The long awaited update almost fully a month later...

Really is it October already?! So sorry to everyone who feels like they have no idea what is going on in our lives, (Sorry to the three of you who have been checking :)

Wow, the last time we updated, for real, we were leaving our "family" in Slovenia.

In the last month I have hit the ground running for sure and taken the fall semester of my junior year at Corban College head on. And those who have been able to keep up with me know that there is no exaggeration there.

I have already had my first tests of the semester (Greek and Contemporary Theology today) and I will be giving my first message/sermon tomorrow.


This is a Picture of my R/A Team outside Papa Heyden's in Portland

As an R/A I have started up hall bible study with a discussion about what defines us and am really excieted to lead the girls in a personal growth study on who we are (in Christ, in conflict, in our personalities, in the way we show and recieve love etc.) I am working on writing/putting together the 10 week study based on books I have read and lessons I have learned/am learning.


This is a Picture of my R/A team and our Brother Dorm R/A team

This last month has been an excieting time of new beginnings, a new ministry in my hall, new relationships on campus, and a new roommate. It has also been a time of deep growth in my relationship with Christ as I learn to trust Him to lead me and sustain me when I walk in trials and don't know what is next.


This is a Picture of My Roommate Holly and I at the all school Beach Party

God has been so faithful to have me learn lessons before I get the opportunity to teach them and this has lead to some sweet times of vulnerability and bonding with my hall, friends and classmates.

For example my hall theme this year is "Deeply rooted and growing..." as I prepared for our first event, which was going to be a time of "planting" new goals in our lives as we planted little plants as reminders, I began to pray that God would show me where I need to grow. Faithfully, God gently and specifically put His finger on my personal Bible study times and challenged me to seek to grow in the depth of my study of His word and in building into my life consistant times for prayer, study, reflection and worship. Before I asked my girls to identify their goal I was able to testify to how God had given me a goal and could tell them some of the action steps I had taken to work on it. Cool huh?!



Also I prepared to preach to my Women's Message Prep class on James 1:1-12 about persevering through trials, finding joy in them, seeking wisdom in them and asking God to teach you in them, God spoke those very lessons to my heart.

I can't explain how precious the lessons I've learned about the depth of growth and sweet dependance on God that trials/challenges/tests have brought in the last month. I have actually been able to find joy, and a deep sense on purpose in knowing that God not only knows that I am in a hard time, but it is His will for me to be here right now that I may grow in Him. And I have seen growth in myself already as God is purifying my love for Him, strengthening my trust and teaching me to have faith when the future seems unsure at times.



It is only now being in the midst of learning this that I have the opportunity to share this perspective with my peers. Here is an excerpt from my sermon:

"God desires completeness in us. He brings trials to grow us and make us stronger, not break us. His love and plans for us motivate the trials he places in our way. If you ask for completeness in Christ, trials will come. In the past few weeks I have been challenged to find joy in this place that God has clearly led me to. At first it didn’t seem possible. My joy in this time of trial has been in being able to offer my burden to the Lord. My joy has been in seeing God’s amazing provision of peace amidst a turbulent time for me. My joy has been in realizing that even in time I have been waiting and enduring so far, he has already taught me so much. And He has brought me to a place where I can honestly pray, “Lord, please do not take me from this place of trial until you have accomplished everything you desire in my life.” Our hope is knowing that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose. God has purpose for the trials he allows us to face."

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to teach us and grow us. He is so good.

There you have it, long overdue and LONG... I will try to update more than once a month, but I can't promise.

Mary