Unexpected Weekend

Each year at our church, we have a turkey shoot for the men. It's a fun activity, as well as a wonderful witnessing opportunity. For the past few years I haven't had much of a desire to help, which isn't like me at all. I usually love helping in any way I can when it comes to church activities, but the turkey shoot isn't my favorite. Yet somehow I felt differently this year, so I offered my help.

It turned out to be a nice day. The temperature was in the 60s, and the sun was out and shining. The turnout was the best we've ever had, with around 25 men showing up, and numerous helpers. Every time we have this activity, a lady from our church, Miss Cheryl, does the counting after the men have shot their targets; this is what I helped out with. In previous years, we've done it outside in the cold, with papers flying everywhere. This time, we were thankful to be able to count inside the church building. During the middle of the afternoon, while we were all having a lunch break, I got the chance to talk to another sweet lady and good friend of mine in our church, Mrs. Behn. 3 out of 4 of her kids are away, two of whom are in college, the other living in another state. I can tell Mrs. Behn really misses them because she talks about them all the time. It's always such a blessing to spend time with this lady, because she loves the Lord so much, and is such an encouragement to me.

Sunday after the morning service I went home with Mrs. Miller and her niece Annie. I've been getting to know Annie better, as she's been coming to church more. I'm just trying to be a good Christian friend to her, in hopes that my example along with others' in the church might possibly show her the way to the Lord. Anyways, my reason for going to the Miller's was to begin studying for my ACTs, which I'll be taking at the beginning of February of next year. Mrs. Miller is helping Annie study for her's as well, using the "ACTs for Dummies" book. I got through the first 2-3 chapters of the book, all of which covered the English part of the test. I also took the practice test and (according to Mrs. Miller) did pretty well ... always plenty of room for improvement of course :) I'm feeling a bit more confident about the ACTs, and Mrs. Miller is so kind to offer her help in this!

For those of you who have been praying for me, I want to thank you. Each and every one of you mean so much to me. I don't deserve to have such loving and caring friends, yet the Lord has still blessed me; I appreciate the unique friendships I have with all of you, no matter where you are in the world. May the Lord bless you!

Catching up with myself

Life seems to have been so rushed for me in the last few weeks. Whether or not that has anything to do with me being a senior now, I have no idea. I feel like I need to slow down some and fill you in on things. God's been working in my life though, and for that I'm thankful.

From October 25th-29th, Doug and Donna Lowery came to my church for special meetings that week. The Lowerys are doing the Lord's work in New York as street evangalists. They take a team out there every summer to witness to the lost by handing out tracts, special music, challenges, and many other things. It's such an amazing ministry, one I hope to be involved with in a few years. Mr. Lowery gave some great challenges, and both of them did special music, vocal and instrumental. There were many convicted hearts... many decisions made. One in particular that really touched my heart, and I am seeing her grow closer to the Lord all the time!

I've also enjoyed getting to know a lady in my church better. Mrs. Miller is my friend Kay's mom (Kay just recently went to college a few months ago, just in case you haven't heard me talking about her ALL the time!). She is such a wonderful lady to whom I look up to and respect. When I'm having a problem or need last minute help, she's always more than willing to listen or lend a helping hand. Just two days ago, on Wednesday afternoon, she gave me a call and we talked for almost half an hour. I was going through a hard time in my family and I guess just had to talk to someone. But I have a hard time opening up to people about my personal life, because at times I'm afraid of what others will think, that they won't understand, or am embarrassed to pour out my small problems to people. Mrs. Miller makes me feel comfortable with going to her for anything I need though. And her being an adult puts a different perspective on many issues, things I would have never considered. Then yesterday she called just to fill me in on some stuff that happened to her that day. I am so blessed to know her!

Last weekend I had some fun with my camera, which is where most of these pictures came from!

There's so much more I want to say, but I can't come up with the right words for it all. The Lord has been with me, and has shown me many new things. I can't even describe it in my own mind! One verse that Erin, a friend of a friend of mine, sent me: Romans 8:26-27 ... "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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." When we ourselves don't even know what to say or pray for, the Holy Spirit 'maketh intercession for us'. How I love the Lord, and praise Him each and every day.

Just a special note to all my friend at college, and those in Mexico: I miss you all!!!