American Dream

mood:impressed

Tonight, I watched 20/20 on ABC. They told this story about an immigrant couple from Mexico. They illegally crossed the border into Los Angeles over 30 years ago. Since then, they have worked every night picking through the garbage to find recyclables and used their profits from the sale of the recyclables to put their three children through college.

Truly, all things are possible!

shocked

mood:amazed

Three days ago, I saw an episode of "World News Tonight" that aboslutely shocked me. The ABC reporters investigated what is being called the "war on Christians". Some of the quotes from PASTORS demanded change, demanded that our nation be nice to Christians and do what we want.

Read the article - there is no way for me to sum up the anger expressed by the Christians quoted in this story. But I am so saddened by this story.

"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her motherinlaw—
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
~Matthew 10:17-23, 34-36

alive

mood:alive!

I am here and I am good! Yesterday was a hard day. I've been having trouble with my medicines, and not sleeping a lot, and yesterday night I really crashed. But today has proven to be a really good day.

I got up this morning to go to the Teacher Placement Career Fair thingy at CMSU, and I enjoyed it far more than I expected. There were 170-some districts and schools represented, and I got to meet and interview with a lot of great people. I have some ideas that I didn't expect to have. I'm glad I went.

Tomorrow, my pastor will probably call my mission board, which will set the wheels into motion so that I can learn quite a bit more about working overseas.

I feel so good today!

one day at a time

mood:rejuvenated

Okay, God has given me an extra burst of energy. I'm okay. Totally exhausted, but okay.

It's just been an exhausting day. I had a doctor's appointment at 9:00 am this morning, but it was on the other side of town, down a couple of interstates, well over an hour from home. Sitting in the waiting room took up most of my morning. :) Luckily I had my Bible with me, which made the time pass much more quickly.

I had to hurry from there to a subbing job. That was most of my afternoon - on my feet, pretending to be a chemistry/physics/8th grade life sciences teacher.

As soon as school was out, I had to RACE home so that I could pick up Tallahassee, then race from home to the vet. Tallahassee had to get her third and final injection of Ivermectin - her treatment for mites.

I know it doesn't sound like much, but I wasn't home all day and I'm just so tired. I think God is testing me, maybe preparing me for going overseas. I don't know. Or maybe Satan doesn't want me to go overseas. Maybe my renewed dedication to Scripture memory (and my success!) is causing a renewed attack. I don't know. I'm going to bed.

what a day...

mood:exhausted & frustrated

I wish I could fill this blog with good things that happened today, but it's been such a tough day. I guess it hasn't even really been a bad day... as much as an overwhelming day.

Tomorrow my university is having a "Teacher Placement Day", which is basically a job fair for teachers. Public school districts from all over the state will be coming to the multi, and teachers are invited to introduce themselves to people from districts.

My mom wants me to go, and I probably will... not even that I don't want to, I'm just so exhausted tonight.

I've discovered what the hangup on my application for the mission field is... basically Acts 13:3. They're waiting for my pastor to call them and begin the process of being "sent out" by my church.

And this whole time, I'm praying, I'm asking God, "what do you want me to do?", and all that's going through my head is the chorus to one of my favorite songs...

Cause I just wanna be with You
I just want this waiting to be over
I just want to be with You
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer

Every minute takes an hour
Every inch feels like a mile
Til I won't have to imagine
And I finally get to see You smile

{21} day 1

mood:tired

This will be short, because it's late, but here is my first day's update.

1)My first goal was to exercise. I did some crunches and stretches this evening, although I didn't get any good cardio work done, so that goal is only half-met.
2)My second goal was to limit the amount of Diet Coke I drank. I didn't do a very good job of that. :)
3)My third goal was to memorize Bible verses. Well, of course it's only day 1, so I can't guarantee that they are memorized, but I've begun with one short passage and one verse (both from 1 Timothy).
4)My fourth goal was to read the Bible more. I read the entire book of 1 Timothy, then I read it again, and discovered a number of intricacies that I'd missed the first time around.
5)My fifth goal was to devote more time to prayer. Prayer is hard to measure. I would really probably have to say this goal is only "half met", though I don't suppose I can ever truly meet it.

My art projects WILL be different than those shown on Rhonna's site. I'm a crocheter - I love my yarns - so I will probably be crocheting most of the time. My first project is actually to repair one of my great-grandmother's afghans. I'll post a picture as soon as it is done.

why won't he just CALL already!

Okay. I admit it. I'm becoming crazy-eager to go overseas. Nervous, yes, but eager! The more I imagine the need out there, the more I want to GO! The more I read my Bible, the more I want to GO!

Right now, though, I am sort of hung up, waiting for a call or email from the mission board. I've filled out a bunch of forms... now they have to send me more forms to fill out. Phooey.

The more I think about it, the more I think God wants me to be in a Spanish-speaking country - probably in Latin America. I already speak a little bit of Spanish, and I've got an extra Spanish text and workbook out in the garage. The more I read about it, the more I feel led to go to there.

Ugh. But I'm not going anywhere until the mission board contacts me! Grrrr!!!!

The {21} Challenge

mood:excited!

Hat tip to Gina, where I discovered the {21} Challenge, and a further hat tip to Rhonna, who is orchestrating the whole thing!

Rhonna has based this challenge on two ideas: first, that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit, and second, that art is therapy. In the next 21 days, we will attempt to create and break our habits, and while we're doing it, we're going to make pretty things too! How much better does it get than that?

I'm sorry that I didn't get this up there sooner, so that more of you could join me in this endeavor!

Here are the habits that I hope to change:
1)Exercise! Not really about weight loss or anything but I want to get fit! I found this great 21-day exercise plan on MSN.com.
2)Limit the amount of Diet Coke that I drink. It's not healthy and I know I don't need to drink it.
3)Memorize more Bible verses. My goal is to memorize 21 verses in 21 days.
4)Read the Bible more. Period. I struggle with this, largely because I don't have a good, directed reading plan. So I'm going to start with 1 and 2 Timothy, then Acts, and then I'll dive into the Old Testament Minor Prophets.
5)Devote time to prayer every day. I especially want to pray for my family in Christ, both locally and internationally. Locally, we are going through our temporary struggles - financial troubles, health problems, spiritual challenges. Internationally, my brothers and sisters in Christ are faced every day with persecution beyond my imagination.

I hope to update you each day on my progress. I will begin my {21} Challenge tomorrow, counting from that day. Of course, you are welcome to join this Challenge on any day; just count 21 days from the day you begin!

i (heart) wellspring fellowship

mood:rejuvenated

I love my church. That's really all there is to say - I just love my church so much. We are such a family - really. We take care of each other, and support each other, and I know that I am never alone. This morning, one of my friends came to me and asked me how the missions applications were coming along - a common question lately! But it is so nice to know that the people care so much.

And likewise, it is so nice to have people that I can pray for. I am a part of the most awesome family - not just Wellspring Fellowship but the entire church of Jesus Christ. It is so wonderful to be a part of this!

hallelujah!

mood:joyful!

This morning, an Afghan court dropped the case against Abdul Rahman, an Afghan man who converted to Christianity. Praise God!

Unfortunately, the danger remains that an Islamic cleric could issue a Fatwah on his head.

We must remain in prayer for Mr. Rahman and for the thousands of Christians around the world imprisoned or in hiding because of their beliefs.

si fueron a America Latina?

mood:cansada

It's just a thought. But lately I've begun emailing Tina, who is serving in Guatemala, and it's led me to think a lot. I'm not sure of anything yet. But I already have some Spanish language education. And I'm starting to wonder if maybe that's where God wants me to go.

The need is so great!

relatives

mood:frustrated

Another good reason to skip the country!

Declaration Young'un

mood:amazed!

Yesterday I read this article about a tortoise in India who was believed to be 250 years old at the time of his death. Tortoises are believed to have the longest lifespan in the animal kingdom already, regularly living to be older than 100 years, but if this animal's age can be verified, he would earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. If, indeed, this critter is 250 years old, that would mean he was about 20 years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed!

if only...

mood:contemplative & prayerful

If only the stars in the heavens could tell the story
If only the mightiest ocean could speak
If only the mountains could cry out we would hear them
And all would believe, every knee would bow
All would be free, heaven would be here now

Chorus:
If only the wind could whisper words and carry
The Truth to all the earth
It would speak the name of Jesus Christ
The Great I Am, the Truth, the Life.

The song of creation achoes through the land
Voices are joining in harmony
Beyond the golden horizon truth is waiting
All all will believe, every knee will bow
All could be free, if only they'd see

i need prayer!

mood:unsettled

The past few days have been rough, spiritually speaking. God is pressing me through the wringer, asking me if I'm ready to go overseas for Him, getting me ready to go overseas for Him... This is not easy!

I'm really struggling with my lack of direction. There is such a need for messengers to spread God's word around the world. I don't know which nation or people group to go to. It is so difficult to NOT KNOW!

I'm also struggling with just... just the faith of knowing this is what God wants me to do. I know this is what God wants me to do. But at the same time, if I don't go overseas, I need to get a job in the US. And if I get a job in the US, using my degree as a teacher, I need to apply NOW! But because I don't believe I am supposed to stay in the US, I am not applying now. But if I stay in the US, I need a job. But if I need a job... you get the idea. It's hard to trust God sometimes.

by the way... emma

mood:prayerful

Sorry I forgot to mention this earlier, but I thought you would all like to know that Emma, who was involved in a semi-disasterous accident while rough-housing with the other kids from my church, is just fine. It turned out that I was wrong - she didn't fall down the stairs. She actually fell forwards onto the concrete floor of my pastor's basement, which isn't much better than falling down the stairs, but anyway...

Her parents took her to the ER later that night, where her arm was splinted, and she later got a cast on it. I subbed for her mom while momma took care of her. Apparently she has a buckle fracture, also known as a torus fracture, which is pretty minor as far as fractures go. Since her bones are so soft, it's like the bones got scrunched together one one side. She'll have a cast for a few weeks, but not as long as if the fracture was worse or if the bone had completely broken.

Thanks for your prayers. She's back to herself again, ornery as ever, and it's good to see her feeling better.

faith like a child

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13-16

mood:pensive

Today I subbed for a para who helps two 14-year-old kids with Down's syndrome. One of them functions at the level of a 4-year-old, and other is slightly above that, but not far. This day has been an interesting study in human sociology. Sometimes I was very frustrated with my students, because they were behaving like children. I think it might be just built into our brains to expect a certain level of behavior from kids (or adults) of certain ages, and when my 14-year-old student is throwing a silly tantrum just like a 4-year-old, that's tough.

But before the day was over, these two kids had earned my admiration. In so many ways, how nice it would be to be to trust and to love with such simplicity. I was hugged today more times than I can count. How nice it would be to be filled with a love so pure.

India and Africa

I had a dream last night about six countries. One of them was India and the other five were in Africa.

I don't know what it means. But I pray that God will use this to speak to me.

Noah's Ark, the Ararat Anomaly

At Bible Study, we have been studying the book of Genesis, and in particular the Creation. Tonight we were studying Noah's Ark. Invariably, our discussion turned to the discussion of the continued existance of Noah's Ark. It has returned to the headlines lately as satellite spy photographs of Mount Ararat have been released.

I encourage you to go to this website, detailing the ongoing search for Noah's Ark.
Here is another website with another perspective and possibly more information about Noah's Ark.

The evidence that Noah's Ark exists on Mount Ararat is overwhelming. It just boggles my mind. Of course, Mount Ararat is in Turkey and the Turkish goverment does not allow visits to the mountain. But if they ever open up the mountain again, and if I have the money, and the skills, and the opportunity, I just think it would be so neat to actually go see Noah's Ark. To touch something that I have read about, and to know that it is the same thing that my ancestors in the faith touched and fashioned - wow.

There's so much to see on the websites I mentioned above. I can't even name my favorite page on the site because it's all so beautiful. Please, go explore the websites. You will not regret it.

prayers for emma

I just got home from our Wednesday night Bible study, which proved far more eventful tonight than we would have liked. One of the children from our church, Emma, fell down the stairs. I'm not exactly sure what happened - things became very chaotic after she was injured. But she hurt her arm badly, and her parents are taking her to a hospital to get it x-rayed. We'd all appreciate your prayers!

i saw these two guys...

mood:concerned

Earlier today, while I was filling my car up with gasoline, I saw these two guys - kids, really - ride up to the gas station. They couldn't have been older than 13 or 14. They were dressed all "punk", with just a touch of "goth". Both guys were riding one bicycle - one on the seat, and one standing on the bar that ran through the back wheel.

They walked into the station and bought bottles of soda and cigarrettes. Now, it was pretty saddening that they got cigarrettes at all, because in the state of Missouri it is (supposed to be) illegal to buy cigarrettes if you are under 18. While the gas was pumping into my car, I watched them stand outside the station and smoke. It made me really sad. I think we should all pray for these two kids.

Also, I'd appreciate it if you'd all say a prayer for me. I'm going to call my mission board in just a few minutes. Thanks!

thoughts on cults

mood:sad

This morning, on abcnews.com, I found a fascinating article about a woman who escaped a polygamous sect. She came from Colorado City, Arizona, where the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is basicaly ruled by "prophet" Warren Jeffs. The children are indoctrinated in the beliefs of the elders. The people stay in Colorado City out of fear and control.

The article can be viewed here.

I think this is how cults work. Around the world... if it weren't for the fear, I think a lot of people would leave their religions and turn to Hope. That is, Christ.

it's really happening....

nervous & excited


Sorry about the mood icons. I'm still figuring out this HTML stuff.

So I got this reply from the mission board today telling me the next step in the process for applying to be a missionary. And it created this giant rock in the pit of my stomach. I'm totally excited to go overseas as a missionary. But this next step makes it so much more REAL. I MIGHT REALLY BE A MISSIONARY!!!! WOW!!!! I'm nervous and excited all at once. It's so hard to imagine living overseas, yet not hard all. Now it's really becoming. Wow.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

new layout and stickam pod

To most of you, it's obvious that I now have a new layout. I spent most of this afternoon creating and finishing this layout. I took the basic layout from an open source site, and added basically everything that is on the sidebar. It proved to be challenging enough, because some of the items had to be shrunk and in general it was a lot of work. But I'm proud of what I've done.

I have a stickam pod on my sidebar now, which many of you have seen before over at Fina'Drea. The pod itself, as well as the blogroll, are still somewhat of a work in progress. I have only had time to load one photograph and one song into the stickam pod, and I haven't had any time to add to the blogroll. But all that will come in due time.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoy my new template. See you all in cyberspace...

yesterday was weird

mood: relaxed

All's well in our house now, but yesterday was filled with waves of thunderstorms. Not just any thunderstorms, either. These were the types of thunderstorms that produced multiple, multiple tornadoes.

Of course, the day started with church. I drove to church and encountered numerous showers on the way. As soon as I got to the room we rent at Sports City, the building manager came to tell us that there was a tornado warning on our county, and if the sirens started blaring, we should go to the west bathrooms. During Sunday School, the thunder started rumbling, and it continued through most of church.

After church, the storm had cleared up, the sun was shining, and most of my congregation decided to eat dinner together. I had a blast eating and fellowshipping with them.

I went home, and as I drove home the storm clouds rolled back out into the sky. Less than an hour after I had been at home, the sirens began to blare and my family darted into the basement. After awhile, my mom decided it was okay to go upstairs again, but we hadn't been upstairs long before the sirens began again.

The skies cleared up, but as the evening drew closer, it began to rain again. The local weatherman interrupted regular programming to update us on the storm. Most of the tornadoes came during this evening storm. Luckily the metro KC was spared the brunt of the damage, but there was a lot of wind and storm damage in our area.

At least one woman was killed in Sedalia, and two people were killed in SE Missouri when their SUV was blown into the propane tank of a semi truck. Four bodies were found in the rubble of homes near the town of Renick, MO. Another storm victim was found in Indiana. The University of Kansas at Lawrence was shut down from its severe damage.

Quite a day. This is life in the midwest. I honestly love watching the power of these storms, but I hate to hear about the people who die. Pray that God will be with the people who have suffered property damage or lost loved ones.

crochet hook

I forgot to mention that tonight, I was looking on ebay and discovered that a seller on ebay sells really neat hand-turned crochet hooks. He has quite a selection of hand-turned wooden hooks - more than just about any of the other sellers! They're really neat. Here's a picture of one of the hooks:

Interesting afternoon

This afternoon, I did some yard work for my parents. I raked the sweet-gum balls in our yard. They look like this:

Our neighbor has a sweet-gum tree that drops sweet-gum balls into our yard. At any given time, we might have somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 sweet-gum balls in our yard. They're a real mess! They're nearly impossible to mow over and very difficult to pick up. My parents and I have discovered that we can be semi-successful if we rake the sweet-gum balls into small piles, and then use a snow shovel to scoop the piles into lawn refuse bags.

I got ogled while I was raking, which was really odd. Now I'll admit, I wasn't wearing what I would normally wear in public. It was a really nice day out today - sunny and in the upper 70s - so I was wearing a pair of exercise shorts and a spaghetti-strap tank top. I felt comfortable in this, because our neighborhood is a quiet neighborhood, mostly filled with older, retired people. This middle-aged guy in a red truck (a giant red truck - I think it was an F-150) drove past the house, and as he drove past, he slowed down and rolled his window down. I looked up at him, and he was looking directly at me. He waved at me, and he kept looking at me. It was very weird.

Tonight my mom made chocolate chip cookies again. They're yummy!

I keep thinking about going overseas. As scary as it sounds, it also sounds irressistable. I hope and pray that it works out.

i just gotta clarify...

nervous

Recently, a friend visiting my blog referred to me in a comment as "selfless". That really hit me. I don't think anyone has ever referred to me as selfless before! And I thought, I oughta clarify...

I DON'T FEEL SELFLESS!!!!

Maybe someone will stumble across my blog and imagine an Apostle Paul look-alike, but they would be SOOOO wrong! Of course, even the Apostle Paul was a sinner, but he had such a faith on fire! In his own words, "I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (Romans 7:14-15)

What am I feeling? Excited, but scared. I've been making lots of changes to my life, to become closer to God and a holier person. Or at least I'm trying to. Stuff like reading my Bible more, praying more, eating healthier, exercising more, that kind of thing. And it's hard!!!! I truly have so much growing to do before I become a complete woman in Christ - and truly, I will never be complete in Christ until I die - but with that, there's a part of me that sometimes asks God, "Are you sure you want me?"

I'm praying constantly, because I will do whatever God asks me to do, but this is a huge step, a huge change, and in a big way I don't know what I am getting myself into. I don't feel selfless! But I will go where He sends me, for Him, because He wants me there.

Nuns vs. Librarians

cold

In the spirit of blogging and procastination, I have finally downloaded some of those little mood icons. I've been having trouble with them, though, so I might need a little time to work out the kinks.

In fact, you just may not see much of me for the next couple of days. Several weeks ago, I signed up for this online class that taught HTML, mostly for the purpose of being able to put something on my resume to verify that I know a little bit about HTML. The class started 2 months ago, it ends in 2 days, and out of 12 lessons, I have finished 6. Yay for procastination! SO I seriously am going to be working madly on that for the next couple of days.

But I wanted to link to this story I discovered online. I think it's just hilarious. It's a story about an upcoming Kentucky spelling bee, in which the Boone County Librarians will be facing the Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery for spelling superiority. Librarians versus nuns - how funny!

Jubilant Dance for Jesus

A story about a Russian Captain in Romania in the 1940s, from the book Jesus Freaks

"Christianity has become dramatic with us," wrote Pastor Richard Wormbrand, a leader of the underground church in Communist Romania. "When Christians in free countries win a soul for Christ, the new believer may become a member of a quietly living church. But when those in captive nations win someone, we know that he may have to go to prison and that his children may become orphans. The joy of having brought someone to Christ is always mixed with this feeling that there is a price that must be paid.

"When I was still living behind the Iron Curtain, I had met a Russian captain. He loved God, he longed after God, but he had never seen a Bible. He had never attended religious services. He had no religious education, but he loved God without the slightest knowledge of Him.

"I read to him the Sermon on the Mount and the parables of Jesus. After hearing them, he danced around the room in rapturous joy, proclaiming 'What a wonderful beauty! How could I live without knowing this Christ?' It was the first time that I saw someone jubilating in Christ.

"Then I made a mistake. I read to him the passion and crucifixion of Christ, without having prepared him for this. He had not expected it. When he heard how Christ was beaten, how He was crucified, and that in the end He died, he fell in an armchair and began to weep bitterly. He had believed in a Savior and now his Savior was dead!

"I looked at him and was ashamed that I had called myself a Christian and a pastor, a teacher of others. I had never shared the sufferings of Christ as this Russian officer now shared them. Looking at him was, for me, like seeing Mary Magdalene weeping at the foot of the cross or at the empty tomb.

"Then I read to him the story of the resurrection. When he heard this wonderful news, that the Savior arose from the tomb, he slapped his knees, and shouted for joy: 'He is alive! He is alive!' Again he danced around the room, overwhelmed with happiness!

"I said to him, 'Let us pray!'

"He fell on his knees together with me. He did not know our holy phrases. His words of prayer were, 'O God, what a fine chap You are! If I were You and You were me, I would never have forgiven You Your sins. But You are really a very nice chap! I love You with all my heart.'

"I think that all the angels in heaven stopped what they were doing to listen to this sublime prayer from this Russian officer. When this man received Christ, he knew he would immediately lose his position as an officer, that prison and perhaps death in jail would almost surely follow. He gladly paid the price. He was ready to lose everything."

here we go...

This has been such a surreal day. I talked to Hank Griffith at the EFCAIM this morning, which was fantastic, but at the same time gives me a rock in the pit of my stomach. Becoming a missionary is hard... staying in the mission field is harder... standing for Jesus is hardest. Talking to Mr. Griffith was inspiring, but gut wrenching, and my passion for missions has definitely been tempered by fear of the process that I am about to endure.

When I was in the car this afternoon, I heard a song by Mark Schultz called "He Will Carry Me" that left me in tears. In so many ways, I hate being broken by God. I am struggling to embrace this as a time of growth and preparation for what is to come.

I call, You hear me
I’ve lost it all
And it’s more than I can bear
I feel so empty

You’re strong
I’m weary
I’m holdin’ on
But I feel like givin’ in
But still You’re with me

chorus:
And even though I’m walkin’ through
The valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me
And when all hope is gone
And I’ve been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will
Ever need
And He will carry me

I know I’m broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
You’re always with me

chorus

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I’ve never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said you’d see me through
The storm

I'll be sure to soon include one of my favorite stories of Jesus Freaks who have stood for Christ.

Subbing again

I got a call this morning a half-hour before school started, asking me to sub for one of the Bible teachers at LSCCS.  It's secondary - 8th and 9th grades.  I have really been enjoying working with the secondary students.  Maybe I went into the wrong end of education!  I'll have to seek my secondary certification.

I got an emailed reply from the EFCAIM.  I need to call them soon.  I really hope and pray that I can get the ball rolling on this mission.

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Bible school and traveling the world

I'm strongly investigating a Bible school course at Calvary Bible College. This morning at church, a good friend of mine reccommended that I pursue master's degree Bible courses, and I would honestly really like to do that. However, it would probably be really expensive - possibly as much as $700 or more. So I need God to work a big miracle for me!

I send an email to the EFCAIM inquiring for a bit of clarification about the changes to the Take 12 and other short term missions programs. I'm becoming excited, if a bit nervous, about that future. It is so encouraging and uplifting to have my church supporting me and standing behind me in prayer.

I'm excited to see what the future brings. I feel ready to face the world. Bring it on!

Men Are Usually Happier People - But Why Not?

-Your last name stays put.
-The garage is all yours.
-Chocolate is just another snack.
-You can never be pregnant.
-Wedding plans take care of themselves.
-You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park - you can wear NO shirt to a water park.
-Car mechanics tell you the truth.
-You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
-Same work, more pay.
-Wrinkles add character.
-Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
-People never stare at your chest when you are talking to them.
-The occassional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
-New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
-One mood all the time.
-Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
-You know stuff about tanks.
-A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
-You can open all your own jars.
-Your underwear costs $8.95 for a three-pack.
-Three paires of shoes are more than enough.
-You almost never have strap problems in public.
-You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
-You only have to shave your face and neck.
-Your belly usually hides your hips.
-You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
-You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

~Author unknown
From Mother and Child Reunion, Volume 10, Issue 3

what now?

I subbed at my mom's school this afternoon. Got to pretend like I was a high school science teacher from Camaroon with a French accent. Interesting.

I'm thinking about taking a Bible course at Calvary Bible College. Honestly, I'd really like to take one... the only problem is that they are expensive. $150 per course.

I've spent a lot of time this evening poking around the Haven of Peace Academy homepage. They need teachers. I could go... Lord, where do you need me?

Prayers all around

I'd appreciate it very much if you would all say a prayer for Maegan at no_average_girl. She can use our prayers right now. Lord, bless my sweet sister Maegan.

May Jesus cover us all. I don't know why, but I sense that we need it so badly right now.

I've been reading today on the Voice of the Martyrs website. It is so humbling, to know that so many of my brothers and sisters have done so much to pave the way for Jesus' return. I reccommend that you pay it a visit.

what would it be like?

Hat tip to Tina, who is serving the Lord in Guatemala and blogging her experiences.

Where would I go? What would I do? I honestly don't know.

I could brush up on my Spanish skills and go to South America. The food is fantastic. There has been an absolute revival in South and Central America.

I could go to East Asia. The people are so wonderful in East Asia. I cannot get out of my mind the blocks and blocks of cardboard shacks with spirit houses in Thailand, or the complete and utter lack of religion in China.

I could go to Africa. It would be so wonderful if I could meet the little girl I've sponsored for so many years!

Honestly, those are the places I can see myself. Where will I go? Only the Lord knows.

Update: Sorry, folks. I forgot to include the link, but it should be all fixed now.

yay!

My computer came back this morning!

quiet surprises

Today has been everything I never imagined. God will never cease to surprise me.

The call to serve him has been a burden on my heart for several months now. Today is the first day, though, that I acknowledged the possibility that it might be real. Suddenly it's not so scary to imagine living away from home. It's still scary! Just not AS scary! :)

My parents are... well, they're open to the possibility. That makes me feel better about it.

Tonight I told my church about this burden at our Bible Study. They are not only open to it, but they are praying with me. It feels so much better to know I have the support of my entire family in pursuing this.

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
Jonah 1:1-2

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city - a visit required three days.
Jonah 3:1-3

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Jonah 3:10

shhhhhhh....

I'm going to tell you something that has been on my heart for many months. Uncertainty has prevented me from sharing this with many people, but as the uncertainty leaves me I feel I must share.

I don't think I am going to get a job in the KC area next year. I think God is calling me to serve Him overseas for a time. I'm not sure where He is sending me yet, but all will be known in His time. I cannot forget the things I saw in Asia or Central America, the people so lost, yet so blind.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes...
Romans 1:16

stuff and stuff

It's late so this will be short. I'm still waiting for my computer, which is why you haven't heard from me in a couple of days.

Pahokee died last weekend. I'm sad, of course, but I am quite certain that his death was unavoidable. A post-mortem examination revealed that he probably had cancer, which is entirely untreatable in hamsters. It may have been the reason he was abandoned. I also know that he was quite old - possibly even 2 years old or older. I'm just glad that I could spoil him for the last month or so of his life.

I also discovered that he brought a mite infestation into my house. Yuck. I've spent a lot of time disinfecting stuff - especially my hamster stuff. Tallahassee is receiving Ivermectin injections and Baytril to prevent mites from settling on her and to treat a slight infection on her nose.

And the real reason I'm blogging tonight -

CENSORED. BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOESN'T APPLY.