"That I may know Him. . . ." Philippians 3:10

2012-02-05T19:23:00.003-03:00

Life is so full of things I could write about here on my blog:
homework, the challenge of "what am I doing after Cornerstone" decisions, the incredible truths that God is teaching me through His Word, RA-hood, friends in general and friends in more specific terms, Christmas break, the delightful experience of surprising the rest of the student-body with senior sneak, the multiple opportunities to grow that God has placed in my life recently, my opinion about a variety of things, and on the list could go.

Maybe one of these days I will get around to posting about some of these things...

Bitter-sweet...

2011-12-19T02:37:00.006-03:00

I never dreamed that I would be doing this,at this time, in this way...
yet I cling to the truth that God goodness is real, His faithfulness is enduring, His grace is sustaining.

Yes, it is Christmas--the most celebrated time of the year in which Christ's birth should be at the center of the cause for rejoicing--yet is it not the very fact of Christ's birth a part of the very reason we have hope in death? 1 Corinthians 15 makes clear the hope of the believer in Christ.

One person illustrated death as a ship leaving one port to arrive and be welcomed at another. Grandma said goodbye to those of us here on earth, but she was met and greeted by Another.

I love the words to the song "Finally Home" in which the author of it attempts to describe what it will be like to finally arrive in heaven:

"But just think of stepping on shore, and finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand, and finding it God's!
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory, and finding it home!"

2011-11-09T15:37:00.003-03:00

"But as it is written,
eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared fro them that love Him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit:
for the Spirit searcheth all things,
yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the spirit which is of God;
that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak,
not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,
yet he himself is judged of no man.

For who hath known the mind of the Lord,
that He may instruct him?
But we have the mind of Christ."

1 Corinthians 2:9-16

Stop to ponder that for a little while and rejoice in the great truth upon which is expounds!

2011-11-02T14:49:00.011-03:00

Perhaps a new post will help with the appearance of my blog. So many times I will think of something to write about on this blog, but then when I actually sit down to try to do make my incredibly fleeting thoughts into something a bit more concrete, well, such thoughts usually then take wing and fly away, leaving me staring at my computer screen. When this happens, well, my list of drafts only grows longer. However, let me assure you that the lack of posts on this blog does not indicate that my life has been hoo-hum, "give me some variety please!" or void of noteworthy events. Not at all!

Over the past several weeks, theology class has been delving into the deep (and sometimes it seems like almost drowning!) waters of the subject of salvation. One cannot get into such the incredibly amazing subject of the believer's salvation without also facing some of the controversial aspects of it. At times I wish I could just believe like a child, not having to know and understand the reasons for everything. How I wish I didn't always having to think that everything needs to fit logically into a comprehensive picture that makes sense to me. It is hard to resist leaning heavily on my tendency to require everything to be in "Steps 1, 2, 3" fashion and rather to trust God in those areas that don't totally make sense to me and take it by faith. I frequently have to remind myself that God is not trying to play games with His children: He does want us to understand His Word and all that He has done for us! I am incredibly thankful for the guiding and illuminating work of the Spirit in me Who is slowly, but surely, helping me to understand God's Word and the incredible truths that It contains.

Chafer's Systematic Theology, Vol. 3 had an incredible statement about salvation:

"Salvation is more than the continued existence of a good man:
it provides the most radical transformation,
the acquiring of infinite possessions,
and the entering into positions which are in the sphere of heaven and of God.
'And ye are complete in Him!' (Col. 2:10)." (Page 234)

2011-09-12T18:11:00.002-03:00

Quote of the day:

This morning in theology class, concerning the chapter that we had just read in hamartiology about the Christian and the sin nature, Mr. Baxter said:

"This is heavy stuff; so is sin. So is spiritual growth and also the Christian life."

I could not agree more.

2011-09-09T13:53:00.005-03:00

While details may be lacking, I want to shout to the whole world that it is so wonderful to be a child of God! There is nothing so sweet as being in fellowship with Him and having the joy and peace that only come from Him!

Because of the lack of a title...

2011-08-25T23:02:00.011-03:00

Sooo, I started this post like three weeks ago and have worked on it a dozen times since then. I think that I just need to to click the "publish now" button, or it shall never get posted... :)

****

Ahhh...Senior year at Cornerstone has proven already to be providing a plethora of new experiences, or perhaps they are more appropriately called blessings. Just the other day I was thinking of all the ways that God has blessed me, and the song "Count Your Blessings" came to mind.... Yes, God's blessings are numerous and I do not have much to complain about in life.

The lesson in Sunday school one of the first weeks that I was back at school was on trusting God. The timing could not have been better. (By the way, have you ever stopped to think about how God brings something into your life at just the time that you need it? It is pretty incredible sometimes!) Yes, I believe that the more a believer grows in his relationship with the Lord, the more he will trust in Him. A couple points were mentioned concerning reasons for why we so frequently fail to trust God.

Perhaps one of the reasons for our lack of trust is because it is an issue of time: whatever it is, we want it now and we are not willing to wait on the Lord to bring His plan to pass in His perfect timing. Or another aspect could be that we may have "the end" in mind and so flawlessly planned out that we fail to even think of trusting in the Lord to bring it to pass. It may also be that we so often fail to trust God because we have the idea that if we do give it over to Him, the end result may be drastically different from what we imagined it to be (which is all too often mistakenly equated with being an unpleasant thing . If only we could learn once and for all that God's ways are soo much better than ours...life would be so much easier.) Or perhaps a further reason, in all honesty, may be that we simply prefer to do things in our own way. To trust God would suggest a possible modification....

For some reason, as I have been writing this, the second verse of the song Satisfied keeps running through my mind, even though it doesn't really talk about trusting...perhaps it is because of the mindset of looking to Him instead of around me that the words communicate:

Feeding on the husks around me, till my strength was almost gone,

Longed my soul for something better, only still to hunger on.

Hallelujah! I have found Him whom my soul so long has craved!

Jesus satisfies my longings -- Thru His blood I now am saved."

As has been alluded to, somewhat, in one of my previous posts, I am very thankful for the way that God continues to work in my life, that He is not done with me yet, that there remains posted in my life a "construction zone" sign because of His continual work to conform me to His image! Unfortunately, it's not always very fun to be experiencing God's work zones... (The results are definitely worth it, however!)

I'm Still Alive :)

2011-08-12T16:06:00.004-03:00

I am not feeling at all motivated to write much here, but figured perhaps you all would like to have an update on my life right now... :)

I am back in KS [for one more week.] August the 19th I head up to South Dakota to start my senior year at Cornerstone! Wahoo! I cannot wait to get back to school, to see friends and catch up from the summer, to once again dig into God's Word in a classroom setting, to [hopefully] get some colder weather soon, to have homework once again, to see how God is going to work in this coming year, and on the list of things I'm looking forward to could go. Yes, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I am excited about getting back to school!

My summer in Brazil was nothing short of amazing. To be honest, I had my ideas of how it was supposed to be, but of course God's ways are higher than mine, so it turned out a little differently than I expected. If you were to ask me what exactly my plans had been for the summer, I probably would have a hard time detailing the specifics to you ; If you were to then ask me how the summer was different than I had expected, you might get a few more specifics. However, either way, it is still somewhat difficult to express right now how God worked in my life over the last two and a half months. Yes, I suppose I am being somewhat [or rather!] vague and ambiguous [I guess I kind of enjoy doing that], but in one thing I will be specific: God is incredibly good! Don't ever doubt it.

2011-07-26T14:23:00.002-03:00

. . .and the [unwelcome] countdown is coming close to an end:

8 days left with family and friends in this land that I call home.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

2011-07-24T14:07:00.008-03:00

This past week I had the opportunity of participate in the VBS here. About fifty kids came each day--some of them were from Christian families, but many of them were not. They learned about the life of Moses and the Gospel was shared. Pray for these kids to respond to what they learned throughout the week!

Venicius with the devotional book he won for memorizing all of the verses. He was one of the kids who seemed to always be disrupting class, but when he got the book, he was looking through it very intently.

A few of the kids while they waited for VBS to start...

Game time

Vitória--isn't she cute?

Prize-time with Charliane!

"Pick me, pick me!"

Jaime sharing the Gospel. No decisions were made, as far as I know, but God's Word still went out.

Waiting to say their verses...

Carla, still working on her verse.

Sometimes simply showing you care makes the biggest impact.

Reminded...

2011-07-17T21:18:00.009-03:00

The One Who fed Elijah with the ravens,

Who made the ax-head to float,

Who brought about a miraculous multiplication of the widow's oil,

Who heard Hannah's prayer,

Who calmed the raging waves of the sea, and

Who fed the five thousand,

is the One who cares even for the little birds of the air, and of Whom is it declared that "He cares for you."

It is He who is "the same yesterday, and today , and forever." The God who brought about such events in the lives of those in the Bible is the same God today--testimony after testimony declare His faithfulness throughout the ages. I personally have experienced His faithfulness and tender care. Why did I allow myself to doubt and wonder even just a little bit? He is immutable.

Once again, God today reminded me in a small, yet very definite way that even in the little things, He sees me and cares for me. I can trust Him, for He is almighty, unchangeable God. Yes, at the very moment of His reminding me of this fundamental truth, the song "Almighty, Unchangeable God" was playing... I don't think it was a coincidence.

In case you have not discovered this for yourself, we have an awesome God!

Moments from Priscilla School, Part 2

2011-07-17T10:36:00.007-03:00

Ummm... this picture doesn't begin to do justice to how beautiful the moon was the last night of Priscilla School!

Of course, it's always better when there's food! :)

Silver Lake Bible Camp

I love this spot... :)

Helena and Melissa: Free time couldn't be better spent than swinging in the hammock and talking!

Girl-time--Nayanie, Magna, and Adriana (one of the teachers and also an ABI graduate)

Good-bye camp...

My favorite little sister!

Before the rest of the world woke up:

There nothing quite like getting up early and spending time with God at "my spot"when it is just me, God, my Bible and journal, and the birds. :)

Yuri, Adriana and Germano's son: one of the two cute guys running around camp all week...

...and here's the other one: Mikaias, Wellington and Lidia's son.

Nayanie and Melissa...

Cramming the last three years into two months...

God is good.

Priscilla School

2011-07-15T22:40:00.012-03:00

Before leaving Brazil in 2008, I had the privilege of completing the first level of Priscilla School, which is for girls and ladies who are involved with teaching Sunday School and other such programs in the local church. While the main focus is that of learning how to teach, classes such as an overview of books of the Bible and a brief introduction to Bible doctrines are among the various other topics that are covered during this nine-year-long course.

This past week was Priscilla School at Silver Lake Bible Camp, and I was asked to help with the music session in the evening, which was a new experience for me.

Here are a few pictures to document the week:

Everyone together, working on a song.

Leila with the finished product after some rather frustrating moments with the yarn: a Wordless Book "glove"

Working on the Wordless Book glove

Uh-hem...the music teacher attempting to teach a little bit of music theory

Dona Isabel, one of the teachers, who also finished all nine years of Priscilla School

I enjoyed visiting with Rachel a little bit...she is very sweet and pleasant.

Dona Seloni, our cook for the week!

The first-level students in "Evangelizing Children" class.

The final level students studying Major Prophets with Wellington, an Antioch Bible Institute graduate.

The evening session was everyone all together with Lidia, Wellington's wife, sharing about spiritual gifts.

Janielly and Leila--homework time!

Rayla working on homework for Bible study methods... She was the one who asked me one evening whether the US had a sun or not. I'll let you figure out why she would ask such a question...

Simple, yet difficult

2011-07-09T06:48:00.008-03:00

Proverbs 9:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."

It seems as if life is constantly about understanding concerning this situation or seeking wisdom for that decision which we must make at some point or another. When it comes to acquiring wisdom and understanding for life, the recipe, if it could be called such, can't get much more specific than this verse!

(In thinking about how clear-cut this verse makes it [which is how I like things!] and then wondering why it seems so difficult in my own life, I believe the challenge, personally, comes not in having the mental knowledge of what is required for the end result of wisdom and understanding, but rather in the actual acquiring of the very "ingredients"--the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of the Holy! Once again, I am forced to come back to the fact that life revolves around God and knowing Him!)

2011-07-07T11:06:00.008-03:00

"Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You

There is no greater thing

You're my All

You're the best

You're my Joy,

my righteousness

And I love You Lord."

Life is all about Him--knowing Him and making Him known. Without Christ at the center of it all, life is worthless and in vain.

A Day Together

2011-06-27T17:18:00.010-03:00

This past Sunday, Melissa and I were able to spend the day with most of the girls in the Sunday School class that I have the privilege of teaching...it was really good to be able to just hang out with them in a casual setting. Be praying for Talia, Mayele, Karine, Ana Paula, and Larissa: Behind each smiling face is a story.

Larissa

Yes, we tried to play volleyball...I think we got more practice running after the ball instead.

(Myself, Talia, Mayele, Melissa, and Karine)

Samuel (Ana Paula's little brother) wanted to play too... Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of Ana Paula.

Mayele's adorable niece, Ana Livia.

Girls + chocolate cake = lots of laughter!

Our God continues to be faithful!

Karine (left) and Talia (right)

To think about...

2011-06-16T21:52:00.005-03:00

Question # 1: Why is it that, more often than not, the way we act and the things we do are determined by the people we are with and place we find ourselves at the moment?

Question # 2: What determines ministry?

To Live as They did...

2011-06-08T09:03:00.009-03:00

So I've been doing a lot of thinking: as of the last few days, one of the things that has been giving me some "food for thought" has been the subject of faith. I have been reading through the book of Hebrews during my devotions, and one of the most well-known chapters of this book is the chapter on faith, chapter 11. Reading this chapter has made me ponder a little this fundamental aspect of the Christian life. Maybe I think too much in concise definitions and clear-cut distinctions, but I guess one question in particular comes to mind as I mull over the application of faith in my own life: "What is the difference between a life characterized by true faith, as in the examples of the great heroes we read about in Hebrews, and a life marked by repeated acts of what could be called 'leaps into the darkness'?"

My Bible had a note that helped me to begin to understand the difference:

"The essence of faith consists in receiving what God has revealed, and may be defined as that trust in the God of the Scriptures and in Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, which receives Him as Saviour and Lord, and impels to loving obedience and good works (John 1.12; Jas. 2.14-26)...."

Faith in the believer's life is such an incredible thing; a jewel with many facets. It would be really cool to do an in-depth study of it....

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

The more touristy side of things...

2011-06-03T10:28:00.011-03:00

We spent two days at the beach this week--just having time together as a family.

Of course, what else would we wear?

It has been a long time since I have walked on the beach...

Need I comment?

From the top of the sand dune.

Of course, we're only missing one person: Patrice!

This little guy was the cause for quite the experience (thanks Jared for your willing contribution!)

Breakfast and some more serious conversation at the cute little hotel that we had all to ourselves.

I really like this picture :)

We don't exactly have this in South Dakota.

Jared--complying with the adults in the group. :)

Teaching a new game: Catan!! I think there are a couple more Catan fans!

A Little Peek...

2011-05-29T17:16:00.014-03:00

The graduates and their escorts: waiting to be called.

Lia receives her diploma from her uncle Antonio. Lia loves the Lord and desires to serve Him. Next year sometime, she is planning on taking a missions trip to visit a tribe with which New Tribes Missions has a ministry. Pray that everything will work out for the trip and that the Lord will be guiding her concerning His will for her life!

Valdim and Jailma, along with their son Kaleo. They left the metropolis of Paraguai today to head directly into the ministry: they will be working in the town of Morada Nova, alongside of Jim and Lydia Johnson (missionaries with BGFM) to establish a church plant.

Together with former classmates:
Alexsandra, Gerlandia, Lidia, Vanderli, and Jailma

Charliane with her "significant other," Daniel, who is a student at the Institute. It has been exciting to see her love for the Lord! She is currently ministering to children through "religion" classes in the local public school.

Alexsandra hugs her mom:
A moment dededicated to honoring the mother of each graduate.

Segundo (Alexsandra's husband) making his speech.

Segundo and Alexsandra (and their two adorable daughters) have been working at a church in the area. He is now the pastor there. Pray for them as they serve the Lord together a tthe Acarau Bible Church.

Not even "standing-room only"--there were at least four hundred people in attendance!

The students singing "O Meu Senhor Irei" [Lord, Send Me Anywhere].

Lidia and her fiance, Rafael. They are both very interested in missions and, I believe, are seriously considering the possibility of going to Japan. Pray for them as they prepare for their upcoming wedding.

A special blessing has been the opportunity to spend time with Libby Johnson--a dear friend since childhood--who is also visiting Brazil for the summer!

You have now seen a glimpse of a small aspect of the ministry here in Brazil and an event that was an incredible blessing to me last Saturday... :)

2011-05-28T23:34:00.007-03:00

It is 11:30 pm, Saturday night: that means it is high time that I get to bed. However, I simply could not wait until later.

The graduation of the seven Antioch Bible Institute students this evening was incredible. I am so thankful that I was able to be here for it! To witness the dedication and zeal that each has for the Lord was truly a privilege.

The choir sang the song "Lord, send me anywhere" by David Livingstone. Talk about a song with words of commitment and dedication to the Lord! I absolutely love the words to the chorus:

"Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me.
Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.
Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to
Thy service and to Thy heart."

Ahh, there really is no greater thing than to be serving the Lord, no matter what may be the cost!

Week 1

2011-05-24T10:01:00.007-03:00

It has now been a week since I closed the car door, left campus, and headed into an adventure for the summer. I am now here in Brazil, back in the town of Paraguai where I spent almost ten years before heading back to the US.

It has been wonderful to see that even though I have been gone for three years, there are something that never change. Want a real-life example? Well, Jared still has some trouble smiling for pictures... =)

At church this past Sunday, I couldn't believe how much some of the kids at church have grown: I seriously had to ask Melissa who some of them were they had changed so much!

This past Monday night was a special get-together with the Antioch Bible Institute students: this Saturday, the 28th, is graduation and there will be seven graduating. It was special to be able to be here for this time and celebrate with them. Not only did we have some incredibly tasty Brazilian food (my first since getting back here!), but it was also a time of hearing how God has worked in their lives during their time here at the Institute. Be praying for Segundo and Lele, Regivaldo and Jailma, Lidia, Lia, and Charliane as each of the couples and these three single girls all head into this new phase of their lives! Both of these couples are either already actively working in a ministry or will be heading into one in the near future.

It is exciting to see how each of the girls--Lidia, Lia, and Charliane--are also very much involved in serving the Lord! Lidia was telling me yesterday of the many different things she will be involved in during the summer: VBS in several different places, possibly as trip to a neighboring state to a children's class, helping with a children's retreat, and then on top of everything else, planning for her upcoming wedding! She and Charliane also left early this morning to go to Solidao, a community nearby, to teach the required class in the grade school. More and more, the doors for opportunities to teach Bible lessons in public schools are swinging open wider and wider and have been an incredible way of teaching God's Word to children in a preominantly Catholic country!

Already in the short time that I have been here, God has been showing me different areas in my own life that I need to work on...I am looking forward to how He is going to work during this summer, not only in various ministry opportunities that I will get to help with, but also in my own life and walk with Him!

To finish off my somewhat random post, here's a picture of the the first sun-set I saw after getting here to Brazil.

I will try to regularly update this blogspot throughout the summer...

H.O.M.E.

2011-05-19T22:33:00.006-03:00

After being gone from Brazil for three years, here are a few thoughts about the last 24 hours of my life:

"Senhoras e senhores: sejam bem-vindo a Fortaleza" --

I cannot describe how wonderful it was to hear the stewardess announce these words!

After six airplane rides, I could pretty much tell you all about the safety procedures in case of an emergency.

I now understand why Dad isn't all that crazy about flying: it is stressful enough trying to figure things out for myself, but then multiply that times six, well, yeah...

The view of the ocean and skyscrapers together makes me smile.

I think I've been away from Brazil too long: I am experiencing a little bit of what some people call "culture shock."

Seeing family after two years does something to you that doesn't happen on a regular basis....

I know it has been too long since seeing Jared when he is pretty much as tall as I am!

It may have been three years, but Brazil pretty much looks the same as I remember it to be.

I am h.o.m.e. with my family!

Close to an end...

2011-05-06T12:21:00.006-03:00

The other night I was playing piano and came across the song But Continue Thou. The opening words of the song are "These days are coming close to an end..." and it is based on 2 Timothy 3:14 where Paul is exhorting exhorting Timothy to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."

As I played the song and saw snatches of the lyrics, I was struck with how true those words are concerning these very days in my life right now: this semester is quickly coming to an end, and in just a few days, I will be entering "the real world" for the summer. This entire year, but especially this semester, has been incredible: God has taught me so much about Himself, my relationship with Him, and how to live the Christian life. When one's life revolves around Bible classes and pretty much every day is centered around developing one's relationship with the Lord, it is easy to be on a "spiritual high" here at school.

But...what about once school is over for the semester and I no longer have classes in which I am being forced to study the Word? What about when I no longer have to read commentaries such as Romans by Newell and I no longer have to attend chapel every day at 9:35 am? What about when I am away from friends who love the Lord, who have a passion to serve Him and live for Him, and who consequently encourage me in my own spiritual walk? Then what? Will the spiritual truths that I have learned in class and the things that I have learned through daily life in what some may call "a spiritual bubble" also affect my life when I'm away from it such an environment? Through God's grace and the empowering of the Spirit, yes!

Peace with God

2011-05-03T11:21:00.005-03:00

With the end of the semester quickly approaching, I have felt the rather pressing need to get some reading done. Some of this reading includes Romans: Verse-by-Verse by William R. Newell for Romans class (an excellent book, by the way!) I came across the following on the peace that the believer has through Christ, according to Romans 5:1.

"I hear the words of love,
I gaze upon the blood;
I see the mighty Sacrifice,
And I have peace with God.

'Tis everlasting peace,
Sure as Jehovah's name;
'Tis stable as His stedfast throne,
For evermore the same.

My love is oftimes low,
My joy still ebbs and flows;
But peace with Him remains the same,
No change Jehovah knows.

I change, He changes not,
God's Christ can never die;
His love, not mine, the resting-place,
His truth, not mine, the tie."

~Bonar

~taken from Romans: Verse by Verse, pp. 165-166

Low in the grave He lay...

2011-04-24T19:46:00.009-03:00

Luke 24:5-7:

"And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,

Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen:

remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying,

The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

He is alive! He is no longer dead!

1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19:

"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

But He is alive: our faith is not in vain!

Not only is our faith now not in vain, but we now have the greatest reason of all to live and to have hope!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!!

2011-04-18T16:41:00.005-03:00

Only thirty days until I am on Brazilian soil. Wohooo! :)

Physically, I am still here in South Dakota, but mentally, if not also emotionally, I am already down in Brazil. Why do I say this?

Well, to give you an idea....

I just dream about Brazil almost anytime I dream these days. The most random comment, conversation, or item will make me think of something back in Brazil: things such as the shape of the bread for the sandwiches at lunch today, or the fresh feel from the early morning rain, or the yogurt for breakfast. Or how about the other day when I was diligently trying to get some schoolwork done, and out of nowhere, an incredibly vivid image of the most amazing fish dish ever came to mind and, whoosh, just like that, my concentration flew out the window: I could seriously taste it!

I think I have been gone from Brazil just a little too long. . . and a simple fact is beginning to come to the surface: I miss Brazil.

(and I need some more current pictures!)

I'm slowly learning that...

2011-04-09T19:07:00.007-03:00

...one word and act is fundamental to a growing and vibrant Christian walk.

2011-03-22T19:47:00.002-03:00

Here’s a quote from the bulletin the other week:

“The quest for character requires that certain things be kept in the heart as well as kept from the heart. An unguarded heart spells disaster.”

From The Quest for Character by Charles R. Swindoll

Three down, two to go...

2011-03-19T21:18:00.004-03:00

And:

Four wheeling in the desert...

Homemade pizza...

Near-midnight attacks on fellow Spring-breakers...

Staying up late...

More thinking...

...

For a few short days...

2011-03-18T14:17:00.005-03:00

Spring Break includes:

Sleeping in...

Riding bike...

Going Shopping...

Having Long talks...

Drinking Coffee...

Playing violin...

Eating amazing breakfasts...

Teasing Claudia...

Being entertained by the Wii

Laughing...

Thinking...

Amazing weather...

Wonderful friends...

Yes, I am glad that break is finally here (but it is going by much too quickly!)

God is so good

2011-02-27T20:22:00.003-03:00

I have a time. I have a place. I have a date. It is in eighty days at 10:45 am, in Denver, on May 18th. Yes, that pretty much sums it up.

I cannot describe how excited I am to be headed to Brazil for this coming summer.

I am blown away with the way God works. To make a somewhat complicated story short and simple, after finally finalizing the dates and departure/arrival locations, it looked like the tickets would be more than the original price quoted. However, upon confirming and paying for the tickets, God worked in such a way that it actually ended up being less than the original price that was given, which had been based on different dates and locations! When I heard this, I almost could have cried...I wanted to tell everyone around me about it! Simply getting tickets to Brazil was enough to make me barely able to contain my excitement, but then to see how God worked with the details, well, let’s just say that it is amazing to see how God works!

(Have I mentioned that God is incredibly good?)

“Oh be careful little mouth….”

2011-02-17T20:57:00.002-03:00

“I’m just kidding.”

“Don’t take everything so literally—I’m joking.”

“We all know that it is just a joke.”

Such sayings are commonly heard throughout one’s day. It seems like the prevalent mentality is that if we tag those words onto whatever preceded them, then that which we are joking about is then not only ok, but accepted and even sometimes encouraged. Sure, there is a time and place for simply being silly and having fun with friends. That is not what I’m talking about here. The issue that I’ve been thinking about some lately is that of joking about things which, if said with seriousness or actually carried out in real life, they would be wrong: joking about and taking lightly that which God views as wrong. However, under the classification of “joking,” we think nothing of it.

Somehow, such reasoning just does not sit right with me. As believers, our lives should reflect Christ in every area. Colossians 3:17 says that “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” Not only that, but are we not called to a life of holiness? First Peter 1:15-16 makes a strong statement regarding our speech in connection with the believer’s holiness when it says that “…as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written ‘Be ye holy; for I am holy.’” Or how about 1 Thessalonians 5:22, where we are commanded to “[a]bstain from all appearance of evil”? Even in just having fun with friends, I know I am guilty of partaking in joking that I know was not an avoidance of even the appearance of evil.

I once heard someone say that every single word that is said goes on forever in space, never totally disappearing. While I do not know if that is really true or not, it does cause me to take a step back and consider things that I have said. No matter how much I would like to avoid the fact, one day “…every idle word that [I] shall speak, [I] shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Ouch.

Considering joking in light of these few verses makes it seem oh-so-out-of-place in the believer’s life…in my life. What are your thoughts about this?

2011-02-04T19:46:00.003-03:00

It is amazing to think of what happens at the moment of salvation:

The instant I believed on the work of Christ on the cross, I had the righteousness of Christ imputed to me! I was redeemed. I am no longer condemned, for Christ took my place.

Christ finished the work on Calvary. It is complete. Nothing more needs to be done: all man has to do is believe.

Wow.

It is humbling to not only recognize that the great Gift of redemption and eternal life is offered to mankind, but also to attempt to grasp and comprehend the value of the payment that Christ made on the cross...

all because of God's great love for mankind--for me.

More precious than gold, sweeter than honey...

2011-01-23T16:59:00.007-03:00

In one of my posts a while back, I mentioned how each semester seems to have a specific theme. Already this semester--even though we’re only a few weeks into it--one specific subject seems to be coming up over and over again: be it in class, in various conversations throughout the day, in personal devotions, or in church, the subject of the importance of God’s Word in one’s life seems to come up every time I turn around. I've been doing a lot of thinking about it.

Having been raised in a Christian home, I’ve been aware of the significance of the Bible and the fact that it is God’s Message to man since a very young age. Only recently, however, has it really begun to sink in how truly important God’s Word is! I mean, when I think about what God’s Word actually is--the inspired Word of God--and the fact that written in it is everything that man needs to know God and live a godly life, is absolutely amazing. There are no "supplemental reading" lists at the back of the Bible. God's Word is complete and all-inclusive--it is all there. To think that I have in my possession everything that I need to know JEHOVAH, the One who is the Self-Existent One, the All-powerful Ruler, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, is an incredible thing indeed.

Today I read the familiar verses in Psalm 19 that talk about God’s Word and was amazed at the description of God's Word and the results that it has on those who read and apply it:

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:

the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:

sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned:

and in keeping of them there is great reward.

It is convicting to honestly consider the amount time I actually devote to carefully examining this Book that is far superior, in every way, to any other book that I could ever own throughout my lifetime. I say that I want to get to know God and grow closer to Him. However, I cannot help asking myself “How much has that desire really affected the time that I spend studying His Word?” The desires of the heart are ultimately reflected in one's actions.

2011-01-13T15:15:00.007-03:00

Something I read recently:

"God only creates out of nothing.
Therefore until a man is nothing,
God can make nothing out of him."
~Martin Luther

And I couldn't resist adding a picture of Christiana and me from when we went to Burney Falls.

(Even though you can't tell it from this picture, we were trying to keep a straight face.)

to let the cat out of the bag...

2011-01-11T14:49:00.008-03:00

I really wanted to wait to let people know, but I don't think I can keep it a secret for much longer... (Yes, I'm extremely excited!!!)

Everyone at school keeps asking me why I'm so excited, giddy, glowing, and so on whenever I think about this coming summer... (Some are convinced that it has something to do with a guy, but of course it has absolutely nothing to do with a guy--unless my dad and my brother count.)

In case you haven't already guessed it:

I. a.m. g.o.i.n.g. t.o. B.r.a.z.i.l. f.o.r. t.h.e. s.u.m.m.e.r!!

That means I will be with my family for around 2 1/2 months!!

By the time this summer rolls around, it will have been three years since I left Brazil and two years since I last saw my family...

YES, I'M EXCITED!!!! SUMMER, I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!

2011-01-09T23:11:00.003-03:00

"Ready or not, here I come!"

That is about how I feel right now about this coming semester--whether I'm ready for it or not, it is here and I must face it; I don't have the option of saying "wait! I'm not ready!"

Sometime,(preferably within the next few days or weeks), I hope to get some pictures up from my time in Burney, California with Christiana's family...

(and also possibly write something a little deeper than my last post. =] )

Until then...

Just thought I would let you know...

2011-01-04T18:00:00.008-03:00

The proficiency of my brainpower during this epoch of my lifetime has been incompetent in performing the undertaking of devising an innovative commentary or account of anything that is even sensible, much less worthy of the time of the viewers of this blog.

There is, however, the possibility that this state of mind is merely temporary...

(That is my justification for the absence of posts over the last few days)

Memories...

2010-12-24T13:32:00.006-03:00

Merry Christmas! I hope you all are having a wonderful time together with family as you celebrate the incredible birth of Jesus Christ!

I started the following while I was still at school, but I never got around to posting it, so I thought I would do so now... =)

**************

I was listening to some Christmas music the other day [this was the middle of November]…You know, all of those traditional carols such as Hark the Harold Angels Sing, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, The First Noel, and so on. As I sat listening to them, I was taken back in time…I was no longer sitting in the school library, attempting to work on my reading assignment that was due the next day. Rather, a dozen memories flooded through my mind: all of the sights, feelings, and sounds of Christmas rushed back to me. Suddenly, I was back in Brazil.

Suddenly, I could just about taste those pepper nuts that were still hot and fresh out of the oven. I was sitting around the table with my family, eating pepper nuts and sipping hot cocoa. We had just finished setting up the tree. All of the overhead lights were off…in their place twinkled the Christmas lights that had been in storage since the last Christmas. Yes, it was 90+ degrees outside and the fan was on its highest setting, but oh, those pepper nuts and hot chocolate sure tasted good, and the special time with family, just sitting there and reminiscing together as a family, more than made up for it.

Suddenly, I was walking around the neighborhood with my sisters, enjoying the evening breeze. The three of us: Patrice, Melissa, and I. We had fun just being sisters.

Suddenly, I was in Fortaleza, at the mall. The decorations were so beautiful. There were even English songs playing! To go gift-shopping as a family was so much fun, even though more often than not, we saw what store so and so had just emerged from...

Suddenly, we were in a frenzy to get ready for the Christmas Eve program at church. Last-minute preparations were being made: the costumes were ready for the live nativity, the food for the all-church potluck that usually followed the program was fixed….The little kids sang Away in a Manger, active little boys ran around in angel or shepherd outfits… We got to see various friends who were visiting their family…And oh! The amazing beans and rice and Brazilian BBQ--it all added to the atmosphere of the celebration!

Suddenly, I had just finished eating an amazing meal of an all-from scratch chicken fajitas, along with some of the most amazing Christmas punch ever. I was in the living room, the lights were dim, some kind of music was playing, I was surrounded with the family that I love (yes, even the dog and cat were nearby.) Dad opened the Bible to Luke 2 and began to read: “And it came to pass, in those days…”

Suddenly, it was Christmas Morning--that meant that the family activity for the morning was making food. Sometimes it would get a little stressful, but it was worth it because our extended family in Brazil--the other missionaries in our area--came over to celebrate the new-born King!

Then, just as suddenly…I was back at CBI, in Hot Springs, SD. It may be a while before I get to physically celebrate Christmas in Brazil again, but I don't think even the longest time spent in the United States could ever erase all of the Christmas-time memories that took place in Brazil-- my land, my home--with my family.

Broken???

2010-12-22T13:45:00.006-03:00

During this break, I've been working on reading a three-in-one book called "Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Here is a series of quotes from the section on Brokenness. Throughout the book, I have been challenged in my own walk with the Lord and my brokenness and humility before Him as I seek to serve Him.

"Brokenness is the starting place for a lifelong cycle. We cannot experience true freedom, love, and worship if we do not enter by way of humility, repentance, and forgiveness."

"One of the recurring themes of Scripture is that God uses things and people that are broken. That is His way. The turning point of Jacob's life took place in a wrestling match in the middle of the night at the river Jabbok (Genesis 32). Years earlier God had promised to bless Jacob, but he had never been able to enjoy that blessing because he had been trying to control and manage life on his own terms."

"And in conceding defeat, [upon answering the Lord that his name was Jacob--the schemer, the deceiver, the manipulator, the con artist], Jacob won his ultimate victory. At that point, he was a new man. With Jacob''s natural strength broken down, God was able to clothes him with spiritual power. Once he admitted the truth about who he was, God gave him a new name -- Israel, meaning 'prince with God"-- representative of a new character. Now he was usable in God's hands."

"The most dramatic, widespread revival movements in history have begun with a handful of humble-hearted believers whose revived lives and prayers have become sparks that ignited the lives of those around them."

"The greatest hindrance to revival is not others' unwillingness to humble themselves--it is our need to humble ourselves and confess our desperate need for His mercy."

Finally, a quote by Andrew Murray:

"Just as water ever weeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flow in."

2010-12-21T16:22:00.008-03:00

With just a few days until Christmas, here are some words to a very familiar and well-known Christmas carol--Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. These words have taken on a new meaning for me after studying about the incarnation of Christ and His coming to earth as a human being this past semester:

Verse 2:

"Christ, by highest Heav'n adored

Christ the everlasting Lord;

Late in time behold Him come,

Offspring of a virgin's womb.

Veiled in flesh the God-head see,

Hail the incarnate Deity!

Pleased as man with men to dwell,

Jesus Our Immanuel!

Hark! the herald angels sing,

'Glory to the new-born King!'"

Christmas sometimes becomes so busy and filled with fun times and traditions that we get to do only once a year that it is easy to forget to just stop and think about how truly wonderful and amazing the event was that took place that day so long ago:

God became a human!

T.h.e Y.e.a.r...

2010-12-21T15:12:00.009-03:00

As I look over this year, I cannot help but wonder where it went. It seriously seems as if the Fall semester just started, and here it is, just a few days until the New Year--2011! So much has taken place, that I suppose I shall just start writing as various highlights of the year come to mind...not necessarily in order of occurrence or of importance...

My freshman year at Cornerstone Bible Institute was absolutely amazing--I practically loved every single minute of it: I started making friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. I discovered that the class I thought I would least enjoy was my favorite class, and I experienced the challenges of being on my own (in other words, the challenge of being away from family, even though there were forty other individuals who I saw every day of school, practically 24/7.) I decided that I like to write papers because they force me to study out something that I wouldn't necessarily research otherwise. From the various classes I had, my understanding of who God is and my relationship with Him took on a whole new dimension. Freshman year was an great introduction to college life.

Over this last summer, God provided an amazing opportunity to go on a missions trip to Chicago with the youth group at Medora Community Bible Church. It was stretching. It was way out of my comfort zone. It caused me to consider where God might possibly be leading me in the future. It was the by far the highlight of my entire summer. (If you haven't read about it yet, you can read part 1 and part 2 on my blog.)

This August, however, upon starting the semester, life became more of a reality--a few more bumps in a road that had suddenly became a bit more curvy, and the directions to the destination seemed a bit smudged and blurry. Because Cornerstone is only three years instead of four, upon completing the semester this Decemeber, I am now halfway done with my time here at Cornerstone. Talk about scary. This has brought on much pondering about life after CBI: "What opportunities should I pursue?" "Where should I go?" "When should I do such and such?" and the list just goes on and on... Thoughts about the possibilities of this coming summer make me just about burst with excitement!

Something different this past semester has been that I am no longer the only Lehrman here at Cornerstone: Patrice is also studying here! While we aren't roommates, we are next-door to each other and see each other every day (and occasionally get to actually have a real conversation!) It has been good to have family around!

During Spring Break, I stayed with the Shively family: one of the things that I got to do that I had never done before was shoot a black powder rifle! Because Dad never did any hunting (at least not while I've been around!), I didn't grow up with these kind of grown-up toys around the house, so I really don't know much about them. Since coming to CBI, however, I am slowing learning (or at least hearing) about the world of guns and hunting (might I add that that also goes for football--I don't quite get it, but maybe by the end of my time in Hot Springs....)

Missions Conference in October was excellent. I especially enjoyed hearing about the ministry that the Davidsons have in Scotland and also the special task of translating God's Word that Bibles International is doing. It was exciting to hear about different ministries going on around the world and to see that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him!

I am thankful for the privilege that I had last semester of helping with a weekly Backyard Bible Club and also being involved with the youth group. Both of these provided opportunities to minister and build relationships...even if only in the smallest ways.

While it may not seem like anything very big to anyone else, for me it is: I had the amazing privilege of adding a particular phone number to my list of contacts this year. This was not just any number--it's listed under "Mom 'n Dad." Until this past summer, the only way that I could get a hold of them was through email or Skype. Because of the way that the internet is set up here at school, Skype is not exactly the ideal way to get a hold of them. Now, however, with Magic Jack (which provides them with an actual number--here in the U.S.-- even though they are in Brazil) I can call them any time I want and it is not a long-distance phone call! Need I say that even though we're on different continents, I have come to appreciate my parents and my relationship with them even more over the past year?

As I look back over this year, a lot has taken place over the last twelve months. Through it all--both good and bad--God has been good and faithful. I am excited to see what 2011 is going to bring and discover how God is going to work, both in my life and in the lives of those around me, to conform us to the image of Christ!

2010-12-16T22:44:00.004-03:00

Christmas break is almost here...not even 24 hours left until it begins! wooohoo! :) For about three amazing weeks, there will be no more reading (only if I want to), no more assignments due, and no more late nights with early mornings a few hours later(only if that is what I so wish to do). No more intakes of coffee that are double what I usually drink . No more dorm cleaning. It has been a great semester, but I am soo looking forward to Christmas break!

California, here I come! :)

2010-12-15T19:46:00.004-03:00

Hmmm..."It's the most wonderful time of time of the year."

Is it wonderful because of all the gifts that are given? The amazingly scrumptious food that we consume around this time of year (by the way, did you know that, according to a newspaper article, the average American gains 1-2 pounds during the Christmas season?) Is it the time spent with family? Is it the weather (be it hot or cold, depending on where you've grown up) that makes it seem like Christmas? Is it the brief break from schoolwork?

Here at school, we've been studying about Christ and various aspects of His Person, including His incarnation. The timing could not have been better: as Christmas approaches, to learn in more detail what was involved in order for Christ to come to earth is incredible. Just think: Christ--the Creator of all things!--came to earth in the form of a helpless, human baby, dependent on His human mother! One of the names given to Him in the Bible is Emmanuel, which means "God with us." He became no less God when He came to earth--He was fully God, yet He walked among men and lived among them (John 1:14). He humbled Himself by adding humanity to His undiminished deity.

Yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year.

" For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

I just can't...

2010-12-03T23:02:00.007-03:00

In talking about how much God loves us, someone recently made the comment that, "If you were to meet someone exactly like yourself, would you love them like God loves you?" Obviously, the answer would probably be "no." When I look at myself--the person that I am now--and consider how I wish I were instead, I fall so short of it; I see all of the areas that God has puts a finger on in my life that I need to change, and the task seems so impossible, so overwhelming. I feel like I can't do it. Have I mentioned that this semester has been very stretching and challenging?

It is true: it really is impossible to become the person that God wants me to be (through my own strength). Then I am reminded that "...He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," and that "...it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 1:6, 2:13).

It is so totally amazing, awesome, incredible, marvelous, staggering, overwhelming, and exceedingly humbling to ponder God's great love for us poor sinful, wicked, selfish, and helpless creatures, and to realize that He is, at this very moment, working in us to make us more like Christ.

On my own, I can't do it.

Through Christ, I can!

But most of all...

2010-11-27T15:17:00.002-03:00

...I am thankful for the salvation that God gives.

That it is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us."

(Titus 3:5)

2010-11-24T02:45:00.002-03:00

[sisters]

I Am Thankful...

2010-11-19T22:39:00.006-03:00

...for this time in my life to be at Bible school.

...for the most amazing parents ever!

...for a sister that I get to see everyday...and a sister and a brother who I don't get to see everyday.

...for cold weather and snow.

...for coffee!

...for friends who love the Lord.

...for Skype and Magicjack.

...for God's unchanging faithfulness.

...for the wonder of music.

...for teachers who have dedicated their lives to helping us students grow in our walk with the Lord.

...for times of spiritual, mental, and emotional stretching.

...for the gift of laughter.

...for long conversations (and also short ones).

...for God's grace that is sufficient.

2010-11-18T22:57:00.007-03:00

I woke up yesterday to a thin layer of snow on the ground. But then today, the sun came out and caused the snow to melt.
(Have I mentioned that snow makes me happy?)

True joy and happiness can only be found in the Lord, not in my circumstances.

[on a snowy day]

2010-11-17T18:07:00.004-03:00

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 37:4-5

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

~God will cause His best to come to pass if you entrust your plans to Him~

discoveries...

2010-11-10T18:47:00.005-03:00

When working with books, it is important to remember to keep glue as far away from them as possible, unless there is a specific purpose for the glue.

Pumpkin roll is absolutely yummy!

Good friends do more than just have a fun time together. They also challenge and stretch you.

Brazil can seem very far away at times.

Habits may take years to establish but it takes only a matter of days to break them.

The first snow of the school-year has the potential of immediately making one's day better.

The prospect of being with family for the holiday is exciting!

Procrastination becomes easier with practice.

It is not difficult to put library cart wheels back where they belong (on the cart).

God loves me.

2010-11-04T22:36:00.005-03:00

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o 'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

Parked or Driving?

2010-10-24T17:36:00.007-03:00

Have you ever wondered how you are ever supposed to know where God wants you to serve Him in life?

This past week during missions conference, I had the privilege of talking with a couple missionary ladies and asking them various questions regarding missions work and ministry. One of the questions I asked was along the lines of "How did you know for sure that the ministry you're in now is where God wants you?"

In answering this great and deep question, one of the ladies gave an illustration that produced a very vivid picture of how a believer should go about seeking God's direction in life: it is as if you're a parked car out in the parking lot. If the car is parked, no matter how much one turns the steering wheel, it really won't go anywhere. However, if the motor is running and the car is headed down the driveway, turning the steering wheel one way or the other will result in the car heading that direction. For the believer, it is important to keep busy wherever he is. If he is "moving down the road" or actively serving the Lord wherever he is, then the Lord will "turn the steering wheel" or direct him. However, if the believer is like a parked car, simply sitting around, twiddling his thumbs and waiting for God to drop a sign in front of him that tells him exactly where he needs to be, he won't get anywhere!

Sometimes in my life, I can get impatient: I want to know exactly where God wants me, how He wants me to serve Him; I don't want any question marks in my future. Rather, I want to know it all now. I want to have it all mapped out and know exactly what I am supposed to do and how I am to do it. But I have to face it: that isn't how God works. Rather, He wants me to simply be faithful where I am right now. Then He will lead me to where He wants me. He wants me to be driving, not parked in the CBI parking lot.

2010-10-18T18:09:00.008-03:00

To give further explanation to my previous post, here's something to think about:

When a person loves someone (in that kind of way), whenever that other person is around, do they have to consciously think "I have to focus on him/her"? No. In fact, probably anytime that person is in the same room, their eyes are just naturally drawn towards that other person. With this in mind, now consider the effects of a deep and sincere love for the Lord. Wouldn't it be the natural thing to then have one's life centered around Him and one's focus set on Him instead of the circumstances around them? And the more a believer gets to know the God that he loves,

the more his love for Him increases!

As I think about this and how often I get distracted in my spiritual walk, I have to ask myself:

If I'm having trouble keeping my focus on the Lord, what does that indicate about my love for the Lord?

2010-10-14T23:27:00.002-03:00

What is the focus of your focus?

Instead of trying to focus on "focusing" on the Lord,

focus on loving the Lord--a focus on the Lord will then be the natural result.

2010-10-13T14:00:00.007-03:00

Sometimes it is hard to seek God's best in one's life. It has a price. It requires counting the cost.

Seeking God's best may not always produce immediate, visible results. It is a case of physical versus the spiritual; the temporary versus the eternal.

God's best far outweighs any of the immediate pleasures of the best that the world has to offer. The decisions of today will have far-reaching effects on the rest of my life. Remind me of this truth when when I am tempted to give up seeking God's best in trade for the temporary benefits, to question whether the ultimate goal is worth the price that it demands of me.

Lord, remind me not to settle for anything less than Your best, no matter how difficult it may be.

"when I grow up..."

2010-10-09T15:30:00.004-03:00

It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that I distinctly remember being envious of a friend who was seven, when I was six, or thinking how I would be so grown up when I turned sixteen. Both of those ages have come and gone, and now I am twenty-one.

All of a sudden, from one day to the next, the world now considers me to be an adult: With a few exceptions, I now have pretty much all the privileges of any other adult. All of a sudden, friends my own age are getting married, others are considering and making decisions that will have an affect on the rest of their life, and still others are being faced with real-life issues that cannot be handled with just a kiss and a hug from mommy.

The “when I grow up” of my childhood years seems to be looming closer and closer. The perks are exciting and thrilling, yet at the same time, somewhat scary and unsettling. Suddenly, all of those things that I dreamed of doing “when I grow up” that seemed like they were so far away, now almost seem to be within my grasp--they are no longer simply a distant speck in the horizon. Life seems to be becoming more real.

Why can't I just fly to Never, Never Land and forever be a kid? I feel so young, so unprepared, so incapable of living life as an adult and facing the responsibilities that come with it. Turning 21 has made me think about my life now and my future: it's scary, but I'm

excited. I'm not facing life by myself, for I am never alone. God is by my side

each step of the way. Already, there have been times when I feel so weak and inadequate to

fulfill the responsibilities that I have been given. However, I know that it is in my weakness

that His "strength is made perfect."

"When I grow up" is becoming more of a reality than simply a favorite childish pass-time of

day-dreaming about the future. Is it scary to think of growing up and being held responsible as

an adult now? Yes, to some extent, it is, but I'm excited about discovering more about the

great God that I serve and seeing how He will guide throughout the next few months and

years of my life.

(please forgive the terrible formatting of the last few paragraphs...I'm not sure what happened to make

it act up like this!)

to believe...

2010-09-24T19:45:00.003-03:00

Quote of the day:

"I do not seek to understand in order to believe. I believe in order to understand." ~Anselm

How often do we not try to understand something, especially if it concerns God's Word, before we take the step of believing that it is true?

2010-08-29T19:47:00.005-03:00

Cornerstone Bible Institute has begun it's 2010 fall semester! We are now two weeks into the school year, and I am excited! However, I can already see that it is going to be very different from my freshman year! But you know, that's ok. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me this year, whether He teaches me through blessings or trials. I read this verse this morning. The last phrase caught my eye, and it was so encouraging:

"Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:16

Isn't it wonderful to know what we have God's grace to take us through our times of need?

2010-08-12T00:41:00.004-03:00

Sometimes it is easy to just say "God is good" but not really believe it or actually think that He is good to me. However, in one way after another, I've seen God's goodness and faithfulness this summer, be it from the way He has provided financially, to an amazing church to be involved in, to being able to participate in new experiences in ministry, to making new friends. Wow...

How have you seen God's faithfulness this summer?

2010-08-09T17:52:00.004-03:00

I read Psalm 90 today and it was such a blessing and encouragement! Two verses in particular stuck out to me:

Verse 2 --"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Verse 12 -- "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

Some random thoughts from today:

God has blessed me with an amazing church family!

God can work everything out...sometimes it is just a matter of time!

God can and will provide, but not always does that mean that I will get all of my "wants" and "would like to's."

There are a lot of people out there who are hurting and need prayer--I need to do my part!

It is a blessing to hear from people back in Brazil and to hear about what is going on there!

(No, I have not forgotten about finishing my update about the missions trip...)

Missions Trip, part 2

2010-08-05T00:26:00.003-03:00

In sharing about the missions trip, the biggest question is "Where do I even begin?" I could go on and on about all of fun times that we had laughing together over one thing or another, sightseeing in Chicago (the Willis Tower, Michigan Avenue, Giordanos Pizza) and just all of the other everyday things that took place throughout the week. All of these things were a part of the trip, but they were not the real reason for the trip: there was more to it than just having a fun time and sightseeing. Rather, it was about sharing the Gospel with those who have not heard it and ministering to those around us! Everything else was just a bonus.

To sum up the activities of the trip, from Monday to Friday, part of the group worked at a day-camp from 7:30 - 5:00 at Parkwood Baptist Church, and the rest of the group ran a VBS for inner-city kids at the Harbor House about 45 minutes away from Parkwood. On Saturday then, everyone was involved in one way or another with running a three-on-three basketball tournament. We also sang several special numbers for both Sundays and the Wednesday that we were there.

To get a little deeper into what I actually did throughout the week, from Monday to Wednesday, I helped out with the VBS at the Harbor House in inner-city Chicago, working with children who pretty much had no church background. We had a Bible lesson, a missionary story, crafts, games, lunch, and also a time where I shared some about Brazil. More often than not, it would take several minutes to get the kids settled down enough to be able to even begin the lesson, not to mention the various times throughout each activity that we would have to stop in order to regain some semblance of a listening audience. Each Bible lesson, missionary story, game, and even the craft was a challenge. Interestingly however, as little training as these kids had in anything concerning the Bible, many of them often gave the "right answer" upon being asked questions regarding the Bible.

As much of a challenge as these inner-city kids were, by the time Wednesday rolled around and I had to say goodbye to them (as I would be at the day-camp that the rest of the youth group was working at for the rest of the week), I had become rather attached to them. In ways that I cannot explain or even understand myself, God helped me to get past the rowdiness and unruly behavior of these kids and see them for who they really were. As the day drew to a close that Wednesday, an almost desperate feeling began to overtake me as I realized that I would never be seeing these kids again; I felt an almost overwhelming responsibility to do my part in sharing the truth of God's salvation with them. I probably will only find out in heaven what kind of lasting fruit will come of those three short, yet totally amazing, stretching, and challenging days that I got to spend with around 30 precious kids!

(more yet to come...)

Missions Trip, part 1

2010-08-04T18:25:00.006-03:00

Eighteen teens and four adults,

early mornings and late nights,

dozens of kids with tons of energy,

pizza and hot dogs, and then more pizza and hot dogs,

the book of Ephesians,

midnight showers,

toaster escapades,

a park known for its past (and also present) gang activities,

lots of laughs,

the Willis Tower and Michigan Avenue,

staring off into space in middle of the day because of the lack of sleep,

three-on-three basketball tournament.

What do these all have in common? They all are a part of the absolutely amazing missions trip to Chicago that I just got back from! Wow, remember how I asked prayer for this trip in a previous post? Well, I can tell that people were praying. It was tons of work, but also just as much fun. I absolutely loved every single minute of my time...

I think the past ten days were the highlight of my summer.

2010-08-03T17:58:00.003-03:00

Wow. I'm not sure what else to say. This past week was absolutely amazing! What an awesome God we serve! More yet to come about the missions trip...

2010-07-19T15:39:00.004-03:00

You know how it is when you know you should do something that is right,

but you really don't want to?

Rather, you just try to ignore the facts.

After so long though, you just can't ignore it any longer:

you decide you have to do it, because it is the right thing to do

at this point in your life?

That's how I feel right now.

It's hard, but it's a step in the right direction.

(by the way, this is totally unrelated to my previous post)

Coming up...in a week!

2010-07-19T15:05:00.003-03:00

Guess what?!?!?! In less than a week--on Saturday, to be exact--I will be leaving with the youth group from Medora Community Bible Church and heading to Chicago for week-long missions trip! No, I was not planning on going on this trip until only a few weeks ago, but yes, I am very excited about it! Please pray for this trip, as there are still lots of details to figure out...part of the teens will be working with a day-camp and the rest will be running a VBS! We will also be doing some personal evangelism and then holding a 3x3 basketball tournament on the 31st! While I might be able to help out with some of these things, my main responsibilities for the week will be making sure that all of these teens have food to eat (in other words, I'll be working in the kitchen). Yes, it is going to be one full week, and I can already imagine how I'll be feeling when I finally get back home on Monday, August 2nd: E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D., but it will all be worth it if it means spreading the Good News of the Gospel to those who don't know the Lord!

(when you think of it though, I would especially appreciate your prayers for me...while I am excited about it all, it will definitely be a stretching and learning experience for me. Last night at a meeting, Pr. Ron said that the motto for the missions trips has become, by default, "Roll with it!" because of how much plans always change and such, and for those of you who know me at all, my comfort zone is knowing exactly what is going on when, and where, and how, and what exactly I'm supposed to be doing, which is like the furthest thing from what will be the case next week! )

2010-07-12T15:42:00.005-03:00

So, I thought I would do something a little different this time. Instead of posting something totally new for you to read, here's my challenge for you: if you want to get a glimpse of my life over the last two years and a half (the time that I've had this blog,) go back into the archives of my posts! It is always interesting to me to go back and read some of the stuff that I've written! :)

Happy Fourth!

2010-07-04T16:23:00.012-03:00

Today we celebrate the Fourth of July, the Independence Day of this nation!

Today we remember the founding of our nation and the freedom that it extends to all, but we cannot, and must not, forget that this freedom came at a high price!

Let us not forget then, as we celebrate this great day in our country's history, the One who shed His blood on the cross so that we can have an even greater freedom:

that of being set free from the bondage of sin!

Now that is freedom indeed!

Who am I?

2010-07-04T01:39:00.004-03:00

No, I am not having an identity crisis. Rather I would like to give you a little “food for thought.” I recently heard the following quote: “Remember who you are and to Whom you belong". In pondering this saying, a conversation that I had with a pastor’s daughter just the other day comes to mind. It was while we were making small-talk about her job that she made the comment that if she were to have certain responsibilities that others at the same job have (but thankfully she doesn’t have these responsibilities), her dad’s Christian testimony and reputation could be ruined. That comment in itself shows that she values her dad's reputation; she has in the back of her mind who she is.

Who am I? Not only am I Angie Lehrman, daughter of Jerry and Bev Lehrman, but I am also a Christian, a “little-Christ”, and I belong to Christ! In every sense of the word, I truly am a Daughter of the King, the highest King of all! It is relatively easy to be concerned about the reputation of one’s family members--those who are physically present--for the family-relationship is something graspable, it is concrete. But what about the reputation that we believers give to our heavenly Father, the One Who we can’t see, yet is the most important One of all?

When we are among non-believers, what impression do they get of our Heavenly Father? Or do we even care at all about that? How do others, even other Christians, see us? Are we a clear reflection of the character of Christ in us? The fact the Christ is living in us should be very evident to anyone who comes in contact with us!

Being a Child of the King should affect every single aspect of our lives--not only our weekend habits of going to church, but also our weekday activities. It should determine our priorities, our conversation, our “when no one is around” activities, and even the most seemingly insignificant tasks such as the time we rise in the morning. It all reflects our focus on Christ and how important He is in our life.

We Christians are recipients of the greatest Gift ever given, the highest privilege of being called a “child of God; we are partakers of the Inheritance, we have been delivered from the darkness of sin, we have redemption and forgiveness of sin, we are strengthened with divine Strength, we are reconciled with Him. This long list, taken primarily from Colossians 1, does not even begin to scratch the surface of everything of who we are in Christ. Does that not put any weight on the great responsibility that we have , then, to live a life worthy of that which we have been called to live?

Col 1:10
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

2010-06-23T18:20:00.003-03:00

Since I don't have time to write much else...

but I wanted to post something...

here are a few random facts about me:

Hazelelponi, my stuffed monkey, makes me happy! (perhaps sometime I will give a further explanation as to why she makes me happy!)

Guarana, recheado cookies, and tapioca with cafe com leite are yummy!

I love comments *hint hint*!!

this will take more than just a minute to read...

2010-06-18T18:02:00.005-03:00

This blog post is different from my most recent posts in one way in particular:
I am back in Kansas for the summer!

Yes, the semester and everything with it is over: classes, papers, Spring banquet, Friday afternoon Bible club, times with Melinda and Liz, graduation, choir and handbell tour, goodbyes. In August, things will start all over again, but it will not be like this last semester or even the one before. There will never be another semester like this past one, especially because all of the senior graduated and are gone. What am I going to do without Melinda and Liz, the two who are almost always together and were both practically my roommates, (even though technically it was only Melinda who actually slept in the same room as I did). I miss them...:(

This semester was a great semester. I really enjoyed my classes, especially Bible Doctrine 2 where we got an overview of the second-half of the major Bible doctrines such as hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. As I already mentioned in a previous post, I did my supplemental reading on eschatology, the study of the End Times and it was very fascinating, yet convicting and challenging at the same time, to read more about just a small facet of what will be happening in the future. Christ could return at any moment! Am I ready for this great event and am I telling others so that they too can be ready?

I also very much appreciate the class on the Gospel of John. Perhaps one of the best parts of the entire class was listening to (and reading along with) the Word of Promise’s dramatized audio of the book in one sitting both at the beginning and then at the end of the semester! Wow! If you have never read through the whole book without stopping for more than a short period of time, you should make it a goal to do so! It is well-worth the time! It was amazing to see themes repeating and being able to follow the message being woven throughout the book.

First semester, it seemed like Romans 8:28-29 was popping up everywhere: in class, in chapel, in church. Everywhere I turned around, it seemed like I was always being reminded of the great promise in these verses, so I have come to “label” those verses as the theme of last semester. This semester, however, I guess God wanted me to learn something else. Because there was such an obvious “theme” last semester, I was kind wondering what would it would be this semester, or even if there would be one. Sure enough! If someone were to ask me what it was, I would say that the theme or “truth” that I kept coming back to this semester was being convicted and almost overwhelmed by the importance of praying for each other. It was through various events that I was constantly being reminded of my failure to pray for my fellow classmates and believers, even though it seemed like “everything is going great!” How is my prayer life? Am I diligently praying for those around me?

From the 19th of May until the 6th of June, twenty-four of us were on a choir and handbell tour out to the East, getting to tour D.C. (in a few short hours), and also Philadelphia, along with simply being able to see the beautiful countryside of the East. I had never been any further east than Indiana, so pretty much this whole trip was an adventure for me! But this trip was more than just lots of fun: with the exception of only a couple nights, we held a program at a different church practically every night. While I enjoyed all of the songs that we sang, I think my favorite of them all is the last song, “It was His Grace”, which is based on the verse in Philippians 1:6 where it says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” It was during the tour, where one was around everyone practically 24/7,that God showed me and convicted me of several areas in my life that I need to change, even though I truly am justified and accepted in His sight. It was, and still is, such a comfort then, to sing that last song and be reminded of the verse, and be reassured that God will continue to work in my life in order to make me more like Himself! I think it is safe to say that this verse has become one of my favorite verses over the last few weeks (and months)!

Until next time...:)
(hopefully there will be some pictures next time!)

2010-06-16T15:30:00.002-03:00

Hey everyone! I am now back in Kansas for the summer! From the way it looks, I think my summer will be filled with

working at Lowen Sign Company

doing stuff around the house

being involved in church

possibly even doing some blogging!

2010-05-07T15:07:00.004-03:00

I've been doing supplemental reading for one of my classes. We could choose what area of doctrine to do it on, so, since I don't know much about Eschatology, I decided to go with that subject. Wow, it has been amazing! I'm going through the book Maranatha: Our Lord Comes! by Raynold Showers. There is a whole chapter on the immanency of Christ's return and I have been more and more convicted of the reality of it. If I really believe that His return could be at any moment, my life will reflect that! At the end of the chapter is a quote, and I would like to share with you:

"Christians are to live 'like men who are awaiting their Master...; and their conduct and character are determined by that expectation.' " ~ F. W. Beare in A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians.

2010-04-27T22:08:00.004-03:00

This past saturday was the CBI banquet...

here are a few pictures...

(thanks to some students who were gracious enough to give their pictures to those of us who don't have cameras!)

The two Brasilians here at school: some fellow-students say that one speaks Portuguese, the other, English. (I'll let you decide which is which. =) I'm so glad that we're here at CBI together!

The six of us girls who stick together and have great times after curfew! CBI wouldn't be the same without them!

My roomie, Melinda...I'm going to miss her when she graduates in less than three weeks...

smile

2010-04-20T23:14:00.007-03:00

A while back, I was struck by the significance of a smile...

It can make the world of a difference to have someone look at you and simply smile...

A smile can say more than a dozen words put together...

These people make me smile...

Who makes you smile?

2010-04-20T19:11:00.003-03:00

After a long drought of blog posts, at last! Here is one! Although I do not have the time to go into detail about everything that has happened lately, I would like to share a little something about what God has been doing in my life recently.

This semester, in the midst of various other truths, there seems to be one truth in particular that sticks out more than others and seems like it is that one, more than anything, God has been trying to teach me. And slowly, I have been learning. Through several incidences this semester that have taken place, I have begun to realize the utter importance of prayer. More specifically, that of prayer for those around us, especially other believers. While I have always known (in my head) the importance of prayer and the role it should take in the believer's walk, I have never actually experienced in such real ways the need for prayer as I have this semester.

A song that has been going through my mind lately is "I am Thine, O Lord." I really like the words of it...read them and consider their significance in your own life.

I am thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
and be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
by the pow'r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in Thine.

O, the pure delight of a single hour
that before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend.

There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.

2010-03-16T22:53:00.002-03:00

Spring break!!!!!

I am looking forward to this change of schedule:

sleeping a little later than 6:00...
being free from attending classes for a week...
cooking...
really having nothing in particular that absolutely has to get done because it is due the next day...
perhaps doing some pleasure reading...
relaxing...
refocusing...

yes... Spring break...enough said.

2010-02-11T21:04:00.003-03:00

"God is more interested in my sanctification than in my service."

All too often, it is easy to think that the Christian life is all about serving God. In a way, that is true, yet perhaps an even greater aspect of the Christian life is being conformed to the image of Christ and living a life of holiness. If you stop you stop to think about it, without a life of separation and sanctification, can one truly serve God?

like the ocean waves...

2010-02-10T00:00:00.004-03:00

woosh. . . splash. . .woosh. . . the waves crash onto the shore in a steady rhythm, one after the other. Sometimes they are huge walls of water, towering many feet into the air. Other times, they are so small that there is barely more than a big ripple in the water. Even so, no matter the size of the wave, they never stop, the water never runs out. Rather, independent of the time of day one visits the beach, of the most beautiful places on earth to be, one can always hear the familiar sound: woosh. . . woosh. . .woosh. . . one after the other. . . .

God's grace is like those waves. There is a never-ending supply of it. It is always there for us, whenever we need it. Isn't it wonderful to know that "My grace is sufficient"?

2010-02-05T19:37:00.003-03:00

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

may be able to comprehend with all saints

what is the breadth,

and length,

and depth,

and height;

and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

above all that we ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in us,

unto him be glory in the church

by Christ Jesus throughout all ages,

world without end. Amen."

Ephesians 3:17-21

I read this passage in my devotions this morning. I think my favorite part of this passage is the part about the breadth, length, depth, and height. Paul could have just said "comprehend with all saints how great and to know the love of Christ...." but no! He wanted us to understand how truly great God's love really is! And the best part about it is that it says that we can actually comprehend it and know it! How awesome is that?

2010-01-31T21:22:00.002-03:00

A little saying seen on a magnet on the refrigerator that sadly, has been somewhat true in my life: '

"I have decided that my job in life is to be like a duck: calm and unruffled on the surface, but underneath, paddling like crazy!"

In case you were wondering...yes, I am still alive!

2010-01-30T21:14:00.003-03:00

Due to the great application called "statcounter", I have come to realize that I really do have a bigger audience than I have previously realized! I am ashamed to realize that my last post was literally months ago!

Right now I am at Cornerstone Bible Institute in Hot Springs, SD and am back into the full-swing of studies, after having a great three weeks of Christmas break. Although this break was rather different than any other Christmas I have ever had, it was good to be back with family, to have a change of scenery, and just have a lot of time to think about some important things going on in my life.

Let me share just a little something that has become exciting to me recently: the book of John. One of my classes this semester is this Gospel, and the other week, the entire class got together to read through the whole book in one evening while listening to it be read on audio. It is really amazing the difference it makes when reading through the whole book in such a short time as compared to over several weeks or months! What struck me as we progressed through the book was the reoccurring theme of belief/unbelief and how almost always it was mentioned in connection with some kind of sign or miracle that Jesus had done! And then there is the verse that says something like "These things were written that you might believe." Oh, I don't have time to go into all the exciting things that I have been learning about John , but it has just been awesome to dig a little deeper into this wonderful book and the message it has for us!

Until next time,

Angie

Finally! (Can you tell my life has been busy?)

2009-11-02T16:21:00.002-03:00

having to walk through mud because of all the snow we have had already. . .
running around in the dark Admin building, playing "Sardines"...
having "girl time"...
playing musical chairs on Saturday night...
writing research note cards...
going to bed after midnight on the weekend...
completing the weekly lesson in "Biblical discipleship" ...
witnessing, in very real and obvious ways, that God is the God of the impossible...
hiding out in the furthest corner of the building in order to study (and then having fun when no one can find me!)...
working on reading Genesis through Esther for Old Testament survey class...
experiencing the reality of chilly feet (because of the snow!)...
having fun in the dorm, especially when it involves Melinda, Liz, and Bethanne (don't even ask!)...
studying for mid-terms...
loving, yet at the same time, dreading, Tuesdays--loving it because I have a free hour, yet dreading it because there is dorm cleaning...
electing class officers and having class meetings...
planning and doing a fundraiser...
participating in "over-breakfast" study groups. . .
missions conference. . .
beginning to stress out about getting my papers done. . .help!

What do these all have in common? They are all a part of college life!

An Update. . . and some quotes from Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy"

2009-09-12T17:16:00.004-03:00

Well, since I asked you all to pray for Melinda and the Bible study she started last Wednesday, I need to give you an update on what happened, right? Well, to start off with, I need to add that it is Melinda AND Liz (another student here at CBI who also works at the Ambulance shed) who are doing the study. With that said, praise the Lord that there were no calls while they were having the study, as that would have, obviously, ended the study for the night. Thank you for your prayers! However, an even bigger praise is the fact that the two ladies, Connie and Ruth, with whom they are doing the study, are interested in meeting again! So, continue praying!

So. . .on to Tozer! For the doctrine class that I am taking, I have to read the book "Knowledge of the Holy," which dicusses the attributes of God. I am only part-way through the book, and so far, it is an amazing book!

Tozer. . .
on the immutability of God:

" All that God is He has always been, and all that He has been and is He
willever be." (page 65)

on the wisdom of God

". . .we shall not seek to understand in order that we may believe, but
tobelieve in order that we may understand." (page 76)

" We rest in what God is. I believe that
this alone is true faith. Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of
the senses is not real faith." (page 80)

" And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;I will lead
them in paths that they have not known: I will make darknesslight before them,
and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake
them.
"Let Him lead thee blindfold onwards,
Love needs not to know;
Children whom the Father leadeth
Ask not where they go.
Though the path be all unknown,
Over moors and mountains lone."
~Gerhard Tersteegen (page 82)

An Update. . . and some quotes from Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy"

2009-09-12T16:48:00.001-03:00

" All that God is He has always been, and all that He has been and is He will
ever be." (page 65)

On the wisdom of God:

". . .we shall not seek to understand in order that we may believe, but to
believe in order that we may understand." (page 76)

" We rest in what God is. I believe that this alone
is true faith. Any faith that must be supported by the evidence of the
senses is not real faith." (page 80)

" And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;
I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness
light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do
unto them, and not forsake them.

Let Him lead thee blindfold onwards,
Love needs not to know;
Children whom the Father leadeth
Ask not where they go.
Though the path be all unknown,
Over moors and mountains lone.
~Gerhard Tersteegen (page 82)

Prayer Request

2009-09-08T22:56:00.004-03:00

Just wanted to share a quick prayer request: Tomorrow, Wednesday, Melinda (my roommate) is going to be starting a Bible study with two of her co-workers at the Ambulance shed, where she is an EMT. Please pray that God will give her the words to say and that He would use her to open their eyes to the Truth of His Word. She has been praying for an opportunity to begin a study, so it is exciting to see that God has paved the way for it all to work out!

Some pictures from the last few days. . .

2009-09-08T17:45:00.010-03:00

Finally...a few glimpses from my life here at college!

Fellow "dorm-mates"

Left-Right:

Leah, Christiana, Liz, me, Melinda (she's a great roommate!) and Anna

Go Freshmen girls!!

Left - Right:

Christian, Lydia, me, Jennifer, Nikki, Bethanne

Front: Annaka, Anna

Having fun on Friday night playing "four on a couch." If you've never played it, you s hould sometime--it's really fun!

Left-Right: Celeste, Me, Stephen, Isaac, and Michael

Hanging out with the cool penguin one of the girls got from her secret prayer sister. :)

Angostura--the lake that we've gone to several times on the weekend, and, of all things, I got burnt from being out in the sun! For some reason, I had in my mind that SD is all about snow, snow, snow! I never drempt I would get a sunburn one of the first weekends that I'm here! :) Yes, I think I already have a fondness for this place!

Freshmen-bonding time at the park on the merry-go-round

Left-right: Lydia, Jennifer, Anna, and I

Anna (the other MK girl from Brazil--how cool is that?), me, Isaac

As I spun 'round and 'round. . .

A cool picture --I just had to put it on. :)

And there you have it...many thanks to Anna and Isaac for all the pictures!! (unfortunately, I don't have a camera. . .) Hopefully there will be pictures from the Labor Day picnic coming up soon!

P.S. Just in case you might be wondering, life here at CBI isn't all play! No way! There is a lot of studying and homework that we have to do, I just don't have any pictures of it. :)

2009-08-30T17:08:00.004-03:00

To sum it up what has happened since my last post: I have now completed two full weeks of college! Yay! Even though this is just the beginning, the last two weeks have been amazing! I can honestly say that I love college life! Yes, there is a lot of studies and homework, and I will probably wonder at times how I will ever get it all done. But, I am looking forward to what God has in store for me this semester!

God blessed me with a wonderful roommate--I don't think I could have asked for a better one! And. . .on top of that, there are three of us MK's in the same dorm! How cool is that?!?

Life has been wonderful--so far--but it definitely is not all just fun. I am discovering that now that I am technically "on my own" and away from my parents, I have to start making decisions for myself. Before now, there have been things that I have always done "because my parents do it" or because "my parents make me," yet I haven't specifically established my own convictions about that specific area of my life. Now, however, I am, for the first time, being faced with making such choices on my own. I now have the opportunity to either contiue in what I have always been taught and simply do what I have always done, or decide for myself where I stand on certain issues. I am now at the place in my life where I can decide whether I am going to abandon everything that my parents have taught me or adopt it as my own. Yes, being an adult has its privilidges, but it also has it's responsibilities!

Please don't get the wrong impression though--I have not been anxiously awaiting the moment I could run off to college so that I wouldn't have to be under my parent's authority. This is not about finally being "free" from rules and restrictions. Rather, even in the short time I've been here, I am discovering that it is about establishing what I actually believe, what my convictions are, and learning to do what is right because I believe it is right, not simply because "it's what my parent's made me do." It is about standing up for what I believe and not simply following the crowd because it is the easiest thing to do. Even at Bible school, I am discovering that I am not immune to having to make such choices.

These days are once-in-a-lifetime days. I recently read the following quotation: "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." ~Jim Elliot.
I believe God has me here at CBI for a purpose. In chapel last week, the question was asked various times: "Why are you here?" My answer in a nutshell is "To grow in my spiritual walk and become better equipped to serve the Lord." Now let me ask you: "Why are you where you are now?"

God is good. . .

2009-08-14T11:47:00.004-03:00

God is good. Have I mentioned that? All my life, I've heard people say: "God is good. He is in control of things." However, it isn't until one actually experiences His Goodness that one can even begin to understand. Now that I am somewhat "on my own," I am beginning to see a little for myself how good God really is.

One example that stands out is my job. You may remember how, back in April, I began working at Pleasant View Home. I really enjoyed it there, but, for reasons God alone knows, I was putting in a minimal amount of hours there. So, as you can imagine, when June rolled around and I had yet to even get 30 hours a week, I began to ask myself: "Do I stay here and hope to somehow pick up some more time, or, do I look for another part-time job to fill in all the extra time I have?" I began to ask around town to see what my options might be, but at every turn, I seemed to run into dead-ends. God brought me to the place where I had no choice--I had to choose to trust Him and believe that He would provide for my needs. I had done all I could.

And God provided! It was the beginning of July, I believe, on a Sunday morning, that a good friend of my family mentioned a job opening at a sign company that was needing help, even for a few weeks. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say that it sounded like an answer to prayer! However, it wasn't all that easy. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of it all was discerning whether this truly was of the Lord and an answer to prayer. For two or three days, I really wrestled and struggled over it, but to get to the point: I applied, was accepted, and worked there from the second week in July until just this past Wednesday! Now that it is all over, I can only say that God is good. There were so many things that seemed to be big hurdles to get over--juggling two jobs, transportation, schedule, etc.-- but in the end, God worked out each of those things! Yes, God truly does see our needs and when we are willing to wait for His timing, He will bring about His best for us!

And now, I'm heading off to Cornerstone. I've been looking forward to this day for soo long, but now that it is finally here--literally, as I'm leaving this afternoon--I'm beginning to feel a little nervous. "Can I really do this?" "What if the study load is more than I can handle?" "What if. . . what if. . . what if. . .?" But I try to remind myself that even in school, when I feel overwhelmed and discouraged, God will be faithful and work out all and give me the grace and strength to do what I could not possibly do on my own. Like a dear lady mentioned to me earlier this week, "if someone totally satisfies us [or I am totally able to do it on my own] we would not trust in God."

2009-08-08T17:31:00.002-03:00

My life seems to be full of "finallys" lately. Let me list a few:

For one, I think that when you opened this site, you probably at least thought, if not exclaimed out loud: "finally, she updated her blog! Hurray!" Yes, I admit blogging is fun, but it also requires a lot of individual attention--quality time, if you will--from the owner of it, which sadly, hasn't been the case for the past few weeks.

On another note, I myself shouted "finally!" when I saw that my sister Melissa had posted pictures from Brazil on her facebook! I had been waiting since the time they got back to Brazil for her to post lots and lots of pictures of what things were like there, but they never came! Until a couple weeks ago! I was so excited to see all those familiar faces, to see for myself how much the neighborhood kids had grown, to reminisce of days gone by as I clicked through the pictures of places that I have been. Yes, it was a long awaited "finally!"

"Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven,

of touching a hand, and finding it God's.
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial.
Of waking up in glory, and finding it home."
These are the words to the chorus of the song "Finally Home", a beautiful song that attempts to depict one's first moments in heaven. I would like to think that Mrs. Kroeker, the dear old lady I cared for for quite a while, had such a feeling of joy and exhiliration as she stepped into glory the twenty-third of July. Yes, I believe she would now say that she is "Finally Home," finally in the presence of the Savior Whom she loved and sought to honor.

After sitting out of school for a year once finishing high school, I am at last going to college! As of the 17th of August, I will be studying at Cornerstone Bible Institute, in Hot Springs, South Dakota! I have been looking forward to it for such a long time that I can hardly contain my excitement when I realize that in one week I will finally be in college! However, to simply be able to say that "I am a college student" is not my main reason for looking forward to this next big step in my life. My ultimate motive for heading off for further schooling is to be better equipped to serve the Lord. In all honesty, that is what life is all about: serving the Lord and making Him the center of your life! So please be praying for me, not only during the next few weeks, but also throughout this entire chapter of my life. These are probably among the most important years of my life and I desire to take advantage to the fullest extent every opportunity that God gives to me and not get distracted and sidetracked from why God has brought me here and what He wants me to learn.
With that thought, I am finally, once again, beginning to pack. That seems to be the favorite thing I like to do: pack up, unpack. Pack up again, only to unpack and get settled in again. Oh well, I guess that's how life is for an MK. . . :)

Having said that, I will now finally give you some peace from all of my "finallys" and sign off. Probably the next time I post, it will be from Cornerstone Bible Institute! Woohoo! Hot Springs, here I come!

In Him,

Angie

A little twist. . .

2009-07-19T17:24:00.002-03:00

Please take a minute to read this. It is sad how true it really is, even though we don't always want to admit it. To the tune of "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee"--

"Jesus the very thought of Thee,
Bores me, I must confess;
Putting You first in all my life,
Intrests me even less.

"I'll give you time on Sunday Morn--
Then I will sing and praise;
But after that, my time's my own--
Mondays through Saturdays.

"Demand no more of me, O Lord--
there is so much to do.
I have a life, I can't afford
to waste it all on You."

(Bamboo & Lace, pp. 147, by Lori Wick)

Something to think about. . .

2009-06-27T12:25:00.005-03:00

Ok, as you all can probably tell, I really like the book of Philippians. So when I found out that the college and career class at church will be going through the book this summer, I was really excited!

So, I would like to throw outfor you a few of the questions and points to think about that Glen Shaw gave us as we looked at Philippians 1:19-25 last Sunday. I will let you decide for yourself the effect they should have on your life...

"What will others say about me once I am gone? That I was fully devoted to God?"
"Live life to the fullest, not for myself, but rather to magnify God!"
"Is Christ what I crave?"
"What am I really looking for in life? If I don't get it, how will I feel?"
Another way to put that is: "What do I live for?
Finally, how do I magnify Christ? Or, my own twist on that would be: "How am I currently magnifying Christ in my life?"

These are all challenging questions. I think we all know what the "correct answers" to these should be, but in all honesty, are these "correct answers" true in our lives?

In Him,

Angie

My Life--here and now

2009-06-16T22:22:00.006-03:00

Wow, can it only have been a week ago that I was headed to the airport to say goodbye to my family? Was it only a week ago that the dreaded time came when I reached out and hugged my parents, brother, and sister for the last time for two or three years? Was it only a week ago today that my life totally changed, and will never again be like it was a matter of days ago?

Yes, it was. It seems like it can't be already a week since my family boarded the airplane headed to Brazil, yet at the same time, it seems like ages since those tearful goodbyes took place and forced me begin a new chapter of my life.

Life is totally different now: it is so strange for it to just be Patrice and I sitting together at church, to be responsible for making sure there's gas in the car, to not have those good night hugs from mom and dad, to live with another family and adjust to their way of going about each day. . .

Fortunately, even though I will not be able to see my family for a long time, we do have the blessing of modern technology! Yay for email, Skype, and facebook! So far, I think my sister and I have received at least two emails a day from my parents! What would we do without practically instant communication?

Countless people have asked me "How are you doing?" To be honest, I'm not sure; I think the truth is still sinking in--maybe I'm subconsciously hoping that I will wake up and find out that this is all an awful dream. I really cannot put into words (I probably could, but I'm not sure I'm willing yet for you to read it) what I'm feeling right now. All I can say is that "God's Grace is sufficient." On my own, I don't think I can do this, but I'm trusting in Him to be my Provider, Protector, and Parent while I'm here, separated from my family not only by hundreds of miles, but also by a continent and an ocean.

The next few weeks and months will probably be some of the most trying times of my life, but as I read in Psalm 66 yesterday, "Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul." I'm trusting God to show Himself very real and present, and in the years to come, I will then be able to look back at this time and say that He has been faithful, just like He said He would be.

Here is a song that I love and would like to share it with you:

Even in the Valley --
High upon this mountain, the sun is shining bright.
My heart is filled with gladness, here above the cares of night.
but I’ve just come though the valley of troubles, fear and pain.
It was there I came to know my God enough to stand and say:

Even the valley, God is good.
Even in the valley, He is faithful and true
He carries His children through like He said he would.
Even in the valley, God is good! God is good! **

This road of life has led you to a valley of defeat,
you wonder if the Father has heard your desperate plea,
But there is hope in that rugged place where tears of sorrow dwell,
Can’t you hear Him gently whispering: I’m here and all is well?!”

**Emphasis added--don't you love those words?

In Him Alone,

Angie

2009-05-29T01:11:00.005-03:00

Just had to post this picture--it was wonderful to be able to get together a few weeks ago with Teresa, a wonderful friend! She and her family were passing through Hutchinson, and, after many (!) emails and phone calls, we were able to set up a time to get together at the Metropolitan Coffee shop! Even though we only had a short while to visit over a latté and a tea, it was a memorable afternoon!

Some tulips I thought were pretty.

What kind of picture would you like to see posted next? Comment and give me your suggestions! :)

Filling my days. . .

2009-05-29T00:09:00.003-03:00

Ahhh, the days continue to tick by--minute by minute, hour by hour--each passing day bringing my family closer to June 9th. In the meantime, I'm keeping busy with various things:

Packing--I thought that after having to sort through all of my earthly belongings back in Brazil and fitting it all into not even two suitcases, I would not have much trouble packing things up now. Well, as you can guess, just the opposite is true. I have accumulated so much stuff in the short while that I've been back in the United States--if only you could see my room right now (it is a good thing, though, that you can't!) I have been sorting my things into somewhat-identifiable piles of things I need, things I want to keep( even though I don't exactly need them,) and other items that I don't need, (and really don't want either), thus landing them in either the "Goodwill" bag or the trash can. Now, all I have to do is put everything that I have decided to keep into some kind of suitcase, footlocker, or box. Until I do that, I think the floor of my room will be hopelessly cluttered. . .

Preparing for VBS--Next week is VBS at Medora Community Bible Church. My entire family will be involved in various aspects of it: my parents will be teaching the missions-emphisis lessons; Patrice will be assisting the kindergarten class and acting as "Sally" in the puppet skits; Melissa will be busy helping, wherever necessary, with the second-grade class and serving snacks; and finally, Jared wil be attending the special classes for fourth grade! Oh yeah, what will I be doing? That is a good question! Originally, I was supposed to be a helper for the second-grade class, but now, I'm helping with the fifth-grade class, which will be a little awkward. No, it is not because of the fifth-graders that it will be awkward, rather it is because of who the teacher will be--the new intern, who just got here this week! As you have probably already guessed, the intern is a guy, and I don't even know him! Yikes! Yes, I think next week will be a new experience, to say the least! However, on another note, if you could remember to pray for me, I would appreciate it, as I have been asked to give the "salvation lesson" one day for the classes up to second grade. Pray that God will give me the right words to say and help me to clearly convey the message of salvation; pray also that the lesson will possibly draw some of the children closer to a saving knowledge of God, if they haven't already. I will probably be teaching on Wednesday or Thursday (June 3rd or 4th).

Working--My job at Plesant View Home has been going well. During my first few days there, I wondered how I was ever going to make it for the entire summer, but now that I've gotten used to the routine of things, I really enjoy it. I believe that God has me there for a definite purpose--to share one my reasons for believing that, would you believe that in the little town of Inman, at Plesent View Home, in the kitchen (where I'm working), there works another MK girl?!? I mean, what are the odds of that ever happening? Unfortunately, she has obviously turned her back on the Lord and chosen to reject Him Whom her parents have given their lives to share with others. I definitely think God has caused our paths to cross for a specific reason, though I'm not sure what that may be.

Practicing--This Sunday I will be playing the offertory at church! I've been practicing and practicing, and yet the music still doesn't quite seem to be "fitting together"--one time I can play it perfectly, and then the next, I will totally mess it up! I will definitely be glad when both services are over and I have gotten through both times without stumbling over the all notes!

Hopefully I will be able to update this blog again sometime soon!

~ Angie

Becoming a Reality (in three weeks)

2009-05-20T01:13:00.009-03:00

The days are beginning to come to a close; my time with my family is almost gone. There are precisely three weeks left until my parents, Melissa, and Jared board the airline at Kansas City Internation airport on June 9th, leaving Patrice and I here--HELP! As you can imagine, my emotions are commencing to make a very real appearance!

For the past ten days or so, I stayed with the Franklin family, whom I will be staying with after my parents leave. Because I just started a job, I really couldn't go along with the rest of my family when they went up to Montana to visit relatives and two of our supporting churches. It was during this time of separation that the reality of this pending "nightmare" began to sink in: it really is going to happen--I really will be living apart from my parents in the very-near future!

While at times the thought of going off to college sounds exciting, thrilling, and full of adventure, the accompanying implications of living here in the US, separated from everyone and everything that is familiar, is enough to dampen my spirits a bit. A few times throughout the last few days, I have felt almost overwhelmed with the realization of the reality of it all. "Can I really do this?" I've often asked myself. Each time, my mental answer has been: "Well, it's still a long time off in the future; you'll handle it when the time comes." Well, now the time is almost upon me, and I'm not sure if I'll be strong and get through it or not!

It was with such thoughts and emotions boiling near the surface of my heart and mind that I arrived at church last Sunday. As several of my past posts have already mentioned, we have been going through a fantastic series in Sunday school that is by Dr. Jim Berg, examining the character of God and confirming time and again that He is more than enough for our every need! By the end of the hour, I sat amazed at the way God works--the lesson was exactly what I needed!

Why do I say that? Well, would you believe that the very subject of the entire Sunday School hour was our emotions--the very thing I had been struggling with for the past few days? Perhaps the most revealing truth was that "my thoughts dictate my emotions!" So basic, yet so real! If I don't think about something, I won't have emotions about it! Conversely, in order to sustain an emotion, I must think about it!

Now, I'm not saying that in order to get through the next few days and weeks I will simply ignore the inevitable. No, the facts will not go away by mentally saying they don't exist. What I am saying, however, is that it was very freeing, to me, to discover that it is possible for me to control my emotions and sadness about this all! I do have the power to choose what I think about and by avoiding the negative thought patterns of "poor me" that have threatened to make their appearance with increasing frequency lately, I will also be avoiding the negative emotions that accompany them! I don't know. . . am I making any sense at all?

Needless to say, even with all that said, please keep me and my family in your prayers. While I know countless missionary kids have gone through this very thing and have survived (!), this is a first for me.

Trusting in Him,
Angie

The Next Step. . .

2009-04-25T22:18:00.004-03:00

Well, some of you are probably wondering what has happened in my life, especially everything involving my quest of a job. All I can say is that God works everything out for the best--every time! Some times it doesn't always seem like the best thing at the moment, but then other times, it works out how we think is the best. In my situation, God saw fit to allow me to re-take the functional capacity test and pass it! Not only did I achieve the required level 3 in my overall score of the various tasks I had to perform, but exceeded it by a whole point and a half! I can only say that it was of the Lord--especially when the lady who stepped me through it all said that because of my score, I would really to have to work hard in order to pass! She really didn't give me much hope to pass, and asked if I even wanted to proceed to take the test right then and there.

Needless to say, I really didn't want to spend days working out trying to build my strength, so I decided to go ahead and try, even though my chances of achieving the required level #3 were slim. My reasoning was that, if I still didn't pass, well then, perhaps that was God's was of telling me, the second time, that this job was not for me.

The result: As I already mentioned at the beginning of this note, I did pass the test, which in turn means that, upon taking the "drug test," I willl have the job! I am still baffled at the possibility of such a varience in the results of the tests; nonetheless, I am thankful for the way God worked this all out! It is wonderful to now be able to see a little clearer the next step that I am to take in this journey along the road called "life."

Thankful,
Angie

A Door, a window, or neither?

2009-04-20T21:38:00.010-03:00

Have any of you come to the point where you are not sure whether something happened because it is God's will (I mean, of course nothing happens without God allowing it, but rather, "did this happen because it is a sign that 'the door is closed'"?) or wondered if it was simply an opportunity to exercise your faith and determination in order to proceed, even though there were some obstacles to overcome in order to do so?

My reason is asking this is that I found out today that I didn't quite pass the functional capacity test I had to do for my job. Everything about this job opportunity appeared like the best thing--it seemed like God was working everything out perfectly! What more could I ask for--the pay is better than I was getting at my other job, it is right across the street from where I'll be living this summer, I can even go full-time during the summer months! It all was seeming to fit together like puzzle pieces! But then...I didn't pass this test. Why?

When I first found out, one of my first thoughts was: "Well, I guess God has something better for me." But is that really so? Is He truly closing this door because He has something else in store for me that will be, in the long run, much better for me, even though it seemed like the ideal job opportunity, or is this simply an obstacle to be hurdled? Am I to passively accept this as "God's will" and do nothing more about it--to give up--or does He want something more of me? How am I to determine the fine line of accepting God's will for my life, doing my best to accomplish what God wants for my life, yet at the same time, not push my way into something that God doesn't want me to be in? How do I determine when God has closed the door and there is not a window for me to go through instead?

The lady that interviewed me said that there have been times when someone doesn't pass this test, but then they re-take it and they pass. Is this whole thing because God wants to test my faith? Is He trying to tell me that He has other plans--plans of good, and not of evil? Is He telling me to trust Him--that He is in control, that none of this was a surprise to Him? Or is He trying to show me that I need to try again and press onward, even though there may be difficulties because I feel this is where He wants me?

Interestingly, I read this verse this morning in my devotions: "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24), and it seemed to be talking about me. I really don't understand why God allowed this obstacle to come up; I cannot be certain of the course of that I am now to take. However, I take comfort in one thing: It is all of Him, and He is the One leading me down each path of my life, no matter how dark or unknown it may seem!

Random Pictures

2009-04-12T16:24:00.007-03:00

Okay, I get the hint--you want more pictures! Well, here goes some very random pictures from the last few weeks!

Making a snowman from the 18+ inches we got (we're all in t-shirts because it was warm out, in case you thought it looked a little out of place!)

The finished product--Mr. Hunter!

Mr. Hunter became a seat to sit on after he melted apart. (Not sure anyone sat on it for very long though!)

Patrice's birthday

Somone was tired. . .he just couldn't quite make it up the stairs.

Pudim de Leite ("Milk pudding") a traditional Brazilian dessert that was served at a gathering after our Mission's banquet (yes, we actually had a big dinner, then went to someone else's house and ate some more--this time some Brazilian food!)

Squished on one chair, but that's okay because the food was good--espeitinhos, Guaraná, and farofa! mmmm!

Lincoln (otherwise known as Jared) at the Lincoln Museum suvenir (sp?) shop.

Don't worry, Melissa didn't fall on her head!

What happens when we go on "spur-of-the-moment" picnics-- we forgot to bring anything to roast the marshmallows with! (Not to even mention that we couldn't get the fire going for the hamburgers!)

Up in Minnesota--the Lehrman kids with the Geber girls. We had a wonderful evening with them, even though it had been almost ten years since the last time we saw them! Yeah, everyone looked just a little bit different than the last time! :)

"That I may know Him. . . ." Philippians 3:10

Bitter-sweet...

Because of the lack of a title...

I'm Still Alive :)

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Reminded...

Moments from Priscilla School, Part 2

Priscilla School

Simple, yet difficult

A Day Together

To think about...

To Live as They did...

The more touristy side of things...

A Little Peek...

Week 1

H.O.M.E.

Close to an end...

Peace with God

Low in the grave He lay...

I'm slowly learning that...

Three down, two to go...

For a few short days...

God is so good

“Oh be careful little mouth….”

More precious than gold, sweeter than honey...

to let the cat out of the bag...

Just thought I would let you know...

Memories...

Broken???

T.h.e Y.e.a.r...

I just can't...

But most of all...

I Am Thankful...

[on a snowy day]

discoveries...

Parked or Driving?

"when I grow up..."

to believe...

Missions Trip, part 2

Missions Trip, part 1

Coming up...in a week!

Happy Fourth!

Who am I?

this will take more than just a minute to read...

*smile*

like the ocean waves...

In case you were wondering...yes, I am still alive!

Finally! (Can you tell my life has been busy?)

An Update. . . and some quotes from Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy"

An Update. . . and some quotes from Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy"

Prayer Request

Some pictures from the last few days. . .

God is good. . .

A little twist. . .

Something to think about. . .

My Life--here and now

Filling my days. . .

Becoming a Reality (in three weeks)

The Next Step. . .

A Door, a window, or neither?

Random Pictures

smile