I can't believe it's finally here. I am leaving home tomorrow to go to OSU. It feels like I have been waiting for this moment for years. I am closing one chapter in my life and starting a new one. I can honestly say that I am so excited to see what God has planned for me these final two years of college at OSU. I can't wait to see where He leads me. I can't wait to see what people He places in my path. I can't wait to learn all that He has to teach me. I just can't wait.
Because I am leaving tomorrow, it got me thinking of all the incredible people and opportunities I am leaving behind in Tulsa.
I am leaving behind my incredible Momma. This woman is amazing. Seriously. She is my biggest fan and I am so thankful to not only call her my Mom, but also one of my best friends. I know I can talk to her about anything. She loves me at my best and my worst. She is an incredible example of what it looks like to love others the way that Jesus loves. She is a shining example of that by how she treats her students. I love coming home at night and sitting down and just talking to her. She is such a blessing in my life.
I am leaving behind my amazing daddy. He is the reason I want to be a P.E. teacher and a coach. The way he genuinely cares for every single one of his athletes is so inspiring. He is so full of wisdom, it's ridiculous. He has taught me so much about what it looks like to sprint after Christ and putting Him first in every thing I do. He shows me this daily by example. He is the one who constantly reminds me that "your ministry is wherever God has you AT THAT MOMENT." He is the best. hands down.
I am leaving behind my awesome brother. It has been such a blessing having him at home for the summer. I love talking to him and sharing stories. I am seriously blessed to have Josh has my brother.
I am leaving behind my grandparents who make me laugh more than anyone else I know. Any time I am around them, I can't help but smile. They have always been huge supporters of me, and might win the title for being my biggest fans.
I am leaving behind FamilyChurch. I am leaving behind the youth group and the girls in my small group. Those girls are incredible, and will, no doubt, change the world..they already are.
I am leaving behind a coaching job on SwimTulsa that I absolutely love. SwimTulsa is such an incredible team, but the people on it are what make it incredible. It was such a blessing to have a job that I loved. I loved all the relationships I was able to form from coaching on that team.
I am leaving behind friends who mean the world to me. Friends who build me up when I am feeling down. Friends who love me no matter what.
It feels like I am leaving a lot behind. But I look forward and see that I am also gaining a lot as well.
I am gaining an incredible roommate, Cortney, who has such an amazing love for Christ. Her goal is to make Christ famous in her life and she lives that out every single day. She is an awesome friend and I know I can go to her any time I need to and she will listen to me.
I am finally going to go to the same school as Jill. We've been friends forever and that girl is a huge blessing in my life. I love talking to her about life and swapping stories. I love how she is in love with Jesus, and it's so obvious when you talk to her.
I get to volunteer at one of the most incredible churches around-LifeChurch.tv. I am so excited how God is moving in that church and I am excited that I get to be apart of it. I am so excited to work with the kids and help them get a better understanding of who Jesus is.
I am gaining a whole new set of memories that will last a lifetime.
Although I am leaving behind a lot, I am also gaining a lot. I know, 100%, that OSU is where God wants me. I am supposed to be on that campus for a reason and I can't wait to see what that reason is. I want to be a light where there is darkness. I want to bring hope to the hopeless. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Thinking about tomorrow brings out so many emotions in me. Excitement. Happiness. Fear. Anxiousness. and so many others. I am sad to leave so many incredible people behind, but I know God has big plans for me in Stillwater. I am ready to get this new and exciting journey started... :)
"LORD, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that's what I want." -R. Baxter
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Bucket List
Okay..so everyone else is doing this.
I've had a Bucket List going for a few years now. Some things have been crossed off and others I can only pray I will get the opportunity to complete.
I've been thinking about this list a lot lately. I think it's because I am getting ready to start a new chapter in my life and that has me thinking about everything I want to accomplish in my life before I die. I want to be known as that girl who lives life to the fullest and has no regrets-who isn't afraid to chase after her dreams or try new things.
So..giving into peer pressure, I am posting my Bucket List...
1. Make "A" finals at State (completed-I think this is my only one from high school)
2. Be a BigStuf Intern (completed Summer '09)
3. Learn how to snowboard
4. Complete a triathlon
5. Go to a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field
6. Swim with dolphins
7. Learn how to surf
8. Travel to Kenya (completed Summer '09)
9. Meet Lekumok (completed Summer '09)
10. Visit the Grand Canyon
11. Watch an Olympic Event (preferably swimming) in person
12. I want to fall in love and marry a godly man who loves Christ more than he could ever love me
13. I want to be apart of a movement to change the world
14. Go back to Kenya and work in an orphanage/the slums
15. Learn how to ballroom dance
16. Go whitewater rafting
17. Climb a mountain
18. Run a 5k in a race
19. I want to roadtrip across the United States with friends
20. Go parasailing
21. Help someone else accomplish something off their Bucket List
22. I want to be that P.E. teacher/coach that is so incredibly supportive of their athletes and will stick up for them no matter what. I want to teach student athletes the importance of being physically fit, but teaching them about Jesus along the way. I want to be Jesus to them. I want to make a difference in their life.
23. Fly on an airplane (finally completed Summer '09)
24. Go to Oregon simply to see the Nike headquarters
25. Live my life for Christ every single day. "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
I've had a Bucket List going for a few years now. Some things have been crossed off and others I can only pray I will get the opportunity to complete.
I've been thinking about this list a lot lately. I think it's because I am getting ready to start a new chapter in my life and that has me thinking about everything I want to accomplish in my life before I die. I want to be known as that girl who lives life to the fullest and has no regrets-who isn't afraid to chase after her dreams or try new things.
So..giving into peer pressure, I am posting my Bucket List...
1. Make "A" finals at State (completed-I think this is my only one from high school)
2. Be a BigStuf Intern (completed Summer '09)
3. Learn how to snowboard
4. Complete a triathlon
5. Go to a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field
6. Swim with dolphins
7. Learn how to surf
8. Travel to Kenya (completed Summer '09)
9. Meet Lekumok (completed Summer '09)
10. Visit the Grand Canyon
11. Watch an Olympic Event (preferably swimming) in person
12. I want to fall in love and marry a godly man who loves Christ more than he could ever love me
13. I want to be apart of a movement to change the world
14. Go back to Kenya and work in an orphanage/the slums
15. Learn how to ballroom dance
16. Go whitewater rafting
17. Climb a mountain
18. Run a 5k in a race
19. I want to roadtrip across the United States with friends
20. Go parasailing
21. Help someone else accomplish something off their Bucket List
22. I want to be that P.E. teacher/coach that is so incredibly supportive of their athletes and will stick up for them no matter what. I want to teach student athletes the importance of being physically fit, but teaching them about Jesus along the way. I want to be Jesus to them. I want to make a difference in their life.
23. Fly on an airplane (finally completed Summer '09)
24. Go to Oregon simply to see the Nike headquarters
25. Live my life for Christ every single day. "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
"The smallest thing can make all the difference.."
I know that everyone has seen those commercials on t.v. of organizations asking you to "sponsor" children in other countries for "just a dollar a day." I know the majority of people are quick to ignore those-I used to be one of those people. But, something changed in me a few years ago.
I was at BigStuf Camps as a camper the summer before my senior year of high school when God got ahold of my heart. He called me to sponsor a little boy in Kenya thru the organization Compassion International. The things I heard at camp that week completely broke my heart for the children and people of Kenya. I wanted to do something to help. I was excited to begin sponsoring this little boy, but the longer I started sponsoring him, the more I always wondered if what I was doing was really helping. In all honesty, there were some months that I didn't want to give up my money to help pay for this little boy. I liked to think I was making a difference in this boy's life, but I really had no idea.
Well, as most of you know, back in May of 2009, I was given the opportunity to travel to Kenya and meet precious Lekumok face-to-face. As soon as I saw him and met him, I immediately knew that me sponsoring him made a HUGE difference in not only his life, but his family's lives also. I remember feeling guilty for even doubting what Compassion International does for those children. I got to meet this little boy, his parents, his siblings, and his friends. I got to see his school and even had the rare privilege of visiting his home. Lekumok is the sweetest boy who comes from a family living in poverty. He lives in a tiny hut where his family of 9 must fit. In order to get to school he has to WALK an insane amount of miles just to get there-and when school is over, he must walk all those miles back. I remember when I was in Kenya, we drove to his home, and I wanted to complain about how long the DRIVE was. Talk about how spoiled I am. To us in America, all these things mentioned seem like a negative living situation to us. But let me tell you, Lekumok is a thankful boy. He is thankful to have a roof over his head, even if it is just a hut. He is thankful to go to school. Going to school is not a thing that every person gets to participate in. He gets to go to school because of the work of Compassion International. Compassion helps him get food and clean water along with medical care. And most importantly, Lekumok gets to hear about and experience the love of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. After my trip to Kenya last year, I am more convinced then ever that Compassion International makes such a huge difference in the lives of the sponsor children as well as their families.
Just a few short days ago, I was once again reminded of how incredible the organization Compassion International is. I got a letter in the mail from Lekumok. When I first started sponsoring him, a translator would have to write the letters for him. This letter was written all by himself. That is a huge deal. Here is what the letter says, word for word:
Rachel,
How are you? I am fine and my family is fine too. I am now in grade four. I was number 15 of 26. Pray for me to do well. How is your family? Thank you for coming to see me. Greet your family. I love you.
That may not seem like a big deal of a letter, but trust me, it is. Just a couple of years ago he could not even write a letter, and now he is writing by himself. He is excelling in school. His family is doing great. And has he has mentioned in other letters, he is in love with Jesus. Him being in love with Jesus Christ makes my heart smile so much. And that last part of the letter made my tear up. Big time. I love you. Wow. Thanks for that, God! I could not be more excited about the work Compassion International does for these kids. I am so blessed to be Lekumok's sponsor and am so incredibly thankful for him. I have learned so much about joy from him and love him so much!
Thank you, Compassion International, for every single thing you do for these children.
I think Carrie Underwood's song "Change" best explains Compassion... "The smallest thing can make all the difference.."
Want to know more about Compassion International? Go to www.compassion.com
I was at BigStuf Camps as a camper the summer before my senior year of high school when God got ahold of my heart. He called me to sponsor a little boy in Kenya thru the organization Compassion International. The things I heard at camp that week completely broke my heart for the children and people of Kenya. I wanted to do something to help. I was excited to begin sponsoring this little boy, but the longer I started sponsoring him, the more I always wondered if what I was doing was really helping. In all honesty, there were some months that I didn't want to give up my money to help pay for this little boy. I liked to think I was making a difference in this boy's life, but I really had no idea.
Well, as most of you know, back in May of 2009, I was given the opportunity to travel to Kenya and meet precious Lekumok face-to-face. As soon as I saw him and met him, I immediately knew that me sponsoring him made a HUGE difference in not only his life, but his family's lives also. I remember feeling guilty for even doubting what Compassion International does for those children. I got to meet this little boy, his parents, his siblings, and his friends. I got to see his school and even had the rare privilege of visiting his home. Lekumok is the sweetest boy who comes from a family living in poverty. He lives in a tiny hut where his family of 9 must fit. In order to get to school he has to WALK an insane amount of miles just to get there-and when school is over, he must walk all those miles back. I remember when I was in Kenya, we drove to his home, and I wanted to complain about how long the DRIVE was. Talk about how spoiled I am. To us in America, all these things mentioned seem like a negative living situation to us. But let me tell you, Lekumok is a thankful boy. He is thankful to have a roof over his head, even if it is just a hut. He is thankful to go to school. Going to school is not a thing that every person gets to participate in. He gets to go to school because of the work of Compassion International. Compassion helps him get food and clean water along with medical care. And most importantly, Lekumok gets to hear about and experience the love of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. After my trip to Kenya last year, I am more convinced then ever that Compassion International makes such a huge difference in the lives of the sponsor children as well as their families.
Just a few short days ago, I was once again reminded of how incredible the organization Compassion International is. I got a letter in the mail from Lekumok. When I first started sponsoring him, a translator would have to write the letters for him. This letter was written all by himself. That is a huge deal. Here is what the letter says, word for word:
Rachel,
How are you? I am fine and my family is fine too. I am now in grade four. I was number 15 of 26. Pray for me to do well. How is your family? Thank you for coming to see me. Greet your family. I love you.
That may not seem like a big deal of a letter, but trust me, it is. Just a couple of years ago he could not even write a letter, and now he is writing by himself. He is excelling in school. His family is doing great. And has he has mentioned in other letters, he is in love with Jesus. Him being in love with Jesus Christ makes my heart smile so much. And that last part of the letter made my tear up. Big time. I love you. Wow. Thanks for that, God! I could not be more excited about the work Compassion International does for these kids. I am so blessed to be Lekumok's sponsor and am so incredibly thankful for him. I have learned so much about joy from him and love him so much!
Thank you, Compassion International, for every single thing you do for these children.
I think Carrie Underwood's song "Change" best explains Compassion... "The smallest thing can make all the difference.."
Want to know more about Compassion International? Go to www.compassion.com
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