It's been a while...

Life changes so much in one year. Last year at this time I was in my second full week of senior year and this year I'm a freshman in college. Crazy to think about, but it's been a great journey so far. I'll spare the long story of how I ended up where I am now because the only people reading this probably know my story already, but I really wanted to share about my first day of college. After an emotional morning of trying to find a parking spot and driving around the University of Akron campus for about 30 minutes, I walked into my first college class. As the class went on for the next 40 minutes, I started feeling God's peace more and more. By the time the class was done, I was filled up with His peace and love, which cannot be explained. The only feelings I had this morning while getting ready at home were those of fear and nervousness. God replaced them with confidence that I can make it through my first year of college at the school that wasn't my first choice, and with comfort that I would do just fine here. Those feelings lasted and even kept growing during my 3 hour break and walking into my 2nd/last class of the day. They even kept growing when I got to talk to my best friend on the phone walking around campus before I left. They even kept growing when I picked up my siblings from their school and got to catch up with another best friend on the phone a little later. Right now as I'm finishing typing this, I can't explain how different I feel from just this morning. The only answer is God and I'm so thankful that He is my Rock!

Blessings

School. I have been so grateful for CVCA last year and this year. This year I'm a senior and we have the privilege of sitting in the front of chapel. The first real chapel of the year was this past Thursday and it was so wonderful! During worship, I opened my eyes during the last song and it was an amazing feeling to see so many people with their hands raised in the air, truly giving it all to our Lord. I love that we can all worship together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Cool opportunities. Back in May, my mom found out about transfer students at my school. We talked to Mr. Shilling, the director of the international students program and found out that there was a guy and a girl coming from Norway that would be here this school year. It would have made more sense for us to take the girl since I have the bigger room, so we talked it over as a family, but never really made a decision. Then, we found out that the girl already had a host family set up and a family friend of ours was going to host the guy. So it worked out. Then, last Wednesday my mom got a call from Mr. Shilling saying there was a girl from South Korea, Seung Woo, who needed a new host family within the next week and he wondered if we would be willing to take her. So, we talked it over again as a family and started to seriously consider it. Thursday night, Mr. Shilling came over to bring us more information about her and to answer any questions. We told him we would let him know by Monday. Friday, Mr. Shilling came into one of my classes and said I could meet Seung during lunch. So I got to talk with her for a little and ask her some questions. We talked a lot as a family this past weekend and did a lot of praying. By Saturday night, my mom was excited and we all knew that we would be saying yes. Sunday afternoon, we started talking about the room arrangements and it somehow came up that if my dad moved his office, my brother could make that his room and Seung could take my brother's. I went from having to share my room to not having to give up anything besides my time to make sure she likes it here. Sunday night, my mom called Mr. Shilling and Monday afternoon we found out that she would be moving in this Thursday. It's crazy how fast things can work out and it reminds me of when I got into CVCA last year in 3 days after 2 weeks of school. My family is very excited to have her stay with us!

Family. Since I've been back in school for 9 days, I've had a few quizzes and tests already. On a very busy, stressful night I had to study for 5 tests and it was already late at night. My dad offered to help me study and it was really fun getting to talk and hang out for a bit. He was a big help and it made studying seem better. Even greater than that, is seeing how much my family is willing to give up to make sure Seung will be comfortable here. We've told all my extended family also and many of them are excited to get to know her. I love how accepting my family can be. It makes me even more excited.

Gino's Cancer Battle

In October at a leukemia walk for my friend Ashlee, I met a 10 year old boy, Gino. Ashlee and Gino know each other because they both have cancer and Gino's family came to support and walk with Ashlee, like my family did. As I got to know Gino while walking, he told me his story about how he found out he had cancer a year ago when he found a lump on his hand. If I had not known that he had cancer, I never would have guessed. Gino was happy and optimistic about everything. He sang me some songs and told me some cute stories and after that night, I was so thankful that God had put him and his family in my life. In November, a month later, Gino went for scans to see if the cancer was gone, hopefully forever. The scans looked really good and Gino was told that he was in remission. What exciting news! A week or so later, Gino started going back to school and his hair started growing back, really fast actually :) My mom and I started planning a dinner for Gino and Ashlee's families to come over and hang out. It didn't work out at the time because of the holidays, so we were going to wait till after things settled down. Then, this past Friday night, my mom received a text from Ashlee's mom saying that Gino's cancer had come back. When my mom told me the news Saturday morning, we both instantly broke down. Those words are never easy to hear. I prayed like crazy all day for God to look out for Gino and heal him completely. But then Sunday and Monday morning, I received devestating news. Gino had a seizure Saturday night and has been in the ICU since then. While at the hospital, they did some tests and found a tumor on Gino's brain. My little friend, who I care about so dearly, has two types of cancer in two different places. It is so hard not to want to just sit and be depressed, but God has been reminding me that He is good through ALL things. Please pray for Gino and his family, today, tomorrow, and whenever you think about him. I am so thankful that God is right here next to me as I hope and pray that Gino will only get better from here.

Our God

In one week, my life was changed in a huge way. It all started when my friends and I were having fun talking about me going to CVCA, a private Christian school. Within 3 days, I had submitted my application, had an interview with the admissions director, and had been officially enrolled in CVCA. My first day was on a Monday and CVCA had been in school already for 2 weeks. The first day was so stressful and overwhelming and I found that I was constantly calling on the Lord to help me through each little thing. I almost wanted to give up right at the beginning, but I knew that the first day was going to be the hardest and once I got through it, it would get better. That was 7 weeks ago and all the stress I had at first, is mostly gone. I've had to step up on all the work I do and honestly its been tough making good friends, but I will never stop believing that God can get me through anything. This verse has been a constant reminder to me in knowing that I need to trust God in all He does for me: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

You smile, I smile

I want to start off by saying that I am not writing about this so that I can be praised for helping out. Instead, I am writing this to tell how God touches our hearts right when we need it. Monday night, I went to Haven of Rest with my parents and another family from our church. We had to set up for dinner. Everything had to look just right so the people coming would feel like they're in a good place. Us workers had to wear gloves, aprons, and hats to keep our hair back. We also had to make sure to wear long pants and t-shirts. On the way there, I was very uncomfortable in my clothes, but I felt this peacefulness wash over me when I realized that it wasn't about what I was going to have to do or wear. It was about putting a smile on their faces and showing them love, God's love. My favorite part is handing out the food. Most make sure to say thank you and some even say God bless or say how grateful they are. Monday, while looking down the line at the many more people waiting, I had a huge urge to just smile and show them I care and that God cares. Everyone needs love, but so many of us are scared to love the broken people.  

Forgiveness and Responsibility lead to Restoration

Sometimes friendships get tested and no one knows how to save the friendship. Whether it's a fight or the silent treatment, either way, something wrong has been done from one person to the other. In my Bible, there is a page called "How to Restore Relationships." I recently needed advice on what to do so I turned to my Bible and read this:


"When God gave Moses the Law, he instituted a system of restitution: Anyone who injured another paid the price for what was stolen or destroyed and added 20 percent to the value. We may think of restitution as justice for the wronged party and punishment for the offender. But restitution offers more: It builds a bridge between the two parties, paving the way for relationships to be restored." This paragraph stood out to me because for the past few days, I have been contemplating over and over how to fix one of my friendships. Another point that stood out to me said:


"Forgiveness from God coupled with responsibility toward the other person are key to restoring relationships." It then goes on to say:


"If someone has something against us, he calls us to go and make it right (see Matthew 5:23-24). If we have something against another, we're responsible to take the initiative to settle our differences with them (see Matthew 18:15). It's not always comfortable. But it's always the right thing to do." This was just the thing I needed to hear and knowing it came from God, made me feel much more willing to do the 'uncomfortable thing' to fix  a friendship. I'll leave it at this, the last thing it said to restoring relationships:


"Consider what needs to be done and take action: Repay the debt, replace the item and apologize for a wrong. Do whatever it takes to restore the relationship. Do it because it pleases God and because your relationships will be richer for it." 

Coming Home

Coming home from youth group trips has always been one of the hardest things for me. I get used to hanging out at night in hotel rooms and the next day getting to see my friends right away, all day. I always tend to take it for granted when i'm on a trip. On the mission's trip to Pittsburgh, I was able to see my friends any second I wanted. Also, working together with them was an amazing thing. I became friends with people I had never really been close to and I became even better friends with the people I already hang out with. That had become my life for a week and I loved every minute of it. I had to keep in mind that I could feel that close to God at home too, that serving God could be done anywhere. Instead of feeling sad that I had to leave, I kept in mind that great things are still waiting to happen.