Home for the Holidays

Well after about 9 hrs. of awaiting departure in an airport....I finally made it home! I've been in Holt since late Sunday night. It's been nice so far, I love the snow and seeing my family. I really hope I can see some of my friends before I head back to D.C. on Christmas day. After I'm back in DC I will be going on a road trip to TX to be in my friend Elizabeth's wedding. I'm excited to see her get married. Then right after that I will be in my other friend Jenn's wedding! Crazy time for me right now. I'll be going to 4 weddings in these next few months!

So far since I've been home I've done my holiday shopping, for the most part, and now onto cakes, flowers, invitations, hotels, and DJ stuff! Yikes... and I thought I was going to relax this week! Naw, I'm actually excited to get to do these things since when I'm in DC I can't do any of it. I've been thinking more and more of coming home in april to have the few weeks before the wedding to organize and finalize everything. We will see though :)

Okay enough about wedding plans...
Lately I've been hearing and reading that some people have been reading my poems/songs. That is awesome! I'm so excited, it was very flattering! Also the other night when I was riding home from the airport I did some thinking. An older lady from the flight I was on needed to get to Mason, MI wich is right down the street from where I live, but also at least 2 hours away from the airport. So I invited her to ride with us, and seeing how it was either that or stay in Detroit over night... she came with us. While we were in the car she was trying to make conversation and was really sweet but I could help my tiredness. I had been in the airport making small talk with LOTS of people (surprisingly) the WHOLE DAY!!!! (like literally 9 hours) At this point it was nearing 12am and I was zonked out. I could help but feel bad. What if I could have fought the tiredness and really talked with her... where would the conversation have gone? What would we have talked about? Maybe we would have talked about Jesus? Maybe she had never heard about him? It's kind of scary to think about how my selfish desires can sometimes take away from some perfect opportunities to share Christ with people. Well, anyway hopefully she didn't see past the smile to the tired grouchy girl on the inside.

Right now I'm also thinking about how much I miss James. He stayed at home, and I'm visiting Michigan alone this time. It's always fun to be home, but I really miss him. I hope and pray that he is having a great time at home with friends and family. I can't wait to join him on Christmas! Please pray that this time the plane actually takes off relitavely on TIME!!!! I really don't want to waste my whole Christmas!!!! Also thought I would let everyone know that James is officially done with school!!!! Yay! Here comes a BA in mass media communications!!! (Or whatever the specific title is--- the important thing is he is done! And he did it!!! YAY!) Okay that is for tonight I'm feeling very scattery...love to all! Night!

The engagement pictures are officially here... well they aren't edited yet but at least we have them! And I'm posting them!!! We went to Great Falls National park to get some really amazing photos in the beautiful scenery. Our friend Gregg took the pictures for us and did an awesome job!!!! Hope everyone is doing great, I'll post more on life later!

You Never Cease to Tell Me

"This world is passing me
faster than I know.
These moments I justify
through my little window.
I put on my rags
I pretend they are riches.
I let myself bend
when I know I need stitches.
With all my catastrophes,
weaknesses, and humilities
you never cease to tell me
you never cease to say
"Your beautiful my lovely,
your precious anyway."

Casualties of conformitys,
swallows what I fear to be.
Standing still I raise to thee
the candle I've been given.
As paralyzed as stuck can be
brightness shines past all of me
no bigger than before
but changed, renewed, restored.
My vision may not ever be
perfect when it comes to me.
With all my catastrophes,
weaknesses, and humilities
you never cease to tell me,
you never cease to say,
"Your beautiful my lovely
your precious anyway." "
by: Danielle Clugston
© Copyright, 2006

Exciting News!

Well this past weekend was.... PERFECT! I am going to be the future Mrs. Danielle Kanka!!! It all happened saturday night. James tricked me into thinking we were going out for dinner.... and instead I had a beautiful dinner outside under the stars. There were lanterns and candles everywhere! He had also arranged for all of my favorite music to be playing. James had made dinner for me and served me the whole time. After dinner he had made a video for me... and I cried a lot. Then he asked if I wanted to go look at the stars, and that is when he told me that he loves me and asked me to marry him!!! It was absolutely amazing and special :) It was very intimate and precious. I am in awe! Well, here are the pictures from this weekend... enjoy!

Today

"It's been one long day...today.
The things of this world
keep scratching away
on the tattered pieces
and worn out creases
of this person I put on.

I wish I was stronger,
for these battles of hunger
and comparisions
I fight against.

I find myself standing
like child demanding
more... unsatisfied.
My heart is thirsty,
this world has not served me
with anything that I need.

I need you
to be my hero agian
I need you
to mend all the pieces I'm in
I need you
to be my only love
I need you...
only you,
you're more than enough

You've gone out before me,
my nails adorning
your beautiful and holy body.
Yet still I hold fast
to the burdens of my past
unable, unwilling to see.
You've taken on everything
... all for me.

I need you...
to be my hero again
I need you
to mend all the pieces I'm in
I need you
to be my only love,
I need you...
only you,
I need you,
only you... Jesus "

By: Danielle Clugston
© Copyright, 2006

Staff

Well....it's been way too long since I've last written! Virginia has been okay. I've been working a lot and trying to raise support for my ministry in Campus Crusade for Christ. Right now I've been at our bi-annual staff conference in Colorado. It's been a great break from the normal everyday stuff in Virginia. Things have been so incredibly busy I can't even begin to explain what I've been doing with my time. One thing is for sure though, God is good :) Things have been really tough lately and I've been feeling extremely busy with all there is to get done with work. But, recently I was reminded of our importance to be still in the Lord and seek Him. He will show us the way but I know I need to start listening. I know it's so easy not to rejoice in the difficult times, stressful times, and uncomfortableness... but I say praise the Lord! For though these experiences I am being brought closer to Him and being renewed in my hope and faith. He is so faithful and compassionate and right now this is His plan for me. Though I don't always enjoy the current circumstances with raising support I know that He will fulfill His promises and bring His plans to completion. So right now I am very hopeful and feeling quite renewed in my vision. Well I've got to get back to the conference but I'll write again soon!

Virginia

Well... I've officially moved out of the house! It's strange to me... I'm actually almost an adult! haha! Really though, it's an odd feeling leaving home. My last day at home I found tears come to my mind as I thought about all the moments I would be missing from my family and friends. I will and do miss them terribly. But, I am also overjoyed to be near James, my ministry, and to see the ways in which the Lord is going to surprise me here. Unlike last time, this isn't just a visit to Virginia, I'm actually moved here! So weird! Well the drive was long but well worth it and the weather is beautiful today. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to pilgrim this new place and that I would cast my eyes upon the Lord and His promises. I am praying that I would continue to see His faithfulness in preparing the way before me :) I should get back to working on ministry stuff but I'll post soon and let you know how Virginia life is going!

giving

2 Corinthians 8:7 "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

Giving and Grace.... these are two of the most difficult words to fully grasp, in my opinion. It seems like it would be easier to understand these words and their depth since I am in fact doing ministry work. But I find that these two things grace and giving are a constant discovery of God, and who he is. The Lord is eagerly waiting to give to those who ask, and bestows unsurpassed grace upon all who call on Him. He continues to be faithful to us, taking care of us, and yet still we doubt. He's already paid our ransom on the cross and still... He gives us more! I know that sometimes I allow my circumstance to determine where my focus is. I realize that I need to guard against that by keeping the focus off of me and onto God. I also realize that in my selfishness I am not giving to anyone. In fact... I am restricting myself and others. This past week I've discovered that when I am having my "me" moments and when I get caught up in the circumstances around me, one of the best things I can do is...give.

It's been a really tough week this week. I worked a lot, and I have a lot left to do for support raising. But right now I am feeling encouraged and renewed. I am excited to see how these next couple of weeks are going to go and how the Lord is going to meet me exactly where I need Him most. Some amazing things have happened these past couple of weeks and the Lord keeps reminding me of how sovereign and great He really is. James is coming in a few days and I am so excited to see him and spend time with him. Plus this weekend is my friends Devon and Justin's wedding! Not to mention it is also James' birthday! So yeah a lot of fun things will be happening around here :) Okay once again it's time for bed... I'm going to try and get up early tomorrow... maybe :)

Quasi-Motto

Today I am feeling more like Quasi-Motto (I think that's how he spells his name) than myself. Yeah... I'm looking quite interesting! So I have a weird allergic reaction to some kind of face cream that makes the space underneath my eyes swell to the size of golf balls! (Don't worry too much I tend to exaggerate.) As the day progressed they just got worse and worse. When I look down I can see the puffed up under eye part. I do admit right now I feel like I look silly especially with all the oatmeal butter I put on them to stop them from getting any bigger. But at least it doesn't hurt :) Leave it to me to have strange and odd occurrences.

On a different note.... I've been reflecting a lot lately. God has been showing me so much in the midst of all my circumstances. I have spent way more time worrying about the things of this world and my selfish desire than truly trusting in His perfect provision, will, and timing. These past couple of weeks He has made it clear that He is providing for me. I know that I need to seek Him and have peace. He is working even when we don't see Him! I have definitely been encouraged this week to take heart in Him and the rest will worry about itself.

Also I've been thinking about James :) I miss him a lot and I am so excited to have him be here in a week and a half. We were talking tonight and I was thinking about how much I have learned from our relationship and how I have gained insight in certain areas. It's so weird to think that he and I met and started dating almost 2 years ago!!! Time is so short :) Well that's all for now, it's late and I need to rest in hopes of my eyes returning to their natural size within the next couple of days. (Last time it took 2 whole days!!) Goodnight everyone, I'll write again soon!

well...

Okay, it's been a long time since I've last written...but life has been so busy! At am back in Michigan and currently still raising support, completing New Testament Survey class, and working. I've been helping out at a crepe shop to earn a little extra cash. It has been a blessing the way it has all worked out. Right now though I am finding it hard to breathe with so much on my mind and so much that needs to be done. I'm not freaking out or anything but it's just going to be a busy month. I am excited to see the ways in which God is going to step in for me during this time. Since I visited Virginia the Lord has done a few really amazing things and opened some doors that will hopefully get things moving. He has enabled me to move to Virginia at the end of May beginning of June. This is so exciting! The only question is where am I going to live? Affordable living conditions are hard to come by there so I am definitely praying. So right now along with all the other stuff I am apartment shopping and hoping something works out. I am excited to get out there and out of the house, it's been great at home but also it sort of feels like I'm stuck at the same time. I know being in Virginia always presents it's own challenges, but at least it will be a new step. And I am definitely going to be happy to be near James again! :) I miss him so much living in Michigan! As for this past weekend... I went on a bachelorette weekend for one of my best friends, Devon. It was fun and exciting to be able to be a part of the weekend and celebrate with her and her friends. I had so much fun getting to know the other girls and just hanging out :) Chicago was fun and lovely, we couldn't have had better weather! I'll post pictures of the trip later. Well... that's all for now, there is a lot left to do tonight. I'll update soon :)

Here at GMU

Well I made it safely to Virginia! :) It was a really long drive and I was almost hit by a car but... I'm here now and the weather is definitely better here than at home. My trip started out with such a blessing! One of my best friends decided to send me a very large one-time contribution to help me get started on the right track. What a wonderful gift it was and I am so blessed that she would want to support me in that way! Since being here and visiting GMU I have been able to see Elizabeth and get all the fun details about her engagement and actually got to see the ring! It was very purdy there on her finger :) I was also able to connect with some of the women from GMU who I will and had worked with through Campus Crusade. One of the freshman women who I had a chance to get to know last semester had just decided to become a Christian and so I am completely excited and thrilled to see how the Lord has been working here since I had left. I was also able to get some work done while James has been in classes and studying. I saw my good friend Amy and loved being able to catch up with her also. I am excited to look at some apartments while I am here to see my possibilities for living this summer. I am too excited to to think that I could be moved back out here by this summer!!!! Praise God! :) Today I have to make a bunch of phone calls and do some class work for my New Testament class. Although James is here, he's been sick and mid-terms have been killing his time. I feel so bad for him and just hope he gets better soon. But it is so wonderful to see him! I miss him so very much :) And I am definitely looking forward to camping in the mountains with our friends, it should be a good time. I'll update you all some more later and maybe send some pictures. (I have to go take pictures of GMU a little later) But I pray all are well and joyful today :) Bye!

update on stuff

Today I have so much to do!!!! I just got the oil in my car changed and now I'm at a coffee shop checking my email and enjoying my quiet time. But... so much more is waiting for tonight :) I have to make a lot of phone calls, clean my mom's house, get things packed for my trip, and get some final things done for Devon's Bridal shower tomorrow :) I am excited for the shower it will be a lot of fun and great to see how many lives Devon and Justin have touched and been blessed by in their relationship with eachother. I wish I was as excited about the rest of the stuff I get to do tonight! Oh well, guess I'll have to find a way to make it all fun :) On sunday I am driving to Virginia to do some support appointments, look for housing in the area, etc. It will be wonderful to see James again!!! I miss him so much and want see him and spend some good time time with him. We and like 4 other couples are going to go camping over the next weekend in Shannadoah (I think that's how you spell it) Valley. I'm hoping the weather will be dry. I think it will be so much fun though. I love all the girls who are going! I also get to see my friend Elizabeth who is newly engaged and I haven't seen her since last summer since she lives in TX. She is coming to Virginia the same time I am :) I am so blessed to be able to make this trip but I am a little scared of driving so we will see how it all goes. It'll be about 11 hrs. of driving. I just pray there is no snow or rain! Well I've got to get back to working and getting things done but just wanted to update everyone on what is going on.... Bye!!! :)

slowly but surely...it's coming!

Yes, it's beginning to feel like spring is on its way. Maybe not weather wise, but definitely life wise. Everyone is going on spring breaks, brighter colored clothes are making their way to the store fronts, weddings are coming, and even better Easter is a whole lot closer. (What makes me always laugh is the fact that in Michigan we've actually had snow on Easter before!!!) It's not necessarily just the activities of people that make me feel like spring is near... but the earth is actually slowly getting there too. Have you noticed that its not dark by 6pm anymore? The sun is coming back, and so is our energy! I've noticed that I have a lot more energy at the end of the day also. It's so weird how it all happens :) It makes me smile though, because today I was thinking about the seasons. And how there is a time for everything. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 which says....
"For everything there is a season, and la time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. "
I love thinking about this. It is beautiful in itself to think about seasons. But then when you apply the changing of seasons to your own life... wow! Right now things are okay but I am definitely feeling antsy about wanting to be at full support level and on my assignment at GMU. But I know that God doesn't view growth like a chart with timelines. He views growth as a development of character. He has placed me right here, right now for a reason and I know it is for the enrichment of my soul. So I am thanking the Lord for the challenges and uncomfortable time this is for me. God isn't concerned with my comfort only my heart. I only pray that I would be sensitive to the Spirit who is guiding me to walk by faith towards the much awaited, glorious, and perfect.... spring. So I am praising the Lord for this in-between winter and spring time, for I am blessed to have this opportunity to grow :) Well once again it's late and I'm not sure how my thoughts are transmitting onto the blog...heh. Night to all!

Ezra

So... recently I just finished reading Ezra and while there are a lot of interesting points this one at the end really struck me. So Ezra led the second of three waves of returning exiles to Jerusalem. They were sent back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Well upon returning many of the Jewish people had intermarried and born children with people not of the Jewish faith and of the different lands. Okay, so you might not think this is a big deal...but the Jews who returned to Jerusalem were to separate themselves from the other peoples. The point of keeping themselves separate is to keep them pure and not let the ways of other peoples and their beliefs cause the Jews to stumble into sin. Well needless to say that is exactly what was happening to the Jewish people and thing that was most surprising was that the leaders of Jerusalem were leading the pack of intermarriage!!! I thought it was neat how all of Jerusalem came together and admitted their sins before God and sought to make things right. The people realized that this sin that they had committed was so huge that it would take a while to make things right, but they were committed to it and they eventually made things right. I thought that was very interesting and neat! So many times we hide our sins and hope they go away. Or even confess our sins to God and hide our true selves from the body of Christ. But here is a people who came clean with eachother admitting their sins publicly and in front of God. (They even recorded everyone's in particular and their confession of intermarriage in the Bible!) The other really awesome thing is that these people realized that their sin was so huge that it wouldn't fix itself over night. I make that mistake a lot! I think that with a wave of the magic wand that everything will be better and I won't have to deal with the results of my sin. But that is so wrong. What the Lord's people knew was that it took honesty, humbleness, and commitment to follow in His ways and truly get rid of the sin that they had committed. So that is my prayer, that I would be honest, humble, and committed to God in order that He might be at work through me and so that I can continue to discover the blessings that He bestows on those whose complete trust is in Him. I pray that I would have a sacrificial kind of love, less of me and my stupid ways of sin and more of Him and His amazing love! Well that's kind of what I was thinking about today.
Right now I am in a coffee shop with my friend Maggie and tonight we are going to a fun movie! I am currently still working on support and sent out a TON of letters. Next week I have a lot of phone calls to make but I am trusting that the Lord is walking before me in those conversations. I like being home but at the same time I am so ready to get started in ministry work!!!! So I am very excited to be going to Virginia at the end of the month to check things out and do some support raising there. I think it will help spur on the excitement of it all! I guess its now time to do some real work! Uuugghhh! God bless everyone!

PICTURES!!!

Okay so I got a little carried away with all the pictures and updating my profile! Ooops! It only took me like 3 hours but that's okay I feel like I have a real blog now :) So if you all get a chance please check out all the pictures that I posted :) There is a lot of em! Hope you all feel a little better by getting a glimpse into my life and some of the people in it. Well it's 2 am and time for bed good night everyone!!!!

This is a picture from the Christmas party this year at George Mason University! We are wearing old lady rain bonettes, Kathie won them at our gift exchange! 

This is me and Madison... she is my cousin and she is one of the fastest growing kids I know in this picture she is 6 I think! I love her very much! :) Plus she gives really good hugs! 

Awe... it's JAMES!!! This is my favorite picture of him because it shows his side smile :) 

Okay this one is my family... my dad's side. Here it goes from left to right, front row: me, Mac, Mason, Madison, YongChung. Back row: Don, Dad, Carol, Heather, Barney, and Shawn. P.s. Dyllon is in Heather's stomach... you'll have to trust me on this... he's cute! 

Sara and me...she is the coolest girl I know! Not to mention she has an amazing talent for music! 

Yay!!! This was my small group at New Staff Training :) They truly are the best!!!  

Awe! My roomies from New Staff Training with Campus Crusade for Christ :) What a great time!!! I miss those girls! 

This was taken during my second trip to visit James... we're at the air and space museum :) Purdy up in the tower isn't it? 

ta da! ... it's us again! 

It's just too good to be true...can't take my eyes off of you. ...(I always liked that song!) 

James and me, around this time last year :) 

this is the true story...mmmm...foood 

... I like to think I'm scrappy! 

old bible study girls :) 

blah

This weekend seemed incredibly long! Actually this whole week has been kind of blah. It started with driving James to the airport :( And that is always difficult for me. It hurts to always have to say goodbye and that I can't be there to share in his experiences. Though I defininately see the blessings of a long distance relationship, and see how the Lord has blessed my relationship with James. I do pray that distance won't always be a permenant barrier to the growth of our relationship. Well this weekend while James was away on a ministry trip, I found out my mom's best friend and my very close but not related aunt was sent to the hospital. We found out that she had cancer of the brain and that it is fast moving. There is only a 4% chance that she will live past 1 year. This news and unfortunate turn has really hit my family hard. Cheryl wasn't a lady who was very old and nobody was prepared for this. I have been here trying to hold up the family and some of the other friends. It really shows me how short life can be and how we will never really know what God has in store or planned for our lives. We are keeping my aunt in our prayers and hoping for the best. It's been hard for my mom especially, but she is tough and has to have a handle on this for my aunt's family's sake. As for me I think I just don't really know how to deal with the whole situation. Death is not something I know or have experience with. In some ways I have always been fearful of it due to the fact that I have no idea how I will react to it. I think I am sometimes scared that I will react to death in much the same way I did my parent's divorce. Meaning that I would numb myself to it's passing and painful existance. Though I have learned so much about breaking through the numbness I am praying that the Lord would help me not to slip into it again. It is an aweful place, where feelings are merely simulated facial expressions the environment trains you to have. I know this is extreme but a long time ago that was me. I know that I won't slip back there again because know I have the Lord in my life and there is no possible way for me to numb myself to the Spirit that's inside of me. But I am making it a point to prayerfully consider my past tendencies so that I might be even more prepared and ready to seek the Lord for my comfort and my sheild against the unwanted and coming feelings. So yeah.. this week and weekend were blah and scary and sad. But the Good Lord will definately have his hand upon my Aunt and her family and that gives me so much comfort. Please if you read this pray for her and thank God for those you have the privelidge to share you life with :) Well it's late and time for bed. Tomorrow is a new day and with that comes lots of work. Goodnight everyone :)
Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom"

Support Raising and Stuff

Sometimes I feel so paralyzed by my own boundaries. I have so much support to raise in order to report to George Mason University and begin the campus ministry. I know it is not by my own efforts that financially I will be provided for but by the mere sovereign will of God. Still I can not help but drag my feet. Faith is not just believing but it is belief + stepping out on that belief in action. I know one of my biggest barriers towards this funds development process is my own willingness to just go out and do it. I know right now this is what I need to do. Like the Nike campaign "just do it". That is what I'm planning to do. I know God will take care of the rest as long as I just take the jump to do it. I am also very grateful to have some great encouragement this week. I am blessed that the Lord is allowing me to be comforted in this way. It's weird for me to think that I am actually going to be 23 in June. I know I never saw myself doing ministry when I grew up. Now it is the only thing I can see myself doing. Well I have made it a point to plunge on in this and so I have to go to bed so I can get up early tomorrow and get some stuff accomplished in the support raising process. Good night everyone!

Jumping Jehoshaphat!

It's Tuesday today but it feels more like Monday. It is supposed to snow 5-10 inches tonight :( Today I got some good rest and time in the word. Recently I've been reading through the Bible and right now I am in 2 Chronicles. During the time of this book there is separation between Israel and Judah and most of the time they are at war with each other. You learn a lot about the different kings and rulers after king David. Today I was reading 2 Chronicles 17-20. I learned a lot about king Jehoshaphat of Judah and I found myself in similar situations to his in my relationship with the Lord. He is a man whose "heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord..." (17:6) but at the same time was hesitant in trusting the Lord because in Chapter 18 he is to make up his mind about going to war (with his enemy Israel) to go up against another nation of peoples. Jehoshaphat seeks the Lord's guidance and all but one prophet tell him that the Lord will back him up. Jehoshaphat feels uneasy about the fact that one prophet was not there to give his insight onto what the Lord would want so they go see what this prophet has to say. (You'll have to read the story yourself for a better detailed version! It's a great story!) Well this prophet tells him that the Lord has allowed these prophets to be swayed in their insight and tells him that the Lord does not want him to do this battle. Well Jehoshaphat let the majority sway his opinion even though he felt convicted about finding the last prophet's guidance. You'll have to read it to find out the whole story. But I will say that I feel like Jehoshaphat many times when I seek out the Lord for guidance and council and the Lord definitely gives it. But if it's not the answer I am seeking or if the truth seems too insensible.... I hesitate or even worse ignore the Lord's guiding. The Lord blesses those who trust in Him and His ways. They are definitely not understood by this world. For me this reminds me of how the Lord's interest is not in our comfort or our own accomplishments but His interest is in our hearts. The more I follow and pursue the right path the more that path looks different from the world around me. And that is a good thing! I want to be able to say that my ways and my path reflect that of my Father and not that of the world. Okay it is very late for me and I have to get up early but please if anyone has time read these chapters. The next 2 are extremely neat and show what happens when we do put our trust in the Lord's wonderfully perfect and sometimes incomprehensible ways! :) Good night and God bless everyone.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day to everyone! I had a wonderful weekend :) James came to visit for the weekend and it was great to have him near me again. I really hate still being in a distance relationship but I know that is the Lord's will for now. It's weird for me to think that James and I have been dating now for 1 year and 7 months!!! God has been so good to us through it all. He has taught me so very much and I continue to be amazed at the extent of what I am learning in a relationship with and through James. The more I grow in my relationship with James the more refining I do and see a need for. The Lord uses James to help me see my weaknesses in light of God. I don't mean this in a horrible way. I mean that whether indirect or directly James challenges me daily to be more like the person God calls us to be. This also reminds me of how my desire is to be more like Christ and see areas that I might be holding onto selfishly be transformed by the Holy Spirit at work in and through me. That is truly encouraging to think about how someday the man I marry will be the one God will use most in my life to show me my weaknesses so that in Christ they may be fulfilled. And that this man would be the one that God has chosen for me to experience this unlimited growth with. Speaking of marriage, my dear friend Elizabeth has been recently engaged! How fun and amazing this time will be for her! It seems to me like a ton of my friends are becoming engaged or soon to be married. It is definitely a sign that yes... We are adults now and yeah I am getting older! Ha! (Well not too much older!) Well, on that note it's time for bed. This is going to be a very busy week!
p.s. James thanks for the amazing weekend you are wonderful... I miss you already!!

short and sweet

Well I made it home safe and sound :) Things have been very strange since I've been here though. It seems like everything that I am trying to get done I have to re-do. At least I know I'm doing a good job the second time around! (heh.) I know I shouldn't complain but it's really starting to hurt my hands and I feel like I'm getting a computer haunch from my efforts.... Okay positive thoughts... on a good side I got to see my grandparents today and they are so loving! And my boyfriend James is coming to visit for the weekend!!!! YAY!!! I am in need of some time with James :) He has been a good prayer buddy for me, and God knows I need it. I know I should write more but I am sooo sleepy and I am needing to spend some time in the Word so I'll end this with good night and hope I have something more interesting to share next time :) Night!

Are you ready?

I find myself here at New Staff Training preparing to return to Michigan to begin the major task of support development. I realize that this time of developing financial supporters is going to be challenging and growing all at the same time. I am praying that I would rely completely on the Lord's sovereign power to enable me to report to my campus assignment at George Mason University. I know I am going to need some extra comfort from my friends too as I begin this huge task of fund development :) The people here at New Staff Training are encouraging though, and it is great to see so many people with the same passion for missions in one place. Although the people are great, I am very excited to go home, begin developing funds, and see the people I miss from home! I am especially looking forward to seeing my boyfriend James! (He will be visiting from VA in February!) I miss him so much and miss the proximity of living in the same state! While triaining has been well-needed to begin working in the ministry field, I am very happy to leave and sleep in my own bed :) I will also once again have my own room and space which is always a positive! We are all leaving Florida on Friday, so I'll be home soon! Until then... peace!