Time Flies when...

...when you're Crazy Busy!!! It's March and this is only my first post......

To All True Nerds

This morning in Sunday School (as usual) I sat between two guys from my brother floor and counted the number of college students in attendance: seventeen guys and me. Please, don't worry, I am entirely used to it and for the majority of the time, rather enjoy it because I get the privileged of observing a group of Christian, nerdy guys interact with each other and God's Word as if there were no girls around. My biggest regret is when they remember I'm in their mist and feel obligated to apologize for being so much themselves. Conversations become most interesting in the large van on the way back from church. Although not all the topics which they discuss are to my personal taste or particularly edifying, I appreciate the nerdiness that is free of crude and otherwise inappropriate remarks. I enjoy listening! Please, guys don't stop being yourselves because a girl is in your company. I will admit that on some occasions I wish I knew enough to join the conversation, but therein lies one reason I like listening to nerds so much: I learn while being entertained.
I really don't know who all reads my blog, but if any of the splendid nerds I hang out with happen to read this, please know you don't need to apologize for being yourself. ^_^ I'm very thankful God put me amongst so many Christian nerds like you!!

Perseverance in Trials

For most everyone who has seen/talked to me within the past week know how rough my path has been. I've been struggling uphill with several things spiritual and a bunch of stuff mentally, while trying to keep up with schoolwork at the same time. I know the Deceiver has been attaching me, because of my renewed dedication (see previous post). He certainly knows just how to work doubt and fear into all my little weak spots. But I'm here to tell you that JESUS is the VICTORY!!!! He has overcome!! He is the conquering King! He has washed me in the blood of the spotless Lamb! He has given me confidence in His powerful grace! He has covered me in His infinite love! He is the First and Last! the Almighty! the perfect One!

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!
He who was and is and is to come!

As a follower of Christ, I am not expected to be perfect, only to strive to be so. As a follower of Christ, all focus is to be on Him alone! He is all my hope, peace, joy, and love! No more will I let depression and guilt weight me down. Rejoicing in suffering! Blessed in persecuion! Seeking to be the glove on His hand to do always, only all for my Lord!

I need help. If any of you who ever read these posts see/talk to me, keep me accountable to this commitment. I can't be what God wants me to be if I'm always focused on my short comings. Those of you whom I don't have regular contact with, please, pray for me. Thank you all!

Overflow!

Time for a little catching up: this past week was Missions Emphasis Week here at school, five days for missionaries and mission organizations to come and talk to students. Th majority of the student body a LeTourneau are interested in missions on some level, whether a kid of missionary, training to live out the call to go over seas later, considering being a 'tent-maker,' or just preparing to enter the business world and be one of the many vital supporters. I personally very much enjoy the many opportunities presented throughout the week to converse with enthusiastic missionaries and share the excitement of what God is doing all around the world with my brothers and sisters in the faith! I spoke with a couple who spent 23 years in Kenya with AIM, a lady who had worked on translating the Bible for 14 years in PNG with Wycliffe, a couple who had lived in Rwanda, Liberia, and Congo and now both their children are missionaries in Jordon with WEC, a young lady who recently came back from two years in India teaching One Story, and a man who told me about all sorts of intern ship opportunities over the summer with World Team. Wednesday evening a lady with Gospel for Asia lead our floor devotion time. On Thursday evening a variety of seminars were held; I attended one about the work of JAARS, an information/testimony time from a couple with Cross World, and an update of Wycliffe's 2025 vision.
One of our guest chapel speakers, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and works closely with CAM International, preached from 2 Corinthians 4 and 5. The theme for the week was 'Redeemed 2 Reconcile,' taken from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Thursday morning, he ended his sermon on chapter 4 by asking us to recommit to do whatever God had put on our hearts, no matter the consequences. I had been struggling to make sense of my current place the past few weeks, but I realized I was exactly where God put me and I needed to refocus on what He wants me to do now without being caught up in worry about what I can't control. During Friday morning chapel, he shared an arousing message from 2 Corinthians 5, concluding with an alter call for anyone who heard God's call to the mission field in any capacity, anyone who wanted to give themselves whole-heartedly to the mission work anywhere God would direct. I practically leapt out of my seat! After being in the humdrums of life for several months, God's strong call pulled me down front, and with a great joy nearly overwhelming me, I once more gave God both reigns. Such a wonderful peace flooded me. I felt so weak, yet so very strong because I knew He was holding me. Trying to speak a comprehensible sentence was totally out of the question as I thanked God for calling me and all those near me who had also answered the call. Leaving chapel, and for the rest of the day, I couldn't stop grinning and singing praise to God!
My Father God is amazingly, mightily, wonderfully, justly, awesomely, incomprehensibly, incomparably faithful, gracious, merciful, and loving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I love HIM!!!!!

Wonderful Friends

Here are the three ladies who made my day! ^_^

I'm definitely going to miss two of them as they go off to Amsterdam and Korea for the rest of the semester......and guess who got an internship at Cessna for this summer!?!!
Thank you God for sending such wonderful friends into my life!!!!!

The Great Shema

Deuteronomy 6:4 says, "Hear O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!"

Today I've the following song playing through my head. After reading the beginning of my textbook for World Religions class, this song comes as a welcome reminder of who my God is. I am so glad He choose to love me!


YOU ARE GOD ALONE
by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, thats just the way it is

Chorus:
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne

You are God alone

Youre the only God
Whose power none can contend
Youre the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
Youre the only God
Whos worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And thats just the way it is

Bridge:
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
Thats what You are

Joy of Books

Yes, I like books.......quite a bit actually. Just ask my roommate. I like to read them, organize them, build/support things with them, and even smell them (are you scared yet?). Over Christmas break I read four and liked them all. ^_^ Today, when I went to buy books for classes, I could even fake being sad about getting books to put on my shelf, which I will read (for class, but still) and potentially keep for years to come. The amount of books passing through my room this weekend is amazing! and I like it! Books and the knowledge they impart are the real reason I can't get truly upset about taking Greek; I am learning to read another language and to understand the deeper levels of grammar I encounter when digging in the texts.
I may be crazy. I may be a nerd. I may need counseling. But at least I enjoy where God has put me right now, namely, at LeTourneau University. I know far too often I take it all for granted, and mostly of the time during the semester, I do not seem to reflect this attitude. God is still working on me. I'm so glad He is and I know it!!
Praise God for being faithful!!!!!

A little Too Much

So...cities....have bunches of cars and rows of houses and abundance of fences and miles of sidewalks and clouds of fumes and never-ending noise. I am thankful for a breeze most days to keep the air stirred up. I am grateful to be in an area where some stars are visible. I am relieved to know the neighborhood I'm staying in is rather safe. I am glad the weather has a little chill in it to make my walks be more refreshing. I am very happy to have a place to stay all of break, and not only somewhere to sleep, but a family to share Christmas with. ^_^
Yet, even with all the new elements I've experienced this year over Christmas Break, something seems to be missing......something all the times of wonderful laughter and engrossing reading and scrumptious food and reviving sleep can't make up for. Nearly every night, before falling asleep, I reflect back over the day. All the differentness (yes it is a word, now.) can be sorted out at last; the overload of information slows long enough for me to process it. Much of what I observe, both directly and remotely, need a moderator and a balance. I enjoy change, but sometimes when it comes at me too fast or in too great a concentration, my feeble mind and body can't handle it. So, how does an overload of differentness lack something to the extent of such significance that I could be bothered by it? An excellent question, Watson. It's quite simple really.
I'm drowning in the culture I have been suddenly introduced to this Christmas break. I have been aware of the existence of this culture for some years, but had never experienced it first hand, and now that I have, it's smothering me. For anyone who has only ever been on one side, my dilemma is rather incomprehensible and unexplainable. My dear roommate can't even imagine what I'm dealing with (and I don't wish to worry her by attempting an explanation). Nor should anyone who would fain understand my predicament agonize themselves about it. Please don't. However, if you would pray for me while I trek through all these bombardments, I would greatly appreciate every word. Thank you.

A Texas Christmas

So, in spite of all the pre-conceived ideas about suburbs of Dallas....there are actually trees and a bit of grass! This picture was taken at the end of the front walk of my temporary home in Allen, Texas. And, yes, all ye who reside in Texas, I have found "hills" in your state, but they all go down (ask Rene). I'm having a very restful break and the sleep is wonderful!! Of course there is very little else to do besides rest......oh well, actually, I have read some....The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott and He is There and He is Not Silent by Francis A. Schaefer.
Getting to know Rene's family and some of her friends has been interesting, entertaining, and informative. ^_^ Yes, I did use all those adjective to describe meeting people.......

Roommates!

Yep, here we are: me, Kelsey, Andy, and Rene.
YAY for my wonderful roommates!