God creates lovely people

Today I was faced with the thing I have been putting off for weeks, telling my friend I was leaving the bible study we were doing together. I knew she wouldn't be mad but of course sad and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her. Reasonable, yea! It came up without intention and I finally just told her I had to switch for myself. God had obviously been calling me to a seperate group, and I needed to answer his call. She showed me love and kindness through this tough,weird situation. God, thank you.

Thankful

I am sitting here, in my home thinking of the little ones in Mexico. Thinking of their beautiful little faces. Often people come home raving about how thankful the people were for how little they had. I had never expierenced this first hand or understood in til I went to Mexico. Gosh, these people's smiles were the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Their joy and laughs gives me the chills, because sometimes I will be sitting in my home in front of the TV thinking "I'm bored, my life is so boring..blah blah blah" Who am I to speak or think such things! Especially when there are people sitting in a home that has dirt for floors and hay as a roof!!! I have really been trying to be thankful as I am home now. Thanking the Lord for the things he has given me, big and small. For indoor plumbing!! For a car to take me to church...
He never ceases to teach me! The Lord is good.

close/open

I think the statement "When one door closes another one opens" became very real to me tonight....I had to say goodbye to a dear friend but out of that a new relationship started. One that I know will last for a long time. Lord, I thank you.

Saying goodbye to a dear friend....

Tonight I learned how much God could use one person in my life.
A year ago(August 09) I met a girl on a bus ride home from a volleyball game. She seemed nice, she had a great smile and just seemed very excited to get to know me. I learned that she went to my church, and she encouraged me to come to youth group. She finally got me coming regularly...and that September I became a Christian. In February we took a trip together, learning and just being with her. Of course at home we were hanging out and just becoming better and better friends. She gave me great advice and always loved on me immensely. In June we went on a week long trip together to California. There, I got a new perspective about my faith. I learned that my faith involved a lot of other people too. I was baptized there- making an outward statement about my faith. Then in July we went to Chelan for a week, stayed at a cabin and had some great times together.

Tonight, I had to say goodbye to her. She is leaving for College, for four years, clear across the country. The Lord used her in so many ways in my life.

Listen. Ask. Then talk.

I love people, I think we're interesting. We're moody, we're deep, we're hilarious, we're kind. I love people who are able to communicate and hold a conversation with value. I like Starbucks dates with people, just talking. I never know what we'll talk about but it usually ends up being great. I think I learn that way, I learn great lessons, stories, and knowledge by listening to a person talk for 30 minutes. I love talking about this world we're in, talking about other people in this world, talking about opinions and matters. I've learned from being in high school having an opinion about a lot of things is very important, it really shapes a conversation- right? And what fills our days?- Conversations. I think it's awesome talking to someone about something they don't feel the same way about that you do...It gives you a wonderful perspective. I think my ideal way to spend an hour would be to sit down with someone, get a WC mocha and just talk, ask questions, and listen. Lovely. Pure bliss. My joy. Ha! I couldn't think of something I rather do-honestly.

"The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven't thought of yet.” -Ann Landers

What a quote. I love me a good conversation-though I want one with equal amount of talking. :)

Untitled. Love

The Lord is teaching me daily. He teaches me to be a servant by sending me to Mexico to help a growing church get going. He teaches me to be thankful by showing me high-schoolers like me, who are homeless-unlike me. By showing me a friend who's dad lost his job and now her family has to move in with another family. By showing me some one's sad past-abuse and no love. He teaches me to be more sensitive to others feelings by letting me mess up and have a friend be mad at me. By having a friend share a story with me that warmed my heart. He teaches me to not take my lifestyle for granted by showing me little kids in Mexico with no food, by showing me babies in Africa who have no mothers, by taking me out of my home-putting me on a houseboat, taking away my shower and giving me a lake instead. He teaches me that I am so blessed by showing me Daisy, a little girl with cancer who is expected to die. By giving me a home. By giving me a mother who loves me no matter what I do. By giving me a Father who has a job. By giving me a brother who makes me laugh and smile. By giving me friends who love me and teach me. He teaches me to love by putting Ruthie in my life, a mentally challenged girl who didn't have a friend. By putting Annie in my life- the "new girl." He teaches me to forgive by putting me in situations where people have hurt me terribly. By letting people go against there decisions and hurt me. He teaches me to show mercy by putting people in my life who drive me up the wall. By putting people in my life who keep hurting me. He is teaching me to be more Christ-like by giving me the desire to learn his word.

The Lord has given me the peace that surpasses all understanding. And I am thankful.