I made it through the first week of classes!!!!!! It was quite possibly the longest first week I have ever encountered but it wasn't bad. I think I might really enjoy my classes this semester.... except Finance 409.
I was talking to a friend last night about how much my outlook has changed since the beginning of this semester.
My entire college career has been spent loving on youth from 3 or 4 different youth groups. My freshman year, I got a call from my youth pastor the day of Dnow saying he needed help. I went, and I loved it. My first Dnow as a leader. My senior year in the youth group, I didnt participate in Dnow because of a conflict of events. I can still remember my youth pastor's reply when Merritt and I told him we weren't going to be there because of our school's choir. hahah. He was so mad at us. So working a Dnow was such a gift so soon after graduating high school. That particular Dnow got me reconnected with an old friend from high school who called me up a few weeks later looking for help leading a Dnow in Plano. I gathered up some friends and we went. I didnt realize I would grow so attached to that church. I was a leader the following year at the same 2 churches and that sophomore summer, I was the youth intern at the church in Plano. What an incredible experience for me. I went from a church with a good 60 kids on a bad Wednesday night to a much smaller church with 30 kids being a good turn out. It was a shock and a complete learning experience and it was such a blessing. Through the people in Plano, I was also connected with another church in the Plano area with a much smaller crowd. I also served as a leader this past year for both of the Dnow's mentioned before and at a Dnow at the church I grew up attending in Mesquite. THAT was awesome. I wouldnt trade that experience for the world. It was probably the coolest thing I have ever done.
Needless to say, I have been sort of a "nomad" leader. I have gone where I am needed; be it Dnow, Camp, Mission Trips, Retreats, Wednesday night services, Lockins; and I have loved every single minute of it. But that phase in my life has come to a close.
This year, I am working one Dnow. This Dnow came about recently and its entirely new to me. I dont know any of the kids or the staff members. I am excited for the new connection, but it is humbling to see the so obvious change in my life.
Talking to this friend last night and telling him about all the things God has shown me lately, about life and about my future, has really given me something to share with everyone. I see the light at the end of the tunnel. My college years are coming to an end and this chapter in my life is ending as well. I see that God has so much more planned for me than to go from youth group to youth group just helping out where I am needed. God has a whole life planned out ahead of me and I am so excited to see where it leads me.
I still dont know how many people read this blog, but if you are reading this, I would love your prayers as I face uncertainty ahead and possibly a few difficult decisions. The road was never promised to be easy, just that it would be worth it. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
I am blessed
Tomorrow is the first day back in class. I am finally in my 2nd to last semester of college!!!!!
Both of my roommates are back, one brought back mono and the other brought back strep. Needless to say, this house is contaminated. Still, we probably have the funniest house in a mile radius. I wasnt home for 5 minutes before Shelley decided to set off the smoke detector while she was cooking. Shelby stood on a chair, took the smoke detector off the ceiling and couldnt figure out how to make it stop. (I stood by for emotional support saying "ITS SOO LOUD!!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!") We then showed Shelley the beauty of a vent hood and why the vent hood has a fan on it. This was followed by a trip to HEB in my pjs and staring at the guy in the car next to us, simply because Shelby accidentally made eye contact when she was looking at me in the passenger seat.
Over the last few weeks I have really had the chance to look at my life and see the influences I have, both good and bad, and feel encouraged by the fact that God has put some very amazing people in my life to encourage me and lead me, with their words and by example. I am truly blessed.
Tomorrow Shelby and I will start reading through the bible. We are hoping to finish it by the end of the year. Together, maybe we can hold one another accountable and encourage each other and see what God has in store for the both of us.
Im really looking forward to what this year holds. :)
Both of my roommates are back, one brought back mono and the other brought back strep. Needless to say, this house is contaminated. Still, we probably have the funniest house in a mile radius. I wasnt home for 5 minutes before Shelley decided to set off the smoke detector while she was cooking. Shelby stood on a chair, took the smoke detector off the ceiling and couldnt figure out how to make it stop. (I stood by for emotional support saying "ITS SOO LOUD!!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!") We then showed Shelley the beauty of a vent hood and why the vent hood has a fan on it. This was followed by a trip to HEB in my pjs and staring at the guy in the car next to us, simply because Shelby accidentally made eye contact when she was looking at me in the passenger seat.
Over the last few weeks I have really had the chance to look at my life and see the influences I have, both good and bad, and feel encouraged by the fact that God has put some very amazing people in my life to encourage me and lead me, with their words and by example. I am truly blessed.
Tomorrow Shelby and I will start reading through the bible. We are hoping to finish it by the end of the year. Together, maybe we can hold one another accountable and encourage each other and see what God has in store for the both of us.
Im really looking forward to what this year holds. :)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
It's all for a reason, right?
So this whole Facebook thing isnt so bad. Yesterday I worked from 9-5 and when I left work I still had 65% battery. Today, however, has been "blow up heather's phone" day and Im already at 70%.
So today I got to thinking and for the very first time since I graduated high school, I am not committed to working a single Dnow this year. Thats sad. I love working with those kids and spending a weekend investing in them and building relationships. My mom used to get so frustrated with me in high school because I loved hanging out with the younger girls in the youth group. Its just something I really enjoy doing. She understands why now that I know that I am called to work with youth, especially girls. So having a year of not being a leader for a single Dnow is different for me. Im going to be a lonely girl this semester. Working those Dnows is something I always look forward too because working with those kids gives me that extra push to make it through the semester. They make me laugh and they give me mono. lol Needless to say, its a very sad realization I have had this morning.
God is good though, no doubt.
I was telling the girls I work with this morning that last spring I remember doing an assignment in my Creative Problem Solving class where the "problem" I chose had to do with school and how much its not fun and one of my solutions was to have an extra long spring break. I suggested having the students choose how long the break would be, or making the break a minimum of 2 weeks. I ate my words that semester when I got a very undesirable 4 week spring break. Missing the first week back to class for a death in the family then 2 weeks for having mono..... not cool. I would take going to class over that any day. That story wasn't so funny a few months ago, but it definitely makes me giggle now. Be careful what you wish for?
But I look back now over that semester, and the whole last year, and I am so encouraged by what God has done in my life. My year wasn't easy. I lost both of my grandfather's in a 7 month time span, I struggled in school because of the absences, and there were several other things going on in people's lives around me that also effected me pretty hard. But through it all, God was faithful. Through it all, I came out with a testimony to share with people who are experiencing the same things.
I got an opportunity this summer to share about losing my Grandad with someone who is not a Christian. I got the chance to encourage her and to give her advice on mourning and how to move on with your life and not let the loss of a family member take control of what is going on in your life. But I also got to share with her the real reason why I, 4 months later, could say that I was ok and that life was going on and I was HAPPY about it. I got the opportunity to share Christ with her. This fall semester I have had the joy of loving a friend through a difficult time in a relationship. If it wasnt for the hard time I had in the spring, I would have no idea how to encourage her or give her any advice on how to go about different aspects of this trial. But because God is faithful and because He knew that He was working these things, these difficult things, together to benefit me in the long run, I have advice for her. Because of the trials I faced, I have experience with what she is going through and can pour my heart out to her, and hopefully she can take away something from my experiences and know that regardless of the situation, God is going to take care of her.
If that is what comes out of having a difficult year like the one I had, Im ok with that. I would live it all over again for the opportunity to share it with someone else.
I am, however, looking forward to a new year and hoping that it is not nearly as hard as the last.
So today I got to thinking and for the very first time since I graduated high school, I am not committed to working a single Dnow this year. Thats sad. I love working with those kids and spending a weekend investing in them and building relationships. My mom used to get so frustrated with me in high school because I loved hanging out with the younger girls in the youth group. Its just something I really enjoy doing. She understands why now that I know that I am called to work with youth, especially girls. So having a year of not being a leader for a single Dnow is different for me. Im going to be a lonely girl this semester. Working those Dnows is something I always look forward too because working with those kids gives me that extra push to make it through the semester. They make me laugh and they give me mono. lol Needless to say, its a very sad realization I have had this morning.
God is good though, no doubt.
I was telling the girls I work with this morning that last spring I remember doing an assignment in my Creative Problem Solving class where the "problem" I chose had to do with school and how much its not fun and one of my solutions was to have an extra long spring break. I suggested having the students choose how long the break would be, or making the break a minimum of 2 weeks. I ate my words that semester when I got a very undesirable 4 week spring break. Missing the first week back to class for a death in the family then 2 weeks for having mono..... not cool. I would take going to class over that any day. That story wasn't so funny a few months ago, but it definitely makes me giggle now. Be careful what you wish for?
But I look back now over that semester, and the whole last year, and I am so encouraged by what God has done in my life. My year wasn't easy. I lost both of my grandfather's in a 7 month time span, I struggled in school because of the absences, and there were several other things going on in people's lives around me that also effected me pretty hard. But through it all, God was faithful. Through it all, I came out with a testimony to share with people who are experiencing the same things.
I got an opportunity this summer to share about losing my Grandad with someone who is not a Christian. I got the chance to encourage her and to give her advice on mourning and how to move on with your life and not let the loss of a family member take control of what is going on in your life. But I also got to share with her the real reason why I, 4 months later, could say that I was ok and that life was going on and I was HAPPY about it. I got the opportunity to share Christ with her. This fall semester I have had the joy of loving a friend through a difficult time in a relationship. If it wasnt for the hard time I had in the spring, I would have no idea how to encourage her or give her any advice on how to go about different aspects of this trial. But because God is faithful and because He knew that He was working these things, these difficult things, together to benefit me in the long run, I have advice for her. Because of the trials I faced, I have experience with what she is going through and can pour my heart out to her, and hopefully she can take away something from my experiences and know that regardless of the situation, God is going to take care of her.
If that is what comes out of having a difficult year like the one I had, Im ok with that. I would live it all over again for the opportunity to share it with someone else.
I am, however, looking forward to a new year and hoping that it is not nearly as hard as the last.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Day 2 back at school
Being back in College Station is a bit bitter sweet for me. I love my school, and I love the town that it's in. But when campus clears out for the break, it sucks being a social butterfly in a dead city. All of my friends, from all different groups are either gone or are working and our schedules dont line up. So what do I do? I sleep and I work and I watch reruns of Gossip Girl.
Coming back here after so much travel has been refreshing though. I hadnt slept in MY bed in 2 weeks and there were 2 whole days during that 2 weeks where I wasnt sleeping on a couch bed or an air mattress. the 12 hour drive to Georgia and back and very little sleep that week didnt help much either.
My job has got to be the best job I have ever had. I work for the Engineering Programs Office at Texas A&M. Working on campus means I work within the hours of 8-5 Monday-Friday. No nights, no weekends. I paid my dues when I worked Christian Retail for 3 Christmases and Easters. Christian shoppers are the meanest. Being in an office setting that, at times, has its crazy moments, but for the most part is calm is so enjoyable. Since school hasnt started yet, I am working whatever hours I want to this week and just making some extra money.
Yesterday morning I woke up and read the first chapter of Ruth. Just reading about the struggles that Ruth and Naomi faced was so encouraging. They lost everything. Naomi was living among a people that were not her own when her husband died. She still had her two sons and their wives, until both of her sons were killed and she had nothing but two widowed daughterinlaws. She decided to go back to her home and encouraged Ruth and Orpah to go back to their homes as well and still have a chance to marry again. Orpah left, yet Ruth remained by Naomi's side. Ruth gave up her culture, her life, and any hope for a future and took up Naomi's culture and life and began to serve Naomi's God. How crazy is that?!?! She basically said "If I have nothing but Naomi and her God for the rest of my life, that is ok." Im currently reading Lady in Waiting and it brought up the idea of an alabaster box. An alabaster box was something that a girl would have that would depict the wealth of her family by how many ointments and oils were in the box. The box would be saved and until she was to be engaged. Once that was sealed, she would break the alabaster box at the feet of the man who was to be her husband to honor him. The alabaster box is like our hope for the future. We have to break our alabaster box at the feet of Jesus to truly become content in life. We have to be willing to say "If I have nothing else left in my life but God, that is ok." and let go of our selfish desires for more. What a mind blowing chapter of Ruth.
On a side note, my lack of facebook has proven beneficial already. I didnt charge my phone while I was sleeping and I got to work today around 11 with 60% battery. Normally, I could come to work at 12, stay till 5, with 100% battery and my phone would still die around 3. No facebook means no reason to be on my phone unless I get a text. Dont get me wrong. It has been difficult. But the fact that it isnt even an option to check my facebook has definitely made the temptation less. We'll just have to see how much easier this gets.
40 minutes until Im off work!!!! so maybe I should go be productive.
Coming back here after so much travel has been refreshing though. I hadnt slept in MY bed in 2 weeks and there were 2 whole days during that 2 weeks where I wasnt sleeping on a couch bed or an air mattress. the 12 hour drive to Georgia and back and very little sleep that week didnt help much either.
My job has got to be the best job I have ever had. I work for the Engineering Programs Office at Texas A&M. Working on campus means I work within the hours of 8-5 Monday-Friday. No nights, no weekends. I paid my dues when I worked Christian Retail for 3 Christmases and Easters. Christian shoppers are the meanest. Being in an office setting that, at times, has its crazy moments, but for the most part is calm is so enjoyable. Since school hasnt started yet, I am working whatever hours I want to this week and just making some extra money.
Yesterday morning I woke up and read the first chapter of Ruth. Just reading about the struggles that Ruth and Naomi faced was so encouraging. They lost everything. Naomi was living among a people that were not her own when her husband died. She still had her two sons and their wives, until both of her sons were killed and she had nothing but two widowed daughterinlaws. She decided to go back to her home and encouraged Ruth and Orpah to go back to their homes as well and still have a chance to marry again. Orpah left, yet Ruth remained by Naomi's side. Ruth gave up her culture, her life, and any hope for a future and took up Naomi's culture and life and began to serve Naomi's God. How crazy is that?!?! She basically said "If I have nothing but Naomi and her God for the rest of my life, that is ok." Im currently reading Lady in Waiting and it brought up the idea of an alabaster box. An alabaster box was something that a girl would have that would depict the wealth of her family by how many ointments and oils were in the box. The box would be saved and until she was to be engaged. Once that was sealed, she would break the alabaster box at the feet of the man who was to be her husband to honor him. The alabaster box is like our hope for the future. We have to break our alabaster box at the feet of Jesus to truly become content in life. We have to be willing to say "If I have nothing else left in my life but God, that is ok." and let go of our selfish desires for more. What a mind blowing chapter of Ruth.
On a side note, my lack of facebook has proven beneficial already. I didnt charge my phone while I was sleeping and I got to work today around 11 with 60% battery. Normally, I could come to work at 12, stay till 5, with 100% battery and my phone would still die around 3. No facebook means no reason to be on my phone unless I get a text. Dont get me wrong. It has been difficult. But the fact that it isnt even an option to check my facebook has definitely made the temptation less. We'll just have to see how much easier this gets.
40 minutes until Im off work!!!! so maybe I should go be productive.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The first step
After starting 2013 off with a week at Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA, God has really been placing a lot of things on my heart. Over the next 12 months, I would love to share some of those with you. I dont know who will read this, maybe just my family members on bored days at work, but I do know it is time for some things to change.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 says "26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
It is time for a change. The first thing to go is my dependence on Facebook. I am a social person. I love to see what other people are doing in life, especially those who I dont seen on a regular basis. But when Facebook becomes more important to me than reading the Word, something is wrong. When Facebook can control my mood just by seeing something that upsets me or makes me jealous, something is wrong. When Facebook is my main means of showing what God is doing in my life, instead of showing it through my actions, something is wrong.
I am making a decision right now to spend the next 30 days without access to Facebook. I will post the link to this blog on my wall, as well as trying to have someone post a link to each new blog post, or maybe sending it out through twitter. This may last me more than 30 days. Obviously, the goal of this is to give myself a massive dose of self-control, and learning to rely on God and not on Facebook.
Please be in prayer for me as I begin a life with a new heart, a heart of flesh and not of stone. Change is in the works for me over the next 12 months as this chapter of my life comes to a close.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 says "26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
It is time for a change. The first thing to go is my dependence on Facebook. I am a social person. I love to see what other people are doing in life, especially those who I dont seen on a regular basis. But when Facebook becomes more important to me than reading the Word, something is wrong. When Facebook can control my mood just by seeing something that upsets me or makes me jealous, something is wrong. When Facebook is my main means of showing what God is doing in my life, instead of showing it through my actions, something is wrong.
I am making a decision right now to spend the next 30 days without access to Facebook. I will post the link to this blog on my wall, as well as trying to have someone post a link to each new blog post, or maybe sending it out through twitter. This may last me more than 30 days. Obviously, the goal of this is to give myself a massive dose of self-control, and learning to rely on God and not on Facebook.
Please be in prayer for me as I begin a life with a new heart, a heart of flesh and not of stone. Change is in the works for me over the next 12 months as this chapter of my life comes to a close.
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