The Lord is so beautiful to me, more and more every day. He picked me up when I couldn't do anything good on my own and has lead me through life in such a loving way!
As I was doing some Spanish study today, I ran across this verse in Matthew 8:2--"¡Señor, si quieres, puedes limpiarme!" ["Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."] The man speaking was considered unclean by those around him. He was marred by "leprosy" (although the text note in my Bible says the Greek referred to a skin condition, not just leprosy), and unable to do anything about it. That is just the way that we are in our sin. But Jesus, who doesn't have anything making Him unclean, chooses to heal us with only a word!! He died to cleanse us. How beautiful is that!!
This afternoon, as I was studying for a nursing test, I was listening to some worship music, and one of my favorite songs came on. I thought I'd share it. It always reminds me of how, without Christ, I am no better than anyone else. I am an orphan, adopted by my Father, a whore, sought by my Husband, and a runaway, lost until He found me. He has given me everything. Praise Him!! How could I refuse to share His love with those around me?
You are on our side (Bethany Dillon)
The orphan clings to Your hand
Singing the song of how he was found
The widow rejoices
For her oppressors are silenced now
You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side
The runaway falls at Your feet
You are what he has searched for
The rich man is broken
When he stands beneath a sky full of stars
You sit at the table with the wounded and the poor
You laugh and share stories with the thief and the whore
When You could just be silent and leave us here to die
Still, You sent Your Son for us
You are on our side
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A Wonderful Opportunity
This week I had one of the best experiences I've had in a really long time: I got to speak at a campus event! Not that it might sound like fun to most people. And actually, speaking in public isn't something I normally enjoy either. But this time was much different. God blessed me in such a special way this week through what happened.
A few months ago, a few of my college friends and I were talking about the Compassion International ministry, and we came up with an idea to host an event to raise awareness of needy children on our college campus and try to get people to sponsor a child. We agreed that a few different people needed to speak at the event, and I mentioned that I would be willing to speak if it was necessary. My family has been involved with Compassion ever since I can remember, so I knew I would have a lot to talk about. Well, the idea kind of just brewed for a month or so before the people in charge were able to really start any planning. (Because of my busy schedule, I wasn't really in charge of planning anything, just kind of like a side helper for Alicia, who was in charge of the event.)
Once the planning really got started, Alicia came up to me and said, "You know, the other day I heard you mention a friend who runs an orphanage in Bolivia. Since you seem to know a lot about that country, would you mind giving a little talk just highlighting the needs of that area? I would also like for you to talk about the orphanage if you can." I was totally shocked. Alicia had no idea how perfect that was for me! I can't even begin to say how thrilled I was to have that opportunity!!!.... My closest friends will tell you that I love the children of Bolivia, and I could talk for hours about the needs of that region. (I have been interested in Bolivia ever since I started learning Spanish in high school. I remember it was highlighted one day in our lesson, and something about the culture just captured my attention. Only a few weeks later I started reading a book called His Chosen Bride; one part of the book spoke about the utter hopelessness of the street kids in Bolivia, and I've been hooked ever since!) And as far as being asked to talk about Casa De Amor... well, I've loved that ministry ever since it began!! :-)
So this last week I spent several hours compiling all the information I've gathered over the years and putting it together into one 10 minute talk. I hadn't been working on it very long when I stopped to check my e-mail, and saw I had gotten a forward from an "e-mail/blogger friend". She was forwarding a story about the kids of Bolivia!! [Thanks D.--that article was very helpful! :)] I was so excited. It was just amazing how it all fit together. And the very day I gave the talk--April 7th--the sponsorship forms for Casa de Amor were finally made available. So after the whole event was over, we had at least 5 people agree to sponsor children through Compassion, and at least 2 children will be sponsored through Casa de Amor!!
It was such an exciting day. I was just so blessed to be able to talk about something I love so much that I wasn't even nervous at all. I think that even though not many people came the the event (it ended up being unusually cold, and we held it outside), the people that did come were really touched. And to me, if even one child's life is affected, it was totally worth everything!!
Note: If you want to sponsor a child through Casa de Amor, download this form.
And yes, I really did post this at 1:15. I was up talking to my friend Susie while she rocked her newborn baby. It was worth the lack of sleep. :D
A few months ago, a few of my college friends and I were talking about the Compassion International ministry, and we came up with an idea to host an event to raise awareness of needy children on our college campus and try to get people to sponsor a child. We agreed that a few different people needed to speak at the event, and I mentioned that I would be willing to speak if it was necessary. My family has been involved with Compassion ever since I can remember, so I knew I would have a lot to talk about. Well, the idea kind of just brewed for a month or so before the people in charge were able to really start any planning. (Because of my busy schedule, I wasn't really in charge of planning anything, just kind of like a side helper for Alicia, who was in charge of the event.)
Once the planning really got started, Alicia came up to me and said, "You know, the other day I heard you mention a friend who runs an orphanage in Bolivia. Since you seem to know a lot about that country, would you mind giving a little talk just highlighting the needs of that area? I would also like for you to talk about the orphanage if you can." I was totally shocked. Alicia had no idea how perfect that was for me! I can't even begin to say how thrilled I was to have that opportunity!!!.... My closest friends will tell you that I love the children of Bolivia, and I could talk for hours about the needs of that region. (I have been interested in Bolivia ever since I started learning Spanish in high school. I remember it was highlighted one day in our lesson, and something about the culture just captured my attention. Only a few weeks later I started reading a book called His Chosen Bride; one part of the book spoke about the utter hopelessness of the street kids in Bolivia, and I've been hooked ever since!) And as far as being asked to talk about Casa De Amor... well, I've loved that ministry ever since it began!! :-)
So this last week I spent several hours compiling all the information I've gathered over the years and putting it together into one 10 minute talk. I hadn't been working on it very long when I stopped to check my e-mail, and saw I had gotten a forward from an "e-mail/blogger friend". She was forwarding a story about the kids of Bolivia!! [Thanks D.--that article was very helpful! :)] I was so excited. It was just amazing how it all fit together. And the very day I gave the talk--April 7th--the sponsorship forms for Casa de Amor were finally made available. So after the whole event was over, we had at least 5 people agree to sponsor children through Compassion, and at least 2 children will be sponsored through Casa de Amor!!
It was such an exciting day. I was just so blessed to be able to talk about something I love so much that I wasn't even nervous at all. I think that even though not many people came the the event (it ended up being unusually cold, and we held it outside), the people that did come were really touched. And to me, if even one child's life is affected, it was totally worth everything!!
Note: If you want to sponsor a child through Casa de Amor, download this form.
And yes, I really did post this at 1:15. I was up talking to my friend Susie while she rocked her newborn baby. It was worth the lack of sleep. :D
Blessings Innumerable
I've been needing to write on here for weeks.... Life just kind of runs by me and I forget how much I need to write. Writing is definitely my outlet! But I've been kept so busy with nursing school that I don't even feel like I have a minute to think sometimes.
I have been wondering again the past few days why God led me to get a bachelor's RN degree when I wanted to take the shorter route so much and finish with my ASN in two years. *sigh* I can't even begin to say how much I hate school. More and more every single day I'm in it. I think it's really because right now I'm so bored with what I'm doing. I've been doing the same thing for almost a year now (because that teacher failed me last semester), and I'm just really tired of it all.
The Lord has been so close to me over the past few months, though, and I know I wouldn't trade that for anything. I just wish that somehow I would be able to take joy in what I'm doing. I'm about to start my obsetrics/pediatrics rotation, though, and even though that is the hardest class, I'm looking so forward to it! It's truly what I love to do, and I think that it will be good for me to have a more enjoyable season. I definitely want to eventually end up doing pediatrics. I don't understand it, but for some reason I'm always able to work with the kids in our section of the hospital better than any of the nurses I work with. They just can't stand to have a baby for a patient. But I'm actually disappointed if I work and there are no children that day!!
Right now I'm at a good friend's house over spring break, holding her new baby and just loving it. What a joy it is to see my best friends having children! They are so precious. I love every minute of it.
I have been wondering again the past few days why God led me to get a bachelor's RN degree when I wanted to take the shorter route so much and finish with my ASN in two years. *sigh* I can't even begin to say how much I hate school. More and more every single day I'm in it. I think it's really because right now I'm so bored with what I'm doing. I've been doing the same thing for almost a year now (because that teacher failed me last semester), and I'm just really tired of it all.
The Lord has been so close to me over the past few months, though, and I know I wouldn't trade that for anything. I just wish that somehow I would be able to take joy in what I'm doing. I'm about to start my obsetrics/pediatrics rotation, though, and even though that is the hardest class, I'm looking so forward to it! It's truly what I love to do, and I think that it will be good for me to have a more enjoyable season. I definitely want to eventually end up doing pediatrics. I don't understand it, but for some reason I'm always able to work with the kids in our section of the hospital better than any of the nurses I work with. They just can't stand to have a baby for a patient. But I'm actually disappointed if I work and there are no children that day!!
Right now I'm at a good friend's house over spring break, holding her new baby and just loving it. What a joy it is to see my best friends having children! They are so precious. I love every minute of it.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
For my fellow homeschoolers...
Are you the stereotypical homeschooler? X the boxes that apply to you.
Growing up/now
[x] Girls: Own/have owned a denim jumper [unfortunately yes when I was about 13.... but we were never required to wear dresses except to church; we just had to dress modestly]
[x] You were at least 13 when you got your first "trendy" haircut [I was probably about 13 when I decided that I actually needed layers in my hair...]
[x] Everything in your closet at some time was referred to as modest
[x] You do/have tucked things in that shouldn't be tucked in [but not anymore! haha i hope my fashion sense has improved!]
[] You have been a member of at least 2 co-ops
[x] Your mom drives a van of some sort [an awesome great big red van that you can see almost a mile away!! :)]
[x ] You have at least one childhood picture where you, your mom, and all you siblings matched [sort of--we were all wearing red shirts i think or something like that. we didn't have outfits made out of the same fabric though. but emily and i did wear matching dresses some in kindergarten]
[ ] You are/were/will be a PSEO Student
[x] At some point in your life you were more comfortable with adults than kids your own age
[x] Have studied ways to defend your beliefs, debate, and/or create laws
[x] Used uber conservative A Beka or Bob Jones curriculum
Total: 9
[x] You use big words that most adults could not use in conversation
[x] You can use the words sublime, epiphany, and cognizant correctly
[ ] You have a favorite word.
[] You have an understanding of Latin root words and how to use them
[x] People from the outside world are referred to as "public schoolers" [oh definitely! haha]
[x]You or one of your siblings knits. [actually, I crochet. ;) I'm still learning how to knit.]
[x] You laugh at the decline in literacy in America
[x] You score constantly higher than "public schoolers" on standardized tests.
[] You have no concept of cafeteria food [i wish i could "x" this one but i work in a hospital!]
[x] Family vacations are/ can be referred to as "Field Trips" [sort of... we took "field trips" on the "vacations"]
[x] Traveling on said vacations have included stopping at historical site markers along the way [almost always! but i love history so i loved this!]
[x] You have never been in a public elementary school, middle school, or high school during regular school hours (any or all of the above)
[x] You have gone to or been involved in a homeschool convention [both actually]
Total so far: 19
[x] You read books on a regular basis [I'm in the middle of about 3 or 4 right now! all different kinds of books, of course.]
[ ] You have taken part in a political protest
[x] You were a Pride and Prejudice fan before the movie [I read the book at least 7 times in high school. You should read it too!]
[x] You were a Lord of the Rings fan prior to the movie [Actually I'd never read Lord of the Rings, but I read The Hobbit many times]
[x] You were a Chronicles of Narnia fan before the movie
[x] You speak a language other than English [learning to speak Spanish.... not too good yet though]
[x] You dream of dating characters from books instead of celebrities. [not anymore...and i never wanted to date celebrities... I've only ever been interested in people I know. The characters in the books, though.... well, don't you kind of get to know them? ;)]
Total so far: 25
It (has been) assumed that you:...[since I'm in college now most people don't assume these things but when I was in grade school they often did]
[ ] Have won many spelling bees
[x] Have no social life [definitely not true]
[x] Have no friends of the opposite gender [not true]
[x]Are extremely inept [haha... this may be somewhat true! lol j/k; i'm just clumsy sometimes]
[x] Only listen to classical music [it actually puts me to sleep most of the time (unless I'm playing it)]
[x] Play piano or the violin [I've played the piano for almost 15 years]
[x] you not own a pair of trendy jeans. [not true]
[x] Have no knowledge of drugs or alcohol [haha I have no personal knowledge but is that a bad thing?!]
[x] Don't date, only court. [sort of false... I guess we are kind of more "conservative daters" now; it depends on your definition of courting. I've never been on a date if that's what it's talking about!]
[x] you Have never been to a "party"
[x] Know no other beliefs other than what your family believes
Total so far:35
You have been asked more than 10 times in your life:
[x] If you wear pajamas to school
[x] If you get perfect grades because your mom grades you [definitely was not true!!]
[] If your mom teaches you or if somebody else's mom does
[x] How do you meet people
[x] Why you aren't in school
[x] If you get days off whenever you want [we didn't...even though we always begged for our birthdays off we never got them. a lot of times we even had school on saturdays to catch up if we had taken a day off during the week for something else.]
[] If you're going to be homeschooled through college [i've never heard that one!]
[x] If you have a big family [I'm one of five kids. Not too big, really]
[] What your parents are protecting you from
[] To quote something famous
[x] For the answer, because supposedly homeschoolers always have all the answers
Total so far: 42
You have "rebelled" by:
[x] Listening to "worldly music" [haha this one cracks me up b/c my sister and I used to "sneak" and listen to country music in high school. then we found out our parents knew all along and didn't actually disapprove of anything except the sneaking part!]
[] Wearing black fingernail polish
[] Wearing tight clothes or letting your midriff show or showing off what color of boxers you are wearing
[x] Watching a *gasp* PG-13 movie
[] Breaking dress code
[x] Listening to music with a beat
[] Dancing. Especially dances that involve contact for longer than 2 seconds. With somebody of the opposite gender.
subtract this from total: 39
OVERALL TOTAL: 39
1-10 You're not really a homeschooler...you just do school at home
11-21 You're a homeschooler, but not what the world expects
22-32 You're a homeschooler
33-? Congrats you're the stereotypical homeschooler
Growing up/now
[x] Girls: Own/have owned a denim jumper [unfortunately yes when I was about 13.... but we were never required to wear dresses except to church; we just had to dress modestly]
[x] You were at least 13 when you got your first "trendy" haircut [I was probably about 13 when I decided that I actually needed layers in my hair...]
[x] Everything in your closet at some time was referred to as modest
[x] You do/have tucked things in that shouldn't be tucked in [but not anymore! haha i hope my fashion sense has improved!]
[] You have been a member of at least 2 co-ops
[x] Your mom drives a van of some sort [an awesome great big red van that you can see almost a mile away!! :)]
[x ] You have at least one childhood picture where you, your mom, and all you siblings matched [sort of--we were all wearing red shirts i think or something like that. we didn't have outfits made out of the same fabric though. but emily and i did wear matching dresses some in kindergarten]
[ ] You are/were/will be a PSEO Student
[x] At some point in your life you were more comfortable with adults than kids your own age
[x] Have studied ways to defend your beliefs, debate, and/or create laws
[x] Used uber conservative A Beka or Bob Jones curriculum
Total: 9
[x] You use big words that most adults could not use in conversation
[x] You can use the words sublime, epiphany, and cognizant correctly
[ ] You have a favorite word.
[] You have an understanding of Latin root words and how to use them
[x] People from the outside world are referred to as "public schoolers" [oh definitely! haha]
[x]You or one of your siblings knits. [actually, I crochet. ;) I'm still learning how to knit.]
[x] You laugh at the decline in literacy in America
[x] You score constantly higher than "public schoolers" on standardized tests.
[] You have no concept of cafeteria food [i wish i could "x" this one but i work in a hospital!]
[x] Family vacations are/ can be referred to as "Field Trips" [sort of... we took "field trips" on the "vacations"]
[x] Traveling on said vacations have included stopping at historical site markers along the way [almost always! but i love history so i loved this!]
[x] You have never been in a public elementary school, middle school, or high school during regular school hours (any or all of the above)
[x] You have gone to or been involved in a homeschool convention [both actually]
Total so far: 19
[x] You read books on a regular basis [I'm in the middle of about 3 or 4 right now! all different kinds of books, of course.]
[ ] You have taken part in a political protest
[x] You were a Pride and Prejudice fan before the movie [I read the book at least 7 times in high school. You should read it too!]
[x] You were a Lord of the Rings fan prior to the movie [Actually I'd never read Lord of the Rings, but I read The Hobbit many times]
[x] You were a Chronicles of Narnia fan before the movie
[x] You speak a language other than English [learning to speak Spanish.... not too good yet though]
[x] You dream of dating characters from books instead of celebrities. [not anymore...and i never wanted to date celebrities... I've only ever been interested in people I know. The characters in the books, though.... well, don't you kind of get to know them? ;)]
Total so far: 25
It (has been) assumed that you:...[since I'm in college now most people don't assume these things but when I was in grade school they often did]
[ ] Have won many spelling bees
[x] Have no social life [definitely not true]
[x] Have no friends of the opposite gender [not true]
[x]Are extremely inept [haha... this may be somewhat true! lol j/k; i'm just clumsy sometimes]
[x] Only listen to classical music [it actually puts me to sleep most of the time (unless I'm playing it)]
[x] Play piano or the violin [I've played the piano for almost 15 years]
[x] you not own a pair of trendy jeans. [not true]
[x] Have no knowledge of drugs or alcohol [haha I have no personal knowledge but is that a bad thing?!]
[x] Don't date, only court. [sort of false... I guess we are kind of more "conservative daters" now; it depends on your definition of courting. I've never been on a date if that's what it's talking about!]
[x] you Have never been to a "party"
[x] Know no other beliefs other than what your family believes
Total so far:35
You have been asked more than 10 times in your life:
[x] If you wear pajamas to school
[x] If you get perfect grades because your mom grades you [definitely was not true!!]
[] If your mom teaches you or if somebody else's mom does
[x] How do you meet people
[x] Why you aren't in school
[x] If you get days off whenever you want [we didn't...even though we always begged for our birthdays off we never got them. a lot of times we even had school on saturdays to catch up if we had taken a day off during the week for something else.]
[] If you're going to be homeschooled through college [i've never heard that one!]
[x] If you have a big family [I'm one of five kids. Not too big, really]
[] What your parents are protecting you from
[] To quote something famous
[x] For the answer, because supposedly homeschoolers always have all the answers
Total so far: 42
You have "rebelled" by:
[x] Listening to "worldly music" [haha this one cracks me up b/c my sister and I used to "sneak" and listen to country music in high school. then we found out our parents knew all along and didn't actually disapprove of anything except the sneaking part!]
[] Wearing black fingernail polish
[] Wearing tight clothes or letting your midriff show or showing off what color of boxers you are wearing
[x] Watching a *gasp* PG-13 movie
[] Breaking dress code
[x] Listening to music with a beat
[] Dancing. Especially dances that involve contact for longer than 2 seconds. With somebody of the opposite gender.
subtract this from total: 39
OVERALL TOTAL: 39
1-10 You're not really a homeschooler...you just do school at home
11-21 You're a homeschooler, but not what the world expects
22-32 You're a homeschooler
33-? Congrats you're the stereotypical homeschooler
Monday, February 2, 2009
Studies in Grace
My nursing classes are really keeping me busy, so I don't know how much I will be able to post on here. But at least they are going better this semester.
Last semester was the worst semester I have ever experienced. My nursing teacher gave me a "D" in the class for almost making a few mistakes on the last day of clinicals. [It is difficult to explain her reasoning unless you understand nursing. Some nurses have one method of doing things, and others have another method. I did things by a method taught to me by other nurses. My teacher doesn't like that method however, so she is making me repeat the semester.] I--and every nursing student/nurse I have talked to (except my instructor and the nursing director)--feel that the reasons my teacher gave me an "unsatisfactory" grade were not sufficient grounds for failure. So I have really been struggling with accepting her decision. I feel like I don't deserve to go through the things I have been through with this. I am a good student; I was doing well in the class before. The remaining three weeks of that class last semester seemed to me like living in a nightmare. It only happened before in my worst dreams that I would ever even come close to failing a nursing class. Why would God let something like that happen to me? It was humbling to a point I had never been humbled before. All of my self-assurance was stripped away, and I could only cling to God. I know now that I will never get through nursing school without Him. If I fail again, I am not allowed back into the nursing program.
It is not like I was trying before to do it without Him, but I didn't know what it meant to have to completely rely upon His grace. "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (I Corinthians 12:9) Without Him, I am nothing. Sometimes I tend to forget that, and try to do it all in my own power.
In addition to all of the school struggles, I have been really struggling to overcome a lot of physical weaknesses lately. Over the past few months I have been sick with sinus infections, pneumonia, and (almost daily) severe headaches (which is terrible, as any nursing student will understand, because I can't study with these headaches!). So I am really nothing but weak! I know that when pass through these trials with victory, it will be only because of His marvelous grace.
However, last Friday I made a 98 on my nursing exam--which covered the very material my teacher failed me for! I still have a year of nursing school left, but I know that with His grace I can make it through it. But without Him, I will certainly fall.
Through all of this, I feel that the Lord has been opening up my heart to new things I have never known. He is leading me every step of the way, and I can say with confidence that I have never felt so content in my life. I have no idea where He is leading me, but I can feel that each step I take is a sure step as He is guiding me.
Lamentations 3:22-23~"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Last semester was the worst semester I have ever experienced. My nursing teacher gave me a "D" in the class for almost making a few mistakes on the last day of clinicals. [It is difficult to explain her reasoning unless you understand nursing. Some nurses have one method of doing things, and others have another method. I did things by a method taught to me by other nurses. My teacher doesn't like that method however, so she is making me repeat the semester.] I--and every nursing student/nurse I have talked to (except my instructor and the nursing director)--feel that the reasons my teacher gave me an "unsatisfactory" grade were not sufficient grounds for failure. So I have really been struggling with accepting her decision. I feel like I don't deserve to go through the things I have been through with this. I am a good student; I was doing well in the class before. The remaining three weeks of that class last semester seemed to me like living in a nightmare. It only happened before in my worst dreams that I would ever even come close to failing a nursing class. Why would God let something like that happen to me? It was humbling to a point I had never been humbled before. All of my self-assurance was stripped away, and I could only cling to God. I know now that I will never get through nursing school without Him. If I fail again, I am not allowed back into the nursing program.
It is not like I was trying before to do it without Him, but I didn't know what it meant to have to completely rely upon His grace. "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (I Corinthians 12:9) Without Him, I am nothing. Sometimes I tend to forget that, and try to do it all in my own power.
In addition to all of the school struggles, I have been really struggling to overcome a lot of physical weaknesses lately. Over the past few months I have been sick with sinus infections, pneumonia, and (almost daily) severe headaches (which is terrible, as any nursing student will understand, because I can't study with these headaches!). So I am really nothing but weak! I know that when pass through these trials with victory, it will be only because of His marvelous grace.
However, last Friday I made a 98 on my nursing exam--which covered the very material my teacher failed me for! I still have a year of nursing school left, but I know that with His grace I can make it through it. But without Him, I will certainly fall.
Through all of this, I feel that the Lord has been opening up my heart to new things I have never known. He is leading me every step of the way, and I can say with confidence that I have never felt so content in my life. I have no idea where He is leading me, but I can feel that each step I take is a sure step as He is guiding me.
Lamentations 3:22-23~"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sobering News
I wanted to ask you to be praying for Casa de Amor ["House of Love" in Spanish] in Bolivia. I know some of you have heard me mention this orphanage because it is just so dear to my heart. My friend Jennifer Thompson has worked so hard to give these homeless children of Bolivia a truly safe home, and God has blessed her efforts in so many ways. Casa de Amor now has three sites, with about 40 children total. While I have never actually been able to go there to work with them, I have loved Casa de Amor since it was first started about 4 years ago; in fact, I have been praying for a long time that God would let me go to Bolivia and work with them. Hopefully I will be able to do that once I graduate from nursing school. I know that they have a great need for people with medical knowledge to help care for all the children they have with medical issues.
Right before Christmas, Casa de Amor accepted a new baby to the Baby Home, not knowing that he had chicken pox. Unfortunately, chicken pox is extremely contagious and the children have all gradually become sick with it, with each one becoming sicker than the previous one. Friday morning, one of the youngest babies in the Baby Home, 4 month old Gabriela, passed away due to complications from the chicken pox virus. Her twin brother is still fighting chicken pox pneumonia, another complication of the chicken pox. I am crying as I write this. I have loved looking at Gabriela's pictures and seeing her with her brother and the other babies of Casa de Amor. I wish I could have known her. Please pray for all these children and also for their caregivers. I know that they are all grieving, but they are still also trying to make sure that they don't lose any more of these precious children. Please also pray for all of the children of Bolivia, thousands of whom still live on the streets.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jaquan
zOver the past few years I have volunteered with Hope Extreme, an amazing organization run by my friend Tara. They offer tutoring and outreach to urban children in Houma, a town about an hour from where I live. My best friend Amber's heart is totally devoted to Hope Extreme, and I was introduced to it through her. This past semester I went every Tuesday to tutor for a few hours. Getting to know the kids has been such a blessing! They are so special, each and every one of them.
On December 22, one of the kids that was very special to Hope Extreme passed away suddenly. The funeral service was one of the saddest and yet most joyful I have ever been to. Although he was young, Jaquan didn't waste his life. He lived for his Lord, and left an example for everyone who knew him. Please keep his family and Hope Extreme in your prayers; as you can imagine, it has been extremely hard on everyone involved. Please pray also that the impact he had will continue to linger, even stronger through his death. We are praying that all the kids who knew him will realize the brevity of life, and how important it is to not waste one minute. Your next breath is not guaranteed. Not one person knows how long he/she has left on this earth.
Here is what Tara wrote about Jaquan:
The Psalmist writes "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me..." In earthly terms our human shadows are caused by a greater light that displays but a vague glimpse of our earthly image. In this passage the psalmist is aware that the shadow of death is also caused by a greater source, the all encompassing light of God shining in such a way that we are to know that "his rod and staff will comfort us."
This past month that shadow passed over Hope Extreme. Sixteen-year-old Jaquan Veal, who had been with Hope Extreme since our beginning, passed away on December 22. About twenty kids were here at the center the night we learned of his passing; as you can imagine, life here has not been the same.
We have mourned. We have doubted. We have cried. We have remembered that God is the God of second chances. Jaquan had a heart transplant almost three years ago which at the time left him blind and partially paralyzed. God gave Jaquan his life back, his sight back, and his body back and we were so thankful. Jaquan knew that his life was but a fleeting breath and dedicated it to the God who saved him. Jaquan often said that he received two hearts...a physical one, but more importantly a spiritual one, the latter which is eternal.
Though our tragedy is great, through Jaquan's life - and through those who came closer to God as a result of his death - there is greater triumph. And that is how we chose to ring in the New Year, in God's Almighty Triumph.
Jaquan and Amber
On December 22, one of the kids that was very special to Hope Extreme passed away suddenly. The funeral service was one of the saddest and yet most joyful I have ever been to. Although he was young, Jaquan didn't waste his life. He lived for his Lord, and left an example for everyone who knew him. Please keep his family and Hope Extreme in your prayers; as you can imagine, it has been extremely hard on everyone involved. Please pray also that the impact he had will continue to linger, even stronger through his death. We are praying that all the kids who knew him will realize the brevity of life, and how important it is to not waste one minute. Your next breath is not guaranteed. Not one person knows how long he/she has left on this earth.
Here is what Tara wrote about Jaquan:
The Psalmist writes "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me..." In earthly terms our human shadows are caused by a greater light that displays but a vague glimpse of our earthly image. In this passage the psalmist is aware that the shadow of death is also caused by a greater source, the all encompassing light of God shining in such a way that we are to know that "his rod and staff will comfort us."
This past month that shadow passed over Hope Extreme. Sixteen-year-old Jaquan Veal, who had been with Hope Extreme since our beginning, passed away on December 22. About twenty kids were here at the center the night we learned of his passing; as you can imagine, life here has not been the same.
We have mourned. We have doubted. We have cried. We have remembered that God is the God of second chances. Jaquan had a heart transplant almost three years ago which at the time left him blind and partially paralyzed. God gave Jaquan his life back, his sight back, and his body back and we were so thankful. Jaquan knew that his life was but a fleeting breath and dedicated it to the God who saved him. Jaquan often said that he received two hearts...a physical one, but more importantly a spiritual one, the latter which is eternal.
Though our tragedy is great, through Jaquan's life - and through those who came closer to God as a result of his death - there is greater triumph. And that is how we chose to ring in the New Year, in God's Almighty Triumph.
Jaquan and Amber
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