Using My Mind

Well, I have officially been back in school for one month now. I have been learning a lot, sleeping little, and having a blast! I love everything about college. From the late night studying, to the late night random food runs (I usually just go because I can), to meal times with friends, to the amazing classes that are challenging me and teaching me so much, to the amazing chapel times. God is really stretching and growing me as I'm down here. I'm trying to keep Him in my focus at all times, trying to keep in mind that I'm here for the purposes of the Gospel, not just to pass a class. It has been a challenge to do so, because it is easy to fall into a routine and let things just pass by and try to get through each day. But lately I have been reminded how important studying not just the Bible but things of the Bible and things for/of the Kingdom of God.

In one of my classes, I have been studying how using our minds is an act of worship and how important it really is to not just have a passive mind or to think through others. How often do we let others do our thinking for us? How many times do we let our pastors read the Bible for us? Too often, in my opinion. How much more so do we need to challenge ourselves and stretch ourselves with the brain and the thinking capacity God has so graciously given us.

In my other classes I'm learning about, the basics of Theology and the amazing Word of God, Ethical issues (Ethics is my favorite classes, but also the most thought provoking), cultural anthropology (the studies of cultures and of man) and cultures of ancient civilizations. Each class has its own difficulties, but also amazing things to be learned. I know that God really wants me here and to learn all that I can...

I also know that Satan doesn't want me here. I have had some difficulties to overcome, and I have been learning a lot about myself and I've realized a lot about myself (strengths and weaknesses) and how much growing up I need to do. I'm trying to stay focused and lean on God as my source for everything, but it is a challenge.

Some prayer requests:
- Finding a Church (I think I found one, but still not sure)
- Finances (major one!)
- Finding a job? Still in question
- Homework
- Classes/friendship balance
- Getting along with my roommate

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and concerns. I love and miss you all!

A Few Minutes...

Hello friends and family :)
I have a few minutes before dinner so I thought I might catch you up on me and my world. First off, thank you all so much for your prayers. My knee is for the most part healed! Praise the Lord! It is so much easier getting around campus without my crutches!

Classes are going very well. I'm learning a lot and it's been really interesting to see how much each class correlates with my other classes. They seem to all blend together which reinforces the points. I have a lot of homework to do every day, a lot more than I expected, but it's all good. It hasn't been that difficult, just a lot of it. I'm still making new friends and trying to break out of my shell. So far, it's been amazing. I am having a hard time balancing homework and hanging out with friends. I'm doing pretty well, just some days are harder than others.

I also have had some difficulties with some of my friends and their health. My roommate went to the hospital last week due to some breathing problems, and last night a good friend of mine went to the hospital because he was having a panic attack which was stress related. Please keep our campus in your prayers. I know God is planning on doing some amazing things and Satan doesn't like it.

Other than that, I'm doing fantastic. I haven't slept well yet, but I'm getting used to not sleeping. Amazing how our bodies are! I love the weather and having it be sunny when I go outside in the mornings! I love everything about living in Southern California! Thank you all much for your thoughts and prayers. If you think about it, I am still looking for a home church. I want to find a place where I can serve God and where He can use me. There are many options, but I also don't have a car, which makes going to farther churches more difficult.

Busy Girl

First of all I apologize for the delay in my posting. I have been so busy the past week. Classes started and are going great. It's going to be a difficult semester with lots of homework, but I also think it's going to be a great semester. I have decided not to get a job due to the amount of work I'll be doing. But I'm totally trusting God to provide all that I need. Including sleep.

Right now I am really asking for your prayers. This past weekend, the whole school went on a over night retreat and it was amazing. God really showed up and moved in me and the whole student body. On Saturday, there was a Powder Puff Football game and I played and I sprained my knee. I went to the hospital but everything was fine. I even had a hand full of boys follow me to the hospital and waited for me to come out. It made me feel really special and loved. It still is sore and I'm walking on crutches. Everyone has been so helpful and nice. A little too helpful, but it's been great being part of a family.

Then, last night, my roommate went to the hospital because of some breathing problems. I went with and stayed with her until 2:30am. She's fine, but today has been extremely hard with very little sleep and with lots of homework. Please keep me and my roommate in your prayers.

First Week of Classes

Well, I have had 5 out of my 6 classes this week and so far I love them all. They are going to be challenging with quite a bit of homework, but it's going to be a great year. God is really going to push me, grow me, and show me new things, but I'm very excited. I also am very tired. I haven't been sleeping all that great, but that might have to do with the fact that I'm not going to bed as early as I should. But it's college, right? ;)

This week, most of the IGNITE (the missions program I will be going into next semester, starting in January) team was here for orientation. Yesterday, I had the chance to spend most of the day with them since I didn't have anything else going on. Pastor Jack Hayford (the U.S. Foursquare President) came and talked to us and told us how excited he is for this program starting and how excited he is about what God is doing not only in Foursquare but around the world. This whole campus has a sense that we are on the edge of something great. God is about to do something never seen before and it's going to be awesome. I am just excited to be apart of it, in anyway I can be. I do have to say though, that it has been hard not being totally with the team, and being torn between that and school. I'm trying to find a balance but it's hard. Especially with my very full load of classes.

And that brings me to a decision I made today. I'm not going to be working this semester. I feel like I will have enough homework and class work to keep me busy and I don't want to have anything come between my studies and what God wants to teach me. This also means my budget will have to be tighter, but I'm totally trusting God for everything. He brought me here, He wants me here, He'll get me through school. I'm just totally believing that.

So life is going fantastically! Everything is going really well and I thank you so much for your prayers! I know if it weren't for them, I would not be here. Continue to pray for strength, for friendships, for relationships, but also for this campus. Pray that God would move in ways He has never moved here before and that the world would be changed, starting here California and spreading to the ends of the earth!

It's only the beginning

Alright...so I'm moved in and I have a few moments of free time, and my internet decided it wanted to work today (it hasn't since I've moved in) so I thought I'd catch you all up with the life of ME :) So, move in day, Saturday, was crazy! Got here, found my room and everything, started moving stuff in, had a ton of stuff, but it all fits just nicely. I did have to go to Target only once...which here, that's amazing. Most people were going like 3-4 times. Crazy. Anywho. I've met a ton of people, most of which I don't remember there names, :( but it's been awesome. Everyone is so friendly and nice.

Yesterday, we had our beach day. All of us went to the beach and spent most of the afternoon/evening there. It was so much fun. I played volleyball, talked to people, met more people, ate a little food and then we all worshiped, right on the beach. It was just amazing. I can only imagine God's smile as we enjoyed His creation and worshiped Him. After we got back from the beach, me and my quadmates went to the boys' dorm (yes, the boys...get over it)and watched part of a movie. It was so much fun.

Today, we had a service project and helped clean up a trail for the city. It was hotter than it was harder. But it was still fun. Then, we went to In-n-Out. Good food :) Now, I'm just chillin' in my room having fun.

It really feels like I'm at camp right now. But I know with classes starting tomorrow, it will be like school. But I'm ready. I'm ready for whatever God has for me this year. The upper classmen and ASB keep saying how awesome this year is going to be and I just know it will be. I cannot wait to see how God is going to use me and move through and in me. This is seriously, so exciting! I love it!!! Please keep me in your prayers as I start a very heavy class load tomorrow and that I would get plenty of rest in a few short hours of sleep. :)

I think I'm going to like living in California

I think I'm really going to like living in Southern California. So far, the weather has been amazing! A little hotter than I'm used to, but it's been beautiful! I love being able to look outside in the morning and see the sun shine and then put on shorts instead of the normal 5 layers of clothes! I love the atmosphere and just the feel all around me. I really can't explain how it feels, but it just fits! One of the things that I like the most is the chance to be whomever I want. Now, I'm not saying I'm going to become someone I'm not, but I get to break outside of my shell and be anything. I can try new and different things; things I wouldn't have done back home. But most of all, I know that I know that I know, God is here, with me. He is surrounding me with His love and He is guiding my steps. I'm trying to get closer and closer to Him so that I can hear His voice and follow His footsteps. I know my life is going to become so much more busy than I have ever thought, but I also know the Giver of my days and I'm totally trusting Him. All that I want is to bring Him glory and honor in all the aspects of my life. That, is my number one goal!

Hello California

This is the start of my new blog as I start a new adventure of my life. I will try to keep it updated at least once a week if not more. I figured this would be a good way to keep people updated with all the exciting things going on in my life.

Today is my first day in sunny southern California! We left Washington on Friday night around 7:30. We drove all night and made it to California around 6:30pm on Saturday. I got to drive around 450-500 miles (not all at once). The first set was until 2am, and that was pretty exciting. We drove all night only having to stop at a rest stop for just a few hours to sleep. It was a great, quick trip. But now, I'm exhausted. I maybe got about 4-5 hours of sleep the entire trip and it was in and out sleep, nothing deep nor restful. I slept okay last night, but not great. Today, we went to church and have just tried to recover from our long trip. I went outside for a little bit and it was hot! Like 100 degree hot! And I love it! :) I heard back home it was raining and cold. ;) Tomorrow, we plan on going by the school and picking up some paperwork and meeting some people. Move in day is Saturday and I cannot wait! Other than that, we don't have too much planned for the week, which may be a good thing, or it could not be. We shall see.