Jessie's Journeys

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Grad School Applications

Goal number one for break before the New Year arrives?
Apply to two grad schools - IUPUI and Robert's Wesleyan

The first week of break I got two emails from grad schools
The first came from Asbury University:

The second from Dominican University:

And I said "HA! You've gotta be kidding me? The first week of break and they're at it already!?!?" It made it much worse that those emails came from schools I'm not even applying to! Then I promised myself I'd work on the applications the next week... this week... So after writing a little here and there I was almost finished with the first one. I got online to finish it (Robert's Wesleyan) this evening and got this message on their website.

Isn't that just perfect!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Break

Christmas break finally arrived.

It started with a social work Christmas party
I love these people <3>

My friend Bonaventure Dusabimana graduated.
Jewel and I met his family at Bob Evan's to celebrate.

Family Christmas with the Ache's (mom's side)

Grandma, mom & I partnered to make the meal.

And Jewel's Christmas with Jeff & Joni, Leah & Mallory
Dad always gets us a matching gift.

These pajama pants sure beat the BRIGHT yellow fleeces we got one year!

I won the "World's Largest Stocking" in a drawing.

It was full of 10 year old boy toys, so I donated it to the Salvation Army.

Snow, snow & more snow

Jewel left for Cambodia on Tuesday afternoon.

After 36 hours of travel she'll arrive Thursday (1:30am our time).

Please pray for her as she's on her way now.

Lots of quality skype time with my sweet Wayne

Up & Coming:
Christmas Eve with Jeff, Joni, Leah & Mallory, then off to the "Reed Gathering"
Christmas day with Dad, Mom & Grandma
Speaking at youth group next Wednesday
Spending time in Indy with Joni & the girls
And... and... that's all the plans for now :)

I'm writing this blog as a break from writing research papers and autobiographical statements, and gathering reference letters and transcripts to apply for grad schools. My goal over break is to apply to two grad schools - Roberts Wesleyan College (Rochester, NY) and IUPUI (Indianapolis). RWC is my first choice and IUPUI is my back-up plan. Really, it is no fun, blah.

Oh, and early Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 10, 2010

One Busy Martha

A few days ago I read the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10. It still resonates in my as I'm trying to figure out how to live out the application.

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

Mary and Martha are sisters with two very different personalities. Jewel and I are sisters with two very different personalities. I can definitely relate to Martha more than Mary. I wish this wasn't so, I wish I was more like Mary. In an essay I read (http://www.religioustolerance.org/kumasi01.htm) it calls this the the "Martha Syndrome and Mary solution". Martha is the one that's distracted; worried about getting her tasks done in a timely manner, always making preparations and thinking about the future. She's probably also a "people-pleaser" trying so hard that she puts her own needs aside. She can't sit down to enjoy whatever is going on. Mary is content, settling in to enjoy the fellowship. People are more important than time and tasks. She would rather hear from the Lord than accomplish her own tasks. And I'm more like Martha??? Yikes.

How can I get past the busyness of this time of the year to make sure I'm focusing on what's most important? Studying & finals, friends graduating, "moving" home, Christmas parties & preparations, shopping, grad school applications, and beginning an intense full-time internship.. it seems like the tasks, requirements, and activities never end. I don't think that just because my personality ('Type-A', shocker I know, haha) is bent towards Martha is an excuse. How do I stop being caught up in accomplishing my tasks when my tasks in-and-of themselves aren't bad? I'd like to say I have the right priorities, just not enough hours in the day, however that's a lame excuse. I need to cut something out, but what? I don't want this to be just something to help me through finals, but more of a lifestyle change. How do I slow down?

Friday, December 3, 2010

The Scream

"The Scream"

That's about all I have to say about that...

Finals are in 10 days and in 13 days I will be done.

Grad school applications should be completed & mailed out in 6 weeks.

I probably don't have enough meal swipes left for the rest of the semester.

Tuesday I have to pay $65 for fingerprinting and a background check, with no paycheck.

I'm not complaining, at least I don't mean to be. I'll make it. God will give me strength, focus, motivation & resources. I believe it. My faith is being stretched.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Jonah

I'm almost through reading the books of the Prophets and I've been struggling. But when I read the book of Jonah the Lord struck me. It's not necessarily a new revelation, but I was listening and prepared to hear what He had for me in that book. The last 2 verses of the book say

"But the Lord said, 'You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?'"

I had to ask myself... What are my priorities? Do I take situations into my own hands? Do I have concern for the lives of those lost in sin?

Today was praise & worship chapel. I stayed for both services to worship my King. The music was great but what's even better is that the spirit was so alive in my heart. One of the last songs was Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace

This is exactly what I needed to hear.

Thank you Lord for drawing near your servant in her time of need.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Our God is Greater

I just wrote a note about the past couple days
And it was all complaining
So i deleted it
And thought this would be better...

Lord help me to have your perspective

You are greater than anything I face

You are awesome in power

When you're on my side nothing can stand against me

I trust You, I rely on You

I know you will provide and sustain

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

In Chapel on Monday Jim "V" Vermilya talked about the international day of prayer for the persecuted Church, which is on Sunday, November 14. This is an issue that is near to my heart but very distant from my present reality. I've seen persecution first hand while on mission trips. The very first time was also my first time out of country. I was in Ensenada, Mexico working with a Pastor named Mario. He lived in a predominantly Jehovah Witness community. His neighbors did not like the presence (or power!) of the church so they dug a small trench and run their sewage directly in front of the church. Every time someone goes to church they have to pass over this. It stinks, real bad. However, this is still not the life-or-death persecution many other Christian believers face. Below is a map of restricted nations, areas where Christians are intensely persecuted for their faith.

So I think to myself What does this mean for me? I'm separated from this... chances of someone threatening my life because of my beliefs is slim to none. In all reality I'm not even faced with ridicule or rejection because of my beliefs. You could say this means I'm not doing enough, that I'm not friends with enough "non Christians." If I'm not being persecuted, why? God said we would be. But I don't look at it that way, I think I face a different kind of persecution, a more subtle form. Maybe my persecution comes in the form of people not wanting me to pursue my dreams and visions. They doubt what I can do and they doubt God's calling to do that. They fear for me more than I fear for myself.

Philippians 1:29

Philippians 12:1-13

Matthew 5:33, 34

Romans 12: 9, 14

John 15:18-20

I've really developed in boldness and steadfastness in proclaiming the gospel. I'm not perfect and I don't know what I'd do if i was ever placed in a situation where my life was at risk... but I hope I would remain as faithful to Him as He is to me!

While thinking about all of this I've really been thinking about my role in Kingdom work. Lately I have totally been dissatisfied with what I'm doing. I know that I'm growing closer to my Lord and deeper in my relationship of Love with Him. But, what about my impact on others? Am I taking advantage of every opportunity I'm given? Am I spending my time in full service for Him? I think the heart of the issue is that I'm tired of school. Yes it is a haven of spiritual growth and opportunity, but I also think that it is limiting me. I would rather be in the "real world" than in classroom settings. I would rather be practicing social justice than learning about shades, tints & tones in Fine Arts class....

Senioritis? I think so! I need to be patient. I need to take advantage of the opportunities I have. I need to stretch myself to grow as much as I can. If I can't do it here then how can I do it out there?!?! This is part of the path of God's plan for my life, and I've decided to try to make the most of it.

I'm spending my time for Him instead of myself. An awesome opportunity that began this week is that I'm leading a Bible study for the girls in my youth group. The Lord really spoke to me during my preparations, and I'm sure I got just as much out of it as the girls. Just because I'm "leading it" doesn't mean that i know everything. I'm really excited to see where this journey goes!