Monday I was a wreck--freaking out about everything. What I should keep on my schedule this semester and what I should get rid of. Will I have time for everything? What should I major in? Worrying the little things.
How I was on Monday and how I am today, on Friday, is such a change. My spirit went from emotional and worried to joyous and peaceful.
I have realized through the course of four days that prayer is a powerful thing. As I was feeling frustrated and concerned with my life, I turned to my Bible and prayed hardcore-- God has been working in me. God's been molding me and shaping my life little by little this year, and it is so awesome! My faith is becoming stronger as I am trusting that my father will get me through.
Sometimes we have to get through hard times in order to change.
This weekend is homecoming! Filled with events. I am excited!
October 1, 2010
September 17, 2010
Late Summer Wrap Up
It's another year at North Park. I've been in Chicago for almost a month now but before I talk about school, let me give an update on how my summer was.
Phenomenal, unforgettable, amazing, eye-opening, exciting, jam-packed, challenging, crazy...I could ramble off so many different words to describe this summer, I can't just pick one.
June 10th was the day that I went to Staff training at Covenant Harbor...that was the beginning. I had a lot of fun during that ten day training. I got to know a lot of new people and then it was a bittersweet goodbye as I was off to South Africa for two weeks.
June 23rd was the date that I traveled with 9 other team members to London and then to South Africa. I have never had the experience of riding in a plane for so long or watching movies and eating meals on the plane. We finally got there and got to meet the iThemba members and then we went to meet our host families. Veronica and I got the privilege of staying with-The Dobson's (Gill, Dave and Matt), they were so wonderful to us and we couldn't have asked for a better family! They taught us so much about South African culture. I know that when you think of Africa, you might normally think of the poor communities with tiny houses, South Africa does have that but they also have more established communities which is where the Dobson's live. We stayed in this nicer community but then we worked with the Zulu community, which is the more under-privileged people. In South Africa they drive on the other side of the road and car so that was interesting, they also only pretty much drive stick-shift. Trucks are called 'buckys' and there are also so many other fun words that they use. Our team took off with iThemba to the kids' camp for three days. There were 40 zulu kids and 10 groups of kids, each with a Zulu leader and an American leader. At first, the kids were really shy and they didn't want to really speak to me but eventually they really opened up and got more comfortable using their English. It was a really awesome time with the kids and they got to experience being by the ocean and swimming in a pool, some for the first time. After the kids camp was over we got to go into the Zulu community and visit them which was awesome, they LOVED seeing us and it was really cool to see how much we made an impact on their lives even when we couldn't completely speak the same language. Oh! I learned some words in Zulu and the kids loved to laugh at us when we would try and speak it. We had the opportunity to visit a Zulu church, which was a completely different experience. We also got to help paint a shed and plant a garden at a preschool (creche). We did a lot of things just around the community and also with our host families which was a lot of fun. God really just showed me the difference of cultures and his presence in everyone of them, he also taught me a lot about love. There are so many things that we did and a lot that I could say, but it is a lot to write on here.
There was a long plane ride back and then I had three days to adjust from South African time and life to Chicago time, then I was off to camp to be a counselor for the first time.
July 11th was the first day back to CHBC. I got back and it was so much fun to see everybody again, I was really excited but also really nervous because I hadn't counseled before but everybody else had two weeks on me. I got the opportunity of co-counseling that first week with Molly, a day-camp counselor. Molly helped me out a lot that first week and she showed me the ropes, that was a complete blessing. I was a counselor for 5 and a half weeks; 2 weeks were junior high kids. one week I counseled in Kishwaketoe, the younger kids, with only four girls. 2 weeks were 4-6 graders and then the half week was like 3-6 grade girls, I co-counseled with Anna that week which was awesomeee!
I loved camp, it completely changed my life and I loved being in the community of it. There are lots of stories about cabins that I had but let's just say it was challenging yet so exciting and fun at the same time. I loved teaching the girls, but at the same time they taught me. I never thought I would be able to speak to girls that are going into highschool and have them take me seriously, but it happened and it was so cool. I had the chance to pray with several campers this summer and I witnessed some becoming Christians. I got to see how God was working in these campers lives and I realize that we, as a staff, were all part of something so important to the Lord. I got to be really close with a lot of staff and without them, I would have never made it through. The experience I had at camp was so indescribable but it changed me. My daily walk with God has grown, my faith and trust is renewed and so much more real.
I cried when I had to say goodbye (I don't cry. Ever). The last night, before leaving camp, I wasn't planning on staying up all night but it happened. We hung out in the gym and played basketball and messed around and then we went to the pier where we gazed at the stars until the sun came up and then we watched the sun-rise. It was such a perfect end to camp, it was so cool to experience God's creation in that way.
Best summer ever!!! I am missing South Africa and CHBC a lot but I am confident in what God did this summer and it was what he wanted. Now, it is time for the school year to play out. Yay!!
Phenomenal, unforgettable, amazing, eye-opening, exciting, jam-packed, challenging, crazy...I could ramble off so many different words to describe this summer, I can't just pick one.
June 10th was the day that I went to Staff training at Covenant Harbor...that was the beginning. I had a lot of fun during that ten day training. I got to know a lot of new people and then it was a bittersweet goodbye as I was off to South Africa for two weeks.
June 23rd was the date that I traveled with 9 other team members to London and then to South Africa. I have never had the experience of riding in a plane for so long or watching movies and eating meals on the plane. We finally got there and got to meet the iThemba members and then we went to meet our host families. Veronica and I got the privilege of staying with-The Dobson's (Gill, Dave and Matt), they were so wonderful to us and we couldn't have asked for a better family! They taught us so much about South African culture. I know that when you think of Africa, you might normally think of the poor communities with tiny houses, South Africa does have that but they also have more established communities which is where the Dobson's live. We stayed in this nicer community but then we worked with the Zulu community, which is the more under-privileged people. In South Africa they drive on the other side of the road and car so that was interesting, they also only pretty much drive stick-shift. Trucks are called 'buckys' and there are also so many other fun words that they use. Our team took off with iThemba to the kids' camp for three days. There were 40 zulu kids and 10 groups of kids, each with a Zulu leader and an American leader. At first, the kids were really shy and they didn't want to really speak to me but eventually they really opened up and got more comfortable using their English. It was a really awesome time with the kids and they got to experience being by the ocean and swimming in a pool, some for the first time. After the kids camp was over we got to go into the Zulu community and visit them which was awesome, they LOVED seeing us and it was really cool to see how much we made an impact on their lives even when we couldn't completely speak the same language. Oh! I learned some words in Zulu and the kids loved to laugh at us when we would try and speak it. We had the opportunity to visit a Zulu church, which was a completely different experience. We also got to help paint a shed and plant a garden at a preschool (creche). We did a lot of things just around the community and also with our host families which was a lot of fun. God really just showed me the difference of cultures and his presence in everyone of them, he also taught me a lot about love. There are so many things that we did and a lot that I could say, but it is a lot to write on here.
There was a long plane ride back and then I had three days to adjust from South African time and life to Chicago time, then I was off to camp to be a counselor for the first time.
July 11th was the first day back to CHBC. I got back and it was so much fun to see everybody again, I was really excited but also really nervous because I hadn't counseled before but everybody else had two weeks on me. I got the opportunity of co-counseling that first week with Molly, a day-camp counselor. Molly helped me out a lot that first week and she showed me the ropes, that was a complete blessing. I was a counselor for 5 and a half weeks; 2 weeks were junior high kids. one week I counseled in Kishwaketoe, the younger kids, with only four girls. 2 weeks were 4-6 graders and then the half week was like 3-6 grade girls, I co-counseled with Anna that week which was awesomeee!
I loved camp, it completely changed my life and I loved being in the community of it. There are lots of stories about cabins that I had but let's just say it was challenging yet so exciting and fun at the same time. I loved teaching the girls, but at the same time they taught me. I never thought I would be able to speak to girls that are going into highschool and have them take me seriously, but it happened and it was so cool. I had the chance to pray with several campers this summer and I witnessed some becoming Christians. I got to see how God was working in these campers lives and I realize that we, as a staff, were all part of something so important to the Lord. I got to be really close with a lot of staff and without them, I would have never made it through. The experience I had at camp was so indescribable but it changed me. My daily walk with God has grown, my faith and trust is renewed and so much more real.
I cried when I had to say goodbye (I don't cry. Ever). The last night, before leaving camp, I wasn't planning on staying up all night but it happened. We hung out in the gym and played basketball and messed around and then we went to the pier where we gazed at the stars until the sun came up and then we watched the sun-rise. It was such a perfect end to camp, it was so cool to experience God's creation in that way.
Best summer ever!!! I am missing South Africa and CHBC a lot but I am confident in what God did this summer and it was what he wanted. Now, it is time for the school year to play out. Yay!!
June 21, 2010
Ohhh Golly!
I just got back from staff training at Covenant Harbor. It was so awesome! I have become pretty close with several people and I can't wait to further frienships as the summer goes on! I am stoked to have the kids come and be a counselor! Yesterday, it was sad to say goodbye to Harbor for 3 weeks BUT I am leaving for Africa in two days and I can't wait!!!
I can't believe that I leave in two days for South Africa!! It will be a long plane ride and probably pretty tiring as we are there, but I know that God is gonna work through our team and teach me a lot!
So far, this summer is looking like the best one yet. God is amazing.
I can't believe that I leave in two days for South Africa!! It will be a long plane ride and probably pretty tiring as we are there, but I know that God is gonna work through our team and teach me a lot!
So far, this summer is looking like the best one yet. God is amazing.
June 9, 2010
I'm off!
Off to Covenant Harbor tomorrow for training! I'll be there for ten days and then off to South Africa!
I wasn't very excited before for CHBC because I was nervous, which is weird because I don't get nervous easily. Now I am getting more excited and I know that God has a plan for me there (Jeremiah 29:11) so it will be awesome.
I had a terrible dream last night about living in Burgh next year and I had to live with these crazy people. Good thing that won't be reality!
I was in Colorado last week and it was amazing. I had a really good time seeing my family and friend Ellie. We saw so much wildlife during our 3 day trip to Estes Park. We had a pretty sick view from our cabin and it was cool to just enjoy God's creation, the mountains are beautiful!! I can't wait to live there one day on the very top of a mountain, I told everybody that I will. My cousins are so much fun, can't believe it had been 2 years since I had been back to Colorado!! Obviously, it was a wonderful trip.
Now to pack!!
I have an incredibly busy and challenging summer but I am so stoked for it and I can't wait to see what'll happen in the next few months.
I wasn't very excited before for CHBC because I was nervous, which is weird because I don't get nervous easily. Now I am getting more excited and I know that God has a plan for me there (Jeremiah 29:11) so it will be awesome.
I had a terrible dream last night about living in Burgh next year and I had to live with these crazy people. Good thing that won't be reality!
I was in Colorado last week and it was amazing. I had a really good time seeing my family and friend Ellie. We saw so much wildlife during our 3 day trip to Estes Park. We had a pretty sick view from our cabin and it was cool to just enjoy God's creation, the mountains are beautiful!! I can't wait to live there one day on the very top of a mountain, I told everybody that I will. My cousins are so much fun, can't believe it had been 2 years since I had been back to Colorado!! Obviously, it was a wonderful trip.
Now to pack!!
I have an incredibly busy and challenging summer but I am so stoked for it and I can't wait to see what'll happen in the next few months.
May 23, 2010
Here I am sitting...
I have been home for 16 full days...it doesn't seem like that much of summer has already passed!
Friday I will be off on a road trip to Colorado! I am driving there with my family and we will be gone for 8 days. I am so excited to go back to Colorado because I haven't been there in 2 years! It will be exciting to see all of my family that still lives there and to just be in the state, I don't even care what else we do.
Today I attended a meeting for the South Africa trip that I am going on and yesterday I was "rented" to do some work in order to raise money. The trip is approaching quickly and it is so exciting but it also makes me nervous. I'm not nervous about anything specifically but just the whole trip in general and what to expect. We have an awesome team and I can't wait for the things that God has in store! Lots of prayer will be happening between now and then.
My computer was broken for a little bit, a key wasn't working so I couldn't log on, but thank goodness for the warranty so I have a brand new keyboard and surrounding area! Yay!!
I need to read my Bible more, I keep thinking about it and not doing it! What the what is my problem!
Being sick this week made me so lazy and can I just say, I hate being sick! Yuck!
I really like burritos, I have had several in the past week.
It finally feels like summer, today was so hot and humid, almost 90 degrees! The last week was so yucky and rainy and cold so praise the Lord for this awesome weather!! Yeah!!
One day I am going to start a project and call it, "Project photo 365," taking a picture everyday for a whole year straight...trying to figure out a good day to start it?
Friday I will be off on a road trip to Colorado! I am driving there with my family and we will be gone for 8 days. I am so excited to go back to Colorado because I haven't been there in 2 years! It will be exciting to see all of my family that still lives there and to just be in the state, I don't even care what else we do.
Today I attended a meeting for the South Africa trip that I am going on and yesterday I was "rented" to do some work in order to raise money. The trip is approaching quickly and it is so exciting but it also makes me nervous. I'm not nervous about anything specifically but just the whole trip in general and what to expect. We have an awesome team and I can't wait for the things that God has in store! Lots of prayer will be happening between now and then.
My computer was broken for a little bit, a key wasn't working so I couldn't log on, but thank goodness for the warranty so I have a brand new keyboard and surrounding area! Yay!!
I need to read my Bible more, I keep thinking about it and not doing it! What the what is my problem!
Being sick this week made me so lazy and can I just say, I hate being sick! Yuck!
I really like burritos, I have had several in the past week.
It finally feels like summer, today was so hot and humid, almost 90 degrees! The last week was so yucky and rainy and cold so praise the Lord for this awesome weather!! Yeah!!
One day I am going to start a project and call it, "Project photo 365," taking a picture everyday for a whole year straight...trying to figure out a good day to start it?
April 30, 2010
My Thoughts Right This Moment
This year has been wonderful.
College is such a new experience.
It was weird sometimes but mostly just awesome.
Good memories and great friends I have made.
I am so sad to leave this place.
I know it is not forever yet because there will be next year but it is still sad.
It was beautiful weather outside today...ditching class was a great decision because I got to enjoy the greenspace.
It is hard to balance out finals and hanging out with friends (some who will not be coming back to North Park) before we leave one another. I am trying my best to do well in school these last days but also make the best of the time i have with these awesome people!
Friday I will be going home and saying goodbye to the adventures of NPU for 3+ months, but I will also be going to start a great summer.
Summer '10 bring it on!--Chillin' out, Coloado, South Africa, Covenant Harbor. YEAH!
I am also stoked for next school year!!--Threshold, living in Burgh, having my best friend at NPU with me, meeting more new people, starting the not so lame classes. SWEET!!
College is such a new experience.
It was weird sometimes but mostly just awesome.
Good memories and great friends I have made.
I am so sad to leave this place.
I know it is not forever yet because there will be next year but it is still sad.
It was beautiful weather outside today...ditching class was a great decision because I got to enjoy the greenspace.
It is hard to balance out finals and hanging out with friends (some who will not be coming back to North Park) before we leave one another. I am trying my best to do well in school these last days but also make the best of the time i have with these awesome people!
Friday I will be going home and saying goodbye to the adventures of NPU for 3+ months, but I will also be going to start a great summer.
Summer '10 bring it on!--Chillin' out, Coloado, South Africa, Covenant Harbor. YEAH!
I am also stoked for next school year!!--Threshold, living in Burgh, having my best friend at NPU with me, meeting more new people, starting the not so lame classes. SWEET!!
April 4, 2010
Happy Easter!
It is just so unbelievable that God put up his son, Jesus, to die for our sins.
And even more unbelievable that he was risen from the dead!
Every Easter season I am amazed.
It was a good day getting together with family and I was able to go to my home church.
He is risen, he is risen indeed!!
Jeremy Riddle lyrics- Sweetly Broken
"To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
Chorus
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness"
And even more unbelievable that he was risen from the dead!
Every Easter season I am amazed.
It was a good day getting together with family and I was able to go to my home church.
He is risen, he is risen indeed!!
Jeremy Riddle lyrics- Sweetly Broken
"To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just
Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered
What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled
Chorus
In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness"
March 20, 2010
March
So far, March has been crazy and super busy!
It started with Spring Break. Working at the Spaghetti Dinner and babysitting, along with hanging out with my friends.
Got back to school on Sunday night. This week has gone really fast and it's been great to see everybody back here after having a week off (I wasn't so excited to come back at first.)
A lot of drama came about this week but I've realized that God is faithful throughout and we just have to remember that and pray.
I went to the beach yesterday with some friends and we hung out on the pier. Good time.
I'm doing a bracket for NCAA March Madness and I am really enjoying it. Not doing so hot but that is just fine, it's still fun.
Ran a mile this week and it was really difficult, I need to work my way up but I kind of liked it.
My mind is so scattered and I need to start a paper.
It started with Spring Break. Working at the Spaghetti Dinner and babysitting, along with hanging out with my friends.
Got back to school on Sunday night. This week has gone really fast and it's been great to see everybody back here after having a week off (I wasn't so excited to come back at first.)
A lot of drama came about this week but I've realized that God is faithful throughout and we just have to remember that and pray.
I went to the beach yesterday with some friends and we hung out on the pier. Good time.
I'm doing a bracket for NCAA March Madness and I am really enjoying it. Not doing so hot but that is just fine, it's still fun.
Ran a mile this week and it was really difficult, I need to work my way up but I kind of liked it.
My mind is so scattered and I need to start a paper.
March 7, 2010
Home.
It's so good to be home.
Spring Break 2010 is finally here and I am stoked!
I got picked up Friday afternoon and then got to spend some time with some family friends and my dad and sister.
Yesterday I was at church for almost ten hours. Meeting for South Africa and then Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. It was a great time and very successful. It's amazing how much work some people put into that dinner, all of the volunteers were awesome. I got to be a cheese grater in the Venetian room, I was pretty excited about that part.
My sister Brittney and I slept over at our friends' house and then went to church this morning.
Off to the high school youth group, 24/7 tonight.
It's fun to see everybody.
Spring Break 2010 is finally here and I am stoked!
I got picked up Friday afternoon and then got to spend some time with some family friends and my dad and sister.
Yesterday I was at church for almost ten hours. Meeting for South Africa and then Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser. It was a great time and very successful. It's amazing how much work some people put into that dinner, all of the volunteers were awesome. I got to be a cheese grater in the Venetian room, I was pretty excited about that part.
My sister Brittney and I slept over at our friends' house and then went to church this morning.
Off to the high school youth group, 24/7 tonight.
It's fun to see everybody.
March 1, 2010
Mondays
There is a huge stereotype that goes along with the word Monday. You know how everybody dreads this day of the week and calls it 'the worst day' of them all? Normally people hate this day; it's the beginning of the week and we are all bouncing back from our relaxing and eventful weekends. Today's definitely a stereotypical Monday for me.
I had quite an eventful weekend filled with a hip-hop showcase, unnecessary drama, Disney movies, friends, Collegelife, church and procrastination; thinking about doing a lot of homework but never actually getting it done. This type of thing happens quite often but I do end up getting everything done, it just happens at the last minute. I have some great friends here at North Park and I am so thankful for them. I attended Deergrove Covenant Church once again and I have decided to start goinging pretty regularly, I like it a lot. There is a couple that makes dinner for North Park students every Sunday night (there is no ARA) and that was pretty cool to go to, what a wonderful ministry. Collegelife was really great last night. There was an open-mic and people just went up one right after another and read bible verses for the whole time; really powerful.
Naps are something that I have learned about in college. I have a hard time calming down and actually taking a nap but they are wonderful. Today I experienced that wonderful thing after I took my Spanish test.
Spring Break is coming up and I can't wait!! I always thought it would be really easy to be away from home and I'd be having too much fun at college to even want to go home. It will be good to hang out with my family and have a little break from everyone and everything here. I'm sure I will be somewhat bored and ready to come back but the time away will be good. I've realized that living with people is a difficult thing and I need to balance my time with different people a little bit better; I can't hang out with the same person or people too much or it turns bad. Friends do make a day so much better though.
On the way to lunch today we found a giant spool...I really wanted to steal it and take it for my room but my roomate didn't like that idea very much. Anyways, here is a picture of it!
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."- 2 Samuel 22:4
I had quite an eventful weekend filled with a hip-hop showcase, unnecessary drama, Disney movies, friends, Collegelife, church and procrastination; thinking about doing a lot of homework but never actually getting it done. This type of thing happens quite often but I do end up getting everything done, it just happens at the last minute. I have some great friends here at North Park and I am so thankful for them. I attended Deergrove Covenant Church once again and I have decided to start goinging pretty regularly, I like it a lot. There is a couple that makes dinner for North Park students every Sunday night (there is no ARA) and that was pretty cool to go to, what a wonderful ministry. Collegelife was really great last night. There was an open-mic and people just went up one right after another and read bible verses for the whole time; really powerful.
Naps are something that I have learned about in college. I have a hard time calming down and actually taking a nap but they are wonderful. Today I experienced that wonderful thing after I took my Spanish test.
Spring Break is coming up and I can't wait!! I always thought it would be really easy to be away from home and I'd be having too much fun at college to even want to go home. It will be good to hang out with my family and have a little break from everyone and everything here. I'm sure I will be somewhat bored and ready to come back but the time away will be good. I've realized that living with people is a difficult thing and I need to balance my time with different people a little bit better; I can't hang out with the same person or people too much or it turns bad. Friends do make a day so much better though.
On the way to lunch today we found a giant spool...I really wanted to steal it and take it for my room but my roomate didn't like that idea very much. Anyways, here is a picture of it!
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."- 2 Samuel 22:4
February 25, 2010
Just Starting Off.
I have heard so much about blogs lately. How dumb, how great, how annoying or how addicting they are. I have heard several descriptions. So I thought to myself that I would never really know how to describe blogs until I actually tried it myself. My mother has been telling me for quite sometime that I should start one. I guess Xanga is like blogging and I used to have one of those but I have never had an official blog before. So here I go...
Some things that have been on my mind lately...
*Summer. What am I really going to be doing? God has a plan, I just don't have it figured out yet. On June 23 I am going on a mission trip to South Africa. I'll be gone for 2 weeks with Ignition, the college ministry at my home church, Village Church of Gurnee. I have applied to work at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva; I had an interview last week and it went really well but I haven't heard back. The down to working there would be having to take two weeks off for this trip. If I don't get this counselor position, I have no idea what I am going to do with my life as far as money goes. Kid's gotta pay for college somehow!
*Jesus. I've been better about diving into God's word more lately. I used to do it on the daily but college has gotten me so tied up and I know that is no excuse but it's tough. I've been checking out churches around school and last Sunday I went to Deergrove Covenant. I really enjoyed their service and I plan to go back, it was a great start to my week. I've been super into chapel and Collegelife (Sunday Nights) lately which is a great thing. The past few weeks, I have been feeling like I am growing stronger in my faith more each day.
-I've never participated in Lent before but this year I decided to try it out this year. Man, I never knew it could be so tough! I gave up all beverages except water-yep, no coffee, no tea, no pop, no smoothies, nothing! I also gave up wearing all of my shoes besides my one pair of Converse. I know that the shoe thing might sound silly but I spend lots of time each day trying to decide which pair looks best and which ones I am going to wear for the day. Beverages and shoes were both pretty difficult things for me to give up but I figured Lent is about sacrifice, right? Sacrifice is hard but whenever I think about giving up, I just start to pray and my temptations disappear. It's been a pretty cool experience so far and I'm only in the 2nd week.
*Philly. Ever since I went to Philly last summer it's been on my mind. I kind of forgot about it for a little while because I got distracted with school; but it has been coming back to my mind more and more lately. I really hope to go back again someday and I continually keep the city in my prayers. I miss everything about it and I crave Waterice!
*Spanish-I love it. I want to minor in it and learn to speak fluently; at this point I am still at the first level but someday I'll reach that goal.
This week has been going surprisingly very fast and I am stoked for the weekend! Not that I have any exciting plans but it's just a good feeling to not have class.
Two wonderful songs that I've really been diggin' lately..."Heavenly Places" (David and Nicole Binion) and "We Must Go" (Tim Hughes)
Some things that have been on my mind lately...
*Summer. What am I really going to be doing? God has a plan, I just don't have it figured out yet. On June 23 I am going on a mission trip to South Africa. I'll be gone for 2 weeks with Ignition, the college ministry at my home church, Village Church of Gurnee. I have applied to work at Covenant Harbor Bible Camp in Lake Geneva; I had an interview last week and it went really well but I haven't heard back. The down to working there would be having to take two weeks off for this trip. If I don't get this counselor position, I have no idea what I am going to do with my life as far as money goes. Kid's gotta pay for college somehow!
*Jesus. I've been better about diving into God's word more lately. I used to do it on the daily but college has gotten me so tied up and I know that is no excuse but it's tough. I've been checking out churches around school and last Sunday I went to Deergrove Covenant. I really enjoyed their service and I plan to go back, it was a great start to my week. I've been super into chapel and Collegelife (Sunday Nights) lately which is a great thing. The past few weeks, I have been feeling like I am growing stronger in my faith more each day.
-I've never participated in Lent before but this year I decided to try it out this year. Man, I never knew it could be so tough! I gave up all beverages except water-yep, no coffee, no tea, no pop, no smoothies, nothing! I also gave up wearing all of my shoes besides my one pair of Converse. I know that the shoe thing might sound silly but I spend lots of time each day trying to decide which pair looks best and which ones I am going to wear for the day. Beverages and shoes were both pretty difficult things for me to give up but I figured Lent is about sacrifice, right? Sacrifice is hard but whenever I think about giving up, I just start to pray and my temptations disappear. It's been a pretty cool experience so far and I'm only in the 2nd week.
*Philly. Ever since I went to Philly last summer it's been on my mind. I kind of forgot about it for a little while because I got distracted with school; but it has been coming back to my mind more and more lately. I really hope to go back again someday and I continually keep the city in my prayers. I miss everything about it and I crave Waterice!
*Spanish-I love it. I want to minor in it and learn to speak fluently; at this point I am still at the first level but someday I'll reach that goal.
This week has been going surprisingly very fast and I am stoked for the weekend! Not that I have any exciting plans but it's just a good feeling to not have class.
Two wonderful songs that I've really been diggin' lately..."Heavenly Places" (David and Nicole Binion) and "We Must Go" (Tim Hughes)
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