Wow, I didn’t realize that it had been so long since my last blog post…I guess it is time to let you in on all the happenings from my past few weeks of life!
Christmas break was full of ups and downs with all of the things that happened. The pendulum of that swings from attending the funeral of a friend from youth group, to baking cookies with grandma. No day was the same, which was nice in a way, but kept me really busy. With many family things that happened (grandparent’s leaky basement, sister’s concussion, etc.), I took over quite a bit of the baking and Christmas preparation. Lots of family and friends came into town this year, which was extra special because I had not seen any of them over the summer at family events since I was in Uganda. It was nice to give them some of the gifts I brought back, as well as tell them in person all about my time there. Laughter and games, football and food – I love family get-togethers! Surprise visit from one of my cousin’s, to hanging out making cookies with my little two year old cousin. Lots of fun and memories were had, and lots of prayer to be had as well.
Upon returning to Moody for the next semester, the band started rehearsing for winter tour. My parents showed up with news of my great uncle’s passing. Classes started and I left for my uncle’s funeral shortly thereafter. The fact that the whole family was around for Christmas this year was definitely a blessing, and we know that he is now in heaven. Winter tour with the Moody Symphonic Band was in Wisconsin this year and went wonderfully smooth from set-up to concert finish each day. One of my good friends came to one of the concerts and while we were catching up on life, she asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! It was so nice of them to ask, and I feel honored. Seeing other friends at other churches we played at was great too.
School has been going well and I am once again learning so much. I am taking a class studying the book of Romans, and also Hebrews. Message Prep of Women is a challenging class teaching me how to clearly study and explain the Bible using the form of a sermon. Senior Seminar is an overview of missions and missionaries in the past. Piano Service Playing (techniques used in church/group singing/accompaniment) and Planning Contemporary Worship are my two music classes this semester. The band has completed Winter Tour, and will be playing at Founder’s Week here at Moody this upcoming week. We also have a couple local concerts, as well as our Spring Tour, which will be in Alaska this year.
God has been teaching me so much the past few weeks. Currently, I have been studying Isaiah 40:28-31 for my sermon. This passage talks about how times can be hard and that though we are weak in strength, God will provide our needs to make it through if we just wait upon Him. This thoroughly has been my experience lately. I have been challenged (in a good way) by friends about my ministry, and have also been making decisions regarding church and friendships as well. This past weekend was an amazing blessing of many prayer answers from the Lord! God was working in many ways in my life and it was great to share the experience with friends in the Lord!
Well, however brief for all that happened, hope this gives you a glimpse into the past few weeks of what God has been doing. Looking forward to what God has for me to learn during next weeks “Great Evangelical Preach-off” (Dr. deRosset's description of Founder's Week Conference here at Moody)!!!
