Update: July

In regards to my post about Corban University prayers have been answered. Jesus is so good.

An update for July because the month is happening fast. M and I are taking a trip to Santa Barbara to visit friends and family. I am so excited to have some sun, and the beach. I am doing extra homework in an attempt to have a homeworkish free week. To say the least the last couple of weeks have been crazy because I have been studying for finals and I have been trying to get ahead in my classes.

June was the last month M and I were full-time middle school small group leaders. We are still going to be involved, but it was a lot and we felt it was a good time to take a break and recharge our batteries. So from time to time we will help out with various events, and got to youth group to hang out.

After M and I get back from our trip to Santa Barbara some friends are getting married. Around the same time some more friends are coming to visit. While that is all happening I start work. I have been asked to work full-time as works allows. Pretty excited about that it means more money to put away and save for stuff in the future. Crazy fun full next few weeks.

For the most part I am excited to be started this next season of life. I can't wait to see what Jesus has planned.

Corban University Class of 2012

My college announcement is finally here. I applied to Corban University's Adult Degree Program (ADP) and I got in. Basically, I will not have to go to Corban for classes because the whole program is on-line. My projected graduation date is the end of Spring Semester 2012. It is going to take a lot of self discipline to complete the program, but I can do.

Things to Pray for Regarding Corban:

• Pray that I will be able to graduate by Spring Semester of 2012.
  
• Pray that the money that has been saved for college for me will be made available.I have decided that I am not under any circumstances going to be taking out a student loan.
• Pray that family members will come to understand my decision.
  
• Pray that I can find a job that will provide me with money that I can uses for college, to put in a savings account, and for stuff that comes up.
• Pray that a position opens up at CTK Bellingham. I have been apart of this church for almost 2 years, and I want to work in a place that I am passionate about.
  
• Pray that I learn more and more about God during this season in my life.
  

Modesto Visit

This past week M and I went to Modesto to visit my family and see my sister graduate from high school. It was a great but short visit (5 days). I will have to post a couple of pictures after I am done with school next week.

Another thing. I know I said I would share my college announcement soon. So I am going to give you all an answer by July 1st. I know, I know. I like to keep you all in suspense... : )

Stay Tuned...

Stay tuned for my college announcement:

It will be announced in probably the next 2 weeks.

Options: College

Options:
Corban University (Adult Degree Completion)
WSU (On-line Degree)
Trinity Western University (Adult Degree Completion)

With all of the options I would be able to stay in Bellingham. I have no idea what I am going to do. Thank goodness God knows what he is doing.

Update: College for Me

Ok, So most of you might know that I am very close to graduating with my AA transfer degree from Whatcom Community College. I was talking to someone about what my next step was going to be (where I was going to go to get my 4-year degree) and Trinity Western University (Bellingham Campus) (TWU) came up. I am in the process of setting up a meeting, but I am praying that it will work out. I have always wanted the opportunity to go to a Christian school and now it looks like God has given me that opportunity.

If I were to go to TWU I would be able to work almost full-time and earn my degree. It would also be a very big help to as it would help me move onto the next stage of life. Away, I thought I would share. I will keep you updated on the next step.

Answer to Prayer

For some time I have been praying for an opportunity to make Jesus known to a lot of people. I believe that God has given me an opportunity this quarter at Whatcom Community College. I am taking a class that goes the exact opposite of what Jesus wants and teachers for the world.

For the most part the beginning of class has been about some stuff that God does not agree with. I think God is giving me an opportunity to let others know about what God wants. I know that this class is going to be interesting, and a very good way for me to make my faith in Jesus more solid. I know I can learn about how to handle situations with these individuals in a way that I understand them so I can help them.

I am not saying it is all awesome. Its hard for me to see others that don't have Jesus in their life. Please pray for me, for the others in my class. Pray that I can be a witness to others with my faith in God. Pray that others will have their their hearts open to hear about Jesus.

Mission Trip

For the longest time I haven been interested in going on a mission trip. Recently, I have learned about Amor Ministries and I am praying that I am able to go on a mission trip sometime in the future. (Actually, I came upon it because it was mentioned in somebody's blog and then I was talking to Mike and apparently he went on a mission trip with Amor in college). I want to go with my future husband, because I think it would be a great learning experience for us as a couple. It would also be great to go by myself because I would learn a lot. Anyway, I hope and pray that God has it in His plan for me to go on a mission trip in the future.

Transfering to Western

I just finished a meeting with the transfer adviser at Whatcom Community College and I may be able to transfer to Western Washington University...

Are you all ready for it? no really are you?

WINTER QUARTER!!!

I am super happy as I thought I was almost 1 year behind in credits. I don't know for sure if it is 100% Winter Quarter but its looking like it. I will be keeping you all updated.

Either way I am very excited to be moving on in life. I am excited to being 1-step closer to graduating from college. I am 1-step closer to the Real World (slightly scary, but at the same time cool). I am excited and scared as to what God has planned for me (but excited mostly).

I have been praying to God that He give me peace and some type of understanding about college and He gave me the best answer.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord." James 1:5-7

OK, to be honest at times I question God. Bad, idea considering He knows exactly what He is doing. Something to work on.

I ditched school for... Quiet Time

I ditched school for...
Some much needed high quality quiet time with Jesus. Lately my brain has been scatter. I don't think my heart has really been in the right place either. I have been letting thing get in the way. So I ditched one of my classes that I could miss and had some Jesus time.

Stuff

I am not a very loud person. A a result it is a very big thing for me to step out of my comfort zone and lead a Bible study for the 8th grade girls. Its not like a step out of my comfort zone its like a country block out of comfort zone.

In small group my girls will ask me questions and I know the answers to them but of course I can't remember the answer at the moment when I need to know it. I remember the answer like 10 minutes.

Also, Flipside is totally out of my comfort zone so its all a challenge. But I am so glad that I am doing it because I got to meet Mike and its also a very big Jesus type challenge.

At times I feel like I don't make a difference. I feel like there are others around me doing a waaaay better job. OK, I know that its a big bucket full of junk and I am making a difference.

I like to blend in. But I also want to have my own "stamp." However, I find this really hard because I am too regular. Also a bunch of junk.

Apparently, I am having a middle school moment of feeling really insecure.

Quiet Time

Bible Verse For Thought:
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

What I Get From 1 Peter 4:10:
God created each and every one of us uniquely. There are no two humans alike. Sure, there may be two humans that are very similar. But, God took the time to create each and everyone in a unique manner so there is no possibility that God would make two people the same. While God was thinking of us He gave each of us “gifts” or skills. Usually, when a person receives a gift they want to use that gift to some extent. However, when a person receives a gift from God they should want to use the gift from God to its fullest extent. In other words, God has given us each skills and talents and we need to use those God given gifts! It can take time to figure what gifts God has given us but it is worth it to try to figure out what your God given gifts are.

Praying For…
My future husband: I pray that my future husband is always working to honor God while using the gifts that God has given a lot of us.

Madsteeze: I pray that lots of middle school students fall for Jesus. I pray that the students that don’t know Jesus come to know Him. I pray that students that do know Jesus want to learn more about Jesus.

Haiti- I pray that the situation in Haiti comes to know Jesus and what Jesus can do.

Babies- I know a lot of people that are going to be having babies. I pray that these women commit to raising their child in a Christ- centered home.

Adoption- There are a ton of kids that do not have forever families. I pray that more and more kids will find forever families.

D-Group (Middle School Bible Study)- I am nervous as heck to start D-Group. Let me just say leading an outside Bible Study is not my style at all. I am not a very loud person. For D-Group I will have to take charge of a group of middle school students for an hour and fifteen minutes.

Quiet Time AKA Jesus Time/ Last & This Week

Things that happened last week:

I signed Mike and I up for the pre-engaged class at church. Now, just so that we are clear Mike and I are not engaged. We are hoping and praying that we will get engaged in the future.

I cleaned. Not a lot but a bit.

Things that are going to happen this week:

Madsteeze. Middle School church camp. An awesome fun weekend of little sleep, Jesus, and friends. We are going with Timberlake Church and we are going to be in Levenworth, WA.

Homework. It happens all the time but I thought I would list. It is very important that teachers explain things well so that students don't break down in tears and finally complete the assignment with a lot of help.

And now onto the most important part of my day: Quit Time: AKA Jesus Time

Right now I am reading Proverbs 31 and I must say what a powerful chapter. It makes me think of how much hard work it is to be married and to have a family. I know that it is rewarding (that's what many people say).

"Her husband has full confidences in her and lacks nothing of value." 31:11

I think that this portion is pretty cool. It shows that her husband supports her, believes her, and is her biggest fan. He knows that she can do things that maybe she thinks she can't do. The "wife of noble character" never has to worry about her husband not loving her because of a decision she makes, there is total and complete unconditional love.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." 31:26-26

The strength and dignity part is something that I am working on. Also, the laughing at the days to come part, and the wisdom part. Some of the character traits may come a bit more easy to some people then other people. I think the verse means that her life, and home are run with strength and dignity. The laughing part may have to do with being able to let things roll of her back.

Items that I pray for:

My future husband. I pray that he love God with everything possible. I pray that he will put God first over me (future wife). I pray that he wants a Christ-centered marriage and wants to grow in his knowledge of Jesus. I started praying for my future husband the minute I started making dating standards priority. Its pretty amazing that God knows who I am going to marry, when I am going to marry him, and when/ where we are going to meet.

Madsteeze. A super awesome weekend of not much sleep, Jesus, and bonding with 8th grade girls. To be honest I am not looking forward to sleeping into tents, and no showers. But I am looking forward to spending time with Jesus, bonding with the group of 8th grade girls that are in my small group, and eating Costco muffins. : ) I pray that I learn more about Jesus and how to be a good small group leader.

The future. This one may be a little different for some considering that Jesus knows what He is doing (Jeremiah 29:11). I pray that I will continue to do what God has planned for me.

Haiti. A lot is going on there. I pray that Jesus becomes apparent in everything that happens.

Adoption. There are a lot of orphans in the world that need forever Christ-centered families.

Relationships. The relationships that I have I pray that God will give me the time, energy, and strength to have Jesus be the center of those relationships.

Thank you. Thank you Father that you found a class for Mike and I to take. I am excited and nervous . I know that the class will be a challenge, it will have us both take a look at many different items that are important in a relationship. The one thing I do know is that after the class Mike and I will maybe understand each other a little bit better, learn how to improve our relationship, and Mike and I will learn how to become closer to You.

Friday January 15,2009 11:15AM

Currently, I am sitting at the downtown library. In between today's morning craziness I went to Target and bought some Claritin-D. I am really liking the effects Claritin-D has. I can now go from almost 10 minutes without sneezing, coughing, or blowing my nose. Its a very happy day. : )

I really like to see the results of God answering prayer. Mike and I were looking for a Bible Study or a class for us to take together. We have been looking for a Bible Study or a class because we think its important to have some way that we are growing spiritually, and in our knowledge of each other as a couple. At Flipside out youth pastor came up to us and said, "Pretty soon our church is going to start a class for people that are thinking of getting engaged or are engaged. You should think of maybe taking it." I hope that we can do it because it would be great for us to have a couple mentoring us and helping us along with the process.

Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11 is I guess what you would call one of my "life verses." By life verse I mean a verse that has really captured my attention. Granted the Bible is a pretty awesome group of books. But this verse stands out. It is talking about how God knows exactly what He is doing and He does not want to hurt us. He just wants us to be strong men and women of God. The whole future thing is pretty cool. I mean is it not amazing that God knows exactly what is going to happen to us. I think its pretty neat that God knows who we are going to marry, how many kids we are going to have, what we are going to do and when all the stuff is going to happen.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

2010

I think 2010 is going to bring about a lot of fun and new changing things. I also think the things that started in 2009 that are going to be carried on into 2010 are going to be awesome.

Started in 2009:
My relationship with Mike. It started in 2009 and I can't wait to see what God has planned for us as a couple.

School. The process is still ongoing and crazy. I still have 2 and maybe 1/2 years of college left. I am to the point where I just want to graduate and get on with life. I am sure that many college students feel that way, but I get super excited to see what God has planned. I suppose that I also need to calm down and just enjoy the moment because it only happens once.

Flipside. For the past couple of months Flipside has really stretched me. I like working with middle school girls but has God ever stretched me. I am not a super loud person. With Flipside, I take command of the situation. I have to lead a outside small group (discipleship group). Its a stretch for me because I don't like being the center of attention. At our regular youth group I have my own small group. I was supposed to have a co-leader but the group got too big. I am not a loud person it stretches me.

Being me. I realize that this may seem like a really interesting title. I am still getting used to being an adult. I come from a house where I was very limited in the decisions that I could make. I am adjusting to being expected to make my own decisions.

2010:
I pray that my relationship with Mike with keep growing stronger. I pray that we will keep learning how to keep God in the middle of the relationship. I also pray that God will shine through in all of my relationships.

School. Once again I want to get the whole school process over with. I really need to concentrate.

Ministry. It is super important to serve somewhere. I would really like to find a ministry that I feel that I am doing a good job at. I know that doing things is not always about being comfortable.

A job. I want to find a job that will have me making enough money so that I can start putting some of that money away for stuff later.

A vacation. I think it would be tons of fun to go to Mexico, Hawaii, or San Diego for a vacation.

Mission trip to China. I want to go spend some time with Show Hope (Steven Curtis Chapman's adoption grant foundation) at an orphanage playing with kids.

I like to serve my friends and family. I want to keep doing that and have more opportunities to do so.