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. . .

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."

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. . .

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. . .

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

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

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! :)