Oh the needles, Part II
I know I'm going to regret saying this, but I really wish there was more noise on my floor. It's almost TOO quiet. It might be nice once I start my full work schedule...hopefully...
So, I'm very proud of myself. I had to get a TB skin test today and I watched the whole thing. For those of you who have read my earlier posts, I do NOT like needles, especially those that are puncturing my skin! But, instead of taking the path of the coward, I watched as the nurse shoved a very small needle in my skin and then filled it with fluid. It's actually quite cool looking and watching how it worked made me not pay so much attention to the pain (which is very little since it's a very little needle...but a needle just the same).
Anyways, all this to say that I think I might be taking a step towards not being so freaked out about getting stuck with needles. YAY! I have to go to sleep now. I need all my energy to watch 3 year old Lou tomorrow. He's a bundle of energy...and I LOVE it!!
Goodnight all!!
Long awaited post...
So, I've been told by a certain someone that I don't post enough, and that I should be writing even if I don't have anything to say. Sorry, I'll do better...
I just got back yesterday from a week long InterVarsity camp thing and it was completely amazing. How is it that God can use a week and meet each person in a different way and it be exactly what they need? Oh, wait...He's God! It was refreshing and renewing and I'm so very thankful for the time I got to spend with everyone (I'm sorry your ankle got hurt, Sarah, but you still looked good while jumping :)
For this week long camp (I really don't like calling it that because I think it sounds far too elementary, but I can't think if anything else, so I'll just grin and bear it if I have to) I chose a track called Loving God's Story, and it was a Bible overview. I really had no idea what to expect, but it ended up being so much of what I needed. Especially for drawing me back into the Old Testament, the beginning of God's story of His relationship with us, the brokenness and the desire to redeem it. His justice and mercy and forgiveness. My passion for His Word was really renewed over the course of the track. A passion that I've definitely not kept in good enough check during the business of the school year. I really have learned that it's not right to dwell on how bad you've done in the past. Once you've repented, think only on how you will change the behavior. Live forgiven (thanks, Caleb! Love ya!) and know it's more than likely that you'll mess up again.
So, to round out the lengthiness of this post, I need to tell a little story. I was looking at books online today and came across a topical Bible. Now, for those of you who aren't as uneducated as to the existence of this as me, I apologize. I was kind of disgusted. It's bad enought when people take things verse by verse without studying and investigating the "context," but to dedicate a whole Bible to letting people read scriptures grouped by "ideas" is horrible in my opinion. Talk about asking for things to be taken out of context. (thank you Nick for showing me how to attach links...I think I'll go a little link crazy for awhile)
Here's a quick example of a topical verse search gone wrong. I was in Sunday school and we had split into 2 groups. One group was looking up scriptures about Heaven and the other about hell. I was in the group looking at Heaven, but some of the verses were clearly talking about the sky or "the heavens." It was like the leader had just done a quick concordance search for any scripture with the word heaven in it without looking into the context of each verse. This is a very innocent example, but things like this happen all the time, allowing people to use the Word in the way it suits them best. Even Satan tried to use scripture for his own good when he tempted Christ. People try to use it to benefit themselves in their own situation, make themselves feel better, or make a point that the author of the text was clearly not making.
I like to suggest reading things book by book. Getting the author's style and overall meaning before going back and picking up the smaller themes or important verses. Doing manuscripts studies of books and longer passages, ignoring chapter and verse markings. And, if I'm wrong about this whole topical Bible thing, feel free to correct me. I've never even seen it before, so I might have the wrong idea of what it really is. From what it looks like to me, I don't think it's a good thing to be encouraging among believers.
Well, it's getting late, my post is getting entirely too long, and I'm running out of things to say. All signs point toward me being done for the night. I have a long week ahead of me and I still haven't had the chance to catch up since Cedar. Since I know how to do it now (thanks again, Nick :), I'll post a couple of pictures of my adventures at Cedar campus when I get a hold of them. Goodnight everyone! And, God bless!
A lovely evening
I just spent a lovely evening walking around the city with good friend. Milwaukee can be so beautiful at night. I must leave you with a bit of information that I promised I would share...
NICK'S AN EXPRESS LOVER NOW!!!
(OR WILL BE SOON...THAT'S FOR YOU NICK:)
One down, 3 more to go...
Oh Happy Day! I finished my first year at MSOE without a scratch and still kicking! It really is exciting to think I am on my way. Next thing you know, my parents will be crying cause one of their kids actually graduated college. Well, considering I only lasted a year at the 2 other colleges I've been at, keep your fingers crossed. :) J/K!
It's officially summer and I'm officially done with my freshman year. Tomorrow, I'm heading off to Cedar for our Chapter Focus Week. I've only heard very good things about this place and I am looking forward to some quiet time away from the fast paced college life where I can really look back and reevaluate what has happened this past year. I know you should never rely on something like a camp or a convention to bring you closer to God, but I know this will be a good time for me to look at where I've come to over the past year and look at where God is leading me. Plus, it's not school, I don't have to do homework, and I get to be around my good friends. I couldn't ask for a better start to the summer.
It's been awhile since my last post, and things have definitely been hectic. Overall, the year has been a continual learning experience, as all of life should be. I've had my ups and downs, but God has been faithful to this child of His. I've learned about faith, forgiveness, trust and love, along with a host of other things I don't have time to get into at the moment. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me the rest of my time at MSOE. I know it'll just fly by...
Attachment
Why is it that we get so attached to things as humans. People, animals, houses...I've only spent the past 8 years (more like an actual 5.5 years) in this house and the thought of not coming home to it breaks my heart. My parents only recently put it up for sale, and the first nibble ended up being the last one. They have until the end of June to be out. Honestly, I love my house. And I don't doubt that God is taking care of my family because He has never failed to in the past. Also, our house in Illinois was on the market a year and a half before it sold and I remember what that did to my parents. Maybe short and swift is better in the long run. Who knows. I just know it's gonna be weird to go visit home in Wautoma and not go to my house. Please pray that God blesses my parents' finding a good home to move into and that their faith and trust in God's plan stays strong and firm throughout this entire process.
On top of this house thing, I found out my dog (well, the family dog) is dying. She has heart worms, and there is no way (at least not a reasonably priced one) to treat her condition. As much as she can get on my nerves, Lady has always been a good dog and I will miss her a lot. For some reason, without even thinking, it's very easy to make our way through life forgetting that everything else will pass away, everyone will meet their maker, and everything has its time and place. As much as attachment seems to stink at this point, I wouldn't trade pouring my heart and love and passion into things for the world.
Keep moving foward...
Well, I've had better days...not necessarily just referring to today. These past 2 weeks have been pretty rough overall. But, each day is a new day...
I got a job for the summer! This proves how faithful God is when we're not paying attention. Only 7 more days of class and 4 days of final and I'll have one year down (only 3 more to go). Class is still equally challenging, especially nearing the end.
I just have to say that I am blessed with the most amazing friends in the world. They are a testimony to the fact that each friendship we have is ordained by God and carries its own set of unique blessings. I love you guys so much (you know who you are) and I thank God every day that he brought me to this city and that I've had the opportunity to know and love all of you. This summer is gonna be awesome!
I'd like to leave you with a line from a Big Daddy Weave song:
"No matter what my present situation, I need to give it all to You."
Amen.
Here I am, Lord. I'm listening...
It's been a few days since my last post. Things are busy with the year coming to an end soon. Life has been stressful, but God is still remaining true (to no surprise). It's super late (or should I say early) and 8am comes so quickly, so I'm just gonna share a couple lines of what's been on my heart
Sometimes the things God is asking of you seem too difficult to bear.
Sometimes the world outside is saying, "Why would He take you there?"
I know You guide me, see my weariness, and yet You have a plan.
Help me to find Your strength inside and find the wisdom to understand.
Let me be the one you ask of me. Bold and strong, pure and right.
Search me, teach me, know my thoughts,
Lead me through and give me Your eyes.
Eyes to see the things You reveal in each intricate thread of my life.
To rightfully speak without wavering
Your Truth and love to each beautiful child.
"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whome you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:14-17
