As the World Turns….
So I haven’t written on here in forever. Partially due to my crazy schedule this summer and partially because I am just lazy and don’t want to take the time to have a deep processing of thoughts and reflection. So here is a recap long and short of whats gone on here lately.
Couple college students from the University in China
- So I graduated and that was a big highlight. Going back to Criswell in the fall to start on my Masters of Theology in Historic and Systematic Theology. Medieval and Patristic the. here I come!
- On April 16th Josh and I found out that we are pregnant and are expecting a baby boy in mid December. Pretty pumped and scared at the same time
- Went to China in May and got to work with some college students there and share the love of Christ, although I am pretty sure that I learned more from them than they did from me. It wasn’t an easy trip, but definitely one of humility and thankfulness. I do have to say morning sickness in a country half way around the world is not a plus!) I think my theology and world view will never be the same.
- Took the students to camp and had an amazing time. Had some solid preaching that week, and burned
Student Life Camp '08
lots of calories walking from the girls dorm everywhere.
- The next week we had our missions project to Austin to work with the homeless. We took 15 students and 2 other adults. Although I am a fan of camp, I am beginning to have this passion sparked for heart change in doing missions. Probably because I was sinful and never really wanted to get outside of myself int he past and when forced to, God still blesses. Our students did an amazing job of ministering and in their personal lives being broken of some of their sin. It was a beautiful picture and I can’t wait to go back next year.
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Austin Team in fron of the UT Tower
In a week Josh and I will head out with two of our youth to teach at Student Leadership Training for the SBTC. Its something I have really been looking forward to and getting to pour into some girls who are passionate about doing ministry in their community and lives. It will be a week of challenging teaching and a charge for biblical womanhood. I feel like the least of these to bring the charge
- Another couple from church and Josh and I are trying to memorize the book of Ephesians. Gotta get past the salutation.
- On the flip side, Josh and I have gotten to spend some time with some “older than us, but not by any means old”
members of our church these past couple of weeks. It is refreshing to have some older women to talk to and pick their brains. We have talked about everything from childbirth, to mentoring, Bible studies tools, and almost landing in jail. (You can learn so much from the next generation!) I am challenged to be more like them and to take their words of wisdom and laughter and apply to my own life. It has been an answer to prayer.
- Next on the list…..I’m hoping for a vacation!!!
Life has been busy, but God is still constant thankfully, but in the midst of the business I feel God working more than ever. Josh made mention the other day that he feels more yielded to the Spirit than ever. God is working on us, some in not so easy ways but still very exciting. I look forward to the rest of summer with more awe-moments, more crap-moments, and more laughter. I’ll write again, maybe tomorrow, next week, or as you know, a month to come.
For there is none but Jesus!
Another Page Turned
This is going to be short and sweet, unlike the pursuing and completion of my degree. Yesterday I got to walk the worn stage of Criswell College as a graduate. I pulled out my bachelors degree in biblical studies with honors and all limbs intact. I can’t really express the appreciation that I have to my family and the professors that ministered and taught me the meaning of God’s Word and the struggles of ministry and life.
It seemed like a day that would never come years ago. I was telling Josh that graduating high school was an accomplishment but one that doesn’t hold much personal ground as you are made to go by parents and the government. This one was a little sweeter. Knowing that it was a little more personal and the willingness to persevere through the ups and downs of the last four years. I told one of my profs a couple weeks ago that I feel like I know absolutely nothing at the end of my years at Criswell, and when I came in I had all the answers, or so I thought. His response to me was that I was ready to minister and that my statement was far more knowledgeable than I believed to be.
I am so excited and proud to bear the name of a Criswell graduate and look forward to furthering my education, knowledge, and service to the one God that sustains and allows it all. I am grateful for His mercies and grace that He has provided through the tests, the Greek and Hebrew, late nights, and tears as another page has turned.
Home Sweet Home
After a women’s forum in Houston, 4 student ministry regionals ranging from fort worth to austin, and women’s regional in Iowa Park/Wichita Falls I am officially wiped out. I will get on my plane from Houston and fly to Dallas today and
actually get to stay home for a about two weeks before I am on the road again.
I had the thought several times throughout these two weeks of just wanting to be home. Wanting to be around familiar surrounds, with Josh, with my dogs, going to class. The normal routines that I often claim to want to get away from I was dreaming of going back to, but there is something about home and family that can’t be replaced, can’t be topped.
Home is a place of relaxation and security (despite the laundry and dishes). I know that no matter how long the day or how hard the trials there will be support and love from Josh and I have sincerly missed the talks and the feeling of home.
This past weekend when I came back from the Women’s Regional in Iowa Park I walked into the house to all new dinner table placemats and decorations and a new bed spread set. It was liking walking into a completely different home. The laundry and dishes were done, the dogs were less smelly than when left them, and Josh exhausted from his busy work days on top of playing Martha Stewart greeted me.
Although completely new and different, there was a feeling of rekindling and comfort. I was home. I was home to familiar surroundings and feelings. I was back to my crazy yet simple life of being a college student and wife. At times in our life we just get down and tired. We need renewing and relaxation. We are a very busy paced society with to do lists and calenders. One of my sessions that I teach is called Personal Involvment with Eternal Perspective and int his workshop we bring out how we need to focus on the eternal instead of the here and now. Our busy calendars and To Do’s leave us unaccomplished and unfulfilled and yet we tend to focus more on them than the one who is the fountain of purpose and passion.
In my lesson we talk about how obviously reading your Bible is a big part of our lives as Christians, but how often times we add our devotion to our check list and expect the Holy Spirit to move in the five to ten minutes we have allotted to Him for that day and then quickly run to our to do’s, that is even if we get to our devotionals. I will challenge you in the same way I challenge the ladies in my session. How often do you look at creation and recognize its power and beauty, this is a revelation of God. How often do you look at your kids as they are beating one another up and screaming at the top of their lungs and see God’s glory and beauty in the DNA he fashioned together to make their littles eyes and little feet? This is God’s revelation.
Busyness is a disease to our lives and spiritual lives. We replace the revelations of God with meetings and things in the name of “ministry” instead of embracing God speaking, relating, and loving us. So I am looking forward to a couple of weeks of seeking out his revelations and renewals. I want to make shapes out of the clouds as I lay on the ground and watch the clouds go by, I’m going to play with my dogs and let them lick my face, I’m going to sit and talk over coffee with Josh about anything and everything, I’m going to take in the revelations, take in Home!
Stop the World by Matthew West
I’m tired and empty
This life is relentless
It weakens my knees and it breaks my defenses
It’s wearing me down and I’m desperate to hear from You
Stop the world, I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me
I need to be still before I make a move
And I need to be humble with nothing to prove
And I need Your Word to show me the truth
I need time, precious time
Stop the world, I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You speak to me
Stop the world, I’m ready to listen
Show me a sign, just give me a vision of Heaven
That I can hold on to
Stop the world, I need some time with You
Before I can find my voice
I need to hear Your voice
Above all the senseless noise
Stop the world, I wanna get out
I need an escape away from this crowd
Just to hear You, I need to hear You, Lord
Stop the world, I’m ready to listen
Show me a sign, give me a vision of Heaven
That I can hold on to
Stop the world, I need some time with You
Stop the world, I need some time with You
