Moving Again, I'm Moving Again

Yep, here I am, once again lost in a sea of ugly cardboard boxes. Wait?!?! Did I say they were ugly?!?! Forget that! They are actually quite lovely when you start to think about it. Filling up cardboard boxes means another adventure! And I LOVE a good adventure. This time, I'm spreading my wings to fly farther than I ever have before (for this length of time anyway). In eight days my parent's vehicle and my own little red car will be filled with my worldly possessions and start out on a moving adventure!
This past summer, I knew I needed to make a change in my choice of schools. Through some pretty incredible and God-orchestrated circumstances, next Saturday I will be moving to Ohio to attend Cedarville University, where I will study Early Childhood Education and Spanish. While the packing part is not new (this will the the FIFTH time these boxes have been packed in the last 16 months), the journey that awaits on the other end is entirely new. I'm moving to a new state, a new school, a new church, a LOT of new people, and (hopefully) a new job. I've never gone to a place so big, so far from home, where I have only met three people in person. I'm nervous, scared, and EXCITED to begin this new adventure.
Ohio, here I come!!! :)

Day by Day

Wow! Summer is passing all too quickly. At the beginning I had no idea how I would ever survive, and now I don’t want it to end! Up until now, I’ve been working full time, part time, and taking a college course. I’ve been busy, but (for the most part) content. I am now done with the part time job and college class, so I’ll finally be able to spend some time doing regular summer things, like vacation! I am so excited! J

In addition to keeping busy, God has allowed me to live with an amazing family this summer, and I wouldn’t trade my time with them for anything. They are so special to me, and each one has slowly but surely worked their way into my heart. I will be sad to move out again in just under one month, but I will still have the pleasure of seeing mom, dad, and Carah every Sunday at church. They truly have been a blessing and encouragement. I thank God over and over for their kindness and generosity.

I also praise God that He has a perfect plan for everything. Just a few days ago, I was reading in Matthew about how we shouldn’t worry about tomorrow because God already has it planned out for us. He’s given us enough to keep us busy and focused on for today; we don’t need to go fretting about the future. He’s been working in my life in so many ways these past few weeks. Each day I am learning a little bit more how to trust in Him and lean on His understanding instead of my own. If I were to control my own life, I would be spinning seriously out of control. I don’t know where I’ll be six years from now, or even six months from now, but I do know, if I trust God and walk according to His will, my life will become something beautiful and have purpose. I will be able to be used by Him to further his kingdom if I simply trust in Him and led Him lead me day by day.

But a Vapor

Wow! Where has the time gone?!?! It seems like just yesterday, I was packing up all of my worldly belongings and starting off on my college journey. I was scared out of my whits to move to Ankeny. I didn't need any new friends. I didn't need anyone to tell me where to go to church; I already knew. And I was going to try out my little wings for the first time in this great big world. It's a good thing God can get through to stubborn people! This first year of college has gone by so quickly! I made more friends than I can count (two of which are extra special to me...bonds that will last a lifetime...), and I broke out of my church mold and began attending a church that I recently heard described as "a little unorthodox." Yep, God sure showed me! :) For this, I am GLAD! Sitting here writing this, I can hardly believe it's almost over. The packing boxes have reared their ugly heads once again. However, I wouldn't change these past nine months for anything! God has done so much, in such a short amount of time! They say life moves by more quickly as you get older...I must be getting really old! ;) I've been reminded that our lives on this earth are extremely short in light of eternity. What am I doing to make a difference in other people's lives? Who am I impacting for eternity? Good stuff to think about. So, how about you...are you living in light of eternity?

He Answers Prayer!

Well, as some of you know, my life is kind of...undecided for the time being...I guess.... A week ago, I had no idea what I was doing for the summer, for next fall...for the rest of my life...I'm still uncertain about the last two, but God works wonders! :) (This I KNOW!)
Last Friday, a good friend (my pastor's son) and I were at supper together, and then afterwards we just started talking. He asked me what I was doing with my summer, and I told him I would really just love to stay in the Ankeny area and work full time at the daycare. So, we prayed about it. He asked that if God really wanted me up here that He would provide a place for me to live...Saturday, God answered! :)
I was at my pastor's house to make a cake for my best friend's birthday when the topic of summer plans came up, yet again. This time my pastor asked me what I was doing, so I told him the same thing. He looked at me and said he'd announce at church that one of the college students needed summer housing. Well, I went about my day while the family went about their activities. That evening, when they all got back home, my pastor came to me and said, "Laura, you're staying with us this summer..." I was like, "Whaaaaat?!?"
I'm so excited to stay with the Peterson family this summer! Mostly, it was SOOOO awesome to see God answer prayer...and so quickly at that! :) He's faithful, and for that I'm thankful. God knew how to provide at just the right time.
I must say, before I got my summer figured out, I was fretting and worrying about...well, pretty much the rest of my life. Now that God's shown me what to do with my summer, I'm not nearly as worried about the fall or the rest of my future. I KNOW God answers prayer and that He will provide when the time is right. As long as I follow hard after God, He'll light my path when I get there. I just need to take one step at a time and remember that my life is in His control, not mine! :)

Life is Rough; God is Good

Oh, where to even begin...let's see...I'm sitting here, looking at my calendar, and wondering where this year has gone. It's April, and it seems like just yesterday I was recounting the adventures of last year. So much has happened in such a short time! Since I started college in the fall, God has blessed me with some AMAZING friends, I've learned a lot, and He's taught me to trust in Him. (I sure can't do this life thing on my own...)
Late last July, people thought I was crazy for changing my college plans last minute, packing my things, and heading for a college I hadn't even been officially accepted to. But, God proved Himself to be loving and wonderful. I've thoroughly enjoyed my (almost) two semesters here at Faith. However, once again, I feel God prompting me in another direction...No, I'm not going to do anything ridiculously drastic...but, I'm pretty sure it's time to change things up again...Here's where life starts getting crazy.
In the next month-ish I need to find a place to live (indefinitely and for relatively cheap), decide on a college (most likely online), and trust God for a smooth transition and that He really does have a perfect plan.
It's a scary time of life. It's kind of like going to kindergarten or middle school. It's like walking across the platform at graduation or that first day of college. It's all new and scary. You're excited for the new adventures that lie ahead, but you're not quite ready to let go of the past, all at the same time. I never dreamed the day would come when I would be looking for a place to live, not with my parents and not in a dorm. It's one of those things that you hear other people talk about, but you never expect to get to that point yourself. They are all so much older than you, right? WRONG?!?! Talk about a wake-up call! It's my turn to do this crazy thing called growing up and living life. :S
But, through it all, I can see God's hand and His faithfulness. A year ago, I didn't even want to leave home. I was going to live at home for four years and then find a job locally. I was going to be with Mom and Dad and Leah for at least four more years....Nope! Didn't happen. God led me to Faith. That first month, I was scared out of my mind! I was a country girl in the city. (They even have stoplights and turning lanes here!!!!!) Long about October, I was settled in pretty well, but I had every intention of going home for the summer and then coming back in the fall. Now, God's saying "no" again. But, that's okay. This country girl knows that God is faithful, good, and that He will provide for me, and lead me where He wants me to go. Now I just get to practice my patience...
GOD IS GOOD EVEN WHEN LIFE IS ROUGH!!!!!!!

Paul's Example

Wow! Wait...let me say that again...WOW! I've been reading through the books of Corinthians this week (it's due tomorrow for New Testament, it's where I've been encouraged to go, and I don't think I've ever done it; so, now seemed like the opportune time...) Anyway, as I've been reading through these letters that Paul wrote to Corinth, I have been just struck with awe at the testimony and example of Paul. To put it bluntly: Paul was AMAZING! He was totally sold out for God! However, he also knew that he could do none of the great things he did on his own. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 he tells them that he is not eloquent with words, he is weak, fearful, and he could only minister to them through the power of Jesus Christ. That's what Paul's message was all about! He NEEDED God's help. He could NOT do it on his own! Oh, how many times I fail at that...anyway...Then in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul tells them to "be imitators of me as I am an imitator of Christ." He told them to follow his example. Even though he knew he was worthless without God's help and all of his work would be in vain, even though in 1 Timothy 1:15 he counts himself "the chief of sinners", God told him to have the Corinthians (and other churches, too) to follow his example. Here was the Apostle Paul, the former persecutor of the church, "the chief of sinners", the one who was nothing on his own, and God wanted others to follow his example!!!!! What?!?...Oh, let me say that again..WHAT?!? Wow!!!!! Oh, wowie, wow, wow!!!! That's SOOO awesome! It's really made me start thinking about what kind of example I am. Would God ever want anyone to follow my example? Hmmm...Ouch! Think on that for a while...Would God ever desire that anyone follows after the pattern of our lives??? Do you have a lot of work to do? I know I do!!!!!!

Spring!

Wow! Our God is simply amazing! Here we were just a week and a half ago being surrounded by millions of little white flakes falling from the sky, and now, just look out your window! It’s simply GEORGEOUS out there!!!!!! Having just come off spring break, I am super glad for the nice weather that accompanied me back up to Ankeny. It’s was refreshing to wake up for class and not worry about lugging my coat around all day. The robins are splashing in the puddles, classroom windows are open, clouds have that white, ultra-puffy look to them, the sun is shining, and the weather is just right! Yep! Spring is definitely in the air!!!!!!! This afternoon, I was able to share the lovely weather with my dear friend Kirsten over a picnic lunch. J I just love picnics! Last night, it rained. It was such a pleasure to saunter through the drizzle without a care in the world. Sure enough, everything about last night and today screams of spring…right down to the last little earthworm crawling across the sidewalk! I know in a few weeks we’ll all probably start complaining about the rain, or we’ll wish that summer was here already, but it’s nights like last night and days like today that remind me God is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS in control of EVERYTHING! He controls the weather, and He knows exactly the right time to change the seasons! Praise the Lord that He is in control! For now, take a moment to thank Him for this wonderful season called spring. I know I am!!!!!!