Hey, guys, just a brief update!
We are down to just 4 weeks left of this course and 9 books of the Bible left. It is crunch time and we all feel it. We are struggling for the end game motivation. The books are so jam packed with good stuff and it's all we can do to take it all in! I will miss these people so much. It's so strange to think of the beginning and how we barely knew each other. We have grown so close. What will I do without my Asian roommates cooking?!! (Just kidding, it's so much more than that-) Living on this mountain has gotten my legs in better shape than they have been in years and my cardio is kickin'!! :)
I will be home (God willing) for 8 weeks this summer. I have so much to do but I am confident God will allow for down time as well. I think I might sleep for a week when I get home! Actually- I know I won't- I'm already anxious about all that needs to be accomplished and NOT having homework every single day will probably drive me nuts as I transition. I won't know what to do with myself so accomplishing all I need to will be a good thing! I am going to have a yard sale and earn some money that way- I really hate yard sales- but hey, do what you have to do, right? We are to 'be ready to do every good work' (Titus 3:1). I will also be preparing for and ultimately teaching a few four hour seminars on the method of studying the bible I have learned here. A couple of you have asked me about that and I promise as soon as I nail down the dates I will let you know. It will probably be early July before I know. I appreciate your interest! I am excited (and nervous) to share with you!!! Please pray for me in this way.
I will also be going to Southern California shortly after arriving home. I am going to visit a girlfriend in LA and then my precious "Other Parents" in Palm Desert for retreat. What an amazing gift it will be to see and spend time with people I love. Can't wait.
Please pray for me- I am praying about selling my Truck. If you know me- you know the dagger this is. It is literally my last asset. It's paid for and a great little truck. Low mileage, dependable... I seriously thought I would have it forever- or until I drove it into the ground, you know what I mean!! It's not worth THAT much- but to me it's very valuable. It is my 'miracle truck.' The way God gave it to me is a miracle story. I know we aren't supposed to be attached to 'things' but I have given up everything to be here and the thought of that last thing- my truck- just for the sake of money just kills me. It doesn't cost me that much to keep it sitting at my mom's- and it is soooo nice to have a car when I go home; but I've committed to two years here and I'm not sure if paying to keep it sitting there (as small as the fee is for insurance) is wise when the money of selling it could go towards my rent next year. I also feel like, once my truck is gone, that's it, I don't have anything else in case of emergency. Don't get me wrong- I am absolutely aware of Who controls my emergencies. I am more confident than ever that He is in control. This truck quite literally was His gift to me- even now I am honestly not sure this is the course of action He would have me take. It might not be wise to sell it. I'm praying... I just ask that you pray, too. I value your prayers so very much. I cannot express my gratitude.
Okay, that's it... just one quickie funny for kicks before signing off. On Campus we are literally every nation. So one day I was walking and this big hunk of a kid was walking right along side me at the same time... I heard him say something so we just kinda started talking. I asked where he was from and he replied, "Ireland." "Ireland? Good Lord-" I replied in my best Irish brogue. (Sorry, I apologize to those who believe saying 'Lord' is wrong) "Isn't it something there!" His eye brows went up like he couldn't believe I just did that... and I just addressed it. "So was it awful? Just tell me, man, did it suck or was it okay?" His face had told me all I needed to know but he kindly said, "It was okay." "Nooooooo, it wasn't!" I said and we laughed together. "It sucked, huh!!!" Anyway-
now when I see him around campus I shout, "Ireland!" and we wave. It's so funny. He came by our fundraising table last week and I got him to do a California accent. It was great. My roommates, who now love the story, are ever asking me to do my Irish accent! hahahahahaha.
Love you guys, peace out! or should I say, "May the good Lord bless you and keep in the mighty palm of His hand." (In Irish, of course.)
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Miracles...
Well I have managed to do it again. I have let entirely too much time go by between blogs and then there is SO MUCH to tell! Problem is- I can't remember it all!!!
What I can remember is to Glorify the One who has done much and just keeps doing much in my life.
My school fees were past due and my name was on the list on the board of those who owe. I know it sounds brutal but if you don't have the money they literally will send you home. This is a big campus and far too many times they have been taken advantage of by those who say they will pay later and never do- it's a tight ship and they are striving to be good stewards. That said- they are only humans and sometimes things are not handled as well as they could be but again... grace, grace. So I needed $871. in two days or I had to go to a meeting explaining what I was going to do immediately to get it. I had, of course, no idea. I had done one fund raiser, watched my accounts dwindle, seen one miracle regarding my phone bill, and gotten a letter from the IRS saying 'we aren't giving you your money'- so- I was concerned, but had laid it at His feet. I said, "Look, Lord... I trust You. I know I am in the middle of Your will for me. I know I am right where you want me, so, this can only come through You." I placed a sincere prayer request on facebook and our class had a time of prayer for the fees still needed. My classmates alone gave me $345. I was so humbled. These are people who don't have much, either!!! Then by the love of friends and family by the request on facebook as well as a deposit into my account by a brother who had no idea any of this was going on...dollar by dollar it was paid in full with a bit left over!!! (which will go towards my next quarter in the fall) I WAS BLOWN AWAY. In two days!! It is so humbling to rely on others. It shouldn't be when I read the scriptures of how even Paul was supported as he spread the gospel. Why should it be any different now? That is what I am preparing to do! But when you come from such a staunch work mentality it is difficult. It just is. Pride- it will get you every time. (He also paid my Indonesian room mates fees of $976. in three days and my Indian room mates ticket for outreach of $1300. in 5 days... He's on a roll!)
Needless to say God is teaching me so much about giving and receiving. I have no problems giving- that is by far easier for me than receiving- but God is wanting me to have a healthy perspective regarding how I work and what I work for- what I earn and what is by grace. Huge lessons. I have said for years, 'you can't out give God' but it is so true. On the last day of our 2nd Corinthians assignment I was praying before rushing into Philippians. I was praying, "Lord, let me not forget what you have spoken to me- let me not rush into this next book and leave behind how you are teaching me to 'give it away' and not worry about money.'
Let me back up. For my fundraiser my precious, Indian room mate- Octoli- had given me, yes given me- some henna ink and bindhi's that she had done a fundraiser with. They were left over and she gave them to me to do my own fundraiser. I did. Praise God it brought $125. I had a gal I know come up to me weeks later and ask how much I had left of the henna because her friend wanted to buy it from me to do her own fundraiser- only actually doing the henna tattoos for people as opposed to just selling the ink itself. I was thrilled! That could go towards my school fees. The gal never contacted me and when I asked my friend why- she said the gal couldn't afford it right now. I thought, 'oh, well I can't count on that money.'
The night I was praying not to forget what God had been speaking to me was at a worship service. As I prayed, 'Let me not forget to give it away...' my eyes fell on my friend who had approached me regarding the henna. "As freely as it has been given to you- give it away." I heard. My school fees were now paid- there was no reason for me to hoard the henna for myself- it had been a free gift to me. At first I thought, I should first speak to my friend who had given me the gift but the Lord said, 'No. She gave it to you. It's yours.' So.. I went to my friend. I said, "Tell your friend I'm going to give it to her." I cannot tell you the feeling it gave me.
If we hold things loosely- God can use them. If we cling to things and hold our grip firm around them they cannot be used. God has provided every thing we have needed. Not wanted- needed. And He has been pretty stinkin' generous with the wants, too! I am so blown away. It's hard to learn to flow in this way, but I am excited to get good at it. To not freak out when my bank accounts get to $.11. Yeah, cents. But to know, that somehow, someway- He will make a way for what needs to happen. I have a part, I have a role to play. Sometimes I will have to do more than other times. Not comfortable always...like asking... ugh, hate it. But He knows what and when things are required. I am headed home (for 8 weeks) in just 6 weeks for selling stuff to earn money and teach what I have been learning- I'm not sure how I am going to get there yet; but God does. I check flights and wonder what will happen when I find the right one, hehe.
I pray when I get home each of you will consider coming out to one of the seminars I will be teaching. I will give the places and times. It will only be a 4 hour class and cost $20.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!!! Hallelujah
What I can remember is to Glorify the One who has done much and just keeps doing much in my life.
My school fees were past due and my name was on the list on the board of those who owe. I know it sounds brutal but if you don't have the money they literally will send you home. This is a big campus and far too many times they have been taken advantage of by those who say they will pay later and never do- it's a tight ship and they are striving to be good stewards. That said- they are only humans and sometimes things are not handled as well as they could be but again... grace, grace. So I needed $871. in two days or I had to go to a meeting explaining what I was going to do immediately to get it. I had, of course, no idea. I had done one fund raiser, watched my accounts dwindle, seen one miracle regarding my phone bill, and gotten a letter from the IRS saying 'we aren't giving you your money'- so- I was concerned, but had laid it at His feet. I said, "Look, Lord... I trust You. I know I am in the middle of Your will for me. I know I am right where you want me, so, this can only come through You." I placed a sincere prayer request on facebook and our class had a time of prayer for the fees still needed. My classmates alone gave me $345. I was so humbled. These are people who don't have much, either!!! Then by the love of friends and family by the request on facebook as well as a deposit into my account by a brother who had no idea any of this was going on...dollar by dollar it was paid in full with a bit left over!!! (which will go towards my next quarter in the fall) I WAS BLOWN AWAY. In two days!! It is so humbling to rely on others. It shouldn't be when I read the scriptures of how even Paul was supported as he spread the gospel. Why should it be any different now? That is what I am preparing to do! But when you come from such a staunch work mentality it is difficult. It just is. Pride- it will get you every time. (He also paid my Indonesian room mates fees of $976. in three days and my Indian room mates ticket for outreach of $1300. in 5 days... He's on a roll!)
Needless to say God is teaching me so much about giving and receiving. I have no problems giving- that is by far easier for me than receiving- but God is wanting me to have a healthy perspective regarding how I work and what I work for- what I earn and what is by grace. Huge lessons. I have said for years, 'you can't out give God' but it is so true. On the last day of our 2nd Corinthians assignment I was praying before rushing into Philippians. I was praying, "Lord, let me not forget what you have spoken to me- let me not rush into this next book and leave behind how you are teaching me to 'give it away' and not worry about money.'
Let me back up. For my fundraiser my precious, Indian room mate- Octoli- had given me, yes given me- some henna ink and bindhi's that she had done a fundraiser with. They were left over and she gave them to me to do my own fundraiser. I did. Praise God it brought $125. I had a gal I know come up to me weeks later and ask how much I had left of the henna because her friend wanted to buy it from me to do her own fundraiser- only actually doing the henna tattoos for people as opposed to just selling the ink itself. I was thrilled! That could go towards my school fees. The gal never contacted me and when I asked my friend why- she said the gal couldn't afford it right now. I thought, 'oh, well I can't count on that money.'
The night I was praying not to forget what God had been speaking to me was at a worship service. As I prayed, 'Let me not forget to give it away...' my eyes fell on my friend who had approached me regarding the henna. "As freely as it has been given to you- give it away." I heard. My school fees were now paid- there was no reason for me to hoard the henna for myself- it had been a free gift to me. At first I thought, I should first speak to my friend who had given me the gift but the Lord said, 'No. She gave it to you. It's yours.' So.. I went to my friend. I said, "Tell your friend I'm going to give it to her." I cannot tell you the feeling it gave me.
If we hold things loosely- God can use them. If we cling to things and hold our grip firm around them they cannot be used. God has provided every thing we have needed. Not wanted- needed. And He has been pretty stinkin' generous with the wants, too! I am so blown away. It's hard to learn to flow in this way, but I am excited to get good at it. To not freak out when my bank accounts get to $.11. Yeah, cents. But to know, that somehow, someway- He will make a way for what needs to happen. I have a part, I have a role to play. Sometimes I will have to do more than other times. Not comfortable always...like asking... ugh, hate it. But He knows what and when things are required. I am headed home (for 8 weeks) in just 6 weeks for selling stuff to earn money and teach what I have been learning- I'm not sure how I am going to get there yet; but God does. I check flights and wonder what will happen when I find the right one, hehe.
I pray when I get home each of you will consider coming out to one of the seminars I will be teaching. I will give the places and times. It will only be a 4 hour class and cost $20.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!!! Hallelujah
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