my week in review

My week started out with a fun package from my Aunt Dar including a Halloween card and a bag of festive almond kisses. It was fun because I had a little candy mug on my 'coffee table' which had those peppermint wheels in them, but she sent my festive chocolates, so it is much more seasonally appropriate...thanks Aunt Dar!

Wednesday night was the Harvest Party at my church, and how cute the children were all dressed up (see a few blogs down). We had two Woody's, two fairies, Elmo, a kitty cat, ninja, and a Transformer (whatever that is, haha). They loved dressing up, and enjoyed their costumes. I had to take a few items away during the story, but once those distractions were taken away the children were much easier to talk, and they paid much better attention. They were all so excited about the party, and so after the lesson, we worked on a memory verse, ate some apples and caramel for snack (yum!), and then played a game, and played with musical instruments (fun for the children, instant headache for the teachers). They were a rowdy bunch due to the party, but I am thankful that their most calm time was during the lesson.

I only had one test this week (to which I feel I did well, but have yet to get the official results), and the rest of the week was 'slower' in the sense of studying. We had several Mission's Conference meetings, and I have been doing a bit of work related to that. I had two larger written assignments due Wednesday and Thursday and then the bulletin board due Friday. I actually really enjoyed doing the bulletin board and am mostly pleased with how it turned out.

My parents have been away all week celebrating their 25th anniversary (which was last summer), and I am so happy they have had this opportunity, but my word have I missed them. Either this week has been different, or I tend to call my mom a lot. I can't tell you how many times I reached for my phone to call mom either to tell her something or just to chat because I had a few minutes, only to remember she wouldn't be able to answer. I have found myself missing both my mom and dad a lot this week, and look forward to having them home so mom is more readily available to call. But don't get me wrong, they deserve this, and I hope they are really enjoying this vacation as a vacation and for just the two of them! So thankful for the awesome example they have set me with 25 years!

I have enjoyed a relaxing Saturday, before the craziness begins tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, I leave bright and early to head out with a bunch of other students to help with childcare at a church that is having a big celebration and would like having all of their church people to be able to attend the main service/celebration. Tomorrow evening missionaries begin to arrive for the conference, and Monday morning I attend a President's breakfast with the steering committee, president, and missionaries. This is kind of our kick-off of the conference. If you think of it, prayers would be appreciated in the following areas...

• Safety and health of missionaries traveling
• That all of the finishing touches would be finished in time
• The hearts of those of us attending conference

Thank you for your prayers, and for reading about my week. I pray you are doing well and that you too were able to have an enjoyable weekend!

Mission Bulletin Board...Complete

The start of a very long project...making my cloud title.

My room has been so messy since really starting this project. Papers, butterflies, stickies and anything else you could imagine was everywhere!

It is starting to come together...

I got my little guy up there, isn't he just so cute?

After several long, hard hours, my bulletin board is complete. I am excited to see what people think of it tomorrow in class! (You can click on the picture to make it bigger)

Harvest Party!

Last night was our harvest party at church, and the kids all looked so cute dressed up! I must say I think Tracie's idea of a cluster of grapes was pretty clever. I told all of the kids that I dressed up as Miss Rebekah and they found that to be kind of funny (I don't know how to take that. Either they think I normally look funny, or they thought the idea was funny).

Jesus, Thank you!

Jesus, Thank You from Sovereign Grace Ministries on Vimeo.

foliage pictures

Another week has come and gone, but I must rejoice in that this week was a little slower. Of course now that it is Saturday night, I wish I hadn't relaxed as much, as I am overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done this week. My big event this week is doing my bulletin board for Testing and Curriculum.

At the current time, I cannot really think of what went on this week, haha. I took four exams, all of which are complete!

The big thing going on in my life is the planning of Mission's Conference 2010! I was chosen to be on the steering committee last year, and have served in trying to get everything organized for several months. Conference starts next Monday, and I can't believe it is here. I feel like there is still SO much to do, but am confident that the Lord will do a mighty work during this time. I am excited to see all of our planning come to action!

Today after studying and reading for a while, I took a walk down to the pond (to do some more reading). It was so nice to get some fresh air and soak up the warmth of the sunshine! I took a few foliage pictures--enjoy!

the little things in life

My handy dandy white board being used to study the curses. Don't mind my little pictures--they helped me tremendously.

And now being used to study Psychology.

I got a package from the lovely, Miss Hall, and it was....

...a scarf she knitted! This is the first scarf she has ever knitted. You wouldn't know.

I personally just think this is so cozy. The chair is on loan from a friend of mine who doesn't have room for it in her room, and the coffee table is well, storage totes. The comics are compliments of my mother!

On the same day I got a package from Beek, Mom sent me an amazing Get Well/Thinking of You package complete with honey, cough drops, tea, and let's not forget the cookies her and Sophia made me that are SO good!

There are just some of the small things going on in my life that have lifted my spirits, along with your prayers! Hope you enjoy.

absolute craziness

You have to check this out. These people are crazy.

thankful for the weekend

What a week this has been. Today (or maybe yesterday, haha) someone was talking about something that had happened this week, and it happened like Wednesday, and I thought for sure it had happened weeks ago. This week wasn't too straining academically though, to which I am very thankful. God is good though, and is still on the throne. This week though was a VERY good mail week! I got a letter from Daniel, and Aunt Dar. A package from my mom, AND a paycheck. For a college student, it doesn't get much better then that.

The normal things continued to go well. Teaching on Wednesday went well, though I am convinced it was a full moon, whether the weather reports say otherwise or not. Classes went well. And as always, I love my time with the church people.

Amongst everything going on this week, I decided to try and figure out what was causing my laptop to beep internally. I ran a diagnostic and reported my error reports to the online Dell support. The first code wasn't too bad- apparently my AC Adapter (which through this experience I have learned what this is) needed replacing. That's okay, I can deal with that. The second code is what I had a much harder time with, "The 2nd error code you have provided would indicate that the hard drive will soon to fail" Great, now what? I thought. Of course he quickly asked for my information to send me the two new parts, and I really did appreciate that, but the installation is what I really dreaded. I grudgingly moped through the question of "how soon?" and idea that my dear laptop could die any moment. I had already gone this before and it was a headache. I got the hard drive and AC Adapter in the mail on Tuesday, and contacted the IT department here on campus asking for a price estimate. I can do the replacement, but I sure didn't want to. Long story short--IT did it for me, and I only had to pay $10, and they put everything from my old hard drive on to the new one. And the original problem of the beeping is no more!

God has been working in my life this week, and though it can be painful at times, I am thankful He loves me enough. The Bible clearly says in Hebrews 12:6a, "For whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth" Thank you so very much to those of you who have been praying, and I ask you to continue to do so. It is the weekend, and for that I am so very thankful. Looking forward a restful Saturday tomorrow where I am able to relax and get lots of studying done. I pray you have a lovely weekend yourself, and always feel free to shoot me an email!

PS: I am SUPER excited because my friends Chris and Sara got engaged! I doubt they read my blog, but I am still excited, and want to congratulate them!

"The rapid spread of Christianity, even during the periods of heaviest persecution, proved that indeed the blood of martyrs was the seed of the church." Earle E. Cairns in Christianity Through the Centuries

it's beginning to look a lot like autumn

This has nothing to do with autumn, but I was quite proud of myself to have thought to use a plastic tote as a 'coffee' table, and I just love my little flowers.

My Grandpa has made sure to keep me well equipped with autumn decor. This is the little scarecrow he gave me last year. He sits next to my mirror and smiles at me in the morning when no one else could smile at me(not even myself).

Last year, someone gave me a candle warmer, and I have put it to great use. Tonight I bought a $1 candle at Wal-Mart to help make it feel like autumn.

This is the cute little guy Grandpa got me this year, he is much bigger, but just as cute. He welcomes our visitors, and smiles at all those passing by.

I found this tiny little leaf on my way up to Anderson Hall, and have kept it in my Bible.

Isn't it just so tiny?

Be glad, O people of Zion,

rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.

He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rain.

Joel 2:23

a lovely day

I am only ten minutes into my shift and am already bored out of my mind. Homecoming weekend and not a soul in the lounge, wow. The fridge and freezer sure do sound noisy this afternoon (as well as my typing). I am thankful that it is Friday though! The weather here is absolutely spectacular. Right before I work I was able to take a walk down to the pond and enjoy a lovely conversation. The sun was so soothing and provided a wonderful atmosphere, even if I sadly did kill a woolly bear.

We had no classes today which was such a blessing. We had sessions this morning, one of which I worked nursery and got to hold the most precious baby girl, and this afternoon involves sports games. Tonight is the banquet for seniors and alumni, so the rest of us get to go to the other side of campus for dinner. I am already on page four of four pages for a paper due on Monday, which has me quite excited. I am hoping (hoping being the key word) for a slower weekend, but we shall see.

Wednesday night we had several VERY wound up children who had a hard time paying attention and listening to directions, but still it was a lot of fun. The Lord never ceases to amaze me with the excitement those children have for memorizing Scripture. I am so excited with what He is doing!

This week has been more of a struggle as I have been under the weather, but as you can read in earlier posts, the Lord has sent much encouragement to me through the little things in life. I am holding strongly onto Him for all my strength, and He is carrying me through this hard semester. One blessing I have seen through these struggles is that it has pushed me to my knees in prayer, and I love that. I know I will look back on this semester having learned a lot and been blessed, but in the heat of it, I often find myself tired and discouraged. Thank you all for helping lift my spirits through prayers, cards, and calls. Each are so very much appreciated. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and are able to rest a bit.

more special mail

As I mentioned a few blogs ago, Sophia and her mom sent me some mail. What an encouragement it was, putting a big smile on my face! Sophia drew me two pictures, that have since been put up on my wall.

why yes I am going crazy, why do you ask?

I have become slightly crazy lately. This is me giving Megan a call. Sadly, she didn't pick up. :(

So thankful for encouragement

I am constantly amazed with how the Lord uses people in my life to encourage me at the very moment I need it. Three specific times I can think of right off....

• At church yesterday, apparently I had a 'tired' look (we all know that means 'not good'), and a dear woman came over to me who I highly esteem a godly example, placed her hand on my back and asked me how my week really went. She was so encouraging as I shared the hardships, as well as the good times. She left the conversation with telling me she would pray harder for me this week and to remember that she loved me. She didn't know (though I may have looked) that I was having a hard day, but she allowed the Lord to use her to encourage me.
• After the church service yesterday, my little man from church ran over and while batting his eyelashes said "Hi Miss Rebekah". He caused a big smile on my face as his mom asked if I had heard him earlier. I hadn't, so she explained that when Pastor got up at the end of church after the closing song, he had just realized I was sitting a little bit in front of him, and yelled "It's Rebekah!"
• The third occasion was today. It has not been the easiest of all days, and I went to check my mail, not expecting anything when I got a letter with familiar handwriting (the best!). I quickly told my friends to hold on a second so I could open it up and show them. I had gotten a picture and note from Sophia back home with a note from her and her mom. What an encouragement that was. I called mom to talk to her about some other things when all of a sudden I hear Sophia pick up my mom's cell. Another encouragement it was just to hear her voice. When I asked if I could put her picture up on my wall, she informed me that I could do whatever I wanted to with it, haha.

I am so thankful to the Lord for the little things in life that are such an encouragement, and that pick me up when life gets busy and hectic. God is so good to me, and has blessed abundantly with wonderful people in my life. I have been reminded lately the power of prayer when I hear of how many people are praying for me. If you are one of those people who faithfully prays for me, I thank you so much. Your prayers are felt, and so very appreciated.

I hope you all have a great week, where the Lord teaches you something spectacular about Himself that you hadn't really ever noticed before!