Update

So I guess it's about time for an update!!! Well, since March several things have been keeping me busy! May was a crazy month with finals, graduations, and weddings. I was blessed to be able to stand up for Katlyn and Ian at their wedding. I felt very honored and it was such a great time!

Since that crazy month is now past, I've begun working for the YMCA/CLC summer program at Elliott Elementary School. I worked at the after school program during the semester, and I just love it! The kids are fun and can be challenging, but I can see how God has prepared me to be a teacher with a job like this. Also, the staff is just awesome!

Elise and I will be moving into a new apartment complex at the end of July/beginning of August. We're getting excited to have our own rooms and to decorate, again! haha. There is just something about decorating that is so exciting!!!

Youth group has been going great! This summer we're taking time to relax and just hang out, rather than jump into the Word so much. It's a great time to build relationships, which is so important with these kids!!! From February to April, there were about 7 students that have come to know Jesus. One girl is a teen mom and so when she got baptized, she dedicated her 5 month old daughter as well. Shortly after that, the daddy got saved as well. God is so good!!! Also, 4 of our boys are in foster care with a couple that helps out with youth group. Each one of them has accepted Jesus, and the 3 older boys were baptized together. It is such a blessing to watch them grow :)

But the most exciting update that I'm completely pumped about is getting going. Elise and I are going to be leading a team to Hong Kong for Christmas Outreach (COR) this December!!!! Back when I was in Hong Kong last year, God laid on my heart to come back to Lincoln and raise up a team to bring on short-term missions. He has put the same desire on Elise's heart as well, and we are beginning our fundraising adventures!!! As of now, there are about 6 (maybe 7!) people going from my church here in Lincoln, one being my pastor :) In addition to them, there are 4 others from up North that are coming as well.

Please be praying for us as we prepare as a team to venture off to Hong Kong and experience Christ in a whole new way!!! Also, if you could keep our fundraising in your prayers, that would be greatly appreciated!!!! We'll be making burritos and fruit slush, as well as selling coffee and coupon cards. If you're interested in anything let me know ;)

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers! God is moving and I'm so excited to be on board!

You're Beautiful

God has a way of doing things that makes me laugh. He has a way of taking my needs and wants and using others to show me His heart.

For me, it's been hard to not get down about always being single, or about seeing your friends fall in love, or being pursued. Not that I'm not super excited for my friends, I am! But it's the fact that once again I get passed by. That I'm not noticed or considered. It hurts, and makes me question things about myself and then lies come in and it gets tough. This is something that's happened many times to me and I went through again a few months ago.

But through it all, through the heartache and the questions, God has met me where I am. He's healed me of the hurts and has poured out His love over me. Recently I met a guy for coffee. I don't know if you'd call it a blind date, but this man was very sweet and charming and flattered me like crazy. And the whole time he said those things, God kept saying, "Those are my feelings. That is my heart for you. That is how I see YOU." Besides the charm, the date was a COMPLETE flop! haha, we didn't click well and God kept telling me "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires" It was strange to hear, and I tried to ignore it, but I just couldn't. God guided me and led me through the whole thing, and I was obedient, and I couldn't feel better about it!

It may sound strange, but for once, someone took a look at me and considered wanting more, and yet I was the one that turned him down when he wanted another date. I wasn't the one being pushed aside, and it gave me so much more hope for the man God has planned for me.

I look back on the whole situation, and I just laugh. It truly was an awkward and crazy time, but God used the kind words of this young man, to speak to my heart and pour out His love and lead me in a way I never thought I would go.