A Moment of Triumph

So our staff of 14 college age students arrived at training camp a week before our students did.  We were a unique mix of personalities and backgrounds.  I want to share with you one of my favorite moments from training camp.  Job and Bethany (our team leaders) challenged us to successfully jump rope at the same time (thats right all 14 of us).  It was super hot and took us a long time to figure out how to do it.  But after we accomplished the task, we began to come together as a family!  I love all of these people so much and couldn't have asked for a better group of people to have as my family!  So I leave you with the video of all 14 of us successfully jump roping at the same time...be sure to watch the end as we are filled with excitement over our accomplishment!

Sorry for the delay!

I know! I know! It has been forever since I updated this!  But cut me some slack, I've been busy!  I have enjoyed time with my family, I spent a week and a half up at camp, I subbed, I thrifted with my mom, and I have just enjoyed being lazy!  Today I am going to post my support thank you letter that I am sending out to those people who supported me financially.  I hope to get them in the mail this week (cross your fingers)!  This letter is just a small look into what I did this summer!  It is hard to fit a summer's worth of amazing experience into one page of typed words.  Even if I could write a book about everything that happened it would still not come close to describe God's amazing glory!  So here you go:

Thank you so much for supporting me this summer as I shared the love and amazing grace of Christ Jesus to the people of Ireland.  It was an amazing experience that changed me in so many ways!

God cares more about your character than he does your comfort.  This was a reoccurring theme for me this summer as God continually stretched me outside of my comfort zone.  The first two weeks of my trip were spent at training camp in Chicago, IL.  This was a huge learning experience for me! No buildings, no air, no mirrors, no electrical outlets.  For two weeks (in 90 degree heat) I slept on the ground, used porta potties, cooked outdoors, did my laundry outdoors, brushed my teeth outdoors....and oh yeah, took one shower a week!  Everything we did was designed to make us all on the same level as a team and to allow us to focus on what our trip was truly about…God.  Training camp was intense....lots of physical stuff, spiritual stuff and worship.  Surprisingly, I learned to love every minute of it!

When our team of 46 arrived in Ireland, we were ready to dive into ministry!  And dive in we did despite jetlag.   The very first morning of being in Derry, Northern Ireland was spent working with moms and their children in a program called Tiddlers.  That was just a taste of what was to come!  We spent our time in Derry doing VBS, street evangelism, hanging out at the park with the teens of the city, helping out with the teen program at the church, helping out with the local school’s summer program, and just loving on the teens of Derry.  God truly worked in the lives of the people of Derry. We saw 16 people come to Christ in the week and a half that we were there and many more seeds were planted into the hearts of others.

We then traveled to Skerries in The Republic of Ireland.  This was the first time that Skerries would host a missions team.  So we drew quite a lot of attention during our time there.  God did amazing things in Skerries  through our team.  One moment in particular stands out in my mind.  We had spent all week interacting with the youth in Skerries and on Friday we had a Block Party.  Kids from all over Skerries turned up for food, football, and hanging out with the Americans.  None of us could anticipate what God was doing: as the night wore to an end and some of the Irish imitated our dance and drama performances, laughing and not bothering to pay attention even as one of our staff shared his testimony, many of us became discouraged and started to wonder if we would see any results from our ministry all week.  Then God began to work.  As I looked around I saw small goups of Irish students gathered around one or two of our students listening to every word!  They were hungry for God and wanted to know as much as they could.  We saw many Irish students come to Christ that night, many of which started out mocking us!  God is truly amazing!

The Irish youth are hungry, and they're looking for something greater than just drinking with their friends all the time.  They're not afraid to ask us hard questions about our Christianity or to poke fun when we can't understand their accents.  They're searching, and all they need is for someone to show them that there is a God who is real and who has a greater purpose for their lives. 

God used me this summer to do just that.  To show the Irish people that there is a God who is real and who has a greater purpose for their lives.  He also worked in my heart as well.  He taught me how to be bold in my faith.  I thank you because without your help this experience would never have been possible!  I pray that God would continue to use me to further his kingdom wherever that may lead me.

God Bless,

      Kellyn Atkins

Pictures!

I'm Home from the best trip of my life!  Here are some pictures:

My Ireland Family!

I'm Sandwiched between my D-group girls!

That's right! I'm sporting an Ireland Soccer Jersey!

I'm coloring with a little Irish girl at a ministry called Tiddlers.

It's Stephen!

Here we are walking in twos (which is how we always walked!) on the walls of Derry.

Shannon Kristi and I with Dunluce Castle in the background

Me with a Castle behind me

Some of the girls with the Irish coast behind us

Shannon and I sporting our raingear.

The staff on top of a tomb

My D-group girls (the girls I mentored)

Yeah that's right...that is Big Ben!

Ireland (week 1)

I love Ireland!  It has been amazing!  There is so much history in Londonderry involving conflict between Catholics and Protestants.  We are learning so much and getting a chance to interact with the youth of the city!  Everyone is so welcoming here and excited to have us here!  We do have to be very careful how we present the gospel though because this area has been so rich in religious conflict.  Even the name of the city is an issue!  We have to be careful because some people don't want to be associated with Ireland so they want it to be called Londonderry while others want it to be called Derry because they don't want to be associated with England.  It is a confusing thing that not a lot of Irish people are open about talking about because the conflict is still so very recent.

I ate fish and chips...it was really good.  There is also weird but yummy candy here that alot of the Irish kids have given us!  I will try and bring some home.  There is a store called Primark that is amazing!!  It has scarves for 1 pound!  I love it!

We are working with a church in Londonderry.  One of the challenges is that our schedule packed with ministry opportunities. Last week we worked with the high school age youth during the Identity program, and many relationships formed then are continuing this week as some of our group hang out at a local park and talk to the kids. Some of the students accepted Christ into their lives which is really cool.  This week, we’ve also started ministering to the primary age students (ages 5-11) during the evenings for the Holiday Bible Club.

Keep praying God will open opportunities for us.

Update (at long last!)

So sorry for no updates... no time to hunt out a computer and even then internet access is sketchy.  (Thanks to my mom for getting this update up.)

Training Camp
  Who says I am a girly girl!  Not any longer.  My parents dropped me off in a hay field in 90 degree heat.  No buildings, no air, no mirrors, no electrical outlets.  For two weeks (in 90 degree heat) I slept on the ground, used porta potties cooked outdoors, did my laundry outdoors, brushed my teeth outdoors....and oh yeah, took one shower a week!  Everything we did was designed to make us all on the same level as a team...plus students going to third world countries do not get shower much so it is good practice. (Everyone reeks so you don't even mind after a while)   Training camp was intense....lots of physical stuff, spiritual stuff and worship.  The first week was just the staff disciplers so we worked to get ready for the high schoolers.  My ministry on this trip is not only to Ireland, but to the high schoolers I am discipling..  I had a little trouble at first because the heat combined with my medicine made me not eat which drove my blood sugar really low.  Solved that problem by keeping food in my pack to eat throughout the day.  I have learned to love roughing it.  One thing I will never learn to love......malt-o-meal.  We have it everyday for breakfast.  Here are few shots of training camp.

Tent City

Meal Time

Prayer Time

Large Group Teaching Time

Team Building

The Trough

It is here!

It is finally here!  I leave tomorrow to go to training camp for my trip!  How crazy is that?!?!  I have a mixture of feelings....nervous....excitement....anxious...basically everything!  I am ready to go, but I am not ready to go at the same time! haha  I hope that makes sense! Please be praying for me!  I will try my hardest to update this blog as much as possible but if I don't update as much as you like please don't hold it against me!

God Bless
KJA

1 week!

It's Official!   I leave in a week!!!!!  I am still getting everything I need together!  But I am sooo excited!

Two words.

10 DAYS!

Call me Frontier Woman!

So my mom and I went shopping to get the bigger things that I needed for my trip the other day.  Now for those of you who read this blog and have not met me, let me fill you in on something....I am the dictionary definition of a girly girl!  I don't do camping, sports, or outdoor activities.  So to find myself in Dick's Sporting Goods camping section trying to decide which sleeping bag and mattress I needed was quite interesting!  I got all sorts of fun unKellynlike things shopping!  To name a few: a raincoat, a sleeping bag, a self inflating air mattress, walking sandals, a backpack (I actually got this earlier!), and a nalgene bottle. 

The funny thing is when I got home and my mom and I were looking at everything that we had bought, I realized that almost everything I bought was green!  Now green is one of my favorite colors, but for everything to be green!  The people on this trip are going to think I am obsessed with the color green!

16 DAYS AND COUNTING!!

God Bless KJA

Time is Ticking!

Hey Guys! I am getting ready for my trip and it is hectic, crazy, awesome, and nerve racking all at the same time!

I have several prayer partners for my trip who I have asked to be praying for me as I am on this trip. I know that prayer is a powerful thing and would love it if you guys would be praying for me as well!

This is going to be a really hard trip for me....spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically! Please be praying for me!! I need that prayer support throughout my trip!

Some big prayer requests for me specifically are:
-For my two week training camp, we will be staying in tents and pretty rustic environments. And you especially know how much I love camping and rustic environments! (that is sarcasm if you didnt catch it!) Pray that God will strengthen me during that time and that I won't be a complainer!
-I am deathly afraid of flying, so the idea of a flight across the ocean is somewhat scary to me! Pray extra hard on our travel days that my nerves will be calmed!
-Be praying for the high school girls that I will be mentoring during the trip. Pray that God uses me to touch their lives!
-And finally be praying that God will not only use me to reach others but that through this trip I will be strengthened beyond belief spiritually!


Here is my itinerary if you wish to pray for me specifically based on where I am at and what I am doing
:
Jun 19 - 25 Staff Discipler training at Training Camp THIS IS ME!
Jun 26 - Jul 5 Student training at Training Camp THIS IS WHEN THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARRIVE!

Ireland
Jul 5

Fly to London

Depart Chicago/O'Hare 5:00 PM
United Airlines #958
Jul 6

Arrive London/Heathros 7:10AM

Depart London/Heathrow 8:55AM
British Midland #123
Arrive Dublin 10:20AM

Bus to Londonderry, Ireland
Jul 7-16 Ministry in Londonderry
Jul 17 Bus to Skerries
Jul 18-25 Ministry in Skerries
Jul 26

Fly to London

Depart Dublin 9:05AM
British Midland #122
Arrive London/Heathrow 10:30AM
Jul 26 -Jul 30 Debrief in London
Jul 31

Return to USA

Depart London/Heathrow 12:20PM
United Airlines #949
Arrive Chicago/O'Hare 3:21PM



God Bless KJA

Craziness is a Regular Occurance!

So it has been almost a week since I last posted, I have been very busy!  I have been subbing non stop and will continue to sub through this week.  Subbing in an EH room has opened my eyes to lots of things and I am glad that I have this experience for the future!  I also am glad that I am subbing the last week of school because as the teacher cleans out her cabinets and drawers I get the things she doesn't want!  This is like heaven for an education major!

Ben was home this weekend and we had a grand ole time!  On Monday night the whole family plus Amy and Luke (which they basically count as family!) went out to Carlos O'Kelly's to celebrate Ben's belated birthday!  The car ride there and back was interesting and fun in itself!  All the "kids" rode in the jeep and attempted to play a game the whole way there!  Towards the end of our meal at the restaurant, the place started to get really smoky.  As we were leaving the parking lot, firetrucks were coming!  It turns out there was an electrical fire!  Crazy!  When we got home we all played Bang which is a really fun card game.  We all dressed up like our characters and the boys tried to talk funny the whole game.  As soon as I can figure out how to get pictures off my phone I will post some!  It was a really fun night!
 
TRIP UPDATE:
Tonight I am sitting down and figuring out everything for my trip!  It will be a little stressful but I think I can do it!  I get stressed easily so pray for me that God will take away the stress over what still needs to be done!  I need to figure out my packing list stuff as well!

Pray for:
-Ben in Akron
-Amy and Adam being apart this summer
-All the kids Adam will work with at camp
-Less stress for me
-Aunt Tracy's mom is not doing well (she isn't actually my Aunt Tracy, but my best friend Kreach's Aunt Tracy.  We all call her Aunt Tracy though because when we are up at camp she takes good care of us girls!  She is all of our mom away from home!  She holds a dear spot in my heart and I know this is really hard for her right now.)

It's coming up fast!

So much to do...so little time!  I will leave for training camp for my missions trip in a little less than a month!  This trip came up fast! Tonight I am planning on sitting down and making sure all my paperwork is in order.  I am also going to figure out all the money things that I still need to figure out.  I am still short about 700 dollars, but I know God will provide!

I need to also start getting the things I will need for my trip!  A month is not a long time especially when you are busy.  Before I know it, it will be time for my trip! 

Be praying for:
-That the rest of the money needed for my trip comes in
-My brother leaves to work at camp on Tuesday
-Everything that needs to get done will get done!

Have a great day! Hold the door open for someone today!

God Bless
KJA

My Brother...the Graduate!

Saturday I went to watch my big brother (by only 11 months!) graduate from Huntington University!  I am a proud sister!  I have several pictures of all of the day's festivities, but alas my camera cord as vanished in the pile of crap I have yet to unpack.  I will post those later for your viewing pleasure!  For now I will leave you with a picture from HU's website of Adam hugging the president G. Blair Dowden!  haha!  He was the only graduate to do so and as you can tell from the picture G. Blair was not expecting it!  I love my big brother and am so proud of him! 

Miss. Atkins

I have a sub job for a week and a half!  Praise the Lord!  I need to find as many ways to make money as possible!  Adam and I are sharing a sub job for an aide that the elementary school needs until the end of the year.  I will finish this week off for him because he has graduation practice (weird to think that he is graduating!) and he will do all next week because the girls (amy, me, mom, and the aunts) are going to the cottage and shipshewanna on Tuesday and Wednesday!  A little girls bonding!  I also have a different sub job for Thursday and Friday of next week.  And then I will sub the entire last week of school as the aide because Adam is leaving for camp.

So call feel free to call me Miss. Atkins, but don't get confused I am not Mrs. Atkins (my mom who happens to work in the same building that I am subbing in!)

What? I'm done with classes?

Yes folks...I am done with classes for my junior year of college!  Crazy!  This year was challenging at times but so awesome!  Here is a look at some highlights!

We spent many a hour creeping outside our window!  Always a good time!

Adam and I got third place in Davis Hall Follies

I learned to knit!

Pink team won olympiad!!

Many late night SOBO runs!

There were amazing night time adventures!

Beth and I learned that we are not good at hunting for eggs!

Education majors are awesome!

Tin caps game...need I say more!

We had an awesome adjunct roommate!

I lived with the three greatest girls ever!

God Bless, KJA

A friend who will tell it like it is

Last night there was a small blow up in apartment between me and a roommate.  I am not going to go into details because to be honest its not any of you blogger people's business.  But alls well that ends well.  I know that God used this small encounter to bring myself and this roommate closer together.  I am not the type of person who will open up to people (even close friends) and I know that I can get super defensive when I feel like I am getting attacked.  So it was good last night to let that defensive wall down and just really connect with this particular friend.  We talked for a long time not just about our little dishes blowup but also about our lives and the stress of this year and how people are changing.  When we looked at the clock and realized it was 11 (which may seem early to you but when you have to get up at 6 it is late!) I prayed for us both and I feel like we both felt much better about not just the situation but also our relationship with each other.

I am so incredibly grateful for this friend.  She is the type of person who I look up to.  She is completely confident in who she is as a person and what she believes in.  It breaks my heart that she found it hard to confront me about something that was bugging her.  I never want to be that type of person who people (especially close friends) feel like they cant talk to about what is bugging them.  Hopefully after last nights talk, we both understand that we want to be the type of friends that can do that!  I am going to work harder at not being such a slob and also not being so defensive about things.  I thank the Lord for the friendship I have in her and for the night of yelling, crying, talking, hugging, and laughing  even though at times it was uncomfortable and not fun....it made us stronger as friends!

Challenge of the day:  Hug a friend and let them know you care about them!

Thanks Carrie for being a great friend!

God Bless
KJA 

Fill us up and send us out.

Last night at Chapel, we sang God of Justice.  It really got me thinking about my trip.

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give


Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out Lord

I truly believe that God has called me to spend my summer in Ireland doing his work.  This song last night reminded me of that fact.  I make this song my prayer...Fill me up Lord and send me out...use me me to freely give everything I have for your glory.  Help me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before you.  Keep me from just singing and move me into action.

God Bless

KJA

Your Hands

Today I am sharing with you a beautiful song that I have been listening to as of late!  In the words of my friend, Staci, "this song hits the nail on the head."  It just really speaks to my heart right now! It is Your Hands by JJ Heller.

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

Closer and Closer

As this semester is coming to an end, it has hit me how close Ireland is!  I am excited to experience new things and do some amazing things for God, but as it gets closer I also get more and more nervous!  Pray that my nerves will turn to excitement!  Also be praying that all of my finances fall in to place!  If you are still interested in donating I would greatly appreciate it!  I am still worried about getting all the money that I need in time for my trip!  So if God lays it on your heart to support me financially, it is not too late! 

 This is also a really busy week for me!  I will take some inspiration from Beth's blog and make a list:

 -Diagnostic Reading Report due 

-Communication Portfolio due

-Observe and write reflections for two Lesson Studies

-Teach two kindergarten lessons and write reflections

-Reading Kit due

-Junior Block Luncheon

-Teach Science Lesson in 1st grade classroom (evaluated by three teachers!)

-Garage Sale Day on Sat!

After this week I will be able to breath a little bit!  Be praying that everything goes smoothly!  I am counting down the days until I get to go home for SUMMER!!!  17 days from today!  That is 2 and a half weeks!  HOORAY! YIPPEE! SUMMER!

God Bless

KJA

Drop the 'tude, dude!

So I decided to take a break from my homework and share some insight with you!  Yesterday all the junior education majors were required to attend a conference about Highly Effective Teaching.  Even though it was little on the boring side, I did really enjoy one of the speakers.  Barbara Pedersen spoke about teaching with joy.  I think that the points she made could not only be applied to teaching but also to everyday life.  She really made me think about my attitude towards things.  Her advice about teaching with joy were:

1. Choose your attitude
2. Change the story
3. Have an attitude of gratitude
4.Polish your passion
5.Choose your words
6. Keep it simple
7. Choose the way you see tomorrow

Well there you have it!  Try changing you attitude to one of joy!  I think you will be surprised how having an attitude of joy will make your day!

God Bless
KJA

Gaining a new Family Member!

Big news in my household! Adam (big brother) got engaged!!!  I will have a sister now!  I am soo happy for Adam and Amy!  this is going to be a super short post because I have a lot of stuff to do today!  have a wonderful day.   Tell someone you love them!

God Bless
KJA

Praise

So Praise the Lord!  Last night went well!  I was very nervous but my roommates said that you couldn't tell at all!  Adam (big brother) came over to where I was sitting before chapel started and prayed with me.  He prayed that God would use my words to speak to the hearts of those listening and he also prayed that God would calm my nerves and give me comfort.  Prayer answered because after that I felt much more at ease.  I still was nervous but I knew God had control of what I was going to say!

God Bless
KJA

Prayer

Be praying for me today.  I am speaking at Ekklesia tonight.  Ekklesia is our student lead chapel here on campus.  I am kind of nervous because by no means am a I preacher!  Pray that the words I speak would be God's and not mine.

I am off to another day of classes!

God Bless
KJA

Blessings

God has blessed us with a beautiful 85 degree sunshiney day.....GO ENJOY IT!  I know I am!

God Bless
KJA

Busy Busy Busy

I am so busy!  I have started Junior Block practicum, where I spend the mornings in a elementary school.  Yesterday was the first day and I got sick while at school.  It was not so fun.  I have alot going on right now.  I am doing a three hour workshop over Project Learning Tree tonight. That should be interesting!

Welp I am sorry that this is such a short post!

Bless
KJA

Trip Update and a Favorite thing

TRIP UPDATE:  I am now the official owner of a US passport!  Hollar!  I applied for it awhile ago and it came in the mail over Easter break!  Hooray!  This makes me super excited for my trip!

Things to be praying for:
-That I will get all the money that I need for my trip...it is beginning to stress me out!
-That I will continue to memorize the things that need to be memorized for my trip

Now the title of this blog says that I will share a favorite thing.  I am going to leave you with one of my favorite pieces of writing that was turned into a song

God Bless
KJA

"ADVICE, LIKE YOUTH, PROBABLY JUST WASTED ON THE YOUNG" by  Mary Schmich

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.

Child-like faith

I am in charge of organizing the chapel for Forrester Village this semester.  We have decided to focus on the topic of having a child-like faith.  I am the one who is going to be talking. I am nervous already!  I don't typically have any trouble talking in front of people but for some reason I am nervous to do this.

I am beginning to plan out what I am talking about.  Be praying for me!  If you have any ideas about Child like faith let me know! 

It is raining out today and my morning classes and one of my afternoon classes got canceled today...which in my book means it is a nap and movie kid of day!

God Bless
KJA

Encouragement from Friends

So I have the worlds greatest friends.  I am blessed beyond reason to have such encouraging girls who lift me up even when they don't know that they are.  As of late I have been struggling with stress and enjoying every bit of the short time I have left at HU (a year and a half!) and God has provided me encouragement and laughter through three particular friends. Hebrews 3:13 says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."  And these girls do just that through the laughter and joy they bring to my life!  So thank you Erica Abel, Carrie Hall, and Beth Portice!

Something to chew on

I am really tired tonight and am without words....so I thought I would give you a quote to think about....it's from a great movie called The Emperor's Club...

Great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance.

Stress

So as of right now my stress level is running high.  I feel like I have a lot of things to do but at the same time like I don't.

Also it always seems that right around this time of the school year, I begin to wish I was at home all the time!  I find myself getting annoyed with little things that I shouldn't be annoyed with.  But it is a good thing that I know this about myself.  My game plan for the last two months of school is to really buckle down and get things done and to spend quite a bit of time with my family.  I know that some people give me a hard time about going home on weekends (and trust me I don't every weekend), but my thinking is that I love being with my family so why not go home and be with them.  Also because of the forementioned annoyance that I have, I need a break from everything.

As my junior year is coming to a close, I have really realized that I have grown up alot in the three years I have been at HU.  I will elaborate on that later because right now I have a lot of things to get done! 

God Bless
KJA

Education Majors Rejoice

So my loving mother sent me this blog that she thought I would love. It is a teacher who writes about the different things that she encounters while teaching.  It is sooo funny and clever written!  Seeing how most of the people (like 4 out of five haha) are education majors, I knew you guys would love it! It is called It's not all Flowers and Sausages.  And even if you are not an education major...check this blog out...it may make you chuckle!

Today I am subbing at my old elementary school!  Pray that everything goes smoothly!  Also pray that every who is spending spring break traveling to warmer places (darn them!) is safe!

God Bless
KJA

I love my Family!

So I made it to spring break finally!  It so far has been a wonderful spring break!  Everyone needs a break from the craziness that is school.  This spring break has made me realize how much I love my family!  Ben has been home for a few days from ohio, and I must say he semms much more mature and grown up!  It has always been a struggle for us to get along...but my respect level for him has gone up...i was able to see him handle a situation in a grown up respectful manner yesterday and it was very cool!

I have a pretty busy rest of the week but oh well...at least I get to be with my family!

God Bless
KJA

Light at the end of the Tunnel

This is the week before spring break here at good ole HU.  And let me tell you it is going to be a crazy one!!!  I have a lot of stuff that I need to get done before I go home for a relaxing week (well as relaxing as it can be with homework and other stuff!)  This will most likely be my only post this week, so savor it...enjoy it.  Be praying that I can stay focused on all the stuff I need to get done!  I hope that you have a less stressful week than I will be having!

God Bless
KJA

Integrity and Gossip

Today in chapel Bill Fisher talked about Integrity.  It was a really good chapel.  He talked about how being a Christian with integrity doesn't mean that you are perfect, but it does mean that when you do screw up you handle it with integrity.  He also talked about the idea that we take tiny quarter turns in the wrong direction.   know that may not make complete sense to you, but it does to me.  He also talked about having integrity means that who you are at home and by yourself is the same as who you are around others.

As I had a little one-on-one time with God, I really thought about the idea of gossip.  For me gossip is my biggest uarter turn in the wrong direction.  It is something that I find myself struggling with constantly.  I love to know what is going on in people's lives...I am a people person by nature.  I think it is okay to want to have an interest in people in my life, but I need to focus on building that relationship with those people directly and not talking about them behind their backs.  One thing I also noticed was how I justify talking about people...I find myself justifying it by saying that I'm "worried about them" and feel the need to discuss those worries with someone.  Or I will call my mom to "vent" about something that happened and in turn find myself gossiping. In Ephesians 4:29 it says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only
what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  I need to use my words to build others up and not put them down.


So I am a gossiper.  What can I do about it?  How can I change my actions?  I am making a conscience decision to remove myself from situations when gossip in action.  This will be very hard for me.  I live with girls...and as all girls know we tend to get gossipy alot.  I have always said I need to not gossip as much....well now I am actually going to do something about it.  I tied a piece of hemp around my wrist as a visual reminder.  I am going to ask my roommates to keep me accountable and to be praying for me.   I encourage any one to join me in this endeavor....let me know so I can be praying for you as well.

God Bless
KJA

Money Makes the World Go Round

So lately I have been stressed out about money issues.  I've been worrying about getting all the support money I need to go to Ireland.  Well, the other day my dad called me and we talked about my money for Ireland.  We estimated the amount of support money that I will get from my letters, the church, my bank account, my parents, and so forth.  It definatly put my worrying mind to ease!  I need to remember that where God is at work things happen! 

Also I currently am borrowing my mom's car to drive to practicums and things for my major.  Ben (little brother) is driving Ethel (my car) and will be driving it for a while.  But my dad said that when the tax money comes in we can start to look for a cheap used car for me!!!! Hooray!!! 

That is all I have for today!  I leave you with a verse that I love and pictures some of the people in my life that come to mind as I read this verse!:
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

My dear friend Krista

My Brothers who I love so much!

My camp girls who I miss daily

My roommates who make my life wonderful

God Bless

KJA

Sicky McSickerson

You know that feeling when you are trying with all your might to not throw up?  Well that was me today in chapel.  I was really looking forward to the praise and worship chapel and then part way through I had to sit down and the rest of chapel was spent trying not to throw up!  It was quite the bummer.  I made it back to my apartment before getting sick.  But today will be spent sleeping and being sick.  No Fun!

Pray that I start to feel better because I have so much stuff to do!

God Bless
KJA

Whoops!!

So I wrote a post yesterday but posted it on the wrong blog!  It's been a long week!  So here is the blog from yesterday!

Amazing Worship

So today in chapel the Beyond Idols Tour was there.  It was really  really good!  The worship was amazing!  One thing that I found myself doing was watching the band in the back.  It was amazing to see them playing their instruments with such joy and worshiping the Lord with everything they had.  I could see their passion for God shine through.

Be praying today for the girls that I work with through Upwards.  Cassie and I are presenting the Gospel message tonight at our practice.  Also be praying that God would speak through Cassie and I.

God Bless
KJA

Missions Week

This week at Huntington we are having a week with chapels that focus on missions.  Missions is something that I have been thinking alot about lately....I feel like it may be something God could use me for after I graduate.  As of late alot of things have come up that are missions oriented.  Last week, A guy spoke to the education majors about teaching in a different country at a Christian school (I could see myself doing this).  At the retreat this past weekend, some people talked about their mission work in Africa.  And then this week we are focusing on missions.  This will be something I need to be praying about. 

One thing from the chapel today that really stood out was that Dr. Fetters said that my generation quotes Francis of Assisi alot , "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words."  He said that someone has to use words.  Someone has to talk about Jesus.  It really made me think!

God Bless
KJA

Exhaustion

I am very tired after my weekend at camp.  It was an amazing weekend!!!  It was just what I needed after a not so good end to my week.  This is going to be a short post because of the amount of stuff I need to get done tonight.   But the band that played at camp played a song I hadn't heard before...I love it!!  Enjoy!

God Bless
KJA

30 minute challenge

So today instead of having a typical chapel, our campus pastor sent out a 30 minute challenge for us to do.  It was amazing how awesome spending that 30 minutes doing nothing but listening and talking to God.  It was really good for me.

One of the verses that was sent to us to read was Psalm 9:2 which says, "I will be filled with joy because of you, I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."   This verse really knocked me back.  This is the verse that I had chosen to be my focus verse this past summer at camp.  I wanted to focus on joy and finding joy and God in every little thing.  Well as of late, I feel like I have let things creep into my life and I find myself being negative about a lot of things.  God reminded me of my focus to be find joy in everything through this verse which I had totally forgotten about.  So my challenge to you today is to find joy because you will be filled with joy because of God our King and Savior!

Spend sometime with God today....it is amazing!

God Bless
KJA

Prayer for the weekend!

This weekend I will be heading up to camp for the Senior High Winter Retreat!  I am really excited to see everyone!  Be praying for the kids who are going to be there.  Pray that God will work in their hearts and minds!  Also pray that God will use me to touch these kids lives.

I'll leave you with a picture from this summer of us pumping the kids up for a game!

God Bless
KJA

Song to Enjoy

I really really like this song.  I sang it a while ago and I just fell in love with it!  So enjoy it!



God Bless
KJA

Update!

So this weekend I came home on saturday to do some things.  It was a very productive weekend! 

I also got my first financial update on how much I have raised thus far!  I have raised 825 of the 4,000 I need!  Still a long way to go, but thank you to all who have helped thus far!

God Bless
KJA

Bracelet

So as a way of raising a little bit of support money for my trip (every little bit counts!) I am selling a bracelet.  I know it sounds like selling bracelets will not even come close to raising any money at all....well of the main points of the bracelet is to also remind friends to be praying for me as I prepare for my trip and when I am actually on my trip.  If you haven't already figured it out, I think that having people surround you with prayer is a power thing!

The symbol on the bead is a traditional Irish symbol traditionally found on Claddagh ring.  I actually have a claddagh ring that I wear almost everyday.  The heart stands for love. The crown on top of the heart stands for loyalty. And the hands surrounding the heart stand for friendship. 

Let me know if you are interested in supporting me by buying a bracelet and committing to pray for me.

Pondering many a thing....

So this is going to be a pretty short post.

Shane Claiborne talked in chapel last night and today.  Being that my favorite book is Irresistible Revolution, I was more than excited!  He most certainly gave me some things to think about in terms of the comfortable lifestyle in which I live.

That is all for now....I will most certainly be posting again soon and with more expansion on those thoughts (I just need to formulate them into words that make sense!).

Ireland Update: God is good all the time....All the time God is good.  Look for information in the near future about bracelets I am selling (slightly cheesy and elementary like, I know....but I love it!)

God Bless
KJA

p.s. My dad came to chapel today and then ate lunch with my brother and I!  It was wonderful! I highly recommend eating with your parents!

Joesph

So today in chapel, the speaker talked about one of my favorite bible stories....The story of Joesph.  I have always really loved this bible story...probably because I loved the musical Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat!  So after chapel I came back to do my devotions.  I decided that today I would read the story of Joesph because I must admit it had been a while since I last read it.

It really struck a chord with me.  Joesph has some really crappy times in his life...his brothers turn against him and sell him....he is accused of trying to rape his employer's wife....he is thrown in jail.  But what really stuck out to me (and the speaker talked about) was that everytime something crappy happened to him the bible also said that the Lord was with Joesph.  In chapter 39 alone, it says that the Lord was with Joesph 4 times. 

I have been having a rough time myself lately although it isn't anywhere close to being thrown into jail or being sold into slavery!  But I know that the Lord is with me and through this rough patch I am being taken care of and it is part of God's will for me event though I forget that sometimes.

My challenge to you today is to read the amazing story of Joesph and to know that through everything (good and bad) the Lord is with you.


Ireland Update:  I am continuing to work on raising my support and though it seems like I will never have the money needed, I need to remind myself that with God things happen.  Be praying that I will be less stressed about money!  I also as of late have been struggling with encouragement (it's a long story, one that I don't feel the need to share on the internet!) ....so if you are out there in blog world (yes i just made that world up hehe) send some encouragement and prayers my way!  They would be much appreciated!

God Bless
KJA

Wretched and Beautiful

I am not one for sports.  So tonight instead of watching the super bowl, I did some homework and spent some time reading my bible and the book Irresistible Revolution.  I am not going to ramble long tonight.  I just want to leave you with a paragraph from the book that really stuck out and hit home for me...

"The gospel is good news for sick people and is disturbing for those who think they've got it all together.  Some of us have been told our whole lives that we are wretched, but the gospel reminds us that we are beautiful.  Others of us have been told our whole lives that we are beautiful, but the gospel reminds us that we are also wretched.  The church is a place where we can stand up and say we are wretched, and everyone will nod and agree and remind us that we are also beautiful."

Thank goodness for that.

God Bless KJA

Seeking Prayer and Encouragement

Today in Chapel at school we had a guest speaker.  She mentioned the verse James 5:16 which says, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."  This verse really stuck with me throughout chapel. 

It is only the second week of the semester and already I am stressed out of my mind with everything that I need to do!  This stress has begun to seep into my alone time with God.  I find myself justifying when I am laying in bed and forgot to spend some alone time with God.

So I ask that you be earnestly praying for me and keeping me accountable.  Be praying that I will continue to daily seek time with God...time to reflect...time to pray...time to dig in to his Word...and time to just listen for his voice amoungst all my stress!


God Bless
KJA

Irresistible Revolution

So if you asked me what my favorite book was, I would immediately tell you that it was The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical  by: Shane Claiborne.  Reading this book for the first time my senior year of high school really changed my way of thinking when it comes to living out my spiritual walk.  I suggest it to anyone and am willing to lend my copy to anyone! 

I was super excited to find out that Shane Claiborne will be speaking at two Chapels at my university next week!  I pulled out my copy of the book and was drawn to the pages that I had marked up.

So today I leave you with a thought from the book....

"Jesus never talked to a prostitute because he didn't see a prostitute. He just saw a child of God he was madly in love with."

Inspired by a Third Grader!

So this semester I am co-coaching an Upwards Cheerleading team with a friend of mine.  For those of you who don't know what Upwards is.....it is a Christian youth basketball/cheer program.  The program allows for kids to experience the fun of basketball/cheer without the nasty competition side of things.  It also gives opportunities for God's word to be presented to the kids and parents involved.  Check out their website here. 

Well I am inspired everyday that I work with these girls.  They have such a joy for life.  It also opens up my eyes to how much younger kids watch and imitate what you (a older role model) do. When we do devotions at practice, the girls always have amazing things to say and are so excited to be praying for their friends and others around them.  It reminds that I need to have that same excitement and joy in my spiritual life.  These girls are amazing lights that shine God's love! 

My mind keeps coming back to the bible verse Matthew 18:1-5 which says, " At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me."


So I am reminded by these third grade girls to have childlike faith....who knew that through teaching these girls that I would be taught so much!  My challenge to you this week is to strive to have a childlike faith.

 

God Bless  KJA

Are we there yet?

So, this upcoming summer I have the opportunity to spend a month in Ireland working with a group called Reign Ministries. It will be an amazing experience that will challenge me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I am excited beyond belief! In the months leading up to my departure, I have decided to blog about my preparation. I need to begin to prepare myself for the work God is going to do with me this summer. I want to use this blog to keep people updated not only on the little tedious details that go into preparing for an opportunity, but also thoughts on scripture and daily devotions that I am doing. I hope that this blog will not only be a way to challenge myself to stay accountable, but will also be uplifting and challenging to you readers as well! Be praying for me and keep me accountable by leaving comments!

In today's post I wanted to share a few parts of my support letter. Support, both financially and through prayer, is a huge part of what makes this mission trip possible. It costs 4,000 dollars for me to go on this trip. Now for those of you who don't know me that well...I tend to be a worry wart! I pretty sure my family will attest to that! :) So the fact that I am a poor college student with no money in the bank sets my worrying brain off and running. But I know that God will provide.....He desires to provide for us. In my morning devotions today, I read 2 Corinthians 9:8 which says, "God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done." I need to continually come back to that verse when I feel like I will never raise enough money for this trip. Where God's at work....things happen!

Here is a snippet from my support letter that explains what exactly I will be doing this Summer:

"From June 19-July 31, I will be going on a missions trip to Ireland with an organization called Royal Servants. This organization has given me the opportunity to be a Staff discipler. A Staff discipler is a college-aged student who not only make an impact in the overseas ministry, but also make an impact in the lives of the high school students going on the missions trip. I will be given the opportunity to lead and mentor a small group of high school girls throughout the missions trip. Not only will I be able to help others grow spiritually, my personal walk with God will be strengthened. This Ireland trip will be an experience of a lifetime.

Royal Servants has ministries in many destinations, yet I have felt lead to go to Ireland. For over 6 weeks we will dedicate our lives to serving others. First, I'll be working with a local church reaching out in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. I will work with the church's youth group, run Bible clubs, and plan student events at the church. Our team’s goal is to share the message of Christ by creating meaningful relationships. Then I will head to the beach, but not to swim! Our team will minister in the beachside town of Skerries. I will be doing a kids club during the day, youth outreach performances in afternoons and evenings, and evangelism on the beach and in the center of Dublin. "

That is all for today! I am excited to be sharing my thoughts with you and to get your support and input! Please don't be a stranger, I would love to hear from you! I am looking for some fund raising ideas to help me get closer to my finaicial goal....if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!

God Bless

KJA