Christmas Time!

It is Christmas Eve and I am filled with overwhelming joy as to the reason for the season. Jesus.
This is the day that I celebrate the fact that God sent the ultimate sacrifice necessary for us to spend eternity with Him. When you pick apart this simple truth, the love wrapped in such an act - and the love displayed through Jesus' entire life. It. Melts. Your. Heart.

And even still, we are blessed with other awesome things that make this holiday season uniquely enjoyable - and I say this with reservations because the knowledge of Jesus and his story creates such a unmatchable joy, but I feel that the Lord blesses us even further still with simple pleasures we sometime over look in life. Particularly during the holiday season.

-Crisp, fresh weather.

-Time spend with family and friends.

-The gift of blessings others.

-The smells and aromas that come along with the holidays; fires, hot cocoa, baked goods and more :)

-Christmas Lights

-and for those that are lucky enough, SNOW.

-so so so much more.

I hope and pray that we all are able to take stock in what our amazing Lord has given us, Jesus, and the life He has blessed us with here on Earth. I pray that we will not become wrapped up in the things of this world, but have our hearts set on things above. Especially during this holiday season <3 Merry Christmas Eve!

seriously.

Thank you Jesus. For loving me unconditionally. For revealing the sin in my life. For forgiving me - especially because I know that I don't deserve it. It amazes me how wretched and wicked I am, and how you still love and care for me. Thank you, for being love.


Thank you for showing up in my life consistently. I pray that I would hear and yearn for your simple whisper (1 Kings 19).


Thank you for showing me more truths about you every day. I fall more in love with you every day, and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life serving you - wherever you call me.

short.ish.

short update on life:

-still throughly freaking out on what my future holds. more so now than ever. i don't want to say i feel pressure... but yeah i kind of do. i feel that my main concern right now is pursuing something with my life that is going to make me happy and glorify God.... of course making sure that i have money to support myself is essential and constantly on my mind too... i am not stupid or naive. but i guess it may seem that way to some people... which is hard and something i am trying to cope with and i am trying to figure out my crap so that it doesn't seem that way... but i am definitely struggling with fear of what others are thinking of me and how they are evaluating my life. it's really hard because it's people i care about deeply.. i value so much what others have to offer me as far as their wisdom goes, but i also don't want to be a disappointment if i choose a different path... merp :/ to much to process. and not something that i am going to continue to do on this. but the main reason of this post was to ask for more prayer in guidance in seeking the Lord and honoring those i love. thanks!

ps: i love you <3

Psalm 23 & my life?

Quiet Time on 10/30. Solid. Quiet Time on 10/31. Thought provoking. I love my time with Jesus. This is what my quiet time yesterday was based off of. I quite liked it :)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
satisfied.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
rest.
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
refreshment.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
guides.
for his name's sake.
purpose.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
challenges.
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
faithfulness.
your rod and your staff they comfort me.
comforter.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil' my cup overflows.
abundance.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
security.

Life:

This weekend was pretty cool in a nutshell. It was sweet because I definitely saw God reveal things to me about my character, and the His own character. I am definitely praying that I rely on his strength and pursue a heart change in certain areas of my life. I am already so thankful for Him just being so awesome to show me these things. It's kind of nice the way He does it too :)

Update on life... mmmm.. My roommate (Katie) and I are doing weekly memory verses now to help each other keep accountable. It's being going well so far, and I hope it continues to do so! Definitely loving being a co-leader for freshmen bible study. The ladies in it are so amazing and I can already see the Lord doing big things in their life. Almost ALL of them (like 7 out of 8) are going to apply for summer project, and just have really shown an amazing heart after Him. As awesome as bible study has been going, I am still heart broken at the idea of how many freshmen aren't getting reached. This weekend in Chico was pretty crazy, and its sad to see what so many people that I go to school with live for. Definitely praying for God to present more opportunities to reach underclassmen that we would all be faithful and pursue them.

Haven't got to go home a ton this year, with being gone all summer and being swamped with school and CRU stuff... but when I have it's been pretty sweet. My dad has definitely made it a point to come home early or even stay up late to spend time with me which is much appreciated and makes me feel loved :) He is an awesome man. Have had some tough but amazing conversations with my mom. It amazes me how immature and rude I was in high school (and can be still) but I feel blessed that God is always with me and has definitely been working in my life that way. It makes me happy that I can process with her through even through the toughest things. Talking with my sister has been amazing too. I know she has so much going in her life, and yet she still is an amazing sister, and is such an inspiration in my life. I am definitely thankful for her and all of my family. Not trying to say we're some perfect family, because we aren't - at all. But I am just finding how blessed I am... and looking at those things besides some negative thing that I may blow out of proportion is a lot more refreshing and beneficial :) Definitely challenge anyone else to do the same.

School sucks, but when doesn't it? There is always going to be some teacher (or TA) trying to make you feel stupid. And I'm not going to lie, they were succeeding for a while. But really. Who cares? No one is going to care what snotty comment you put on my paper, or responded to me with in 5 years, or even in a year. I am doing the best I can and that's what matters. So there ;) I'm not going to listen to the lies Satan is feeding me anymore. I am no genius but I'm not stupid either. I will do my best to glorify the Lord in all I do, including school, but I am not going to let it rule my life.

Living in the girls CRU house has been legit. Yup :) Definitely see God using it in my own life a ton, and praying that He continues to use it for ministry as well. He has shown me a ton about serving others and loving others. Every person is completely different and yet soooo similar. It's been sweet to learn how to lean on God in tough situations, and love and encourage my sisters despite what else is going on. Living here has provided me with a ton of conversations and growth, I seriously couldn't imagine it any other way. <3 I love that I get challenged DAILY and have fun no matter what kind of mood I might be in - daily. Ahhh!! It's amazing.

Well this was kind of all over the place, but yeah. That's how my mind works I guess.

(This past weeks memory verse)

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:5,6

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

This week was incredibly long, and challenging and yet so good.

I don't know exactly how I feel per se, but I know that I have no idea what I am going to do when I graduate. I have ideas, but I don't really know.. And I wouldn't say I'm perfectly okay with this, but I am not completely scared out of my mind. I have three main thoughts on what I can do.

A) I can pursue a career in law enforcement after I graduate. B) I can apply for grad school. C) Go into full-time ministry.

But I don't know where God is calling me. They all seem pretty spread out and different, but all things that I would enjoy and things that I am passionate about... definitely praying for His guidance and for Him to shape my desires to be aligned with His.

Side note: My roommates are beautiful wonderful women of God who truly bless me every day. The other day I was on the verge of a maybe breakdown - but God totally used them to show me His love. Thanks Jesus :)

"My king is the kings. He is enduringly strong, entirely sincerely, impartially merciful. He guards and He guides. His goodness is limitless, His love never changes. You can't outlive and you can't live without Him. "

So I guess the purpose of this post is to say that I love Him and I am so thankful for Him and all that He has done and will do in my life. And that despite my freak outs/ girly emotional breakdowns, I find joy because I know that I am loved and that I have purpose in Him.

here am i.

eternal perspective. i want to live for eternity and no longer for this world. i pray that God will transform my heart and provide my the courage and strength to rely on Him alone. i feel for too long that i have had this feeling in my heart and have told myself i am living for eternity but i am far to often distracted by the things of this world. i am giving it to Him, please Lord guide me. please pray for me and for the Lord to work in my heart in huge ways.



take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee
take my moments and my days let them flow in ceaseless praise
take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee
take my voice and let me see always only for my king

here am i. all of me. take my life. its all for thee.

take my will and make it thine
it shall be no longer mine
take my heart it is thine own
it shall be thy royal throne
take my love, my Lord, i pour its treasure store
take myself and i will be ever only all for thee

here am i. all of me. take my life. its all for thee.

recap.

So I guess a lot has happened since my last post, and it would be a bit ridiculous to try to recap EVERYTHING that has occurred...(That's a month of summer...oh my) So I am going to do my best of giving a brief summary of my adventures and schedule, but mainly focus on what the Lord has been showing me about myself, and my relationship with him and others. (Which might be a completely different post in itself, depending on time)

But before I begin that I realized I never gave a follow up of how Killing the Giants week ended. It was a sweet week, and God totally was moving through Ocean City, and in the end we saw the fruits of that. Our goal was 5,203 spiritual conversations....drumroll.....we had 5,765 spiritual conversations as a project in one week. God is so good. Of that a little more than 200 people indicated decisions to accept Jesus Christ into their lives as their Lord and Savior. AMEN! I am still so excited and happy for my brothers and sisters in Christ! With my own personal goal God definitely showed me that through Him anything is possible. I didn't reach my exact goal but I got close, and got a lot closer than I thought I would toward the end of the week.

Alright next topic...

Adventures & Daily Life :)

So in the past month I have:

!! Gone to New York, spending a straight 24 hours on the adventure. It included a visit with none other than Emily Parker, which was quite lovely <3 A trip to the World Trade Center Tribute/Memorial, which was incredibly moving. Grand Central Station. The Empire State Building during sunset <3 Times Square. Little Italy and QUITE the adventure of subways at night, and a late night ferry ride.

!! International dinner : so good.

!! Worked. Actually been getting pretty good consistent hours and its been sweet to get to know the crew a little bit better. However, I am still learning patience through it all. For the most part, its fun and a good college student experience. Haha, that's what people keep telling me at least.

!! Late night dip in the ocean with Sara and Denny

!! LOTS of late nights with little sleep, but also really good solid nights of sleep.

!! Staff vs. Student Softball Game. We brutally lost, but it was fun none the less. All for One week was really encouraging and opened my eyes to a lot of stuff (to be discussed later...)

!! finished reading Blue Like Jazz. what can I say but wow. I really enjoyed it and felt it help me process through some stuff, even if it was directly discussed.

!! Fourth of July on the beach with awesome fireworks.

!! A 27 hour adventure consisting of the randomness of life: Denny's waffles, Eclipse, work, fellowship, beach sunrises that are blocked by buildings and aren't over the Atlantic Ocean, work, showers, Ocean dips and more =)

!! Women's Conference. It's weird to notice how much I have come to appreciate things like this, thinking back to how I use to be. But it was definitely an encouraging awesome time spent with beautiful women of God.

!! Agape week/last week with staff: included last discipleship with Andrea which was really sad but so encouraging at the same time. I Love that lady, and appreciate the time I had with her. Def going to keep in touch =)

!! Got a staff role: helping out at the weekly meetings. It's been sweet to help serve the project in that way, and will be interesting to see how the rest of project goes.

!! Blatting with some of OC's finest

!! Fugitive =)

Well as time would have it, I need to start getting ready for an Outreach we are having tonight. But I would like to end it with a few verses that I hope would encourage you and your spiritual journey <3

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another every day, as long as it is called "today" that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Psalm 30:5

For his anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

James 1:13

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

<3

tonight.

was pretty legit.

God was so at work on the boardwalk and people came to know Him personally and that is SO exciting and encouraging. But even despite the new brothers and sisters that I have gained, I think I was really encouraged by two things in particular:

1) the prayer we opened the night with. Some students spent a good hour just praying to God for the people on the boardwalk, the students going out and sharing and just praising and thanking God for who He is and what He has done. It was cool to just spend that time talking with God, super encouraging too.
2) the last spiritual conversation that Patrick and I initiated on the boardwalk was pretty sweet. None of the guys had a personal relationship with God (and they still didn't when we were done talking with them) but it was so awesome to see how open and receptive they still were. we had a pretty long conversation with them, and my heart and prayers definitely go out to these three boys. All of them were exploring and desire to have that relationship, but have different 'obstacles' that are holding them back.
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as well.

I am super tired but I kind of just wanted to write that out, and hope that you would be praying for them also.


Love and miss you all so much. Even if you don't think it, I definitely think about and pray for you often. Yeah, I don't even specifically know who reads this, but I really do love you and care about you!

Thanks again for all the support and encouragement it means so much to me. I feel so blessed God has provided me with this support. Love, Michelle

sweet.

So I most definitely stayed up till almost 4 AM this morning, and had work at 9 AM. I am happy to say that I woke up, felt refreshed and had a good day. It is still going, but it's been super cool and chill, despite chaos of work. Bible Study with my roomies tonight, and I am pretty excited =)

Some things that I have been processing, thinking about or learning:

-I need to learn to accept people's help, even when I don't want it, or necessarily need it.
-Smiling makes me feel better
-Relying on God is hard, but rewarding
-Prayer is so powerful
-Having people to talk to about struggles and trials is such a blessing
-I'm still awkward, in a semi-good way
-I have a hard time being real with some people, and resort to sarcastic dry humor, and I hope that God can work in my heart and change it (not necessarily all of it, because I like joking around, but He knows...)

I still LOVE sleep.

Maybe I can write more later after B-Stud. <333

PS: Killing the Giants Week Update

I have gone out sharing everyday and it's been so cool to see God using so many people in Ocean City. I've heard some amazing stories and conversations that people have had and it's been sweet. It's cool to see how a person that Denny and I had a conversation with, ran into a random friend who had had a conversations with Emily, and then they told there friends and now they all want to check out CRU. It's sweet!

I definitely have seen the enemy try to sway my focus away from Glorifying God and listening to Him and the desires of His heart, but God is one crazy Almighty warrior and it's awesome to know that He is fighting my battles. A talk on David and Goliath on Monday was really encouraging and legit.

I would definitely encourage you to check it out if you feel you are battling a giant or a tough obstacle this week.

Love, Michelle

prayer.

I just wanted to ask specifically for people to be praying for:

1. 'The Killing the Giants' week that we are having here in OC
2. All the students here on project, that we can find strength and boldness in the Holy Spirit
3. People on other projects and the steps of faith they are taking
4. A friend of mine that is going through a really rough time

Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement I have been receiving, I am so thankful for it <3

oh man.

So it's been a while since I updated, it may be a little scattered. There you go, I gave you a fair warning.

I'll go backwards in time, it might be easier for me...

Last night our project family became complete the last student came. So exciting! I still haven't officially met all the quarter students but I am super excited they are all here and I can't wait for the rest of the summer with them. Yesterday I also went to Sunday School and Church. I came back to the Ambassador ate some lunch. After that we had a beach day/outreach. It was really hard. I wasn't in the best of mood and I was trying to keep an upbeat attitude. Definitely had to rely on the Holy Spirit, and it was sweet because I got to meet some people and exchange a number with a local. After that I took a nap, I wasn't feeling so hot still. After that I woke up and took a walk, just wanted to be alone with God. At 8:00PM clean up started so my impact group dominated that, was able to take a shower and be ready in time for games @ 9:00. I played a game of signs and then got a phone call from someone I care about deeply. I'm still sort of processing the conversation, but I have been praying a lot and it's helping. I also had a lovely phone call with another person I care about deeply and it was really encouraging. THEN I had a phone call with my mom and dad. Which was lovely, to just catch up talk, and get some encouragement from my mom which meant a lot. After that I just chilled and hung out with some people, had some good conversations and went to bed around 2:00. (Kind of late, but my mind was still racing and processing I couldn't get to sleep!)

Saturday 6/12: Saturday checked out some beach, soaked up some vitamin D and played some frisbee. After that Sara, Josh, Phil and I tried monkey bread for the first time. It was delish. Went back and showered (don't know why I would need to say this but I did) We had dinner with our impact groups at 5:00, it was pizza. And then we went on a scavenger hunt and outreach. It was called a 'Taste of Ocean City' it was fun to go out and share and see where people were at, as well as have some fun with my impact group. We had a meeting that kicked off the theme of the week 'Killing the Giants'. It was pretty intense. As a project we set a goal for ourselves to have over 5,000 spiritual conversations this week. Definitely can't do it on our own, but it is so comforting to know that He is with us.

Friday 6/11: SOOOO LEGIT. Trip to New York City!! You should definitely check out the facebook album with the pictures. But the brief summary goes something like this: Drive to New York. Get slightly lost. Check out Times Square! Take subway to Chinatown =). Eat at slightly hole in wall place. Take subway to Central Park. Get amazed with the beauty of Central Park! Play some frisbee. Walk down 5th Ave; see tons of stores and places! Go to Empire State Building. See Times Square at Night. Have LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN. From 1:00pm-11:40pm ish my group dominated New York, it was fun =)!
This is the album : http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=234335&id=835352165&l=ccb8ef56a3

Thursday 6/10: I worked. Interesting. I started taking orders through the drive thru, and it is SO hard to hear people. Definitely excited how God provided a job though. Also had a large group meeting at 7:00 which was sweet and my final roomie came! Yay for Shavon!! =)

Wednesday 6/9: WORKED. Had a pretty legit bible study with the action group. WE did a sweet thing to represent how our sins our washed away. We wrote some things that we struggled with believing that we were forgiven, or that we couldn't really forgive ourselves on a coffee filter. Then we put them in a bowl of water and took them out and it was washed clean. It was a neat symbolism.

Tuesday 6/8: Discipleship. Rocked my face. In a good way. Definitely realized that I have been not living to my full potential that God has intended. I want to give all of me to His plan, instead of just part of me. Definitely something that is not easy for me and I am working on but it's been sweet that He has been consistently showing me this.

Monday 6/7: Orientation at Mickey D's. It was short and sweet and I appreciated that. Did not appreciate the grandma pants, however they were black instead of khaki like SFDK's last year so I can survive ;)

The week before that isn't as clear. I think a good way to sum it up would be this; God has definitely been working in my life and others here on project. I am so thankful for everyone He has put here and everything He is providing through this project. It's stretching and so much to process but I am loving it. I miss my friends and family but I am also having the time of my life. I want to just say I am sorry that I cannot talk to everyone each and everyday but I am trying so hard to keep you updated and try to stay updated in your life. Facebook and phone AND letters are probably the best way to keep in touch, or blog. Which I will try to be more consistent in updating.

I LOVE YOU <3


Sweet verse I like.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

<3

pictures for now, words later :)

random things you may or may not know about ocean city, new jersey

pretty redic and awesome all at once =) SOOOO I thought I would share.

1) WaWa really is amazing, and their pineapple is quite delish.
2) West Coast beaches ARE better than this beach. However, this boardwalk is pretty legit.
3) Polish Water Ice = AHHHHHMAZING.
4) People honk and continue to drive instead of yielding to pedestrians
5) The humidity pees your pants for you [Project informed me of this, hasn't happened yet, but.. who knows? haah]
6) It is illegal to pump your own gas in the state of New Jersey.
7) You answer ' how you doin'? ' with ' how you doin'? ' . NO JOKE people do this.
8) If you don't recycle, you're breaking the law.
9) There aren't as many Snookie's as I thought there would be
10) and I have yet to see someone who is comparable to 'the Situation'.

So those are the first ten random things that came to mind but there is so much more that goes with the east coast OC. It's insane. But instead of trying to remember them all I am going to go sit out on the porch and read some.

Wishing you a lovely day filled with blessings <3

june 1, 2010

So since my last update a lot has happened. God is definitely stirring hearts in Ocean City, and it is so cool to see!

Since the week we have been here, over 35 people have come to know Christ. It wrecks my mind to think about people who haven't even had the chance to hear the gospel or gotten the opportunity to know who Jesus is. But it is so encouraging to see God using the students and staff on project to reach out to people. It's also awesome to see relationships forming as a result of this, and the investment people are putting into complete strangers lives as a result of the Holy Spirit.

God has also been showing me a lot about serving others. Living with 110 people definitely provides the opportunity to serve others. I have seen sooooo many different examples of this, from lending or sharing things, to the amazing staff that has been doing so much in so many different ways for all of the students on project.

Something else that I am taken aback by is how brotherly the boys here on project have been. I am definitely not use to it, but it is so sweet. As a rule on project girls can't go alone anywhere without a boy after dark - just for safety reasons. And the boys definitely make sure that the rule is stuck with, no matter what the distance or amount of girls in the group is. It's something I'm not used to and was kind of offended about at first, but I've come to see it as something sweet and can appreciate. (They do tons of other stuff to, the point I wanted to make is just that it's cool to see the community really treat each other like brothers and sisters in Christ).

So as much as God has been showing me, something I really want to work on this summer is what He is telling me, or teaching me in my quiet times. And so one of the things recently that I think He has revealed to me is pretty sweet, and I thought I would share it. [ with probably five people who will read this. hah, and myself for future reference]

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:3-5

I can't say that I rejoice in my sufferings consistently, or often, but it is something that I am going to try to remind myself daily. I think that if I were to approach a trial I am facing, or a struggle, with this scripture in mind my entire outlook on life would be completely different. I want to be a follower of Christ who is thankful for my sufferings, and see them as blessings. I know that this is going to be challenge, but I know by leaning on Christ He will help me. Prayers would be appreciated and helpful as well. In addition to this scripture I remind myself that God has transformed me the most when I am broken and lost. When things are going bad, or tough it is the times that He redeems me and is glorified. (His glory and what I am learning about that is a whole other post;] )

Well I am definitely at the point of rambling so I am going to wrap it up with a quick prayer.

Dear Heaven Father,
Thank you that you are not a God that is concerned about the words in my prayer but the attitude of my heart. I want to thank you so much for providing this opportunity for me. I am so blessed to be able to be here and I thank you so much for all of the people who helped support me financially and prayerfully. The support of my family has been incredible and I thank you so much for that. Please Lord bless my family and friends as I am away from this summer. You know what is going on in the hearts and minds and I just pray that would would surround them with your love and compassion and that they may find comfort in you. I also pray that you can help relationships stay strong, and in tact. Thank you again for the amazing experiences I am having in Ocean City. I am so thankful for all of the people here and I know it is all because of you. Thank you.
I pray all of these things in you perfect and holy name, Amen.

finally here!

Okay, so I thought I would do a short blurb before heading to the breakfast nook in the Ambassador =)

So far project has been amazing, and it's only the beginning of day three!! God has certainly put me in an awesome place this summer. There are so many amazing, beautiful, legit people here on project! I can't wait to get to know them even more. I will have a total of three other girls in my room this summer, but so far I have only met two: Holly and Emily. They are both so awesome and beautiful women of God. My other roommate Shavon will come here when here quarter ends at Northwestern. Be praying for her and her finals! =)

My 'disciplers' name is Andrea, yesterday while working on the hose I got to know her a little bit more. She is sooo nice, and we have some stuff in common. It was sweet just pulling weeds together and getting to know one another. Same with everyone else I have gotten to chat with over the past two days.

Last night was pretty legit. I went to WaWa a glorious convenient store that is basically 7/11 on crack. It's beautiful. Anyways went there and made a milkshake from the high-tech milkshake machine with Sara. It was oh so good. After that we headed back and watched the lightning storm that was happening, so pretty and cool! Played some frisbee on the porch practicing some new moves, and then watched some food competitions that the guys did. Lets just say pringles and pretzels call for a good time =) THENNNNN we played a few games of murder in the dark. Let's just say it's going to be a fun summer.

But not only has the summer been fun (I know it's only two days but it's been my summer here so far! & summer time at home was legit too) But summer has also been transforming in these few short days. God has already shown me so much through this process of coming to summer project and while I am here too. His grace and love is such a gift, and I am starting to wrap my head around what that means. Quote by C.S. Lewis says that grace is the difference between Christianity and so many other religions. I am SO thankful for that. He also has shown me the amazing support He provides for His children. The stories of how people got here, and how He has planned for each and everyone of us to be here are incredible!

I think I might just babble if I keep writing, and I am a little hungry after the run I went on this morning. But I just want to say thank you again to all the people who supported me and enabled me to take advantage of this opportunity. It is truly impacting my life. In more ways that I could describe on this blog.

Love, Michelle

crazy week done. epic summer begin.

So finals are finally over. YES. I think I might even be more stressed now that they are done and waiting grades then I was for studying them and actually taking them. Weird.

That's not the point though.

I am sitting here, 2:46 AM thinking about this summer. I am so nervous and excited and a whole bunch of adjectives I am sure I can't think of or spell right now. I want so badly to be impacted by this summer and to impact others. I want this summer to be glorifying to Him. I am praying for me to be open, listen, and learn.

REAL TALK. I have no idea how to prepare myself for this summer. I am hoping that by bringing whatever happens to land in my suitcase, my bible and a few other things, in addition to a heart ready to be transformed that my world can be rocked in ways I can't imagine. But I'm scared. Scared = shut off. Scared = closed off. NOT WHAT I WANT. So I am praying for my jitters to calm down... I seriously have no idea how I can feel so excited and blessed and happy to be doing something, but just as nervous and scared. SOOOO WEIRD.

I am sort of finding peace in the fact that I discussed earlier in the blog. That He has a plan for me and I am happy that I am able to see it. I also am taking comfort in the fact that this summer is a little uncomfortable. Confusing? I mean that I am glad that I am stretching myself in a way where I feel uncomfortable, I am happy and blessed to be moving forward in my walk with God and my life... even if its a little scary.

I think I am just babbling now, it's that awesome 2:54 am babble that the weird stuff starts to come out, so I better stop here.

All Systems Go

10,0890 minutes. 168 hours. seven days. one week. no matter how i want to measure it... i am embarking on an adventure soon.

I am so excited that God has provided me with this opportunity, that I listened to Him and I am going. I was a little bit apprehensive about it in the beginning of the year, but God definitely gave my heart peace in the fact that He is guiding me. Jeremiah 29:11.

Just wanted to give praises to God for providing people in my life to help support me financially and prayerfully. I am blessed with amazing friends and family, and I am very appreciative for all of them.

oh how He loves us, how He loves us all

It is kind of ridiculous when I stop and think about how much God has blessed me with, and the love He provides.

It's an amazing love when someone cares and provides so much for you when you are so undeserving. It's unfathomable to realize how much He loves His children, and it is so comforting to know that nothing can change that, despite our flaws and sins He still loves us.

Romans 8:38-29
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of god that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jersey Shore ;)

T-Minus 21 days until Ocean City, New Jersey!! THREE WEEKS. EXACTLY.

Wow. I am pretty sure that this is a major reality check. I feel like I have so much to do in so little time, but I am also so secure about it, I know its going to be alright. I have been really stressing out about a lot of things lately, but I am kind of finding peace in it all. By no means do I think I will be some hippie peace child anytime soon, but it has been awesome to see how God provides.

I don't even think I can fully express how I feel about my upcoming summer, and everything that is going on between now and then. All I know is that it's probably going to be one of the most unique and awesome experiences of my life and I cannot wait =)

trust

I will say Or He says of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:2