First, I joined the Harvest Christian Academy volleyball team! Wow, has that ever been a blast. I love playing volleyball and after playing this season and learning so much, I can't imagine what I played like before. (I'm sure some are still wondering what I play like now!) I can't wait to play with some old buddies this summer. At the school, they have been building a brand new complex. It is HUGE! It has seating for like over 1000 people and the floor is the nicest on island. It is amazing. A super big plus is that it is air conditioned too. All of the gyms that we played at this season don't have AC. Here is the link to some pix.
Second, a few weeks ago we found out that Mom had cancer again. That was a BIG shock! But, as soon as I heard, I knew everything was going to be ok. For whatever reason the Lord has us going through this, is for His glory and our benefit because we get the chance that many others don't to see Him work in different ways. So many plans have changed already, but I don't really care. Most of you who read this should know that I really don't care that much about plans changing. I think it is actually kind of fun, sometimes.
It just shows us that whatever we plan out for the days ahead, is not always what God plans out for us. That is a big lesson that I have been learning lately. The things in this world that we think we know or care about or look forward to doing really doesn't matter. What matters most is being in tune with God's spirit and being able to discern His will for each of our lives. He knows the desires of our hearts and if it is in His will, He will honor that. Unless we are confident that we can distinguish His still small voice we have a lot of learning to do. Yes, we can tell when the Lord is speaking to us about some things, but when we get so wrapped up and sidetracked in the midst of whatever may be going on, that is when it is important to know that we can hear Him, so we will be able to rest in His promises when times get harder. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 is a verse that a friend showed me that really boosted my confidence that we can all get through this time!
You know, so many people today are so bogged down with stress and worries! It makes me tired just thinking about it! We are human, and sometimes stray from the promises of God's word. That is why we need to only have friends that encourage us in the direction of the Bible in times of need. 1 Peter 5:6-7 is something that they need to read! I think in one of my earlier postings, I wrote something about trusting God. Why don't we? I mean, we say that we are Christians and believe in Jesus Christ, but when it comes time to telling others about Salvation or a trial in our lives we tend to start doubting that He will take care of us? What else does God have to prove to us before we will believe with our whole hearts?! Jesus conquered death, gave us a way to get to Heaven to spend eternity with Him and His Father! Is that not enough for you?
We are going to be moving back to the States for the summer. That is news to some of you. But, along with that comes many unknowns. As a guy, I really like to know what is going on and a plan about something! Even if it changes, I need to have something to go off of. Well, the Lord has been showing me that I don't need to have a plan. All I have to do is fully rely on Him. That is all we have to do and if we do that, we get to a point where we feel so helpless, but that is actually the only time where He can shine through us the most! 2 Corinthians 12:10
There are still many unknowns going into this summer. But, already God has answered many of my prayers as far as plans and working out things with school out here. It is amazing what can happen if we let Him take control! I had a job lined up here this summer to be able to save some money for school. Well, I had to put in my two weeks before I even started! (that's a joke!) Anyways, I started thinking about what kind of job I could get in the States for only a short time that would be able to let me save and spend for necessities. I still haven't come to any conclusion on that yet. But I know God will make a way. He has already!
You know how when you take the SAT you enter all of your personal information and preferred schools and stuff? Well, after a while you start getting things in the mail. Most of it is just junk mail. At least that is how it works with me.:) Well, long story short ( this is turning into a book so I thought I had to cut something short..!) back in like February we found out about a scholarship through Continental. Only we found out like 1 day before it was due! I didn't want to fill out all of the info and stuff, but mom insisted. I wrote two essays and with her help filled out all of the good stuff that goes into those things! Well, here it is already May. I haven't heard any response that they even received my application. Until the two days ago. I got a letter from Scholarship Management Services. That was all the letter said on the outside. I thought it was just another membership thingy. I was going to pitch it but for fun I decided to bring it upstairs. I opened it and saw that it was from Continental. It said I was the recipient of a scholarship for this next school year! I couldn't believe it! It is so amazing what God can do for us if we let him.
That is just one way that He has answered my prayers. It was so unexpected and yet perfectly timed, I didn't know what to think! We can not do anything, no matter how hard we try, to plan and make things work out. God is the only one who knows our needs and can help in the best way that He knows we need.........side note........That is another area that we kind of lose our trust in God. We think that we deserve or need so many things, but when we ask Him for them and we don't get anything, we think that He doesn't care about what we need. More times than not, we are impatient and want things rather than need things. If we really spent a lot of time praying about our wants and needs we would begin to realize all of the things that He has provided for us already and don't really need anything else! We are so spoiled.
Lately, I have been really encouraged by all of the people here at Harvest. They are true lights of Jesus' love! Everyone wants to help in any way they can. I am really going to miss being with so many like minded believers who live totally for the Lord. Yet, I know that during this summer there is a reason that we are going back to the States and the Lord has things for us to learn. I have learned so much and we haven't even left yet! I just have to make sure that I stay open to hear God's teaching and learn from it. Even with what I am learning now, I thought I already knew. Actually, I did "know" some of it. But, implementing it is a totally different story! It really brings the statement "easier said than done" a whole new meaning.
Well, tomorrow, or actually today, is our last Sunday before we leave. It is going to be hard saying goodbye to so many friends. But, I am not going to say 'goodbye", just "shoot" or "see ya later". (For all of you Stateside folks, some of you know what I am talking about. For those of you who don't, even though English is spoken out here, it is a whole different dialect! I love it:) Because I know that we will be coming back and if not, then I am resting in the fact that I will see them again eventually.
I am not sure what is going to happen in the States, but I do know that God does take care of his children John 10:14. I am resting sure in the promises of God. Are you?
Isaiah 40:31
