Striving

Today in chapel Pastor Delany preached about things in the ministry that are needed in your personal life. He gave several points, but the one that stuck out to me the most was the last one, "Be Careful What You Strive For." Pastor D then brought out a REALLY good point, as a college student -whether in Bible college, or in any other college, or really in any kind of work, for whom are we doing what we're doing? Are we striving to do our best to please the Father, or are we doing our work for ourselves? Also, if we want to bring true honor and glory to God are we doing a good job with our work, or are we just doing what we can to get by? If that's the case then we really aren't bringing God any glory, rather we're bringing shame to Him.
I know for me it's really easy to fall into "just getting by," and not really doing my very best. Or even worse, when I do well, and get praised for it that I like to get that praise and keep it for myself instead of giving God the glory for giving me the ability to do well. I need to constantly remind myself of I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Back to School

I arrived at Shawnee late last night and today was registration and book buying and all of those fun things. I'm now officially a second semester sophomore...isn't THAT thrilling?! The sad thing is that I'm only 6 credits from being a Junior! Oh well...that will come soon enough.

Here is my schedule for the semester:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: US History II, 8-8:50
Thursday, Friday: Biology, 8-9:40
Biblical Ethics, 10-10:50
Friday: Christian Womanhood, 11-11:50

I'm also taking 3 independent studies, they are "Intro to Youth Education," "Handwriting," and "Prayer." I will also be interning in the Christian school, I'm just not sure which class I will be in. I'll find that out sometime this week.

I'm only taking a total of 17 credits this semester!! I wanted to take more, but they weren't offering very many classes that I needed.

Please also pray that I find a job with a lot of hours. My job is hardly giving me any hours and I can't really afford to do that. I already spent 3 hours today filling out applications. I have 2 good leads so far, one at a consignment bookstore, which sounds like a lot of fun, and would be something I would really enjoy. My other job possibility is at Office Depot. I filled out an application today and the manager said that he would get back with me tomorrow. I'm also planning on filling out applications at several restaurant. Please pray that God will provide for me.

*****All of my books except for Biology and Prayer*****

Contentment

So often I find myself being discontent with life. I can look through my life and see time after time that something went wrong and I really want to question God over it. I say, "Hey God, ummmm…You know I'm down here and what just happened, well, it didn't exactly seem right - in fact, it seemed really wrong, and hurt really badly. Why God? But Paul said in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." OUCH! I don't like to be content with my life. I like to complain to God about how awful my life is at the moment. The thing is, God already knows what my life is like, after all He is the one who planned it out, not me. But God can see the big picture. He can see how trials and testing in my life are growing and stretching me as an individual, and even more importantly, as a Christian.
Contentment is something that I've always struggled with and I still do struggle with it. I want to make things the way that I think they should be. It's a constant process for me and I'd love to say that I had the answer, but I don't. The only way for me to find contentment is to lean on God and to trust in Him more.

What am I Looking for in a Wife

By A Young Man

WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR IN A WIFE? I want a girl who's interested in friendship first. I've run into three types of girls over the years - two of them make me chuckle, but with a hint of sorrow inside. The third class I've observed always makes me stop and think. And smile.

JUST SAY HI BUT DON'T BE FEROCIOUS There are two types of young ladies, one at either end of the "girl spectrum." The first is most prevalent in ultra conservative, homeschool settings. She ignores the existence of the guys around her, believing the lie that any interaction with a guy is either sinful or premature romantic involvement. That's just wrong - God created both genders to edify and challenge each other!

I would say to that girl, just get over yourself, and say hi!

Then there's the other extreme, the "ferocious females." Now, I have to say that I appreciate energetic, engaging girls. What concerns me, however, is that with some of these young ladies, they display a sense of discontent with their singleness. "Need" is not attractive in a girl. When a girl already has an interesting life, she then has something to bring to the marriage.

LOOKING FOR SARAH This brings us to the type of girl that is very appealing and attractive. I like it when a young lady I meet takes the time to both talk and listen, especially when God has given us similar passions in life. And I believe that mutual passion that has the power to keep us together for a lifetime. At least, I think so. Remember, I am still single.

Beyond that, my attention is always piqued when a girl is walking in the freedom of Christ. The most attractive women I've met are those who are satisfied where they are, yet are open for more of what God has for them. This is a freedom only God can give. But I'm looking for one more thing: confidence. A girl who has placed her confidence in Christ, who isn't "afraid with any amazement" (I Peter 3:6) but resembles Sarah - that's a girl who will make any guy turn his head. Including this one.

My happily married brother has wisely told me, "Find a girl who is willing to follow. But you must be willing to give up as much as you've asked her to give up." That's what Sarah and Abraham did. They followed God even when they didn't understand what He wanted. Sarah trusted God despite Abraham's deficiencies. Sarah wasn't afraid. She was confident in God. Yeah, I'm keeping my eye out for Sarah.

What I Want in a Guy!

By a Young Woman

I am a 22-year-old girl who has met and seen my fair share of couples. I've traveled a good bit and lived with/helped out different families doing mission work. These experiences have helped me figure out who I am today, and have been instrumental in showing me what I need in a husband.

When I was 17, my cousins and friends, who are a few years older than I, all stated getting married. So I naturally thought, "Well, I guess I should get married, too, because it seems to be the next step in life." But the guy I would have married then and the guy I would marry now are two completely different types of men. I didn't even know myself yet, much less what I should look for in a man.

I think, as homeschoolers, we are raised with the idea that marriage is the next important step in the school of life. I believe that attitude limits a person. I want to do something significant with my life, including learning all I have a capacity to comprehend, all for the purpose of making an eternal difference. I encourage girls to think: What are your dreams, what do you want to do, what do you want to know? Get out and do something, whether it's starting a business, (which could include homemaking skills) or buying a piece of land. Go help out a missionary for six months. It will give you a whole new outlook on life and an appreciation for missionaries! It will grow you, give you more confidence, and help you figure out what you need in a husband. Every man is attracted to a woman who's busy with abundant life, someone who is on the front side of making things happen.

Years ago I was chatting with a married couple who are good friends of mine, and who know me well they helped me figure out what I personally needed in a man. I wrote a list that day of five things I most need in a man!

1. I know that I need a Strong Leader who's not going to let me shove him around. I want someone who is going to stand up and be the man!
2. Yet I need someone who is Open-minded, who will listen to all my crazy theories about life!
3. He needs to be Passionate, so that whatever he does, he does it with a fire under his boots!
4. I want him to be Spontaneous, full of zeal about life, and not afraid to jump into an adventure. I am a very enthusiastic person, and I love to do things on the spur of the moment. I want to marry someone I can jump on board with!
5. And I must have a man who Loves and Honors God and is already actively serving the Lord and has a deep-seated vision for life.

2-Part Series

I was going through my desk a few days ago and I stumbled across a magazine from No Greater Joy that my mom had given to me this summer. In it were two short articles, one by a young man, and the other by a young woman. I reread them and was very impressed, so I thought that I would share them with all of you. These are taken from the July-August 2009 issue.
I will say that I don't always agree with NGJ, but a lot of what they have to say is pretty good.

New Years Eve Fun!!

We went to my Aunt Beth's house for New Years Eve and then spent the night. We had a lot of fun with everyone, and of course took a million pictures! :) Just a word of warning, some of these pictures get a little graphic, so if you're weak stomached you may not want to proceed!!

*****Mom and Adreonna looking at "The Encyclopedia of Immaturity"*****

*****I don't think any explanation is needed for this picture!*****

*****My adorable cousin Jenna - I love the messy face and fingers*****

*****A new cousin, Ashlin, I think she's gorgeous!*****

*****And another new cousin, Austin*****

*****Samuel and Will*****

***The whole group of us*****

*****Ashley*****

*****FOOD*****

*****Ashlin, Mom, and Aunt Beth*****

*****Some intense play dough time!*****

*****Another adorable cousin, Jayde*****

*****We did a white elephant gift exchange*****

*****He's probably trying to figure out WHICH present looks the best!*****

****Yes, that is a plunger in his face - no it had never been used before*****

*****Will dressed for Success!!!!!*****

*****Me and Adreonna*****

I love the way her eyes are- that's a typical Adreonna look!!! :)

****Yup, the plunger is stuck to the ceiling - my family is crazy, what can I say?!*****

*****And we finished the evening by watching "Up"*****