The first responses to my letters came in the mail today! I am literally jumping for joy praising God! I've been working on the Uganda process for a while now, but now that God is bringing in the funds, it makes it so much more real! I have $146, now!!! Thank you to those of you who have given donations already and thank you to all who plan on supporting me soon, financially as well as prayerfully! Please continue praying for the process! Please pray that God will use these next 5 months to build my strength and dependence on Him. I cannot wait!!!
On another note, for all of you who have been praying for me in the process of applying to Moody, I wanted to thank you immensely and give you an update. I received a letter on Saturday informing me that my application has been deferred. This means that I was not accepted for the early decision, but they will review my application again in April. A second chance! As much as I am EXTREMELY anxious and impatient for the final decision, I know that this time is all a part of God's plan for me. Please also pray for me to have guidance, patience, encouragement, and wisdom in following His will.
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Letters are out!
My fundraising letters for Uganda are officially out!
Hopefully you all will be receiving them soon:)
And speaking of mail...
Moody Bible Institute is scheduled to have mailed out their acceptance letters today!
Ohhh the anticipation!
Hopefully you all will be receiving them soon:)
And speaking of mail...
Moody Bible Institute is scheduled to have mailed out their acceptance letters today!
Ohhh the anticipation!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Time
Time: the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the past.
Finality.
Gone.
Time scares me. One minute I'm in the backyard digging for earthworms under the swimming pool with my brothers and next thing I know it's 7 years later and I'm about to graduate high school. Where did the time go? I don't recall it coming, let alone leaving, so soon.
I've never been one for goodbyes. Always a sobbing, pitiful child, I would cling to my parents with hugs and kisses galore before letting them go anywhere from my sight.
When my mother would pick me up from friends' houses, I would stow them away in the trunk, so that we wouldn't ever have to part. My mother was always too wise for this, however; somehow always knowing what my plan was and stopping the stowaway.
When my dad would leave for work in the mornings, my brothers and I would watch him drive away until his car was out of sight, hating to see him go; hating to see anyone go, no matter the length of time gone.
I've never been one for goodbyes.
This year, my senior year of high school, is a year of goodbyes.
Truthfully, this frightens me.
Truthfully, a large part of me never wants to leave home; never wants to say goodbye.
I don't know how the time got here so soon. One day I'm in eighth grade looking at dream jobs for "the future", and the next...I'm about to live it.
"The future" wasn't really supposed to ever come. It was as real as "Never Land" in Peter Pan. But now it's here...and I'm expected to be ready for that.
I'm expected to be feeling a lot of things right now... things that I'm not.
For one, I'm supposed to be happy to leave; happy to get out of my "cage" of a house; happy to live on my own. But I'm not.
Secondly, I'm supposed to be living my senior year to the fullest; going to every party and event with all the "greatest" people. But I'm not. Instead, I find myself wanting to spend more time with my parents; wanting to have more...time.
I know I will be leaving soon, off to college. And I know that after that, only God knows. But I do give my life over to Him. Somehow, despite my hatred for goodbyes, I still have this passion to follow Him to the ends of the earth. I know it won't be easy and will probably only get harder as the "goodbye" time approaches, but I am willing. If God can use me most in some obsolete part of the world, then I will follow Him.
It comforts me to read Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Although sometimes I'm dying to see the road map of my life, no one could give directions like my God. The journey may be difficult, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, but He knows what He has planned for my life, and He promises that His route has the best outcome.
So I give over my time; my biggest worry right now. Although I know of the "finality" of time, I pray that God will show me that time is a good thing; that through time He does amazing things in our lives; helps us grow to see Him and love Him in new ways. I love Him so much. But I know that he loves me more than I can comprehend. So I end this in comfort that He is my Protector, my Road Map, and the Keeper and Creator of time. As long as He's in control, I have hope for a prosperous future.
Finality.
Gone.
Time scares me. One minute I'm in the backyard digging for earthworms under the swimming pool with my brothers and next thing I know it's 7 years later and I'm about to graduate high school. Where did the time go? I don't recall it coming, let alone leaving, so soon.
I've never been one for goodbyes. Always a sobbing, pitiful child, I would cling to my parents with hugs and kisses galore before letting them go anywhere from my sight.
When my mother would pick me up from friends' houses, I would stow them away in the trunk, so that we wouldn't ever have to part. My mother was always too wise for this, however; somehow always knowing what my plan was and stopping the stowaway.
When my dad would leave for work in the mornings, my brothers and I would watch him drive away until his car was out of sight, hating to see him go; hating to see anyone go, no matter the length of time gone.
I've never been one for goodbyes.
This year, my senior year of high school, is a year of goodbyes.
Truthfully, this frightens me.
Truthfully, a large part of me never wants to leave home; never wants to say goodbye.
I don't know how the time got here so soon. One day I'm in eighth grade looking at dream jobs for "the future", and the next...I'm about to live it.
"The future" wasn't really supposed to ever come. It was as real as "Never Land" in Peter Pan. But now it's here...and I'm expected to be ready for that.
I'm expected to be feeling a lot of things right now... things that I'm not.
For one, I'm supposed to be happy to leave; happy to get out of my "cage" of a house; happy to live on my own. But I'm not.
Secondly, I'm supposed to be living my senior year to the fullest; going to every party and event with all the "greatest" people. But I'm not. Instead, I find myself wanting to spend more time with my parents; wanting to have more...time.
I know I will be leaving soon, off to college. And I know that after that, only God knows. But I do give my life over to Him. Somehow, despite my hatred for goodbyes, I still have this passion to follow Him to the ends of the earth. I know it won't be easy and will probably only get harder as the "goodbye" time approaches, but I am willing. If God can use me most in some obsolete part of the world, then I will follow Him.
It comforts me to read Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Although sometimes I'm dying to see the road map of my life, no one could give directions like my God. The journey may be difficult, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, but He knows what He has planned for my life, and He promises that His route has the best outcome.
So I give over my time; my biggest worry right now. Although I know of the "finality" of time, I pray that God will show me that time is a good thing; that through time He does amazing things in our lives; helps us grow to see Him and love Him in new ways. I love Him so much. But I know that he loves me more than I can comprehend. So I end this in comfort that He is my Protector, my Road Map, and the Keeper and Creator of time. As long as He's in control, I have hope for a prosperous future.
One Year Ago
In anticipation of the new year, I find it appropriate to think back on everything that has happened in my life throughout 2010. This year has certainly been one that I will never forget. Full of life changing events, both good and bad, it has been evident that God has had His mighty hand in my life every step of the way.
In January of 2010, I experienced the deep sorrow of death, and of taking one’s life away intentionally. I had heard suicide stories, but nothing prepared me for the emotions I felt the day that my friend’s sister ended her life. What feelings and thoughts were going through her head, I will never know. But her action indefinitely changed my life. Life is not something to be wasted, nor to be taken lightly. I have been blessed with a sheltered life (which I thank God for earnestly), but I will not let myself go on ignorant to the misery and loneliness that so many face in this world. I will not forget. I may not be able to change minds, but I can and will love those who feel unloved.
I challenge myself to do this in the upcoming year… to love unconditionally… anyone and everyone. I have learned this year that there is often so much more to people than meets the eye… so much hiding underneath the surface… so much suffering in secret. I pray that God will remind me of this commitment, and show me new ways every day to carry it out; ways to love like Jesus. <3
In January of 2010, I experienced the deep sorrow of death, and of taking one’s life away intentionally. I had heard suicide stories, but nothing prepared me for the emotions I felt the day that my friend’s sister ended her life. What feelings and thoughts were going through her head, I will never know. But her action indefinitely changed my life. Life is not something to be wasted, nor to be taken lightly. I have been blessed with a sheltered life (which I thank God for earnestly), but I will not let myself go on ignorant to the misery and loneliness that so many face in this world. I will not forget. I may not be able to change minds, but I can and will love those who feel unloved.
I challenge myself to do this in the upcoming year… to love unconditionally… anyone and everyone. I have learned this year that there is often so much more to people than meets the eye… so much hiding underneath the surface… so much suffering in secret. I pray that God will remind me of this commitment, and show me new ways every day to carry it out; ways to love like Jesus. <3
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