I'm alive...

There are certain things in life that do an amazing job at reminding me that I'm ALIVE! Today the sun is shining, the air is fresh, and- oh how blue the sky is. For some reason when it is like this outside... I truly feel alive!! Take a breathe of fresh air.

"Its times like these that remind you 'I'm alive'!" -Extreme Days quote as they are jumping off cliffs with snowboards attached to their feet!

I know that if you are in Nevada today it is not quite like this outside... but still, take it in! Remember this truly is the day that the Lord has made, and we could do NOTHING without Him!!

why be bummed?

Last night we did this fiesta literature night for some kids from a school. IT didn't really go how we wanted it to, and I didn't really see very much benefit from it all, so I ask God- what was the purpose... I put a lot of time and money into something that was crappy... why?

This is what I read this morning in My Upmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

The DESTITUTION OF SERVICE

"Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."
2 Corinthians 12:15
Natural love expects some return, but Paul says- I do not care whether you love me or not, I am willing to destitute myself completely, not merely for your sakes, but that I may get you to God. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor." Pauls idea of service is exactly along that line- I do not care either what extravegence I spend myself, and I will do it gladly. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
The ecclesiastical idea of a servant of God is not Jesus Christ's idea. His idea of a servant of God is that we serve Him by being the servants of other men. Jesus Christ out-socialists the socialists. He says that in His Kingdom he that is greatest shall be the servant of all (and all the Losers get a crown). The real test of the saint is not preaching the gospel, but washing disciples' feet, that is, doing the things that do not count everything in the estimate of God. Paul delighted to spend himself out for God's interest in other people, and he did not care what it cost. We come in with our economical notions- "Suppose God wants me to go there- what about the salary? What about the climate? How shall I be looked after? A man must consider these things." All that is an indication that we are serving God with a saint in his life, viz., not one who proclaims the Gospel merely, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for other lives.

So long as there is a human being who dies not knowing Jesus Christ I am his debtor to serve him until he does. The mainspring of Pauls service was not for the love of men, but love for Jesus Christ. If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and broken-hearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving fellow man.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever!
-Psalms 138:8

I just can't explain Him, or His love. It is like nothing else! When all else appears nasty and messed up or just plain no good- He brings to your heart and soul this indescribable hope that only comes from Him. Then you realizee- this is why He says to trust Him. This is why He is all I need and my all-sufficient Creator. Yeah Lord, Thanks! We appreciate it!
I love you Lord!

From Light Force by Brother Andrew:

"I wondered if Christians whould die fighting or live kneeling, and were those the only alternative?" -speaking of our brothers and sisters caught in the Middle East cross-fire.

"He was building up the Light Force." -the army of light

Oh, to bring Hope to the hopeless...

The Rain...

As I was walking back from night class just nowI got totally saturated by a soft, full, and yet pleasantly warm rain.

In my mind I can see your face,
As Your love pours down in a shower of grace.

Some people tell me that your just a dream,
But my faith is the evidence of things unseen.

Is his love saturating you in a shower of grace?
Does it cover every crack and opening that there is?
Can you feel it? Is it enveloping your being and developing you as a light?

Are you drenched yet?

Happy Valentine's Day

COMPUTER STILL NOT FIXED- I'm workin on it!

Hey could you all pray for me, as Wednesday is my first Observed Lesson in the 1st grade class I am in. I am a tad bit nervous, but I know that God is the one who had called me to this... so as long as I am obedient He will make it happen!

Also pray for IWU this week as it is Missions week and you all know the Mission is why we are here. Pray that the presence of the Lord will be felt this week and Live will be changed and devoted to HIM!!!

I love you guys and HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"You are the one I will always adore, but there is another who love you much more!" Do you know the ONE I am talking abou this week- don't forget LOVE should be our motivation!

David with Spoken's lead singer and drummer after the concert!

This is how up close and center we were... we decided that they had Taco Bell for dinner... atleast thats what their breathe smelt like...

Lead singer from Last Tuesday- punk band

Meghan Fergusen in front of the Trouble with Fergusen Band sign while Last Tuedays bass player jumps in the photo!

SPOKEN's DRUMMER

SPOKEN- lead singer

Some pictures from THE CRAZY NIGHT!

A CRAZY NIGHT!!!

4:40 Return from working all-day with 1st graders
Change out of "teacher" clothes into... college attire
Food? Wildcat? no time... PB&J and carrots
5:00 Meet up with Meghan and David (whom i havn't seen in over a year)
Get in car... direction? no
Be right back... run up stairs... print... 2 1/2 hour drive? nah... were quick
6:00 Half way? uh... no, but we'll just miss the small town bands, we're cool
6:30 Lights? cop? speeding? owe.
Life goes on... we laugh... and enjoy the ride
6:45 Well, the last band is what we wanted to see anyway, right?!?
7:15 Arrive at church... not bad timing, only 15 min. late
Bands ROCKED... Spoken's 10 year anniversary to the day
What a pleasure to share the monumental moment
David got to sing into the mic. twice
We were front and center
We could smell the Taco Bell on the bands breathe
We could see their sweat dripping off
We helped the singer untangle his mic. cord
We all got pictures and signatures of the bands
Trouble with Ferguson, Last Tueday, Staple, and Spoken were all amazing
...smiles all around
hearing GONE
10:45 We finally decide we can leave, get in my blue beretta and go
A couple minutes down one of the roads and three people have flashed their lights at us
R out lights working?... yeah
Man, I wonder whats wrong
Oh, this is a one way street
Wow, thank you Lord for you protection
Donmoyer to Michigan to 31 to 24 to 15
12:30 15... were we on 15 this long?
Why don't the signs say Marion?
Have you seen any gas stations for a while?
nope, why?
we are almost on empty
shouldn't we be in Marion by now?
uh... yeah
That sign said we're in Warsaw
The Marathon is closed?
uh oh- we need gas, like now!
Oh, I think we went the wrong way on 15, we're like and hour away from Marion
Well, Lord help us out here
Do we know anyone form Warsaw
hmmmm... no... well isn't
David Scott?... yeah!
cell... no answer
12:41 david's room... not in dorm... talk to Joe
Do you know anyone is Warsaw uh... Another number?...
Loose reception...
No one answers other number...
Hey, I have David's Mom's cell- what? why? How?, well yeah... that's God 4 ya
12:51 Mrs. Scott- yeah, remember me- we have no gas
Gas stations are closed
You have gas! Wow, yeah thats God 4 ya!
Is that her, no. There she is, no. That... no.
God are you laughing with us right now.
How many people turn by the Marathon at 1:00 in the morning...
in a town where there is nothing open?
There she is...
1:12 Hug Mrs. Scott- THANK YOU so much
you were still up... wow
Thank you so much, your AMAZING
Thanks Again- BYE
1:30 On 15 again, the right direction
What was that?
A paper bag...
Do paper bags make that noise when you hit them?
uh... no
We KILLED thumper
Are you sure it wasn't a small white dog or cat
no... oh... okay
1:45 What was that?
A squirrel
stupid rodents
at least that one made it out alive
2:15 Gas... full tank... just in case
Call Reed, oh, no curfew... sweet
So that was interesting... want to go to Steak and Shake?
Why not?
2:30 Two brownie sundaes, chili, and a hamburger
Write down details of nights events... long list
3:00 Arrive at Indiana Wesleyan University
Well... that was a fun night... nice hanging out with you... nice meeting you


Through it all... GOOD Music (check out Hawk Nelson and The Wedding... they're awesome... may be some of my new favorite bands), GOOD Humor, GOOD People, GOOD Laughing, and a GREAT BIG GOOD GOD!!! Hey just pray, it works... and you may even see God's humor thru it all!

blogging...

I just had some adjustments made to my computer! Hopefully it will work better now and I will be able to blog more often!

Again, keep my student teaching and Summer options in your prayers... I want to do what God can use me in most effieciently!

Stay strong, and in His Word... it builds you up!!

Remember to be motivated by His love in everything you do... that the difference between our Jesus and other's gods!

Student Teaching?

As of Monday everything for student teaching next year was needed...
dePosit
Partner
Place

I had none of them

So, should I just not do it?

Oh, ye of little faith

Hebrew 11:1
Faith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of the UNSEEN!

Tuesday
I had partially all of the money and a hold on the now made dePosit
I had a Partner (the only two unplaced people)
I had 4 options in where to go... not Muslim countries
is this settling for less than God's plan or going with it?

Here are the option- All Internationally Accredited Schools in:
Germany
Prague, Czech Republic

and... looking into but not forward options
Norway and Azerbaijan

so... now...

PRAY!?

FAITH!?

TRUST!?

Will you join with me for this... His will is all I want

Honestly... wherever I can be His hands the BEST

Lord, place me in YOUR Placement- not mine...

WRECKLESS ABANDONEMENT!?!

Semester thus far...

The beginning of this semester started out a little strange, but it's all good. I have started my first practicum at school. I go to a school called Northwestern all day on Wednesdays and Fridays. It takes about an hour to get there, but it is well worth the drive. I have been blessed to be placed with an amazing teacher and class. My teacher knows what she is doing, wants me to be invloved and practices balanced literacy. The students are also amazing. They all want to be ther and they all want to learn. I realize that this is hardly ever the case in most classes, but boy am I blessed.

On Wednesday nights I also get to help out with a ministry at the church I attend here in Marion. I've been able to help teach the some of the local community kids who are bussed in. That as well has been amazing, as I have seen the Lord work through many people to reach these wonderful kids who are longing and searching for the hope that only Christ can give! They're fosheezy fojeezzy (a.k.a. they are for sure for Jesus).

Prayer Requests:
-Pray that the Lord will continuely let all of us (IWU Practicum students) shine for Christ as these praticums are an amazing oppurtunity to show the love of Jesus.

-Pray that the people who are in charge of placing us for student teaching put me right where God wants me to be. I have applied for Cross-cultural student teaching so this means that the experience will be amazing and stretching. Also pray that the Lord provides for this, for even the $300 downpayment is coming up on me quick.

-Continue to pray for our Brothers and Sisters around the World who are being persecuted, along with those who are persecuting them and need the True Hope that only Christ bring!

Let us continue on in His ways so that we may bring His Hope to the Hopeless!!
Perseverence is key in all that we do...
Life has no meaning until you come into a relationship with the its Creator.

While home we had a "new years flood" due to the Pineapple Express (weather pattern) this was the first big flood since the New Years Flood of 1997. 

2 boxes of candy canes: $3.99 6 rolls of clear wrap: $21.28 3 rolls of toilet paper: $1.58 3 friends getting together to prank their youth pastor: PRICELESS  

My friend Klinttin is quite funny. The first couple days I was back I was given the great honor of house sitting for his family. One night I get a call from Klinttin. He says "I don't trust you" and I asked- what do you mean. He then replies that he is a afraid I am going to do something to his room... I now had to do something to his room! After asking his Mom and getting a "I wont get mad at you response" we- I mean- I decided to think of something funny to do. We proceeded to rearrange his closet, switch his desk items around, hide his remotes, and short sheet his bed. About a week later we Christmas paper wrapped his- I mean- his mom's car and then proceeded to go into his house and watch a movie- without any suspicion. We had a blast being pranksters!! Here is a OCD before photo of the closet.