A New Year

This morning at 3 am, I woke up to feeling very sick, so my NYE consisted of laying around home all day. I can't complain though; it was a pretty good day. Tonight, I got to spend a lot of time with God-it was so great :) I don't think I can imagine anyone better to spend NYE with :) 

Looking back on 2011, it was a great year. A lot of good things happened and God shaped me in so many ways. I would say the biggest event that occurred was graduating. Wow, what a day that was. It was a very emotional day for me and I literally felt like I was in a dream; it didn't seem real. College-another huge event in 2011. My dream finally came true of attending Northwestern College and it felt so great. College was everything I had dreamed of, and God blessed me far more than I could of ever imagined. I have changed so much since the start of college-in good ways of course! The day I left Fargo was a sad, happy, exciting, adventurous, and overwhelming day, but looking back on it, it was the start of a new adventure and a new me. Literally a day after graduation, I packed up and headed to camp to work for the summer. Crystal Springs has such a special place in my heart, and I absolutely love it. Working at camp has been so rewarding but is really hard work, but in the end, so worth it. I have had so many good things happen in 2011 with a few bad things in the mix, but I don't let those bother me.

I know a lot of people have New Years Resolutions to lose weight, eat healthy, save money, mostly to change something about themselves, etc, etc., but mine is different. I want to fully surrender my life to Him. I want to daily seek Him, desiring more and more each day. I want God to be my EVERYTHING. I don't want to be this "Christian" just going through the motions each and every day, I want to live a serving life for Christ, putting all my trust, hope, and confidence in Him. I pray that He will use me for His kingdom and to reach out to others. I am excited to see God work in my life and others in 2012-may He be glorified through absolutely everything we do. Let's make 2012 a year where we see God really move-in our lives and through non-believers' lives. Use everyday in 2012 as an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ, His love, and blessings throughout our lives.

With Blessings,

        Heather

Saying Goodbyes, Saying Hellos, and Adjusting To Life

A lot has happened in the past 3 weeks:

I spent my last week at Northwestern and boy was it great. Finals went great! Praise God! He gave me so much motivation and strength; I did not feel stressed (for those of you who don't know, I get really bad test anxiety). On Tuesday my friends and I went to the Family Force 5/Hawk Nelson concert, and then afterwards, my friends had a going away party for me. It was so sweet; there was even a cake and everything! Oh, and let's just say somebody got some cake shoved in their face-it never fails to happen. We then had a girls night with facemasks, ramen, a tv show, and of course, girltalk.

Although I didn't go to sleep til 4 am, I had a hard time falling asleep. Laying in my bed, all I could think about was leaving and saying goodbyes. I just sat there and talked to God, thanking Him for bringing me to Northwestern and how much He blessed me here. I finally fell asleep and what felt like a minute later, I woke up and went to breakfast with the girls. I was very surprised they wanted to come-they are NOT morning people, and I am, so it was super sweet of them. My goal was to get through my meal plan and I did!!! It was a great accomplishment. Once we found a spot, a guy and girl came up to us. They told us they were going around and praying for people for finals week and wanted to pray for us. They asked for prayer requests and of course, I mentioned my big one: leaving Northwestern. So there I gave them a little recap, trying to hold back tears and all. It was even harder holding back those tears when they started praying for us. When the girl prayed for me she said something that really caught my attention; she said "..as you are sending Heather to her new mission field..". Mission field. I had never thought of it in that way before. Although I am just going to a new campus, it is a mission field. The world is a mission field. How come I had never thought of it in that way? Having two students pray over us was such a huge blessing. That is one reason I LOVE Northwestern-the students are so encouraging and want to share the love of Christ with one another. But it also gave me another reason to miss Northwestern. We then walked back, packed up, and I said my goodbyes-not my definition of fun, but I made it through that part. Only by the strength of God that is. The car ride home was tough; I talked to my dad a lot, but tears kept on falling. Just thinking about it was making me cry, so I tried to get my mind off it. After a 4 hour car ride, we made it home, unloaded the pickup, and I tried to unpack. I can't really describe how I was feeling. I felt empty. It felt like I was in a dream for the past 24 hours-nothing seemed real to me. I got to skype with Chrissy and Sarah which was a funny experience :) It was my first  night being home from Northwestern for good, and it wasn't easy.

Some highlights since being home:

•  I have started training for my job at the YMCA
• I got to have Dark Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream with my best friend at Coldstone-for those of you who don't know, this ice cream is only available during Christmastime
• I got to see one of my best friends Ashlee who lives in Texas
• I went to the NDSU vs. Georgia Southern playoff game and the Bison WON!
• Visited old teachers at the high school
• Babysat for my favorite family
• Driving again!

These past two weeks have been extremely busy but really good. It's helping with the transition; it is keeping my mind off of everything, but it still hasn't been easy. I'm not sure how I'm feeling at the moment; I really miss Northwestern but I am excited for school to start. Still in the process of trying to get ready and prepared for everything, but I have great friends along my side to help me and a wonderful Savior.

I am excited to see how God is going to work in my life this next semester. This whole transition has caused me to step out and really trust Him through everything. I know He has a purpose and a reason and I am excited to see what it is. Most of all, I want God to use me for His glory-I want to be an example of Christ to my classmates, share His love, and grow in a deeper, more satisfying relationship with my Heavenly Father.

With Blessings,

        Heather

Lord, Help Me to Let Go..

I can't sleep. I have so much on my mind. Not only is it finals week, but it's also move-out week. I am leaving Northwestern soon. I am trying to not to think about it, but it is constantly on my mind. Wednesday I had my last Oasis, Thursday was my last Western Civ class, Friday was my last chapel, Art, and OT class. I am so sad. Just thinking of leaving makes me cry, and it's not going to be any better come Wednesday. Going into Thanksgiving Break, I was actually kinda excited to move back, but once I got back to Northwestern, I had a total change of heart. Now I don't want to go back at all. I feel like the joys of finals being over have completely left me. I knew leaving Northwestern would be hard, but I didn't realize it would hurt this much and be this hard. I feel like such a mess. I keep on crying. I wish I could be excited for next semester, but I'm not. Right now, following His calling is really hard and I don't want to do it. I need a lot of prayer. Wednesday is going to be hard, but I know He has such a great purpose behind this. I just can't wait to see what it is. Once He reveals His purpose, all the tears, goodbyes, and sadness will be worth it. It's going to be hard leaving Northwestern; I have made such amazing friends here that I love so much, I really feel like I belong, I go to a great church, and I have grown so much since being here. It's just hard to leave that all behind and go back to what I used to have. Northwestern has found a very special place in my heart and nothing will be able to replace it. So prayers would be appreciated as I make this transition; this is going to be tough but it is in His hands. I know it is for my good (Romans 8:28), but it's hard to do. I need to let go of my plans. There is a song by Matt Hammitt-the lead singer of Sanctus Real called "Let Go". The lyrics are absolutely amazing and right now, I can really relate to the song:

I want to hold on 'cause I'm afraid
And I didn't ask for it to be this way
Somehow I found myself caught in the grey
Reaching out for fear, running out of faith

You know what I don't
So help me to let go
You're in control
So help me to let go
I want to let go

I want to let go of what I can't change
'Cause I can't wrap my mind around Your ways
I've got more questions than I have answers these days
Please don't let my suffering go to waste

You know what I don't
So help me to let go
You're in control
So help me to let go
I want to let go

These are the moments it's hard to believe
So please help me, please help me
These are the moments of surrendering
So please help me, please help me

'Cause you know what I don't
So help me to let go
You're in control
So help me to let go
I want to let go 



Lord, please help me to fully surrender everything to you, including my plans. You have far more planned than I can even imagine, and You are greater than anything in this life. Rid me of my selfishness and security I have in my ways, and help me to seek Your ways. I know in your timing you will reveal why I am going through this, but until then, give me peace and patience. Give me the strength to leave Northwestern, say goodbyes, and step onto a new campus. I can only do this by your strength. I am weak, but you are strong.


Love your daughter,
                      Heather

Getting Ready: Emotions, Anxiety, and So Much More

This week has been so crazy. I've been getting ready for finals and getting ready to move out/say goodbyes-the first one seems like nothing compared to the second one. I have been so blessed this semester. I cannot even put it into words. It's been so heavy on my heart, especially this week. I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited for finals to be over, but only for the tests. Not for the whole saying goodbye to all my friends and not coming back to Northwestern part; it's not going to be fun. I remember the first day, meeting my roommates, my orientation group, all the sessions, etc. It was so fun yet so overwhelming.  I formed amazing friendships in the first 5 days of orientation; friends that have changed me, prayed with me, and have had crazy moments with.

I never expected that I would have to say goodbye to them so soon though. I have been finding myself in tears a lot, trying to prepare myself for next Wednesday morning when I have to say goodbye. I don't feel ready. It doesn't help that I am a super emotional person as well, it just makes it harder. I am also scared. School is going to be different: new people, different atmosphere, different friends, etc. I don't transition into things very well, so I'm feeling a lot of anxiety and stress. I am working on giving it all to God, but it's difficult. But God has blessed me with a job. I am going to be a School Age Leader at the YMCA-hanging out with elementary age kids before and after school. I am excited to have this opportunity, but it's another thing I have to get used to and transition into. I have no idea what to expect for next semester, but I know it's in His hands. I already see little parts of His purpose shining through this, and it will be amazing to see the picture as a whole when He reveals it to me. Ready or not, next Wednesday is coming; not exactly looking forward to it, but God will help me through it.

With Blessings,

              Heather

Following Him, Storms, and Love: Matthew 8:18-27, 9:9-13

Well this is a couple days late, but I still wanted to share what I read on Saturday night. I find it so cool when I open up the Bible and find an answer to a question I have. It's so great! I opened up to Matthew 8: 18-27:

The Cost of Following Jesus

"Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms a Storm

"And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

The title of the first passage "The Cost of Following Jesus" is very important to look at in our lives. Christ calls us to live radical lives, and that means dropping everything. How can we expect to live our lives for Him if we are holding onto earthly and selfish desires? If someone asked me if I follow Jesus, I would say yes. But how true would that statement be? When I really look at it, not very true. I am holding onto earthly things that I shouldn't, I have a hard time trusting God, and it's not always my number one priority to be in His Word all the time. I have a lot to work on, but I know He's never going to just leave me. In verse 22, Jesus answers back to one of his disciples saying "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead". When I read this, I didn't exactly get the whole concept, but luckily, I have the ESV Study Bible (I highly recommend it!) and it has great study notes. In those notes, it talks about how it was a Biblical commandment to honor father and mother, but the call to follow Him rises above all other allegiances. This was the answer I was looking for. I have wondered if God is calling you to do something, but it goes against your parents or other authority, if you're actually suppose to do it. This passage straight out answered my question, and it reminded me to have absolute obedience to the Lord.

In the second passage, the title is "Jesus Calms a Storm". In this passage, Jesus and his disciples are on a boat and a big storm comes. The storm got worse, and the disciples, being scared, woke up Jesus who was sleeping. They begged for help for Jesus to save them from the storm, and he simply replied "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?". He then calmed the storm. So many times in our lives, we encounter different "storms" and often are scared, worried, etc. We don't always trust Jesus, rather, we rely on our own strength to deliver us, but we can't. Only He can. I always worry, and it's something I am really working on. When I am going through a scary situation, I need to rely on the Lord. I have been seeing this becoming more true in my life recently. For example, on Saturday my parents and I were headed home to Fargo and we hit a very scary storm. Little visibility, lots of wind, snow, and the roads were bad. I was very scared. I couldn't concentrate on anything else, but decided to get my Bible out and start reading. God really comforted me during this scary time; I read from Psalms and prayed that He would deliver us from this (snow) storm, and He did!

The last passage I read was Matthew 9:9-13

Jesus Calls Matthew
"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

This passage is a good reminder to me to love unconditionally. Jesus is sitting with tax collectors. Jesus. The very Son of God. The Savior of the world. Yet, Jesus is not too good to sit with sinners. In verse 12, Jesus says: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick". We should be living by these words. As Christians, I feel like we like to spend a lot of time together, but not with non-believers, and it should be the other way around. How else are non-belivers suppose to learn about Christ without having Christians around? By the grace of God, He can use us to be the salt and light. I definitely get too caught up in my "Christian circle", and I admit it, I like hanging out with my Christian friends way more than my non-Christian ones. But what if I hung out and put myself around a lot of non-believers? How would I impact them? How could they impact me? I need to push myself to step out of my "Christian circle" and be a light for Him.

So I challenge you. Go out. Be the salt and light. It may be scary and uncomfortable, but the outcome and gain from this will be so worth it.

With Blessings,

         Heather

Change in the Making-Ephesians 4:15-16

There is a song by Addison Road called "Change in the Making". When I bought this CD, this was the first song I fell in love with. The lyrics are so powerful; a true confession and prayer of our imperfect lives to our perfect Creator:

There’s a better version of me
That I can’t quite see
But things are gonna change
Right now I’m a total mess and
Right now I’m completely incomplete
But things are gonna change
‘Cause you’re not through with me yet

This is redemption’s story
With every step that I am taking
Every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be
I am a change in the making

Wish I could live more patiently
Wish I could give a little more of me
Without stopping to think twice
Wish I had faith like a little child
Wish I could walk a single mile
Without tripping on my own feet
But you’re not through with me yet

This is redemption’s story
With every step that I am taking
Every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be

From the dawn of history
You make new and you redeem
From a broken world to a broken heart
You finish what you start in everything

Like a river rolls into the sea
We’re not who we’re going to be
But things are going to change

I am living redemption’s story
With every step that I am taking
Every day, you’re chipping away
What I don’t need
This is me under construction
This is my pride being broken
And every day I’m closer to who I’m meant to be
I am a change in the making

I am a change in the making
I am not who I am gonna be
Moving closer to your glory

As Christians, we should be striving to grow in so many ways. We are so imperfect, yet we serve a God who is perfect. Everyday, He is chipping away what we don't need. What are those things? For me they are pride, love for earthly objects such as money, gossip, selfishness, judging others, and the list goes on. I am no where close where I want to be, but the good thing is, God isn't giving up on me. He continues to shape me into the woman of God He wants me to become, and will never stop. We should never be satisfied in our growth, because there is always room to grow. In Ephesians 4:15-16 it says:

"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love".

..."We are to grow up in every way into Him". What does that mean to me? Desiring to be like Christ. Always trying to grow by reading the Word, praying, being around others, etc. I definitely do not want to be who I am. I have grown so much over these past 3 years especially, and I want to continue that growth. I can't wait to see who God shapes me into. I know it's going to be painful at times; I may not want to let go of my selfish desires, but I know in the end, it will be worth it.

My "Changes in the Making":

   -my pride

   -selfishness

   -worry

   -trust

   -fully devoted to Him all the time, not just certain times

   -more loving, especially to those who don't always show me love

  -judging others

This list could go on, but these are some of the main ones. I know every change is going to shape me into a better person; a far greater person than I can even imagine. By the grace of God, He continues to love us, He doesn't just leave us because we are imperfect, He stays by our side to change us. It's not easy to look at my heart and dig out what I don't want, but I know every change will bring me into a closer, more satisfying relationship with Him, and what could be better than that?

With Blessings,

Heather

Home Sweet Home

Well I am officially in God's country..aka North Dakota :) I was officially welcomed home by a super super cold and windy day. It's been a long awaited arrival, but I am finally home. It feels great. I've been gone since August 19th, which isn't very long, but it's felt like forever. Going to Northwestern (and the cities in general) was a big change for me; I've lived in West Fargo my ENTIRE life-same house and everything. I've been so blessed to call this beautiful place home for the past 19 years, and hopefully I can call it home for the rest of my life-if it's where God calls me to live. I would say one of the best feelings ever is coming home to your dog. I got to come home to my little Bichon Poodle, Libbie.

Libbie wouldn't leave my lap :)

There truly is no place like home. Just the feeling of sitting here knowing I am home is so great. It's been difficult though, I don't know what to do with myself. I am used to being around my friends 24/7, sharing a room, and doing the piles of homework/studying, so having all this free time at home has been nice, but different.

I have come to the realization that I am going to have to find myself a North Dakota boy. I honestly don't want to live anywhere else, but I will have to see what God has in store for me. I know a lot of people hate ND and want to get out, but I love it. The sunrises, sunsets, snow, rain, 40 mph wind, hail, floods, etc, everything.

I live right off this road. Took this picture on a run a couple years ago.

With Blessings,

         Heather

Understanding: John 13, Jeremiah 32

John 13:

"Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times."

The Bible is full of so much wisdom, comfort, and instruction for our lives. To be completely honest, I feel pretty overwhelmed when I open the Bible. I never know what to read, so I usually open to a random page or pray that God will give me a random reference/passage to look up. It's amazing to see what He will reveal to me through this. In verse 5, Jesus is pouring the water into the basin to wash the disciples feet. When Jesus got to Simon Peter, he was very confused in which why Jesus was doing this. He said "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Then Jesus said "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand". When I read this last verse, it completely made sense to me. Not only does this apply to my life at this moment, but it applies to so much more in our lives. "What I am doing now you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand".

I can definitely say right now I have no idea what God is doing and why He is doing it, but I know in His timing He will reveal why He is doing this. Why did God lead me to Northwestern and is now telling me to go somewhere else? I have no idea, but the great thing is, He knows. God will not reveal everything to us right away, little by little He will start to reveal His purpose. As much as I would like to know God's purpose at times, it's nice to just trust Him and live everyday not knowing how God is going to use me in this situation.

I then stumbled across Jeremiah 32:16-44:

[Jeremiah Prays for Understanding]

“After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day. You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror. And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey. And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them. Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it. Yet you, O Lord GOD, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.’”

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it. The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city shall come and set this city on fire and burn it, with the houses on whose roofs offerings have been made to Baal and drink offerings have been poured out to other gods, to provoke me to anger. For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth. The children of Israel have done nothing but provoke me to anger by the work of their hands, declares the LORD. This city has aroused my anger and wrath, from the day it was built to this day, so that I will remove it from my sight because of all the evil of the children of Israel and the children of Judah that they did to provoke me to anger—their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned to me their back and not their face. And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction. They set up their abominations in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

[They Shall Be My People; I Will Be Their God]

“Now therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

“For thus says the LORD: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb; for I will restore their fortunes, declares the LORD.”

The first heading "Jeremiah Prays for Understanding" goes hand in hand with John 13. Throughout this passage, Jeremiah is proclaiming how powerful and mighty He is. NOTHING is too difficult for God. He is so powerful and has absolutely every tiny detail under control. This passage really reminded me to be praying for understanding. As I am going through this huge change for me, I need to seek Him and ask for understanding in His timing.

I may not know what God is up to, but it's something heavenly. I am excited, scared, happy, sad, etc..you name it and I am mostly likely feeling that way. I do know one thing for sure: My God is so powerful, gracious, promising, and loving, and everything is in His hands. Now that's a promise that I will always remember.

With Blessings,

        Heather 

Little Blessings Today

I don't think I can describe how great it feels to be done with a really tough and stressful week. It's probably one of the best feelings ever. Well, I survived the week only by the grace of God. He gave me the strength to make it through; He NEVER fails us! To end the week, I got to spend today baking with two wonderful friends Alison and Anna. We met in Western Civ and we always study together, so we figured why not doing something different?! Today we baked Reese Cheesecake Brownies and they were delicious! We also ate Little Caesar's pizza, watched Tangled, and talked. It was a great day! It's these little blessings that make your stressful and long weeks so worth it :)

Here are some pictures of our masterpiece:

Yeah, pretty much the best combo ever :)

Alison, Anna, and I 

Hope we didn't make your mouth water too much! I have already figured out what to do differently next time: add more cheesecake layer and less brownie, so I'm sure I will be trying these out over Thanksgiving/Christmas Break (hint hint Fargo friends) ;)

With Blessings,

             Heather

Philippians 4:12: Being Content

I have realized something important over this past week-I am content. I've gone through a season of not being content, and I did not enjoy it. I was not content with what God was doing or what He did; His plans weren't going the way I wanted. Sometimes things happen in our lives that we don't understand, and it's hard being content with that, but eventually God changes our hearts to be content. It's such a good feeling, praise God! Personally, I feel like this is a strange and surprising time for me to finally feel content. I am in the middle of a huge transition of leaving Northwestern and going to a new school, and it has been very difficult for me to accept and follow His calling at times, but God has changed my heart. In Philippians 4:12, it says:


"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want".


It's important to look at the key word in the verse-every. Every situation, no matter where God is leading you or if you're at a high/low point in life, it's hard being content in every situation. I have been praying so hard for God to give me a sense of being content in life: why things have happened, where He has led me, why He has led me here, and trusting His plan for my life. It's such a great feeling! I can't even describe it. It's been such a struggle for me, and I feel like God has helped me overcome it. In the midst of this season in my life-completely leaving Northwestern and going where God is calling me to go, being content is so weird, but at the same time, it shows God's hand in everything. I'm not saying leaving Northwestern is all of a sudden easy, because it's definitely not, but I feel content about it. I encourage you, whatever you are going through, whether it's a season of difficulty, hardship, or confusion-pray. He will help you through it, you just need to trust His timing. I remember crying out to God, just asking Him to rid me of this feeling, and at many times, I never thought it would come, but I sometimes underestimate God and His glorious plan and timing. At this moment, I could not be happier in life; God has blessed me in so many ways, and I'm so excited to see how He is going to use me as I transition to MSUM. I may not understand everything going on right now, but I am content.


With Blessings,


               Heather

Proverbs 18:24-True Friendship

Friendship is such a blessing from God, especially when you have that one friend who has been through pretty much everything with you. I am so thankful to have a great best friend. Being separated from her has been pretty difficult, but our friendship has not changed one bit. We are still as close as ever and we both know that is not going to change. Through phonecalls,texts, skype, facebook, and letters, we have stayed in constant contact everyday; I don't think we've gone a day without talking. We always joke saying it's almost like we are in a long distance relationship-a long distance friendship :) We've gone through school, Algebra 2 (now that was horrible), breakups, tennis (we are beasts) low points in life, losing friends, and so much more, and it's made our friendship so much stronger.

                                       

"There are "friends" who destroy each other, 

                                                   but a real friend sticks closer than a sister"                                       

Proverbs 18:24

 Getting to talk to her on the phone, skype, or texting is always the highlight of the day-we always have so much to tell each other. God has blessed our friendship in so many ways and it's definitely rooted in Him. I am excited for all the years ahead of us, these past 10+ years of friendship have been wonderful, and know throughout college, and beyond, our friendship will continue to grow. I hope everyone is able to experience this type of friendship and have that one friend who is always there for you. Friends are a blessing for God, and I have definitely been blessed.

With Blessings,

        Heather

Freshmen (Round 2)

High School. Those were the days. So long ago..not really, but you get the point. Lately, I have been thinking back to high school, remembering what I thought of high school and college then, and what I think now. Let's just say my thoughts are way different. I remember thinking in high school "I can't wait to be done", "I want to be at college", etc. I wonder why I said that. I love college, but I definitely miss high school. I NEVER thought I would miss high school, but about a month into college, I realized how much I did miss it. Looking back, I had a wonderful high school career: I had great grades, super involved, had good friends, youth group, and everything else, and it's weird now, I don't have my high school "identity" anymore. I loved my school and had my "identity" there, so I guess you could say I was comfortable in that setting. I wish I wouldn't of tried to rush through high school, wishing for the days of college, because honestly, high school was great. I believe it's one of those things; you really don't know what you have until it's gone.

I guess college is the place where I will discover who I really am. College is so great though. I love it. Yes, it is a TON of work and the workload seems like it never ends, but there is so much more to college than the homework. I love dorm life and the friendships I have made, that has definitely been a highlight. 

Although I feel like college is kicking my butt, I know I will eventually get the hang of it, and I might as well enjoy the ride! High school flew by, and I'm guessing college is going to be the same. These next four years are going to be great, and I am definitely going to enjoy it and not try to grow up-next up is marriage, teaching, kids, and so on!

With Blessings,

        

            Heather 

Is it Thanksgiving Break Yet?

This past week was pretty busy, but nothing compared to these upcoming weeks leading to Thanksgiving Break. I would pretty much sum it up as a big midterms week again. These next couple of weeks are full of  big tests, projects, a paper, and everything else to keep me extremely busy. To say the least, I am very overwhelmed. I have been feeling very stressed out, especially over these past 3 days. The good thing is my best friend is visiting me this weekend, so that will help me relax a little; or at least I am going to try and relax. This morning I woke up at 6:30 and did my much needed devos. I didn't do them the last two days, which I should never skip time in the Word, but I did, and it has definitely affected me. I have felt more stressed out, uptight, and just not the best attitude, so I knew this morning I needed to start out with spending some time with God. I read Isaiah 38:


"In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.
“This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.
A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:
I said, In the middle of my days
I must depart;
I am consigned to the gates of Sheol
for the rest of my years.
I said, I shall not see the LORD,
the LORD in the land of the living;
I shall look on man no more
among the inhabitants of the world.
My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me
like a shepherd's tent;
like a weaver I have rolled up my life;
he cuts me off from the loom;
from day to night you bring me to an end;
I calmed myself until morning;
like a lion he breaks all my bones;
from day to night you bring me to an end.
Like a swallow or a crane I chirp;
I moan like a dove.
My eyes are weary with looking upward.
O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!
What shall I say? For he has spoken to me,
and he himself has done it.
I walk slowly all my years
because of the bitterness of my soul.
O Lord, by these things men live,
and in all these is the life of my spirit.
Oh restore me to health and make me live!
Behold, it was for my welfare
that I had great bitterness;
but in love you have delivered my life
from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins
behind your back.
For Sheol does not thank you;
death does not praise you;
those who go down to the pit do not hope
for your faithfulness.
The living, the living, he thanks you,
as I do this day;
the father makes known to the children
your faithfulness.
The LORD will save me,
and we will play my music on stringed instruments
all the days of our lives,
at the house of the LORD.
Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?”

Just like the Lord heard Hezekiah's prayers, He ALWAYS hears our prayers. Especially with this week, I have been praying for peace, confidence, and overall, not to get super stressed. Even just preparing for my upcoming exams are taking all the energy out of me, but I know I can do ALL things through CHRIST who gives me strength. I've had to write that verse on a sticky note and put it on my computer to remind myself-I am definitely going to need God's strength this week. This week can't be over soon enough, but it will feel so good to be done with everything. College is intense, but God is taking this journey with each and every one of us, and that should give you peace, comfort, and joy. Have a wonderful MONDAY!!! :D


With Blessings,

             Heather

His Strength, Not My Own...

These past couple of days have been a roller coaster of feelings. Having to tell everyone that I am leaving Northwestern was super hard; it was not something I wanted to do. Overall, I have had so much support from my friends. Everyone has been great, and have told me that they are praying for me as I make this transition. It's so hard knowing I am going to have to leave my friends and this wonderful place, but I am taking this one day at a time.  A lot of the comments have made me cry; they have been so genuine and thoughtful, and I am so thankful that God surrounded me with these amazing people. People have complimented me on how strong I am for doing this, but I'm not. It's all God. He is the only one giving me the strength to do this. I honestly don't know how I am going to do this, but I know God will give me the strength, especially as it gets closer to the end of the semester. I have spent a lot of time crying. Even talking about with others makes me tear up, and I know when it gets closer, there will be a lot more tears. I know God has a purpose in this, and He has definitely given me a peace in my heart, but at the same time, it is super hard. I know I have to follow His call, no matter how hard it will be, because He knows what is the best for me (Romans 8:28). In church the other day, during worship, we were singing a song called "None but Jesus". I learned this song about 5 years ago, but I never realized the words in one of the verses:

"In the chaos in confusing

 I know You're sovereign still

 In the moment of my weakness

 You give me grace to do Your will

 When you call I won't delay

 This my song through all my days"

When I sang the line "In the moment of my weakness You give me strength to do Your will", I was overwhelmed. That line completely described how I am feeling-I do feel weak, but I know God is giving me the strength to do His will. Wow. God is so good at reminding us that He is always with us, and this reminded me He is giving  me all the strength. I know everyday will become harder and harder, but I know God will continue to give me the strength, even when I'm at my weakest.

With Blessings,

           Heather

Obedience: Isaiah 20

It was an early morning this morning! With my very long to-do list, I decided to set my alarm for 6 am, getting an early start on the day. I woke up, put on some sweatpants, and headed to the prayer room. I was able to spend a good amount of time there, until my stomach starting getting really angry at me ;) I was able to spend a lot of time praying; a lot has been going on with my plans changing, friends that are hurting, and just life in general, so it was really refreshing just to talk to God about everything. Isaiah 20 randomly popped in my head, so I decided to open up to that passage:

"In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it—at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
Then the LORD said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, ‘Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?’”

After reading this, I wasn't exactly sure how it applied to me, so I read it one more time. After reading it again, it really spoke to me. The Lord spoke to Isaiah telling him to do something: "at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying 'Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,' and he did so, walking naked and barefoot". The Lord calls us to live radical lives for Him, following His callings and commands, no matter how crazy or scary they may seem. Isaiah was obedient to what the Lord told him to do, although he may of not known what God's purpose for this was, he was still obedient, trusting the Lord's purpose behind it. Although this is kind of a bizarre example, it still shows God's purpose, even in the smallest situations.

With transferring schools and leaving Northwestern, I may not know God's purpose, but I know He has one. Right now, I need to walk in faith like Isaiah; being obedient in the Lord's calling, trusting His purpose and plan for me, no matter how crazy or scary it may seem. He works all things together for our good-that's a promise! How great is that?!

Have a blessed Saturday,

                   Heather

Setting Your Heart On Him: Psalm 44, Colossians 3

It's morning! Wohooo! I really love mornings! Woke up at 6:20, worked out, and spent time with God. It's been a great morning! This morning I read Psalm 44:


"O God, we have heard with our ears,
our fathers have told us,
what deeds you performed in their days,
in the days of old:
you with your own hand drove out the nations,
but them you planted;
you afflicted the peoples,
but them you set free;
for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them.
You are my King, O God;
ordain salvation for Jacob!
Through you we push down our foes;
through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
For not in my bow do I trust,
nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes
and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually,
and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
But you have rejected us and disgraced us
and have not gone out with our armies.
You have made us turn back from the foe,
and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations.
You have sold your people for a trifle,
demanding no high price for them.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face
at the sound of the taunter and reviler,
at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
All this has come upon us,
though we have not forgotten you,
and we have not been false to your covenant.
Our heart has not turned back,
nor have our steps departed from your way;
yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
and covered us with the shadow of death.
If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
Why do you hide your face?
Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
our belly clings to the ground.
Rise up; come to our help!
Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!"

While reading this passage, verse 3 really stuck out to me: "for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but Your right hand and Your right arm and the light of your face, for you delighted in them". I constantly need the reminder that I'm not strong enough to do everything, let alone anything, on my own. Everything I do is because of His strength. Whether it's running at 6:30am, school, difficult situations, or anything else, He is the one who helps me through it. I then turned to Colossians 3:


"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality".

This passage is full of so much wisdom, even in the first verse; "Seek the things that are above", then verse 2: "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth". I am always seeking earthly things, which is hard not to. I need to remember earth is only our temporary home, and heaven will be my eternal home. The chapter talks about putting earthly things to death. That makes me think, what am I loving more than God? Is it friends? Shopping? Music? Money? I know one thing for sure, I need to set my eyes and heart on Jesus, and refocus what's truly important to me.  Later on in the chapter, it talks about all these characteristics: compassion, kindness, humility, etc. and how we should be forgiving because Jesus forgave us and continues to forgive us every day. Forgiveness isn't easy. I have learned to forgive others for hurting me, and I have been forgiven by others as well. Forgiving others will not always be easy and will take time, especially if we were really hurt. God should be glorified in EVERYTHING we do, whether it's forgiving others, winning at sports, or receiving a good grade. Remember to serve Him wholeheartedly today, tomorrow, and forever, giving Him all the glory, because without Him, we can't do anything.

With Blessings,

                Heather

You Give and Take Away

Usually I try to write about my morning devos, but I have something really heavy on my heart. This morning after doing my devos, I went back to my room, ate breakfast, and went on Facebook. When I logged on, I saw a bunch of statuses about a girl from my high school who suddenly passed away. I knew her a little bit, and my prayers go out to her family, friends, and all of West Fargo High School. I was shocked to say the least. I don't know if she had a relationship with God, but my first thought that ran through my head was I really hope she knew Jesus as her personal Savior. Then it got me thinking, could I have done something to influence her? I sat right next to her in Algebra 2, what if I would of shared Christ with her, reached out to her, and shared the love and passion of Christ? Why didn't I? I don't know, but I really wish I would of. I found scripture in Job 1:21, which says:


And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

God is so good. He gives and takes away. Although it doesn't seem fair, why God would take someone so young, it's a blessing. Even through hard times, blessed be His Name! I was not in the mood for going to chapel this morning; I really wanted to just sit and talk to God for a bit, but ended up going with a friend. It's so amazing how God connects things in our lives, because chapel had this theme exactly. The speaker and his wife talked about their son who was born with disabilities, and how they questioned God why this happened and who did it. It was an amazing message and I needed to hear it. God is sovereign and works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28), and although you may not be able to see how it's going to work out for your good, God knows. He gives AND takes away. Not just gives, but takes away, and through everything, we should praise His Name.

Life is so short. We may think we have years and years left, but God has our days numbered. In Psalm 139:16 it says,

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them".

Remember to live everyday, glorifying God and sharing Christ with others. You never know when someone is going to pass away, and it could be too late to share Christ with them. Think of the people you love. Do they know Christ? Why haven't you told them? I know this is something I really need to work on. Remember to tell those you love how much you love them. Your days are numbered, but your opportunities to share the love of Christ with others are countless.

With Blessings,

                 Heather

Thanks God for Another Day: Isaiah 54

I will admit, this morning I struggled getting up, along with my two roommates. But God gave me another day-thanks God! It was one of those mornings. I knew I needed to give God my first 30, so while laying in bed, I prayed that God would give me the strength to get up and move on with my day. Although I am the typical "crazy" morning person, I do struggle at times. I got up, grabbed my Bible, and went to the prayer room. I started out by praying: there are so many things to pray for; I prayed for some of my friends who are hurting, family, my relationship with Him, His plans, etc. Then I opened up my Bible to Isaiah 54. Verses 5-13 really stuck out to me:

Reading verse 5 was really cool. "For your Maker is your husband, for the Lord of hosts is his name, and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called". God is all I need in my life, I don't need a husband, a family of my own (although I hope to have both of those someday), I just need God. He is my REDEEMER! Another verse that really stuck out to me was verses 10-12:

"For the mountains my depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.  I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones".

God has such a great plan for each of us, but we don't always see and realize it. There are going to be many trials and tribulations in our lives, but God's plan will always prevail. This passage really reassured me that God knows what is going on, even though I don't at the moment. To be honest, I have no clue what God is doing with my plans right now and why He is changing them, but I know it is for my good. His plan will eventually unfold, but in His timing, not ours.

With Blessings,

                 Heather

First 30: Psalm 139, Matthew 6

Being in a new setting, having a different schedule, and having a completely new life in college has been a blessing, but has also been hard at times. One thing I have struggled with is finding a set time to do my devotions and a place to do them that is quiet. I like to be completely alone when doing my devos, so it's pretty much two options: the island or one of the prayer rooms. At the beginning of the year, I was introduced to an idea called "First 30". The idea is that you give your first 30 minutes of your day to God when you wake up; it's the first thing you do. As a follower of Christ, I don't want to be content; I want to pursue God every moment of my day, desiring to become more like Him. So this morning, I woke up, grabbed my Bible and went to the prayer room and spent time with God. I prayed, read, and listened. It was great. Mondays are tough anyways, so might as well start it out the best way I possibly can. At Bible study last night, we read Psalm 139, so I decided to read it again this morning:


"O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I am still with you.
Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!
O men of blood, depart from me!
They speak against you with malicious intent;
your enemies take your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
I hate them with complete hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!"

After reading Psalm 139 I went to Matthew 6:


“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble"

Reading Psalm 139 always reminds me that He created me to be me. There is nobody on the earth exactly like me, nor will there ever be. I like the feeling of being unique. I love who I am-not in a prideful way, but as a Daughter of the King. This passage really shows how God truly knows us. He made us-who else could know us better than our Creator! This reassures me so much how God knows what I need all the time, He doesn't forget or put it off, He knows! Matthew 6 relates to this so well; just knowing He created so He knows our every single need. We don't need to worry; God's got in under control-yesterday, today, and tomorrow and so on. I need to replace the time used to worry with prayer, worship, or just taking time to listen to God. Not only will it make my life better, it will set my heart on Him through everything.


         With Blessings,

                        Heather