Direction

When I was younger I thought that I was going to be an astronaut. I imagined myself floating through space and dancing on the moon. I planned my life to a t. As the years went by my ideas changed, as I changed. There were so many things that I wanted to accomplish before I got to a certain age. Goals and ambitions that I wanted to do. One thing that I have learned is that no plan in life ever goes according to plan. Seasons change and so do people.

In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
 "Lives of great men all remind us
 We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
 Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main ,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and wait.

(From A Psalm of Life)

The last part if that poem really spoke to me. Waiting for God's direction is sometimes hard to do, but without His direction we are just stumbling through life. I want to still be achieving, still pursuing, but with a purpose. I want to know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do. And maybe a forlorn brother or sister can take heart when they see that there is a plan for their lives. Not just a random occurrence.

Outside the Zone

Change is one of the most important things that we need in our lives in order for it to be a life worth living. Yet change is often met with fear and uncertainty. It would be far more comfortable to just sit back and stay in the familiar. It is so easy to just grow accustomed to our lives and not change anything.  But going out of your comfort zone and really experiencing something new can be life changing.
    When I was 14, I hopped on a plane to British Columbia without knowing a soul. At first I was terrified at being at a new school, but gradually I grew to love it. That has been one of my greatest memories because I challenged myself to take a chance and go out of my comfort zone.
    Leaving your comfort zone doesn't have to be done in an earth shaking way such as moving across the country. It can happen by trying something new or waving at a stranger on your way home. Life is made up of experiences and memories. So why not choose to make amazing ones and constantly challenge yourself to leave that little box of familiarity and experience something new.

Honduras

So... I haven't blogged in a very long time. Probably because things have been pretty hectic lately. Getting ready and all. I am leaving for a 2 and a half week mission trip to the country of Honduras. I am sooo excited because this is my FIRST mission trip!!!! So I think that's a pretty good excuse for not writing in awhile, hopefully it won't happen in again. Just please pray for my class and I as we go to spread God's gospel to more people.


Chao!

Death Be Not Proud

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee do go,

Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well

And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

So, in English class we had been studying this poem. I really like poetry and this poem really speaks to my heart. It makes me realize that I shouldn't be afraid of death. Jesus conquered death when He rose from the grave on the third day. Besides death is just like sleeping, except that when you wake up the first face you'll see will be Jesus's face. Can't wait to see Him! 

DUM..DUM..DUM

I stood before my dean, my knees where shaking badly back and forth. I was expecting the punishment, the vivid, raw anger. Then the unexpected happened, my dean forgave me. I walked out into the cold January night still trying to process what had just happened.

I had broken the rules; I had purposely gone against what our school stood for. Yet I wasn’t the one who got the consequences. I should have felt elated, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I kept seeing the eyes of my dean looking in mine. What I saw in them bothered me. I saw pain. Pain that I had caused.

Judgment day came and I was pardoned, when I didn’t deserve it. 

God has pardoned us too. Every time that we sin we are going against God. But He is always willing to forgive us. Some might see sin as a glamours life without boundaries, but when we sin, no one wins. It doesn't satisfy your soul and usually you end up hurt. But nobody gets hurt as badly as God. He has all the reasons to get rid of us, but instead of death, we got life. God has been merciful to us. We will never deserve the goodness and mercy of God, yet somehow He has chosen for us to be called His Children. Not only forgiving us but also adopting us. Praise the Lord for His mercy! 

Praise the Lord for nice deans!

Wild, Wacky, and Wonderful Friends

Friends are amazing! Especially my friends. It's funny how you become friends with someone. Take Loralee for instance. When I first met her we got along fine. But things changed between us and I started disliking her. It was pretty dumb. I didn't want to take the time to really get to know her and I just judged her. As a result I missed out on getting to know an awesome person. One day I went over to Loralee's dorm to visit one of my friends and Loralee came over. I remember being ready to bolt out of there as fast I could, cause I was really scared of her. But I stayed to be polite and started a conversation with her. I was amazed when we started talking and I realized that we had things in common. Since then our friendship has blossomed and grown so much. She is a farm kid and I am a city kid, but you know what? We have a common glue that binds us closer together. That's Christ. He is the reason why friendships work.


Most of my past friendships have been based on things that don't last. Boys, gossiping and etc. But God has shown me that when you put Him first in all friendships and relationships you love people more - with His love. You don't see them for what they are, you see them for Who they are in Christ. "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  1 Sam 16:7  I appreciate you lots Loralez!

WHAT IN THE WORLD?!

It was a beautiful summer day. My sister and I had decided to walk to our local library and take out books. Our library is located right smack in downtown, in a shady part of town. After making the trek across town, and checking out the books, we sat outside in this little park in the middle of the city. I have always loved that park because right across the street is this little stone church. I was enjoying listening to the church bells ringing, when I saw two young boys. They couldn't be much older than 11. They seemed to be enjoying walking around the park and playing with the leaves. It brought warmth to my heart to see those kids enjoying nature and a friends company. I thought to myself, maybe our generations is not as bad off as I thought. I could see those very boys becoming doctors and lawyers and helping society. Then the unexpected happened. The boys, who I had such high dreams for, came up to me and asked for a cigrette.

It makes me sad to think about these boys and others like them who are going off a bad path. They are bright, young, and full of oppurntunity. But a lot of times they can't see it. It makes me soo sad! The only thing that I can do is pray for them, and try to show them a better way.


What do you think?