I'm Back!

Hi Everyone!

I had a very good trip, and I can only say that because of God's grace. With the emotions and physical stress that I have been dealing with lately, I became very physically exhausted during the trip. Because of that, I was able to learn a lot about myself and about my needs and how I can best take care of myself. I was also able to have many good conversations with the women on the trip. They prayed with me, they let me cry with them, and they lent an ear to listen to me talk through what I've been going through. By the end of the week my emotions had been realigned and now I am doing much better, although still going through the physical outworking of it all. It was hard and painful, but good overall. Thank you to all of you who were praying for the trip.

We were able to get a lot of work done on four different houses. We had such a large crew so we had to split up into four different work teams. It was fun and interesting working with a certain group of girls who I haven't really worked much with before. I enjoyed it, and God was so good both individually and to our group as a whole. When I get my pictures back I will post some.

Please continue to pray for my mom. She goes into surgery this Tuesday. I also have three AP tests this week, and then All States Music Festival next week. Pray God's strength will sustain me and my family, as I know it will.

Thank You! It's good to be back on the computer after a week. I'm not sure that's a good thing...

Trip to the South

Well, I will not be updating for the next week or so because I will be traveling down to Mississippi with my church. We are going to help the organization down there rebuild houses in Gulfport, Mississippi. I am really excited to be going!

Please pray for us (there are around 57 going) and pray that the journey would be safe. Pray that we would go forth with a heart ready and willing to work to the glory of God and not for our own pride. Pray for me as I am recovering from a nasty virus, probably brought on from recent travels and late nights trying to make up homework. Pray that God would give me and others strength. Thanks!

Also, I decided to go to Jackson, Mississippi for college next year!! To read the cool story, click here. The college is called Belhaven College. It's small, but the campus is somewhat sprawling.

Open Floor

I've been playing a game with me, myself and I. Actually, it's something that I talk about frequently with others (which is where most of the game comes from), but I just now made it into a game and was wondering if anyone wanted to join. Here's what it is: How is my mom's cancer good?

Yeah, that probably wasn't as exciting as you thought it might be, but for me, it's pretty cool to know that I have a caring God who does everything in my life for my own good. It follows, then, that my mom's trials are good. What doesn't always follow is my clarity of sight. I tend to look for good in bad situations generally, but then to actually believe that what is good is really good is a whole different matter. (I know that's confusing) Anyway, this is a fun game (when I'm in the right mood) and my prayer would be that I would really know that it is good, not just say it.

Here's one reason why it is good (My mom and I were talking about this one together): We have a situation in my extended family where one person has cancer. The whole situation is very difficult, particularly for the parents, and then for my parents who sort of know what they are going through. My mom was trying to encourage them to know that God has a reason for the cancer and to trust in God completely. My mom was relating some of her past experiences and letting them know that she was praying for them. She sent them some good material, some of which included John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Cancer." Just after my mom had done the bulk of this sharing, she found out about her cancer. Now she has the cool opportunity to practice what she was "preaching" and we're praying that God would use the words of my parents backed up by the actions to encourage and comfort and provide hope for them. My mom thought that God had given her more cancer to be able to reach out to these people better. Isn't that cool?

Maybe this is a bad game and that wasn't even interesting, but I will probably post more in the future. If anyone would like to share, please do.

And to close, HAPPY EASTER!!

"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say: Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav'ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head; Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise; Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies. Alleluia!"

Amen.

(Charles Wesley)

And I, in my naivete, thought Vermont was "liberal"...

So my dad and I had a wonderful trip down to the deep south to look at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi. However, it was a very quick and tiring trip. We got up early to leave on Tue. morning only to have our flight canceled at the last minute, already well past the time it was supposed to leave. But, God was most certainly watching over us, as He provided us with another flight. One of our friends from church was working at the airport and was very kind to us in trying to work out another route. We arrived in New Orleans and then drove up to Jackson, which took about three hours. We didn't get to the college until about 7:30 their time, 8:30 ours. (We left our house at 5:30 that morning). At the college I got to go to an RUF meeting and then some intramural volley ball games, then bed. In the morning, I had a wonderful campus tour, I got to see Lizby, and I had lunch with an excellent journalism professor. It was really an amazing time. Then, we went back to New Orleans, stayed overnight and got up at 4:00 in the morning to fly home. Now, here I am, very tired and not feeling good, but well pleased in the trip and so happy and fulfilled with God's goodness to me. It could have gone much worse, but He was pleased to grant us a smooth trip with virtually no issues.

Anyway, about the naivete piece...um... well, since my dad and I stayed in New Orleans for a night, not only did we see a lot of what Hurrican Katrina had done, but we also got to walk around the city for a bit, even though my legs were probably going to fall off. (just kidding.) We were eight blocks from Bourbon Street, so we decided to check it out, looking for a place to eat.

Well, we certainly were not prepared for what met us there. There was so much profanity! It was very blatant and out there, not at all concealed. We would pass shops where t-shirts with many swear words were openly displayed and a lot with not a hint of modesty. Almost every other doorway opened into a bar, and most of them were not fit for any one to even see advertised. And the worst thing was the pride that the people seem to take in Katrina. They have taken America's worst natural disaster and made into something that they can hold above others in a condescding manner, like somehow they survived and are better off. My heart goes out to those who were so hurt mentally, physically, and emotionally by the hurricane. I don't think that it was the people who really suffered who came up with the idea that Katrina could be a national identity or something to be proud of. It just seems that people are taking delight in something that should not be taken in that manner. So many people are still suffering in various ways. A hurricane is a terrible and mighty thing. I don't understand how it can be turned around in the way that they have turned it. However, I was not affected in the same way that they were by any stretch of the imagination, so I honestly do not want to be too judgemental. Maybe someone can help me understand if I am missing something.

Regardless of what happened with Katrina, Bourbon street was a real eye-opener to me. I saw things that I would never, ever, ever see here. That kind of stuff is probably all over, but I got a really strong dose all at once. I was kind of shocked. By the way, we never found an adequate place to eat, so we just found a SubWay somewhere else. :)

So, if you're looking for a nice, family-friendly vacation area, I wouldn't recommend down-town New Orleans. The area is really pretty, though, and the trees and canals are picturesque. It still needs a lot of work, but a lot has been done towards restoring the area.

A Hymn

I have long admired and loved the book "Stepping Heavenward" by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss. The book is a diary of a girl named Katherine and it follows her life and the various trials and tribulations that she has to go through. It starts when she is about 16 and a very rebellious child. It ends with her on her deathbed many years later, a women completely transformed because of Christ's mercy and salvation. Her journey is so sweet and so encouraging for a sinful person. She has the worst times and the best times, she has many tragedies that she goes through, and after she is saved she responds to these adversities and joys in God-glorifying ways. What is best, though, is that she is never perfect. She is continually sanctified into another "level" of Christlikeness, but never perfect. When I read it I am so encouraged and reminded that I am not made to go it on my own, or to try and figure out my sin. I can fully rely on God no matter what. I definately recommend this book for anyone who is struggling in any part of their walk with Christ. And, for the record, I'm primarily speaking to girls. I'm not sure that guys would appreciate it in the same way because they might find it a stretch to identify with an emotional girl/woman. I'm sure there are guy-friendly alternatives.

Here is Elizabeth's Hymn. It is one of my favorites:

MORE LOVE TO THEE

		More love to Thee, O Lord, More love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make On bended knee; This is my earnest plea: More love, O Lord, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
		Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, Give what is best; This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Lord, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
		Let sorrow do its work, Send grief and pain; Sweet are Thy messengers, Sweet their refrain, When they can sing with me, More love, O Lord, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!
		Then shall my latest breath Whisper Thy praise; This be the parting cry My heart shall raise; This still its prayer shall be: More love, O Lord, to Thee, More love to Thee, More love to Thee!

To bring in some humor...

How many CALVINISTS does it take to change a light bulb?
None - God has predestined when the light will be on. Calvinists do not change light bulbs. They simply read the instructions and pray that the light bulb will be one that has been chosen to be changed.

How many members of a BAPTIST church does it take to change a light bulb?
TEN - One to actually change the bulb, and nine to say how much better they liked the old one.

One Last One: (I apologize)

How many UNITED METHODISTS does it take to change a light bulb?
In response to that question the denomination issued the following statement: "We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb (or light source, or non-dark source), and present it next month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long life, halogen, and tinted -- all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence."

( I found these at HCC Humor.)

Pray, pray, pray! And my heart will still say that GOD IS GOOD

I've been doing a lot of thinking about prayer, in light of general and specific large things going on in my life right now. I have been particularly struck by how the Bible emphasizes prayer and how we should be praying continually. Also, we are blessed through prayer. We have an intimate relationship with God through prayer. We can do nothing without God, therefore we can do nothing without prayer. Even though I might not know how to pray, I still need to pour my heart out before God and be continually seeking Him. Here are a few verses that I have looked at:

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:17-18 (emphasis added)

"And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. ... pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:15-16

"So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer." Ezra 8:24

"The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer." Psalm 6:9

"The prayer of the upright pleases [the Lord]." Proverbs 15:8b

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God." Philippians 4:6

"He answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him." 1 Chronicles 5:20


Sorry that went on for a bit, but they are beautiful and assuring passages of Scripture. Prayer is so essential to my life, and yet I must confess that I do not place it in my "top activities" everyday. And not only that, but I should be praying continually, not sporadically and when I feel like it. I need to not pray based on my feelings and schedule but based on complete humility before God, knowing that if it weren't for Him, I would be a miserable wretch.

There are a few circumstances currently in my life that have brought on this reflection and are things that I would like prayer for.

1st: My mom's breast cancer has returned, for those who have been asking and praying (thank you). We just found out today. After four years of being "cancer-free," it is very difficult for her to have to go through it all again, especially since some time has passed. Although we knew she wasn't guarenteed to be healthy now, there was a fairly good chance. Please pray for my mom and dad as they contemplate the next steps. Please pray for strength and yet a weakness in Christ. Pray also for my siblings. It's hard. Now more than ever is when we all need to be anchoring our souls in the goodness of God. He never promised a perfect life, but He did promise us protection, comfort, and guidance. May we rest in that truth and be thankful.

2nd: This really pales in comparison to the first request, but as I am going to college next year, I need to first make a desicion and then trust the Lord to provide the money. I am confident in His provision, but sometimes it's hard to remember. Please pray also that my family and I would be preparing ourselves for next year, but not obsessively.

Thank you for reading, and for praying.

On a happy note, I just got my All-State music! The music that we get to sing is really pretty.

Btw, I use an NIV Bible.

One closing passage: (It's pretty self-explanitary(I have no idea how to spell that word))

"'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" Revelation 21:3-4

Amen and Amen.