Worship

I dont think there are any words that could describe the feeling you get in your heart when youth worship. Last night our youth band did a great job leading worship. A lot of our younger girls in the group had their hands raised. They have all talked so many times about how nervous they were to really let go and worship without worrying about the people around them and they finally did. I was so proud of them. Seeing youth worship is one of those unexplainable life changing moments for me. It is like a slap in the face when I am not worshiping the way that I need, it is a good example that we shouldnt be afraid to step out of our comfort zones a little, sometimes a lot. Wow, how someone so young can make a difference. Oh yeah they can. They think because they are young that no one watches them and they cant make an impact, but boy can they!
Worship is like a step of faith. Learning to let go and let God have a hold of your heart. It isnt about showing off or doing what everyone else is doing. Worship is about leading you to what God wants for you and listening for His voice. No matter how hard that can be sometimes.
I will pray that we would all become people of worship not just at church during the songs, but in our daily lives.

Today is the first day back to school for Tuttle, Bridge Creek and Blanchard schools! Take some time today to pray for those students. Pray that they would open their hearts to God and allow Him to work through them. Let them see the mission field they have for the next year of their lives. Pray they will have strength and courage to reach out to a lost and hopeless world.

Dear Lord,
I asked that you would please be with the students going back to school today. I pray that you would give them the words to say and the example they need in their actions. Give them strength and courage as they reach out to their lost friends and comfort those that need you. Please help them to realize this is the biggest mission field they have at this time and to take advantage of it! Comfort them and let them know even when they are being persecuted for being different that it is worth it. Those struggles are worth it because you love them and have so much more for them in the end.
In your name i pray,
AMEN

Grandpa's Visit

So our grandpa came for a few days to visit and will be leaving in the morning. He sang with dad on Sunday, they even planned to record some songs to make a cd. I think it is a great idea to make a cd because it is something that we could keep forever. For the last few days we have all been eating dinner as a family and playing games. Tonight we played cards for a little while with grandpa before he has to leave in the morning. It has been really good to see him, because with him living in Wisconsin we only see him during Christmas or very special events. I love seeing him. It also makes me miss my grandma a lot. I wish that she was here to hear grandpa and dad sing, to hear us sing as family, to hang out and talk, and play cards (she always won)! :)

My grandma was one of the most amazing people that I have ever known. I loved her so much and still do! It makes me happy to know that I will see her again someday! She is my hero and an amazing example! Grandpa reminds me of her so much. The way he laughs and the things that he says. I love it! I pray for him every day that he would continue to get better and stay healthy so that he will be around for a lot more years to come!

Life Changing

So I officially got into the Teacher Education Program, Monday, August 2nd. I am so excited that I finally was able to get everything done. I worked for hours in the library and in the education building typing and working through my folder and file box. Then I went over to the head of the education department in my shorts and tshirt. We talked for a while about my plans and then she interviewed me right then and there. No fancy clothes or anything! It was awesome! Then she said I was officially in the program and could enroll! I was so excited to finally be able to work on my upper level classes. Now I have a plan and should graduate next December! :)

It is Wednesday and I got my schedule today for classes that start in a couple weeks. Busy schedule of school and work, way to much to do! I am going to be exhausted, but it is totally worth it!
I am watching the movie "To Save A Life". Wow it is amazing. I dont think that I have ever seen a movie that touched my heart this much. One line that really got to me is when the new kid that started going to church said, "whats the point if it isnt changing your life?" What is the point of going to church if we arent going to live it? We need to be willing to reach out to others, especially the ones that dont feel they fit in and dont feel loved. It is so worth it!
Everyone should see this movie, I think it is really going to change lives!

Portfolio Time!

So after a lot of stress about the semester coming up I have finally figured out that I am going to be able to get admitted to the teacher ed program!! Yes it is going to take a lot of time and hard work but it will be worth it! I have been praying hard that God would open the doors and show me what I need to be doing and He did yesterday! I called the school, expecting to be disappointed at the fact that I would have to wait another semester to get admitted into the program, but was surprised! The head of the education department worked with me and told me everything that I need to do to get it all done. I have been nervous that I wouldnt be able to complete everything that I need to. My GPA has gone up due to my 3 A's and 1 B last semester! I worked so hard and it makes me so happy! I have a lot of work ahead of me but I know that God has me right here for a reason and I cant wait!
Please keep your prayers with me as I go through an interview process to get admitted!
Also pray that my schedule will work out for the best this semester, that I can take the classes I need, that the classes will be open, and that my job will also work out with my schedule!

Everlasting Cold...

I have not been writing any posts lately but I would like to get back with it so that is my plan! Starting now :)

I have had this overwhelming, frustrating cold for about a week. Let's just say I have tried many medicines and nothing works! I finally found a new one that I will try today, we will see if it works! I avoid the doctor at all costs! Reason #1- i hate the way the doctor's office smells, Reason #2- i hate people taking my temp, vitals and all that touchy stuff (lol), Reason #3- my copay is $50!! So i have decided to deal with this cold on my own, which could be the reason that i still have it! :) But seriously? $50, i could pay other bills with that, save it for later uses or get my hair cut!! So i would rather avoid the smell, the touchy stuff and the money!
I call this cold my "Everlasting Cold" because it is probably the longest cold that I have ever had. It is hauting me and wont go away! Kind of like those commercials that you hate that interupt your show and play over and over and over. It is kind of like that! lol I guess i will learn my lesson about going to the doctor though, maybe i will cave...maybe not.

House!!

So I have officially moved into a rent house with two of my amazing friends! I love it! Unpacking boxes, getting organized, and decorating has been somewhat difficult! :) Takes a lot of time I guess! Anyway, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, small yard, kitchen, living room, laundry room, garage...works for me! Playing loud music, singing and dancing with the new roomates. Favorite!

Now I can say, had a couple of my youth girls over to spend the night and that was interesting! They have more energy then anyone I have ever seen! Eating a lot of pizza, fudge bars, and popcorn. Yet, I must say out of everything, spending time just talking with them is my favorite!

These girls have a heart of gold! They tend to put on a face and pretend that I dont know what is going on, but I do. :) I love hearing them talk about the new Bible verses they have found and the ones they have memorized. I love watching the girls play sports, like basketball and softball. One thing that I admire most is their desire to reach out to their teams. Before every game they stop and read a Bible verse, then pray. It makes me tear up! I love it!

One of my favorite quotes I heard at super summer a few years ago was, "Dont Hesitate". We would write DH on our wrists so that we could see it all the time. This would be a reminder for ourselves and others to not hesitate in sharing Christ with anyone. That is one thing I love about the youth girls, they do not hestitate! So proud of them.

My house has been a blessing from God. He opened the door and we walked through. I am praying that we will be able to use our house as a blessing to others, especially the youth and college students that we meet. This house is a reminder that God does open doors, we just have to be patient and wait for the right one.

The pictures at the top are some pictures we took as roomates today in the wind! It was a blast!

I will post some pictures of the house later!

Blessed!!!

I have not updated my blog in FOREVER! So sorry about that! Busy life!! No time!
I am sure you all know how that feels!
Well it is officially moving day, after changing colleges enough for about 4 college students I have finally picked one and staying there to finish!
Along with finally deciding where I need to stay and go to school, I am moving into a rent house with 2 friends! These 2 friends challenge me to be a better person, support me in my Christian walk and in my workout schedule! :)
It is great to be able to have friends to lean on and trust!
Moving for me is not necessarily the easiest thing. I am so close to my family and used to spending a lot of time with them. Yet, at the same time it is not far away at all. Unless, 20 min. is? lol
God has blessed me with an amazing family that loves me and supports me.
God has also blessed me with an amazing boss that has provided me with a flexible job that is helping me work my way through school. What is there to complain about?
My grandma always said, "Rachel you have to have faith that God takes care of everything." She is absolutely right. No matter how hard that is sometimes.
I am also blessed to have the opportunity to go to Super Summer and Falls Creek with my youth again! I love that time with the students, the time of worship, and more importantly that time with Christ. Face to face.
I cant wait for what God holds in His hands for summer!
We should all take a moment to be thankful. To look at how we are blessed even when it is hard. Things can seem like they are crashing down on us, crumbling and the storm will never end. Yes, this may be true, but the cool thing about this- there is always a God to pick you up when you fall, to protect you from the storm, to pick up the peices, and to love for everything.
Again I saw, what is there to complain about?
By having faith in Christ, we can trust that God holds our lives, our future, and our hearts in His hands. Nothing can take that away!!