God's Will is Perfect

From the time I was entering the teenage years I began to find an interest in Christian magazines such as Hope Chest and Stepping in the Light. The articles in these magazines were written to help young girls before marriage. Over and over I read about girls who saw that even though they were certain that they knew what they were going to do, God had other plans. They finally came to realize that only God knows what the future holds.

Reading this for years made me think that I wouldn't make the same mistake because I knew better. Now as I sit here at my desk thinking about the past two years, I see that I was so wrong. Even though I didn't realize it at the time, I was just like the other girls. I suppose we all have to experiance it for ourself to really understand what it is to trust God.

I just knew that God was going to let things work out the way I thought they would. Everything seemed to be going so well, it seemed that God was answering my prayers, and all the puzzle pieces were coming together. Everything seemed perfect in my eyes and I gave God the glory for it.

Over the past month I have seen all my dreams vanish. All of a sudden everything changed and my dreaming came to a halt. Out of all the ways my story could have went, this was not how I ever expected it to go. I was left confused, afraid to dream. I didn't plan this.

Now I see that this is all part of God's plan for my life. If things had went as I wanted them too I would have been in a mess. My Lord knew that my plan was not the best for me so He graciousely and lovingly took my dreams away. Now am trying to live day by day, asking God what He wants me to do. Which reminds me that as Paul said in Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Perhaps the wisest prayer we could ever pray is "Nevertheless not my will, oh Lord, but thine be done."

Even though this is not how I was hoping things would turn out, I can clearly see that this is God's will and truly His will is good, perfect, and acceptable.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

God Knows The Desires of Our Heart

Isn't it so neat how God knows the desire of our heart even when we don't tell him? Recently I've been thinking back to the time that I spent with a great piano player who has been blind since birth, yet still plays the piano wonderfully! He really understands music. He is the one who encouraged and inspired me to play by ear. He showed me how to listen to a CD and copy what I heard.

Lately when I thought about him I found myself really wishing that I could meet someone that could help me like that again, but I never prayed about it. Recently missionaries Rodger and Cherie Mullins with Hope For The World and other ministries in Albania, came to our church to share what God has been doing through them. Mrs. Cherie is a great piano player! I had the opportunity to stand by the piano while she played and watch her fingers flow over the keys and bring forth a beautiful melody like some have never heard before. I played for her as well . . . an experience that made me feel like I was a beginner! She gave me some very good advice as well as her own piano CD called Stylings In Ivory.

After being inspired by this Christian lady I announced to my family that I was going to be a great piano player like Mrs. Cherie one day. The next day I listened to her CD over and over and tried to improve my own playing. Then I told my family that it will be a few years before I become a great piano player . . . it is not going to happen over night! : ) I think the greatest challenge will be in patience. It seems like it will take so long to accomplish what I have in my mind.

But I am not giving up! I took Mrs. Cherie's advice and looked for a CD by Anthony Burger. I watched a few samples from CD's on his web site and was really impressed. Now you know someone is a great piano player when you feel like clapping after you watch a sample video of his performance! I was unable to upload the video but you can see it here.

I ordered the CD called The Best of Anthony Burger Homecoming from Amazon. I can't wait to get it! Until then, I will listen to the Mrs. Cherie's CD and practice my scales and chords over and over and over and over . . .

God is so good to give me my desire even though I never asked him to!!! Thank you Lord!

Spring Tea

For years I have loved tea parties! I don't remember exactly when I started collecting tea pots, but I know I was at least 11 years old. My collection only consists of 9 full size tea pots but I also have 7 miniature tea pots, two "tea for one" tea pots, and many many tea cups. Over the years my sisters and I along with a few friends have hosted quite a few tea parties.

This week we had a spring tea party. It was a lot of fun! Wasn't it so pretty?

Piano Lessons and an Apron

Tuesday I gave Amy a piano lesson. They are not as frequent as they should be, so I tried to pack in as much as I could. She does very well. I'm very glad that she has learned to play faster then she use to. I use to be so board with her lessons because she played sooo slow! She has definitely improved in that area.

Later I gave Bethany a piano lesson, but it was interrupted by a game of cards so we had to finish it Wednesday. Bethany is getting to the stage where she is very fun to teach. She can understand pretty much anything I teach her, yet there is still so much for her to learn. Right now she just needs repetition. At times I find myself thinking, "Why can't she get it?" or "Why hasn't she started playing like this?" I think sometimes I feel like she should be where I am, but I have to remember that she isn't quite that far along. While I was teaching her "Heaven's Jubilee" we got into the discussion about flats and sharps. It can be very mind boggling when you start thinking about B major being C flat if you were to reverse it, or D flat as C sharp. It was a fun piano lesson!

I also teach Phillip, but since he was sick I didn't make him take his lesson. He is the exact opposite of Amy. He plays fast and fearless! He's not timid at all!

This week I have been working on an apron. I am using a McCall pattern this time instead of the usual Simplicity. I really like the material mama and I picked out and the pattern is nice too, but I don't know if I like the apron. Perhaps it is because I didn't take the time to redo the ruffle (something I think I will do) or maybe it's because it wasn't as easy as I was hoping. I like Simplicity patterns better because their instructions are easier to follow. But I know I shouldn't complain . . . if I were to sew more often I wouldn't have a problem, right? Oh, well. I think I will like the apron once I make a few adjustments.

How True

"It's sad that we're excited about the second coming of the Lord when half of the world hasn't heard about the first." ~ JJ Alderman

Strangers

Last week God has allowed me to go through an experience that has given me a better appreciation for missionaries. I never thought about what they face every day in this way.

Let me explain . . .

When I turned 16 I got my first job at a Christian owned restaurant. The owners (husband and wife) were members at a good Baptist church I have been to before, the husband being the song leader at the church. The night manager didn't have the same beliefs as me and my family, but he did try to live for God to a degree. One of the assistant managers was a Christian while several of the employees were faithful Christians as well. I was surrounded by good people. My co-workers who weren't believers had a respect for me either because I was a child of God or because they saw me as "still a kid". Several times when someone slipped up and cursed in front of me they apologized and said they didn't know I was there. This may not have been just because of what kind of Christian I was, but because Christians were respected at that restaurant.

Even a lot of my customers were Christians! This restaurant came to be a gathering place for all the members at the Baptist church where my bosses went as well as other churches. I made some very good acquaintances while working there. I loved my job!!!

But . . . it wasn't exactly close to home. So when an opening came at a restaurant nearer to my house, I was inclined to take it. Here, I believe I am the only Christian employee. The two ladies who claim to be Christians don't show any fruit and their actions show that they are not aiming to please Jesus. The women I work with live wicked lives, just like I would if I were not graciously saved by the blood of Christ. I am constantly reminded that I need to be an example to them, but it's not always easy.

I feel like a stranger. Sometimes I feel like no one there likes me. I feel all alone. Unbelievers don't care if they hurt your feelings. It doesn't bother a unbeliever to look past you and act like you are not there. Some unbelievers don't understand that everyone makes mistakes. Unbelievers don't care to make things right between each other. This might not be such a big deal if I only saw them a few hours a week, but I have to spend 40 hours a week with them in one small building. I'm not complaining, infact, things went a lot smoother this past week. It varies from week to week. Some times I feel like I can't take it another day, while other day's I don't find it so hard to hold on for a little while longer. Still, things would be a lot easier if everybody would try to get along.

I never realized how much of an impact God's love has on a person. I grew up around Christians so that was all I ever knew. Lost souls are so different. I know they need to see a Christian that consistently lives for God and cares deeply about others. They need to see that there is joy in living for God. But am I able to do that? It is hard to love them when some don't even want to talk to you. It's hard to show them that the Christian life is one of peace and joy when you don't feel like smiling?

Then I am reminded of countless missionaries who were hated for thier belief. Not just in the past, but in the time that we live in now. Just a few years ago a missionary over seas was threatened to be bombed in his home. He was obviously hated. How could he continue to preach God's love in such an atmosphere? One thing is for sure, he probably wasn't as sensative as me! Even so, it still had to be hard to go on when no one in the country seems to support you. It takes great Christians to be missionaries.
.

Now I feel like I know a little bit more about the missionary life. Unless God calls me to be a missionary I will never know exactly what they go through, but I think God reveals little things to us so that we will know how to pray for them. So pray I will! I will pray that God will give them the heart of Jesus who said while he was dying on the cross, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Four Down, One To Go!

I am done with another quarter of college!!! At times it seemed like this quarter would never end, but actually it went by pretty fast. It has been a good quarter - I didn't get behind too bad, it wasn't too hard, and I had fun - but I am ready to take a break. Hopefully now I will be able to blog more durring the next two and a half weeks. But if you don't see me on here that often then you know I will probably be . . .


reading
studying my Bible
going for walks
cooking
cleaning my room (a must!)
spending quality time with my family
playing the piano for long periods of time (I get tired of only getting to play for 15 minutes a day)
singing with my sibling
and probably doing a little bit of shopping.


In between all these activities I will try to write some post for my "little spot on the web". But no matter what I do, I will just enjoy being free from all the worries of college! Ah, the joy that comes from having free time!


By the way, did I mention that I am so excited about being done with this quarter?!