It's good to be back! I had a great and relaxing break, just what I needed. Now I've got my nose back to the grindstone and it feels great! I can't believe I'm a senior! Everything has gone so so fast! I remember coming in with the freshmen class and looking at the Seniors like they were walking, talking Bible commentaries and encyclopedias. They MUST possess vast amounts of knowledge about the Scripture because....well....they're seniors! Now that I'm here, although I've learned so much in the past 3 semesters, I see now how far I have to go. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. That is such an exciting concept to me! I could study 24/7 for my entire life and never exhaust the wisdom and knowledge of the Scripture!
This semester is going to be difficult. Not as difficult as my Junior semester was (or so I hear), but definitely difficult. I will be studying:
-Daniel/Revelation
-Colossians
-Philippians
-1 and 2 Timothy
-1 and 2 Thessalonians
-1,2, and 3 John
-Oral Communications
-Christian Life
-Eschatology
-Ecclesiology
-Philemon
-Titus
-Intro to Tribal Missions
-Intro to NTM
-False Deities of the Ancient World
-Partnership Development
-Esther/Ezra/Nehemiah
-Handling Conflict
-Psalms
Needless to say, it's going to be busy. I'm also working as much as I can, trying to continue to raise money to pay for my tuition. As of now, I made my initial payment of $1800, and have somewhere around $2000 left to pay off for the semester. My family was so very wonderful in helping me out!! I am so very blessed to have them. Even when I was home for Christmas, if the family was going to go out and do something, they would chip in and pay for me so I could go along to. The reason that I made my initial payment was because various members of my wonderful family came up to me at different times and gave me gifts that left me speechless. I was able to come here and continue to study the precious Word of God because of the provision of my heavenly Father through the wonderful people that I am so grateful and blessed to call my family.
Please pray for me as I continue to work as many hours as I can possibly get! Sometimes its hard to get hours where I work, but God has been so good since I came back. I've been able to work quite a bit and I'm praying it'll continue. Please pray for my financial situation in general. Also, please pray for me as I try to balance classes, work, homework, dorm responsibilities, and all the rest of the craziness that we get to call life. Thank you all so much!!!
I'll try to get back into the swing of updating this thing a little more often. :)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunshiney spots in my last few weeks. :)
Life has been getting more and more crazy as the semester winds down. Between papers and finals, dorm stuff, and work, I hardly have time to stop and think, but amidst all of the flurry of activity, I thought I'd share some moments with you that brought a smile to my face. You may understand some of them...you may not. That's the fun of it.
-I smiled when I pulled into the Dairyland parking lot at about 11:00 p.m. and then watched Becky pull in a few moments later in the Grey Beast. We had a grand time together. :)
-A few days ago, I sat for a good 15 to 20 minutes watching baby Kate move around in Bethany's tummy and I smiled. I love to put my hand on her tummy and feel the baby give a strong kick! Can't wait to meet that lil lady!
-A few nights ago, I talked to Peter for almost 3 hours on the phone. I can't wait to see that boy.
-A few of you know that I now have a job working as a Health Care Assistant for a lady with Alzheimers. Her name is Annabelle. She is completely bedridden and isn't really able to interact with people. She talks/moans constantly, repeating the same phrases over and over again...usually things like "I can't help it" or "where to go?" or "That's terrible." Every now and then, her awareness increases and she uses that time to urgently look at me and say "you're my sweet baby" or "thank you" or "I'm glad you're here." It's always the same phrases repeated forcefully, several times in a row. Well, the other night, I was sitting with her, holding her hand as she dozed off and on. At one point, she opened her eyes and looked at me. I smiled at her and said "You look beautiful today, Annabelle." She smiled back (it was the first time I'd ever seen her smile) and laughed softly. She said in a completely relaxed and normal voice "You're named somethin'....what is it?" So I said "I'm Grace." She reached up slowly and touched my cheek and said "That's wonderful. That's nice. I like it and I like you. Thank you for staying with me and helping me." Then I smiled really big. She talked like that for about 3 minutes before lapsing back into her normal moanings and mumblings. Those 3 minutes were the best out of the entire time I've been working there!!!
-I smiled when I was telling Elisabeth funny stories and heard her laugh really hard.
-I smiled when I received a voicemail from Becky yesterday in which she was laughing so hard I could barely understand her. Why? Because I put the Star Wars soundtrack on her ipod and whenever the Imperial March comes on, she finds herself absentmindedly, but very vigorously moving her head along to the music.
-I smiled when I was giving little Jack and Owen their bath tonight and it was Owen's turn to tell a story (he's 2). He looked at me very seriously and said "My story is about crocodiles, monkeys, and crazy varmints. THE END"
-A few weeks ago, I sat on my ex-roomie but bestest NTBI buddy Kaylee's lap. (that was a fun sentance) I told her that I wanted ballet slippers, chocolate, the state of Arkansas, and a pony for Christmas. The other night she t told me very excitedly that she had my Christmas present. She gave me a fabulous old fashioned hat box. And in that box was: ballet slippers, chocolate, the deed to the state of Arkansas, and the eiffle tower. She then gave me a paper that pointed me in the direction of my locker where I found a blue cowboy hat and my new Pony, Armande. Needless to say, I was extremely happy. I smiled.
As you can see, there have been many sunshiney spots recently....and there are so many more, but this is turning into a novel....SO I'll leave you with the best one.
-Tonight I babysat Jack and Owen. We were in the middle of building a plank to send the scalawags off of when Jack, age 4, stopped and looked at me for a second. "Gracie....can I ask you a question?" I put my "plank" material down and said "sure!" He paused and smiled shyly......."Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes....we just have to wait a while. haha I smiled.
I'm coming home on Saturday and THAT, my friends, makes me smile, smile, smile!!!!!
See you all soon!!!
-I smiled when I pulled into the Dairyland parking lot at about 11:00 p.m. and then watched Becky pull in a few moments later in the Grey Beast. We had a grand time together. :)
-A few days ago, I sat for a good 15 to 20 minutes watching baby Kate move around in Bethany's tummy and I smiled. I love to put my hand on her tummy and feel the baby give a strong kick! Can't wait to meet that lil lady!
-A few nights ago, I talked to Peter for almost 3 hours on the phone. I can't wait to see that boy.
-A few of you know that I now have a job working as a Health Care Assistant for a lady with Alzheimers. Her name is Annabelle. She is completely bedridden and isn't really able to interact with people. She talks/moans constantly, repeating the same phrases over and over again...usually things like "I can't help it" or "where to go?" or "That's terrible." Every now and then, her awareness increases and she uses that time to urgently look at me and say "you're my sweet baby" or "thank you" or "I'm glad you're here." It's always the same phrases repeated forcefully, several times in a row. Well, the other night, I was sitting with her, holding her hand as she dozed off and on. At one point, she opened her eyes and looked at me. I smiled at her and said "You look beautiful today, Annabelle." She smiled back (it was the first time I'd ever seen her smile) and laughed softly. She said in a completely relaxed and normal voice "You're named somethin'....what is it?" So I said "I'm Grace." She reached up slowly and touched my cheek and said "That's wonderful. That's nice. I like it and I like you. Thank you for staying with me and helping me." Then I smiled really big. She talked like that for about 3 minutes before lapsing back into her normal moanings and mumblings. Those 3 minutes were the best out of the entire time I've been working there!!!
-I smiled when I was telling Elisabeth funny stories and heard her laugh really hard.
-I smiled when I received a voicemail from Becky yesterday in which she was laughing so hard I could barely understand her. Why? Because I put the Star Wars soundtrack on her ipod and whenever the Imperial March comes on, she finds herself absentmindedly, but very vigorously moving her head along to the music.
-I smiled when I was giving little Jack and Owen their bath tonight and it was Owen's turn to tell a story (he's 2). He looked at me very seriously and said "My story is about crocodiles, monkeys, and crazy varmints. THE END"
-A few weeks ago, I sat on my ex-roomie but bestest NTBI buddy Kaylee's lap. (that was a fun sentance) I told her that I wanted ballet slippers, chocolate, the state of Arkansas, and a pony for Christmas. The other night she t told me very excitedly that she had my Christmas present. She gave me a fabulous old fashioned hat box. And in that box was: ballet slippers, chocolate, the deed to the state of Arkansas, and the eiffle tower. She then gave me a paper that pointed me in the direction of my locker where I found a blue cowboy hat and my new Pony, Armande. Needless to say, I was extremely happy. I smiled.
As you can see, there have been many sunshiney spots recently....and there are so many more, but this is turning into a novel....SO I'll leave you with the best one.
-Tonight I babysat Jack and Owen. We were in the middle of building a plank to send the scalawags off of when Jack, age 4, stopped and looked at me for a second. "Gracie....can I ask you a question?" I put my "plank" material down and said "sure!" He paused and smiled shyly......."Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes....we just have to wait a while. haha I smiled.
I'm coming home on Saturday and THAT, my friends, makes me smile, smile, smile!!!!!
See you all soon!!!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Soooo...my school is a little different than most schools....
About 2 weeks ago, my friend Tessa came up to me and said "I hope your afternoon is free....Rex is taking us for a drive." You might ask....who is Rex? Rex Gutwein is the President of NTBI, Jackson. He is one of the sweetest people in the world!!! I like to just wander into his office and talk to him. He gives phenomenal advice and is really one of the most caring people I've ever met. So that day, me, Tessa, and our friends Michelle and Febe all piled into Rex's car and he took us on his favorite scenic drive to see all of the spectacular colors in all of the trees! It was remarkable!!! We'd drive and someone would say "STOP" and he'd halt the car and we'd all pile out and they would take pictures. (I would have, but my camera is in California. Sad day.) There were some of his favorite spots that we'd have to hike through the woods to find. We ended in a beautiful old cemetery. As odd as it sounds, I love old cemeteries. The history behind each person there is so intriguing to me. Plus, I just think they're plainly beautiful. Anyway, after we drove and looked for almost 3 hours, Rex took us back to his house and we had dinner with him and his wife Linda. Then he built us a fire in his backyard and we sat around and chatted for a few more hours. It was truly one of the highlights of my entire semester! Here are some pics from the day, taken my the lovely Michelle Outson. She's phenomenal. ;)
Michelle!!!
Me & Tessa
Michelle!!!
This headstone dates all the way back to 1777!!! I love being able to see and touch things that are that old. Each person has a story. I find it fascinating!!!
I know this is a really long post...but you have to admit...the pics are great! Good job Michelle and thank you Rex!
I know this is a really long post...but you have to admit...the pics are great! Good job Michelle and thank you Rex!
Monday, November 9, 2009
A few pics of my girls. :)
Callie, Jessalyn, Me, Kelsey, Kati, Kristi, Kara, and Michelle
Yay for throwing leaves!!!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
It is finished.
"My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"
~Horatio G. Spafford "It Is Well"
Colossians 2:13-14
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
I love the picture that this paints in my head. It has such finality. It's not about me and what I'm doing, it's all about Christ and what He has done. It is finished.
My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the wonderful cross of Jesus Christ, and I bear it no more!! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!!!!!!!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"
~Horatio G. Spafford "It Is Well"
Colossians 2:13-14
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
I love the picture that this paints in my head. It has such finality. It's not about me and what I'm doing, it's all about Christ and what He has done. It is finished.
My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the wonderful cross of Jesus Christ, and I bear it no more!! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Becoming.
As many of you know, the last month has been a difficult one for me in the area of "relationships." But I've had a great epiphany relating to this topic. Would you like to hear it? GREAT!
So, Christian culture today speaks loudly to girls about their search for the perfect man of God. Lists seem to be huge. I've been told numerous times to make a list of what I'm looking for in a guy and I know countless numbers of girls who have made them...some have even made more than one. I'm not saying that list-making is wrong. I've never done it mainly because I hate lists..despise them. But lately, I began to think about the possibility of making one. Especially after "Family Relationships" class....have you ever wanted a class on Biblical dating, marriage, and parenting? That's the one! I wrote down all of the qualities that were popping out at me like integrity, humility, respect, purity...etc. Then as I was contemplating making this grand list for this non-existent man of mine, we were assigned 1 Peter 3:1-7 to memorize. The part that pertains to women and wives says this:
"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
This really got me. Even though I'm single, respect and purity should characterize my life as well. The part that really stood out though was the end of the passage. I began to ponder...what does a gentle and quiet spirit look like? How would that manifest itself my life? This is something that God considers to be precious. I want to have the character that is precious to God!
So as I pondered the value of a gentle and quiet spirit, I began to think back to "the list". I tried to think of what men I know who live their lives and interact with their wives in a manner that reflects what I've been finding in Scripture. Bob Baldwin. Mike Sullivan. Richard Bargas. Joel Potter....just to name a few. All of these men value the Word and as I see them with their wives, they worship the ground she walks on!!!
Whoa...............RED LIGHT!!!
They worship the ground she walks on. What makes me think I'm even close to deserving a guy like this?! So what makes these women so deserving of these phenomenal men? Maybe it has something to do with these characteristics that I have been finding in the Bible.
So what all these thoughts have finally led me to is this: Maybe right now, while I'm single, I need to spend less time seeking the perfect guy and spend more time becoming the woman that is described in Scripture. Why throw all of my energy into setting a bunch of standards and expectations for a guy when I haven't even set any standards for myself to live up to? I need to be in the Word allowing the Lord to transform me into His image. If I am in the Word and becoming more and more like Christ, then a guy who is truly seeking the Lord just might find me along the way. But I truly should work and endeavor to be deserving of such a fantastic man.
SO....all of that to say..... Grace, it's time to stop seeking and start becoming.
So, Christian culture today speaks loudly to girls about their search for the perfect man of God. Lists seem to be huge. I've been told numerous times to make a list of what I'm looking for in a guy and I know countless numbers of girls who have made them...some have even made more than one. I'm not saying that list-making is wrong. I've never done it mainly because I hate lists..despise them. But lately, I began to think about the possibility of making one. Especially after "Family Relationships" class....have you ever wanted a class on Biblical dating, marriage, and parenting? That's the one! I wrote down all of the qualities that were popping out at me like integrity, humility, respect, purity...etc. Then as I was contemplating making this grand list for this non-existent man of mine, we were assigned 1 Peter 3:1-7 to memorize. The part that pertains to women and wives says this:
"Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
This really got me. Even though I'm single, respect and purity should characterize my life as well. The part that really stood out though was the end of the passage. I began to ponder...what does a gentle and quiet spirit look like? How would that manifest itself my life? This is something that God considers to be precious. I want to have the character that is precious to God!
So as I pondered the value of a gentle and quiet spirit, I began to think back to "the list". I tried to think of what men I know who live their lives and interact with their wives in a manner that reflects what I've been finding in Scripture. Bob Baldwin. Mike Sullivan. Richard Bargas. Joel Potter....just to name a few. All of these men value the Word and as I see them with their wives, they worship the ground she walks on!!!
Whoa...............RED LIGHT!!!
They worship the ground she walks on. What makes me think I'm even close to deserving a guy like this?! So what makes these women so deserving of these phenomenal men? Maybe it has something to do with these characteristics that I have been finding in the Bible.
So what all these thoughts have finally led me to is this: Maybe right now, while I'm single, I need to spend less time seeking the perfect guy and spend more time becoming the woman that is described in Scripture. Why throw all of my energy into setting a bunch of standards and expectations for a guy when I haven't even set any standards for myself to live up to? I need to be in the Word allowing the Lord to transform me into His image. If I am in the Word and becoming more and more like Christ, then a guy who is truly seeking the Lord just might find me along the way. But I truly should work and endeavor to be deserving of such a fantastic man.
SO....all of that to say..... Grace, it's time to stop seeking and start becoming.
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