Ask me anything about immunity....

My newest old news is that I got accepted into a nursing program for the fall!! I say old because I found out about three weeks ago, but it is still just as exciting!  What an amazing sense of relief I felt when I read that e-mail, notifying my that I had been chosen and would be starting nursing finally.  They were tears of joy that night.  This bit of news may have felt like a long time coming, but it was God's perfect timing all along.  Just as God had the Israelites journey the long way through the desert so that they had to depend on Him for strength (can't remember the passage quite yet, but it's neat!), my journey toward things in life may be longer than I would plan.  But God sees the entire route, the entire puzzle have you (anyone from Camp remember Pat's puzzle illustration from last summer?) and I need to depend on him every step of the way. 

Here is something neat my Pastor sent me.  He sends us a devotional based on a verse everyday.  This one happened to be: Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

"....Some days it doesn’t seem like all that bad of an idea to be on the bottom side of the grass – at least I wouldn't’t have to mow it anymore. But that’s not how God intends for us to see life. Every winter is a preparation for a productive spring. Every storm is an opportunity for a rainbow. Every sunset leads to a time of rest in expectation of a guaranteed sunrise. Every dark night brings a greater appreciation for the light. God has designed all of life so that we will see the glory of the product rather than the gauntlet of the process.  It’s time to focus on the joy of the finish line rather than the junk on the freeway that we’re traveling.

That’s why prayer is so important – it keeps our focus on the finish line. It changes our perspective from the present troubles to the future glory of God’s perfect presence. It brings His presence into our present, which changes our present perspective. When we pray, we surrender to God’s authority. Our faith is strengthened as we learn to trust His perfect outcomes. Our resilience is increased as we patiently wait for His timing to accomplish His will. Our fears are diminished as we learn to trust His powerful right hand to sustain us and provide for us. Our spiritual eyes are opened to see the beauty of things that God is doing that indicate life is about to explode around us and bring beauty to what we thought were cold and dreary circumstances. Prayer – that intimate time of fellowship with God – brings us hope and peace.

So whatever winter you’re still in right now, get ready. Spring is coming! It’s never not come. Sometimes it’s delayed longer than normal, but it will get here, and soon we will be basking in the warmth of the Son of God as life explodes in beauty around us."

Amen

Bow chicka wa wa

I went to Pensecola, Florida for Spring Break again with the Navigators.  What a blessing that trip was!  First off, just the thought of 70 lovely people all driving down to Florida to spend the week enjoying each others presence made me smile really big. :)  I had an awesome car of people who loved to talk and sing and have fun - not much sleep was going on there!  Once in Florida, we camped out for the whole week.  Camping.  My favorite!  The day started at 8 with breakfast, 9-10 was time alone with God (TAWG) and 10-12 was group bible study.  This time was so good for me, as I've been inconsistent with quiet time.  But to have that hour everyday (and the last day we had three hours!) was so good.  It was peaceful, to be outside in the warm sun, reading and journaling....it made me think of a CFS wilderness trip.  I was even wearing my chacos.  :)  I was a bible study leader, then, for the group bible studies - this time with the girls was easily one of my highlights.  We studied Jesus through the book of John and I was challenged and encouraged more than I had anticipated.  I loved the discussions we had - everyone had something to say and contribute.  The study that stands out the most is when we went over John 3:16.  I have read and recited this verse countless times, but there was something different that stood out that day.  In the study, we took each section of the verse and really broke it down, reflecting and reading about each section and applying it. I was just overcome, tearing up when we closed that session in prayer.  God is so good, and I am His CHILD! 

After bible study was lunch and then we spent the whole afternoon at the beach!  This was just quality, laying in the sand, playing football, getting to know people.  Every night was spent hanging out at camp, eating supper, followed by worship around the campfire and telling stories.  It was overall just very relaxing and fulfilling.  It's been exciting to be back on campus now and seeing everyone that I grew so much closer to on the trip, especially some of the freshman girls that I didn't know very well.  I can't wait until next year. :)

Holy Holy Holy, is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come

With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings

You are my everything

And I will Adore You.

I love the church that I am going to here in Eau Claire.  I just started attending this year, having been a roamer most of last year.  I would call it a medium-sized church, but with that small, homey feeling.  Last year I went to a church that was mainly college students.  It was neat because a lot of friends went there, but I didn't really feel a connection.  Having grown up in my home church in Wausau, I missed that feeling of family and support.  But Calvary (the church I now attend) is a mix of all ages, old and young.  They have AWANA and lots of ministries for everyone to get involved in.  The Pastor knows me by name and I am slowly getting  to know people there.  My Aunt and Uncle also go there, and it's so nice to see them every week.  I had Pizza with the Pastor the other week with a number of other newcomers where he shared with us the core values and mission statement of the church.  Then we were given the opportunity to ask him anything about the church and it's beliefs and practices.  I felt it was important to know where the Pastor and church stood on certain issues, and I came out of it encouraged and feeling blessed that God had led me to such a solid congregation.  I expressed intrest in becoming involved in the Worship ministry, and I would love to help out with AWANA next year.  Not to mention I love the messeges and worship!  I feel at home there, and I am filled with Joy.   

eets bidley ooten dooten!

I'm going to be a counselor at Camp Forest Springs this summer!  Just wanted to get that out there right away. :)  I had had a phone interview last week where it was said in so many words that I was hired, but I got an official letter of confirmation yesterday in the mail.  I'll admit that I felt certain that I was going to be hired, but it is still exciting.  Because I would have admitted last year that I was confidant I was going to be hired and I wasn't.  And I would explain that to myself by saying "I just didn't get the application in on time..."  which is true, but I think it was so much more than that.  That experience last year was just another reminder that God is in control.  He put me in my place and humbled me - who am I to pursue something for my own selfish reasons?  It was a lesson learned, but it was hard.  I was stubborn.  God was patient.  And when I finally gave in, He turned me in the right direction when I was offered the Food Packer position.  I was still stubborn.  But thinking back, my change of heart and attitude was like night and day when I finally became submissive and followed God's leading.  I could easily say it was one of the best, most stretching summers ever. 

This time, going into the application process again, I felt different.  There were no strings attached, no reasons for me to HAVE to be a counselor (like I felt there were last year) and I gave it completely over to Him, fully aware that if this wasn't His plan, I would not be accepted.  And I had come to peace with that.  And now, having been accepted, I am just full of Joy and Excitement just thinking about it.  I don't feel prepared - I know many people don't when going into this.  But I do know that God is in control, and my summer is His.