islandchild's Xanga

Amazing Grace

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 21:55:39 GMT

So I've been re-reading Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin Gospel" and it has been so refreshing to my soul. I love it.

Here's a bit that struck me the other night:

"The gospel of grace nullifies our adulation of televangelists, charasmatic superstars, and local church heroes. It obliterates the two-class citizenship theory operative in many ... churches. For grace proclaims the awesome truth that all is gift. All that is good is ours not by right but by the sheer bounty of a gracious God. While there is much we may have earned ... all this is possible only because we have been given so much: life istelf, eyes to see and hands to touch, a mind to shape ideas, and a heart to beat with love... We have the power to believe where others deny, to hope where others despair, to love where others hurt. This and so much more is sheer gift; it is not reward for our faithfulness, our generous disposition, or our heroic life of prayer. Even our fidelity is a gift. "If we but turn to God.," said St. Augustine, 'that itself is a gift of God." My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and that I have done nothing to earn or deserve it."

and...

"Any church that will not accept that is consists of sinful men and women, and exists ofr them, implicitly rejects the gospel of grace... The church must constantly be aware that its faith is weak, its knowledge dim, its profession of faith halting, that there is not a single sin or failing which it has not in one way or another been guilty of. And though it is true that the church must always dissociate itself from sin, it can never have any excuse for keeping any sinners at a distance. If the church remains self-righteously aloof from failtures, irreligious, and immoral people, it cannot enter justified into God's kingdom. But if it is constantly aware of its guilt and sin, it can live in joyous awareness of forgiveness."

and... "a loving God fosters a loving people. 'The fact that our view of God shapes our lives to a great extent may be one of the reasons Scripture ascribes such importance to seeking to know him."

Cling to faith and grace. and be encouraged. :)

New Beginnings...

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:43:26 GMT

After four years at Cedarville University I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Childhood Education. Shortly after graduation, Nic proposed and we are making plans to get married next July. I found out a few weeks ago that I was accepted for a teaching job here on the island, and hence, this year will be one of new beginnings.

It's so good to reflect on God's goodness through it all. His faithfulness, guidance and provision each step of the way. Nic and I are planning on moving to Taiwan after we get married to teach English over there and share Jesus. :) We'll see how God works after that year to figure out what He has in store for our lives at that point.

I'm looking forward to spending this year with my family and back in Bermuda, although I've already been thinking about how strange it will be to still be here once all the college students leave in the fall. It's going to be a readjustment to Bermudian culture and life, but it's my desire to savor the moments and see how God can use me here to be a blessing. Teaching is going to be a whole new adventure that I am excited to embark upon! I'll try to keep this updated as the first year teaching is always an adventure.

Be His.

Just Like Jesus

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 00:34:39 GMT

I just finished reading "Just Like Jesus," by Max Lucado. It was such a refreshing read. Sharing some of the blessings...

"...The rich young ruler wanted medicine. The others [John, Andrew, Zacchaeus, Simeon...]wanted the Physician. The ruler wanted an answer to the quiz. They wanted the teacher. He was in a hurry. They had all the time in the world. He settled for a cup of coffee at the drive through window. They wouldn't settle for anything than a full-course meal at the banquet table. They watned more than salvation. They wanted the Savior. They wanted to see Jesus. They were earnest in their search....God rewards those that seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself....Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the diseased and mercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same. He loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

Hope you are challenged to seek after Christ and encouaged. :)

Is it a problem or an opportuntiy?

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:44:43 GMT

My grandmother, Olive Correia, a lady who has perservered through so much; heart disease, open heart surgery is now battling breast cancer and is scheduled for a masectomy this Thursday. Friday I found out that I have mononucelosis that could affect my energy levels up until the summer. Even though this timing all seems so horrible right now, with student teaching, God has blessed me far beyond I could ever imagine with such a strong example of courage and trust in God. My grandmother has such a postivie attitude about this challenge that is facing her. I know that if she can smile and be strong in the face of such a serious disease I can rise to the challenge of battling mono while teaching.

I truly believe that every challenge that we face can be viewed as a problem or an opportunity (a handsome young man helped me to understand this) to rise to the occasion and bring glory to God through our actions and attitudes.

I am so blessed.

"He who dares to teach..."

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:42:46 GMT

"He who dares to teach, must never cease to learn" .... challenging!

Student teaching has officially begun. I'm loving it! My cooperating teacher is so helpful and encouraging. That's a huge blessing. The students are darlings. They bring me pictures of their cats and of them holding aligators and such. Precious. I taught them about Bermuda and one child went home and made Cassava Pie with her mom over the weekend! Teaching is HUGE responsability though...

"Instruction does much, but encouragement does everything" - this is another quote I'm trying to implement in my teaching. These past two weeks have just been "observing" - getting to know school staff and the students diverse needs... next week I begin teaching two periods of social studies... American Revolution .... go figure ;) I'm going to learn a lot!

Life is busy... but God is SO GOOD... and i'm off to class.... the added excitement of my life right now.. Bavarian Wild Berry tea - by Lipton - it's in a purple box. TRY IT... delicious! :)

Grand Canyon???

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:31:41 GMT

I just booked a ticket to go to Phoenix, Arizona over Easter.... and I may just go to the Grand Canyon! Hiking in the Grand Canyon with Nic & his family.... what an adventure.... :) Nic says that it's quite the hike... so we're going to start training.... "i beat my body... and make it my slave..." a little out of context maybe? ;)

In other news.... my teaching internship begins on Monday and I've applied for a job at home. It's crazy to think how fast time is going. It's also so good to know the God of the universe that's in total control of the future and my life :) Sometimes I tend to worry about the unknown... but God has been faithful in the past... and He's the same yesterday, today and tomorrow... :) that gives me such peace

It's cool to finally start doing what I've been studying and what I'm passionate about. Kids are so impressionable. And I have the opportunity to love them and role model for them. It's exciting. At the Rock this week in devotions one girl broke down... the abuse, abandonment, and rejection and hurt that these children deal with is hard to comprehend. It's such an opportunity to just be there for them ... to be a friend and paint their nails, or play Connect Four....and then to tell them about the One who loves them more than anything else and has the power to bring hope.

High 75 degrees...

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:00:24 GMT

Gorgeous outside today...it's actually HOT.... so i'm going for a walk to enjoy nature and the warmth... be jealous

Leaving on a jet plane....

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 12:47:55 GMT

"Real friends help us to think our best thoughts, do our noblest deeds, and be our finest selves.."

I am so thankful for all my friends - God truly has blessed me :) Last night we had dinner and laughed so hard.... watched a movie and this morning we went out for some breakfast together ... it's good to be reunited with old friends.

Tomorrow I head back to Ohio... to begin the final leg of this journey towards that B.A in Education.. which will hopefully help me to secure a teaching job for September. The time is going by way to fast... but it's exciting to know that even though I sometimes feel clueless as to what lies ahead God knows and has it all in control - so I can enjoy each day to the fullest. :) I love that!

So even though I'll miss family and friends... (as always..) I'm excited to get back to Ohio... see Nic...begin student teaching and use the remaining time I have out there to invest in some lives. Exciting! :)

Christmas Time is Here....

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:35:27 GMT

Merry Christmas everyone. :) I am at home and have had an absolutely wonderful break so far. Nic was here and just left yesterday - I had a marvelous time with him :) We hung out with family, rode around on mopeds, walked on the beach, even took a quick dip in the freezing ocean. Now he's gone and I'm missing having him here... and it's sad... but that's okay. ;)

It's been nice to spend some time with family too and catch up. I love time to just chill and read and to have some time to reflect on life. I'm finishing up "The Irresistible Revolution" which is challenging - has opened up my eyes to the plight of the poor and the Christian's responsibility to love like Christ. God calls us to love others and live the gospel as well as teaching it. Christianity is so much more than what we "don't do" as Christians - it's about loving God with all our heart, soul and mind and then sincerely loving others.

LOVE.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 15:03:39 GMT