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!!!!!!

Valentine's Day: Moment of Truth

Well, it's official. Valentine's Day has come once again. For me, Valentine's Day doesn't really mean a whole lot. It's my oldest sister's birthday, so most Valentine's were spent celebrating her. Oh, we always got gifts on this day, and Mom usually made us "love toast" :) , but mostly I enjoy Valentine's Day because of the parties we would have at school. However, this year, being at college and all, Valentine's Day has become a whole new affair (no pun intended). ;) So many crazy people running around trying to woo their special someone. Too many people spending way too much money to find a way to creatively express their love for another. OK, maybe I'm a little cynical...I'm working on that.... Moment of truth? OK. Deep in her heart, somewhere, Laura Sue Vance is a hopeless romantic. I mean come on, what female out there with any sort of a brain wouldn't want some nice, strong, handsome, godly, amazing man to hold her close and whisper sweet nothings in her ear? Who doesn't want a big box of chocolates and a dozen bright red roses? But, in all reality...what good would all of that be? They are all fleeting and worthless. I am perfectly content to sit here an wait a very long time before I deem any man worthy of my time and energy. For the time being, I am perfectly content to work on my ultimate, first-and-foremost love story...the one I have with my amazing Saviour! He alone is worthy of my praise, adoration, and love. He is what all of my focus, attention, and energy need to be centered around. He is my first love, and He always should be! So, this Valentine's Day, I'm going to spend some quality time with my God! Of course, He has given me some pretty great blessings so far today (much better than a dozen roses)! I have an amazing friend, Kirsten, that I am going to share dinner with tonight, I got off of work early (granted, it was because I wasn't feeling well, but I got off early nonetheless, and it was a blessing), I found out I got a part in the school play, I opened my Valentine's package from my parents, I got a cute little hamster eraser in my mailbox (his name is Beauregard), and I don't have any homework that I HAVE to do for tomorrow! Yep! God sure chose to bless me on this Valentine's Day! So thankful that He loves me unconditionally and always knows just what I need! Thank you Lord! Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!!!

What a Wonderful Weekend! :D

Yep...ALL day long on Friday, I sat there, counting down the hours and minutes until I would be able to hop in my little red car and take off for home. Classes went by slowly and work even more so! I could not wait for the clock to read 6:00 so I could be done with Ankeny for the weekend!!!! Finally, it happened. I found myself signing out of work and getting in my car! The time had come for Kirsten, Ian, and, me to make the two and a half hour trek down to Bonaparte. Kirsten and I loaded our things, and then we went to get Sarah, who also rode with us as far as Fairfield. Then, we went to get Ian...whose phone and mine evidently have a small disconnect somewhere. We waited and waited for him to come. Finally, we asked one of the boys in the parking lot to go and get him...Yeah, he finally got the text that I had sent him about ten minutes down the road...Oh, well, we left, and that's the important thing. We stayed up into the wee hours watching a movie and just spending time together as friends. Saturday was a rather lazy day. I had a chiropractor appointment, we did laundry, I messed over Sunday's dessert, pillow fights were prevalent, Left Behind movies were on the agenda, a lot of Acts project, and again, in general, just having a really great time being friends. (I SOO wish that I could have wrestled with them, but, since the whole reason for the trip was my trip to the chiropractor, I decided against it...:( Oh, well! Once again, we stayed up into the morning talking and doing random things. Sunday we went to church! I love my church. The people there are wonderful. We sang special music "There is a Redeemer". Grandpa came for lunch, as did Lindsey, Bethany, and Alexxa. We had a super fun time. Again, more pillow fights, and food fights, too. :D We finally took off for Ankeny once again at about 6:30 Sunday evening. Oh, how short the weekend was! I wish that it could have gone on forever, but, alas, reality has once again reared its ugly head. Classes started bright and early at 7:00 this morning. Such is life! I'm so thankful that I was able to enjoy the weekend while it lasted! I hope that we can do it again...SOON! :D

February! :D

Oh, how great this February is starting out! Let's see...
1) The weather is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) This means that we got to go outside at daycare again today!  This makes me super happy!
3) It started on a Wednesday, so I got to do Bible study with Daniel and Megan again. I LOVE watching the three little boys! Super fun!
4) There is just a little over one month until spring break, a little over two months until Easter, and just over three months until school is done for the school year! :D
Oh, my goodness! Another day full of God's amazing blessings! Thank you Heavenly Father!