Lestat's Coffee House.
A 24 hour coffee place decked out with vintage furniture and strange pieces of art. This being my fourth time to be here in the last few weeks, I decided to take the time to post. Yes, I'm still poor, but this cheesecake, coffee, and atmosphere is worth it. Not to mention the 5 other girls who joined me tonight.
Today was the last day for me to evangelize on the campus of University of California at San Diego. I have enjoyed the conversations I've had there. The campus is dark spiritually, but most students are eager to talk about deep issues and spirituality. I have had conversations with some pretty darn smart people such as a neuroscience research graduate student. I love it. I love showing the simple truth of the Gospel to science intellectuals who think they know it all. I love sharing God's truth on a campus that elevates human knowledge above all (its library is modeled after the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, for goodness sake!). I'll miss UCSD for sure.
Many of the things that have been happening this summer can't be recorded in a public blog, or even words. God is opening my eyes to struggles that I never thought I owned. It has been a grueling summer, but I know that my perfect Father is disciplining me. This is love. "Have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?... Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:5-7,12-13) These verses have become the theme for my summer here.
God has blessed me in incredible ways. I have a coffee and cheesecake filled stomach, a new accountability partner sitting next to me, new music (The Lumineers), and a deep comfort and contentment that comes with loving discipline.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
All I Need Is Bread And Water
It's been a while! I blame it on the fact that I've had to live like a pauper the past couple weeks. I've been bumming coffee off one of my friends here on project, so I do not find myself around access to the internet very often. But I have good news: I got a job! It is a huge answer to prayer. I start tomorrow full time. It is a souvenir and surf shop close to where I am living. So convenient.
I do not have much to say for today, but I do want to encourage you to look at something that really encouraged me yesterday. I don't want to explain everything I got out of this because, well, it is a lot. Simply compare John 6-7 and Exodus 16-17. I hope it moves you like it has been moving me. Comment with any thoughts!
If you have been praying, continue to pray for support to come in for my fellow team members and myself. I'm not there yet! Also pray that my mind will be engaged for the last month here. It has been a difficult few days and I'm ready to get out of my selfishness!
I do not have much to say for today, but I do want to encourage you to look at something that really encouraged me yesterday. I don't want to explain everything I got out of this because, well, it is a lot. Simply compare John 6-7 and Exodus 16-17. I hope it moves you like it has been moving me. Comment with any thoughts!
If you have been praying, continue to pray for support to come in for my fellow team members and myself. I'm not there yet! Also pray that my mind will be engaged for the last month here. It has been a difficult few days and I'm ready to get out of my selfishness!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Only a Lifetime
Monday nights are the women's Night Of Reflection (lovingly called NOR). We are given resources to help us have a good two hours of reflecting on Scripture and things going on here. Both NOR's have been equally fruitful and mind-changing. I have been very distracted by multiple problems in my life currently, and I couldn't figure out why. After listening to John Piper's sermon "Called to Suffer and Rejoice: For an Eternal Weight of Glory" I realized how much I have been focusing on my momentary afflictions. The longest these problem can last is only a lifetime. How great is that?! I would greatly encourage you to listen to this sermon. After I was finished listening to it and writing about it, I felt weak because of the relief and healing I found. I haven't felt this free in a while! So... listen to this sermon! It might just change your life.
Today is a short post because I need to get ready to look for a job. Please pray that I would find a job if you think about it. Also pray that I would trust God in the search. Job hunting is definitely tiring and discouraging after two weeks. Thank you!
Today is a short post because I need to get ready to look for a job. Please pray that I would find a job if you think about it. Also pray that I would trust God in the search. Job hunting is definitely tiring and discouraging after two weeks. Thank you!
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Possibly Addicted to Coffee and Longboards
It's been 9 days! I feel like I've been here for much longer. Doing laundry and learning street names certainly makes a place feel more like home.
Ministry has been great and challenging. I was put on the Training Team, which means I will eventually be in charge of the small group I am currently a part of. It is a humbling position for me because I have recently stepped out of my comfort zone by trying to learn how to be a leader. I do not feel qualified, but is anyone really qualified? Being in this position will also help me to be deeper in the Word. I'm eager to see God change me and challenge me.
Side note: I REALLY WANT MORE COFFEE. I drank that cup way too quickly...
Tuesday night, we all went to Mt. Soledad to have a time of prayer and singing. I was one of the drivers shuttling people to and from the mountain. Not many people can get lost 3 times in a row, but I did. Every time I drove back to the condos, I got somewhat lost. It's a talent of mine. Mt. Soledad overlooks all of San Diego and the ocean. On the top, there is a towering white cross surrounded by marble stones with inscriptions and pictures honoring veterans of past wars. I read many of the inscriptions reflecting on each brave individual who fought in places I could never go. I love these types of monuments because they put a lot of things in perspective. We spent the next hour or so praying for different things and just praising our Father. We were able to see the sunset, which was beautiful (as always, actually). Over all, it was a much needed time of reflection. It could have been twenty or thirty degrees warmer, but whatever. It builds character, right? Right.
If only coffee refills weren't a dollar...
It's amazing how much it takes to finally discover a sin issue that has been hiding for months- maybe years. I do not want to expound on it here, but a few nights ago, God led me gently to my knees as I discovered a sin issue that was expertly hidden from my view. I told a few of my close friends here and "abroad" (Arkansas- I consider that abroad), and they rejoiced with me. I have not felt peace like this in a while!
I still have not found a job, which is something you could be praying for me. I'm not really worried about it, but it's discouraging and tiring to spend everyday turning in applications and hoping for an interview. I haven't gotten an interview yet, but I'm hopeful about a couple places.
I believe this is all for today! The theme for me this week is that God is gracious and always ready to receive me back when I humbly come to him.
Ministry has been great and challenging. I was put on the Training Team, which means I will eventually be in charge of the small group I am currently a part of. It is a humbling position for me because I have recently stepped out of my comfort zone by trying to learn how to be a leader. I do not feel qualified, but is anyone really qualified? Being in this position will also help me to be deeper in the Word. I'm eager to see God change me and challenge me.
Side note: I REALLY WANT MORE COFFEE. I drank that cup way too quickly...
Tuesday night, we all went to Mt. Soledad to have a time of prayer and singing. I was one of the drivers shuttling people to and from the mountain. Not many people can get lost 3 times in a row, but I did. Every time I drove back to the condos, I got somewhat lost. It's a talent of mine. Mt. Soledad overlooks all of San Diego and the ocean. On the top, there is a towering white cross surrounded by marble stones with inscriptions and pictures honoring veterans of past wars. I read many of the inscriptions reflecting on each brave individual who fought in places I could never go. I love these types of monuments because they put a lot of things in perspective. We spent the next hour or so praying for different things and just praising our Father. We were able to see the sunset, which was beautiful (as always, actually). Over all, it was a much needed time of reflection. It could have been twenty or thirty degrees warmer, but whatever. It builds character, right? Right.
If only coffee refills weren't a dollar...
It's amazing how much it takes to finally discover a sin issue that has been hiding for months- maybe years. I do not want to expound on it here, but a few nights ago, God led me gently to my knees as I discovered a sin issue that was expertly hidden from my view. I told a few of my close friends here and "abroad" (Arkansas- I consider that abroad), and they rejoiced with me. I have not felt peace like this in a while!
I still have not found a job, which is something you could be praying for me. I'm not really worried about it, but it's discouraging and tiring to spend everyday turning in applications and hoping for an interview. I haven't gotten an interview yet, but I'm hopeful about a couple places.
I believe this is all for today! The theme for me this week is that God is gracious and always ready to receive me back when I humbly come to him.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Sand In My Sheets
I have been going nonstop since Tuesday, which is when we finally arrived. The drive was quite eventful but equally enjoyable. Being so close to the boarder of Mexico reminded me of when I spent a week in Jerez (near Mexico City) on a mission trip with my church. I didn't realize how much of my heart I left there! No, we did not venture over there, but we sure did think of it.
Since landing on San Diego soil, I have gotten a sunburn, surfed (I like to call it half-surfing considering I never actually stood up. Hey, I didn't have lessons, so I feel accomplished), long-boarded (in LOVE), random coffee shop searched, job searched, witnessed a hit and run accident (immediately after discovering I had a parking ticket from the night before), and evangelized on the beach. I realize that the last activity is the only one that matches up with why I'm here. I only had one conversation on the beach, but it was incredibly enjoyable to just talk about our "spiritual journeys". I was with someone walking along the beach looking for someone to talk to when I saw this guy and girl sitting and not doing anything. I do not remember thinking that I should talk to them, which is why I believe the Holy Spirit started speaking through me. I just introduced myself without even thinking about it. They did not accept Christ or anything, but I think I got them to think about Who is in charge of the universe and our moral standards. They are both about to go to college, so they will be experiencing many different belief systems. I hope God opens their eyes to the truth!
Currently, I am sitting at a coffee shop drinking coffee and eating some acai berry smoothie soup granola stuff with my roadtrip/coffee/long-board friend, Brenna. Today we will be job searching some more. Tonight is Friday Night Live which will include music and a Gospel presentation. Hopefully lots of people from the beach will be here. I think this is all for today! Enjoy the long, rambling posts while you can because this will be a busy (but wonderful) summer.
Emily
Since landing on San Diego soil, I have gotten a sunburn, surfed (I like to call it half-surfing considering I never actually stood up. Hey, I didn't have lessons, so I feel accomplished), long-boarded (in LOVE), random coffee shop searched, job searched, witnessed a hit and run accident (immediately after discovering I had a parking ticket from the night before), and evangelized on the beach. I realize that the last activity is the only one that matches up with why I'm here. I only had one conversation on the beach, but it was incredibly enjoyable to just talk about our "spiritual journeys". I was with someone walking along the beach looking for someone to talk to when I saw this guy and girl sitting and not doing anything. I do not remember thinking that I should talk to them, which is why I believe the Holy Spirit started speaking through me. I just introduced myself without even thinking about it. They did not accept Christ or anything, but I think I got them to think about Who is in charge of the universe and our moral standards. They are both about to go to college, so they will be experiencing many different belief systems. I hope God opens their eyes to the truth!
Currently, I am sitting at a coffee shop drinking coffee and eating some acai berry smoothie soup granola stuff with my roadtrip/coffee/long-board friend, Brenna. Today we will be job searching some more. Tonight is Friday Night Live which will include music and a Gospel presentation. Hopefully lots of people from the beach will be here. I think this is all for today! Enjoy the long, rambling posts while you can because this will be a busy (but wonderful) summer.
Emily
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Road Trip Eve
Wow, I'm finally leaving TOMORROW. Since finishing school, I have had a very relaxing few weeks preparing for the trip. I'll be driving to San Diego with 5 other students- 28 hours! Our first stop is Albuquerque, so it will be a long 14 hour day. I'm ready to see how God will use this fragile jar of clay to introduce lost souls to Himself.
Emily
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)