This semester has definitely been a challenge, but it has also been a time if growth in so many ways. Before spring break, things were so busy. I was behind in my school work, I wasn't sleeping, and I had no free time. During this time the Lord was trying to teach me to find rest in Him and that rather then packing my schedule and thinking that would bring me joy, He was saying to me that what I really needed was more time to just be in His presence. This seemed impossible in the midst of trying to be a student, a leader, and a friend. I felt like I had no time for myself, much less time to just spend being quiet before the Lord. When I did spend time with the Lord I was always talking and asking Him for things. Just sitting there and listening to Him was not something that came easily. I was distracted by so many other things going on in my life or in the lives of people around me that when I did sit and try to be still with the Lord I would be thinking of a thousand other things.
During my week in Haiti, this was one of the things that became real to me. There were so many opportunities there to just bask in the presence of our incredible God and it was through those moments that I began to understand what it really meant to rest in Him. There were so many times when I had no words to say to Him because of all that was going on around me. I was trying to process all that I was seeing and the only thing I knew to do was listen to the Lord and allow Him to work through those situations to teach me. Coming back from this week and really understanding what it looks like to listen to the Lord was so encouraging and yet at the same time discouraging because I had no idea what this would look like being back at school. I wanted so badly to have that time here to be quiet before the Lord and while it has been something that has slowly been worked into my schedule, it still is much more difficult. It seems so much harder to focus on listening to His voice when there are so many distractions around you.
The Lord has blessed me with incredible friendships. The people He has placed in my life are such an encouragement to me and I have learned something different from each one of them. He has given me opportunities to share my story with others and to hear their stories. While in Haiti I was able to learn so much from my teammates and the missionary family there.
Other updates: This semester I have had many opportunities to travel for work. It's been fun getting to know the youth in Wisconsin and getting to share with them my heart for the Lord and my passion for Olivet. We also toured for choir this semester. We went to two different churches in Indiana. That was a great bonding experience for the ministry of the choir.
Another big thing that has happened this semester has been the application process for being an RA. I found out the night I got back from Haiti that I will be an RA in the apartments next year and I am thrilled to see how the Lord is going to use me in that role!
We have already made one trip up to Feed My Starving Children this semester and we are going up again this week. The plans are still being made to bring an event here, so I've been doing a lot of preparation for that.
It seems like there is always something going on and if not then I'm always searching for a way to serve somewhere! I love it though and I am so thankful for friends who serve alongside me.
As busy as life is, I am so thankful for the opportunities that the Lord has put before me and for all that He is teaching me!
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