I forgot to mention in my last blog that on Thursday, April 7th, my car broke down. My choir trip also started on Thursday, April 7th. So I had to get my car towed, then ride with the scary tow truck driver back to my school. It was such a crazy day. I was on my way back from the bank when it happened, and as I was broke down on the side of the road, I looked into my passenger seat to see the container from the drive-through at the bank. You know, those tube things that banks use to transport things through those long mysterious tubes? Yup. Unfortunately, I had accidentally stolen it, but I couldn't do anything about it because I was stuck on the side of the road! It was quite the ordeal, but luckily for me I made it back to the school on time to grab my bags and jump on the bus. So now I am car-less for the next 3 1/2 weeks, and will be depending on other people to get to work.
It has also been amazing to see how God has been providing for me. I will be working this summer for the same people I worked for last summer. First, for the Gibbs family, and then cleaning in Glacier Park at a cabin. Also I will be doing other occassional cleaning jobs and babysitting jobs. I'm really excited! I was also offered a full-time job at a Christian preschool/daycare in Whitefish that I could start anytime between June and August. I haven't decided on this one yet because it will probably be a more long term job, and if I continue with my plan to go to Missoula, might not work out. Its very hard for me to be 100% happy with my job situation because Jeremy is struggling so much with finding a job in Kalispell for the summer, let alone in Missoula. Prayers for that would be much appreciated, as well as prayers for following God's will in both of our lives, as well as our future together. :)
Well, this is the final stretch of school. Here's to attempting to find a lost motivation, handing in last minute assignments, excessive amounts of coffee, and odd sleeping hours!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day Sixteen: Living, Learning, and Moving On
As I'm working my way back into the routine here in rainy Minneapolis, I'm realizing how valuable time is. Time can be short or can seem like an eternity. My trip to the southwest and back seemed so quick, like it barely even happened, but at the same time it seems like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, and Colorado (and everywhere in between) seems like it was an eternity ago. Many of the places we had concerts were followed by home stays for 2-10 members of the choir at each house. I ended up staying with several elderly ladies who had either been divorced or widowed. It was amazing to hear their stories and realize the fragility of life and the importance of the decisions you make. Not necessarily where you go to college or where you live or even your friends. But the big decisions. Who you marry, what you choose to do with where you went to school, where you live, and how you serve the Lord where He has placed you. With God, you can do great things. You can live an amazing life. Without Him, you easily get lost, confused, weak, and lose all the truly wonderful things in life.
So many of the testimonies of my peers were so amazing. It was unreal to hear some of these young adults' stories and realize how their life could have been unbelievably different if the Lord hadn't saved them. It also made me appreciate and realize what a blessing it has been for me to be raised by the parents God gave me. I was never abused in any way, put into foster care, put up for adoption, or told I wasn't good enough. I was given everything I needed and pretty much everything I ever wanted. I was encouraged, loved, cared for, and strengthened by my parents. I have taken this blessing for granted.
It was so amazing to see so many works of God's Hand. The Grand Canyon, the California coast, mountains in Utah, cactuses (cacti?), palm trees... just to name a few! Touring was fun, but it was a lot of long hours in the bus and in the choir robes. But after lots of fast food, countless pot lucks, not enough coffee, never enough sleep, lots of sore muscles, and being taught by so many people in so many ways, all I can really do is cherish those moments, don't give up, trust in God, and just keep Simply Living.
So many of the testimonies of my peers were so amazing. It was unreal to hear some of these young adults' stories and realize how their life could have been unbelievably different if the Lord hadn't saved them. It also made me appreciate and realize what a blessing it has been for me to be raised by the parents God gave me. I was never abused in any way, put into foster care, put up for adoption, or told I wasn't good enough. I was given everything I needed and pretty much everything I ever wanted. I was encouraged, loved, cared for, and strengthened by my parents. I have taken this blessing for granted.
It was so amazing to see so many works of God's Hand. The Grand Canyon, the California coast, mountains in Utah, cactuses (cacti?), palm trees... just to name a few! Touring was fun, but it was a lot of long hours in the bus and in the choir robes. But after lots of fast food, countless pot lucks, not enough coffee, never enough sleep, lots of sore muscles, and being taught by so many people in so many ways, all I can really do is cherish those moments, don't give up, trust in God, and just keep Simply Living.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day Fifteen
Well, it's Wednesday! Tomorrow I'm leaving Minneapolis for 18 days for choir tour. We're going to be all over the United States, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska,Arizona, California, and Colorado. It's going to be a blast! I'm excited to see what the Lord is going to do in the lives of those our choir reaches out to as well as the members of the choir.
Our new phones just got activated today, and it's been fun getting used to my new touch screen.
I'm excited for this summer and next year, but I'm really enjoying where I am now, also. It will be fun to go the the UM Griz football/basketball games next year too. :)
I'll try to keep everyone posted while on choir tour, but the chances of seeing a blog post during that time are pretty slim. :)
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32
Our new phones just got activated today, and it's been fun getting used to my new touch screen.
I'm excited for this summer and next year, but I'm really enjoying where I am now, also. It will be fun to go the the UM Griz football/basketball games next year too. :)
I'll try to keep everyone posted while on choir tour, but the chances of seeing a blog post during that time are pretty slim. :)
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32
Inadequate
Who are we to expect someone to die for us to pay the ransom for our souls? On this earth, someone would probably not die for someone who is "righteous." Someone may lay their life down for someone else if they were a good person tho. Our Lord and Savior died for us, unholy, wretched, sinners. He laid his life down for ours, and we are bad people! We are inadequate candidates of his love and affection. We are undeserving! We do nothing, and He loves us. He picks us up, carries us, comforts us, and always allows us to come back to Him. I remember my parents telling me when I was younger that there was nothing I could do that would make them love me less, and that was true. The same goes for our heavenly Father. He loves us, and there's nothing we can do to make Him love us less. Isn't that amazing?
Romans 5:6-8
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6-8
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
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