Hi Everybody,
Just thought I'd update again and say that I have my plane ticket!!! Praise the Lord, it didn't cost as much as I thought it would. Please continue to pray for continued support as I still need to raise money for living expenses. I am going to try to post a better post soon, just been a crazy week with homework!! :P
Love to you all
Jenn
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Update on Support
Hello Everyone,
Just thought I'd post an update on my support, as of 1:30 this afternoon. I have approx. 50% of what I need total for my trip. I do still need a little bit more money before I'm able to book a plane ticket, please keep praying that I can get this soon, as ticket prices go up the closer you get to your departure date! Thank you all for you prayers, I look forward to continuing to update you on my activities, and support!!
Love in Christ, from NIU
Jennifer
Just thought I'd post an update on my support, as of 1:30 this afternoon. I have approx. 50% of what I need total for my trip. I do still need a little bit more money before I'm able to book a plane ticket, please keep praying that I can get this soon, as ticket prices go up the closer you get to your departure date! Thank you all for you prayers, I look forward to continuing to update you on my activities, and support!!
Love in Christ, from NIU
Jennifer
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Is your cup half full, or half empty?
This last week has been an extraordinary blessing in so many ways!!! It all started out Sunday night, getting next to no sleep tends to make for a rough start, but as 1 Cor. 10:13 says, God will not give me any trial to hard for me to overcome with His help. Even a simple thing as feeling the physical exhaustion due to lack of sleep. The reason for the lack of sleep was due to an issue that I have been working through, that for a while I wasn't even aware of. I spent a lot of time Sunday night 'crying out' to God, and just letting the tears run. In the end, I did come to a decision that brought me peace, and I was able to go to sleep. In John 16, Christ is speaking about his second coming, and how during our time here on earth we will have sorrow and pain because it is a fallen world, but the Joy will come. (John 16:20)
Monday morning I found out that my sister-in-law, who was a week overdue with their first baby, was on her way to the hospital. It was incredible to see how God took my pain and exhaustion, and gave me something to rejoice over!! He was even born on Valentines Day, what could be a better day for a baby to be born, I don't think I will ever be able to look at my nephew (Carson) without remembering how much God loves us, and does care about even the littlest things that come up in out lives.
I just read a devotional this morning from the Proverbs 31 Ministry's website about how we need to leave room in our lives for a rich, sweet, 'cup filled to the brim' relationship with God. She gave the analogy of a cup of coffee. I don't know about you, but I DEFINITELY have to leave plenty of room for cream in my coffee. It can't just be ANY cream either, my favorite is Coffee Mate liquid creamer, anything with chocolate flavor!!! :-P But if I pour too much coffee, and don't leave room for the cream (and don't forget the sugar), I won't be able to enjoy my coffee as much because I won't have as much flavor. If we live our lives, so busy and consumed with our schedules, and don't leave room for God (devotions, going to church, etc.) we aren't going to receive the blessing of the rich, 'flavorful' life that God will give us if we want to glorify him with our life. After all, the sole purpose we are on this earth is to bring glory to Him in whom we first placed out trust. (Eph. 1:12)
If you would like to see that actual devotional from Proverbs 31, you can read it at http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/02/room-for-cream.html. Enjoy, and leave room for the 'Cream'!!
Lots of Love from NIU, Jennifer
I just read a devotional this morning from the Proverbs 31 Ministry's website about how we need to leave room in our lives for a rich, sweet, 'cup filled to the brim' relationship with God. She gave the analogy of a cup of coffee. I don't know about you, but I DEFINITELY have to leave plenty of room for cream in my coffee. It can't just be ANY cream either, my favorite is Coffee Mate liquid creamer, anything with chocolate flavor!!! :-P But if I pour too much coffee, and don't leave room for the cream (and don't forget the sugar), I won't be able to enjoy my coffee as much because I won't have as much flavor. If we live our lives, so busy and consumed with our schedules, and don't leave room for God (devotions, going to church, etc.) we aren't going to receive the blessing of the rich, 'flavorful' life that God will give us if we want to glorify him with our life. After all, the sole purpose we are on this earth is to bring glory to Him in whom we first placed out trust. (Eph. 1:12)
If you would like to see that actual devotional from Proverbs 31, you can read it at http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/02/room-for-cream.html. Enjoy, and leave room for the 'Cream'!!
Lots of Love from NIU, Jennifer
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Is my focus eternal (on God), or temporary (on myself)?
I just felt like I had to share what has happened to me today. We had society chapel today, I just have to say, it was AMAZING!!! God showed me so much about myself & my goals for the next few years and just helped me refocus. I didn't even realize that I needed what I heard today!! I'm in the Spurgeon society, and our 'focus topic' is on prayer, which in itself is awesome, but the guy that gave our chapel message decided last night to change his topic for today. He spoke on how God is enough for righteousness, joy, and provision.
What really stuck out to me was the passage he took us to for joy, Habakkuk 3:17-19. Verses 18 and 19 say 'I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places...' This verse reminded me of the book I read Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It was a VERY good book (I highly recommend it), but it illustrates how God will use Sorrow & Suffering to bring us up out of the Valley of Fear, and take us to the High Places of His kingdom. I was reminded today with the passage from Habakkuk that I need to make sure that God is my focus, and no matter what happens in my life, as long as I keep my focus on Him, He will keep me under the shadow of His wings and bring me through it. (Ps. 91:1; Is 40:31)
After chapel, I read a devotional from the Proverbs 31 Ministries (http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/02/sowing-times.html) website that also hit on the same topic, eternal vs. temporary. What are you focusing your life on? Making sure your schedule is perfectly balanced between getting everything done, and having your 'ME time', or making sure your family sees the 'Light' shining through you?
My prayer is that God will use my life to reflect His love to those around me, and that I will not get so focused on what I am 'doing', that I forget what lies beyond the here and now.
Love always from NIU, Jennifer
What really stuck out to me was the passage he took us to for joy, Habakkuk 3:17-19. Verses 18 and 19 say 'I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places...' This verse reminded me of the book I read Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It was a VERY good book (I highly recommend it), but it illustrates how God will use Sorrow & Suffering to bring us up out of the Valley of Fear, and take us to the High Places of His kingdom. I was reminded today with the passage from Habakkuk that I need to make sure that God is my focus, and no matter what happens in my life, as long as I keep my focus on Him, He will keep me under the shadow of His wings and bring me through it. (Ps. 91:1; Is 40:31)
After chapel, I read a devotional from the Proverbs 31 Ministries (http://devotions.proverbs31.org/2011/02/sowing-times.html) website that also hit on the same topic, eternal vs. temporary. What are you focusing your life on? Making sure your schedule is perfectly balanced between getting everything done, and having your 'ME time', or making sure your family sees the 'Light' shining through you?
My prayer is that God will use my life to reflect His love to those around me, and that I will not get so focused on what I am 'doing', that I forget what lies beyond the here and now.
Love always from NIU, Jennifer
Monday, February 7, 2011
His Love keeps me going...
Like the Energizer Bunny, I just keep going & going & going...because I know that my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally!!! It is really hard to comprehend how someone could love you so much that they would be willing to sacrifice their only Son for You...How can He love me when I repeatedly question His actions? I feel like I take two steps forward only to take one step back, I KNOW that He will provide for my needs, yet in my human stubborn-ness, I don't want to let go of my need & just let God handle it in his own time.
Just today I had this issue. I have this letter I've needed to obtain my religious activities visa. This letter was a letter from someone to guarantee that the visa applicant (me) will abide by the laws of the country (Japan) and will have the funds to pay for living and travel expenses. I've known that God would provide the letter when I NEED it, but maybe not any sooner. I had talked to a person about writing it, but it hadn't been written yet. We were waiting until I had money to purchase a plane ticket. I have been getting extremely discouraged, afraid that it wasn't going to be written in time. Today I talked to someone else about writing it, and that just proved to discourage me even MORE!!! I talked to my mom, and began wondering if this whole thing was even going to work. Should I just talk to Mansells, and tell them that I can't come for the summer? Giving up just seemed so much easier than figuring out how to get this letter! Why does this all have to be so difficult? God never said that living to glorify Him would be easy. If sacrifice was easy, would a life of sacrifice for the Lord be so satisfying? God gives us a peace that passes ALL understanding when we are living in conformity to His will, and are seeking to serve and praise Him!!
I found out, shortly after all these doubting thoughts were going through my mind, that the original person I had spoken to about writing this letter, was planning on writing it today!!! It was an encouragement and a rebuke to me. God provided the letter I need, and encouraged me that I am doing what He wants me to do by going to Japan. But I was also chastised for ever doubting in the first place!! Psalm 139:17-18 says 'How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.' God has more thoughts toward me than the sand on the seashore!!! How can I ever doubt His love and provision?
Just today I had this issue. I have this letter I've needed to obtain my religious activities visa. This letter was a letter from someone to guarantee that the visa applicant (me) will abide by the laws of the country (Japan) and will have the funds to pay for living and travel expenses. I've known that God would provide the letter when I NEED it, but maybe not any sooner. I had talked to a person about writing it, but it hadn't been written yet. We were waiting until I had money to purchase a plane ticket. I have been getting extremely discouraged, afraid that it wasn't going to be written in time. Today I talked to someone else about writing it, and that just proved to discourage me even MORE!!! I talked to my mom, and began wondering if this whole thing was even going to work. Should I just talk to Mansells, and tell them that I can't come for the summer? Giving up just seemed so much easier than figuring out how to get this letter! Why does this all have to be so difficult? God never said that living to glorify Him would be easy. If sacrifice was easy, would a life of sacrifice for the Lord be so satisfying? God gives us a peace that passes ALL understanding when we are living in conformity to His will, and are seeking to serve and praise Him!!
I found out, shortly after all these doubting thoughts were going through my mind, that the original person I had spoken to about writing this letter, was planning on writing it today!!! It was an encouragement and a rebuke to me. God provided the letter I need, and encouraged me that I am doing what He wants me to do by going to Japan. But I was also chastised for ever doubting in the first place!! Psalm 139:17-18 says 'How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.' God has more thoughts toward me than the sand on the seashore!!! How can I ever doubt His love and provision?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
New Week, New Major, New Desires!!!
It's the end of the 2nd week of school here at Northland, we just finished Heart Conference which was AMAZING, but I am looking forward to being back in my normal class schedule. I went to some incredible sessions during Heart Conference, and the speakers in the morning & evening services were amazing too! It seemed like the Lord was pointing out stuff in my morning devotions, then again in the sessions I went to, I just have to say it was awesome!!
The Lord has done amazing things in my life already, but I am super excited about what I know He will do over the next 11 months!! Over the last two weeks, the one thing that has been running through my mind is Psalm 37:4-5 'Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.' This is something that God has been showing me the meaning of more & more over the last four months, since I started thinking about studying abroad. Right now I am working on getting a 'religious activities' visa, the paperwork involved in this is driving me CRAZY!! :P But I know that God will take care of all the details, and I just need to trust that everything will happen when it needs to happen, (in His timing, not mine) not a minute sooner!!
I was incredibly blessed this week when my amazing mom did my taxes & filled out my FAFSA for me. I found out that I'm getting a large tax return, and am eligible for a full Pell grant next year!! With the financial aid I had this year, I was able to pay off this semester this week and will put some of my other money toward next years school bill. I know that God had a purpose for my sitting out of school for three years, and have thought about it all and may have an idea of partially why, but I'm not even going to pretend to know why God does what He does. It's one of those things. I'll have to ask Him when I get to Heaven I guess!!! But I am SO excited to be looking at my future from where I am now; office administration major, counseling minor, studying abroad, possible graduation date of May 2013!!! God is so good at working out the details, and when I'm in a situation like this it makes me wonder why I ever doubt him when I start struggling. When we are living day to day with the purpose of glorifying God, his desires become our desires. And if we just trust that He will continue to show us what He wants to do through us, rather than going off to do our own thing, He will bless us exceeding abundantly (Eph 3:20) above all that we could ever imagine!!!!
The Lord has done amazing things in my life already, but I am super excited about what I know He will do over the next 11 months!! Over the last two weeks, the one thing that has been running through my mind is Psalm 37:4-5 'Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He will give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and He shall bring it to pass.' This is something that God has been showing me the meaning of more & more over the last four months, since I started thinking about studying abroad. Right now I am working on getting a 'religious activities' visa, the paperwork involved in this is driving me CRAZY!! :P But I know that God will take care of all the details, and I just need to trust that everything will happen when it needs to happen, (in His timing, not mine) not a minute sooner!!
I was incredibly blessed this week when my amazing mom did my taxes & filled out my FAFSA for me. I found out that I'm getting a large tax return, and am eligible for a full Pell grant next year!! With the financial aid I had this year, I was able to pay off this semester this week and will put some of my other money toward next years school bill. I know that God had a purpose for my sitting out of school for three years, and have thought about it all and may have an idea of partially why, but I'm not even going to pretend to know why God does what He does. It's one of those things. I'll have to ask Him when I get to Heaven I guess!!! But I am SO excited to be looking at my future from where I am now; office administration major, counseling minor, studying abroad, possible graduation date of May 2013!!! God is so good at working out the details, and when I'm in a situation like this it makes me wonder why I ever doubt him when I start struggling. When we are living day to day with the purpose of glorifying God, his desires become our desires. And if we just trust that He will continue to show us what He wants to do through us, rather than going off to do our own thing, He will bless us exceeding abundantly (Eph 3:20) above all that we could ever imagine!!!!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
New Blog
Hello everyone from cold, frozen Northland here in Wisconsin. I just got this blog setup, and am very new to blogging, so bear with me as I learn how to do all of this. I just wanted everyone to know about my blog. I will try to keep it updated with new prayer requests, updates of my support before my departure, and current happenings while I'm in Japan.
Please pray for me as I am currently trying to raise support to pay for my plane ticket & to give money to Mansells for living expenses for my stay in Japan. I also am working on obtaining a religious activities visa, I need to have a letter guaranteeing that I will have money to pay expenses while in Japan, buy a return ticket when I need to leave, and will abide by the laws during my visit.
Thank you all for your prayers, Mata ne (Until Next Time)
Please pray for me as I am currently trying to raise support to pay for my plane ticket & to give money to Mansells for living expenses for my stay in Japan. I also am working on obtaining a religious activities visa, I need to have a letter guaranteeing that I will have money to pay expenses while in Japan, buy a return ticket when I need to leave, and will abide by the laws during my visit.
Thank you all for your prayers, Mata ne (Until Next Time)
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