Thinking on These:

I am going through one of those times when God stretches and pulls...and somehow I come out better than before (or at least that is the goal). Well, frankly I sort of just want it to be over, but until then God has given me a few things to ponder...

"Work on what is real rather than worry about what is unreal.
Reach forward and press on rather than remaining a prisoner of the past.
Believe the truths of the Bible rather than our emotions.
Act on what is revealed through Scripture rather than on what appears to be."
~Elizabeth George

"if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness" ~John 1:9
"...you and I are forgiven regaurdless of our feelings and thoughts"
~Elizabeth George

"let not our longing slay the appetite of our living"
~Jim Elliot

"Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, Give Thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of Gos in Christ Jesus for you." ~1 Thes. 5:16-18

School, Work, Apartment, and God

School
I sat all Christmas break waiting for this day. Now that it is here I am a little curious to why I thought it would be so great. I think going to Africa has clouded my vision of reality when it comes to school. I have forgotten about homework, regularyly going to class, classroom discussions, tests and quizes. I have forgotten how the miles long walks in the hot sun of Africa are nothing compared to the jog accross a parking lot in the freezing tundra of Wisconsin winter. I hope that I can keep up with everything...but in the large picture of things, as Pastor John has been reminding me, none of this really matters. Just glorifying God by enjoying Him forever!

Work
I got a new job! I am working in the International Studies Office on campus. I will be doing some of the typical office work as a student worker and than I will be train in Student Advising. Basically I will be the gateway for students who want to study abroad. I will be going over and forming goals with them, narrowing down where they want to study and just spending time talking with them to see if they are ready and in a good position to study abroad. I am so excited that I get to be a part of giving someone the experience that I just had.

Apartment
I am all moved in! Thanks goes out to Mike (who basically organized my whole move for me), Andy (who made two trips to Madison to help me out with them move when he wasn't planning on it), Josh, Paul, Joelle and my Mom! I am so thankful that I got this help, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you! Thank you also to Liese who gave the my wonderful couch! Thanks!

So, about my apartment. It is so nice and cozy. It feels like home. I have a little more work to do on the bedroom, but I am still working away on it. I am very thankful that I can have such a nice place to live.

God
For the last little while I have been through a slump. Things have just been going and I have been letting my mind slip into a series of what-ifs that have really hindered my thoughts. On Sunday I was reminded that nothing in life apart from the glory of God is anywhere near important to a Christian. That my goals (getting married, graduating College on the Dean's List, having children) are not going to stand up to the eternal flames of God. That I need to be living my life for His glory and His glory alone.
Also, I started to read on of Elizabeth Georges books (the name I do not remember) and something she said was to have a mind that is thinking on truth is a mind that is not focused on the imaganery, but dwells within reality. I have a huge problem with doing this. I almost play pretend in my head. Also, I majorly read into what people do and say. This only creates problems in the relationships I have. I need to always think that peoples motives and intentions are pure and true. All I need to worry about is if I am in sin and trust that God's word is true when he says that he will bring that to light in my life. It feels so good to be growing and learning.

Missing You....

Kendall, Kristin and I in London...our last moments together!

When Friends Get Married

1st.... Congrats to my good friend Hilary on her engagement! I am so happy for you and I am sure that God will bless you and your husband serve Him! Hilary is a student at Bob Jones and we lived accross the hall from each other. Our friendship was such a blessing to me. She is getting married May 24 to her man, Sam, who is an evangelsit! God has answered all of her prayers in regaurds to Sam and this marriage! I am so amazed with how good God is!

2nd.... It doesn't seem possible that I have good friends of mine married or getting married! I know that i desire it. I know that I want it. I just don't know about it. I know it is not the right time for me, due to my lack of relationship with a male, but I just wonder if I can handle it. It seems like such a BIG thing. It seems like all the little things in my life can be Big things. I know that I just need to live for today and not worry about tomorrow. So, I am going to try not to think about it too much.

3rd.... I am thankful to God that he has preserved me. I know that I can get drawn to a person because I want the image of that person and me together. That there are characters that person has that draw me in a way that could lead to trouble, but God is looking out for me. I am so thankful that he has not allowed me to make my feelings into actions. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me and who the right person is when he brings him along.

Missing and Thanking

Things that I am missing about Ghana...
1. The kabob stand and the sausage that I was addicted to...

2. Pineapple...until I went to Ghana I had no idea that someone could eat a whole pineapple themselves in one sitting...plus a whole pineapple was only sixty cents

3. Being so hot that a cold shower sounds great! I am so cold that the idea of taking off my clothes...even if it is to enter a hot shower...is a little scary

4. Kendall and Kristin...my two good Christian friends that I made in Ghana...

5. Eveylen's (Devilyn) ice cold water


Things that I am Thankfull to be away from and to have in the US...1. Ghanaian men...I do not feel like I am an object that men just prey on when I am here

2. Coffee and a varity of food that is amazing to my palet

3. Christmas, snow, friends and family...the Swanson's put up their Christmas tree and it smelt wonderful! I could have cried

4. Going into a store and being able to just shop and not be bothered about anything!

5. Being away from my established Christian support system...God was so good to preserve me from evil while I was in Ghana even though I had moments of tempation

Only One Month Left?!?!

It doesn't seem in the least bit possible that I would only have one month left in Ghana, but as I look in my daily planner in blue ink there it is. One More Month! I was sick when I wrote in my daily and monthly count downs until I return home.

I am really happy to be getting home, but I know it will be hard to leave. I feel like a whole new person. In a lot of ways I am. I see a purpose in my life, which God developed in me while I have been here. I see how truly blessed I am to be a Christian who is from the United States. Not only to have Christ in my heart, but to be given so many opportunities that other people do not have, is truly a blessing from God.

A piece of my heart will forever be in Ghana. I have grown to love people from here. I have grown to love a way of life that seems to unimaginable from where I have been. I have grown to love the spirit of hope that people in the depths of poverty display in everyday life.

I am an American at heart. I long to be in a culture that is not bias based on gender. I long to be in a school who encourages critical thinking and diverse learning styles. I long to be able to have a desire for a burger and have it in my hands within ten minutes. I long to be able to be around the family and friends that have been my support system in my life.

I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place, but I know that it will pass. I know that God will help me through these emotions. I know that I will rejoice in be glad in Him that I even got to come here and I have a place to return to.

I am sorry

I am not really sure what is going on, but my photo's are not uploading unto blogger. I can try to e-mail them to you all, but I don't know how. I can ask a friend if she will post a couple of me on her blog and I will send the link later...enjoy the ones below though...

Me in Ghana

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Today...

I am leaving on a jet plane and I won't be back until December!!! I have given my blog out to a lot of people, so I hope you all are checking it out! I am feeling pretty good today, seeing as it hasn't hit me what I am about to do. I am feeling a little nervous about goodbyes. Yesterday I received two gifts that sparked some wetness in my eyes, but I didn't cry! It has been amazing to see the support that has been given to me. God has blessed me with amazing friends and fellow beleivers to worship Him and grow with. (I am trying not to get choked up right now) I will blog as soon as I get to a computer!

A Week From Today I Will Be in Ghana!

I am under a week! If all goes well I will be in Ghana, asleep, by this time next week! I am really excited about going, but as I start to say goodbye I know it's going to be a hard time. So, this is what I am going to be doing with my last week in the States for a couple of months. I plan on eating all the corn on the cob I can get my hands on! I also need to finish shopping and finish packing. This is going rather well, but the more I pack the more I realize I still need to pack! I only have a few things left on my life. Mainly medications that I might need and some hygiene products. The most important thing is a need to get all of my furniture in storage somewhere. I have a few leads on a couple of storage units and peoples houses that said I could store some things there, but overall I really don't have any place to store my things and I have less than a week to find a place and get my things moves in!!! I am also sick! I have a cold that is leaving me tired and a little grumpy! Other than my complaints things are going really well for me!