando. I love it! God is definitely keeping me aware of my need for Him. This is so tiring and SO awesome. Please keep praying that He will work mightily.
Over the summer, I will be blogging for the church I am working with at http://owoodintern5.blogspot.com. I also plan to keep up this blog on occasion, but feel free to take a look there for updates too.
Thank you guys for praying for me and for taking an interest in what God is up to in my story.
He is good!
As you know, I'm now in Orlando. I love it! God is definitely keeping me aware of my need for Him. This is so tiring and SO awesome. Please keep praying that He will work mightily.
Over the summer, I will be blogging for the church I am working with at http://owoodintern5.blogspot.com. I also plan to keep up this blog on occasion, but feel free to take a look there for updates too.
Thank you guys for praying for me and for taking an interest in what God is up to in my story.
He is good!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Praise God!
Well, friends, I have great news! I only have $150 more to raise for my one week mission trip to Acapulco. (I expect it will come in shortly.) Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray that the Lord will keep things safe enough in Acapulco that we will be able to go as planned in late July. I can't wait to see my precious brothers and sisters again. Please continue to pray for their growth in Christ--and for the salvation of those who have not accepted Christ yet.
I have one last day with my family tomorrow and then I fly out on Tuesday to Florida. I am so excited to spend the summer being discipled and taught about youth ministry. I hope the Lord will use me in a lot of little ways. Please pray for my ministry and growth over the summer.
My mother was talking on the phone the other day and telling a friend that I would be gone for the summer, once again. She labeled me "adventurous" in her conversation, which made me think. Am I really adventurous? I actually think I'm a bit of a chicken. At the same time, I love change and new things. Perhaps it is only when God instills a specific idea in my head that I get adventurous. Either way, it's off to the next adventure on Tuesday!
Please continue to lift me up in prayer! Here are some updated requests:
1. That the Lord would give me a firmer grasp of my identity in Jesus.
2. That the Lord would teach me and use me this summer. Pray for the high schoolers at Orangewood, that the Lord would prepare their hearts for this summer.
3. Please pray for a safe trip to Acapulco in July and for the opportunity to follow up with many of my dear friends. Please pray specifically that a few of the teenagers I keep in touch with would be walking with the Lord.
4. Please pray for Josh and me. Ask that the Lord would grow us closer to himself and teach us how to better serve each other and serve together. Please, as always, pray that God's will be done.
5. Please pray that He will teach me to "lean not on my own understanding."
Thank you, for being part of my adventure, by reading these updates! Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ who remains faithful when we are fickle, who restores us gently as our Shepherd.
I have one last day with my family tomorrow and then I fly out on Tuesday to Florida. I am so excited to spend the summer being discipled and taught about youth ministry. I hope the Lord will use me in a lot of little ways. Please pray for my ministry and growth over the summer.
My mother was talking on the phone the other day and telling a friend that I would be gone for the summer, once again. She labeled me "adventurous" in her conversation, which made me think. Am I really adventurous? I actually think I'm a bit of a chicken. At the same time, I love change and new things. Perhaps it is only when God instills a specific idea in my head that I get adventurous. Either way, it's off to the next adventure on Tuesday!
Please continue to lift me up in prayer! Here are some updated requests:
1. That the Lord would give me a firmer grasp of my identity in Jesus.
2. That the Lord would teach me and use me this summer. Pray for the high schoolers at Orangewood, that the Lord would prepare their hearts for this summer.
3. Please pray for a safe trip to Acapulco in July and for the opportunity to follow up with many of my dear friends. Please pray specifically that a few of the teenagers I keep in touch with would be walking with the Lord.
4. Please pray for Josh and me. Ask that the Lord would grow us closer to himself and teach us how to better serve each other and serve together. Please, as always, pray that God's will be done.
5. Please pray that He will teach me to "lean not on my own understanding."
Thank you, for being part of my adventure, by reading these updates! Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ who remains faithful when we are fickle, who restores us gently as our Shepherd.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Where is justice?
Every Christian really should struggle at some point with this question: Where is justice? Sometimes I just want to scream in agony, seeing all the pain and sin and terror in the world. How long will you wait, Father?
The truth is, while my faith holds strong, I am struggling right now. God, where is justice? How can you stand to leave things so? Yet, I know He feels that tension too. I know He is good. I know He is at work.
Abba, help me trust your timing.
The truth is, while my faith holds strong, I am struggling right now. God, where is justice? How can you stand to leave things so? Yet, I know He feels that tension too. I know He is good. I know He is at work.
Abba, help me trust your timing.
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