Testimony

I'm going to MEXICO!

With the ERC

In July

And preaching an evangelistic series!

HOW EXCITING!

Now, why would Lorrie, who is certainly not renowned for her speaking ability and desire to be a specticle excited about such a thing?

Well, cause God has given her joy in all things and made it clear thus far that this is His will for her.

That's EXCITING!

Let me share the story.....

I agreed to sign up for an interview with the ERC early this year. It was an exciting thought of something to do after graduation. I preferred to go to Argentina when I signed up. It's in May. Mexico is in the middle of the summer. Why would I want to go smack-dab in the middle of the summer. It is illogical. And I like to be logical. So I interviewed and they told me Argentina is filled. In my mind I went, "ok, well, that's that." I left without saying yay or nay. I talked to my mother. "Lorrie go for it!" "But Mom...." As days went by, I thought, well, my life after graduation is a black hole. You won't have this opportunity, certainly this easy, probably ever again. So, go for it. So in my mind I thought, "Well, ok. I'll follow this path and see where it leads." A Bit half-hearted. A board meeting at my home church was coming up so I asked my parents to see if my church would donate to the cause. The afternoon after the board meeting I talk to my mother. She sounds excited and proceeds to tell me....My parents told the board about Mexico and how much I need which is $500. Certainly a good price but it's still a lot when you're like me and have no money. As they are speaking a church member named Tom hands my mother $25. A lady pulls out her check book and writes a check for $25. Another does the same for $20. My pastor says he will give $100. My grandma says she will give $150. !!!!! So, I now have $320 toward my $500 in just one afternoon board meeting! If no one else gives, I am sure I can muster the rest if need be......PRAISE THE LORD! That was a sign to me. I need to go to Mexico. God wants me to go. He will empower me. I am so excited! Why this summer? Why in the middle of the summer? I don't know. But it's fine. I am so touched by the faith that the members of my churck back home have in me. They were willing to give from their pockets instead of having the church as a institution pay. That is so encouraging and sweet of them. They have faith in me and God's abilities using me. That is such a complement and so affirming for me.

I just went and paid my commitment fee this morning.

I am So excited! I'm sure I won't be quite as excited just beforing stepping up the first day. But, yet, I think I will be. Knowing that I am in God's plan. And He is the one presenting, not me.

Submission. I think that is one of the lessons for this year.

So now, the black hole of my life after graduation is delayed till after July 26th. What shall be next?



:-D

(Mexican turtle)

(images:http://www.essex.ac.uk/armedcon/images/country/headings/flags/mexico_flag_large.bmp, http://www.hurricanedivers.com/hd03066.jpg)

Hidden Valleys

In a hidden valley just over the hill
A young shepherd boy surrenders his will
As he lifts his voice in praise to his King
Only the lambs will hear and follow as he sings

In a hidden valley a faithful one leads
No one looking on, he cares for their needs
For he knows the One who tries the heart
So he is steadfast and content to do his part

Chorus:
Hidden valleys produce a life song
Hidden valleys will make a heart strong
Desperation can cause you to sing
Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings

In a hidden valley a leader is born
He has faced the fierce and weathered the storm
So with humble heart and love for his God
He becomes royalty with just a staff and rod

That's a song from Steve Green that I hadn't heard in a really long time. It made me think of my own literal valleys. I grew up in a valley for 18 years of my life. There were hills all around me: a rural small-town country area of New York. I've been here at college in the infamous "happy valley" of Southern for the past several years.

David grew up in his hidden valley. He communed with God in the simplicity of pasture life. He fought his battles and protected his sheep. That simplistic life is what prepared him for the challenges of life outside his valley. The lessons he learned were essential and designed by God for his training and preparation.

I consider being raised in a Christian, Adventist home the most tremendous blessing in my life. I can never thank God enough. Not having to deal with the junk so many people my age have gone through....I can never be more grateful. I have this heritage which I absolutely love. Always going to small Christian schools has also been one of the most valuable blessings in my life. I have met and been blessed by so many wonderful dedicated Christian teachers and folks every year of my schooling life. Combined with my beautiful literal valleys, these protected social valleys have guided me in such a powerful way through these years of my life.

But we can't stay in these valleys. David was called from his peaceful pastoral life to a future he could never have imagined. Many of the prophets, the disciples, and Jesus Himself were all called out of their peaceful valleys to a life of service to God. We are certainly not all called to be Paul, Peter or Moses. But we are all called to step from our comfort zones and be soldiers for Christ.

This has already shaped to be a fascinating year of my schooling life- potentially the last ever. Schooling is a very comfortable valley and leaving it forever is an exciting and daunting thought. I am confident however, that these years of education and guidance, through God's Spirit, have prepared me for whatever He has before me.

Whether you're in the valley of indecision, sorrow, light, joy, frustration, trial, complacency, or wherever you find yourself, may the peace of Christ fill your hearts.

Proverbs 16:15

“In the light of a king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.”

This is such a beautiful verse. I think of Jesus, the King of Kings. I want His face to be lighted up when He thinks of me. I want His favor to be upon me, rejuvenating my soul with the sweetness of the Holy Spirit; like the spring rain refreshes the earth and brings forth vibrant growth and new life. What a beautiful thought that is!

(images: http://babyboomcandles.com/images/Fragrance/springrainlg.jpg)

Are you ready?

Go to CNN, Fox, whatever news you like and read the headlines....how can you not think that Jesus could come very soon?!

Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring:
Jesus is coming again!
Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing:
Jesus is coming again!

Like/Dislike

I like this 70 degree weather which is currently outside. It's marvelous!






I dislike handkerchiefs. I won't articulate all the reasons why because, quite frankly, it's gross. My father uses one and it tends to be his personal paper towel as well as tissue. I thought of this today because one of my professors took one out of his pocket.

My lunch today was chili, onion rings, and chocolate milk. Not very healthy. But probably the largest lunch I've had this week.

I experienced grace today. I skimmed over material for a quiz today. Can't say I really studied. But somehow the quiz was really easy and I got my first 100% on a quiz in that class. Funny how things like that happen eh?





(images: http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/m/Melagoo/522.jpg, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Handkerchief.jpg, http://stores.wholesome-essential.com/catalog/chili.jpg)

Home

It's been a long day. A good day but a long day. I left at 7:30am got back at 8:10pm. It went late cause I had a grand time exploring the TMC with Lauren. I rode my bike home and as I stood by the crosswalk a car went by and some random person yelled lewd comments at me as I stood waiting to cross. I calmly acted as though he did not exist. But several thoughts went through my head...

1. What is wrong with the human race?
2. Get a life.
3. Thank the Lord for Jesus Christ. And the esteem I have through being His daughter.

Anyways, to veer from that subject. I was supposed to meet a classmate at noon to discuss questions for a discussion we're leading tomorrow for a class. She didn't show. I emailed and tried to call. I haven't heard a thing. Thankfully I have a feel for what we're doing and it's not a huge deal. But...HELLO...what is wrong with people? Just don't show up.....She doesn't even know me. It truly astonishes me sometimes. She probably forgot and whatever, that's fine but I simply go crazy if I am not prepared for a class. Anyways, it'll be fine. I'm prepared.


So I'm doing a book report on a book which is called Lipstick Jihad and its a lady's memoir of growing up Iranian in America and then living in Iran as an Iranian American. It was very interesting from many different points of view. But basically she was describing her quest to finding belonging. She's not American and she's not Iranian. She didn't know what was home.


It was kind of interesting because I don't know where home is anymore either. SAU is my home. And my parents in NY are my home. My cats and grandparents are my home. My friends make a home. My brother makes home and he is across the world. Where is home? I've been missing home a lot the past couple weeks. I've been missing the weather and just the security of home. I talked to my grandma and she sounded lonely and I wanted to go and visit her and cheer her up. I wanted to sit on my backporch wrapped in a blanket with my cat on my lap in the chilly autumn dusk. My mother would be sitting in the other chair. And we'd chit chat about life. Then I would go inside and drink some hot cider and listen to a baseball game with my father. Then I would go to my room and fall asleep to the sounds of....nothingness. And my cat would be curled at the end of my bed. I miss a NY Autumn. It's so beautiful. We'd always buy cider from our neighbor who has a cider press. So it'd be fresh and amazing. I remember racking leaves and making a pile and just lying in it, smelling the dry leaves. Something random and silly: when I was in elementary school we'd always make a LLBean order in August before school started. I had a yearning for LLBean the other day. lol

I'm having a great time in SMA. I'm doing a bulletin board and we're going to have faculty trivia with people guessing what faculty did very odd and random things. I'm excited.

Psi Chi is having a car wash Sunday. I can't say I'm rip roaring excited. But hey, it'll be a first. I've never worked a car wash before. So yea, come on out and support Psi Chi at the Brock parking lot! Whoo hoo! lol

I have a cold. Last night I felt pretty horrible. My head felt like it was going to explode. I took some unmarked medicine that Bekah had and eventually fell asleep. I feel better today, sniffly but not too bad. I'm excited about going to sleep early.

Anyways, those are my thoughts for this evening.

Police get call over non-floppy rabbit ears

Mon Sep 15, 9:05 PM ET

STIRLING, Scotland - Your rabbit's ears aren't floppy? Sorry, that's not an emergency. So said police in Scotland when a woman rang the emergency 999 number to discuss her concerns about her new pet. She said the newspaper ad promised floppy ears, but flop they would not.

Central Scotland Police said Monday they were equally unimpressed by another caller who complained that a passing car had splashed water on him, and by someone else inquiring about the postal code for a town's post office.

"Whilst officers and staff are dealing with these frivolous matters that a member of the public has deemed so serious as to call 999, they are not dealing with genuine emergency calls," said Chief Inspector Alan Stewart.

Story here

And some people have real problems in their lives.....

(image: http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/995/760287.JPG)