The Letter

“You have a letter at home.” The words didn't register at first as I looked confusedly at my father. “The one you have been waiting for.” he stated with drama. Oh, how was I going to possibly wait until after Bible study to go look at that letter “Is it good ?” I asked. “I don't know” was the simple reply. Well I knew that I needed to completely forget about it until after Bible study if I was going to be able to focus at all. But on the way home I was tempted, very tempted, to speed (I didn't for those of you who wanted to know....or at least not much) I ran into the house and looked on the kitchen counter for the letter. Wasn't there. So I looked on the dining room table. Wasn't there. So I asked my mother where it was. “Oh, in your room” she replied “You're going to read it before you even get your stuff out of the car?” she asked bemused. “Yes!!!” was my response as I ran down the hall and burt out the door toward my room (located just behind the house) there it was sitting on the chair by my desk. Reverently I picked it up and looked at it. It was heavy. It was thick. In a moment I ripped open the envelope. Glancing at the first two lines I saw the words I was looking for “Congratulation! You are one of the candidates we wish to welcome into Elementary Education and look forward to having you in the program.” YES!!!!!!

School Again

Getting ready for school again (after not having been on campus for a week) I almost forgot how to do that. This morning my mind was so confused – do I look ok? What books do I need? Do I have a lunch? It felt like a brand new quarter....until I looked at my books. Oh yeah, this is what I do. I study and ride the bus and study and sit in class and study and read and study and write and study and print out homework and study. Yeah. It's great. Good thing I like school!

We All Like Sheep

As I watch the sheep outside my bedroom window I'm reminded of how God compares us to wandering sheep. I really don't think that this is a compliment. Although it isn't raining at the moment I think of the sheep standing miserably in the rain. Their wool soaked and heavy. I guess they would rather stay out and be miserable than go into the warm bard that their shepherd (our family) has provided.

Sometimes I find myself doing this too with God. Rather than go into the shelter of His presence I would rather, in my own pride, take care of every thing all on my own. (yeah right like that really works)


We like sheep
have gone astray
and turned away from God
our hearts are stained
dark with sin
but Jesus' precious blood
paid the price for our sin
now we can be forgiven
and we like sheep
can hear His voice
and follow God each day

(VBS song)

Missionary Story -- Rebekah's Great Adventure -- Part One

The Missionary Story Part One

Rebekah listened closely. Her heart pounded with fear. The doctor was using words she'd never heard before-- words that scared her.

“you're having convulsions,” Dr. Kisler said in a serious tone. “I don't know what's causing them but I want to find out. That means you'll have to go to the hospital for a wile—probably this summer.”

Rebebekah wanted to run and hide. She wanted to pretend she was okay—that nothing had changed She'd been sick for a while but she'd learned to ignore the times she blacked out or forgot things. She'd learned to pretend that her throbbing head didn't really hurt that much. But now everything was falling apart. Dr. Kisler wasn't going to let Rebekah pretend any longer.

At home Rebekah buried her head in her pillow. “Oh God,” she cried, “I want to do something for You this summer. I want to go to Christian youth In Action training camp and teach 5-Day Clubs but now I can't I want to reach the children who don't believe in you—who have never heard about you—but how can I unless You let me”? How can I unless You make me well?”

God heard Rebekah's cry and answered her prayer. Dr. Kisler gave his permission for Rebekah to go to camp. “I can't stop you from going,” Dr. Kisler said solemnly, “but please be very, very careful. Take care of yourself.”

Rebekah did take care of herself. She ate well and rested often. The days at training camp were long and Rebekah worked hour after hour to learn everything she needed to know in order to teach the children. Rebekah's parents. Brother and sister prayed for her from home, asking God to give her strength. When Rebekah's head hurt too much to sit at her desk, she propped herself up in a lawn chair and listened closely to the training classes. Rebekah was happy to be at camp and made friends quickly with the girls there. She was finally doing what she'd dreamed of doing for so long.

But late one afternoon something horrible happened. Rebekah collapsed on the dormitory floor and no one could wake her up. Was Rebekah going to be okay? Would she be able to fulfill her dream of teaching 5—Day Clubs?

Come back next week to find out what happens to Rebekah.

Good News Club

Tickets, candy, games, songs, snacks, soccer moms, kids, hugs, hours of preponderation rewarded. Yeah, that sounds like a Good News Club. Although those things are all part of a GNC the heart and soul of these special clubs is that we share the Gospel and that kids come to Christ. This is why we continue on week after week pouring hours into preparations. This is why not one minute with those kids or spent for those kids is a waste of time. I hope to spend all of eternity with those kids. I want to start investing in them now. They are so worth it.

My heart's desire has been to have a club that was over 20 kids now the Lord has blessed one of the clubs I help with with that many kids. Now my prayer is for 30 kids or more. However another club only has two. I prepare for both and they are both worth every moment of my time. My part is only to be ready. It is God's part to bring the children to the club. That is such a relief to me. If I was responsible for making sure they come I would be extremely discouraged. However it isn't and I can be faithful and God is faithful.

Elections Past

Although I know that many of us are very sad about the outcome of the elections, some of the facebook statuses I saw last night were downright depressed, I know that God provides for His people. Although I don't know what the future holds and I feel extremely uncertain about tomorrow I can hope in God because I have confidence in where I'm spending eternity.

Even though the initiative 1000 was not turned down and assisted suicide will become more and more the norm I know that I have a God that has created life and gives life eternal.

Whatever your thoughts are on this election, no matter how you are feeling we have a God that is in control of it all. He sees every thing that happens. The blood of the innocent has been crying out to Him and He is not deaf. His will is done and we know Who wins in the end.

Rose from Brier

Thou hast not that, My child, but thou hast Me,
And am I not alone enough for thee?
I know it all, know how thy heart was set
Upon this joy which is not given yet.
And well I know how through the wistful days
Thou walkest all the dear familiar ways,
As unregarded as a breath of air,
But there in love and longing, always there.
I know it all; but from thy brier shall blow
A rose for others.
If it were not so I would have told thee.
Come, then, say to Me,
My Lord, my Love,
I am content with Thee.

-Amy Carmichael