These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

My last semester of my undergrad career start on Monday. That is both extremely exciting and extremely nerve-racking. College has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding times of my life. This morning when I woke up, I felt sad - my joy was minimal. When my parents plan to come up here and help me move changed that made the sadness all the more evident. However, I am reminded that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. And, by the grace of God, the Spirit lives in me. As a result, I have the opportunity to be joyful always. As a little girl, my mom would say that when I complained, I had to say two things I was thankful for. As an adult, I have to remind myself to do just that. With that being said, I would like to say a few of of my favorite things.

1) the grace that God gives me on a daily basis; not because I earn it, but because He loves me that much.

2) my ever-loving family. I was able to spend last week in Oregon seeing my crazy family, and I was so filled with all of the love that they consistently give to me.

3) Noah. Probably the most cliche answer, but my relationship with Noah and all of the wonderful and challenging experiences that have grown us, must be in the top three of my favorite things. I would not be who I am today without having the opportunity to grow with this man.

4) music. peaceful, tranquil, simple, acoustic music.

5) quality time with friends. no explanation necessary.

6) the beach/ocean. big and daunting, yet somehow the most relaxing and calming place.

7) coffee and laughter. they go hand in hand.

8) photography. being able to capture any moment and treasure it forever.

9) food. new foods and classic dishes. I also enjoy cooking - mostly because it involves food.

10) reading. getting lost in a world that someone has written for you to enjoy.

Response

My wonderful friend Rylie (if you are reading this, I miss you terribly and would appreciate your mailing address) recently posed the question: "what are you thankful for this week?" Well, that sounds simple enough. Air, water, food, shelter, and all of the other beautifully simple and completely necessary things. However, this question has been asked at an interesting time.

Recently, my funding for school - my last 4 months of school - has been . . . dismal. Under the impression that my original source of funding had been removed, I threw myself fully into trusting God for the money to go back to school. Let me break it down:

- today is July 29, 2013 and as of today I have $500 of the $5,000 saved

- school starts on August 26, 2013 and money is due that day

- I have less than 30 days left, and approximately 1/10th of the money needed

So, when asked what am I thankful for this week, my focus must be removed from my monetary issues, and placed on those of salvation issues; not issues, but things that are a blessing to me rather than things I am worried about. Here goes.

- Although funding school seems to be looming over my head, I am oh so thankful that a college-level education is even an option for me.

- Although working two jobs is tiring . . . I am employed!

- Coffee brewed at home is much cheaper than coffee bought at a shop, and I have a coffee maker! 

- The women's retreat last weekend was marvelous, refreshing, and brought much needed promise!

- I am thankful that I have a loving family who wants what is best for me.

- I am thankful for restoration.

- I am thankful for freedom.

- I am thankful that I have not had to go more than 2 weeks without seeing my love this summer.

- I am thankful that for the first time in my life, I am not sleeping on a twin mattress.

- Young women's Bible study has been one of the biggest blessing this summer and I so admire those young women and their hearts; and teaching them once a week is humbling and uplifting.

- My church has surrounded me with love. 

- I am thankful that I am able to feel the freedom of not having a 5-year plan - I don't even have a 6-month plan!

- Although the tickets were more expensive than usual, I get to be in Oregon for one full week and spend all of those precious days with my family.

- I am thankful that I have the opportunity to live in God's new mercies every morning!

- I am thankful that the upper half of my body is tan - that means I have been outside.

- The library has air conditioning and hours of entertainment. It is a wonderful place.

At the women's retreat last weekend, we had the opportunity to be alone with the Lord. In that time, it was suggested that we just thank God. Not ask Him for anything or call out for anything, but say thank you and show our gratitude. By the end of the 40 minute prayer time, I was shouting thanks and I just kept thinking of more and more things that I am thankful for! I have never worshiped in that manner, nor have I ever put my needs/wants aside and simply said, "thank you Abba, Father, that you love me so much!" So, my question to you is this:

When was the last time that you simply said thank you?

Spoken Word

These words came out of nowhere, so it must have been the Holy Spirit. I just wanted to share. God bless!

When It Rains, It Pours

This morning, I went to the Y to remind the manager that I am available for swim lessons and that I would love to have a job. I left there feeling defeated after I found out that he wasn't available due to being "in training." Assuming the secretary meant swim instructor training, I left a mess. My goal was to get a job by the first of June. Uh, hello, it's June 17th today! So, I came home and began to examine the available jobs via my school's website. I found one and gave the kind woman a call. She asked me send a resume and told me that once I met her mother who I will be assisting, I can start when I am ready. Wow. Next, I received a phone call from the Starbucks manager telling me that I nailed the interview and that she would love to hire me if it weren't for my living situation in the fall. She kindly told me that she doesn't want me to have to commute to Monroe and go to school in Kirkland. That was encouraging! She also told me that I had to apply in Kirkland because I fit the Starbucks bill. So, after talking to my mum, who encouraged me to just call a store in Kirkland, I did. I called the first one on the list and asked to speak to the manager who just happened to be the person who answered the phone. She asked me to come in for an interview tomorrow afternoon at 3:30. What?! I started to freak out. I had to call Noah! So, as I am just about to tell Noah all that happened, I get a call from the Y asking me to come in for an interview tomorrow morning at 11:00. Okay . . . wow.

When I walked out of the Y this morning, all that was dancing around my head was: $5,000. That is how much I need in order to pay for school - my last semester! The song playing on the radio said: "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord;" a song I have heard hundreds of times. But this time it hit home. I am waiting on the Lord. I don't know what is going to happen the rest of the evening let alone 6 months from now when I graduate! But, that song reminded me that in the mean time, I need to ask God to increase my strength. Particularly after feeling extremely defeated about not having a job. I prayed, "Lord, increase my strength because I just don't want to try anymore."

Now here I am. Three job interviews this week - two tomorrow. But, its not like God is magical; I could have not heard from any of those places, and I would still need to say, "Lord, increase my strength." However, God does hear our cries and He doesn't always answer how we want Him to. Keep praying, don't give up faith. Not because God is going to pull three jobs out of a hat, but because God is going to meet you right where you are, pull you gently off of the ground, and tell you that His ways are perfect - always.

Hello,

Hello,

My name is Elisabeth and I will graduate from university in 6 months.

"Hi, Elisabeth. Welcome to the real world."

Freshman Year:

Sophomore Year:

Junior Year:

Senior Year:

TBA

Sacrifice of Praise

Recently, my plans have been altered. As previously posted, I am no longer enrolled in the Northwest University Buntain School of Nursing. However, I am still enrolled in Northwest. I am living in Monroe in a lovely couple's spare room. I am helping to lead youth, and I am starting up a young women's Bible study at Calvary Chapel Monroe. I haven't been home since March, my things are either in storage or in my half of a closet. I have cried more in the past day than I have in a long while. I told my mother the other day that I feel like my life is an etch-a-sketch. I had everything all drawn out like I thought it should be and God came and shook everything and made my plans disappear in order to remind me that He is the author and perfecter of my faith and He knows better than I do what exactly I am supposed to do in this life. All I know is that my offering of praise is minimal at best. My offering of trust and willingness is adequate, but praise . . . how can I praise Him when my world seems to be hanging by a thread? Well first of all, I can pray according to HIS WILL. I John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." Uh, hello! I want to be heard - but, it is only through HIS will (not mine) that He hears me. Second, how do I show my love for God in this time of frustration and confusion? "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And his commands are not burdensome" I John 5:3. Did you catch that? His commands are NOT BURDENSOME! Well, there is a good place to start. I should be following His commands rather than my own or the commands of this world. So far, commands of this world have proven to be fruitless and futile because, "...the whole world is under the command of the evil one" I John 5:19. But, the very next verse says this: "We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true - even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" I John 5:20. Well, there you go! UNDERSTANDING. That is a gift - not so that we can know everything there is to know. No! So that we may know HIM WHO IS TRUE - the ETERNAL LIFE and TRUE GOD. That is someone who I want to know!

So, having said all of that, I know that my praise is to be offered. I am serving the TRUE GOD who gives me understanding, hears my prayers, doesn't burden me, and offers me eternal life. I know that life is hard, people die, I sin, bad things happen to good people, and sometimes I burn the toast. But, hey, if there is someone who loves me enough to offer His Son as a ransom for my sins, than I ought to be down on my knees even if I feel like I will never be able to get up. 

"You turned my wailing into DANCING; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with JOY, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever." 

Psalm 30:11-12

Creativity, or Something Like It.

A creation that I am quite proud of. Here's to hoping it goes viral.