So, not much has changed since my post in 1-12-09. It's somewhat good and it's also somewhat bad. And I guess a little bit of it is just... ok.

The bible study has been great and my job has been a complete joy.
Alex is still in the learning phase, which is ok, but I can only continue to hope and pray he progresses and his heart may become fully opened.

Um, sadly, I am still being lazy. Lately, I've been thinking alot about the future and what I want to do, but I haven't taken much initiative to do ANYTHING for it at all. I've been praying for opportunities to open up to me, yet I haven't put much effort in to looking for those opportunities. Yes, I want to travel. Yes, I want to write. And yes, I want to be a better worker for God. But I've been lacking the gumption to take that very first step into my dreams of tomorrow.

Anyway, so that's whats up with me. Please, do feel free to chastise me. :) Haha I guess that one of the harder parts of being a young adult, your parents aren't necessarily there to tell you what to do, and you don't have a spouse to help push you along either.

nnouncing the 2009 Women of Worthiness Weekend!
Women and Teen Girls' Retreat

February 27-28, 2009
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Women of Worthiness, a group of believers in the larger Dallas-Fort Worth area, is planning a weekend retreat of Bible study, singing, prayer, and other activities. This coming February, ladies and teens will have a wonderful opportunity to join with other ladies and teens for Seasons of the Heart.

This website contains all the information you need to plan, register and get ready for a wonderful and uplifting weekend. We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Women of Worthiness weekend!


www.womenofworthiness.com

Never mind on the roomies thing :)

I just want to say thanks for everyones thoughtfuless and prayers. I love you guys.

this is going to be the best busiest year ever!

anyone going to the singing in Irving this weekend? I hope to be there!
How about the women's retreat? I'm going to try and be there too!

Lord willing.


P.S. I may need a place to stay..

One of my friends was killed Sunday. When I heard the news yesterday, I didn't know what to think... I couldn't really think at all. Time stopped and for a moment my heart did too.

It's a really sad story. My friend Joe, who I had lost contact with for a really long time, contacted me about a month ago asking for my forgiveness. He had lied to me a long time ago about a few things and then slowly we just drifted apart. My immediate answer to his message was "of course I forgive you." He wrote me back and said he really wasn't expecting that answer. I replied with a few passages and said that I was surprised he wasn't expecting that. And then he finally replied.. you're right. That's so like you to come back with some scripture.

He had visited Leon Valley a few times when we were really good friends and he even got baptized. After he got baptized he only came to church a few times and then eventually he never came back again. I don't want to say that he wasn't truth-hearted about being baptized, but no matter what his intentions were by it... he never changed his life. His heart never came in line with John 14:15.

This was so hard for me. It's hard to sit in that pew, in that dark room, while listening to the sobs of people who are sad that he's gone from this world. I sat there and I sobbed, not because he's gone, but because of where he's possibly gone. I've been to funerals before. I've been to funerals of the elderly who have lived their life through and through. I've been to funerals of someone who's assembled and been like-minded. I've been to celebrations of those people who have left and gone to be with our Lord. But I have never been to a funeral of a friend, where the "pastor" reassures everyone that he has gone to be with God. I sat there, my heart in my stomach, knowing that might not be the case. Joe was at a party that night. Joe was drinking. He had gotten into a fight with some girl and she called her friends who came and shot him. My poor friend Joe had no idea it was coming. If he had known.. would he have changed his life? He might have, but we all know we're going to die. He knew he was going to die. The only question we ever ask... is when? How much time do I have to do whatever I want before I have to straighten up? I think of the Rich man in Luke 16 who said if only the dead could rise up and talk to his brothers, then they would listen. And in v. 31 it says if they do not hear moses and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded even if one rose from the dead. When I got the phone call, I wondered if I had done enough... But Luke 16 reminds me of the heart. I am so sorry Joe that this happened. I love you my friend and i wish you could have seen. I wish you would have thought. I wish you would have made a full 360.

I can not truly say what has happened to him. All I can say is that I believe the word of God with all my heart, soul, and mind. And God has made his promises and has told us truth.. We decide our own fate.

It really breaks my heart over and over again. A very wise woman (coughSheShecough) once said in a bible class that when you get to heaven, you do not want to look over at hell and see your friends there who ask you "why didn't you tell me?" "Why didn't you say anything if you knew the truth the whole time?"

We need to teach. We need to reach. We need to plant. We need to work. NEVER EVER be afraid of talking to someone about the gospel. If you're a faithful Christian, there is NOTHING in this world to fear. NOTHING. If you remain faithful UNTO death (Rev. 2:10) then you truly are invincible. There are so many Joe's out there. Some of them will choose wrongly no matter what, but at least you tried. Don't ever be discouraged because if you keep fighting, then you will find those who will change. And when you reach heaven you'll hear "Thank you so much for telling me. Thank you for showing me the truth."

I have to say...
I am LOVING the way this year is going so far.

1. My family and I are going to (or try to) have a bible study every day this year until we go through the entire new testament. So far we have been keeping up with it and I'm so proud of all of us. In a way this is sad that it's a new thing in my family. To be honest, as a family we have never really studied together, but we are studying now and I already feel SO strengthened by it... as well as I also feel so much closer to them then ever before.

2. The congregation I attend at Leon Valley is having an AMAZING study this year over biblical authority. One of the elders Mike Gentry, put a booklet together with the help of a few of the other members. It is one of the most in-depth studies I've ever seen and it is really well written. I'm SO excited.

3. I just got a really good job as an after school teacher for pre-k. It's only part-time, but it just fits me so well. I really connected with the kids as well as the other teachers. After orientation, the teacher who showed me around hugged me and told me how excited she was that I was going to be working there. It's so laid back, heart warming, and fun. I'm so thankful for this opportunity.

4. I've been studying with one of my best friends for a while and I really think he may come around. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and I can only hope that with a little more tender care, the seed will grow. I can only hope... and pray. One of the main blocks he struggles with is on biblical authority. He understands you have to be obedient, but he doesn't understand the silence of the scriptures and why it's not ok to celebrate christmas, easter, use instruments, etc. BUT he is willing to keep studying with me even when he doesn't agree and THAT is a great sign that he wants to put the effort into this and he is willing to learn. It's amazing that we're having this study at church over the exact thing he's struggling with. He lives in stephenville so he can't come to church for the studies usually but he asked if I could get him a copy of the booklet! Once again.. I'm so eager and pumped.

5. I'm ready to write. I've gotten so lazy with my writing and with my physical goals, (which isn't too bad because I've been using that energy for spiritual matters) but it's really time to get moving if I ever want to be able to afford to travel and accomplish all the things that mean so much to me.

Hopefully this year I'll be much more productive on many levels and I hope I can make my God, my family, my friends, and myself proud.