Two Weeks...

It has been exactly two week since I arrived at Focus. There was such a culmination of waiting for this time to come, expecting, and questioning what God was going to do with this season in my life. I have found that I don't have it all together...I am full of my certainties, but I am also full of many doubts and questions. One thing I am sure of is that God is good and He is faithful. He knows exactly what He is doing, and I just have to trust in Him and His plan for my life. I don't know what the future has in store for me, but I know that God has a plan and purpose for my life, and it is for good.

There are 72 people in my class. We are from all different parts of the country, and there is even someone from New Zealand. The first week was overwhelming, being in a new environment and with new people who you have never met, and trying to get acquainted with life here.

The first week was orientation - getting pictures taken, sitting through meetings about student life, security, etc. The first weekend we went on an opening retreat to Horn Creek, which is about two hours away from Focus. It was a weekend full of team building activities, getting to know people, and being able to spend some time in the mountains. It was nice to go, and it was also nice to come back after a long week.

My practicum this semester is with Teen Community Bible Study. I began last week, and am really excited about it. I am helping out with small groups and mentoring/spending time with High school girls. I will also be getting a chance to work in the national headquarters office, which I am really excited about as well.

These last two weeks have been full of ups and downs emotionally and spiritually. There have definately been some challenges. God is beginning to break down some barriers, and revealing some things. I know that God has amazing things in store. This is definately a season of spending time with Him and really getting to KNOW Him. I am realizing more and more that I can do nothing apart from Him.

I want to leave you with one of my favorite passages from Psalm 139 (The Message):

"God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I am an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I am thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too-your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful-I can't take it all in!"

God you see it all.

You know it all. You are in it all.

You are in all things and you work through all things.

Thank you for all you do. Thank you that your promises are new.

You never leave us or forsake us. Your hand is always guiding, and you are so trusting.

Thank you for the beauty of your creation.

Thank you for your creativity.

You are marvelous! You are Glorious!

Romans 11: 36

For from Him and through Him and To Him are all things. To Him be Glory Forever. Amen.