Christmas Play

Last night I went to the children's Christmas play at believers. It was put on by the AWANA kids and leaders. It was a very simply, but impressive program. The differnet groups from AWANA (Cubbies, Sparks, T&T and the JV girs) got up and shared differnt verses, from mermory, about who Christ was and also His plan of salvation. The JV girls also came up with a skit and preformed it. At the end, all the kids were on the stage and told the story of the birth of Jesus Christ strictly from Bible verses; one child after the other. It was neat to be able to hear the story told in the plan and beautiful manner. Many vistitorsd were there to see their kids. May the Lord continie to work in the lives of all those who were there.

Home Sweet Home

Yeasterday, the 15th, I flew from Detroit Metro to Atlanta. It is soo good to be home, seeing family and friends who I have not seen in awhile. I will be going back to Michigan on the 8th of January, so I have a nice long break. Things have been busy recently, but that's the way I like it! As always, the Lord has been soo good. Have a blessed Chrsitmas!

Systematic Theology I

Today, November 17th, we finished Systematic Theology One. We covered everything from the inspiration of Scripture to the fall of man, from the creation of the world to the character of God. I learned so much, but I one of the things that I did not think I would learn is how little I do know and how much I need to learn. It amazes me how much everything in the Bible ties together. We ended with the study of sin and I realized how much we cannot do anything for ourselves. Next semester we will be looking at the life and the character of Christ and His work on earth. I am looking forward to it now more than ever after studying at the nature of sin and the sin nature. How glad I am that God loves us and sent His Son so that I do not have to suffer from the consequences of my sin.

Grateful

My car was out of commission for a couple of weeks and you never know how much you appreciate something till you do not have it. All the people at the Ezekiel project were very generous in giving us rides to and from classes. We got to know and depend on each other even more. While I am glad that we had that opportunity, Becca and I are very thankful to be able to get around on our own now.

Good stuff

On Wednesday the ladies from Calvary Bible Chapel got together and swapped recipes . It was fun to get to know the women from the chapel better, plus to get some new things to experiment with. It was neat to see the woman fellowshipping with each other while discussing food.

Cheaper by the Half Dozen

This past weekend, Christina, one of the staff members at the Ezekiel Project, kept six of her nieces and nephews for a few days. I went over and spent the night one night to play and help keep order on the side. I had a great time with the kids and Christina had things to keep them (and me) busy the whole time. Among the activities were Christmas crafts, baking and decorating cookies, watching movies, walking into Armada for hot chocolate and also to stop in at the local bookstore, and a Sunday school lesson. I loved being able to play with the girls hair, watch the kids excitement over different things, and watching them sleep like little angles spread out on the floor from wall to wall. I was tired after just twenty- four hours, but it was worth it! Below are a couple pictures of the kids decorating cookies.

Let it snow!

Today it snowed! It was not the first snow, though. It snowed on the 12th of October, while we were in California, so this was the first snow we saw. It is not sticking yet, but it should be soon. Needless to say, because we are two girls from the South, Becca and I were excited. I am sure we will get our fill of snow this year, though!

Faires, Indians, and Cowgirls......

Here I am with another little cowgirl. She was out "trick or treat"-ing and she got some candy, but she also recieved the best treat anyone could ever give here, the truth!







Tonight, Christina, Beccca, and I dressed up as a fairy, indian and cowgirl, respectfully. We then went into Armada and passed out packets with cansy and gospel literature in them to all the kids. We had a blast!


One of the youngest, cutest candy seekers out on the street.

O the Grander of the Canyon

Today we went to the Grand Canyon. As they say, “a picture says a thousand words” so, I will let you enjoy the pictures without comment from me, however they do not even come close to what it is like in person!

Santa Cruz

On Saturday, we went to Santa Cruz and spent the day relaxing. It was lots of fun and I saw so many things that I hope I will never forget. It was a nice time just to take a deep breath and spend time with each other. Thank you, Lord.


This guy's bark was bigger than his bite. He made all the nose in the world when we got on the dock with him, but he did not do anything to us. It was really neat to see one of God's creations up close.

Perseverance

This is a picture of our group last week. Pray for the people who took the seminar that they will use what they have learned, but most of all that they will see people as God sees them; as souls who will spend eternity in hell without Christ. Pray that their hearts will break because of that and that it will give them compassion and love for people.

San Fransico

One day last week we took the seminar students into San Fransico to preach in the open air. It was an amazing time of learning for both them and us. Hearing the gospel preached was so refreshing and encouraging. It is one story that never gets old. Pray for the people who heard the gospel, for the converssations, and for those who made professions; if they are not saved that they will come to know Jesus Christ and if the are that they will continue to grow in Him.

Heart Wrenching

On Monday afternoon, October ninth two thousand six, there was an open-air meeting at the University of California Berkeley. While Thomas Bell was preaching, there was a young woman taking notes adamantly and she made a rough sketch of the paint board. During the meeting, she turned to her left and asked me, “What’s this guy’s point?” I mumbled something like, “Lets listen and find out” or something along those lines. She kept writing things down and she even copied the Ezekiel Project emblem off of Tom’s shirt and wrote down the name of the organization. Earlier in the meeting I heard her say “this guy is probably trying to sell something”. She earnestly scribbled notes as the message continued. Some guy asked her about what was going on and she said she was not sure, but it seemed pretty interesting. Was I ever excited! At the end of the meeting I asked her if she ever figured out what the point of the message. “Not really” was all she said. I then asked her why she was taking notes on the talk and she told me for the Cal Times. She stated that they sent her up there because they thought it might be interesting, but it turned out not to be. Before I could say anything else, she turned on her heel and walked down the hill. What a disappointment! I thought it was going to be a perfect opportunity, but it turned out to be a flop. I was then reminded that “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18) I thought the message was powerful and effective, but this girl could not care less about it. It sobers me to think that girl died she would realize how much she needed to understand the point of the message because she will be spending eternity without Christ. I can only pray the Lord would use that contact and she will spend time going over her notes and realize her need for the Savior.

UC Berkeley

Yesterday, the Ezekiel Project took the students from the seminar we are conducting in San Jose to the University of California Berkeley to show them what an open-air meeting is like. There were so many people! At one point one of the Ezekiel Project staff members, Tom Bell, was preaching to an audience of at least 250. It was incredible! When we got back, we were reminded that we succeed if we are faithful, not based on how many people were in the meeting. The Lord is the one who saves, not us. There were many good conversations afterwards and the students were excited to see how everything worked. Tomorrow we will be going to San Francisco to let the students preach. I am excited. Continue to pray for us.

Creation

Well, we have not made it to our destination as of yet, but Lord willing, we will be there sometime tomorrow. Below are somesnapshots of the scenery from the road. Our God has made a vdery pretty earth for us to live in. The only think you can say when you see these things is "God is amazing!" By the way, the pictures do not do the creation justice. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork." Psalms 19:1

On the Road Again....

We have stopped in Texas for the night and will be leaving again early in the morning. I would love to be able to write about everything that has happened, but I also love sleep, so here are some pictures to tide you over until I can write more. God has blessed abundantly so far and He is teaching me so much. While we are on the road, we will be covering Personal Evangilism. I am looking forward to all it entails. We are due in California Friday night, so I hope to be able to write more then. Continue to pray for us, our travels, and our witness to all who we come in cantact with, both believers and non alike.

The Spragg's, a family who we stayed with near Kansas City, backyard
Kansas City skyline.
Beeca and me at a Flying J for a pit stop and gas for the car and RV.


On the RV.

MSU

Today, as we do once week, we went to Michigan State University, which has 40 or 50 thousand students. We do open air and pass out literature, but right now we are also observing so we can so understand what the student body as a whole is thinking. Today, people would walk past and laugh out loud when one of the guys whould be preaching. It just reminded me how much people need the Lord and that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that are perishing. It has made me heart heavy to realize that a hundred years from now, many of those students will be spending an eternity in hell. We have the the truth, we MUST share it.
[note: this picture is not from Tuesday, but from another day at Michigan State.]

Tigers Game

Saturday night I went to a Detroit Tiger's game with same young people form Canada and some of the students from the Ezekiel project. While I personally enjoy basketball, it was really fun to go to the game and enjoy America's favorite pass time There was even a fireworks show afterwards! By the way, the Tigers are #1 in the American league right now and the won against Boston at the game. Below and to the left are some pictures form the ball park.





Hope you enjoyed it! I know I did!

Simply Breathtaking

When I walked out of the house Wednesday morning, I looked to my right and this is what was waiting for me. It was a bit foggy and the sun was just starting to make its way up over the horizon. It took my breath away well, that or the nippiness in the air. God did not have to make such a beautiful earth for us to live on, but it is just one of the many amazing things He has done for us for no other reason than love for us.

Sweet Fellowship

Friday night I, along with all the other Ezekiel Project students and staff, was invited to go over to Anna and Bruce Henning's home. (Bruce is a fellow student and he is full time with TEP.) The food was wonderful and it was great getting to know the Hennings and being able to relax with everyone to get to know them better. We had some great laughs and I know we will be sharing memories from that night for a long time to come. The Lord is so good to give such a precious time to us.

The first day of class was yeasterday, it went really well and I am even more excited about this year. The offical leaving date for our road trip to California is the first of October. It will be here before I know it! The picture to the right is just one of the many corn fields in this beautiful area. The weather was been wondeful with the highs not even reaching 80. The chaple up here had a baptism and picnic. It was a great time of fellowship and I enjoyed getting to know the people up here a little better. More later.

Trembling Legs

Today we went to do a high ropes course as a school. It was scary and at points I thought I would fall and not be able to make it around the course. Christina, one of the staff members at TEPSE, kept telling that I could do it if the person in front of me could. I ended up making it! The picture to the right is me saying a quick word of prayer before I went.

Friends

This is my house mate and friend, Becca Wilson. We are both living at the Graham's this year. She took classes with me in high school and then the Lord led her to Michigan with me! I am so blessed to have another female student and a Georgia girl up here. Please pray for her as well, especially because she has to live with me for the next nine months!

On the Road

Tonight, I am sitting in a hotel room in Cincinnati on my way to Michigan. Many thoughts are going through my head I was think over the past few days of saying good bye to my family and friends, but the excitement is building with each mile as Michigan gets closer and closer. We plan on arriving tomorrow. Please continue to pray for us (me, my mom, my classmate Becca Wilson, and her mom, Jennifer) as we finish up the trip that the Lord will continue to grant traveling mercies. Also, pray for the moms as the travel home this Sunday and Monday. During the following week we will have orientation and then classes will start on September 5th. More updates and pictures will follow shortly.

odds and ends

Well, my summer at camp is over and I have just a few weeks left at home until I go to Michigan! I am both excited and nervous all at the same time, but I believe that this is where the Lord wants be, so I can rest in that fact. People keep telling me that I will learn so much, but God is teaching be so many things just through life. As a friend of mine says, "There are only two certian things in life, death and taxes." I have been reminded today of the truth of that saying. God is faithful, and able to see us through the hard times, for that I am thankful. Over the next couple of weeks, I hope to get things done around the house and, of course, decide what all I need to take with me, and get it packed. Thank you to all who have been praying for me and please keep on praying. God bless.

Home Again

This is one picture of the Gram's house, a family that I will more than likely stay with while I am enrolled at TEPSE. The live about fifteen min. from the school. They even have sheep in the backyard!


This is the Schroeder's home.

Mom and I just got home from a long trip to Michigan. One-way it is about a 13 or 14 hour drive, which we did in one day. It was great to be able to see the countryside and the barn in which the TEPSE classes are held. The Schroeders' home was way out on a dirt drive and the grass is so green up there that I thought I was looking at a golf course. It is prettier up there than I ever thought and I can hardly wait to go back! More later........

Goin North

Tomorrow morning, or maybe even tonight, I will be leaving to go to MI for a few days and check out TEPSE and the home that I will be staying at next year. It will be good to met the brothers and sisters in the Lord that live up there and to see where I will be living. A couple, I think their last name is Gram, will be hosting me next year. The Lord has been so good. He was done so many little things for me that He does not have to do, but that will make life nicer next year. One is in leading a friend of mine, Becca Wilson, to come up to Michigan for The Ezekiel Project next year as well. It is amazing to see how He worked in her life and brought her to this point. It will be so nice to have a friend up there and someone to come home with, or to compare study notes, or just someone with whom to talk. God has done many other small things for me too, but they are to numberous to explain now. I need to get packing!