He's real

I've been away from my blog for so long that it's always hard to know where to begin. I guess 2 weeks isn't really that long but the fact that I've been so inconsistent in updating makes it even harder. But I will try.

Only a month left of school... The year's wrapping up quickly and this semester seems to be going by faster. Which also means I'm getting busier - its the time of the year, presentations, papers, more papers, exams, meetings, activities and the list goes on. Yet I'm still managing to find time in between to rest and I am utterly grateful. He doesn't want me to get lost in all of this but to continually draw strength from His presence and because of that, I am refreshed. I cannot speak enough of how wonderful it is to go about the day with the knowledge that He goes before me and holds me by the right hand. The reality of His promise is being realized as I grow closer and closer to Him.

It hasn't been an easy time for me, more so for the people I love. Benny, the Navs staff in our Christian Fellowship whom has become a really good friend and a spiritual mentor to me; we meet weekly to talk about what God has been doing and teaching us and pray together... I thoroughly enjoy our conversations and just learning from each other... Cindy, his wife is also close, I work under her in the International Students Office. They have been such an encouragement and blessing and I am so grateful for their presence in my life... Benny was admitted to the hospital last week and underwent a major surgery on Tuesday which went well. Praise God... He is still in a lot of pain and will undergo another surgery soon... Please keep him in prayer. His condition is rather serious and has a lot of health complications... It's hard to think of what he's going through and none of us know why but one thing we know, that God is faithful and He knows, He's in control. It's incredible just seeing how his family is praising in the midst of the storm, not understanding why but continuing to trust in His goodness... It is truly living the Word that "you meant it for evil but God meant it for good". God is able to change any, every situation. His power works best in our weakness. His light shines the brightest in the darkness, only if we allow Him to.

Micah 7:7-8 - Therefore, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

I can go on and on but this will suffice for now. Hope fills my heart. And it's because of Him.

As we enter the Holy Week, let us continue to reflect on His sacrifice and love for us.

A final thought: In my Philosophy class the other day (which I love), there was a debate on God and His goodness, as that was what we were covering that day. A non-believer said that she that God (if He existed) hasn't done anything for her and another concurred saying he hasn't seen God doing anything for him...

The only thing I thought of then was really? He DIED for you me, for us. And that's not just something, or anything, that's EVERYTHING. Oh, that our eyes would be open..

Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We ARE healed.

Peace and love.

Grateful

Spring Break was amazing to say the least... Being with everyone at the Place of Promise once again was an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. This time around, I had more conversations and got to know the residents better and learned more about Him. There were stories that broke me, they all know what it means to suffer and some of them had such a horrible childhood it moved me to tears to see where they are now... Seeing God work in their lives is absolutely incredible. They give me more reason to love Him and know how real He is and for that I am grateful. And as for Beth, seeing how God has been using her to touch these people's lives... Its just incredible! All glory to God!

Beth drove a van up to drop me back in school with all the ladies... It was a rather emotional farewell, especially on my part. I will not see some or perhaps most of them again, cause even when I return next time (not sure when), they might have completed the program... But He comforted me.

On another note, I am extremely pleased with the weather. There was SOOOO much snow when we left for Spring Break, probably 1 feet or higher. And it looked as if it was going to stay... But it's been so nice these few days, in the 40s-60 (5-20 C) during the day. I am honestly not sure how I'm going to take the heat when I go back home... Been too used to this weather. But as people said, I've not experienced a real winter... Well, thank God then.

One thing I really took from being at the Place of Promise is the importance of having a reading time. The residents have to read in the mornings for an hour or two everyday and I usually sat in with them though I didn't really have to... Having undisturbed, quiet time to read was something that I haven't really had since college begun... The only books I read, aside from what I read for devotion, are those that are required for classes and I have so much on my reading list to catch up on... Really trying to cultivate this habit now. Not easy but possible if I set my mind to it and get my priorities right.

51 days till I fly home, can't wait! :)

Back Again

Spring Break officially starts tomorrow but I left college today cause my class ended at 11. Beth (the director of the Place of Promise) came to pick me up at 1..

I'm here now, extremely excited to be here... Just a few hours in and I am loving it already.... It was so great to see everyone here again and I'm just anticipating what God wishes to do through me here... And also in the lives of these people. Lots of things happened (some rather drastic) since I left two months ago but its all good now... At least He knows whats really going on...

Just being here, watching God work in people's lives is a blessing. It's painful sometimes to listen to these people when they talk about their pain and helplessness.. At that moment you just wish you could help but there is really nothing you can do.. And I start to think, Lord, why? Why do these people have to have it so hard? But God is still God, He knows...

I heard a resident pray out loud during group today and I started tearing up. She was new when I came in the last time and she was not really interested in this whole God thing... But now she's stepped up to pray... What could be more beautiful?

The atmosphere is still rather unsettled sometimes, and only God's love can truly change this place. But I cannot deny the reality of His presence when I look at these people and see work in progress.... I look at myself and I see the same thing, we are all broken people who are in need for God whether we have had a history with drugs or alcohol or whatever it may be... We are all in need of His grace and mercy, we cannot go about on our own. I don't ever want to...

Grateful, just grateful. And I love Him more.