Fall is here!

For me it is crazy to think just how fast everything has flown by!

This weekend we have our Fall Retreat, and really, it will be a retreat. There will be no internet service or cell phone service up there! Such a rare occurence nowadays, but I think it will be great.

Some of you guys are getting my newsletters. If you got my newsletters last year, you have seen a drastic difference. I'm not writing as much as I used to. I really want to use this blog as a means to communicate possible stories or even explain things further. I understand some people receive the letter and may not have time to read a jammed-packed page letter, so I'm lightening the load.

Really cool things are still going on!

Personally I was reflecting last night about just how grateful I feel to be doing what I am. As a teacher, I had those feelings as well, but the thing is I felt to limited in my interaction with students and especially how much I would be allowed to actually say to students. While I got satisfaction from teaching Spanish, there is a far greater satisfaction talking to people about the gospel. The gospel meets an inner need, an inner need we all have. I now understand that as a teacher there are ways to do these things, and I'm not even ruling out the possibility of one day going back to teaching. All I know is that it is clear God has me here, doing what I am right now, and I've never been so inspired and just joyful about being able to share his good news.

I always laugh when I tell people my story of how I ever got here to Tucson, Arizona. Never would I have thought in college that I would end up in Tucson, Arizona (for how long, no idea, but still!) It is such a complicated story, but at the same time it brings a smile to my face. If I ever doubt that he wanted me here, I can just remember that story and also reflect on just how much he is teaching me here.

Let's say last year was the 'dying' part. In case you didn't know last year was extremely tough, it was. Trust me! lol. I would not take back that year, but then again I wouldn't want to repeat it. While I was sad to leave the Dominican Republic, I was excited to finally be able to share my faith in the States (something that I rarely did before) This year has been so refreshing! How cool is it to meet with college women and talk about God? I love it! I get to ask the hard questions, I get to share about myself, I get to know them better, and I'm given the opportunity to tell them what Jesus has done for them.

The reactions have been so varied. I have been met with questions, people who never understood the true message of Christianity, all of a sudden confronted with something they thought they knew, but finding out they didn't, having light-bulb moments in front of my eyes, people confiding in me and trusting me with important information because all of a sudden they feel understood, and yes, I have been met with indifference.

We were out on the grassy places on campus during the first couple of weeks, tabling, just giving away free water bottles if they filled out a survey. I am still working off of that list. Last time I checked there were 66 people, the majority I've already called or met with, but there are still some left to contact. Just yesterday I met up with a girl who went to church some as she was growing up. She mentioned that she remembers having a conversation with a roommate about a year ago. Her roommate asked her, if you would die today, do you know where you would go? The girl opened up to me to say, that she didn't at that time. She believes now she does know, but she still seemed hesistant. Like I previously stated, I'm learning so much. One thing that is repeated again and again here in Cru is that Religion = I have to do this or that to get saved/approved. Christianity = God loves me, therefore accepts me and from that love comes the good works. It was crazy to see her eyes get big when I told her that. I would not have been able to explain that a year ago. For whatever reason I got caught up in works for awhile. However, God definitely took me through the Dominican Republic to refine me, put me through the fire, and I can say from experience, that when I am not faithful, he is still faithful. When I fail, he still meets me with his grace. Why? ...While some would choose to answer that question, I prefer to sit on it. Not because there is doubt in the question but rather wonder. He who knows all, all of my sins, my intentions, chooses to love me anyway. I desire to always live with this wonder.