Access in August

We had not had Access in a few months so I was very excited when I knew we would be meeting in August. This meeting was SO good! Eric spoke on Philippians 2: 12-13 which says "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." He focused on the part which says "it is God who works in you"; this went along well with the worship song we sang "the same power that conquered the grave lives in me, lives in me. Your love, that rescued the Earth, lives in me, lives in me." It is so encouraging to know that God Himself is at work in me to make me more and more like Christ!

Summer: Work, Aikido, OBX, etc

My summer is continuing to be a great one. I am enjoying not having the responsibilities that homework brings with it. My new job is going very well. I enjoy the people I work with, and the work, while not necessarily the most fun, still keeps me busy which I am glad for.

I am also really enjoying the Aikido class I signed up for at ODU. It is nice to keep up practice, fine tune some techniques, as well as learning some new ones. While I am excited for next semester, and the Aikido club hopefully staring up again, I am not looking forward to this class ending (I can't take it during the semester due to money and time constraints). There was a huge rainstorm tonight (or rather yesterday as it is past midnight now), and Norfolk flood. Thus the usual 20-30 minute drive home from ODU after class turned in to about two hours! Everywhere I tried to go was flooded; I drove through some water, but other spots were just to risky looking. Seemed like I was on an island! lol. I made it though, thankfully. :)

Alexandra and I had the opportunity to go with Kaitlin and her family to the OBX (Outer Banks)! We stayed in a beach house located in Duck, NC. Alexandra and I were there from Sunday afternoon until Monday night. It was a lot of fun. We swam in the pool, walked on the beach, stayed up late, saw the sunrise from the beach, went on a walk/run, took a nap (waking up at 5:45 to see the sunrise makes you sleepy lol), explored the town, and spent some more time at the beach (the water was FREEZING) and the pool. Monday evening we drove to Timbuck2 (lol) and explored the shopping area there. Thanks so much for inviting us! I still don't have a camera, but here are some pictures Kaitlin and Alexandra took.

I have also been doing various other summer activities such as Busch Gardens and the beach.

Read this book!

I am in the church book club that is reading "A Praying Life" by Paul Miller. It is a GREAT book; so very encouraging and applicable to daily life. I have even started to put into practice some of the things I am learning. I HIGHLY reccomend this book! Here are just some of my favorite quotes from the book:

"The criteria for coming to Jesus is weariness. Come overwhelmed with life. Come with your wandering mind. Come messy"

"How do we learn to talk with our Father? By asking like a child, believing like a child, and even playing like a child"

"Don't be embarrassed by how needy your heart is and how much it needs to cry out for grace. Just start praying"

"We become anxious when we take a godlike stance, occupying ourselves with things too great for us. We return to sanity by becoming like little children, resting on our mothers"

"When you stop trying to control your life and instead allow your anxieties and problems to bring you to God in prayer, you shift from worry to watching"

"Instead of fighting anxiety we can use it as a springboard to bending our hearts toward God"

"When you pray, your are touching the hopeful heart of God. When you know that, prayer becomes an adventure"

I will say it again; READ THIS BOOK! :D

Trusting in man vs.trusting in God

"Thus says the LORD:

Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

BLESSED is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit"

Jeremiah 17:5-8

"The Saving One" by Starfield

The Saving One from Next Level Bergen on Vimeo.

Working

I have finished my first week at my new job! It feels good to be earning some money again, and the timing was great as I am on summer break and I didn't have to worry about getting time off for Next since I started right after. I worked about 14 hours this week. My main responsibilities are; confirming all the appointments for the next day (think around 100 plus phone calls lol). filing papers, pulling patients folders that will be used two days from then (they keep the next two days worth pulled), and filing back folders that the doctors and therapists are done using. Everyone I have met seems nice, and I think I will enjoy working with them.

Next 2010

This year's Next conference was amazing. I came home physically exhausted, but spiritually refreshed, and I am so glad that I was able to go. The time passed by all to quickly, and I am already looking forward to Next 2011 (which will be held in Orlando, FL)!

To get to Baltimore, I rode with Kaitlin, Drew, Liz, Chara, Alexandra, Jeremy, and Andrey. Eight people in eight seats plus luggage made for a slightly tight, but very fun ride. There was lots of laughter in our car especially on the way home when I think the exhaustion made us all a little extra goofy :). I have so many good memories from this drive.

Worship at Next has always been a highlight for me, and this year was no exception. It is so wonderful to praise God with thousands (I heard around 2,500!) of other Christians. I loved how the songs we sang were related to what we were learning in the sermons that day. I loved having the choir that sang with the worship team during one of the sessions. It was also neat to have, during another session, a string band (which Jessi and Jenni participated in) joining.

The teaching that we sat under for several hours each day was also amazing. Here is a brief summary of what was taught.

Friday: Josh Harris spoke on doctrine, and the need to have the right foundation. He said that we need to make sure that our lives match what we say we believe about God, as well as making sure that our doctrine is correct. "We are not here just to learn facts, but truth and meaning." We need to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers- James 1:22

Saturday AM: Mark Dever spoke on "Christ's Work Accomplished and Applied." He spoke about Christ's work on the cross to save us, and he also spoke on our need to follow His example. We need to follow His example in what Christ didn't do as well as in what He did; when Christ was persecuted He did NOT retaliate or threaten, he DID trust God with Himself as well as with His persecutors and the entire outcome. "out answer to being unjustly treated should be to deeply trust God."

Saturday afternoon: Kevin Deyoung spoke on the Bible. He said the first reason that we should trust the Bible is because that "the Spirit testifies to us that this is the Word of God" "We HAVE to start with God" and we cannot use "fallen human reasoning" as a starting point for proving the Bible. It is reasonable to trust the Bible as well, there is more proof for its validity than for many other historic manuscripts. We need to believe what the Bible says, and it is possible for us to understand it. "God gave us His Word, and God wants to be known", "The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things." He also encouraged us to read the Bible frequently as well as to "approach the Bible with the same reverence we would Christ" We also need to spread His Word to to others.

Saturday PM: C.J. Mahaney gave a sermon on sanctification. He reminded us of the difference between Justification ("being declared righteous), and Sanctification ("being made righteous"). We do not have any part in sanctification, but we do play a part in sanctification, it is active not effortless. We are not, however, self-sufficient in this, God is working in us; "our part is only possible because of God's part and we cannot play our part without His power" this power is the same that raised Christ from the dead! "Apart from His work for you [on the cross] there would be no work in you." A struggle against sin is a good sign because before you were saved there was no struggle, you simply just gave in.

Sunday AM: D.A. Carson gave a message on "The Doctrine of God." He noted while describing that God is all-knowing that He even knows what would have happened in different circumstances. He also says that our response to God's revelation of Himself should be unqualified submission.

Sunday PM: Kevin DeYoung gave a message on the Church. He taught that although the Church has its faults, the Church is still Jesus's bride and we should not tolerate insults on Jesus's bride although she may be very ugly at times. We also need to have the right expectations of the Church. He also said "we need fewer revolutionaries and more plodding visionaries" we should not "despise the day of small things" but rather "get on the right road and keep going." We need to attend, pay attention, serve, and love the Church. It takes humility to be a plodding visionary, but "you can be a part of the crowd because God knows your name" and "in all the smallness and sameness God works like a small seed becoming a plant." He called this "a long obedience in the same direction." We should "not despise the days, and weeks, and years of small things"

Monday AM: Jeff Purswell gave a message on the end time. He said that the focus of studying the end times should be to remember that it is Jesus who is returning, and His return will be climactic and triumphant. God's justice is coming, He will make all things right."The purpose of eschatology is to provide hope and motivation for our daily lives now" It can encourage us because there is a certain future, and nothing can cause Christians ultimate harm. We get ready by: "You live your Christian life-rest in Him and live by His Word. Our thoughts when we think about Christ's return reveals how we view the world, what our heart is set on, and where our hope is. "Is Christ's return your blessed hope? Let us yearn for that day of His return"

The fun and fellowship with friends was also great. It was so much fun to spend all day with them worshiping, listening to sermons, eating, talking, etc. Next 2010 was so great, I really hope that I can attend Next 2011!

Job!

Well I know I thought that last post would be the last one before Next, but something has come up that I wanted to blog about. I got a job! Riverpoint Psychiatric Associates (where I interviewed at a while ago, and since I had not heard anything assumed they hired someone else) called me today and said I was hired! I will be working as an office clerk and start on Tuesday. I am so happy and grateful to God for this!

May

Wow, I can't believe it is almost June already! May has flown by! Next is finally almost here! I will blog about it afterwords. I am so excited, and hoping and praying that God does a wonderful work in each and every attendee.

I do not have a job yet despite the fact that I have been looking and have even had a few interviews! I am really hoping to get one soon especially since I am hoping to take an Aikido class this summer, and that costs money.

I just finished a great book that I would highly recommend. It is written by Andrew Murray and called "Abide in Christ." It is so encouraging and wonderful to read. The book increased my awareness of the incredible love God has for us and His longing for us to abide in Him! Best of all we cannot do this on our own, we must simply trust Him to do it in us!

Well this is probably my last post before Next, it you are reading this could you be praying for the conference and everyone attending? Also, I am sure there are people attending who are not yet saved, please pray for their salvation as well!

2010 Greek Festival!!!

Strength and Gentleness

"Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him

He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young"

Isaiah 40: 10-11

Zoo

SUMMER!

Yesterday I finished my last exam so I am officially on summer break! Here are some of my summer plans/goals...

...relax :)

....get back into having a regular quiet time as I've gotten pretty bad about that lately

...job: still waiting to hear back from the ODU card center (should know by the end of the week). If I get that I will be working, if not, then I will be looking for a job

...aikido: the club does not meet over the summer, but I am thinking about taking a class so I can stay in practice. This does cost money, however, so we shall see

I also have other things that I hope to do over the summer such as going to the beach, doing things with friends, and a Bible study with my Mom and Alexandra.

Anyone else have summer plans they want to share?

Sigh of Relief

I can now relax after a crazy busy school schedule! Think of a writing assignment, quiz, and test all in the same week with another writing assignment, a paper (which ended up being 14 pages long) due the following week plus some other assignments! Phew! All that is done now though, and I only have 3 finals until I am officially on summer break!

I had a job interview last week! This was for the ODU Card Center. I'm really hoping to get this job; it would be kind of convenient to work at school, and I think it could be a fun place to work. I should hopefully find out if I get it or not by next week sometime.

Peace

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord, forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock"
Isaiah 26:3-4

16 Credits

I am all signed up for classes now! Although I was hoping to stick to two or three days a week I am going to have classes on four days of the week next semester (though one day just in the evening and another just in the morning so its not that bad). I am taking: State and Local Government, Social Studies Education, Math Education (the two previous classes are on teaching those subjects), Short Story, and Physics (with a lab). I am somewhat looking forward to these classes, but what I am looking forward to now is May 6th (or possibly earlier depending on my exam schedule) when I will be on summer break!!!! I am not planning on taking any classes this summer so it should be relaxing, though I am hoping to get a job! These next few weeks are pretty packed with assignments and tests for me, but it will end soon!

Cherry Blossom Festival - Aikido Demo

A couple of weeks ago I was able to participate in an Aikido demonstration at Red Wing Park for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Va Beach. This was a lot of fun, both doing the demo itself (my first time) as well as watching demos for other martial arts, Japanese singing, musical instruments, and even Taiko drums (which were really neat- see here for an example; it gets even better as the video goes on). For more pictures and another video check out my facebook page!

Spring is in the Air

The weather is warming up, leaves are budding, and flowers are blooming! I LOVE this time of year. Winter is over, and summer is coming. School is almost over for the semester! I have already met with my advisor regarding classes for next semester; it's crazy how quickly time is going by. Before I know it I will be graduating (probably Dec 2011)!

Next 2010 Promo Video

Next 2010 Promotional Video from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

Spring Break

I had a great spring break this year. Didn't do anything really big (no cruises or other type of big vacation), but I did get to do a lot of smaller things that were really fun. I got to have dinner at Kaitlin's house, played soccer with a bunch of friends, and more! Care group was also during that week, and it was great. We briefly went over the sermon on bearing one another's burdens, and then we had a time of prayer for people who had burden (whether it be an injury, school, whatever).

Another exciting bit of news is that I had a job interview! I should know this week or maybe next whether I get the job or not. It is for a receptionist position at a small company. The office is only two streets away from the beach! I could actually walk there from the office! While that does make for a longer commute, if I get the job it will be worth it to have a job even if I have to drive further than would be ideal.

P.S. If you're planning on going to Next sign up soon! The cheaper rate will be increased if you don't sign up by the 31st of March!

School and More

Ok, here finally is an update :). I've been getting pretty bad about updating this thing.

School is going really well; it's actually been a pretty light semester this time which is REALLY nice especially after that tough Geography class I had last semester. This week I plan to join SNCTM (Student National Council for Teachers of Mathematics) at ODU. This group will have meetings where we will learn about teaching math, and I think it should look good on my resume when applying for a teaching job once I get out of school. Best of all, the dues are very inexpensive ($5)!

I am playing volleyball again this year at church. I am looking forward to this season. I am also still a part of the Aikido club at ODU and enjoying it a lot.

Another thing I am looking forward to is Next! I really love this conference, and I cannot wait to see what God does there and to enjoy the weekend with friends! I have also been praying about going on the E-team missions trip to Mexico. It's expensive, so if any of you have any fundraising ideas please let me know! I've already thought of selling candy, bake sale, yard work, etc.

Well that's all for now; I will try to update more often if I can :)

Our Vacation

The Monday after Christmas my family and I left for a two night, three day vacation. First we went to Luray, VA to see the Luray Caverns. The caverns were gorgeous and so was the scenery up in the mountains. There was even snow on the ground! We stayed in a place called the Mimslyn Inn which was very nice. On the way home we stopped by Natural Bridge and saw that. Sadly my camera is now broken so I was unable to take many pictures; all I have are a few from the drive up and I have to figure out how to get them off of the memory card. I might post some of the pictures that my parents or sisters took, but for now you can click on the links in the post above to see the places we visited!

Christmastime 2009

My family's Christmas this year was great! My Grandparents who live up near D.C. came down for the weekend, and on Christmas day my Grandparents who live nearby came and stayed the whole day with us. We read the Christmas story of Jesus's birth, opened gifts, hung out for the day, and had a yummy Christas dinner! The night before we went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service which was very good. Here are some pictures from our day (and the days around Christmas).

My new ESV study Bible!

Parties!

Hello again, even though I am on break from school I have still been kept very busy, but at least it is fun stuff : ). I have been to lots of parties this month; here is some description of them.


The first party was the care group Christmas party! It was a lot of fun; every one was supposed to dress "funky formal" i.e. "formal with a twist." We had lots of good food, and we did a white elephant gift exchange. I didn't take many pictures, but here are a few...

Our fabulous group leader Eric

Jimmy

Eric and Rebekah (Rebekah showing off the lovely brown rain boots that make her outfit "funky" :)

Chara and I

A bit later in the month was the annual Access Christmas Banquet/benefit. Most of the money (that not spent on the party itself) is sent to Covenant Mercies. Everyone dressed up formally, and came for a great night of yummy food and fabulous entertainment by some talented people in our church. Sadly, I did not bring my camera :(

Two other events for which I did not have my camera was Kaitlin's birthday party cookie exchange, and Chara and Jimmy's Christmas caroling party. Both of these events were a lot of fun!

Well I suppose my next post will have to do with Christmas day itself! Merry Christmas everyone!

D-O-N-E

As of last Thursday I am DONE with the Fall 2009 semester!!!! It feels so great to not have any homework or studying hanging over my head. Soon I will post about all the Christmas (and one birthday) parties I have been to - fun, fun, fun!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well here finally is a quick update (I wonder how many people actually read this anyway? :) )

As you can see from the title I have been pretty busy lately with school, church stuff, etc. School is ALMOST OVER though, and then hopefully I can blog a bit more during my break! I have 3 finals left to take this week and then I will be free! I have already registered for next semester and I am planning on taking: A course on teaching Elem. Science, Intro to Econ, Child Development, Adv. Composition, and a math class called Number Systems and Discrete Mathematics (not sure what it is, but its a requirement for my major)!

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is already past and Christmas is almost here! December will still be busy, but a fun kind of busy. One of the things I am looking forward to is the Access Christmas Banquet/Benefit. Another Christmas party - my care group's - has already occured. I will post on that soon!

Joel is getting soooo big! He can already sit up on his own, and my mom will soon be giving him his first taste of real food: bannanas! It is hard to believe that he will be 6 mos old in January! I will try to post some new pictures of him ASAP.

I end this post with a question for you! What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions? Leave a comment and let me know!

Can you do me a favor?

Hello everyone, hope you are all doing well. I made this video for a project for one of my classes. Would some of you mind viewing it and leaving a comment based on the questions at the end of the video (I have to write about the impact of my project)? If some of you would be willing to do that that would be grea. Thanks! P.S. I will try to post a "real" post soon! :)

Ephesians 2:1-10

"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But, God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised up with Him and seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Update (for lack of a better title)

Hello everyone,

School is continuing to go well, and the homework has been manageable thankfully. All of the teachers seem to be pretty good, and the topics have been at least fairly interesting if not more so. I have also officially joined the Aikido club at ODU which has been a lot of fun (and good exercise too).

My church (or our church depending on if you are someone who also goes to Sovereign Grace Church or not) recently had a meeting where they announced many new changes that will be happening. One of those changes has to do with care groups; they will be separating the singles into singles only care groups rather than having them integrated with the married care groups. I think that this will be good, and I believe the pastors are doing what they believe is best (and what God wants them to do), but it will be somewhat hard to leave my current care group. The church is also going to be starting adult Sunday School classes (before the main service). I am excited about this, and am planning on participating. Those are just some of the several good changes at SGC.

So long for now!

First Week

So I have survived the first week back in class. : ) It has gone really well; here is a quick summary about each of my classes.

Social and Cultural Foundations of Ed
Like the teacher and the TAs, laugh often in class (helpful for an 8am class :). Seems like this class may be a lot of work, but not too difficult, and I get to do observations in an elementary school!

English Linguistics
The teacher for this is kinda strange, but funny. She definitely has an accent/dialect that she does not try to change for class (for example while talking about a previous student who made a video about her class she says "and he had already finished my class; he had done been gone"). She says this class will be difficult but interesting...we will see :).

World Regional Geography
Haven't done a whole lot in this class yet, but the professor is nice and also funny.

Native American History
Pretty interesting so far. Quite a few papers though :P

Teaching Health and Phys Ed
This is an online class. Pretty interesting so far.

So that pretty much sums it up. I haven't had too much homework yet which is nice, but I have no expectations of it staying that way : ).