Belated Thanksgiving Thoughts.

This is a portion of a journal entry I wrote over Thanksgiving break.

~*~

...Thanksgiving day itself was so much fun! After staying up ridiculously late talking to Nick and Nirmala, who are both home for break, I somehow managed to drag myself out of bed in time for the 9:30 Thanksgiving service at church. It was a small and informal affair, but it was nevertheless a great way to start out my day. We had a time of singing and prayer, and Pastor Johnston read a children's version of the Thanksgiving story. I was expecting to hear just the same old facts I had heard all my life, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book was a very well-written account from Squanto's perspective. It kept a very biblical worldview as it told of his kidnapping, slavery in Europe and finally his return to America. It even compared Squanto to Joseph in the Old Testament, who went through many torturous trials, yet God was behind it all, working it together for good. Reminding me to thank God in all circumstances, the story definitely gave a good perspective to Thanksgiving day.

Now that I think about it, God was laying that message on my heart all day. In the morning, I read Psalm 40 during my quiet time. What struck me about that particular psalm is the way David recalled God's help and praised Him for His deliverance. But David was not in a time of peace and plenty; on the contrary, he seemed to be in a difficult situation, for in verse 17 he calls himself poor and needy. But he still begins this beautiful psalm by remembering what God has already done for him. For many, this Thanksgiving day does not come in the midst of a time of prosperity but in a time of struggle. Yet both the psalm and the story reminded me that it was a day to pause and be encouraged in any circumstances because I have seen the Lord's goodness at work in my life. He is ever faithful and unchanging, and He will work all these things together for His glory.

The ECHO Experience

As my sophomore year came to a close, I was faced with the realization that next fall, I would be a junior. This meant harder classes, college preparation, and generally more responsibility. Suddenly, my parents were not reminding me to do everything anymore. I had to take the initiative. I was nervous. I was not sure I could handle the responsibility of growing up.

But this summer, I had an experience that changed my view of responsibility. I took a two-week trip to Florida with thirteen other high school students to work at an agricultural farm called ECHO- Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization. Here, interns are trained to grow crops in different soils. Then, they take this skill with them to hungry people in the world and impart this knowledge to them. We were simply there to assist their work. I was eager to be a part of such an amazing ministry, yet just as I feared responsibility, I feared that I would not be able to handle the harsh conditions and physical labor. Little did I know how much God would use this ECHO experience to change my life.

Certainly I learned much about hard work at ECHO. Yet what struck me the most- between the sun's blazing heat and the sore muscles- was that I am not alone in this process of growing up. This was my first trip where I had no family members or close friends with me. When the day's work was exhausting and I found myself overwhelmed by the dynamics of relationships with those around me, I had no family or older friends to talk to about it. For the first time in my life, I knew that going to God was my only option. I knew I was totally dependent on Him. As I learned to take each struggle and burden to Him, I found a peace that I had never known before. Each time I ran to Him, confused, tired, and guilty over sin, I found compassion. I realized that He wanted me to come to Him; He wanted to give me rest.

This ECHO experience made me see that He is with me as I take on more responsibility. I realized that growing up is not about standing on your own two feet, being independent, or having all the answers. No, growing up in Christ is about becoming more and more dependent on Christ. I have seen my weakness and insufficiency greatly this summer. Yet I have also seen that His grace is sufficient for my life, for He is with me always.

~*~

Well, this is rather late. =P Still catching up with my summer... but here's some pictures of some of my highlights!

The work! (Potting bamboo plants here)

The Breakfast Line

Friendship!

Machetes! =D (Beware...)

Mudfights!

Our amazing team.

May 29, 2010- India Missions trip.

I pushed open the door to the sanctuary to find dozens of eager little faces smiling at me from the mat on the floor. Today was the day of the gospel musical presentation we had put together. Our program consisted of singing psalms and hymns, a short skit of the Abraham and Isaac story, and a gospel message by the pastor of the church. We had worked hard all week in preparation for this day- singing, planning, acting- and now, it was finally here. But at the moment, I was more thrilled to see these these familiar faces looking up at me. This presentation was a follow-up to the VBS we had conducted the previous week; it was an opportunity for the children to invite their family and friends to see what they had learned at VBS and hear the gospel preached. We even had the children sing their VBS songs for the parents!

Since we had gotten to know many of these children so well, I was eager to see them again! I smiled back at the shining faces and waved to a few. We still had several minutes before the program started, so I knew that I had time to talk to some of them. As I scanned the crowd for familiar faces, one little girl caught my eye. She was very small, her curly black hair was pulled into pigtails, and her eyes looked very glossy and red, but when I smiled at her, she returned the sweetest smile of pure happiness with the attention I had given her. I did not remember her from VBS; she must have been a friend of some of the others. But something about this girl just captured my heart.

The program continued very smoothly as planned, and afterwards, we had a time of games and refreshment for all our guests. Naturally, the children wanted to play their favorite game- duck, duck, goose (a game that was still a novelty to them). So the game commenced, with many laughs as several adults joined in. As I glanced up from the game, I saw the very same little girl (I later found out her name was Swathi) I had seen earlier heading towards me. Fairly certain that she knew no English, I tapped the floor next to me, inviting her to sit with me. The sweet smile appeared on her face again as she nodded and sat next to me. I soon became engrossed in the entertainment of the game, so much so that I was surprised to find a little hand tugging at my skirt. I looked down at Swathi and was met with her hopeful eyes looking into mine as she gestured to my lap, silently asking for permission to sit there. I nodded, and she climbed into my lap. No words were spoken, but I could just see by her shining eyes how much she valued the love she was receiving. As I put an arm around her, I wondered to myself, “Where does she come from? Is she being loved there?” A lump rose in my throat. It is amazing how love can transcend language barriers. But oh, how I longed for her to know the everlasting love of Jesus! Yet because of the language barrier, I was incapable of even telling her about this love. In that moment, all I could do was trust in the Lord's perfect plan and pray that she would grow up to know His unending, unfading love.

Hello, world.

...Or blog readers. That works, too. =)

Sooo. How do I explain my 4-month silence?

...

Not coming up with a valid excuse. (Laziness is not valid.) =)

See, it goes something like this: Life is jammed packed with action, silences, laughter, tears, and many, many lessons that God has been teaching me. Then, I get overwhelmed by everything that is going on and fail to update. And it all piles up. And the motivation to update hits rock bottom. =) But, I really am going to try to work on changing that pattern this fall, because I am taking a writing class that requires journals. So, hopefully, some of them will end up on here.

Until THAT happens... =) Here's my summer in pictures!

India 2010 (May 12-June 9)

Teaching VBS

Little friends

Abraham and Isaac skit for Gospel Musical Presentation

The girls on the team =)

Too much fun... =)

Climbing hills, exploring hidden trails...

Happiness in a picture! =)

Our team.*Smiles* =)

"For where your treasure is..."

Here I sit at the computer. It's 1:15 am- I'm tired, wearing a Butler bulldogs t-shirt, and my cheeks are adorned with blue and white face paint. Yes, I just returned from the epic, historic Butler bulldogs game, which I watched on the screens set up at Hinkle Fieldhouse. It was a fun game- there were about 20 of us who went, and it was thrilling to witness such a close game. But it ended in a rather disappointing loss.

As we walked back to the car, a feeling of defeat quieted everyone. So close, so close! - but not close enough. We made some encouraging remarks about how well Butler played, how they put up a wonderful fight. Yet somehow, it was just hard to shake the depressing atmosphere. On the car ride home, my sister Anjali pointed out that this loss will give Butler something to work towards, for if they had won, it would have been the peak of their career- a peak from which there's nowhere else to go but downhill. My mind flashed back to the winter olympics months earlier. Yes, this was true. So many people invest their lives in these things that wear out. Earthly victories can be so empty.

Suddenly, God brought this verse to my mind-

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:21

All this got me thinking- where is my treasure? Where is my heart? What do I invest myself in? Do I live for each momentary thrill, or seek joy in what really matters? Do I seek happiness in events, entertainment, or people? Or do I seek satisfaction in the One who will never change, who is always faithful?

If I look back on my life 30 years from now, what will I see? Will I have invest my heart, emotions, and energy in the fleeting pleasures of life, or in that which will last in eternity? Will I have run for a perishable wreath or and imperishable crown? (1 Cor. 9:25)

Now, this whole Butler scenario is rather amusing to look at, because I'm not really that into sports. I like basketball, but honestly, normally I wouldn't have a clue (or particularly care) who was playing in the final four or the national championship. It's just because it's my sisters' school in my city. In other words, my heart may not lie wrapped up in a sports victory. But it got me thinking- where is my heart? What DO I live for?

Lord, teach me to live each moment for You. Teach me to invest my time, energy, and emotions in what really matters. Help me to lay up imperishable treasure in heaven. Help me to just live each day honestly, not trying to make myself feel the thrill of the moment. Just living. Delight my heart in You as I seek You each day. Thrill me to the core by what You've already done for me, and all that You will do in my life.

So.

It's been a while, hasn't it?

I feel very guilty posting at all on here, since, as I regret to say, this will not be a "real" post.

I just wanted to share one thought:

The things of this world wear out. So does our enthusiasm for them.

But when we see our GOD at work, our wonder of Him does not fade. Rather, the more we see glimpses of our LORD, the more awed we become.

Now, *that* is something to live for. =)

So, my internet silence does not imply that the last 4 months have been empty. No indeed, God has shown me some incredible things- so many, that I don't know where to begin. (That, and, I am lazy. *sigh*) But, hopefully, HOPEFULLY, a post should be forthcoming in the near future. =)

Until then... delight in our God for Who He is and how He has shown Himself to you- and join me as we strive to seek His face each day!

"You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." ~ Psalm 40:5

(photography, once again, by Beth- this time, from India!)