Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
~1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
I just wanted to check in and let you know not to expect to hear from me very often in the next month. I only have one month left to complete my schooling...and I am extremely far behind schedule which means I will be working at it like crazy over the next few weeks! Thankfully I have so much to look forward to at the end of April...which is motivating me to get everything done before then! My cousin, uncle, and both sets of Grandparents will be coming here around Easter weekend, and sometime around then...maybe just a few days later my best friend is coming home from NY!! So...I'm trying to get all my school done BEFORE Easter!
Okay...enough rambling! Time to get back to school!!
There's something about this time of year that makes me remember my missions trip to Guatemala in 2005...SIX WHOLE YEARS AGO!!
It's most likely the fact that every year the school I went there with takes one or two teams down there to do the same things my team did... Alicia went. Karmin went. And now right now the 'kids' who were still in elementary school when I graduated are there.
Hearing all the stories of what each team is doing in Guatemala always makes me miss it. I miss the experience. I miss the beautiful Guatemalan people. I miss hearing Spanish spoken all around me. I miss the sights. I miss the worship services. I miss everything about being there. I've always said I'll go back someday...I'm not sure when but I will.
This year seems to bring back more memories than the other years though. Maybe it's because I've moved away and so I feel like this year the trip has crept up on me. It could also have to do with the fact that I have met some people here who have gone to Guatemala, so there's been an even greater sense of connection with Guatemala and Impact Ministries. But, I also think it's because my best friend is going on her first missions trip tomorrow! She's going to Ecuador! Just thinking about her going reminds me of when I went! I am SO excited for her!! I just KNOW God is going to do amazing things THROUGH her and IN her! She's going to come back different...and I absolutely can not wait to hear all the stories she has to share about her time in Ecuador!!
I can't believe it's already been six years since I went on my missions trip. Those six years have gone by so fast, but at the same time they've gone by so slowly. So much has gone on in those six years...and it makes me sad to think that all that time has gone by and I haven't been on another missions trip... Deep down inside of me I wish I was headed to Ecuador tomorrow too... I just hope and pray that I'll have the opportunity to go on a missions trip before six more years pass by...
I want to see beautiful faces like this again, and experience the joy of blessing people in ways I could never imagine, but at the same time have them bless me...
Soon... Very soon I pray I'll go back to Guatemala, or any other country for that matter!
The first day of spring has finally arrived...at least I hope it has in some areas because it sure hasn't here! It is snowing like crazy today...in the next few days we are supposed to be getting at least 30cm! How's that for the beginning of spring?!
I have to admit I'm really jealous of all my BC friends right now who are enjoying warmer weather and NO snow- true spring! Haha!
To help me deal with the snow, and to make it feel like spring is coming someday, I made myself a gardening cake for my birthday celebration on Friday! I'm pleased with how it turned out! It was my first time using 'real' fondant, and it was SO much fun to make!! Enjoy the pictures!!
Sometimes I wish I was still little...living in Calgary, enjoying my time with my friends there...
This is a thought I mentioned to my dad this past weekend. On Wednesday I found out my friend Karissa's university hockey team had made it to the CIS National Championships for the first time in their history. The championship started on Thursday and ended today. I usually am not much of a sports fan, but for friends, I'll do anything to cheer them on!!
Watching Karissa's first game on Friday brought back lots of memories of when she was in Ringette, and then when she was first starting out with hockey. I remember going to her games as often as I could so I could cheer her on. I didn't know much about what was going on with the game, but I'd do anything to show my support... I really miss those days...before life became complicated... But, back to the game...
I texted Karissa on Friday and she made a comment that she "finally turned me into a hockey fan" and that "now [her] life is complete!" Haha! It brought a smile to my face. All week I had been trying to see some sort of reason why I "had" to stay home this week instead of going to visit Kim in NY. Last week when I was feeling upset about not going, my mom said maybe something was going to happen this week that I needed to be here for. I was doubtful, but I tried to keep my eyes open for something the entire week...until Friday. All of a sudden it hit me. I had to stay home for this championship. Not so I could watch it...but so I could show my support of Karissa. So I could show her I care about her.
You see, if I had gone to NY, I wouldn't have known about the championships (HER TEAM WON BRONZE BY THE WAY!! I am so proud of them!!), and I wouldn't have found out I could watch it online, and I also wouldn't have been able to show her my support...
I still wish I could have gone to NY to see Kim...but at the same time I am seeing more and more how God kept me here for a reason. It's been a cry of my heart to be there for Karissa...and in a way I was this weekend. I was thinking yesterday and I realized something extremely important. If something would happen to me, or to Kim, or if Jesus were to come back right now, I know where I'd be...I know where Kim would be. BUT, on the other hand if something were to happen to Karissa...I don't know where she would be...and that breaks me inside. So, for me to take this "God-moment" this weekend and be there for Karissa, I'm seeing how it was more important to eternity than me being in NY with Kim.
All this reminds me of a verse I read this week "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands." (Proverbs 16:1 TLB) Now that I look at it again, it was Friday's verse on my daily verse calender...Friday was the day of Karissa's first game...crazy how God works!!
When things don't work out the way we want them to, I think it is important to look at it through God's view... Like this week...I didn't get to go away...something I was very disappointed about, but God knew better. He knew I needed to be there for Karissa this week...to shine His light into her life. If you are facing any disappointments, try to look for something God might be doing through it. Maybe He is going to do something beyond your imagination...something that will impact eternity...
I am going to do my very best to make this week a good one. It's so easy for me to focus on what isn't instead of what is... For example, I keep thinking about how I was "supposed" to be on an airplane right now headed for NY to see my best friend Kim. But I'm obviously not...
So, I'm going to do my very best to keep a positive attitude this week. I think my mom has a few extra special things planned for us to do together this week. I'll try not to live in the "land of if only" (as described in some of my favourite books, the "Christy Miller" series).
And I'll also look forward to the end of April...when I'll hopefully get to see Kim again!! Oh time, go by quickly!! But I guess I should enjoy the moment I'm in too...
The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
~Ezekiel 31:1-10
This is one of my favourite passages of Scripture. It's so exciting to think about how God breathes His breath into the dry bones and they live. There is so much I could say about this passage...but since it's late I'll just leave you with the scripture to think about...and I'll also share a video with you. A few years ago I was a part of a dance team for a youth conference and we did a dance pretty much the exactly the same as the one in this video. (I was the same song, and most of the same dance moves...) I'm hoping to find a copy of my dance team, and eventually share it with you, but this one will have to do for now until I figure out how to take the old-fashioned video tape and turn it into a DVD or something... Enjoy! This is a powerful song!
At church tonight we sang the song "How He Loves" by David Crowder Band. Growing up in the church, I think it's been too easy to forget just how real the words are that we sing every week. Tonight we had communion, and while we were getting the emblems, we sang this song. I was reminded of just how much Jesus loves us.
Jesus loves us so much that He endured our pain. He took the punishment for our sin. Every beating, every mocking word, every cry of anguish was by all rights ours. But Jesus, in His love for us took our place. He took those beatings. He listened to each mocking word. He cried out in anguish. And ALL of it for you. ALL of it for me. ALL of it because of His love for us. He did nothing wrong. But He went to the cross for us. Thankfully the story doesn't end there, but continues on with Jesus going down to hell to get the "keys of death and hades" (Revelations 1:18) and then rising again, acending into heaven, and promising to return for everyone who loves Him!
As we sang "How He Loves" I was overwhelmed with how much Jesus really loves me. I was overwhelmed with the fact that no matter what I've done, or what I will do, He will NEVER leave or forsake me. Sometimes I get overwhelmed when I think of those I know and love who are not serving Jesus. Those who knew Him and knowingly turned their backs, or those who have never come to know Him. But tonight I realized something...God has never left them either. He has been with them always. He has been knocking on the door of their heart, aching to come in . He LOVES them too. He loves them so much that no matter what they are doing right now, He is still there with them, even if they don't realize it. He loves them so much that it pains them when they don't acknowledge them...but because of His love, He will continue standing with them, waiting for them to open their hearts to His love.
John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."
God so LOVED, so that you and I can spend eternity with Him! He so loved that He came down to earth to live a life like you and me, only without sin. He endured the hurt, the pain, the suffering, the betrayal, the loneliness, and the grief that you and I deal with. All because He loves us and desires for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven! Wow! Thank you Lord!!
Here are a couple songs we've been singing at church that talk about how Jesus loves us, and how He endured our pain...
Awhile ago a friend of mine did "Friend and Family Friday" posts, and I thought it was a great idea! I've been thinking about doing this for awhile, but obviously I haven't sat down and actually written any posts...until today. And today seems like a great day to start with none other than my sweet little cousin Aiden who turned TWO today!
Aiden is such a joy! I am so blessed to have him as my cousin! He is the smartest two year old I know. And his smile melts my heart!
In my family, the most of the grandchildren (my cousins) are girls. My brother is the youngest of 5...4 which are girls. Then after Jaden, my aunts and uncles all had girls (5 girls)...until Aiden came along, much to our joy!! Finally another male to carry on the family name!
I can't wait to see who Aiden will be as he gets older! And I am excited to see how God is going to use him! Getting to know him better over the past 6 months has been incredible! There is nothing like knowing your little cousin actually knows who you are! :)
I love you Aiden! I am blessed to have you as a cousin! I can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you on Sunday!
I can't believe it is already March 1! It is absolutely crazy how fast this year is going by! I find it hard to believe that 2 months ago I was in Kamloops bringing in the New Year... It feels like yesterday, but at the same time it feels like years ago. Where have the past 2 months gone?!
I find it even harder to believe that I was planning a trip to NY...and that I was supposed to be leaving in 6 days! When I was planning my trip it felt like it would never get here...and now that I'm not going, here it is...but I'm not going to think about that anymore...I'll just keep on going through each day, one moment at a time...
I have had a good distraction from thinking about my no longer happening trip though...The day after I found out I couldn't go my mom's parents came for a few days, and while they were here my dad's older brother also came for a couple nights. It was really good to see all of them! After they all left I ended up having a week and a half off work, which helped give me the break I was desperately needing! I didn't know I would be having a week off until I was leaving work on the 17th, so it was a nice surprise! Then, to top everything off this past Sunday my family and I went to Moose Jaw to the Spa there and my aunt, uncle, and cousins joined us there! Can I just say I L.O.V.E living so close to them! We're also going to see them sometime this weekend for my cousin Aiden's second birthday! Again, I can't believe how fast time flies! My sweet little cousin is going to be TWO! He's growing up too fast... :( (Speaking of birthdays...I can't believe mine is in 24 days!! The big 22! Yikes! :)
My dad's parents are also going to be coming over this weekend to help my dad do renos, and then to celebrate Aiden's birthday! It's going to be a great weekend, and another great distraction to take my focus off the fact that I was planning to be leaving on Monday...
Other than all that, nothing really is new. I did get done a whole lot of school work yesterday and today though! By the end of the week I am planning on having my entire Health Studies course completed (except for my exams). That's basically half the course in less than a week! I hope I can keep this pace so I will actually be finished all my courses before my deadline of April 30. I guess only time will tell!
I better head off to bed now...tomorrow's going to be another full day of school, dentist, and more school! Goodnight all!!
