After the rain, the sun always shines

So last night was a hard night. I just wasn't okay. So much has been happening and I don't understand it at all.

But today was great. But it starts before today, yesterday I did my Job homework, and there were some questions on there that I wasn't quite sure about. I didn't know if Old Testament believers received rewards in heaven and stuff. And so Jamie, one of my friends and classmates decided to ask one our teachers, Butch (Gordon Bennett), about it, because she was wondering about stuff about Old Testament believers too. So we talked to him about it for a little bit before class, and it was so great and clarifying. We talked about how Old Testament believers would go to Sheol after they died and be in Abraham's bosom. Then after Jesus came and went back up into heaven He took them with Him (at least I think that's what he said). So the Old Testament believers are up in heaven enjoying their time with the LORD and they do have rewards. So after Jesus comes a second time to rule over the Kingdom, they get to come too and rule with Him. And they get to have all their rewards from their faithfulness during their life on earth. It was really cool to understand. And then also tying it in with us and where we play in, how we get to be there too and have our rewards too with Christ.

And then right after we talked, we had class with Butch, it was Minor Prophets and Ezekiel. So we talked about the whole timeline of "the Day of the Lord" because right now we're going through Joel. The timeline started with the split of the northern and southern kingdom, and went all the way the the Eternal State. It wasn't very detailed or anything, it was just an overview. And he was going through and talking about it all. And we were talking about Peter, when he talks in Acts 2 and quotes Joel. And he was thinking that the tribulation and Second Advent and the kingdom were all going to happen right then. Which seemed logical, because the prophets don't talk about the Church at all. But Butch was saying how most of the Jews didn't accepting Jesus as the Messiah, and how God was like "time-out, let's give the Gentiles a chance." It was just totally unexpected. So God gave the Gentiles a chance to accept His truth, and all I can think is how amazing God truly is. He didn't have to give us a chance, but He is so gracious and loving. I am so thankful that He chose to do this. He is so good.

New Tribes Bible Institute.... Semester 2

So, here I sit, at my desk, in my dorm room. Today was the last day of my 1st block. WOW! It seems like I've been here forever already! I love it! My first two classes that I started with were Theology and Prophets, and I really enjoyed both. Tomorrow I start Hermeneutics II, Life of Christ, and Minor Prophets.

So, this semester has been going really well so far. It's been a little tough with Joel being gone, but it's still been good. I have already been learning a lot from this whole situation, and can't wait to learn more. Sometimes I don't get to talk to him as long as I would like, and it was frustrating me... a lot. I wanted all his attention and time, and that was very selfish of me. He was spending time with his family and friends, and that is so cool. I was just mad because sometimes I would only get to talk to him for a couple of minutes because he had company or whatever. But we talked about it a little one night, and I thought about it a lot. I just came to the conclusion that I was going to be content. Why would I get upset, when I could just change my attitude and be fine with it? Yeah, it's not that fun being away and it's not that fun not being able to talk to him that much, but that's okay. The world isn't going to end, it's just going to be a little tough and a lot of not funness (yeah, i did just make up that word). But the thing is, I'm okay with that. I don't really know how to explain it, but I just feel at peace. I'm learning to love it when we get to talk for hours, but also just minutes as well. It's not that I don't miss him any more, or love him any less, but I'm putting my focus on something greater.
Again, I'm learning to put my focus on the Lord. I constantly need to look at my priorities, and rearrange them, if needed. It's tough, but definitely needed and it makes things much better. My full trust needs to be in Him.
Well, that's all I have for today, but hopefully I'll get better at writing more...

mexico...

So, we made it down to Saint George, Utah the very first day of our journey. Of course, Bart and I had to drive an extra 110 miles from McCall, instead of just leaving from Meridian. But ya know, you gotta do what you gotta do. So, we stayed at Grace Baptist Church in Saint George, Utah. And we have some very special friends who pastor that church. I've known them since I was really little. So, the next morning we left from the ever present heat of Utah, and after passing through many states, we arrived that night in Perris, California. The girls and my parents got to stay at my grandparents' house, and the guys stayed with a family from my grandparents' church. The next morning we got to attend my grandparents' church, Templo Bauptista. And there we met the rest of our team; we had a quick team meeting and then we were sent off from there. We had some really yummy tacos, stopped by my grandparents' house real quick, and then we hit the road again. It took a while to get to San Diego, but soon from San Diego we were right in Mexico, just like that. It's always amazing to me to see difference in the wealth of America and the poverty of Mexico... or a third world country.

So, once we got to the dorm we settled down a little, and then we had orientation. It's crazy because everything was so familiar, but since I haven't been there in over 5 years, everything seemed much smaller. Then we loaded the supplies, for the next day's work, into the trucks. After that was dinner at a taco stand. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday we built houses. But I threw up Monday night, from the cabeza tacos, so I didn't go with the team Tuesday. But both days that I went were a lot of fun. Thursday we helped out at Spectrum Ministry, we washed hair, washed feet, painted nails, and did hair. Friday we helped repair a roof, and then we left for home. Hit the beach for a couple of hours. Next, we stopped by In-N-Out for dinner, and then off to my grandparents' home. We slept there that night, then traveled all the next day home.

My favorite part of the trip was the sessions. Each morning we had messages from different people. Brad Buser spoke one day, and that was really good. He challenged me with obedience, and how it's not always going to be easy or fun, but that's why it's called obedience. And there were some other speakers too, but the last day Eddie spoke. That was really good too. It was just such an encouragement to me as a future missionary. And we sang this great song. The words are:

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cas aside
Where you want me I will be

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing You've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you

the first one!!!

So, I finally did it. I created a blog. Well, where do I even start???

Hmmm, so it's summer. This summer has been pretty busy so far. But it's the good kind of busy. The week I got back from college I graduated from high school. The next week I was on vacation in California. And then from there, up to Oregon. Most of our vacation was spent on the coast, which I am crazy about, as you can tell. And now I've been helping at church camp, and next week I'm off to Mexico.

I cannot wait until school starts again in August! I miss all my classes, my friends, my teachers, I miss everything. But for now I'm enjoying my time with my family and my church family.

I think my first semester away to college really made me think about my priorities. A big thing for me was that I thought that my family had too much family time. And now, after a semester away at college, I've realized that that isn't possible. I love my family, and the times we spend together. Yeah, I can get flustered by things that they do or say, but I love them still. They have been with me from the beginning, and they will be with me until the end.

My parents have played a huge role in my life. They are my #1 fans. The went to almost every one of my volleyball games. They were there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. They gave me advice when I was facing a tough situation. They support me in everything I do. Before attending NTBI, I was planning to start my own restaurant, and my mom was so excited for me. But once I decided that I wanted to become a missionary, my mom and my dad were ecstatic! I don't thank God enough for my parents.

My brother and my sister are great as well. My brother was one of the biggest reasons for me leaving high school early and going to NTBI. His advice is usually very wise. I love my brother, and he's so awesome. My sister is one of my bestest friends. We quarrel every so often, but what sisters don't? She is one of the funniest people I know. Oh, and all three of us love to quote The Office in regular conversation.

So, that's all for now. I'll be sure to update soon.