(no subject)
OK, Jonmac...I'll update (maybe you should just call me).
Murrieta is just like I thought it would be with the exception of the hot springs. I treasure Jaime's advice to make friends the first week or else you won't have any. It is completely true and I am so thankful that I am here with Jessica, Katie and Sarah. I have met other girls I have become quite close to and NO boys. It's kinda weird to only be surrounded by chicks, but I am enjoying it all the same.
I'm taking Romans (very good), Acts (I have yet to learn a single thing), Leviticus (Probably the best class I've ever taken), Biblical Counseling (2nd only to Leviticus), and Proverbs.
On top of that I am a teachers aid and have to sit in on Children's Park Outreach (You're funny, God) and Minor Prophets.
There isn't anything really exciting happening except that I purchased a bike the other day. Whitney stood and laughed at me as I attempted to ride. What do you expect?! I haven't riden a bike since I was 10! Psh. Matawan you would have gotten labeled a loser if not shot before that if ever seen riding a bike. (It was much cooler to walk everywhere and take twice as long).
At the beginning I was going through the regular spiritual attack that I've faced everytime I try to attempt anything new for the Lord. Thank you, Lord that I has since been lifted. This past week has been amazing and life changing in my relationship with Him. For some reason...or I should say by His Spirit, God has given me this over powering love for His word. Actually, I think it was pride keeping my heart from never experiencing this before. But now it seems everything I read is something I've never read before. I really want to use this semester to just engulf myself in the Bible and to learn, memorize and put to heart and action all the scripture I can.
I was reading a book for Biblical Counseling and there was this part that really hit me:
"Do you want to be able to say, 'Thus says the Lord?' Then you better know what the Lord says!"
And not just some things the Lord said, but I want to know the whole counsel of God.
As I said earlier, I am taking Biblical Counseling. Because I am a person that lacks compassion and mercy I really wanted to take this class to strengthen me in those areas and to give me a grasp on how to (of course) counsel in different areas. My name Courtney literally means "good counselor" and just like the name of old I want my name to be more than that with others call me by, but to have real significance to my life. And then the Lord spoke. (I love it when He does even if it hurts)
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
I will never be a good counselor unless my counsel comes from The Counselor. Just like those saints of the Old Testament it isn't they did that made their names have meaning, but what God did through them. In most cases their names glorified God (joshua- Jehovah is salvation, Isaiah- Jehovah has saved, Ezekiel- God strengthens) My name isn't "good counselor", but "Good Counselor" because that's what God is. I will have effective counseling as long as I seek to show people that. I can do nothing for them. Only God is the healer of broken hearts.
To conclude I do miss England. There a moments in the days when I will have these thoughts about York, a smell, an event, the people and I will have to pause what I am doing and attempt to control the tears. It is strengthening though to know that God didn't just give me a bruden for England for just a short time, but He does want me to continue to be connected to that place.
I love you all. Please continue all your prayers for me.
Murrieta is just like I thought it would be with the exception of the hot springs. I treasure Jaime's advice to make friends the first week or else you won't have any. It is completely true and I am so thankful that I am here with Jessica, Katie and Sarah. I have met other girls I have become quite close to and NO boys. It's kinda weird to only be surrounded by chicks, but I am enjoying it all the same.
I'm taking Romans (very good), Acts (I have yet to learn a single thing), Leviticus (Probably the best class I've ever taken), Biblical Counseling (2nd only to Leviticus), and Proverbs.
On top of that I am a teachers aid and have to sit in on Children's Park Outreach (You're funny, God) and Minor Prophets.
There isn't anything really exciting happening except that I purchased a bike the other day. Whitney stood and laughed at me as I attempted to ride. What do you expect?! I haven't riden a bike since I was 10! Psh. Matawan you would have gotten labeled a loser if not shot before that if ever seen riding a bike. (It was much cooler to walk everywhere and take twice as long).
At the beginning I was going through the regular spiritual attack that I've faced everytime I try to attempt anything new for the Lord. Thank you, Lord that I has since been lifted. This past week has been amazing and life changing in my relationship with Him. For some reason...or I should say by His Spirit, God has given me this over powering love for His word. Actually, I think it was pride keeping my heart from never experiencing this before. But now it seems everything I read is something I've never read before. I really want to use this semester to just engulf myself in the Bible and to learn, memorize and put to heart and action all the scripture I can.
I was reading a book for Biblical Counseling and there was this part that really hit me:
"Do you want to be able to say, 'Thus says the Lord?' Then you better know what the Lord says!"
And not just some things the Lord said, but I want to know the whole counsel of God.
As I said earlier, I am taking Biblical Counseling. Because I am a person that lacks compassion and mercy I really wanted to take this class to strengthen me in those areas and to give me a grasp on how to (of course) counsel in different areas. My name Courtney literally means "good counselor" and just like the name of old I want my name to be more than that with others call me by, but to have real significance to my life. And then the Lord spoke. (I love it when He does even if it hurts)
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
I will never be a good counselor unless my counsel comes from The Counselor. Just like those saints of the Old Testament it isn't they did that made their names have meaning, but what God did through them. In most cases their names glorified God (joshua- Jehovah is salvation, Isaiah- Jehovah has saved, Ezekiel- God strengthens) My name isn't "good counselor", but "Good Counselor" because that's what God is. I will have effective counseling as long as I seek to show people that. I can do nothing for them. Only God is the healer of broken hearts.
To conclude I do miss England. There a moments in the days when I will have these thoughts about York, a smell, an event, the people and I will have to pause what I am doing and attempt to control the tears. It is strengthening though to know that God didn't just give me a bruden for England for just a short time, but He does want me to continue to be connected to that place.
I love you all. Please continue all your prayers for me.