Miranda's Road Map

Life...

2008-11-22T17:10:00.002-05:00

Somehow life seems to be speeding by... turning 23 last weekend was quiet but fun.
Yet it makes me think about where I am in life, 23, what a strange number, its not even like 22 or 24 and not 25 that quarter of a century. I feel a little bit lost.
Life - right now for me that involves working each day, which I enjoy most days, involvement in church and hanging out. But sometimes I wonder how life would have been different if I had stayed in my hometown of Narol, Manitoba and gone to school in Winnipeg. Where would I be today? Maybe still in school, working, married, etc. Who knows... but its something that I have thought about on occasion.
Its funny to look back and see how those small little decisions that I made on my journey have brought me to the place I am, because I could have easily ended up married and living in B.C. possibly at this point, but because of a small decision I am not there... it seems strange to think about today.
I think life teaches us something every day, sometimes we don't take the time to notice because we live in a world that tells us being busy is how we should live, but than we miss out on the moments of friendship, laughter, love, fun and community. Why is it that we think we should be busy all the time? I love curling up with a good book on a quiet evening, its enjoyable to just spend some time in peace... maybe we should all find that place that brings us peace and actually enjoy it more, because many of us probably aren't enjoying it enough.

Life... as crazy as it is, its our life, and what we make of it is our decision.

Blessings to You

2008-09-26T22:08:00.002-04:00

So, its been awhile since I have written on my blog... life somehow has a way of getting away before I have some time to sit down and write on here.

This past week I had the oppurtunity to plan a service project for our youth. Something local as our theme this year was community. We went to a free clothing store in the town next to ours... I never imagined that a place that gives away clothes, furniture, etc. not only gets tons of stuff donated but can continue to run without a glitch.

We were told that when the ministry first began it reached about 100-150 people within the community, now being open three afternoons a week they are reaching over 1000 people with their ministry. So many in our community are in need and some feel bad for taking the clothing for free so they come in and help on a Wednesday night and get the place in order, which is what we were there to do as well. Some even leave a donation in which they put towards paying the rent of the building.

Seeing all of the clothing and stuff in that place made me realize that we are so materialistic and are constantly buying things that we do not even need. There was a brand new TV there!! (which we brought to youth for christ in town, but still...). Stores give them brand new clothes, people bring clothes with tags on them still. Somehow its become all about the new fad, looking good to impress others and keeping up with what society thinks we should look like.

The ministry is pretty amazing though and when the night was done it was great to see that we were able to make such a huge dent in the work that needed to be done there. There is stuff everywhere!! But it was fun and hopefully we can go back and help them with some of the work again one evening.

Quote

2008-03-30T17:36:00.002-04:00

Something that I heard today in a presentation....

We (North Americans), need to live simply, so that others can simply live.

Thanksgiving

2007-10-08T18:24:00.001-04:00

Its been a long time since I have written on my blog. Life has been a blur the last few months.
Its Thanksgiving day and there are many things to be thankful for...
...for the sun rising every morning and setting every evening
...for the beautiful creation around all of us, a picture of God himself
...our families
...our friends, those near and far away
...our church family
...our work or schools
...for the time we have here on earth
..and for me today, thankfulness for the impact that Craig made on my life over the last four years. I miss you a lot and a week never goes by that I don't think about you constantly. Its hard to be thankful that you are with the Lord some days and not here with us on earth but you are better off where you are, sitting at Jesus' feet! I love you and am so thankful for you in my life!

Grad Photos....

2007-06-07T10:32:00.001-04:00

Craig and I!
Hannah and I

My first year roomie and I

Dad, Mom and Me!

Nan and I

Nicker and I

Our Business Graduating Class of 2007

Something Interesting

2007-06-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

I found this article on Compassion Canada's website. It was interesting to read and I thought I would post it on my blog.

That’s What I Think.
Editorial by: Richard Dew

So Dr. King Jr. had a dream, sort of. He actually had several dreams commonly founded in one thought. Dreams of a great man replayed time and again for our inspiration and perhaps, even comfort that we have fulfilled the dream. But I wonder. I wonder, 44 years after the speech given in Washington and 39 years beyond his tragic murder: Have we changed, or have we simply gotten better at accepting the lack of freedom, experienced by our fellow man?

Dr. King dreamed all men would be treated as created equal, but yesterday 35,000 people died of starvation. I dined with eight friends in a wonderfully overpriced restaurant. Forty-two people drove to my office in 39 cars. There is a bedroom in my home, which sits empty.

Dr. King dreamed that one day, slave and slave owner would sit and dine together – brothers at the same table. But we have not abolished slavery. We have simply moved it across oceans to operate in the hidden hollows of the third world’s so-called free-zones. Rather than chastise the slave owner, we have opted to call him ‘Tommy’, allowing his name to be proudly stitched upon our jeans.

Dr. King dreamed that the deep south would be a place where justice would reign, and yet Genarlow Wilson is serving 10 years in Georgia for breaking a law that no longer exists: consensual sexual relations with his girlfriend. A teacher from the same country served 90 days for molesting a student. But that makes sense doesn’t it? She’s a professional white women. He’s a black teenager from the slums.

Martin Luther King dreamed. He dreamed we would one day get it right. He believed. I believe.

I believe that equality is possible. I believe that justice is worship. I believe that we can worship the God of all creation in the manner He wishes to be worshipped. I believe that our motivation can be pure that we can live with no other agenda than to do the right thing.

I believe that poverty can be eliminated, and I believe that there is no naivety in that claim, despite the naysayers. I will allow the last five decades of South Korea’s vast history to stand as my witness.

I believe that slavery, regardless of location, will end. I believe that we will one day care to protect the coltran miners of the Congo that provide for my $24.95 cellphone; and the sweatshop seamstresses hidden in harbour cities around the world; and the sold children that harvest my Easter chocolate. I believe that one day the millions and millions of annually murdered slaves will one day grace my local six o’clock news. Perhaps the 3,100 soldiers killed in Iraq wouldn’t mind giving up five minutes of their coverage.

I believe that it will not be gender, nor location, nor the colour of skin that dictates your contribution to this world, but I will allow God Almighty to do as He will with all of His children for His Kingdom. I have the testimony of Harriet Mutumba upon which to stake my claim. (compassion.ca/harriet)

I believe that this generation will not repeat the patterns of those who came before us. We will not sit on gardened hilltops listening to Jerry Garcia, reminiscing about the days when we were young and idealistic, but we will stand together, shoulder to shoulder, black and white, and we will remember the day they said it could not be done. We will remember their discouragement that acted as our motivation. We will know what it is to live equal. We will know what it is to share prosperity across borders and oceans. We will know what it is to experience true freedom together.

I believe that one day, dreamt freedom will ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing the words of the old negro spiritual, Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last. (MLK)

I think that will be a beautiful day. I think we will live it together. I believe the dream lives on. I want you to live it with me, because like me, you believe.

Days Go By

2007-05-10T10:59:00.000-04:00

There is something strange about each day going by and you wondering what it is you accomplished, or if you achieved anything significant, like helping another person out.
I am at that point right now, finished university and looking for a job. Its strange knowing a chapter in my life is complete and another one is starting. I am going to miss Redeemer, there are memories that I have made there that I will never forget and people that have touched my life over the past 4 years that I will cherish forever.
But God... where are you leading me? Where am I supposed to go from here? It is hard being in a place where you do not know what is going to happen in life. And its very hard to trust in God when you just want to take it into your own hands and figure it out for yourself, but life does not work that way. As I continue to watch each day slip by I feel God working in my life, preparing me for whatever he has in store... though it is hard to be patient I know that it is coming.

Mississippi Moments

2007-03-02T16:57:00.000-05:00

Its been almost a week since we got back from Mississippi, tired, crazy and having built many new friendships.
For me it was a week of learning and being challenged in my faith and life as God spoke into my life through the people on the trip and those that we worked for. It was a blessing seeing how open the people are in the Southern States about their faith and what it means to them, it is humbling to see that they are not afraid to talk about their faith and somehow we are.

Some of my favourite moments were having the oppurtunity to see Jeanette again. She is the lady that was called by God to start CVS and touch the community in which she is living. It has been a huge testimony to me and I knew after talking with her and her sharing her wisdom that she was one of the reasons I felt God calling me back. I needed to sit and listen to what she had to say to me, as she poured wisdom into my life and challenged me in my faith with God. It was hard to say good-bye to her at the end of the week but I know I will meet her again someday!
I really enjoyed working with all of the first years, we had a really good time hanging out and building a lot of things. The first day and a half was spent building a wheel chair ramp for a young 12 year old girl that really touched my heart. She probably did not know exactly what we had done for her but her family was so happy and blessed because of what we did.

And of course every year that Redeemer goes down to Mississippi we do a block party with all the kids that live in the area of the park. It was a different block party than the one I went to two years ago in Mississippi as I was in charge of this one this time. I was still able to interact and hang out with the kids though, the craft table was crazy as was the bead table, someone in our group got peed on by one of the kids because she was so excited and another in our group was on the tire swing so long that one of the kids threw up! It was really good to see everyone interacting together and having fun, whether they were three or 50 years old.

Dorm Photos

2007-02-13T23:51:00.000-05:00

Dorm 102 minus "the missing one!"

Dorm 6 - love you all.

Dinner with Dorm 102

2007-02-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

Dorm 102 over for dinner, good times!!!!

God Speaks when we are Silent

2007-01-30T23:18:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I had the oppurtunity to go to the Mission Leadership Summit with Youth Unlimited. It was a gathering of many of those involved on the Host Teams of the Serve and Encounters sites in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. It was an amazing weekend of worship, meeting new people, sharing ideas and coming together with one purpose of bringing teens closer to God through these mission experiences.
Not only were we there to learn how to develop more student leaders and show others how to serve through the different sites that we all led, but for us also to be equipped with the tools we need to continue on. It was a blessing for me to have the oppurtunity to speak on saturday afternoon on what Encounters and Serve are, combined on one site, it was a good time of sharing and listening to how God has worked on all of our sites, even though they are all different. I had been nervous about putting everything together, but ended up facilitating a discussion that was hopefully beneficial to those that were there, because it was definitly helpful to me as well. I did not have to do a lot of talking... thanks to Paul... but it was good to be able to share where we struggled this past year and what worked to help the other teams know what to strive for.
It was really interesting listening to some of the stories during the weekend and how open we all were to talking about how God had moved on our sites this past summer, whether it was through the teens that were there or even the things that we learned as leaders as well.
God also revealed himself to me over the weekend, within the different conversations that I had with people, the encouragement that was so readily given among us all and the worship time that was set aside for us to come before our Father. I did not know before I left for Michigan on friday if I was going to be the Encounters Coordinator this summer, in my mind I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to be with not knowing what I was going to be doing after I graduated. But God in His mysterious and awesome power guided me to a decision over the weekend and really laid a peace on my heart about saying yes... which is what I did. I know that there are going to be many challenges along the way as I prepare to be the Encounters Coordinator again this July, but I also know that Çhrist will be working through everything that we do during that week.
The weekend was amazing and just knowing that in the silence of reflecting on who Christ is in my life on Saturday night and listening to His voice, I really heard Him speak into my life about many things, not only about being the Encounters Coordinator, which is such a blessing and brings so much peace to many big decisions that I have been faced with.
To God be all the glory, praise and honour!

Thanks Luke for capturing one of God's amazing creations! The sunset on Lake Michigan on Friday night was spectacular.

The Geneva Shores Camp was a great place to stay, with an amazing view of Lake Michigan.

The chapel where we met most of the weekend.

Calling

2007-01-24T15:58:00.000-05:00

This semester has already been one of sitting, listening and waiting to see what God is calling me to do with the rest of my life. One of the big things He has revealed to me is those things that move my heart, and what I have a passion for. They have always been there for many years; one I remember so vividly at a concert was a young boy in a wheelchair, wheeling himself around being stopped by another guy about 26 years old who was also in a wheelchair and just seeing them have a conversation together. It was a picture I would never forget.
What is my calling? God laid it on my heart to once again go to Mississippi this year during reading break, I didn't think I was going to be doing a missions trip this year, until I heard God's call. He works so amazingly and I know that the trip will be huge for me, and maybe God will use it to guide me to where I need to be next and lay that on my heart. And for me also to know that He will provide in whatever I decide to do.
For me, being involved with kids and youth ministry since I was in grade 11 is such a rewarding, humbling and passionate thing for me... will I continue to use that or does God have something else planned? I don't know, but as one of my wise dormies said, I will know when that peace settles over me about something that God has called me to do.

Family

2007-01-23T18:35:00.000-05:00

My Family, I miss them all. All the joking around Dustin, Shane and I do. The hobbies both Tash and I love (scrapbooking, when we have time). Just hanging out and having a good time!

Dustin's Room! Its pretty sweet and he's pretty creative.

My Dad's House that he is building..... so nice.

Shane and Me, after I died his hair black for his B-day.

Natasha and Me!

Dustin and Me (he hates pics but I get him to smile by tickling him, its great fun!)

Letting Go

2007-01-17T16:48:00.000-05:00

When do you know to let go.... knowing that you are never going to be able to do anything anymore. Even though it hurts so much to have to let go of something you have invested so much time into. God, you bring people in and out of our lives for a reason. Is it time Lord to let go?

God's Wonders

2007-01-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

Hamilton finally saw a part of winter. Its about time, its hard coming back here from Winnipeg and seeing green grass... its not right.
But we finally got some snow and tons of ice. It cancelled school, caused some accidents and an hour of scrapping and pouring hot water on my car to unfreeze it, but it was still an amazing sight to see, and God even used the storm to work in my life.
Last night at prayer we did an exercise of writing down one word to describe the past couple days of our lives. My word was scattered. Life has been everywhere the past couple of days for me. I was reminded though of the beauty of God's creation. When you look around and see everything covered in ice, sparkling in the sun, its amazing. God is an amazing creator and sometimes He sends things like an ice storm to remind us of His powerful presence in our lives. I was reminded of that this week and even last night as we were praying it started to snow again lightly and what a beautiful sight to see. God is so awesome!

Home

2007-01-02T10:03:00.000-05:00

Well, this is my last full day at home. Its kinda weird, because I don't feel ready to go back to school and normally by this time I am so ready to get out of here and go back to school. I guess since I have not been home for a year and a half I have had a lot to catch up on and some hanging out to do with my family and friends.
Its been a good holiday though, getting reacquainted with my family and seeing friends of the family while I am home. Plus we have snow, which I love and love to drive in (that may sound a little crazy), but I guess at the heart of it all I do love Winnipeg, which is why its going to be hard to leave tomorrow morning, strangely enough.
Something that I never thought I would say is that I am having second thoughts about coming home after I graduate and living here or somewhere maybe farther out west. We'll see, I guess I will be where God wants me to be. It is going to be a very interesting four months as I begin to figure all this out, with God's guiding hand and the love of my family and friends.

Home Sweet Home

2006-12-23T17:17:00.000-05:00

The semester is done and Christmas holidays are here. Yes! It was a good semester but it was time to come home and see the family again. I haven't been home to Winnipeg for a year and a half and a lot has changed since the last time.
The biggest one is that my youngest bro Shane has somehow gotten to be as tall as I am and has matured quite a bit (which is a good thing).... but he is only in grade 8 which is a little scary still since he has a lot of growing still to do.
Dustin is still himself, a couple inches taller, about 6'6".... crazy!! My family is so tall, but its fun, I feel pretty short now. Tash is good, got to meet the boyfriend, otherwise nothing else has really changed too much, she's enjoying school and still helping with DDC over the Christmas holidays!
Christmas is always fun around here as we always have friends of the family over, playing games and hanging out.
I had the oppurtunity to go and see some of the houses my dad has built and sold and than one that he is working on that still has some stuff to do. Its pretty awesome and a lot of fun to look at, I am pretty proud of my dad, since the houses are really nice and I would even love to live in one of them!
So far that has been my Christmas... enjoying my time with my family and friends.

Redeemer's Evacuation

2006-11-25T18:11:00.000-05:00

Redeemer was evacuated yesterday after not having any electricity for most of the day. Many of us were in the dark and around 3:30pm some of us RA's and HA's came together to see what we knew to tell everyone in our dorm. But the thing I love the most was that we prayed together, prayed for everything that was going on and all the people that needed to make some decisions about what was going to happen.
Student Life and Ancillary Services gathered almost all of the students in second parking lot and told us that we were going to be bused to hotels for the night. But the electricity came back on..... and than we started smelling gas and other smells we did not think were the greatest. At this point it became mayhem around the campus trying to get people packed, finding where everyone was and making sure everyone was out of the dorm and stayed out of the dorm. It was a crazy three hours. All my girls went home, some of them taking each other with them. I was the only one that ended up bedding down in a hotel for the night. It was quite the evening as we also had to score keep the hockey game. But we made it back safely. It was chaotic and a very interesting evening... but the hotel was spectacular. I cannot believe how nice it was.
Here are some pictures from the evening:

Thoughts on our Spritual Lives

2006-11-23T23:49:00.000-05:00

What if we all decided to stand up for what we believed in and our faith became real in our lives? What would happen to our lives, the campus on Redeemer, those people around us? There would be a change, a sense that we were on level ground a place where we knew that God had called us to be open and honest with those people around us.
Why do we sit on our asses and not feel comfortable enough to live out our faith and go out into our communities and do something about it. God has called us to "Go" and that is not only in our outside community but the inside community of Redeemer as well. There are some many people here that are lost and confused and some that are stubborn and don't want to have the courage to show their faith.
If someone walked up to some of us on the street and started talking, they would never know that we were a Christian, they would never see a difference. Doesn't God call us to be different, to be in a position that we are afflicting those that are comfortable in their place with God?? Are we ready to start matching what God has done on the inside with us to what we need to start showing the world on the outside? We need to start showing and acting on our faith, we are called to do that.
Where do you start, and how do you do it, you have to have the determination to say that it is time, time to step up and live for God, not worrying if you are going to lose friends, missing out on those "fun" things in life, but give it to God and he will fulfill our lives and honour the choice we have made to choose to live for him.

The Great Commission from Matthew 28:19 says "Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

God has called us to GO and no matter where we go and how we have to get there and what we have to choose not to do, God will honour it and see us through to the very end.

Sundays in Dorm 6

2006-11-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

The day always starts with 6 of us headed to church together at Ancaster CRC. This morning was like any other morning, all trying to get ready at the same time and getting out of the house on time. But church was great, Pastor Gord celebrated 65 years this past week and we had pastries after church, of which I tried eating but somehow managed to get it everywhere but in my mouth.
Ann-Elise yesterday decided to make home-made Italian Wedding soup, so the six of us sat down together and enjoyed a meal of soup and buns, such a traditional Dutch thing to do! It was fun though.
Today, we had the chance to sit down for a second meal of roast beef, with Jess' family who came to visit and than go to church with her and some of my girls. It is so much fun having some of there family around. We decided we were going to have tea/coffee and dessert after they got back and it was quite a delight as Natalie got home and her family also stayed.
I love Sundays like this, our day normally ends off with some of us playing board games or card games and going for a walk. Its such a blessing to relax and enjoy the time with my girls. God has blessed me with a great group of girls. Thanks girls for making Sunday's so much fun.

More Pictures

2006-11-06T22:14:00.000-05:00

Ann-Elise won the Bull Riding Competition - we are so proud of her.

My dorm all dressed up and went to the Harvest Hoedown.

Our Group again.

Fall Fun

2006-11-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

Craig, Nick, Robyn and I in the corn fields.

Nick, Robyn and I.

The girls in my dorm enjoying the fall weather.

God's Amazing Hand

2006-10-23T18:55:00.000-04:00

Church in the Box last night rocked! God was moving in amazing ways. Our practice time was a little shaky as God was shaking things up for us... we found out that Colin McCarthy was not going to be speaking for us but Brett McBride was. Plus some of our sound equipment just was not working the greatest. It seems as if satan did not want CITB to go on, but it did!
The CEW Team brought out there creative expertise and were able to awe the crowd to reflection, to be still before God.
Darren's testimony was a blessing to hear, as many can relate to things like that going on in our own lives... thank you so much Darren for sharing your story with everyone that was there.
Brett came up and even though it was short notice, gave a message that I will now forget for a long time. It was one that intertwined and fit with everything that we had wanted for the service... and yet he did not know that... God worked through him to bring that too us. Brett told some of us afterwards that he had a completely different message planned and written out but he did not feel right about it and chose to speak on something completely different. How many of us are needing to go back home to our Father again? Or are we the ones that have worked for so long and get nothing for it?
May Christ continue to work in everyone's hearts and lives so that we may come, as broken as we are, to humble ourselves before our King.

Thanksgiving

2006-10-08T22:08:00.000-04:00

Things I am thankful for......

Love... God's unconditional love. He continues to give it to us even though we don't deserve it.
Forgiveness... He always forgives even when I don't deserve it.
Redeemer... I love this community, its a great place for people to meet and grow/
My parents... for loving me even though I am far away from home.
My siblings: Natasha, Dustin and Shane... you always make life so interesting.
True Friends... life would not be the same without you.

The Start of my Last Year

2006-09-11T20:03:00.000-04:00

School has started and along with that this year I am a Resident Assistant (RA). Its been so much fun over the past week getting to know 6 first year girls. They get along well and we have had some fun and memorable moments already. Like Sarah yelling at her ice cream, a couple of the girls having blonde moments, oh, and someone (I won't name who) breaking our downstairs bathroom window with a soccer ball. Its been a very eventful week of school already.
It has been a blessing to see so many first year students wanting to come to Redeemer and many of them wanting to get involved with different activities going on around the school or the community of Hamilton. I am excited to see what the year holds, especially with the many different ministries that are offered at Redeemer, as people continue to grow spiritually and connect with others in that way too.
God is already doing awesome things on Redeemers campus and I hope that continues throughout this year, touching many students lives.

This is YOUR Life

2006-08-23T21:35:00.000-04:00

This past weekend Church in the Box got together for our leadership retreat. The Holy Spirit was moving among us. My favourite moments were sitting around the grand piano with Heather playing and us singing and worshipping our Heavenly Father. It was so amazing to be in His prescence this past weekend surrounded by fellow friends with huge hearts for the CITB ministry.

One of the things we talked about was a song by Switchfoot: This is Your Life
Here are the lyrics; we found them to be something that we all need to reflect on no matter where we are in our lives.

Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you’ve broken
Don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes
This is your life and today is all you’ve got now
Yeah, and today is all you’ll ever have
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

Yesterday is a kid in the corner
Yesterday is dead and over

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes
Don’t close your eyes

This is your life are you who you want to be
This is your life are you who you want to be

This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

And you had everything to lose

Waiting in Expectation

2006-08-07T21:34:00.000-04:00

I want things to happen and want to see it happen NOW! That is how I am feeling right now... wanting to see something happen in the life of a friend. To see him find our Saviour again in something. To reassure him that God is always with us and that he doesn't need to be ashamed to be a Christian, and does not need to doubt God's unconditional love.
Yet, God has also been teaching me to rely on Him more. And relying on Him would mean giving this young man to Him. So that Christ can work in His life, and also on his timeline. Relying on Him to move when its the right time and the right place. Even if I want it to be right now.
Its hard waiting for God's timing... since it is never our timing. And still I am feeling at peace knowing its in God's hands. Its a strange yet comforting feeling.
I am just thankful that God knows what He is doing, because it is immeasurably more than I could do.
Thanks you God!

God Moments

2006-07-27T22:09:00.000-04:00

Over the past two weeks, God has been doing some incredible things in the lives of the leaders and youth that were at our Serve/Encounters site in Kitchner. God has continued to move his mighty hand over everyone that was there and their families as well.
One of the girls in my group rededicated her life to Christ and decided to do profession of faith, but a tradegy took place on that day at her hometown in South Dakota and a close friend from school died. Jordan another SERVant, was also close to him and both found it hard to deal with but with Kelli's found love for God and the power of prayer that was laid on them by four leaders and 30 youth, God did another thing and Jordan also recommitted her life to Him! I am excited for them both. God has been working like this in so many others and throughout just their everyday life!
I have been truly blessed to be able to share in these experiences with many of the youth and leaders. It has also strengthened my own faith to see so many being challenged by who God wants them to be and that His love for us is so huge!

Serve/Encounters 2006

2006-07-15T15:18:00.000-04:00

Well the week is over and it has been a very blessed one. Troy our speaker was very challenging in every message this entire week. It was a lot to take in but very profound and something that you always need to hear.
My group really got close this week and I was able to witness the Spirit moving in their hearts and also among us while we were hanging out with the guys that we did. It was so awesome to see that by the end of the week we had broken down some of those barriers and we were able to really talk to them and they were starting to trust us as well. The group really grew in their faith, and we also had a lot of fun... a lot of laughter throughout the week. It was so awesome.
There are a lot of things about Serve and Encounters that I am going to miss, my group, and the other friendships that I made over the week since everyone is now scattered to go their own seperate ways. But God is good, and those of us that are close by can visit and others, well email is a wonderful thing!!
Love you all!!!

Serve/Encounters 2006

2006-07-10T16:10:00.000-04:00

Well Serve/Encounters has been going really well. All the kids started arriving on Saturday afternoon and its been awesome since. My group is the Encounters group which is a little more in depth spiritually and do more relationship oriented work. We are working with Morning Star Ministries which is affiliated with Children's Aid and other agencies. Its pretty awesome. The small group time has been going really well and I have some good kids. As teens all of us go through stuff in life and we deal with some things, and so do my teens. So it will be an emotionally and spiritually draining week. I have six teens and 5 are from Ontario and 1 is from South Dakota!! She is awesome AND she is taller than me!! Weird! I have not met a girl taller than me in a long long time which was so awesome. Our Serve/Encounters site has so many tall people on it! It's absolutely crazy. But awesome... I am really enjoying myself. There has been those challenging moments but they are bound to happen this week.

Miriam, Selina, and Marissa

2006-07-05T22:26:00.000-04:00

For those of you who want updates on how these three girls from HDCH are doing go to the blog: www.miriamfluit.blogspot.com There are updates for all the girls on there. May we continue to pray for them... its amazing to see the community of believers coming together to intercede for the girls! Praise Him!!

May this "landslide of love" (Newsboys) continue to see these girls through.

Love and Life

2006-07-03T22:08:00.000-04:00

I read something today,
a re-written version of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; it's by Matt Groot. Thanks for the inspiration friend!

Love is Patient Love is kind
It's always has good intentions in mind
It always hopes and always perserveres
It knows when to laugh and when to shed some tears

It never boasts and it never fails
It was shown to us by the nails
On the cross where Jesus died
To forgive by love when crucified

Love is not self seeking Love is not rude
It's the willingness to listen, in the middle of a feud
Love is not easily angered, Love forgives the past
Love is a gift from God, which he designed forever to last

Love will always protect and always trust
It fights through the hard times like it must
Its a feeling you know, when it is there
Love will grow, with the power of prayer

~ Written by: Matthew Groot ~
www.geocities.com/greatgroot/

One Way

2006-06-09T21:37:00.000-04:00

Its always interesting to see why you go to different events and meet the people you do. I have had the amazing oppurtunity to get to know a lot of the HDCH high school kids, from going to Mississippi with a lot of them and hanging out at the school on fridays. God has worked and moved in many hearts and it is a blessing to see those students standing up for Christ and not hiding that passion that they have for Him. God is so good. The Spirit is moving in the school and in the hearts of other students as well. I love seeing there passion, dedication and committment to seeing the school grow and their own spiritual lives grow as they travel in this journey with Christ.
The prayer group that the school started put on a coffeehouse/worship night tonight. I was asked to go and wanted to be there to hang out with the kids and talk to some of them again as I had not been there for awhile. But I also knew that God was calling me there for a reason, and it may be for something small or big. I was one among many high school students but it was awesome standing and praising our God together. I did find out why God called me there as I had a chance to pray with someone. Christ was working through her and to reach others and it was so awesome to see. She wants others to see that there is only One Way to our heavenly Father and He can heal all the brokenness. One Way.

I lay my life down at your feet
You're the only one I need
I turn to you and you are always there
In troubled time It's you I seek
I put you first that's all I'll need
I humbe all I am, all to you

You are always, always there
Every hour and everywhere
Your Grace abounds so deeply within me
You will never ever change
Yesterday, Today the same
Forever 'til forever meets no end

One way, Jesus, You're the only One

That I could live for

One way, Jesus, You're the only One

That I could live for.

You are the way, the Truth and the Life

We live by Faith and not by Sight, for You

We're living all for You

Congratulations

2006-06-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

Well I guess this was the week of engagements:
Congrats to Chris deWinter and Rachel Lammers,
Roman Golovchenko and Paige Ploord,
and Tom Smith and Sarah Vedder!

God's Creation

2006-05-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

I love the summer because I am able to be outside and enjoy God's creation. Its so awesome to just sit outside at night and listen to all the nightly noises or to just try and grasp the expanse of the trees, the awesome moon and all the stars. Its crazy that God made the earth so beautiful. Or the waterfront. For the first time in my three years living in Hamilton I went to the harbour... how awesome, beautiful and peaceful it is there. Wow.

All Ontario Youth Convention 2006

2006-05-23T20:35:00.000-04:00

Well, the long weekend was a long weekend.... challenging yet very fulfilling.
Looking now at the girls that were in my small group, I get a bit of a laugh out of it.... God was in the mood to challenge me, and He certainly did. Getting to know eight girls for just one weekend and trying to make an impact on their lives in such a short time is a challenge. Even amongst the laughter and many many tears I was able to see how God was using me and teaching me things. I had the privelage if you want to call it that of having a young girl who is ready to crumble and yet she did not show herself as that... I may not see her ever again and I might someday soon but I hope that seeds were planted or watered this past weekend and I will defenitly be praying for her - she is broken and need of some major loving.
Sunday nights service was the tear jerker for me, watching the video Bob had for us and seeing a Father's love for his son, just the way God loves us was incredible. I miss my own Dad and family but was able to find those strongholds this weekend through prayer and some amazing people.

The prayer room that was at convention this year was amazing... nine different places in one room where you could experience God in a different way each time, praying for things going on in my own life, in those of my friends and family and around the world.
I have to say that God was probably laughing at me at the beginning of the weekend... because I figured it would be an easy weekend with lots of fun and laughter. And there was those things but He also set before me a challenge that I either could take on or let it take me. I took the challenge...

...Honestly I need to be broken, honestly I need to fall down.

Go ahead and shake my foundation...

Christ shook my foundation this weekend and I learned a ton about myself and experienced God in a different way. And I saw many that I know also experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and what an incredible site to see. Even some youth that were on serve last summer... the way God has moved in their life moves me as well.

God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.

Grace and Mercy

2006-05-15T21:31:00.000-04:00

I discovered this old song while I was reading tonight... I have read in a few times before but it never really struck me till now; God's grace and mercy are so free.....

Years I spent in vanity and pride,

Caring not my Lord was crucified,

Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened sould found liberty, at Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;

Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,

Till my guilty sould imploring turned to Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened sould found liberty, at Calvary.

Now I've given to Jesus everything,

Now I gladly own Him as my King,

Now my raptured sould can only sing of Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened sould found liberty, at Calvary.

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!

Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!

Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened sould found liberty, at Calvary.

2006-05-12T23:02:00.000-04:00

Things I Miss About Home (The Peg):

Hear the Music Nights once a month with Jon Buller; the community of Winnipeg came together downtown for this huge night of worship - it was amazing to see how God brought so many people together from so many different walks of life and backgrounds.
My best friend Carolyn; hanging out watching movies, visiting her at Lower Fort Gary dressed in her character, talking about the potential guys or lack of guys in our lives, getting together with high school friends, going out and having a drink and dessert!
the weather - Ontario; your weather sucks, its humid and gross and you don't get enough snow in the winter around here to do anything decent with it
Of course my family - playing games on sunday nights or having a bonfire with friends of the family over, breakfasts on saturday morning, going out to the coffee shop with Dad in the mornings on saturday if he is running errands, enjoying our yard and being outside in it.
the culture of Winnipeg; there is so much cultural diversity in Winnipeg that you are not afraid to talk to native, the japanese, chinese, french, etc. you have grown up with them they are a part of the community like everyone else and make that community better. They are your friends, neighbours and classmates.
The youth ministries that are run out of churches at home, that reach so many in the community.
a good 7-11 with some good slurpees - Ontario where are they?!?!?

That is a few things I miss about The Peg of course there are things I don't miss such as the misquitoes, but yeah.... when you are gone for such long periods of time you appreciate what you grew up among for 18 years of your life.

2006-05-04T19:11:00.000-04:00

National Day of Prayer

Friends, Family and Loved Ones, I pray that God Blesses your lives and everything that you are doing. Keep Safe and Healthy and may He continue to work through you in everything.
He is a Mighty, Powerful and Awesome God.

2006-04-15T11:34:00.000-04:00

Procrastination......

Its a wonderful thing. Especially when you have a huge four hour accounting exam on monday night and you need to do well to pass the class.
Yet it seems that when you know you are supposed to be studying you get a lot more cleaning done, you take frequent naps, you write on your blog, read a book which has nothing to do with any of your exams and you want to socialize more.
Its not a good thing, and yet its needed. Hopefully now that I have procrastinated for the past hour I will be able to get some studying done again!
Lets hope.

2006-04-12T20:43:00.000-04:00

Done!

It feels good to be done the semester, all the homework and projects that took place this semester and this year.
Wow, I cannot believe that I am finished all my classes for my third year. Its crazy that three years has gone by. Sometimes it feels like such a short time and at times it feels like forever.
Let's hope I am still alive after the exams I have to write in the next two weeks and than its the summer!!!!!

2006-04-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

Hillsong United

United We Stand! It was awesome last night, not just a concert but a time to come together to worship. To be in a place last night where the denominational walls were broken down, where race or age didn't matter. It was amazing, to come and worship as believers and to worship a glorious King! I enjoyed being surrounded by people I did not know and yet to see so many worshipping the Father that I also love; incredible.
Phil Dooley the youth pastor for Hillsong also spoke, speaking to our generation, a generation that has a lot of responsibility to tell others about who Christ is. He prayed for those youth pastors that were in the crowd as they minister to high school/university students which is so important to where we all end up. And he also than wanted to pray for those who were struggling and wanted to find themselves coming closer to God once again. To know that so many hands were raised and praying along with Phil for these people was incredible, many of them strangers, yet Sisters and Brothers.
The Holy Spirit was among us last night, some of our group almost had a car accident, got lost, or were not feeling the greatest, but we got through it all. Knowing that Christ was in the midst of us all.
God Bless Everyone! May we continue to be united as one Body of Christ.

2006-04-07T00:31:00.000-04:00

Hmmm,
there are some things I am never going to understand.... like how we go to a Christian university yet at times it seems people forget that. Like at coffeehouse tonight, the one dance, yeah I don't think it belonged on stage in front of Redeemer students.
The rest of the night though, WOW, Redeemer is blessed to have some amazing students this year with some really God-given gifts and talents. Tim Selles you are awesome, it was nice to see you enjoying yourself and having Marybeth join you as well. Good Job!
Chris and Tim, well there is not much I can say. Chris keep striving for who Christ wants you to be and Tim we are going to miss you here at Redeemer. God has blessed you immensly with some majoy music talent and spiritual leadership abilities.
Coffeehouse was good, it was awesome to see so many people out and a wide range of years as well. A nice way to end of the year of 2005/2006.

2006-04-01T17:29:00.000-05:00

Cross Culture was amazing!

Over 100 people came out to go and do work projects all across downtown hamilton. How awesome is that. I was leading a group and we had so much fun. Being at the Good Will downtown, with Gavin Ewing, Nikki VanEyk, Peter Kranenberg and Kimber Ebels. Good group, lots of insides jokes and very interesting things found within the store. We got a lot accomplished and it felt good. We sorted clothes and put them back on hangers, put clothes back where they belonged and than did some sorting in the back... oh the cat hair and mold. Mmmm. But it was still good, we weren't doing it for ourselves and everyone stayed positive and had a good time.
The other groups were pumped about what they got to do and it was just an overall amazing day... and tonight we get to close it off in a worship concert that is at the university how awesome is that. A day of service for God and now a time of worship for Him as well. Its pretty sweet.

2006-03-15T20:13:00.000-05:00

Picture of our group before departing to go our seperate ways in Toronto.

Nick, Joe, Heidi, Robyn and myself were headed to London, England before we headed to Amsterdam.

Chris, Brianna, Kristin, Phil, Leanne and Amy were headed to Paris, France and Eileen and Aleke had a straight flight to Amsterdam.

2006-03-04T14:36:00.000-05:00

My Trip to the Netherlands!

We left on Friday, February 17th. Our team headed off to the airport where we split up into two groups. My group (Heidi, Nick, Joe, Robyn and I) headed to another terminal as we were going to be flying to London, England!! before we headed to Amsterdam! The airport was awesome, lots of cool stuff! But eventually we did head onto the plane for the beginning of our long trip.
Heidi was a little scared of flying, but she got through it and enjoyed the flight (she slept!).
I am not too huge with travelling on a plane, since my legs are so long and I need to stretch, but I made it. I did try to sleep but it didn't work to well, I read some and listened to music. We had some great food and drinks though!!! LOL.

Arriving in London, England very early in the morning! The time change was way out of whack for us. But we hung out in the airport for a bit, we got some souvenirs from England and than had to hurry to catch our plane.

One of the things that I fear while I travel is getting searched. And it happened. My carry on bag was completely searched and than my body was searched. I felt a little violated after that, it was just weird. But I guess it was also something that I had to live up too.
We landed in Amsterdam to Aleke and Eileen waiting for us. We were completely exhausted but, it was still good. The sun was shining in Amsterdam when we landed!!!!!! It is rare to have a really sunny day and we were very blessed to have one when we arrived. The other group was coming in from Paris, France (Chris, Phil, Brianna, Kristin, Leanne, and Amy). They arrived a little later than we did.

We took the train from Schipol to Amsterdam and than walked the long trek with our luggage to De Poort the YWAM (youth with a mission) base where we were staying. We had a great welcome. Most of us in rooms to ourselves and they were pretty cute!
Sunday morning was church! We walked to the English Reformed church that was in the Beignhof, it was so cute. The church was located almost in the centre of all these houses and the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam was also in this area. There was green grass!!! there, and some very interesting historical monuments. It was really neat to see. We also had a chance to walk through part of one of the museums and look at some of the paintins. Than we were left on our own for most of the afternoon. We had krokettes and frites for lunch most of us (except for those that needed to eat at McDonalds for some reason!!!! you know who you are!).
We had practice time and service planning for the Cleft that afternoon as well while we were at De Poort, it was a good bonding time for the group as well and just having the chance to plan and worship together. Eileen and Aleke had left us on our own for the afternoon as they got the room ready that we were going to be having teaching in that night and all day on monday.
That evening we went to another church to listen to a gregorian chant - it was very different but really neat to see how other people worship.
We had some time afterwards to hang out, some of us playing cards and than of course going to bed.

Monday was teaching all day. Aleke taught me a lot on this trip. The things that she has encountered she shared with us and also helped us to understand why some people are the way they are. We went to a bar called the Winston that was in the red light district that night. To listen to some music and poetry readings. It was very interesting....
Tuesday we were at the prayer station all day. It was such an amazing day. Spending the day in prayer and going up to people and asking if we can pray for them or even if they knew Christ. My group before starting that walked around the Dame Square seven times like they did in the Bible with Jericho. It was a really interesting experience, just praying for the rest of the teams and also praying for those people who we would be talking too. It was a challenge for me as well since I do not know a lot of Dutch I didn't know a lot of the time what was going on, but I was able to understand enough just so that I could pray for the people that we were with. There were three different points that stood out to me; talking with two guys that were probably about 18, talking with two girls that were around 16 and my partner giving his Bible to them and than one younger man coming up to us and asking if he could pray with us and thank us for what we were doing! Crazy! It was so good.
T
hat night we went back to the Cleft and were able to lead the service there. It was amazing to see what the people do there and how they stick it out. It is a challenge to be in that place and not always easy interacting with some of the people that come in. One of the things I really saw was that they accepted you as you were, not anything else. I had the chance to talk to a couple of the people that had come in and just get to know where they were at in life, one of the guys started to hit on me so a DTS person came and got me. She was awesome too and I was able to chat with her for awhile and ask her why she wanted to be there doing what she does. Those people have such courage and strength to be there. I admire that a lot.
We went to the Safoy that night. It was singer/songwriter night and Melissa played her violin. It was pretty awesome, a different atmosphere since it was a lesbian bar, but oh well. One of the guys from DTS came with us Leandro - we ended up stopping for some food on the way back. Fulofuls!!! They are awesome. Leandro was really easy to talk to and he shared with some of us what he wants to do after DTS and why he was there.

So......... the day that we could sleep in a little bit was the day we got woken up by the fire alarm! Oh well... we had teaching again on Wednesday morning, Aleke just finished off some of the things we had started to talk about and we shared a little on how tuesday went. We were in the prayer tower at De Poort and you could see an amazing view from up there. After teaching we ate lunch with all the DTS people and than were headed to talk with Charles! Charles is one of the leaders of the DTS program and he was on vacation the week we were there but came back specifically for us and to take us out to the ministry that he does with the Muslim kids. It was amazing... he has such a passion for those people and can play soccer quite well. I had the oppurtunity with Kristin and Robyn to walk around the neighbourhood and pray and try to get some more kids to come out. We were successful in getting a few more to come out and it was really neat because two girls came out and they were so much fun. They enjoyed themselves and were able to get into some of the basketball action as well. I am so happy that Nalani was still going to be there the next week and be able to continue ministering to the girls. Kristin and I had the chance to cheer on the games that were going on; basketball and soccer and the energy that was there that afternoon was great... God was working among us!

We had a free evening on Wednesday.... some went out and some stayed in. I was among the five that stayed in... Robyn, Kristin and I ended up going to the prayer tower and talked for awhile and also took some time out to pray. It was a great evening, and than....... we had a little fun!! LOL. Pulled a couple of pranks on some people on the trip (the pics will be up later).
Thursday was our painting/redecorating day at Sam's Inn. We were painting downstairs in the living room. I have never had to paint in such weird places - and the colours were quite bright. We did get all the painting done for the most part and the girls (and Phil) got all the wallpapering done. That night we had some time after supper to just hang out and do what we wanted as we were headed for our City Tour that night.

At 9pm, we headed out in groups all around the city. Leanne, Nick and I were in a group together; we started off pretty good, knowing some of the places that we wanted to go. But... none of us were too good with directions in Amsterdam so we did not get to all the places we wanted to go. We did see a lot in many of the areas that we were walking in though. We did end up going to one of the student bars which was actually a lot of fun. We talked to this one guy name Pete, it was neat to hear why he was at school in Amsterdam and us also answering some of his questions as well. After wondering around for a long time and seeing some more stuff we wanted to sit down for awhile and ended up on this bar that had just opened and was not quite "complete" yet. It was an interesting experience... especially after you saw everything that the bar was supposed to be. Our group had a good time though, just being able to talk about some of the stuff we saw and also getting to know each other better.

We ended up back at Sam's Inn close to 3am and were the last group to arrive, it was nice to share some of our experience's with everyone as each group was different. One of the things that hit me while we were out that evening was when a homeless man came up to us, I couldn't ignore him and after everything that I have learned its just not something I feel that we should do as they are also people. We would want someone to stop for us if we started to talk to them and actually care what they were saying. One of the lessons that I learned that I have really had to think about.

Well since we were out till 3am we got to sleep in a little bit, and than we headed out of the city for the rest of the day! Yes!! Our group headed to the windmill town! It was an awesome site to see, looking out from the bridge and seeing four windmills in the distance. We went to the cheese factory and got to taste test cheese and took some fun pictures. Than we headed over to the wooden shoe and got our group in it for a group shot, and than actually headed into the wooden shoe shop. We got a chance to see how the shoes are actually made and learned a little of the history of them! It was awesome, the guy that showed us how they were made knew a lot!

Saturday was our day off! A day to do some shopping and stuff. Our group headed out; Phil, Heidi, Brianna, Robyn, Kristin and I. We went to the flea market first which was really awesome, lots of stuff to look at and some of us bought a couple of things. We ended up meeting up with Chris, Nick and Amy after a little bit but kept going as we went and ate lunch together before Phil, Heidi and Brianna went to the piercing place. Kristin, Robyn and I did some shopping and looking around.... I tried on many pairs of pants but to no avail found nothing that fit. We got back to find everyone else back already and ended up playing cards for awhile until dinner. We closed off our time in Amsterdam with lots of food and sharing at Sam's Inn that night. It was a time for all of us to share our most challenging and also most rewarding thing of the week and some of the experiences that each of us experienced.

The week was amazing. God taught me a lot and even though it has been crazy busy since coming back God is still working and teaching and reminding me of things that I learned there. Thanks to all who prayed for me and the team and to the team and leaders for making it possible and fun for all of us to go!

I will be putting some pics on here once I get them!
Enjoy!

2006-02-02T17:57:00.000-05:00

Tests!
Oh the joys of them! I hate them! That accounting test sucked. It pisses me off when I study so hard and know my stuff and than go into a test and don't have enough time to finish it and get so stressed about it. It just sucks, cuz I want to do well in that class. Ugh!

Well I guess it is done, and now I have to study for another one that I have tomorrow. Hopefully this one will go a little better but at this point I don't think it will since I have not studied that much for it and I have a night class tonight. Wonderful... I am so not happy about this.

It is almost the weekend! Thank goodness... it will be nice to sleep and relax for a bit before I head back to the books to keep up with the homework for next week. Yes!

Well off to night class soon.

2006-01-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

I had the oppurtunity to spend ten days in Gulfport, Mississippi with a group of students from Hamilton District Christian High School and work among the devastation that was there. Here is just glimpse of what we saw. It was overwhelming and many of us did not have the words to speak.
There were 90 students, 20 Redeemer University students and 10 adult chaperons that gave up there Christmas holidays to give a little back. God used us in so many ways, as we got broken into three camps, each camp doing different jobs at there work sites.

2005-10-31T01:43:00.000-05:00

24/7 Prayer

Why do we do it? Why do we even bother praying? There is so much stuff going on around us that it does not seem to even make a difference anymore. Whats the point?
I guess once we actually see the point of praying we continue to do it with an urgency that does not go away. Sometimes we do not even see the results of our prayers but we know that some day in God's timing that prayer is going to be answered.
Thank you Lord, for the oppurtunity to pray, to pray for those we love and to see the power of prayer work in people's lives. It is truly amazing to see Your hand guiding us through our lives.
Let us continue to pray with an urgency that will never disappear.

2005-10-02T22:30:00.000-04:00

Fall Retreat 2005
What an awesome experience. It was my first time going and being a leader. But it was a blessing on my life. Somehow I ended up with a very loud group of girls and most of them knew each other already. They really welcomed the other two new grade 9ers as well which made for an amazing weekend of small groups and fellowship.
God really moved this weekend. Matt had a lot to say to the youth about what we are meant to live for; to expect the unexpected, meant to live for so much more, to experience the power and knowing that we are worth it. I learned a lot this weekend as well, God has a way of putting those in your cabin that really need to be there. The girls grew closer to each other and to God this weekend.
The food was great, the sessions were awesome, the fellowship and free time. The view was awesome too, the Muskoka's is beautiful. A lot of us leaders were young adults, it was really nice to just hang out and talk as well. We did do some goofing off as well (thanks Jon for the handful of pine needles down my shirt!).
This weekend was such a blessing on my life. The youth were awesome and to just see a passion for Christ within us as leaders and those youth that we were mentoring for the weekend just makes you want to continue doing these things. God truly was magnificent this weekend!

2005-09-17T12:39:00.000-04:00

What do you do when you feel uncomfortable? And you can't seem to get out of the situation in a good way. I guess I still try to get out of it in a comfortable way but its not always easy and its hard. I feel I might hurt the persons feelings, but I know it is for the good.
Its a challenge knowing what God wants for your life is not the easiest always to follow and somehow we don't go about it in the most comfortable fashion. He always has those twists and turns that make it a challenge in that we have to find ways to get through it. Leaning on His power and strength to get me through.

2005-09-13T21:28:00.000-04:00

Life's Road Map

Lately, I have been feeling God leading me in a totally different direction than where I was 6 months ago. Its so odd, and yet there are still some of those people that are with me along that road and some who have been joining me. It's so awesome to see how God guides and works in my life. I have been learning so much from him and through others around me. Those small lessons that you sometimes forget and you need to be reminded of. Like today, just the comfort you can have in silence between two friends. It is peaceful (and well you could be half asleep at some points too but hey :) ).
This coming year I know that God has some amazing things planned for my life and also some challenges. Challenges that I know will bring me closer to Him. Thank you to those of you that have blessed my life so much.