Thursday, January 20, 2011

Recap, Second Semester & Genesis 2 ♥

Well, Christmas break was FABULOUS!! I got to spend time with everyone that I love (even Haylee Steffen) and I didn't have to do any homework. It was nice to just be home. I feel like I just press the play button and I am back into everyone's life, like I never left. I like it. Highlights of being home:: Hanging out with Emma and the rest of the Johnson crew! Being with Koby! Seeing all of my family members (even the newest additions). Giving my parents a flat screen TV for Christmas and watching Grey's Anatomy all together on it. Playing Wii Fit with my sister and beating Koby at all the games. Eating good food. Planing my annual "Lets go tubing, but not actually ever go" event, and going Roller skating instead. Eating out every night of the last week I was home. Praying over the youth room at the all church prayer service. And game night with Koby's parents. I truly had a great break! I was so blessed.

Moving on to second semester, it is going to kill me. I am sure of it. Last semester I got away with not reading for any class, this semester I have to read for every class. It's hard stuff let me tell you, and especially after not doing homework for a month. The one good things about this semester is I have two 2 credit classes which means they will end early. I will enjoy that, but for now I am running on empty and it's only the second week of classes. On top of schoolwork I have normal work, and I am applying to be an RA which is super stressful (please be praying for me with this, I feel like this is really something God wants me to do and I need His strength to get through it).

I am glad to be back on campus though. It is home. As much as I love being in MN and miss it like crazy, I love being in CO and at CCU. I really missed having my stuff all in one spot, and having my friends right next door. The weather here was nice the beginning of this week, but last night it snowed, which makes it is freezing in my apartment. This weekend is supposed to be in the 50's so I am not too worried about the cold. For everyone that told me I was silly for moving to Colorado because I hate the cold, I think I chose the right state. It's bipolar, but that's what's fun about it.

Side Note..... Highlight of my weekend: Me and Haylee started and finished a 750 piece puzzle.

I feel like God is already teaching me new and amazing things this semester. I am taking Old Testament, and I have the best Prof. in the whole world. Yesterday morning's class was amazing. It didn't even feel like a class, I wanted to sit there forever and soak up all the information I could. I can't even describe how I feel about it, but just thinking back to it warms my heart. I think Genesis 2 is my favorite chapter of the bible. There are just so many good things from God in it.

In class we discussed why, if God knew we were going to sin, did He put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden. He could have been selfish and not give us the option to sin, He had all the power to do whatever He wanted, but He knew we would not desire Him like He desires us if we did not have a choice. The fact is, He wanted us to choose Him. He put the tree in the garden so that we would choose Him. The idea that the God of the Universe wants me to chose Him, amazes me. He's already chose me, and He's waiting for me to choose Him back.

I also love that God prepared Adam for Eve. It says in verse 20, "He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him." God wanted Adam to see his need for Eve, and he never would have without going through all that God created. God loves relationships, and He created the perfect one with Man and Women. I love that we were made special for man. God put so much thought into women and we do not give ourselves enough credit. My prof said that in Hebrew the word to describe women is also the word to describe God later on in the bible. I just love that. God didn't make a mistake, and we weren't an after thought. He was waiting for just the right time to present Eve to Adam, so that he would cherish her and not take her for granted. Man, God is just so cool. I think I will forever be blown away by His love and desire for me.

Friday, November 5, 2010

God's Plans are GOOOD.

Sorry I have neglected this for so long. School and social activities have been ruling my life for the past month and a half but it's been good.

Since the last time I've blogged a lot has happened. Two big things:

First:: I went home, which was so great. It was short, but I got to see everyone I wanted to and spend quality time with a lot of people so it was nice. I loved spending Friday with Jen and Emma. I've miss them all so much, so it was such a blessing to have a whole day with them!! Jenny and Tony's wedding was beautiful and I was so glad I got to be back for it!!! I also LOVED seeing all the youth. I've missed all of them more then I even realized. I think my favorite part of the weekend was right when I got home Adam, Joy, Koby and I just sat in my room and talked. It was great. Brings me to tears just thinking about how great it was. I have the best siblings and boyfriend anyone could ever ask for.

Second:: I GOT A JOB!!!! I am going to be a nanny for a little boy named Duke and he has Cerebral Palsy and he is the cutest thing ever. I start the 15th and I can't wait. It will be nice to start before the semester is over just so I can make some extra money before all of my money has to go to paying for school again. WHICH I found out I have to pay less then I was thinking and will not have to take any extra loans which is such a great thing!!!!

God has really been providing for me and blessing me lately in ways I can't even imagine. Just today I was unsure of how I was getting home for Thanksgiving, and then I found a plane ticket for $212 AND I will be home longer then if I drove. God is amazing like that.

The only bad thing is I've been super stressed lately because I want to get all my homework done before Thanksgiving, but I have a lot that's due before Thanksgiving and I don't know how to balance it all, so I've decided to make a worry box. (like in Redeeming Love, if you haven't read it READ IT!! It is the most amazing book I have ever read and I don't even like books). In the book the main Character (who's name is Sarah, what are the odds:) meets this girl who has a box that she puts her prayers or worries or just anything she wants to give complete control over to God in and when God answers them she takes it out. I am so excited to make a prayer/worry box!!  I know it will be a good reminder to give God complete control of everything and to see Him answer my prayers. It makes me less stressed just thinking about it!!! I think I will do it over Thanksgiving with my little sister.

OH also I found out I have to take my praxis exam next fall..... FREAKS ME OUT!! Being a teacher is a tough job. Way tougher then I ever expected. But it is so much fun too. I can't wait to be a teacher!!!!!

College is getting better and better!! I have so much fun with all the girls in my stairwell. They are just so amazing and I don't even know what I would do without them!! College is everything it's cracked up to be plus better!! I feel like every night is a new adventure to be had. Last night me and Haylee just watched clips of Glee till 12:30 (which isn't late, but we did both had to be up at 7:30 this morning). We do random stuff like that all the time and I love it. Tonight we have the Ghetto dance party. Should be pretty fun. Although I have a lot of homework I could be doing, but you only go to college once, right?

Now that I have my plane ticket I hope I can make it through the next two weeks without getting too antsy. I am just so excited to see my mom, and to be home for 8 days. I might not be able to wait!!!!

Love <3

Monday, September 13, 2010

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. Forever.

I am really awful at keeping up with this. Life get so busy and I am forgetful, I will try to be better.

Life has been on fast forward the past few weeks and I just want to hit the stop button, for just a second. Last week I met the teacher and classroom I will be working in this semester. I got put with the second graders. They are the sweetest things in the whole world. I had been having some doubts about becoming a teacher because I love learning about the bible and once I dive into my Major classes I wont be learning about the bible as much, but the moment I stepped into that classroom I knew it was exactly where I was supposed to be. The kids were so excited for me to be in there. Two little boys hugged me. Two of the little girls said they liked my bracelet and one boy said he liked my pants. I am so excited for the rest of the semester. Little kids seriously bring me so much joy. I can't even contain it all.

I feel like God has really been coming alive to me lately. Everywhere I look I just see His beauty and it just amazes me. This past weekend we went on our New Student Retreat up in the mountains, it was 10,000 feet above sea level, it was very hard to breathe, but boy was it beautiful. I had forgotten how much I love retreats and just getting away and being with God and hanging out with friends. It wasn't a Thrive or Encounter but it was what I needed. Yesterday coming home I was confused as to why I wasn't sad that we were leaving. I came to the realization that going home from a youth event meant leaving my friends and returning to the real world where I would struggle to keep my relationship with God as strong as it was that weekend. Coming home from this retreat I wasn't sad because first of all I wouldn't be leaving my friends, I live with them. Second of all, I'm not afraid of losing my high feeling with God. Everywhere I go there are hundreds of people who are completely in love with Jesus and it's hard not to feel the same way and be in a state of constant worship. I love it.

I am filled with so much joy and love for my heavenly father, I don't know why anyone would not want this feeling. I've come to LOVE chapel. I get so excited to be in the presence of God with all my new friends around me. God has been so faithful to me and I am so glad He has chosen to be beside me during this journey.

This has become my favorite song. It's called You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham. I love listening to it and soaking up the lyrics::

I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see You there hanging on a tree
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful, You're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face,
I see Your face

I see Your face,
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

So Many Changes.

I've decided that if I could just learn about the bible for the rest of my life and not do anything else I would be satisfied. My homework that is due Monday is to read Genesis 1-3 and Matthew 1-12. Seriously?!? It is so great.

I love it here. I actually keep forgetting I am in Colorado not Minnesota. I swear everything is the same except for that there are mountains here AND NO MOSQUITOES!!!!!! Which is probably my favorite thing about Colorado. I am still amazed that God chose this school for me. It is perfect for me. I love the people, the community, chapel, the mountains, my classes. EVERYTHING (except for the food, it's not that great). But if I could move Colorado to Minnesota or even if it was next door it would be make it the perfect state. 

Classes started this week and already I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I have to get a job, work in a classroom for 60 hours this semester, we have something every Monday as a stairwell and D-groups every Wednesday, plus I have to communicate with my all my different families back home, plus I have to eat. It's starting to stress me out. But I keep taking deep breathes and telling myself it's going to be okay. It's hard because my mom is the one to normally help me de-stress but since she's not here I have to learn how to figure it out by myself and it's making me more stressed. Skype has helped a lot though and I am so glad that I can just call or text my family anytime. It makes being apart from them a little more bearable.

One good thing is I don't have too much homework to do today so I think I am going to chill and watch FREE WILLY (which I bought yesterday for $5 at target!!!) and hopefully that will make me feel better.

I miss everyone so much but I will be home in 47days 3hours 59mins and 36secs and we will party!!! I can't wait!!!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Journey Begins.

Since so many of the people I love have asked me to keep in touch with them and their families while I am away I decided a blog would be the best way. Just a warning, I'm not really good at this kind of thing so bear with me while I get the hang of this.

Well, I have one more day in Minnesota. It hasn't set in really that I am leaving, even though I've packed up most of the things in my room and have said my goodbyes to all my friends and my church family. I feel more like I'm going to summer camp and will be back in a few weeks. Everyone keeps asking me how I'm feeling and I don't even know how to answer them. I mean of course I'm excited. It's a completely new experience, I'll be making new friends, doing things I've never done before, and growing in myself and who God wants me to be, but at the same time I'm freaked out beyond belief. I will be 14.5 hours from my comfort zone and I am not the kinda person who likes adventure or trying new things (although Nate and Jen have been helping me over come that!!). I love the comfort of my home and my family so this is going to be hard for me. I wonder everyday if this is the right choice for me, if it's REALLY where God wants me to be. Just the other day I found the perfect verse that has really helped me feel a peace about leaving, it's Joshua 23:14::

14 "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

I felt like this verse was written for me. I am going across the country to somewhere new and unknown to me, but I know it is exactly where God wants me and even though it's hard for me I just keep reminding myself that it's God's plan for me and He has NEVER failed me before. A few weeks ago I saw the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen in my entire life. As I was driving home from work I just marveled in the beauty of God's artwork which I felt He had made special for me. I kept hearing Him say over and over "This is MY promise to you. To guide you and support you in your new journey. To be right beside you. To never leave you especially in your time of need. To be right there to pick you up when you have fallen". He instilled an overwhelming peace inside of me. Everything He has ever promised me has been fulfilled times ten. There is no need to worry. God has promised to bless me through this new experience and I can't wait!!!