You Are an Endangered Species

           Yesterday, we spent our family day at the Omaha Zoo!  We delighted in the warm sunshine that felt refreshingly tropical and enjoyed meeting friendly creatures that were vibrant and full of life.  We caught a glimpse for a few hours of what God designed in the beginning of earth.  From extremely tiny insects to tall giraffes, each were phenomenal.  Did you know that God made you a rare an endangered species?  Our friend's the Otto's, who create Christian music told us that once and it stuck with me ever since.  You have been designed with a purpose and are bursting with potential.  God loves you just the way you are, but too much to leave you that way.  Looking at how caterpillars turn into butterflies is an example our hearts should follow....

Noah and John giving the Aloha Shaka sign as they ascend for an air safari

Agape Feasts

          Agape is the highest of the four types of of love in the Bible.  The Greek word Agape completely describes Jesus' love for God and His followers.  This is a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love.  Recently the Holland and Northside Seventh-day Adventist Churches hosted Agape Feasts.  Together we feasted by candlelight, washed each other's feet, and shared the emblems of Communion.  Our tables formed a cross and in the center was a crown of thorns.  The thorns poked some of my friends as they were fashioning it, reminding us of the pain Christ boldly took for our freedom.  This was a spiritually renewing and refreshing experience.  Worshipping God through joyful songs of praise echoed throughout the Agape Feasts.  Following the Agape Feast we went door to door to our neighbors surrounding the Church, offering friendliness, a smile, thankfulness for being our neighbor, and gifts of uniquely decorated pots with Bible verses, blossoming with flowers.  If we can understand God's love in this beautiful way on earth, just think about how much more we will understand Him in Heaven...

          Acts 2:46-47 "They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.  People in general liked what they saw.  Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved."

Treasure of Truth

         

          I have truly learned that worrying is wrong and does not replenish peace.  I struggle with worrying about too many things that it makes me feel uneasy and gives me a headache.  Two weeks ago, I turned in my final research essay for my writing class.  Repeatedly, my teacher told my class that if we plagiarize we will fail the class.  Of course I know I didn't plagiarize, but I worried that I unintentionally plagiarized and was fearful that I had a chance of failing.  Last night I knew that my results were going to be in today and I told God, "Worrying did not help my grade one bit.  If You get me an A, I will have to write about how You are so right about focusing on You and not silly thoughts.  No matter what the outcome is I will praise You.  Thank You for teaching me this valuable lesson."  Today was the day I received my binder filled with my semesters work.  I stepped outside the classroom and said, "Ok God this is it."  I opened it and saw an A.  I kneeled quietly and praised God for blessing my studies and am joyful to say goodbye to worry and trust God that truly He will help me with all I must do at each specific time.  Matthew 6:34 is a treasure of truth!

Precious Promises

          The only lasting hope I have is Jesus.  He is the One to calm my storms.  His love paints a picture of perfect protection.  I often claim His powerful promise in Psalm 91.  I still remember the first time I heard this passage.  My location was in a valley on the island of Oahu.  Fresh rain had fallen outside and I was comfortably sitting inside our home during family worship.  Together, we memorized a few verses that evening and continued to do so till we memorized the entire passage.  I am so thankful that my dad chose to share this specific news with us!  Isn't it wonderful to know that when we claim God’s promises, truth is shown and our hearts link onto His? :)  

          It was a hot Summer day on the island of Oahu.  I was trailing down Koko Head Crater exercising my physical body and connecting spiritually with God.  For a moment I stopped and held out my hands towards the Heavens.  I prayed this prayer, "Wow, God, You made all of this so beautiful.  The ocean, mountains, clear skies, fresh air, Hawaii.  I claim Your promise, ask and you receive.  You receive not because you did not ask.  So God, I come before You and ask You to move me, and my family from the island of Oahu to Lincoln, Nebraska.  My mom desires to be able to move me into the dorm and I want all of our plane tickets paid for and for my dad to get a Pastoring job in Lincoln.  I want you to help me get a scholarship.  I am going to Union College and am enrolling into their Pre-Physician Assistant Program.  I am going through with this and if You don't want me to, then You will have to stop me."  Immediately as I was praying I felt my hands get warm and tingly.  An overwhelming amount of peace enveloped my body.  I turned around in time to see my mother climbing the mountain behind me.  She witnessed my smile of sweet dependence on God.  I calmly told her, "Everything is going to be fine, it just is."

          A few weeks later, my dad got a call from Lincoln, NE.  The Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists wanted my dad to have an online interview and he took it.  The bottom line is that he got the job of Pastoring two churches here in Lincoln, my mom moved me into the dorm, our plane tickets were paid for, I enrolled into the Pre-PA program, I received a large scholarship, we are all in Lincoln, and sure enough, God showed me that He has a different plan for my life than being a Physician Assistant.  Thank you God, for my Heavenly Hawaiian experience and my Heavenly Nebraskan experiences too!  :)