Tuesday, May 29, 2007

two weeks

Here I am with two weeks until I depart for Seattle where I will be visiting my child friend Megan for a few days followed by a flight the 15th for Nome, Alaska. I have been keeping track of the weather and it seems rather pleasant on the peninsula, with temperatures in the low fifties for highs and high thirties for the low. Talk about a major climate change! San Antonio will get down to the thirties if it is the 'dead' of winter. Hickory, NC did get cooler but not by much.
I am not stressing about heading up there, I know that the LORD will provide. I have faith in Him that I will arrive safely.
This is a fantastic oppurtunity that I am incredibly blessed to experience! I realized that I am going to get the oppurtunity to cover the Iditarod dog sled race .
When I had my last internship at a radio station in Lenoir, NC I helped cover the local elections. I throughly enjoyed this task of being around the constant updates and twists races made. Needless to say it was exciting.
With this political season the already controversial things are sure to get even more interesting!

Here I go with two weeks left around everything that I am used to.
Glorious Father God, thank you for this adventure!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Courage and Calling

I recently was privileged to take part in Rockbridge, an InverVarsity Christian Fellowship retreat where worship and fellowship are, no doubt, in abundance. I not only was able to experience worship in languages such as Hebrew, French, Spanish, and Mandarin allowing me to expand my worship experiences into other cultures through their words and beats but I also met various fellow college students and recent graduates in my small group track of 'Life After College'.

This track gave us a place to discuss the future situations we as graduates are about to face. The topics consisted of tithing, parental relationships, work ethics, budgets, and so much more. Our track leaders also had panel time where we could freely ask questions. The topics and time of prayer we had together allowed me to realize that everyone does battle the same issues.

One main topic that people struggled with was the 'need' and 'call'. There are places in the world that are undoubtedly in need of people and support. However, if you go somewhere in need and do not feel a call from the LORD to go there, then you could be hindering not only your own call but someone else's that feels the call to be where you are now.

One book that I picked up from IV Press is called
COURAGE AND CALLING.


This book discusses the need for everyone to listen to their specific calling from the LORD because that is a gift from GOD. Therefore, sacred.
Sometimes things in life can get confused and fuzzy. This book allows us to explore the Biblical need to listen and follow our purpose and reason GOD put us here on Earth.
One important aspect that we all have to come to terms with, our spiritual gifts. These are not things that we wish that we had or talents that our parents push us to have, they are GIFTS from the LORD above. To ignore them would be ignoring what GOD has put us here for.
You have to be true to yourself. Do not listen to society, they tell us that to do it all alone. We are never alone.
Take a good look at yourself and remember this quote:
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet. - FREDERICK BUECHNER

Even when you have the calling and you are certain, it will still not be easy. You are not alone.

As I ventured home after Rockbridge I reflected back on all I learned and had never felt more compelled to go to Alaska, let me tell you it was a wonderful feeling.
Go after your calling-it will not be easy but you will be fulfilled in more ways then you know.
Not everyone is called to missions. Some are called to make money or to help so others can serve. Take those gifts to glorify the LORD. Do not feel lower then anyone because you are not an African missionary or a banker in New York. God will bless you with gifts that will help you glorify his plan for you here on earth. He will put dreams and passions in your heart. Do not ignore them, let them thrive.


http://www.intervarsity.org/

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Preparation

I am in the process of graduating from college, leaving the security and the safety net that I have become accustomed to and love. Challenges have always been something that have driven me and I know that the LORD uses that for his will, which is exciting.
He has instilled that feeling in me and I thank him for it everyday.

This new adventure that also brings me to a place that makes leave my family, friends and fellowship, I am leaving my home. However by leaving I am going with GOD. Where he is, is home.

Am I scared? Of course. But with faith and complete trust in the LORD I know that I am doing the right thing. Who else would move to the Arctic tundra? GOD does speak, and if you listen hard enough you can hear and feel him there pushing you along. No matter how you feel about who and what you are leaving behind, he is there.

I came to here hoping to find a place. I didn't. I found friends, fellowship and a family. For the first time I found home.

So why am I leaving you ask? I know the love, and the fellowship the LORD has blessed me with. So, it is time to for me to give it to another.
I need to show the friendship and fellowship to others that do not know him.

We are not apart, I am with you and you are with me. You are a shining light in me, and I in you, and together we will light up the world. We will never leave each other, prayer and praising the LORD will hold us together eternally, and we will never be apart.
That is why I must leave, to venture on with faith in the LORD above. So we can be together forever, shining on the world.