ch-ch-ch-changes

Well, here I am. A week and a day since my first day of work. What hasn't happened in my life since then? [No, really, there's been a LOT!]

I was basically 'transferred' to a different office & new role in Oklahoma City! This is such an exciting opportunity for me. With this opportunity, I will work alongside a team and minister to Student Ministers across the state. I am so excited that God opened this door of opportunity here, too. I remember as a Falls Creek staff member saying, "I want that job one day"... and somehow, by the grace of God, it happened! I got the job I wanted! I work with a wonderful team who really encourages me personally, and just by watching them day-to-day. They are the biggest example in my life of what Godly men look & act like.

I always wondered how the Lord would use me in Ministry - being a woman for starters. It's unfortunate how stubborn people are today (in my opinion), and how some refuse to be ministered by women. I remember a year or so ago being completely confused by the call I knew the Lord had placed on my life. Through that year, I continued to doubt God's call on my life, and also doubted his faithfulness to pull through for me.

But... He did. He did pull through.

What a good God we serve. He pulled through.

Some things I have learned since being out of college:

I need to learn how to love my neighbor.

When I knew that the Lord was calling me to stay in America and not go to China, I felt the Lord calling me to Love my neighbor. I can Love people I don't have to be around often - because honestly, I can 'fake' a love to them. However; that is not genuine and real love, and definitely not a love which comes from Father.

I need to learn how to delight in all circumstances.

Some circumstances, which are considered 'bad' in my opinion are blessings in disguise from the Lord. Not having a boyfriend, not having my own place, not having a large income, feeling like I'm alone because of no friends in the area - ALL work for the goodness of God's will for me. I heard this song today, and it really made me think about the blessings from God which we count as curses. A few of the lyrics are,

"Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"

I need to learn that behind the scenes work is ministry, and perhaps a very, very important ministry.

I have often felt a need to be in the center of attention, i'll admit. I'd like to believe it is a part of being an only child, and thank goodness I didn't inherit all of the only-child traits. I'm used to ministering to people relationally, and often in the spotlight. I love to speak, live life with people, and walk alongside others through their rough times. However; my ministry at my job is calling me to fill in the small details so that others can do those things. This is extremely humbling to me - because much of their ministry would not happen if I were not setting everything up for them. They would not have adequate time to prepare like they do now.

Yep, this one's long. Sorry!

First Day in the REAL world...

Today was my first day on the job. What an interesting first day it was. I learned a lot. I had several awkward conversations. I couldn't answer anyones questions, and I'm hoping tomorrow is a bit easier.

However, my favorite thing that happened today begins at 10:00 AM. The phone had been ringing consistently from guests needing assistance (that's our job, so we did it). Somehow in the time frame of 10:00-11:00 AM, The phone had NOT stopped ringing once. However; it was not guests. It was a virus of sorts on our phone line. So pretty much from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM, I said, "Falls Creek, This is Heather". - It was fun and memorable. I can still hear the consistent ringing in my head...

my enemies are men like me.

Osama Bin Laden has been dead for just about a week now. My first thought when I heard that the United States Navy SEALs killed him was different from most of Americas celebration.

Osama Bin Laden is behind the horrible attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. OBL and Al Quaeda ran two planes the World Trade Center in New York City. This was a horrible day - as millions around the world did not understand. We watched footage of People jumping out of the WTC - and our lives changed because of it.

After finding out that OBL's AL Quaeda ran these planes into the building, America went to war with Al Quaeda. Our war with their leader, Osama, ended last Sunday.

You see, I cannot celebrate in the fact that Osama is dead. Romans 12:14-21 NIV says, "

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.Do not be conceited.

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This verse sums up my feelings towards how we should respond to Osama. The man killed 2,740 civilians on September 11th alone. Our instinct is that he should be punished for what he did - and after killing so many civilians, our first instinct is to hate him. However; Jesus calls us to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v. 21).

My boss talked to me about this the day after we heard the news of Osamas death. He asked me how he should respond to this situation (if it were true): A man takes is 14 year old daughter and sends her into sex slavery.

Still, my plea is that we will love our enemies. Others will know Christians by our love for one another.

I can celebrate that the US military achieved their goal in finding and capturing him. It is a great accomplishment for our country. I do not agree that his death should be celebrated. It is a human life, afterall. A human life that will spend eternity separated from my Father.

Senior Year Reminiscing...

And when you stop looking...

From "The Path of Loneliness" by Elisabeth Elliott

"If we love someone more than we love God, it is worse than inordinate - it is idolatry. When God is first in our hearts, all other loves are in order and find their rightful places. If God is not first, other lovers, even those which are in no sense sexual, easily turn into self-gratification and therefore destroy both the lover and the beloved" p. 60

"How can we be sure not for thy harms is true? How shall we fix our eyes on things unseen? There is no answer but faith, faith is the character of God himself. That and no other is the anchor for our souls" p. 63