Well that’s it folk. I’ve passed that last big birthday until 50. After the buzz of my first glass of wine dissipates, the dark reality of it all being downhill from here sets in.
Ha! Now that I have all you old fogies up in arms and you young children depressed about your future, I must admit that is all said tongue in cheek. Please forgive me. But the reality is I really am 21 and that is getting older. Not old, not the peak of my maturity level or climax of life I agree but it has started me thinking about my life thus far and if I am content with the direction it is taking.
God has been so good to me these past two or three years. No, that’s not accurate, I have finally found out how good God is in these past two or three years. I can see how he has gentle wooed me, showed me how good he is, and then pointed out how much junk I had been using as a substitute for his goodness. I wish I could proudly claim I have completely dropped all my junky substitutes and embraced God completely but it is such a process. More often than not, I get so overwhelmed by my flesh and can’t even see his goodness for all my garbage. How I wish I had started this process a long time ago. Growing up in a Christian home my family laid such a beautiful foundation for my relationship with God but they couldn’t force a living breathing relationship on me they could only model it.
Christians have argued that all a person needs is to place their faith in God and that is the climax of a Christian life. But oh, if I had only realized that accepting salvation is only the beginning of that relationship. And when Christians stay at the place of guilt, confession, and forgiveness it’s like being at a seven course meal and only eating the first course. It is good, it’s the beginning but there is so much more to come. So yes, I would say I have spent most of my life eating that first course and it’s only been in the last two years that I have started to realize there was so much more to come!
For example, when you hear the words “God loves you” do you pass it off as obvious and almost pithy because of the frequency it is said in churches? Or does it rock you back in your chair as you realize how many different ways today alone God has shown his love abundantly, extravagantly, and passionately? Do you think of a stuffy religious love? Or the kind of love a father shows his child or a lover shows his love? I am just starting to see how alive this commonplace phrase really is and I’m ashamed that I’m just now starting to see it.
Imagine if you will, me walking up the cobblestone walk leading up to my dorm a couple weeks ago. It’s almost eight thirty in the evening; the lamps are shedding their warm glow over the fallen leaves. I’m bundled up in my scarf and jacket, deep in conversation with God. I share how long the day has been and how emotional I am feeling (I’m a girl, I remind him, encase he has forgotten) and today my emotional heart is desiring some physical love. A hug and a kiss, a word of love and strength before I have to face another week of homework assignments and social ups and downs. Oh if only you were tangible Father, if only, I find myself wishing. I enter my dorm building and mechanically check my mailbox. One postcard address to Miss Elisabeth, signed with HUGS from my amazing adopted grandfather. My heart starts to sing. Grinning from ear to ear I enter my empty room but wait! What is that on my laptop? A chocolate KISS, left by a sweet friend. My cup overflows and both my flesh and spirit are blessed beyond measure by my extravagant, incredible Father God. Why oh why couldn’t I have started to see these acts of love so long ago.
Another process I wish I started sooner is the process of going to God with the confidence that he hears and answers back. My parents were very good about telling me to ask God about tough decisions and that I should wait to hear is voice but I never listened with expectation. It’s been through deliberately slow baby steps stemming from a burning desire to hear God’s voice, that I have start to recognize how he speaks to me. Yes, I do mean speak. Not bible roulette or through other people’s suggestions. God is even starting to break my controlled box of structured rules on how he is allowed to speak to me. Pictures, a still small voice, a very loud voice, insights that don’t come from my limited knowledge, the sky is the limit. Frustratingly, I am such a slow learner I still wonder whether all my questions and quandaries will be answered as I bring them before him but he’s so patient, so gentle. Even when the answer is not the one I want to hear, I still know it’s an answer.
The passion on my heart right now is that others could have this amazing relationship. Passing through a sea of faces on my way to class I wonder if any one of them have any clue of how desirable and beloved they are to the God who created the universe. I wonder if they know all they have to do is call out and he will answer. My heart breaks for the pain that they are shouldering on their own but looking at how deliberately he pursued me, my heart is also stirred in excitement to see how relentlessly he will keep offering himself to them.
Keep me in your prayers, I’m not sure what new adventures God has for me in this new year of life, but I know that as long as I keep in tuned with him they will be amazing. Pray for strength and a continuing revelation of new aspects in his character. I am bubbling over with joy, hoping for opportunities to share this joy with other and I can’t wait for more.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Just a taste...
I had forgotten just how fast quarters sped by. I am just getting settled in my routine, finally remembering the classrooms I need to head to each day, and used to teachers’ expectations that differ from assignment to assignment, and on the quarter is almost over! Thank you all for praying for me during midterms, I felt comfortable with my preparedness and believe the tests went well. (I’ll have the final verdict on Tuesday.) Since I haven’t been able to take any pictures of my surroundings I’d like to give you all a little taste of what God has blessed me with in these past two months.
Western is perched on a hill overlooking the bay on one side and a valley of green in the south. The wind whistles up and over the campus all day long, exploring all the nooks and crannies, tugging on the tightly bundled students hurrying from class to class. (Scarves, mittens, and boots have long since made their debut on campus.) Brightly color leaves are tossed and twirled in the wind, scattering over the quant brick walkways. Where most college campus would settle for asphalt or concrete sidewalks, Western has maintained the old brick roads and courtyards from the beginning of the college. Learning to avoid the stray brick that seems to pop straight up in the middle of your path, only adds to the challenge of a typical day. The campus is spread out in a line from north to south and each side of the campus has its own particular personality. I live on North Campus which is mostly made up of the old, original buildings. Bricks and cobblestones, towering columns and large windows, each building is intriguingly beautiful.
The walk leading up to my dorm is lined with old lamp posts. Imagine Narnia’s “Lion the witch and the wardrobe” and you’ll have a very accurate picture of these wrought iron lights. Walking home from my evening classes I catch myself peering into the blackness hoping to catch sight of a dapper young fawn who wants to make my acquaintance.
The only adjective that accurately describes my dorm building is extravagant. God has extravagantly blessed me with Eden’s Hall. One story tall stairs run up to the main entrance and every time I walk them I swear I can hear the theme from “Rocky” playing the background. The entrance appears to be modeled after the Greek Parthenon or something of that era, complete with large white columns. Enter those doors would boost anyone’s perspective on life; someday I’ll have to do a double door entrance and truly feel like a queen. Lounges on every floor provide the perfect venue for wild parties of Pictionary and midnight movies. Quiet halls lend themselves to more of an apartment feel than a dorm feel and a grand piano sends soft music wafting through the stairwells. (When played by someone who knows a different musical piece than “Heart and Soul” or “Chopsticks” that is.) But my favorite part by far is my windowsill. My room boast two tall windows with a sill deep enough to sit comfortably in when reading, writing, studying, hanging out with friends or my favorite time, hanging out with God. The view isn’t great but if I face the right way I can look at the hill directly behind our dorm room and watch the trees sway in the wind. God can speak so much through swaying trees it turns out.
So that’s just a taste of my life here on campus. I hope you are all intrigued enough to come visit me; it’s always more fun to show rather than tell.
Western is perched on a hill overlooking the bay on one side and a valley of green in the south. The wind whistles up and over the campus all day long, exploring all the nooks and crannies, tugging on the tightly bundled students hurrying from class to class. (Scarves, mittens, and boots have long since made their debut on campus.) Brightly color leaves are tossed and twirled in the wind, scattering over the quant brick walkways. Where most college campus would settle for asphalt or concrete sidewalks, Western has maintained the old brick roads and courtyards from the beginning of the college. Learning to avoid the stray brick that seems to pop straight up in the middle of your path, only adds to the challenge of a typical day. The campus is spread out in a line from north to south and each side of the campus has its own particular personality. I live on North Campus which is mostly made up of the old, original buildings. Bricks and cobblestones, towering columns and large windows, each building is intriguingly beautiful.
The walk leading up to my dorm is lined with old lamp posts. Imagine Narnia’s “Lion the witch and the wardrobe” and you’ll have a very accurate picture of these wrought iron lights. Walking home from my evening classes I catch myself peering into the blackness hoping to catch sight of a dapper young fawn who wants to make my acquaintance.
The only adjective that accurately describes my dorm building is extravagant. God has extravagantly blessed me with Eden’s Hall. One story tall stairs run up to the main entrance and every time I walk them I swear I can hear the theme from “Rocky” playing the background. The entrance appears to be modeled after the Greek Parthenon or something of that era, complete with large white columns. Enter those doors would boost anyone’s perspective on life; someday I’ll have to do a double door entrance and truly feel like a queen. Lounges on every floor provide the perfect venue for wild parties of Pictionary and midnight movies. Quiet halls lend themselves to more of an apartment feel than a dorm feel and a grand piano sends soft music wafting through the stairwells. (When played by someone who knows a different musical piece than “Heart and Soul” or “Chopsticks” that is.) But my favorite part by far is my windowsill. My room boast two tall windows with a sill deep enough to sit comfortably in when reading, writing, studying, hanging out with friends or my favorite time, hanging out with God. The view isn’t great but if I face the right way I can look at the hill directly behind our dorm room and watch the trees sway in the wind. God can speak so much through swaying trees it turns out.
So that’s just a taste of my life here on campus. I hope you are all intrigued enough to come visit me; it’s always more fun to show rather than tell.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Let's shake things up a bit...
If I may, I would like to share a very difficult assignment I've been working on. I had to create a poem that looked at my past and then share how my past shaped my future. This is a difficult assignment to write an essay about, let alone a poem! Since I'm not particularity gifted in the area of creative poetry, my stress level on this assignment was quite high. But like most assignments that I sweat over, I end up quite proud of the results. It's not great poetry but it's a great deal of work and therefore deserves more than simply a grade in my opinion. :)
So to break up the monotony of blogs, I thought I would add this poem and let you get a glimpse of what Elementary Education students get assigned for homework.
Enjoy... or not, if you're an amazing poet, you'll be simply horrified by this then...
Where I am from…
By Elisabeth Holmes
I am from breakfast and homework, pajamas and math
School never ending, learning all day along
I am from a teacher who was my mom
A principal who was my father
I am from “communication!”
No avoiding issues or getting away with a grunt or a nod.
I am from family Frisbee games
Laughing and enjoying, rolling and tumbling
I am from the security of my parent’s choice –
Actively involved in my life, friends and guardians
I am from urban shoved into rural – shock!
Mall shopper turned river mogul
I am from days catching tiny minnows or slimy salamanders
Evenings creeping through Indian infested forests
I am from successful bank dad stripped to struggling entrepreneur
Rice and potato meals, easy to tighten tight belts
I am from counting blessings
My family’s love is enough!
I am from “to whom much is given much is expected.”
Active love, no longer passive observing
I am from mission Thailand
Teaching my native tongue
I am from a bitter taste of hopelessness
Seeing the world with new eyes
I am from seeing a way out of despair
A skill I could teach!
I am from the possibilities unlimited
If only I am willing to do — to go
I am the choice to pour out love
My family freely gave to me…
I am the choice to reach the unreached
Though I may be the minority
I am the hope that I will be used powerfully
Simply because I am willing
I am the hope that someday, I will be “the teacher who cares”
I am ready.
So to break up the monotony of blogs, I thought I would add this poem and let you get a glimpse of what Elementary Education students get assigned for homework.
Enjoy... or not, if you're an amazing poet, you'll be simply horrified by this then...
Where I am from…
By Elisabeth Holmes
I am from breakfast and homework, pajamas and math
School never ending, learning all day along
I am from a teacher who was my mom
A principal who was my father
I am from “communication!”
No avoiding issues or getting away with a grunt or a nod.
I am from family Frisbee games
Laughing and enjoying, rolling and tumbling
I am from the security of my parent’s choice –
Actively involved in my life, friends and guardians
I am from urban shoved into rural – shock!
Mall shopper turned river mogul
I am from days catching tiny minnows or slimy salamanders
Evenings creeping through Indian infested forests
I am from successful bank dad stripped to struggling entrepreneur
Rice and potato meals, easy to tighten tight belts
I am from counting blessings
My family’s love is enough!
I am from “to whom much is given much is expected.”
Active love, no longer passive observing
I am from mission Thailand
Teaching my native tongue
I am from a bitter taste of hopelessness
Seeing the world with new eyes
I am from seeing a way out of despair
A skill I could teach!
I am from the possibilities unlimited
If only I am willing to do — to go
I am the choice to pour out love
My family freely gave to me…
I am the choice to reach the unreached
Though I may be the minority
I am the hope that I will be used powerfully
Simply because I am willing
I am the hope that someday, I will be “the teacher who cares”
I am ready.
Monday, October 12, 2009
From navel gazing to stepping out in faith....
I am so sorry! I thought to myself, “I will update this blog every weekend.” My teachers thought to themselves, “We will bombard her with homework this weekend.”
That’s what happens when different worldview collide.
I must start off by saying how much I love, nay, adore my heavenly Father! He knows exactly how much I can take. He brings me to that breaking point so that I am holding on to nothing but Him and then let s me rest and reflect on what he had taught me. Without these times for rest and reflection, I would be unable to be so incredibly wowed by all that He has done in my life.
In these first three weeks of transition God has challenge many of my assumptions about him and about those around me. He has proven to me that He is in control of my friendships and new relationships with others. He has shown me, or at least begun to show me, how awesome and powerful he really is in everyday life. He is not in the box I try to put Him in, nor does he require me to lift the lid for him to get out! He has even begun to work on the touchy subject of guys as friends and assured me that, again, he is more powerful than my flirtatious failures. God is so good!
However, being a self-focused, self-absorbed human, I start to get too focused on navel gazing and the world quickly starts to look like it’s revolving around me. My attentive Father is attuned to my weak flesh though, and as I was standing in worship Friday evening, God started speak to me about my fellow classmates and sharing this amazing life I have in God with them. Quickly my eyes turned back out where they were supposed to looking in the first place.
I am in the unique position of have a set group of classmates that I will be taking classes side by side with for the next two or three years. We all entered in education program during the same quarter and because of the structured class schedule of all Elementary School student teachers, we will all be progressing at, roughly, the same pace. This means I have an incredible opportunity to be a witness for the next several years and they can’t escape! But I recognize I must begin as I mean to go. If I stay quietly in the background it will be hard to step up and out in the coming months and years. So here I am at a crossroads with two clear choices lying before me. Should I quaver and quake with the unknown of how God might ask me to be bold in my faith? He might ask me to make a public declaration, or evangelize to someone one on one. What if I fail? What if they hate me? I will have three years of hate if that’s the case….
On the other road, however, is the knowledge of what God has already revealed to be about his character. He loves to use my strengths and passions; after all He gave them to me in the first place. He loves to show me new strengths I never knew I had before. He doesn’t throw me into situations and then watch to see if I drown or swim. He gently leads me by the hand and asks me to step into situations along with Him. This road also leads to saying “yes” before I actually know what I’m saying yes to, it’s a road of faith.
This is the road I’ve chosen to take. God has awakened a desire to share my love for him with others. It was His idea, he will be the one to guide my steps, all I have said is “yes, yes I will be the vessel.” I cannot wait to see what will happen. I cannot wait to see more of God’s character through this time. I cannot wait t for the pain of serving others to bring forth delicious fruit. God is so good; how can I not say yes…?
That’s what happens when different worldview collide.
I must start off by saying how much I love, nay, adore my heavenly Father! He knows exactly how much I can take. He brings me to that breaking point so that I am holding on to nothing but Him and then let s me rest and reflect on what he had taught me. Without these times for rest and reflection, I would be unable to be so incredibly wowed by all that He has done in my life.
In these first three weeks of transition God has challenge many of my assumptions about him and about those around me. He has proven to me that He is in control of my friendships and new relationships with others. He has shown me, or at least begun to show me, how awesome and powerful he really is in everyday life. He is not in the box I try to put Him in, nor does he require me to lift the lid for him to get out! He has even begun to work on the touchy subject of guys as friends and assured me that, again, he is more powerful than my flirtatious failures. God is so good!
However, being a self-focused, self-absorbed human, I start to get too focused on navel gazing and the world quickly starts to look like it’s revolving around me. My attentive Father is attuned to my weak flesh though, and as I was standing in worship Friday evening, God started speak to me about my fellow classmates and sharing this amazing life I have in God with them. Quickly my eyes turned back out where they were supposed to looking in the first place.
I am in the unique position of have a set group of classmates that I will be taking classes side by side with for the next two or three years. We all entered in education program during the same quarter and because of the structured class schedule of all Elementary School student teachers, we will all be progressing at, roughly, the same pace. This means I have an incredible opportunity to be a witness for the next several years and they can’t escape! But I recognize I must begin as I mean to go. If I stay quietly in the background it will be hard to step up and out in the coming months and years. So here I am at a crossroads with two clear choices lying before me. Should I quaver and quake with the unknown of how God might ask me to be bold in my faith? He might ask me to make a public declaration, or evangelize to someone one on one. What if I fail? What if they hate me? I will have three years of hate if that’s the case….
On the other road, however, is the knowledge of what God has already revealed to be about his character. He loves to use my strengths and passions; after all He gave them to me in the first place. He loves to show me new strengths I never knew I had before. He doesn’t throw me into situations and then watch to see if I drown or swim. He gently leads me by the hand and asks me to step into situations along with Him. This road also leads to saying “yes” before I actually know what I’m saying yes to, it’s a road of faith.
This is the road I’ve chosen to take. God has awakened a desire to share my love for him with others. It was His idea, he will be the one to guide my steps, all I have said is “yes, yes I will be the vessel.” I cannot wait to see what will happen. I cannot wait to see more of God’s character through this time. I cannot wait t for the pain of serving others to bring forth delicious fruit. God is so good; how can I not say yes…?
Friday, October 2, 2009
Musings from a College Workaholic
My first full week is complete here at Western and I feel adequately informed to start making predictions about this quarter. Completely my AA degree at Centralia College, allowed me to waive all the nitty-gritty general requirement courses and jump right into my major and endorsements. This is a wonderful money saver but a horrible schedule. This quarter I have five classes totaling 18 credits. That equals several days’ worth of homework plus eighteen plus hours of class time. My two years off is also making me feel slightly behind the ball when it comes to remembering how to study, write papers, and be a good college student in general. Luckily enough, I love my classes. They are all so applicable and include hands-on, real world situations to accompany their theory.
Interestingly enough, I have also been going through a personal revival. Why this time of all times, I mused last night, would God choose this over-worked, overloaded transition as a time to start building upon foundations he has already laid. Why not wait until I have more quiet time to reserve for him? In reality the hour or so I spend with him everyday simply because I am hungry for more of Him, is foolish. I should be spending that time doing homework. The hours I take out of my study time to attend bible study, church and CCF is also ridiculous, one Christian event should be sufficient shouldn’t it? Classes are piling up! The time that I take out of my schedule to talk with homesick freshmen or to eat lunch with a Wiccan simply because God told me to, is poor time management. I am in conflict. I am called to be a good steward of what God has given me, i.e. the money He provided for me to come here in the first place. Shouldn’t I be focusing on getting good grades and doing homework? On the other hand, as I was meditating on the passage in Luke where Mary and Martha had a conflict about who should be doing what, the words’ Jesus spoke to Martha resonated in my very most being.
“Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Only one thing is needed? Really? So as long as I am trusting and following what God has for me during quiet times, during lunch hour, during times when I really should be doing classroom busy work, I am doing the only thing that is really needed, resting at his feet? This is a very difficult concept for a people-pleasing, over-achiever like me to understand. And once again I ask, “Why Lord did you have to choose this time of all times to light a fire in my soul?” But didn’t he warn all of us that his wisdom seems foolish in the eyes of the world. And should I be able to trust him enough to know if he is asking for my time and I give of it freely, He will in turn work everything out for the good of those who love him?
I would love thoughts and comments if God gives you any insight in this struggle. Please note, that I have turned in all my assignments on time so far. I have chosen not to come home this weekend so I could spend time working on my homework load, so I’m not completely dropping the ball on my homework load but I am questioning what position it should be in on my “to do” list. Lots of love from Bellingham!
Interestingly enough, I have also been going through a personal revival. Why this time of all times, I mused last night, would God choose this over-worked, overloaded transition as a time to start building upon foundations he has already laid. Why not wait until I have more quiet time to reserve for him? In reality the hour or so I spend with him everyday simply because I am hungry for more of Him, is foolish. I should be spending that time doing homework. The hours I take out of my study time to attend bible study, church and CCF is also ridiculous, one Christian event should be sufficient shouldn’t it? Classes are piling up! The time that I take out of my schedule to talk with homesick freshmen or to eat lunch with a Wiccan simply because God told me to, is poor time management. I am in conflict. I am called to be a good steward of what God has given me, i.e. the money He provided for me to come here in the first place. Shouldn’t I be focusing on getting good grades and doing homework? On the other hand, as I was meditating on the passage in Luke where Mary and Martha had a conflict about who should be doing what, the words’ Jesus spoke to Martha resonated in my very most being.
“Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Only one thing is needed? Really? So as long as I am trusting and following what God has for me during quiet times, during lunch hour, during times when I really should be doing classroom busy work, I am doing the only thing that is really needed, resting at his feet? This is a very difficult concept for a people-pleasing, over-achiever like me to understand. And once again I ask, “Why Lord did you have to choose this time of all times to light a fire in my soul?” But didn’t he warn all of us that his wisdom seems foolish in the eyes of the world. And should I be able to trust him enough to know if he is asking for my time and I give of it freely, He will in turn work everything out for the good of those who love him?
I would love thoughts and comments if God gives you any insight in this struggle. Please note, that I have turned in all my assignments on time so far. I have chosen not to come home this weekend so I could spend time working on my homework load, so I’m not completely dropping the ball on my homework load but I am questioning what position it should be in on my “to do” list. Lots of love from Bellingham!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
From Bellingham, a quick report
It’s only day three on campus but the things God has revealed to me are stunning! A wise woman told me before coming here that I am not the same person that went to Centralia College and let her mouth run away with her, or the same person that went to Australia and couldn’t stop crying for the entire five months. But until I was actually on campus being tested on my homesick and maturity levels I didn’t actually see how true that statement was.
My walk with God is at such a different level now than when I had those other experiences and that is what is making this transition so incredibly different. The trust and hope that I have in God has saved me from the tears of missing my family, because I know that He is the core of my family and will meet all my needs not them. The trust and hope I have in him also gives me the peace to recognize I don’t need to be showing off, flirting, or any other nonsensical thing to gain attention. He will provide me with friends in his time and while these three days hasn’t found anyone pounding on my door to be my best friend I’m not worried or questioning my own desirableness. (Is that a word I wonder?)
I love the fact that I can see, at least in a little part, why he has had me go through trials and painful experiences; I can actually see the fruit of those labors. That fact makes me even more excited to see what this situation will produce. What new lessons will he teach me in these coming months and years? Who will I meet, what will I see, and what will I have opportunity to partner with Him in? I’m more that excited, I’m joyfully expectant.
Okay for those of you who want to know more about campus and where I’m living, here is a quick description. I’m in Eden’s Hall which is on the north end of campus overlooking the bay. My room doesn’t have that as a view but the dining hall I’ll be eating in everyday does and I’m oober excited about that! Eden’s Hall attracts mostly upper classmen because of their strict quiet hours (9pm-9am most days) and the fact that most of the dorm is alcohol free. Freshmen feel this cramps their style, I guess. I am in a suite set up, there are two of us in my room with a bathroom we share with our two suitemates located in a room on the other side of the bathroom. The blessing a private bathroom is incredible especially since this dorm is co-ed. There appears to be more girls than boys on this floor but still, me walking down the hall first thing in the morning is not something my family handles well let alone a floor of strangers.
Tuesday is orientation day for Elementary Education students and then Wednesday I begin my new classes. I cannot wait to start learning! I know in my last blog I mentioned having to wait that year and a half before this next step and that was a difficult process. But today, walking to breakfast, I realized that had I jumped right back into college, I would not have enjoyed my time now nearly as much. I would have been constantly comparing it to my community in Australia, and it would have fallen short because it is such a different environment. I also wouldn’t have had to work as hard to get here and you know that when you work hard for something, you invariably enjoy it so much more. I am, yet again, seeing the fruits of the trails and processes God has been putting me through. It’s simply wonderful! Be encouraged, my readers, God has so much good for you because of all the hard things you have or are going through!
Lots of love!
My walk with God is at such a different level now than when I had those other experiences and that is what is making this transition so incredibly different. The trust and hope that I have in God has saved me from the tears of missing my family, because I know that He is the core of my family and will meet all my needs not them. The trust and hope I have in him also gives me the peace to recognize I don’t need to be showing off, flirting, or any other nonsensical thing to gain attention. He will provide me with friends in his time and while these three days hasn’t found anyone pounding on my door to be my best friend I’m not worried or questioning my own desirableness. (Is that a word I wonder?)
I love the fact that I can see, at least in a little part, why he has had me go through trials and painful experiences; I can actually see the fruit of those labors. That fact makes me even more excited to see what this situation will produce. What new lessons will he teach me in these coming months and years? Who will I meet, what will I see, and what will I have opportunity to partner with Him in? I’m more that excited, I’m joyfully expectant.
Okay for those of you who want to know more about campus and where I’m living, here is a quick description. I’m in Eden’s Hall which is on the north end of campus overlooking the bay. My room doesn’t have that as a view but the dining hall I’ll be eating in everyday does and I’m oober excited about that! Eden’s Hall attracts mostly upper classmen because of their strict quiet hours (9pm-9am most days) and the fact that most of the dorm is alcohol free. Freshmen feel this cramps their style, I guess. I am in a suite set up, there are two of us in my room with a bathroom we share with our two suitemates located in a room on the other side of the bathroom. The blessing a private bathroom is incredible especially since this dorm is co-ed. There appears to be more girls than boys on this floor but still, me walking down the hall first thing in the morning is not something my family handles well let alone a floor of strangers.
Tuesday is orientation day for Elementary Education students and then Wednesday I begin my new classes. I cannot wait to start learning! I know in my last blog I mentioned having to wait that year and a half before this next step and that was a difficult process. But today, walking to breakfast, I realized that had I jumped right back into college, I would not have enjoyed my time now nearly as much. I would have been constantly comparing it to my community in Australia, and it would have fallen short because it is such a different environment. I also wouldn’t have had to work as hard to get here and you know that when you work hard for something, you invariably enjoy it so much more. I am, yet again, seeing the fruits of the trails and processes God has been putting me through. It’s simply wonderful! Be encouraged, my readers, God has so much good for you because of all the hard things you have or are going through!
Lots of love!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
And She's Off!
As most of you probably remember, September 2007 found me leaving for a five month mission trip to Australia and then to Thailand. During this time I fell deeply and madly in love with God and through my time spent in Thailand I also fell in love with Asia and teaching English as a Second Language.
When I returned home I fully expected God to tell me what do with my new passion for Him and my interest in missions. I kind of expected Him to tell me what country I should focus on next, or which mission organization to apply to, or possibly where to go to school to get a degree in teaching. But instead, like God does with many of our assumptions, He asked me to set them aside for His timing and His plan.
This past year and a half has been an amazing continuation of the lessons God taught me overseas. He has taken my emotional passion and turned into a deep grounded love, He has shown me how to be quiet enough to Hear Him when He is speaking softly in mundane experiences. He has shown me how to be deliberate in serving Him in comfortable situations and He has shown me that He is the same powerful God Here in safe Lewis County as He was in the wilds of Australia. While this time has been full of ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade the lessons He has taught me for anything! As usual, His timing is perfect!
This past winter God started opening doors and setting plans into motion and I now can see the next step. Thursday (September 17th) I will be heading up to Western Washington University to finish up my BA in elementary education with an endorsement in Teaching English as a Second Language. There have been so many confirmations that this really is the next step God has for me. From finding a Christian roommate, to provided the finances, to having a new major in them Elementary department starting this quarter focusing on teachers who want to teach overseas! God hand is evident in everything.
I know our culture makes going off to college mundane and expected but I feel that this season in my life is anything but mundane. I truly feel that this is my next mission trip, that God has specific people for me to talk with and situations for me to step into. I’m so excited about the things He has already been speaking with me about and I cannot wait to see what He has in store.
I would covet your prayers specifically for me as a missionary. Please pray for wisdom and insight, for my own spiritual growth and strength. That I would not become discouraged or overwhelmed with the natural pressures of college and most of all for courage to speak up and step out when He calls me to.
Thank you all for your loving support, please keep in touch.
Email: spiceadvice@gmail.com
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