God Sent Me A Rainbow
I spent the day with tired eyes and a heavy heart. I knew this day was going to land on the Costa Rica trip, but I also knew that there was no way I could plan for how I would handle it. One year ago today my grandpa died and believe me, six hours on a bus is definitely enough time to think about it.
Before getting on the bus to begin our long journey our group stopped at a waterfall for some swimming and photography. The walk down seemed to take hours, the steps were so steep that is felt like you could fall down them all with just one wrong step. There were a couple look out points on the path so youc ould see the waterfall and get a taste of the prize below.
Once I finally reached the bottom I sat on the bench with a sigh of relief. But what was waiting for me around the corner was my real prize, a gift from God. As I walked towards the waterfall I saw it. As the waterfall crashed in the water below, a mist belew off to the side and from that mist a rainbow was formed.
Now to the rest of our group, I am sure it was an exciting and beautiful thing, but to me it was an answer to prayer.
My grandpat used to always tell my sister and I that his favorite color was "all of the colors of the rainbow." So before we even left for Central America, I asked God to send me a rainbow on this day. It was just His wonderful and amazing way of saying "I care about the small stuff Courtney, it will all be okay."
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Love Is Something Live Though: Adventures
I have never been so excited for an ENTIRE YEAR of my life. Usually, I try to focus on each day or a single week and live it to the fullest, but starting in 3 days God is taking me on the biggest adventure of my life.
I leave for Central America on Tuesday. I have never left the country and now I am spending three weeks in three different countries. I do not know what to expect with the culture or how school will work when all I want to do is spend time at the beach, but I know that I am going to grow and experience so many new things.
Next stop: Camp. Just one week after returning from Central America I will be off to Tennessee to work at a summer camp where I know three of the 60 staff members. God has worked in some mysterious ways to let me know that I need to work at this camp so I am excited for what He has in store for me when I get there.
Last stop: California. I still can't believe that I am spending a whole school year in California. (For those of you who don't know, I will be an Assistant Dean, Volleyball/Basketball Coach, Outreach Coordinator, Subbing Classes, and occasionally working in the Elementary School at an academy) As I talked about earlier, I KNOW God has called me to Task Force next year and I have never been more excited to take the second chance He is giving me at it and roll with it.
We serve a God of not only love, grace, patience, kindness, and strength, but a God of ADVENTURE! A God who wants us to live our life to the fullest and use every opportunity He gives us. This year, I am taking those opportunities and making the most of them, and I pray that you will too. Don't let a day go bye that you pass up the adventure God has waiting for you!
I leave for Central America on Tuesday. I have never left the country and now I am spending three weeks in three different countries. I do not know what to expect with the culture or how school will work when all I want to do is spend time at the beach, but I know that I am going to grow and experience so many new things.
Next stop: Camp. Just one week after returning from Central America I will be off to Tennessee to work at a summer camp where I know three of the 60 staff members. God has worked in some mysterious ways to let me know that I need to work at this camp so I am excited for what He has in store for me when I get there.
Last stop: California. I still can't believe that I am spending a whole school year in California. (For those of you who don't know, I will be an Assistant Dean, Volleyball/Basketball Coach, Outreach Coordinator, Subbing Classes, and occasionally working in the Elementary School at an academy) As I talked about earlier, I KNOW God has called me to Task Force next year and I have never been more excited to take the second chance He is giving me at it and roll with it.
We serve a God of not only love, grace, patience, kindness, and strength, but a God of ADVENTURE! A God who wants us to live our life to the fullest and use every opportunity He gives us. This year, I am taking those opportunities and making the most of them, and I pray that you will too. Don't let a day go bye that you pass up the adventure God has waiting for you!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Love Is Something Lived Through: The Ultimate Love Banquet
On Sunday, April 3, 2011 I hosted a banquet. This wasn't your typical high school or college banquet, but a banquet for the homeless.
On Friday it all hit me. I was in Campus Ministries going through all of the formal wear that had been donated by students. I finally realized all that I had to do to actually pull off this banquet. Friday went by so fast and I didn't get everything done that I needed to but was very ready to embrace the Sabbath after a rough week of school.
Saturday night rolled around and I decided to drag my friends along with me to WalMart to pick up all the things I needed, and thank goodness I did! I realized my list of things that I needed was nowhere near what it needed to be. I would have forgotten half of the food had I not broughten everyone with me. After this I began to panic. What else had I forgotten?!
Sunday morning came around and sleep was barely an option. I set my alarm and woke up before it went off. Since I couldn't fall back asleep I started my day in complete fear that I was going to forget everything. As I ran around from place to place, I was in constant prayer asking God to make sure I don't forget anything and that everything would work out smoothly. My mom and friends helped me so much by running around and picking up all the things I forgot, because believe me I did forget some stuff.
Decorating started early and we got done quick, which was perfect so I could run around town and drop off dresses, and hair and make-up stuff to the People's City Mission.
3:30 hit and the fun began. Getting the right size dress was difficult but we got everyone's hair and make-up complete and then ran people around town who we didn't have dresses for. This was the MOST stressful part of my day. I learned how truly greatful some people can be and how so ungreatful and inconciderate others can be.
I ran one lady all the way around town, litterly. And she was so ungreatful even to the point of saying to her friend on the phone, "I am supposed to be feeling like royalty but I can't find a dress in my size so I feel even worse than before." What a blow. I almost broke down. I tried so hard to help her and all I got was complaints, so I just took a deep breath and waited it out. Well, she finally found somoething to wear and we got to the banquet...... AN HOUR LATE. I was beyond frustrated. Thankfully, this was the only rough patch that we had.
Everyone who was there had a great time and really loved all the entertainment. I was told after everyone left that one lady came up to one of our volunteers, almost in tears, and said, "I have never seen my husband in a tie before" That statement alone made my entire night worth it.
On Friday it all hit me. I was in Campus Ministries going through all of the formal wear that had been donated by students. I finally realized all that I had to do to actually pull off this banquet. Friday went by so fast and I didn't get everything done that I needed to but was very ready to embrace the Sabbath after a rough week of school.
Saturday night rolled around and I decided to drag my friends along with me to WalMart to pick up all the things I needed, and thank goodness I did! I realized my list of things that I needed was nowhere near what it needed to be. I would have forgotten half of the food had I not broughten everyone with me. After this I began to panic. What else had I forgotten?!
Sunday morning came around and sleep was barely an option. I set my alarm and woke up before it went off. Since I couldn't fall back asleep I started my day in complete fear that I was going to forget everything. As I ran around from place to place, I was in constant prayer asking God to make sure I don't forget anything and that everything would work out smoothly. My mom and friends helped me so much by running around and picking up all the things I forgot, because believe me I did forget some stuff.
Decorating started early and we got done quick, which was perfect so I could run around town and drop off dresses, and hair and make-up stuff to the People's City Mission.
3:30 hit and the fun began. Getting the right size dress was difficult but we got everyone's hair and make-up complete and then ran people around town who we didn't have dresses for. This was the MOST stressful part of my day. I learned how truly greatful some people can be and how so ungreatful and inconciderate others can be.
I ran one lady all the way around town, litterly. And she was so ungreatful even to the point of saying to her friend on the phone, "I am supposed to be feeling like royalty but I can't find a dress in my size so I feel even worse than before." What a blow. I almost broke down. I tried so hard to help her and all I got was complaints, so I just took a deep breath and waited it out. Well, she finally found somoething to wear and we got to the banquet...... AN HOUR LATE. I was beyond frustrated. Thankfully, this was the only rough patch that we had.
Everyone who was there had a great time and really loved all the entertainment. I was told after everyone left that one lady came up to one of our volunteers, almost in tears, and said, "I have never seen my husband in a tie before" That statement alone made my entire night worth it.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Love is Something Lived: Through Compliments
The other day my friends and I were discussing plastic surgery. We talked about if we would ever get any and if so what would it be. It was not just girls, in fact it was mostly guys. Everyone was going around saying what they would change and then one of them turned to me and said, "What would you have done?" I thought about it only for a moment and said, "Nothing." They responded with, "Oh Courtney's just sitting over here thinking she is perfect." or something to that effect. So I turned and said, "is it so wrong for a girl to be comfortable with the way she is?"
Now I know my friend didn't mean anything bad or mean by what they had said, but it made me realize what kind of a world we live in. What kind of world is this that it's strange to find a girl who comfortable with who she is and how she looks. That is not how it is supposed to be.
God's intention for us all was never to feel uncomfortable in our own skin. Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Never let a day go by that you don't encourage one another. We are supposed to be here to show others God and uplift those around us. So love everyone around you with everything you have and tell them (girl or guy) how beautiful they truly are, inside and out. Let's just try to make this world a better place, one compliment at a time.
Now I know my friend didn't mean anything bad or mean by what they had said, but it made me realize what kind of a world we live in. What kind of world is this that it's strange to find a girl who comfortable with who she is and how she looks. That is not how it is supposed to be.
God's intention for us all was never to feel uncomfortable in our own skin. Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness...” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Never let a day go by that you don't encourage one another. We are supposed to be here to show others God and uplift those around us. So love everyone around you with everything you have and tell them (girl or guy) how beautiful they truly are, inside and out. Let's just try to make this world a better place, one compliment at a time.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Love Is Something Lived Through: Second Chances
There have been so many doors that God has opened for me to follow Him and grow closer to Him. But often it seems that I just slam those doors in His face. Sometimes I don't realize that is what I am doing, but other times I do it out of my own selfish wants or fears.
This happened to me last year. My cousin called me up and wanted me to Task Force out at his school in California. I got really excited about it for a while, prayed about it, felt God calling me there, and then it hit me. I would have to go far away from my family, boyfriend at the time, friends, and any comfort zone I had ever built up. So I copped out, telling my cousin that I didn't feel God was leading me there.
I told a lie. A major lie. God wanted me there and I knew it, He had opened so many doors and given me so many signs telling me He wanted me to go and Task Force.
Now I look at my decision and wish I had made a different one. I wish I had gone and experienced the adventure that God had planned specifically for me that year, but I didn't and I just lived out another school year.
Don't get me wrong, God has used me in more ways that I could have ever imagined here at Union this year and I am so thankful for that. I am thankful that He didn't punish me for my disobedience and that He is giving me a second chance at Task Forcing next school year. God's nature is not punishment and revenge but of love and forgiveness.
I am so excited to see how God is going to use me not only at Task Forcing but at camp this summer too. Surrendering everything over to Him is something that I struggle with daily but I know that if I fall God is a God of second, third, fourth, and fifth chances! He will never give up on me.
Isaiah 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and cleaver in their own sight."
We need to ask God for understanding in our lives daily, because He knows what is best for us. We have no wisdom worth while if it does not come from God.
So my prayer for all my friends and family tonight is that God will give you guidance in your life and that you will trust in His plan.
If God can give us second, third, fourth, and even fifth chances, why can't we do that for each other?
This happened to me last year. My cousin called me up and wanted me to Task Force out at his school in California. I got really excited about it for a while, prayed about it, felt God calling me there, and then it hit me. I would have to go far away from my family, boyfriend at the time, friends, and any comfort zone I had ever built up. So I copped out, telling my cousin that I didn't feel God was leading me there.
I told a lie. A major lie. God wanted me there and I knew it, He had opened so many doors and given me so many signs telling me He wanted me to go and Task Force.
Now I look at my decision and wish I had made a different one. I wish I had gone and experienced the adventure that God had planned specifically for me that year, but I didn't and I just lived out another school year.
Don't get me wrong, God has used me in more ways that I could have ever imagined here at Union this year and I am so thankful for that. I am thankful that He didn't punish me for my disobedience and that He is giving me a second chance at Task Forcing next school year. God's nature is not punishment and revenge but of love and forgiveness.
I am so excited to see how God is going to use me not only at Task Forcing but at camp this summer too. Surrendering everything over to Him is something that I struggle with daily but I know that if I fall God is a God of second, third, fourth, and fifth chances! He will never give up on me.
Isaiah 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and cleaver in their own sight."
We need to ask God for understanding in our lives daily, because He knows what is best for us. We have no wisdom worth while if it does not come from God.
So my prayer for all my friends and family tonight is that God will give you guidance in your life and that you will trust in His plan.
If God can give us second, third, fourth, and even fifth chances, why can't we do that for each other?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Love Is Something Lived Through: Inspiration
Want to be inspired? Read some of Josh's blog! It is an amazing story of finding God in the midst of a mess!
http://findingfreedomin90days.blogspot.com/
http://findingfreedomin90days.blogspot.com/
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