Sick. Blech.

I hate being sick. Trying to function at a normal level while feeling absolutely lousy is not a good time! I was more than reminded of that this week while trying to "tough" my way through tests, classes, and work. Trying to figure out which antihistamine/decongestant to take, that I could still function on, proved to be an adventure... I can never remember which ones knock me out and which ones hop me up... Always a fun time.

But I was reminded this week about how God gives us the strength we need, when we need it.

I had a major test on Wednesday that I spent a crazy amount of time studying for, and when I woke up Wednesday morning I felt like the scum of the earth.

I prayed when I got up (more like crawled out of bed), and mom hugged me and prayed with/for me right before I left(while I was doing a wonderful job of acting like a little kid who didn't want to go to school I might add)..

I still felt like crud.

I got to school and somehow made it through my first lab. I was walking across campus to my test when the headache cleared, my eyes stopped watering, and the sneezing stopped (mostly). I was able to make it through my whole class period and take my tests without any major distractions.

No joke, as soon as that class period ended (12:55), my energy level drastically declined and I went back to feeling just as lousy as I had that morning... I still don't feel good... I'm on day #4 of this, and can't seem to kick it no matter how much Vitamin C, antihistamine, and NyQuil I ingest (but not all at the same time ;-))!

All this to say - God gives us the strength we need, when we need it. And sometimes, it's exactly when we need it. I had it for the hour and forty minutes I needed it! I am so thankful for the way He shows Himself to us when we need Him the most =). Just another reminder of His great Love for us.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

(Isaiah 40:29-31)

Count Your Blessings

Sometimes I feel SO blessed. I'm not saying I don't feel that way all the time, but some days it hits me more than others. Right now, I'm sitting outside looking at the gorgeous red and gold trees lining the bright blue sky... There's a breeze, but it's still warm enough that I'm sitting here in a T-shirt.That alone is a miracle in Northern Michigan!!

But seriously, I think we need to step back sometimes and realize how much we really have going for us. We get caught up in what isn't happening and don't see the little things that are happening. This tends to have a negative effect on our emotions and our attitudes.

I was remembering this morning while I was watching my little sisters do Bible with mom how ever so often during my home-schooled years, how mom would have us write out a list of things we were thankful for. This would happen especially when our attitudes were getting lousy. So I thought today, sitting here in the sun, I would do the same thing.. Kind of take a little trip back in time, if you will =).

1. God. I have been BLOWN away by His nearness and His Love over the past few months. This summer was a major time of growth for me, and I have never Loved Him more. Just knowing that He has everything figured out for me is a huge load off my shoulders!! I love it because the more I get to know and Love Him, the more I can see of Him and the more that I can see there is to see of Him... It's unending!
2. Family. My family is one-of-a-kind. We love each other, we challenge each other, and we make each other laugh. I wouldn't trade them for anything.
3. Mom!! Obviously she's a part of the family, but I am so thankful for the way she prays for and with me, and the ways she shows her love to me. Just this morning I got up (and I've been feeling really lousy the last couple days) and she was just putting lemon poppyseed muffins into the oven. YUM. My favorite!! With October being "Breast Cancer Awareness" month, I am even more thankful that she is here to love on me and show me what it means to be a real woman of God.
4. Dad!! He too, is part of the family. But I like to talk about him =). I feel so blessed to have a dad who is so actively involved in my life. He keeps track of what's going on with my school, he hugs me when I need it, and he knows how to make me laugh. Lately he's been a huge sounding-board for me. I go to him about EVERYTHING. There isn't much about me that he doesn't know. Whether I'm struggling with something or curious about something else, he usually knows about it.
5. Friends... I love my friends =). I am so blessed to have some God-crazy friends in my life. I can talk to them about everything. They make me laugh. They encourage me. They pick on me. They love me. They challenge me. I am incredibly thankful that God has sent me friends in my life that are just as bent on following God as I am, because it helps keep me real and it keeps me from going absolutely insane from boredom!
6. Bible Study. We just got a Bible Study going for College-aged people, and I'm LOVING the opportunities it's giving me to grow in my faith. Having people my own age to talk things over with is so great, because for the most part we're all facing the same types of challenges. And, the study that we thought we'd be lucky to have 5 or 6 people come to had TWELVE people at this past week. God thing? I think so!!
7. School. I know, people say that's insane to be thankful for school. But I am so thankful for school right now. It keeps me busy for sure, and sometimes I complain about it, but there is SO much to learn!
8. Church. I love my church family. I know the Christian body as a whole is indispensable, but there's something special about the way you grow with the Christians at your church. Serving along with them definitely gives you great opportunities together to grow and teach.
9. "Little people" =). Just today I saw one of the little girls I babysit. She saw me and went "Hi Heenah!!" Her sweet little face made my morning. Kids are such a joy to be around.
10. Surgery!! Honestly, I have never been more thankful for surgery. Because of the surgery I went through in May for my knee, I just ran a lap (yeah a whole lap.. I'll go further tomorrow!) without any pain or dislocation or unnatural popping noises. It was phenomenal. The fact that the medical world is advanced enough to MOVE my kneecap and eliminate pain is incredible!
11. Music. I love music. Recently I've been listening to "Our God" by Chris Tomlin and "Reaching For You" by Lincoln Brewster almost endlessly. Something about rolling down the windows in my car, driving between the beautifully colored trees, with these songs blaring is just great.

So there you have it. A little trip down memory lane for me, and a short list of some of the things I'm thankful for. Looking it over again just makes me feel even more blessed. If you're ever feeling down, sit down and write out (or type up) a list of what you're thankful for and then thank God for it all, giving Him the praise and the glory that He is so worthy of!!!

Little Children..

(Me, to a little girl) "What's one of your favorite things?"

*she pauses for a minute*

"GOD!"

"Ok, but what's your favorite thing? Like a toy, or a kind of food?"

"God, 'cause He's best!!! *pauses* Oh, and cats!"

I love kids. I really, truly do. I look forward to the week every month that I get to work with the K-5th graders in church.Today, we were discussing envy and being thankful with them... Thus the above conversation. Each of the kids was supposed to come up with something that they own that someone could envy. This little girl was adamant that God was the most important.

It's precious, she just asked Him into her heart probably about 3 months ago and she carries her Bible with her everywhere. She made it quite obvious today where He places in her life... The look I was given when I re-asked the question was priceless. She couldn't understand why I would question her beyond that answer. God is truly #1 in her little life, even above her cats ;-).

If only we all could be this innocent and pure in our love for Him. We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that He falls below. Our trust isn't as strong as it should be. We don't go to Him before we worry and freak out about things. We get angry.

I was very thankful for the reminder today to love God with the intensity a child does. To them, it is so simple. God loves them, He sent His Son for them, and because they asked Him to, He lives in their hearts. They don't worry about the big questions of theology like when the rapture will happen, or whether or not you can lose your salvation. They keep it simple simple and their Love for Him stays pure, and their Trust stays strong.

If you've ever watched a little kid talk about Jesus and/or God, you can see it. They're very matter-of-fact about it and they just lay it all out. There aren't any hidden details. He loves them, and they Love Him. Enough said =).

My challenge to myself this week - Love Him like a child. When I start getting to caught up in what's going on, to step back and remember that He Loves me and I love Him, and that it really is that simple.

Put it Into Action

Sometimes God's sense of humor just makes me laugh... After I figure out it's funny.

My last two posts have been on waiting and being patient, and being patient while you wait. All of which I've been trying very hard to do in my every day life, especially in regards to waiting to find out if I was accepted to a particular college. It's been a little over 4 weeks since I applied, and I've been waiting (for the most part patiently) to hear back from them. I'd kind of gotten into the groove of just.. Not worrying about it. I'd applied, and there was nothing further I could do. Or so I was telling myself ;-).

Then, last night I was talking with a friend about it. About how even though not knowing what was going on with it was slightly frustrating, it was a great chance to sit back and wait and see what God was going to do.

Today I found out that my application had been "lost." As far as the University is concerned, I haven't applied, but for some reason they have my transcripts sitting on their desk... Lovely. Not going to lie, I wasn't thrilled with that bit of information. I went into the break room, sat down, and prayed... Prayed that God would help me not to freak, and show me something through it. Finding out an application that was supposed to be "early" became "not so early" is kind of frustrating. I e-mailed my advisor up there, and while we don't know where the application went, I was able to re-apply online and they should receive it on Monday.

*heaves sigh of relief*

So once I finished all my e-mailing and calling and such (which according to my boss, I did calmly), I realized. Everything I've been trying to practice about patience lately, paid off a little bit today. And, on top of that - instead of freaking, I prayed. Granted, there was a little bit of freaking, but I've reapplied and all is good.

Now the question is, why did I just post that? Because it amazes me how God prepares us for things that we are going to encounter. When we truly start to trust Him and His plan, things like this don't send us into a crazy tizzy. Instead, we can go to Him and find comfort, or peace. Or both. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow, because He has it under control. We just need to stay in the here and now, trusting His will.

Waiting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

So many of my friends can not WAIT to be done with college, done with school, and on to the next biggest and greatest thing. They feel like they don't know where they're going, what they're doing, or why they're doing what they're doing.
Honestly, I love where I am. Starting year number 2 of college, and not being exactly sure where I'm going next (Even if I do have a pretty good idea). But I've got an amazing family, great church, and incredible friends that I love dearly!
Part of the adventure is waiting. Waiting to see what exactly God has in store next. It's not an "insert Jeopardy music here" kind of waiting, but an exciting, "night before Christmas as a little kid" kind of waiting. For a sophomore in College, I've already seen many things that have helped me to relax a little on life. Sure, the idea that I don't know what exactly I'm doing can be intimidating, but I know that the only way I can get to where I'm supposed to be is to trust.
Life can be great, and sometimes it can really bite. But I'm so excited now to see what is next. I have ideas, but nothing is in stone yet. I could be anywhere next year. I'd love to be here, but I'd love to be somewhere else if that's where God wants me.
Wherever I end up, I'm excited about this year of "waiting." It's a time to move ahead and wait at the same time. It might sound weird to say I'm waiting, but I'm giving my everything. But I am. It's a time to serve, to Love, to grow in my Faith, to worship, live loud, and make memories that will last forever... Who knows what's next (besides God!), so, "Here goes nothing, and here goes everything!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S97O9395rgc

Never got anywhere
By running away
Never learned anything
Without anything
without a mistake
Never loved anyone
By playing it safe
It's a long way, but
I'm right here now, so...

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

I don't wanna turn around
and wonder what happened
Never lost and never found
Are one and the same
I wanna run across the battle lines
And take my chances
Not the long way 'round
When I'm here right now

What good is chance not taken,
What good is life not living,
What good is love not given?

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes
And God only knows
But here goes

Here goes nothing,
Here goes everything
Gotta reach for something
or you'll fall for anything
Take a breath,
Take a step,
What comes next
God only knows
But here goes

Joyfully Patient

We live in an "instant" world. We want it now, we expect it now, and we don't want to wait for whatever it is we want. It sounds blunt, and it is blunt. Fast food, Instant mashed potatoes, email, texting.. What happened to waiting?
When God requires us to wait, we usually aren't thrilled with the idea. We don't know His reason, He is God and we are not, so we don't always get to know why He makes us wait like He does. This is where patience comes in. You know you've heard it; "patience is a virtue." So why do we have such a hard time with it?
I was reading in Colossians this morning, when Paul is talking about how he is praying for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will.

"We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might,
for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father"
(Colossians 1:9-12)

Patience with joy. Not halfheartedly being patient because we really have no other choice, but being patient because it pleases God. And finding joy in that patience.
Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store, dealing with a grouchy customer at work, or waiting for God's timing on something big in life, we're called to be joyously patient. To enjoy life in the time of waiting, to be a blessing to a grouchy customer that we have to deal with, to strike up a conversation with the person behind us in line at the grocery store.
Look for what God is doing in the times He is calling you to be patient. And not only that, but to give thanks to Him during that time. Look for the "little things," because more often than not, the things we perceive as being "little" are actually rather big, God-sized things. Take a deep breath, be patient, and pray that God will show you something in your patience. Believe me, when you ask Him to do that, He does.

God, You Reign.

After worship practice last week, I was walking to my car when I saw the sunset(first picture below). We had just finished practicing the song "God You Reign". Perfect timing? More like God Timing... How anyone can see sights like these, and not give praise to the One who created them, or at least wonder where they came from, is beyond me.

You paint the night, You count the stars
And You call them by name
The skies proclaim, God, You reign



Your glory shines, You teach the sun
When to bring a new day
Creation sings, God, You reign

God, You reign, God, You reign
Forever and ever, God You reign

You part the seas, You move the mountains
With the words that You say
My song remains, God, You reign

You hold my life, You know my heart
And You call me by name
I live to say, God, You reign

God, You reign, God, You reign
Forever and ever, God, You reign
God, You reign, God, You reign
I know You reign
Forever and ever, God, You reign!