Update!

I realize it’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on where I am… in school, in life, in general.  Things have been busy.  I had my last two midterms this week, and then spent the last couple days doing all those things I put off when studying for those midterms.  So here’s an update of cool things/important things that are relevant to my life now. 

1) Care packages

Sometimes I forget just how blessed I am.  Being in Boston so far from home is hard for me.  I miss my family, friends, mountains, snow, church, Birchwood… I could drag this list on forever.  But I’m ok, because I know that those back home truly care.  So thank you Grandma, Uncle Billy and Aunt Lisa, and Christ First United Methodist Church, for sharing your love with me this semester. 

2) YES

I’m volunteering with Youth Enrichment Services this year, which is an organization that takes inner city kids skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and does all sorts of fun things with them in the summer (hiking, camping, biking, rock climbing, kayaking, etc.).  I’m signed up to be a ski instructor!  I started last week working in the ski shop, and will do that until January when trips begin!

3) Life Plan

It’s that time of the year again, the time when I have to pick my schedule for next semester.  I don’t like this time; its too stressful, I make it too stressful.  There’s a lot of pressure associated with picking out the right classes.  Which classes are best going to prepare me for my career?  Wait, that means I need to know what career I want.  Crap.  Ok, I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up, but I think I’m taking Physics 1, Organic Chemistry 2, Environmental Pollution, and Organizational Behavior next semester.

4) Remember God (in response to above) and Everything Changes*

“Do not fret… 

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 

He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 

Be still in the LORD, and wait patiently for him.”

~PSALM 3:1-7

I get so caught up in all the decisions that need to be made, and am so worried about making the wrong one, that I forget God is here, leading me, directing me, exposing the path that He has already laid out for me.  All I need to do is follow.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” ~JEREMIAH 29:11

And there is no need to worry, because God has met and will meet all of my needs.  He will take care of me, because I am His child.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap no gather into barns, and yet you heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life span?  And why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothed the grasses of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?  Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we wear?’  for it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.” ~MATTHEW 6:25-34

And because of God, I have been given gifts to use on my journey; the drive to answer questions and help people, the desire to explore and discover new things, and the capacity to recognize that the complexity, wonderment, and awe of life is so much more than I will ever be able to understand.

“We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” ~ROMANS 12:6

And I am so thankful, that God is in my life.

5) My Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day.  Thank you for filling my life with your light.  Thank you for clothing me, for providing for me, for loving me despite how many times I have turned my back on you.  I do not need to worry.  I do not need to fear.  I trust in God to lead my life, guide my choices, and carry me when I cannot walk.  I know you are always with me, embracing me with your love.  Thank you for this reassurance.  Nothing is more powerful or perfect than your love.  I pray today for all those who are suffering, who have lost loved ones, who are sick and hurting, may they find comfort in you.  Draw us in, the weak and the crippled, the sinners and the lost, myself and all those reading this; fill us with your love, your grace, and your peace.  Let your love wash over us, fill us with new spirit, make our hearts pure, cleanse our souls so that your light might shine through us so all around can see.

In Christ’s name I pray,

Amen

*From a previous post