Okay, so you'll remember last week's post, where I voiced my struggles and concerns about the future and what God had in His divine plan for me. Well, God is amazing! He did something SO cool this week...here's the story:
I've been praying fervently for God to show me what His plan is for my life, and how He'll use me. He definitely answered that prayer in a very clear way this past week. On Thursday, March 25, the Winter Jam tour was in Grand Rapids. This was my second year going, because I absolutely loved it last year and the lineup was amazing this year. I went to this concert seeking God, because I always feel so close to God when I'm worshiping through music. This year's tour was especially cool. The whole theme of their tour, and a lot of the verses the musicians referred to in their messages/testimonies were about missions and changing the lives of others through the love of Jesus. Well, I thought that was pretty cool, because it related so much to my life.
The speaker was Tony Nolan (who is an amazing and powerful preacher). He told his story of redemption through God's love, which gives me chills. Then, later on in the concert, he told his story of adoption and how it has changed his life. He brought out his little girl, who he adopted last August. Well, guess what? Not only was she the most adorable little girl, but she also has special needs. Right then, I just wanted to start crying. It was the most amazing feeling ever, and I'm not really sure that I can explain it. I knew that this was God's way of telling me that special needs missions was right where I needed to be. The ridiculously powerful sense of peace that I felt right after he shared his testimony was so amazing, and I was pretty emotional.
I'll tell you this right now, I have never felt SO CLOSE to God in a room of thousands. I have never felt His hands holding me like I did right then. I've never felt like dropping to my knees and praising Him as much as I did then. The Holy Spirit is POWERFUL! The rest of the concert was just amazing. Like I said, I've never felt so close to God. It was simply the most amazing concert I've ever been to, because that night changed everything for me. I'm not worrying about what's to come, because I know where God wants me to be. I'm not worrying about anything, because I know that God will supply my needs.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
My Life as of 3.19.10
So, I know it hasn't been very long since I've posted...but a few things have changed.
I'm still going to Nicaragua, no worries there. :) I'm finding that I'm getting more and more excited. But, with more excitement comes more nervousness. That scares me a little bit. I don't like feeling nervous. I guess I'm trying to rely on God through all of this, and I know He is faithful and will provide, but the money figures scare the crap out of me. I'm not sure exactly how much it's going to cost yet, but I know it's not going to be cheap. All I can do right now is trust that He will provide like He always has.
I'm also having a hard time deciding on things for the summer. I need to have a job so I can pay for my trip to Nicaragua(at least some of it). I have 4 job offers on the table right now, 2 out of state, and 2 in state. I also have an interview tomorrow to care for a special needs girl and her brother in the early morning M-F during the summer. If I'm completely honest with myself, I want to stay in Michigan. Even though I know it would be good for me to get away, and I kind of want to, I know that will be happening in the late summer.
Here's the hardest part of my situation: What happens in January once I'm back?
Ever since I can remember, I've said that I want to be a special education teacher, and now I'm not so sure. I don't think teaching is where I want to be. I think God laid missions and working with special needs kids on my heart for a reason. I think that I want to study missions and special education so that I can work at some mission organization that ministers to those with special needs. This is hard for me to digest, because my answer to the question "What do you want to do with your life?" has always been the same answer "I want to study Special Education" Don't get me wrong, I definitely want to work with special needs kids, just in a different capacity than I always thought I wanted to.
I really want to go to Bethany College of Missions in Minnesota to get a Bachelor's degree in Missions, and maybe start my Special Education degree while I'm going there, or maybe once I get a job. Who knows. I just know that with my experience with special needs kids, and the way that I feel when I'm around them is no mistake. I can't put into words how I feel when I'm around special needs kids, especially those who are severely multiply impaired. When they make those achievements that seem so little to everyone else, and you see the smile and tears in a mother/teacher's eyes...I can't imagine ministering to anyone else. So many of them don't feel the love of Jesus...they feel the exact opposite. They feel left out and are often left to die in the streets of third world countries. I want to change that. I want to make them feel loved and have the love of Jesus in their hearts. I can't imagine doing anything different with my life than this.
So that's where I'm at right now with college/future plans. It's really hard to think about for me, but I'm leaning on Him, and He will get me through it.
I'm still going to Nicaragua, no worries there. :) I'm finding that I'm getting more and more excited. But, with more excitement comes more nervousness. That scares me a little bit. I don't like feeling nervous. I guess I'm trying to rely on God through all of this, and I know He is faithful and will provide, but the money figures scare the crap out of me. I'm not sure exactly how much it's going to cost yet, but I know it's not going to be cheap. All I can do right now is trust that He will provide like He always has.
I'm also having a hard time deciding on things for the summer. I need to have a job so I can pay for my trip to Nicaragua(at least some of it). I have 4 job offers on the table right now, 2 out of state, and 2 in state. I also have an interview tomorrow to care for a special needs girl and her brother in the early morning M-F during the summer. If I'm completely honest with myself, I want to stay in Michigan. Even though I know it would be good for me to get away, and I kind of want to, I know that will be happening in the late summer.
Here's the hardest part of my situation: What happens in January once I'm back?
Ever since I can remember, I've said that I want to be a special education teacher, and now I'm not so sure. I don't think teaching is where I want to be. I think God laid missions and working with special needs kids on my heart for a reason. I think that I want to study missions and special education so that I can work at some mission organization that ministers to those with special needs. This is hard for me to digest, because my answer to the question "What do you want to do with your life?" has always been the same answer "I want to study Special Education" Don't get me wrong, I definitely want to work with special needs kids, just in a different capacity than I always thought I wanted to.
I really want to go to Bethany College of Missions in Minnesota to get a Bachelor's degree in Missions, and maybe start my Special Education degree while I'm going there, or maybe once I get a job. Who knows. I just know that with my experience with special needs kids, and the way that I feel when I'm around them is no mistake. I can't put into words how I feel when I'm around special needs kids, especially those who are severely multiply impaired. When they make those achievements that seem so little to everyone else, and you see the smile and tears in a mother/teacher's eyes...I can't imagine ministering to anyone else. So many of them don't feel the love of Jesus...they feel the exact opposite. They feel left out and are often left to die in the streets of third world countries. I want to change that. I want to make them feel loved and have the love of Jesus in their hearts. I can't imagine doing anything different with my life than this.
So that's where I'm at right now with college/future plans. It's really hard to think about for me, but I'm leaning on Him, and He will get me through it.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Our Gift to God
"What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God." -Eleanor Powell
I came across this quote a few months ago, and I thought it was so cool, and SO true. The reason we are here is because God put us here. He knit us together in our mother's womb, at just the right time, and in just the right place. Make no mistake people, we are here for a reason! Don't ever think that God made you by mistake; that you were born into the world at the wrong time, or that you have nothing to give to the world. God has given all of us special talents and gifts to give to the world. But, not only do we need to use these gifts in the world, we need to glorify Him while doing it. After all, He is the one who blessed us with families, friends, and a place to live. Why shouldn't we want to give all we have back to Him?
He has blessed us in SO many ways that we normally don't even think about. We have food, plenty of it, we have clean water, transportation, and homes to live in. Did you ever stop to think about the people that only get a meal a day(or less)? The people that have to walk miles just to get one bucket of clean water? The people that don't have access to clean water at all? The people that have to walk everywhere, no matter the distance? The people that sleep on the streets, risking being kidnapped by rebel armies? Most people don't, but YOU can make a difference. YOU can use the gifts and talents that God has given you to bless the world, to make it a better place. You can use your gifts to give people hope by shining His light. Remember that song you sang when you were little? "This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!"
Get out in the world and let your light shine for God!
I came across this quote a few months ago, and I thought it was so cool, and SO true. The reason we are here is because God put us here. He knit us together in our mother's womb, at just the right time, and in just the right place. Make no mistake people, we are here for a reason! Don't ever think that God made you by mistake; that you were born into the world at the wrong time, or that you have nothing to give to the world. God has given all of us special talents and gifts to give to the world. But, not only do we need to use these gifts in the world, we need to glorify Him while doing it. After all, He is the one who blessed us with families, friends, and a place to live. Why shouldn't we want to give all we have back to Him?
He has blessed us in SO many ways that we normally don't even think about. We have food, plenty of it, we have clean water, transportation, and homes to live in. Did you ever stop to think about the people that only get a meal a day(or less)? The people that have to walk miles just to get one bucket of clean water? The people that don't have access to clean water at all? The people that have to walk everywhere, no matter the distance? The people that sleep on the streets, risking being kidnapped by rebel armies? Most people don't, but YOU can make a difference. YOU can use the gifts and talents that God has given you to bless the world, to make it a better place. You can use your gifts to give people hope by shining His light. Remember that song you sang when you were little? "This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!"
Get out in the world and let your light shine for God!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)