4 Weeks To Go!

Just as the title of this post goes, I now have 4 weeks left until my new life at Moody starts up, and with that I add on that there is a mixture of emotions in my heart about this transition. I am extremely excited on the one hand for seeing God moving me up to Chi-town to begin my training for the ministry He has called me to. I am thrilled I will get to know this "Dream Team" my roommate's old roommate has been bragging about so much since I had visited the school back in February. On the other hand I feel sad...There will be some people I will be missing, one in particular I met about 4 or so months ago...yet I trust in the Lord's ability to provide for them all.

C.S. Lewis once said, "Friendship is the greatest of the worldly goods. Certainly to me it is the chief happiness of life. If I had to give a piece of advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I should say, 'sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends.' I know I am very fortunate in that respect." All my life I desired for at least a group of friends I could engraft myself into. After my New Birth, my first attempt was with my own church's youth group, but because of prejudices of my own and others that failed. My next attempt was with a youth group of another church. Most of these folks went to my school and I've known them since my sophmore year in high school. Personally speaking, what turned me off from them would be the same reason that turned me off from Christianity in time's past: cliques. I clearly remember, time and time again, the disappointment of leaving their church, or even Starbucks (for their Tuesday night fellowship) without anyone ever introducing themselves to me or at least talking to me. Looking back, none of those guys and I had anything in common. I started street evenagelism when I was in my senior year of high school, which did not go well with these guys. Apparently it's offensive for Christians to walk in the Name of our Lord and the Apostles to declare that sin leads to Hell and that salvation comes from Christ. Then February came and I was astonished at the amount of people I met with my same passion for evangelism. When they found out I got accepted into Moody, they were quick (from what I hear) to vote me in as a leader for the school's Student Outreach! So..teaming up with a great partner already, I am ready to not only spend time with my roommate and this group of amazing friends, but to also give glory to God up in a christian-filled environment! I pray though I will not develop a love for this haven more than the world where I am called to be ministering in to the point where I distance myself from non-Christians.

This summer I've been witnessing the amazing heart of my roommate for his mother who is stricken with bad health problems. He has been spending weeks on end with her and his little sister as her mom is recovering slowly. In addition to taking care of her bills, he's also been mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, and picking up the prescription medicine his mom needs for her liver. In addition to all of this, he has been preparing sermon after sermon to preach at our church. I still cannot believe I know an awesome man of God whom, if I could say, I can model myself after (except for some of his annoying habits like teasing me and dismissing "dumb" questions :p). We have very oppostie personalities, him being an introvert and me being an extrovert. Yet, if I may say, we have become great friends in the last 2 or so years of us knowing each other. I continue to pray for his future wife. He is going to be a great husband and pastor indeed! Someday, he and I will lie back in our chairs in his house with Mrs. Schmidt cooking us brownies and the kids running around while we reminisce on how amazing God is and gracious he is to us. Mrs. Romero will be chatting away with Mrs. Schmidt about the same thing in the kitchen :)

My heart is burdening me to brag about another friend of mine, one who I will miss so so dearly. I pray one day she will find out how much exactly she means to me in a way where words cannot describe it (you know who you are sister!). I first met her months ago buying a can of Monster at the TCC bookstore. My first impression of this nice, beautiful girl was, "WOW she smiles A LOT!" Who would've known that months later we would become the best of friends. We've had many outings, from going out swing dancing, singing at karaokes, and watching movies at the dollar theater late at night. It is incredible to witness how much we talk and think the same. I can honestly say she is one of the people I will miss the most, and when that day comes when I will have to hug her off as the next day she leaves for college, I will be the one restless in bed, sad that I did not get to know her earlier, yet happy that this girl will be heading off in the direction God has called her to pursue. I believe with all my heart she will be given a great husband of God, have many children, and live a life pleasing to our Father. Morgan...I love you so much and am praising God every second for us becoming so close of friends!

Besides the two people I mentioned, lasting moments with others is rough. I took one of my deciples in evangelism out for ice cream the other day. What a STRONG WILLED GIRL SHE IS with a personality that scared me when I first met her! Certainly we had a rocky start of a friendship, but in the end, this beautiful girl became one of my closest girl friends. Ironically she is also heading off to a Bible school up in New York. Another girl who attends the Master's College out in California has expressed her desire for evangelism as well, and to the Mormon people too! I've known this girl for about 3 years now, as she is a great friend and comrade in the faith, ready to serve God wherever He puts her! Being the daughter of one of my pastors, she knows Scripture like the back of her hand. Holy Spirit will work mighty things in her as well!

Chooing this time and place to end this post, I will include this thought: On the way to work today I was driving on the highway when I noticed how big the clouds in the sky were. Now Texas has more humidity than it knows what to do with, but today looked especially great. For 5 years I spent so much time down here in the South. As noted in previous posts, I'm from beautiful Southern California, yet most of my growth I would say has taken place down here. I've made bonds that would last forever as well as faced many heartbreaks, yet if I may borrow words from the Apostle Paul, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you" (Philippians 3:14-15). It is just like what Morgan told me this morning at a local Whataburger: "The transition for both of us may be sad, but we should be glad that we are both following what God has called us to." She was right (as always). There is definitely going to be a season of sorrow as transitioning for me will be rough, but God has called me to higher and greater things. It doesn't matter now what will happen. I will never give up the fight! Long as the voice inside tells me to follow Him and fight, I will continue to praise Him more.

"The truth is is that a Clergyman, an elder, or a Christian is what they are in proportion to their commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you're really committed to Christ, you take on the world for Christ." --- Walter Martin