weakness

I had a lot of time to think today..... which is why I feel like I should post something, but I also have so much on my mind I can't seem to formulate any thought, haha! 

I saw this quote, and immediately I could relate. We don't realize how weak we are until we stop being strong, which is what I did today with no work or school to occupy my mind.

With my current schedule I rarely find time to just BE. However, today I did. I still woke up early and had somewhere to go, but I didn't have to use my brain for what I was doing (cleaning houses), so I put my ear buds in and occupied it with thoughts. I thought about school. I thought about people and how it is so easy to judge a person’s character without clarifying facts. I thought about where my life is going and where my life has been. I thought about my insecurities. I found joy in thinking about my Savior. I thought about work and ministry. I thought about much more than I can mention in a single blog post.  

In the midst of all my thinking, God has been challenging me in the area of LOVE. Showing love to brothers and sisters in Christ is a very hard thing to do. Many times I will say or do something hurtful without even thinking about it. Or I may not do something I should have done. LOVE is so necessary in discipleship. It is the greatest commandment and such a simple command, LOVE.....

where two or three are gathered...

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Once a year, students gather at their school's flag pole and intercede on behalf of their classmates, school, city, nation and ultimately the world. This year we will join the students at Santa Fe South middle school and pray with those who have a heart for their lost friends and earnestly desire an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to reign on their campus.

PRAY WITH US!

I never could juggle very well.

I have never been very good at juggling any form of object, however, I am currently juggling 12 credit hours of school, work, and ministry all at the same time. I am just praying I don't get clumbsy and they all come tumbling down.

It has been such a great semester all ready. I have meet many new people at school. People who love Jesus and people who need Jesus. All my classes are going great and homework has been relatively light.

Work is work :)

Mission day is underway and I have more responsibilities than ever this year! I am still trying to decide if I like that or not. I cannot wait for Bible Club to start!

In the midst of the juggle we decided to spend our evening with the Saints at SFS for homecoming! It was such a fun time visiting with friends and meeting new faces. I am so grateful for the doors God has opened for us to reach the students at Santa Fe South Charter Schools with the love of Jesus.

 

 I can't believe Emily is a middleschooler.

To Middle School We Go!

Several weeks ago Mr. Wright, Emily’s dad, called me and asked if I would be willing to take Emily to school every other week. Of course, I said yes! I love every minute I get to spend with her and cherish the moments we share talking about how we can grow in our walk with the Lord. I think many times I learn more from her than she does from me.

Emily started the week out great on Monday arriving to school on time and looking beautiful! J Each morning we have been reading out of a devotional and then praying together before she heads into school. I have gone in with her each time this week and been able to see some kids I recognize and who recognize me from my Bible Club last year when they were in 5^th grade at the elementary school. It is sad for me to see them all grow up, but exciting at the same time that I still get to be a small part of their lives. I am looking forward to Fish Club starting up very soon!

This morning I was reading the book “Crazy Love,” and came to this section of chapter 2, talking about our role in this life and the vapor we are.

“Now consider the movie of life…

God creates the world. (Were you alive then? Was God talking to you when He proclaimed “It is good” about all He had just made?)

Then people rebel against God (who, if you haven’t realized it yet, is the main character in this movie), and God floods the earth to rid it of the mess people made of it.

Several generations later, God singles out a ninety-nine-year-old man called Abram and makes him the father of a nation (did you have anything to do with this?).

Later, along come Joseph and Moses and many other ordinary and inadequate people that the movie is also not about. God is the one who picks them and directs them and works miracles through them (obedience).

And then, the climax: The Son of God is born among the people whom God still somehow loves. While in this world, the Son teaches His followers what true love looks like. Then the Son of God dies and is resurrected and goes back up to be with God.

And even though the movie isn’t quite finished yet, we know what the last scene holds. It’s the scene [where God sits on His throne in Heaven]. Here every being worships God who sits on the throne, for He alone is worthy to be praised.”

This book goes on to talk about how insignificant our individual lives are in scale of life.  We are here to bring glory to God no matter where He puts us. God is worthy of our everything! This book has been a challenge to me and I would encourage everyone, who wants to better know the Crazy Love God has for us, to read this book.

Why The Change?

If you asked me three years ago what my future goals and aspirations were, I would have said something like: go to college, get a high paying job, live in a big city, and wear designer clothes :) Since then, God has opened my eyes to His plan for my life. I have discovered that this life is not my own (Galatians 2:20). Of all the learning and growing I have done in the past three years, the most important thing God has taught me is the necessity to make disciples. If I am going to call myself a "Christian" meaning Christ-follower, and not follow the example His life led for us then I might as well give up now. I will not be a partial Christian. The commandment is clear and the example is evident, we must make disciples. 

And that's where Emily and Jennifer come in. I met Emily at the Santa Fe South Bible Club I coordinate each Monday. I have known her for over a year now and we have grown to be best friends. Soon after meeting Emily I quickly discovered the life that surrounded her was lacking truth. But God had a plan when he brought her into my life and gave me the love that I needed to reach out. Emily was saved at Bible Club and I had the great honor of being there and hearing her declare her need for a Savior. She is now a growing follower of Christ and her passion for God is contagious to all who meet her.

As a result of her outspoken love for God Emily invited Jennifer, her next door neighbor to church with her. Not long after Jennifer had been coming to church for a while did she also accept Christ and publicly declare her choice by baptism. Both Emily and Jennifer have been baptized and continue to grow in their walk with the Lord.

Today you might find us hanging out downtown, going swimming, laughing in the tree house, or reading the Bible together. I will be using this blog to share what the Lord teaches me through this new journey and how He uses me to reach others for His kingdom. Keep reading to hear more about God's story in the life of this plan ordinary girl and the call He has placed  on my life to disciple others.

Jennifer is on the left and Emily is in the middle. The little girl in the front is Jadyn, Jennifer's little sister.

fit for your brain

This is what happens when you take psychology class, you get excited and want to share all the new information you have recieved with others. The brain is a very interesting organ and God made it perfectly. So get out and use it!

Pumping Neurons: Exercising Your Brain

So, here’s the critical question: Are you a mental athlete—or a cerebral couch potato? Whatever your age, there seems to be a simple prescription for keeping your brain fit. Along with regular physical activity, engaging in any kind of intellectually challenging pursuits will keep those dendrites developing. Enrichment need not involve exotic or expensive pursuits. Novelty and complexity can be as close as your college campus or library. Here are just a few suggestions:

-Don’t hide in your room or apartment—seek out social interaction (except when it interferes with studying). Remember, the brain thrives on social stimulation.

-Learn to play a musical instrument. If you can’t afford music lessons, join a singing group or choir. If you already play a musical instrument, experiment with a new style or musical genre.

-Take a class in a field outside your college major or in a new area. Experiment by learning something in a field completely new to you.

-Read, and read widely. Buy magazines or check out library books in fields that are new to you.

-Try puzzles of all kinds—word, number, maze, or matching.

-Get regular aerobic exercise, even if it’s no more than a brisk daily walk. If possible, vary your routes and try to notice something new about your surroundings on each walk.

-Unplug your television set for two weeks—or longer.

Better yet, take a few minutes and generate your own list of mind-expanding opportunities!

Photoshop Class

I am taking Photoshop online this year. I figured since I already know the program fairly well, I should be able to follow along online pretty easy. The first week was difficult to figure out. The work wasn't hard just tough to know exactly how to turn my assignment in. It took a little while for me to get organized, but I completed my first assignment today. Right now it is just basic stuff that I already know which makes it kinda nice. I look forward to learning more about the program. I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop CS5, and it is so much fun! I hope to save up money and purchase the whole design package for the student price which is $1,000 cheaper! than if I wasn't a student.

First Assignments:

I added some nice flare to his tie with some black dots.

Typed in the text "Monday is Beach Clean Up Day"

Caused the headlight to stand out, or something?

I am not really sure what the point was with this project :)

I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely three day weekend! Our family is having a blast being together, playing games, eating food and just chillin out.

The sermon on Strongholds was really good this morning. God has been doing such an incredible work in my heart and life recently. He is so amazing and I don't deserve His undying love. Don't forget to pursue God this weekend and know that He is always pursuing you.