Sunday, February 28, 2010

Leaving!

It's crazy. I've been talking about doing student teaching overseas since my freshman year in college, and I've been talking about Spain since my sophomore year...and in about 6 hours I am headed to the airport! It really hasn't sunk in, and to be honest, I have no idea what to expect. But I am excited, excited to see what God has for me to learn and experience. I am sure there will be hard days, but I was really encouraged by Pastor's message today. God is not only the God who sees, but the God who cares. If you think of it, you could pray for me tomorrow as I travel that maybe God would open up the door to share with someone I meet on the plane or in the airport ( I'm not as good as my dad in striking up conversations with people, but I want to be willing:) Thanks so much for your prayers, and I will try to keep you all as updated as possible! For now, I'm off on an adventure.......

Saturday, February 20, 2010

9 days.......

Adventure. When I was little, my sister and I had quite the imaginations (ha just ask my mom!). I loved to pretend. Now my adventures usually consisted of acting out the most resent book or movie my sister had watched (like pretending we were in huge bubbles that could protect us as we traveled to an underwater city or flying across the world on horses or really big eagles), but I think I still carry that imagination. As I get ready to leave for Spain, I have moments of pure excitement and moments of sheer fear. A lot of it deals with my perspective, which was greatly tested this last week.
To make a really long story short...er, a week or so ago I found this bump on the back of my head that was causing a lot of pain. I missed a day of school to go get it checked out; I had a cyst on the back of my head that was causing a constant headache. It didn't go away for a while, and I had to go back into the doctor. He told me it was probably infected. So I was put on antibiotics, a muscle relaxer (which I only took once because it totally knocks me out), and told to go see a dermatologist. The medicine started to help, and then I ended up going into the dermatologist who took an unnaturally huge needle to drain the infection and inject some medicine (all is well now:). Now I don't share that story just to share it. God really used that in my life. I had some days where I really struggled being excited about this trip. I mean I'm going all by myself somewhere where I don't know anyone...basically, I got scared. God in His kindness was showing me how much my perspective can and will effect me. I let physical pain and imaginative fears permeate my mind. As I spent time in prayer and God's Word, He reminded me of who He is ( Eph.1-3 have to be some of my favorite chapters). I prayed God will help me see things the way He wants, and once again I started to really look forward to this ministry opportunity He has for me. Im excited to see what He has to teach me. Im sure there will be hard days, but God has promised to never leave me; He is enough.
I've been going through Exodus in my devotions, and I was really struck with how Moses prayed."Now therefore if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me now Your ways, that I may know You in order to find favor in Your sight." 33:13. That has kind of become my prayer for this trip, that I would know God more so that I can please Him with the life He has given.
So that's what God's been doing in my life, and I am genuinely excited to take off in 9 days.

Monday, February 8, 2010

3 Weeks before I leave

OK so I haven't actually left for Spain yet, but I will be in three weeks!! I am so excited, and a little nervous to be honest. God has been so faithful in providing for the funds and everything that is needed for this ministry trip (which many of you have aided in), and I am sure He has many more things to teach me.
I'm getting closer to finishing my first part of student teaching, and it has been such a great experience. I can't believe that it's almost done.
Well this first post is pretty short, I'm just learning how to get this whole blog thing set up! But I will be sure to use it as I am in Madrid so you can hear (or I guess read) what God is doing!