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| The Whole Group! |
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| Me and Most of My Freshmen Small Group Girls (Kaitlyn Sheets, Nikki Aumsbaugh, Summer McEvoy, & Amy Spencer) |
Jan 29, 2012
Winter Retreat Pictures
Here are a couple pictures from the senior high winter retreat last weekend! The weekend turned out be pretty awesome--two students accepted Christ!! The only negative thing that happened was early on Sunday morning (the day we left for home), Luke and two other students got the stomach flu. Fortunately, they didn't got sick on the bus ride home and no one else got it after returning home!
Jan 19, 2012
Winter Retreat
Tomorrow afternoon, Luke and I are hitting the road on a Charter bus with 41 high school students to head to SpringHill Camp in Evart, Michigan, for a winter retreat! We are so excited, as this was one of the highlights of our ministry last year! We have quite a few students going with us this year who are not very plugged into the church, so we are expecting God to do great things in them this weekend. Please pray for our safety and that lives will be changed! I'll be sure to post pictures when we get back.
And if you're thinking we'll be tired when we get back, you are absolutely right! We'll both be off from work and in a sleep-induced coma on Monday. ....But, we get to do this all again in February with over 50 middle schoolers! That's when we'll REALLY need your prayers! :) The high school trip is a breeze!
And if you're thinking we'll be tired when we get back, you are absolutely right! We'll both be off from work and in a sleep-induced coma on Monday. ....But, we get to do this all again in February with over 50 middle schoolers! That's when we'll REALLY need your prayers! :) The high school trip is a breeze!
Jan 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
Well, I didn't quite complete my goal of posting a "Lesson Learned After College" every day until the end of 2011. To be completely honest, I ran out of lessons and got too busy doing other things! Even though I didn't post one every day, I know the important thing is that in addition to the education I received in college, I have learned a lot since then from simply living life.
Tomorrow is the last day of Luke and I's vacation time, and I must say, I am not looking forward to going back to work on Tuesday. I have thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and spending time with close friends and family. Luke and I were able to sleep in until 8am most days (two of those days, I stayed in my pajamas all day!), the house has stayed clean all week, I got to shop a lot, and I read two books this week! I highly recommend both of the books: Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara E. Powell & Dr. Chap Clark and The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko (thanks to Aunt Marcia!). I was inspired by both of them.
As my Christmas decorations come down tomorrow and the new year begins, I'm going to make it my goal this year to take the time to be still and remember that God is faithful each and every day. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is my all-time favorite hymn, and I think it's a great reminder as life moves forward that God is always faithful. He's always provided everything (and more) than I have needed.
Tomorrow is the last day of Luke and I's vacation time, and I must say, I am not looking forward to going back to work on Tuesday. I have thoroughly enjoyed relaxing and spending time with close friends and family. Luke and I were able to sleep in until 8am most days (two of those days, I stayed in my pajamas all day!), the house has stayed clean all week, I got to shop a lot, and I read two books this week! I highly recommend both of the books: Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara E. Powell & Dr. Chap Clark and The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko (thanks to Aunt Marcia!). I was inspired by both of them.
As my Christmas decorations come down tomorrow and the new year begins, I'm going to make it my goal this year to take the time to be still and remember that God is faithful each and every day. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is my all-time favorite hymn, and I think it's a great reminder as life moves forward that God is always faithful. He's always provided everything (and more) than I have needed.
Dec 29, 2011
Lessons Learned After College - #9
Lesson #9: My World is Small
I love to fly. Every time I'm in a plane, I'm reminded of how small my world really is. It's odd how much an aerial view changes my perspective. Before getting in a plane, all I know is the world as I see it around me. For all I know, Columbia City and the surrounding areas that have become familiar could be all that exists in the world--that is, until I'm up in the air, looking down at the world I thought consumed everything. That's when I get a tiny glimpse of the world that God sees. Our problems must seem so small to Him. I know He enjoys listening to my prayers, but He must laugh sometimes at the things I pray for because most of the time, my requests are so trivial! From His viewpoint of infinite time and space, I am nothing more than a spec in the sand.
It isn't until the plane makes it back home safely, that my world becomes big again. It's then that I realize, I am more than a spec in the sand. I can make a difference here---now.
I love to fly. Every time I'm in a plane, I'm reminded of how small my world really is. It's odd how much an aerial view changes my perspective. Before getting in a plane, all I know is the world as I see it around me. For all I know, Columbia City and the surrounding areas that have become familiar could be all that exists in the world--that is, until I'm up in the air, looking down at the world I thought consumed everything. That's when I get a tiny glimpse of the world that God sees. Our problems must seem so small to Him. I know He enjoys listening to my prayers, but He must laugh sometimes at the things I pray for because most of the time, my requests are so trivial! From His viewpoint of infinite time and space, I am nothing more than a spec in the sand.
It isn't until the plane makes it back home safely, that my world becomes big again. It's then that I realize, I am more than a spec in the sand. I can make a difference here---now.
Dec 28, 2011
Lessons Learned After College - #8
Lesson #8: We judge ourselves on our intentions, but others on their actions. Others also judge us by our actions, not our intentions.
This is a popular quote struck me recently. No matter how good my intentions are, others will never see and fully understand my intentions. They will always judge me by how I act. There is a big difference between thinking and doing, and I need to be more conscious of my actions. At the same time, there can't be a double standard. Even though it doesn't come easy, I need to realize that others do not necessarily act the way they intend to.
Short post today, but I think the quote speaks for itself. :)
Tomorrow's post: My World is Small
This is a popular quote struck me recently. No matter how good my intentions are, others will never see and fully understand my intentions. They will always judge me by how I act. There is a big difference between thinking and doing, and I need to be more conscious of my actions. At the same time, there can't be a double standard. Even though it doesn't come easy, I need to realize that others do not necessarily act the way they intend to.
Short post today, but I think the quote speaks for itself. :)
Tomorrow's post: My World is Small
Dec 27, 2011
Lessons Learned After College - #7
Lesson #7: Similarities = Compatibility = Less Stress
Some people say that opposites attract. While that may work for some people, I have come to the conclusion that similarities are far more important. There is something refreshing and comforting about knowing that someone else truly understands you as you and can relate to you in more ways than one. Recently, I took the Myers-Briggs personality test and found out that I have an ISFJ (Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) personality type. I took this personality test back in college, but I honestly can't remember what my results were, so I thought it would be fun to take it again. Luke's results also came out as ISFJ when he took it back in college. When I passed it along to my mom, she also had the same personality type. Two of the people who I love the most, and we have the same personality! Interestingly enough, ISFJs only represent about 10% of the population!
ISFJs are also referred to as Protectors because our primary interest is in the safety and security of those we care about--our family, circle of friends, co-workers, etc. We are characterized by an extraordinary sense of loyalty and responsibility. Instead of speculating and experimenting, we prefer to make do with time-honored and time-tested products and procedures rather than change to new. We value tradition and cherish family history. Our shyness and reserve is often misjudged and should really be seen as an expression of our sincerity and seriousness of purpose. We are willing to work long, hard hours, quietly doing any and every "thankless" job that others often avoid.
So while opposite personalities may work for others, I am thankful that I've found a husband who I can relate with on many levels and share little disagreement with.
Interested in knowing your personality type? Click here.
Tomorrow's Lesson: We judge ourselves on our best intentions, but others on their actions.
Some people say that opposites attract. While that may work for some people, I have come to the conclusion that similarities are far more important. There is something refreshing and comforting about knowing that someone else truly understands you as you and can relate to you in more ways than one. Recently, I took the Myers-Briggs personality test and found out that I have an ISFJ (Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) personality type. I took this personality test back in college, but I honestly can't remember what my results were, so I thought it would be fun to take it again. Luke's results also came out as ISFJ when he took it back in college. When I passed it along to my mom, she also had the same personality type. Two of the people who I love the most, and we have the same personality! Interestingly enough, ISFJs only represent about 10% of the population!
ISFJs are also referred to as Protectors because our primary interest is in the safety and security of those we care about--our family, circle of friends, co-workers, etc. We are characterized by an extraordinary sense of loyalty and responsibility. Instead of speculating and experimenting, we prefer to make do with time-honored and time-tested products and procedures rather than change to new. We value tradition and cherish family history. Our shyness and reserve is often misjudged and should really be seen as an expression of our sincerity and seriousness of purpose. We are willing to work long, hard hours, quietly doing any and every "thankless" job that others often avoid.
So while opposite personalities may work for others, I am thankful that I've found a husband who I can relate with on many levels and share little disagreement with.
Interested in knowing your personality type? Click here.
Tomorrow's Lesson: We judge ourselves on our best intentions, but others on their actions.
Dec 26, 2011
Lessons Learned After College - #6
Lesson #6: The Importance of Mentors & Role Models
We have all probably had at least a few people in our lives who we can look up to--people we've watched, wished we could live vicariously through, and gained wisdom from. I have many different role models in my life--most of them probably don't even know how much of an impact they've had in my life and yet many decisions I make are based on conversations I had with them, or actions I've watched them make. My goal for 2012 is to sit down with each of these people and ask them questions about their lives to learn more from them. Some of them I admire as older married couples, parents, or even spiritual leaders. I've noticed that more times than not it takes a moment of separation for me to realize how much I valued their insight or example. Some of my role models have already passed away. I hope that by sitting down with them, I will be able to learn from them before it's too late. Before the busyness of life gets to me, and I miss the opportunity in front of me to ask them the questions I've always wanted to know. I'll be sure to share these "interviews" on the blog when the time comes, but for now, I thought I'd leave with with a story about one of Luke's mentors: Coach King. He was Luke's cross country and track coach in college, and you can read the story here.
Tomorrow's Lesson: Similarities = Compatibility = Less Stress
We have all probably had at least a few people in our lives who we can look up to--people we've watched, wished we could live vicariously through, and gained wisdom from. I have many different role models in my life--most of them probably don't even know how much of an impact they've had in my life and yet many decisions I make are based on conversations I had with them, or actions I've watched them make. My goal for 2012 is to sit down with each of these people and ask them questions about their lives to learn more from them. Some of them I admire as older married couples, parents, or even spiritual leaders. I've noticed that more times than not it takes a moment of separation for me to realize how much I valued their insight or example. Some of my role models have already passed away. I hope that by sitting down with them, I will be able to learn from them before it's too late. Before the busyness of life gets to me, and I miss the opportunity in front of me to ask them the questions I've always wanted to know. I'll be sure to share these "interviews" on the blog when the time comes, but for now, I thought I'd leave with with a story about one of Luke's mentors: Coach King. He was Luke's cross country and track coach in college, and you can read the story here.
Tomorrow's Lesson: Similarities = Compatibility = Less Stress
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