Dream Come True

As a little girl I can remember getting Barbie and Skipper ready for the ball where they would meet the boy of their dreams. After that they would fall in love and have a big beautiful wedding and live happily ever after of course. When my sister and I would play this I couldn't help but fantasize about my own wedding and the day when my daddy would walk me down the aisle to meet the handsome prince of my dreams and live happily ever after. I lost sight of my "happily ever after" dream when the little boys thought I had cooties and I realized how ignorant they really were. However in my teenage years the fantasy came back as crushes came and left with a little heartbreak. Since then I have learned a few things about love. First, if you don't know God you will not know how to love others. I John 4:8 says Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Second, it's harder than it looks. Some people are harder to love than others and any strong relationship is going to take work. Lastly, God wants to bless each one of his children with the very best, so don't settle. He knows how to give the best gifts and often times those come in forms of the people closest to you.

A little over 8 months ago God blessed me with one of the greatest gifts I've received, besides my amazing parents and sister. Cain Bowen is everything that I have prayed for in a boy and he treats me like his little princess. He's a handsome Southern boy, originally from Alabama who has stolen my heart away. Although I'm in Minnesota and he's still in high school in Indiana, we are making it work because we truly love each other. He is there to pray with me in the tough times, discuss cool things about the Bible, keep me warm in the cold, and everything else I've ever wanted. I thank God everyday for sending me the very best! Thank you baby for loving me the way you do!

Jeremiah 29:11

After a semester at North Central, I realized that it was not exactly what I had expected. Although the spiritual atmosphere is awesome, the people in charge of the program I'm in and many of the relationships I have with my professors have less than impressed me. Also, being a homebody, Cain obviously not helping, 10 hours feels like an eternity away and a month like a year. Therefore, yesterday my dad and I went on a college visit to Bethel College in Mishawalka, IN about 2 and a half hours from my house. They also have an ASL program and after spending a few hours there I have to admit that it was pretty impressive. They made it clear to me that they take pride in educating their students and making sure they are as prepared as possible to get a job when they graduate. On the other hand, it is a Missionary Church based school not AG so that would be different for me. The department chair was not even saved when she was hired, which would not happen at NCU. I would definitely miss the spiritual atmosphere of NCU and the powerful preaching of Dr. Anderson (Gosh I love him! haha) but I'm really praying about the direction God wants me to go. If he wants me to go strictly for interpreting, I'm definitely going to Bethel. However, if he wants me to use my degree for ministry I firmly believe toughing it out at NCU is the answer. So I am going to ask all of you to be praying with me for guidance throughout this next semester to make the right decision. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

New Beginnings

As one year ends and another begins, I have a feeling that I will miss 2008 because great things happened this year. I turned 18 this year with a surprise party and the best friends I could ask for. I graduated from high school, after what seemed like an eternity until the last month which flew by in a blink of an eye. I kissed high school goodbye and I'm not missing it yet. I fell in love with a boy named Cain and I've never felt a love like this before. He's proof that good guys still exist and I got one! I also traveled halfway around the world to South Africa and got the opportunity to spend 2 and a half weeks loving on about 35 babies at the Lighthouse Children's Shelter with David and Janis Betzer. It was an experience that I will never forget! 2008 also presented the most difficult time for me, leaving home. In August I left for NCU, 10 hours away from home. For those of you who know me, you know that being home is what really makes me happy therefore being so far away has been a stretch for me. Knowing that I can't go home and see my friends and family whenever I want has been a difficult adjustment for me. Although it is difficult, I am doing it and I successfully finished my first semester of college with a 4.0. Looking back on 2008 I see it as a growing year. As the first chapter of my life closed and many other chapters began to be written I have learned a lot about myself, about God, and about love. As we head into the new year, I can't wait to see what God has in store. I'm looking forward to this year of New Beginnings.