Exciting Growth

God is doing incredible things at Warmland Community Church. This second semester the whole place seems different. The church has grown incredible since I arrived in Septemeber. Today in children's church there was over 70 kids total. The attendance at church today was over 270, it is so exciting seeing new families starting to come to church and feeling at home. Today we also had our first baptismal service which is really amazing. We are also needing to start new small groups because the one at Pastor Scott's home has over 40 people! Friday night at youth group we had a night full of different competitions, including potato bowling, tast testing chips (which I really enjoyed) :D and we played hot potato. Today in children's church I helped out with crafts and being down there, I have grown to love the kids at Warmland so very much. Right now I'm in the middle of deciding what to do next year. It's hard to discern what are God's ideas for me and what are my ideas. I don't want to make decisions based on where my friends are going, or where seems the most fun, but I really want to find where God wants me. I'm leaning towards education but I don't know if that is just because I loved high school so much, I need to pray a lot about that. The second semester I have really felt God changing my heart and working inside me which has been so incredible. I have been very convicted about the words I use. On a whim I chose Ephesians 4:29 as my new year's resolution, which talks about not using any unwholesome talk but only what is good for building others up. Since then I have been continually challenged with my speech, reading through the gospels where it repeatedly says what comes out of your mouth is a reflection of what's in a persons heart. God Bless!

Foot Fungus

This week has been incredibly busy and draining. Last week we had gospels class with Wes Olmstead who is an amazingly knowledgable and wise proff. The days were really long often going right until supper with one or two breaks through out the day. It was hard to stay focused and try to retain any amount of learning, but there sure was and is a lot to learn! We also had a lot of theology homework to prepare. One of my favorite assignments of the year so far was the psalm we had to write for theology class. I found myself recalling the lines to a lot of songs or psalms and really really meaning them. Lines such as "Change my heart O God" suddenly had a new significance to me. Friday night we had youth group, which the youth really enjoyed. Because warmland takes place in a community center it turned out this Friday it had been rented out for bingo and we were without a building. We turned the lemon into lemonade though and went on a scavenger hunt across town, in the rain. The youth had a great time and one of the new girls came back to church Sunday which was really encouraging. One thing I am concerned about it is at our youth nights we have no devotion or bible study time which I think is really important. Lately I am finding myself really convicted about the words I use, which is something that has never bothered me. Not swears at all but the comments I make and it has been tough, but reading through the gospels definiately added to it. There are so many verses that talk about what comes out of your mouth is what is in your heart. Below is the psalm I wrote for class.

In the midst of the noise and distractions that consume each day
It’s your voice I long to hear
I am searching for you,
Wondering what you want from me
You wait patiently for me to realize
It’s all of me you want
Not portions or leftovers
As a child is completely dependant on their parents
I need you Father
Completely transform my heart
God reveal to me areas that I need to change
May I be your servant
Serving you humbly
With praises in my heart
God fill me with your love
Allow me to love those around me in way that they know it’s you
I gaze out at the infinite sky and am reminded of your grace
I hurt you with my words,
With my selfish actions
And yet you love me
Thank you Father
Your gentleness is displayed in the calm waters
Your power evident in the mountains
I praise you

Cruisin at Kaleo

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. This week has once again been full of learning. Monday was spent doing a lot of pre course reading for our gospels class which started today. The text book we had to read for class was super interesting and I really enjoyed learning so much more about the history regarding the gospels and Jesus' life. Tuesday we had our second day of theology class, which I was much more prepared for our proff's style of teaching and found the day really interesting. Wednesdasy we got to spend one last day at Mount Washington snowboarding. Every time we go I am in awe of the beauty of God's creation. Thursday and Friday were spent finishing up pre course assignments for the gospels class. Friday my sister came out and I realized how much I have started to take Kaleo for granted and how amazing it is I wake up each morning looking out at the ocean. I take for granted this incredible opportunity for growth and maturing God has given me, but it made me renew my plans to not take any of this for granted. Sunday I got to help out at Warmland with Sunday School again. I love going to church each Sunday and helping out with Sunday School, and it is so powerful to watch Warmland grow so much! This Sunday I was in charge of the games which was really fun. It is also fun to watch my fellow Kaleo students take on new rules, this week Ellie did the devotion and she did such an incredible job!