If you've never lived in a small town, then sit back and enjoy the cultural lesson, and if you have, then I know you will be nodding in agreement! When I moved to Dillon, I quickly realized that everyone knew everyone's business. However, I naively thought that, I'm not part of one of the major families in Dillon, I have no life (of interest to local gossip) and why would anyone want to talk about me? Seriously, I'm about as boring as they get. Although one of my co-workers does try to tease me about the alleged "two years in Africa" - and what was I really up to?! :o)
So imagine my surprise at church this morning when several people, that I know but not that well, greeted me with, "So, I hear you are going back to school?"
Some of you may not know, but I've decided to work on my masters at CIU this summer (and the following summers . . . ) It took me a while to make this decision and I've only told people close to me (who wouldn't have run into these ladies at church), my headmaster, and my pastor (whom I was asking for a reference).
I responded back to one of the ladies who knew, how on earth does everyone know this? Her reply, "Girl, you don't know this town!"
Well, this girl is slowly learning about this town and is now in fear and trepidation about what will happen if she actually goes out on a date/ gets married! Maybe one day I'll be able to post an ending for that!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Valentine's Day
It was my turn to share in morning staff devotions this week, and our theme this year has been our testimonies/ what is God up to in your life. I shared briefly on Tuesday about why God sent me to Africa - which was to change and mold me. I ended on the note that I left very happy to leave and return to the U.S.
Wednesday, I focused more on the longer I was away, the more I’ve seen the value of what God did in my life while I was there. Seeing as this Sunday is Valentine's Day, I wanted to try to tie this in as well, but well, I don't exactly have any experience with dating/marriage! I'm really not the best candidate to talk about this, but I am an excellent candidate to talk about God's unconditional love.
While the media might hype about this being a special day for couples/romance, as a believer, I can use this day to realize that God is seeking and pursuing me (and His bride, the church). I can look back just during my time in Uganda and see God’s unconditional love pursuing me throughout the entire time. He was pursuing me and saying I love you while I had no family there; he was pursuing me when my luggage was having a week’s holiday in the UK and my teammates who were practically strangers reached out to me; he was pursuing me when I was afraid I’d get Malaria, Ebola, (insert other weird African diseases); he was pursuing me when all my friends left after the first school year and I thought I was alone; he was pursuing me when the bus from Rwanda crashed. I saw how he does have plans for me, awesome plans for me (even though I try to keep telling him my plans are better.;o))
I’ve felt fortunate to grow closer to Him as I cried out to him daily. While I might not know earthly valentine type love, I can def. say I know the heavenly love of my gracious and amazing Father. It reminds me of what Matthew 10:29-31 says: "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
So Happy Valentines Day everyone and take time this weekend to remember who our true Lover is!
Wednesday, I focused more on the longer I was away, the more I’ve seen the value of what God did in my life while I was there. Seeing as this Sunday is Valentine's Day, I wanted to try to tie this in as well, but well, I don't exactly have any experience with dating/marriage! I'm really not the best candidate to talk about this, but I am an excellent candidate to talk about God's unconditional love.
While the media might hype about this being a special day for couples/romance, as a believer, I can use this day to realize that God is seeking and pursuing me (and His bride, the church). I can look back just during my time in Uganda and see God’s unconditional love pursuing me throughout the entire time. He was pursuing me and saying I love you while I had no family there; he was pursuing me when my luggage was having a week’s holiday in the UK and my teammates who were practically strangers reached out to me; he was pursuing me when I was afraid I’d get Malaria, Ebola, (insert other weird African diseases); he was pursuing me when all my friends left after the first school year and I thought I was alone; he was pursuing me when the bus from Rwanda crashed. I saw how he does have plans for me, awesome plans for me (even though I try to keep telling him my plans are better.;o))
I’ve felt fortunate to grow closer to Him as I cried out to him daily. While I might not know earthly valentine type love, I can def. say I know the heavenly love of my gracious and amazing Father. It reminds me of what Matthew 10:29-31 says: "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."
So Happy Valentines Day everyone and take time this weekend to remember who our true Lover is!
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