...so summer never ends

With just a little over a week left in Hawaii, I'm reflecting on how I've changed in two short months and what those changes are going to look like when I get back to the mainland. More than anything, I feel like God has softened my heart. He has shown me that if I put all my trust and hope in Him, and if I rely fully on Him for everything, then other people can't fail me. In this way, I'd like to think, that I have become a little more understanding towards the general population. I see that we are all hurting in some way or another, and I believe now more than ever that the only cure for our lost and lonely hearts is Jesus Christ. I'm not afraid to say that because I know that it's true. I know that nothing I may come across in this life will ever compare with the fact that I am loved by a God who, from the beginning, set in motion a plan to reveal that love to me and draw me to Himself.
I know that I am blessed beyond belief with the family, friends, and resources that I have. I'm not saying that I'll never take these things for granted again, but I do realize and truly appreciate their value. My heart has been in rehab for two months, I feel like. I am still selfish and vain beyond belief, but God's goodness is bigger than my wickedness. This summer has taught me to trust in the goodness of God and not worry so much about my own shortcomings, not just in a spiritual aspect, but in my attitude, how much money I have, and the way I look as well. As I go back to Texas, I hope that the impact God has made on my heart this summer will have a rippling effect on everyone I come into contact with. Until then, I'm soaking up these last few days and thanking God for every blessing He has put in my life that has served to draw me closer to Him. What an amazingly thoughtful and precise God I serve!

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

The past three weeks that I haven't spent blogging have been an unbelievable time spent taking part in the workings of God! It has been truly amazing to see how God is faithful when we truly seek Him. Today summer fun and our 4th-6th grade bible studies officially ended. It still hasn't hit me that it's all coming to an end, but today as I watched my favorite little waimanalo girls run off to the church van to go home, I realized how much I'm going to miss it here. It's not just the beauty of the island or the hospitality of the people anymore...now more than anything I'm going to miss the children and families that I have come to love.
I have decided that I am going to return to UT in the Fall, and I'm trusting that God will take care of all the worries that made me question that in the first place. I'm looking forward to going back to Texas and starting a new school year. I want to thank everyone who has prayed for summer fun, Hawaii Kai, and for me and my school stuff. I could not have gotten through any of it without your prayer. I head home in two weeks, and I can't wait to see everyone! Until then, I'll continue to try and post good stories and pictures of my final days here. Thanks again and love!

A process of change...

To begin this post I would just like to say...WOW! So many things have happened this past week that I don't know exactly where to begin. I guess I'll start by saying that our first week of summer fun with the 4th-6th graders was great! The kids were wonderful and really absorbed the truth that was presented to them. The bible study was the favorite part of the day for many of them which is really cool, I think. The theme of summer fun this year was the big redemption story. We took the kids through the story of creation, the fall of man, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the passover, and we ended with Jesus. Through these stories our goal was to show how God's plan from the beginning was to have a perfect relationship of friendship with us and that everything He has done has pointed to Jesus. It was so cool to see the faces of the kids who got this! Their eyes lit up and they couldn't hide their joy as they realized just big and wonderful our God is and how perfect His plans are.
This past week was a joyful one, but it has also brought me face to face with some tough personal decisions. After recieving my financial aid information and tuition bill for college this semester, I'm having to reevaluate if UT is the place I need to be. Also, the Lord has been placing on my heart a desire to switch my major from journalism to education. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I am trying hard to pray through the decision to transfer schools and completely change my major. I'm not gonna lie, I am feeling rather stressed over all of this...mostly because I don't want to go through the process of changing anything. However, I really feel like I could do more with an education degree than with journalism, and UT is putting a lot of unnecessary financial stress on me. I'm still working through what this next year will look like for me, so please pray that God will direct me and relieve me of all the tough decisions burdening my heart. Pray that He will open the right doors and shut the wrong ones. I know God is faithful no matter where He leads us in life! Keep praying everyone! Thanks and love.