Interests:seeking God, laughing out loud, people watching, jumping in puddles, singing at the top of my lungs when nobody's listening, encouraging others, playing board games (aka DYNAMO games), organizing, making beds, sleeping, and loving God and others
We're at the start of a semester...and everyone needs to buy books.
I really want to encourage everyone to buy your books online at Better World Books: http://www.betterworld.com/
Each purchase benefits world literacy and a lot of the books are used books so you can get them for cheaper and you'll be sort of like recycling books! Plus there's free shipping in the US. Check it out : )
I was journaling about something about God that makes me very happy :) and I thought I'd share it with the paltry few that still ready xanga. (I think I ramble a bit and it might not be fully coherent, but it's from my journal, so it's allowed.)
I have been thinking about wanting things, even things that we think we shouldn't want because we are supposed to be fully satisfied with God. I think it's okay to ask God for those things. He wants to hear our every desire. He wants us to present ALL our requests to him. He knows everything that is to happen and He promises that everything will work out for "the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). In this way, if we are still waiting on God to do something, it means that there must be a purpose behind the waiting. Though oftentimes we do not know what that reason is or we may never know what that reason is, we can trust in Him; He wants us to trust in Him. Sometimes, we, in waiting, become impatient and are tempted to do things our way, instead of God's way. In those times, I feel like God is thinking, "If you would just wait, you would be able to see that I am going to take care of you. You will see that I have the best planned for you. Just trust me and you'll see." (Consider: "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!Matthew 7:9-11)
I experienced this first hand in my student teaching. When I first found out that I was going to be sent to Pittsburgh, I was so angry and so upset that I wasn't staying in State College. But my thoughts have completely changed since then. I have gotten along so well with my mentor teacher and I've really had a meaningful and interesting experience. I've found community here in Pittsburgh and I've made some great friends here in Pittsburgh. I've grown so much over these past few months regarding future plans, my daily devotions, and in my walk with God. I really see why God didn't have me stay in State College for this semester. I couldn't have ever imagined a more perfect semester for me. It's amazing to experience how God really does hold our best interests at heart.
I just thought I'd share something very encouraging that happened to me 5 minutes ago. One of the people I sent a support letter to was one of my dad's classmates. [My dad was helpful when I was support raising and he gave me some of the addresses of some of his college classmates that currently live in the states.] Anyway, I had never met this family before and the mom of the family just called me to make sure I returned safely because she heard the news of the Korean missionaries held by the Afghanistan Taliban rebels and how one was killed. She also said how she and her family will be praying for the salvation of my parents. It was just really touching that she called to make sure that I returned safely. I just feel like she exemplified John 13:35 (By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another). It was very touching. : )
It's also kind of scary that all this is happening during and so soon after my mission trip. I guess in times like this, it's so much easier for us to become overcome with fear and step back into our comfort zones and neglect God's calling for the comfort of our homes. But one verse I recently (yesterday as a matter of fact) came across on my devotions really spoke to me, Philippians 1:29 : For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him... I guess one thing I've wondered about before is whether I'd have enough faith to follow Christ through persecution and death. It's so easy to say, "Yes" now, but would I really be able to follow through with it? But then I am reminded of how in Philippians, right after Paul says, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." and he talks about how it is "better by far" to die and to be with Christ. And of course it is better. And I don't have anything to worry about in death. Also, God has everything planned out, so I have just enough time on this earth to finish my part in His plan. So whenever my time is, it will be. But I think it's still scary.
One thing that has encouraged me about missions in the Middle East is that God is omnipotent. He can do all things, even things we deem impossible. [I've mentioned this to a lot of people, but I really found it so amazing.] God really is amazing. One example is in South Korea how 100 years ago, it was deemed "unpenetrable" by the Gospel. Now, it has become the the missionary base sending the second highest amount of missionaries in the world. Every time I think of that, I am just in awe of how great God is. And it just reminds me that God is amazing. He broke down the walls in South Korea, and I know He can do the same in the Middle East.
