Happy Birthday Levi
Today is Levi's birthday. He is 13. Levi is the kind of guy that goes all the way. He has leadership skills that are rarely seen is someone his age. He can dedicated himself to something 110% some of those things include: basketball, school plays, soccer, football, poker, and just being a great big bother. Levi lives in the same room with his three little brothers. Not very many people have done that.Levi has grown up a lot in the last year. He has shown maturity in the area of the way he treats Mom and Dad, which is usually a rough stop for a preteen. Levi has an
incredible smile. He can light up a room with his happiness. He has also been walking with God. It's amazing to see and hear the things that God as put on his heart and the way that he plans on carrying them out. Levi isn't sure what his goals are for the future. He's considering the military. I think he's be a great officer someday. He knows how to keep guys in line ;). I know that where ever God leads him, there will be great things in store. Levi is a chosen one. I'm very thankful to God for Levi. He's a pretty incredible brother.I love you!Happy birthday!May God direct your steps as you continue to grow into the man that He is calling you to be.
Somethings True
I've been a little bit sad lately. I have gotten overwhelmed with the people here, and not having any dear friends to talk with on campus. I've been frusterated with the thought that I am spending the next three years here studying. I have missed home. Today, God took me by the hand and gave me a graious gift. He met my needs sevenfold. Dr. Mackey is my Education professor and today he reminded me of all the things that I know are true. He is more passionate about teaching kids then anyone I have ever met. He pointed out that we are going to face hard times. The Devil will tempt us to be depressed and upset, but he reminded us that we are here to serve God here and now. Here are some quotes... somethings true:
"What God taught you in the light don't doubt in the dark."
"Right now God has called you to prepare for His service. Don't get weary in well doing. Our hearts may be sensitive to the kids in Africa, but at the moment God wants you here to learn."
"There's always enough time to do the things you have to do."
"When God set out to change the world by saving His people, He sent a teacher."
"Learn to have your heart broken over the things that break God's heart."
"You must teach from the overflow of a full life."
"You earn the right to be heard when you show them how much you care."
Needless to say I smiled through the entire class. I smiled all the way through lunch. It was beautiful to be reminded why I'm here. I am so excited. I will be looking forward to this class all semester.Thank you Lord.
Where I'm At
Good evening, I am tired. We started the day with a sunrise worship service. It was good to go and join hearts in worship with the kids that I have been meeting. It was different than what I am used to, and I am wrestling with some of the issues that
arose in my mind as I had my
first encounter with the spiritual side of Grove City.
We had a girl lead us this morning. She basically shared testimony, and I think it was supposed to be like a sermon or devotional. She stressed the importance of time with God even when the school year gets hectic. I appreciated that point, but it made me uneasy when she spoke so often of the Holy Spirit leading her to do/say things. It's interesting because I just finished Acts for my quiet time and so the role of the Holy Spirit has been on my heart and mind lately. He is real, and He does work today in our lives, but what part does He play? How often do we hear Him, and what is His work. I also met a
Pentecostal in Broad Ripple. She really challenged me on the importance of the Spirit. I agreed with her, but there is a difference in the way He works today, and the way He worked in the New
Testament. She didn't understand that, and frankly, neither do I. The Bible doesn't speak about Him too often. It looks like this semester I am going to be dealing with these questions- concerning the third person of the Godhead. Any thoughts?
We obviously sang "spiritual songs" this morning. I don't know very many, but I sing when I can. I was overcome with how free these kids are with their emotions in worship. I think the the Reformed Presbyterian church has something to learn about the heart being totally engaged in worship. I think I am going to learn some of that here, but I think there are things that I can give to them as well.
On a brighter note, I went to the
Schmidtbergers home this evening for a college planning meeting. It was great to finally meet some upperclassmen and get a feel for who I will be spending a lot of my time with. It was wonderful. I'm so thankful that God has provided these friends for me. He is amazing.
Tomorrow I am going to go to Rose Point RP church. I'm excited. I'm also a bit sad. Today someone asked me where went to church, and I answered, "well I used to go, I mean... my old church is..., I mean.... my home church is 2RP." *Sigh* Change is hard. I'm going to miss "my" church tomorrow.
Thanks for prayer and contact everyone. I love you all, and I am praying for you. Have a lovely day of worship.
I'm Here!
Dearest friends and family, I am sitting at my new desk using my new laptop listening to my new roommate try to settle down for bed. It's been a day unlike any other. We woke up around 3:20 to get out here by 10. We made it and the trip was lovely. I truly do enjoy the
trek from good old Indy out to PA. I know the drive will get annoying at times because of the time it requires, but I like the
quality time I got to spend with Mom and
Bethy this morning.
Unpacking was an adventure. I had shared that I was a bit concerned about the whole roommate/living in a dorm deal. God has been pleased to give us a great start together. The room is small, but we have managed to fit in here without too much fuss.
We did have a bit of trouble with my hangup clothes and new body pillow. A very helpful girl took them to the wrong room. After five hours of close to endless searching I found my lovely clothes in a pile in the hallway. Thank the Lord they are not lost forever.
Beth and Mom helped me move in, and did a incredible job dealing with a not-too-perfect me. they are the best. I love you. Goodbyes came sooner than we thought they should. I cried. We all did. It's a part of life, for us anyway. I am going to be
ok, but it's still hard to grip the fact that I am here to stay.
I took a
brief nap and then went to pick up my new and wonderful tablet PC. I'm very impressed with the little guy. We've been having tons of fun together.
Tonight we had a graffiti dance. We all signed
each other shirts with markers and some of us danced. It was crazy but fun. Alex, Jenna and I left early. I took a quick run and then enjoyed a cold shower. We don't have AC so any coolness I can get is delightful.
I'm excited about all of this, but it is overwhelming. Thanks for all your prayers.
I'm not ready for this
Today is my last official day living at home. From here on out I will have a foot here in Indiana and one out in PA. I am basically packed. I have a large pile next to the door reminding me that in a few hours we will be on the road and I won't be coming home for a while.
Everyone has been wonderful. I have received a few presents and tons of hugs from friends and family. Jerusha keeps promising that she will figure out a way to come live with me. Keziah asked me not to cry.
How am I supposed to close such a long and consistent chapter of life? How am I supposed to say goodbye to the twelve people I love most? How am I supposed to transition from big sis to lonely freshman? The only answer I have to give myself is: God.
God will be with me. He will watch out for me and teach me how to adjust to life on a college campus. I am eager to learn. I am eager to take this step. It's just hard.
I will keep you all posted. It's dinner time.
Lovely Lord's Day
I woke this morning with Sam calling me. I found myself next to a sleeping Keziah. I remembered that it was the Lord's Day, and I remembered that I needed to go make coffee. I came downstairs and got caught up with my mother. I don't know what I am going to do when I live somewhere else. We spend most of our time at home discussing everything. It's normal to me, but my friends find it unique.
I got myself ready and to church five minutes before nine. Ken Smith was sitting on his porch as I drove into the church parking lot. He bid us good morning and I thanked God for him. What a blessing!
Coffee Fellowship was not well attended. I entered Sunday school a few minutes early and made a plan with Mrs. Smith to meet with her this Thursday. She is wonderful and it will be good to talk with her for an afternoon.
We have learned so much about evangelism and discipleship in the last few weeks. I have enjoyed going out with Gary and Jennifer each Friday and the Sunday morning classes have only encouraged my desire to continue evangelism when I go to school. The Gospel is so important. It takes practice... but it's worth the time.
Worship was incredible. I cried. Mom asked me why, and I said I didn't know. It was sorta of a lie. I know that it had to do with the fact that I am preparing to be sent out. I am leaving my congregation. I won't be worshiping them this semester. It also had to do with the fact that God is getting a hold of my heart in a new way. It's hard to explain, so I said I didn't know.
He explained the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. In both cases the man in the story "sold all that he had" to gain the treasure. I was reminded of the cost of discipleship. I must surrender all that I love, all that I am, all that I know for Christ. He is supreme. He is in control. He is King. I must trust Him.
We came home and celebrated Keziah's 3rd birthday. It was great fun. I decided I would spend the afternoon at the IMA talking with Jesus and preparing for Communion. I walked over there and began to read Acts 20, and when I had read it I had to read Acts 21 and then 22. I am sure I have read it before but I didn't remember the story of Paul in Jerusalem and how God rescued him. It was really exciting. I began to pray. After several minutes I heard a male voice address me. I looked up and there sat a biker. He was sweaty and asked me something about whether or not I was hot. We small talked for a few minutes about the weather and whether or not biking is hotter than sitting. I picked up that he wasn't planning on moving on when he asked if he could come and sit with me for a while.
*RED LIGHTS*
1.) He is a stranger
2.) There is no one in sight/hearing distance
3.) I was spending time with God
4.) He was disgustingly sweaty
5.) He was at least 30
I looked up and said, "I am out here praying because I am a Christian and tonight we have communion."
Something clicked because he didn't sit down next to me, but we did get into a discussion about Christianity. He said he wasn't apposed to Christians. He grew up Catholic but he was very convinced that Catholics and Christians were very different. It was an interesting discussion. I shared the Gospel with him several times throughout our talk. He said he was ok with what I believed. I told him it didn't matter if I believed it or not. It was true regardless of people's belief. We began to then discuss truth. We talked for half and hour, and ended with him comparing God's general revelation to mother nature. I did a fairly unimpressive God of pointing out the differences. It was interesting.
I began to pack up and asked him his name. Dan. Dan needs prayer. He stopped to hit on me, which didn't work, so instead we talked theology and philosophy for 30 minutes. He road away muttering how odd it was that he had such a talk with a girl out in the middle of no where, and thankful that at least what I had to say was real and not the stuff on TV. Who knows how God will use our conversation, but I was grateful for yet another opportunity to glorify Christ by speaking His truth to the lost.
It's been a lovely day. I'm looking forward to this evening. I am getting more excited about school, and more confident that in God's present peace.
