Fall

Right now, I'm sitting in the library at Corban, studying for a test. I have my coffee next to me, along with my iPod, and my notes. I sit by the window and thre trees just outside have that crisp, fall look to them. Their leaves turning colors, and beginning to fall down to the sidewalk below.

The chatter of students going to their classes fills the air, and you know that fall is now in full

swing.

Sitting, peacefully studying, I hear the giggles of some girls studying together down the

hall. I love that amidst all the stress of homework, as well as all everything else that the crazy, but amazing college experience holds, everyone still finds happiness. With our North Face jackets, and backpacks on, everyone heads to class to try to stretch their brains a little bit more and learn how to apply it to their daily lives. As we experience college, we find that it's not just about passing the the class with an average grade, or not falling asleep in class. It's not about impressing our teachers, doing well in sports, or seeing who can find their soon-to-be husband or wife first. No, its about finding out who we are and what God has planned for our live

s. Who He wants us to be, and how we can use everything we are learning, and experiencing in our lives now, for the rest of our lives. Because soon, we will look back at this tim

e and see that this is where we became the people that we will be for the rest of our lives, the people we are then.

Yeah, the homework sucks, and sometimes you can swear that what you're learning in class doesn't make any sense to anyone but the person teaching it, and you will never be able to apply it to your life. That may be true, but it doesn't mean you won't carry it on, even if it'

s in just a small way, for the rest of your life.

So I sit here with my warm winter boots on, sipping my coffee and enjoying the beauty of fall that surrounds me, as day by day I find out more of who I am and how God is going to use me in this world.

Visiting Koryn at WOU

Yesterday afternoon, my friend Kelsea and I decided to take the 30 minute little drive up the road to the town of Monmouth, home of Western Oregon University. Koryn, Kelsea and I have all been close friends since 7th grade. We all have attended Bethany since then, Koryn being the most recent one to come to Bethany.
Since I had arrived to Salem in mid-August, I had only seen Koryn once or twice, before she began her college experience up at WOU. If you are in college, you can relate to the understatement of the phrase "life has been crazy since college began." This was, of course, true for the three of us "amigas" as well.
We decided that we had been apart for long enough though, and it was time we reuinited and spent the afternoon with Koryn.
We arrived at WOU around 6pm and stayed all evening. We took a walk around campus. They have a gorgeous campus by the way! Kelsea and I couldn't get over the fact of how flat it was though! haha. Corban is on a hill, so going from class to class, you always arrive tired and out of breath. haha, not at WOU! You could run to class and be fine.
It was nice to see Koryn's room, and where she takes classes etc. To get more of a "feel" for her life there.
It was SO much fun to be able to hang out again, and when it started to get late, Kels and I didn't want to leave! Needless to say, Kelsea is on her way back up to WOU as I write this, to bring Koryn back for the night. We're having a sleepover. =)
Besides being able to hang out with my friends, laugh, joke around and just be girls with them and catch up on life, the biggest thing I got from my visit at WOU was how thankful I am to be going to Corban University. Corban is a godly, small, but absolutely amazing school. I am so thankful God has placed me here!
I admire Koryn so much for her boldness as she steps out in faith, and choosing not to "live in the bubble" that many of her lost classmates live in. God has placed her in a mission field, even just in her hall. I know He has great plans for her there, and that she will make a difference for HIM as she sets an example and shares the love of Christ with those around her.

Saying Goodbye

Last night, the moment finally came. The time that we all knew had been coming for the past six weeks. The emotions over the past month and a half had bottled up, and it finally came time to release those emotions, and let go. Time to accept that my family was leaving, time to say goodbye. You'd think that after having to say goodbye to my home, family and friends over and over again the past three years I'd be used to it by now, but it's always just as hard. This time, being the hardest of all.

We went out to dinner as a family. Along with my grandparents, aunt and uncle Tim, and Auntie Dawn. Morgan sat next to me, and Christian on my lap. We were talking a lot through out the meal, and I asked Christian if he realized that after dinner, he would have to say goodbye to me; that I wouldn't see him in the morning before he left to go back to Mexico. He started crying, and gave me a big hug. That resulted in a few others at the table tearing up as well. It took a lot of strength for me to not allow myself to start crying too.

After dinner we went back to the Bakers house, and said our goodbyes there. Christian definitely has had the hardest time out of everyone. These past two weeks or so, he has wanted to spend every waking moment with me. My mom said that when we're not together, he's constantly asking when he would get to see me again. When he would ask and she would say soon he would jump up and down and yell "YIPPEE!!!" and couldn't wait to spend time with me. After we would spend some time together and it was time for him to go back to the house in Jefferson, he would cry. He would hug me tight and refuse to let go. It broke my heart every time, and the sadness that my little brother held because he knew he wouldn't get to see me that much more was so hard to see. It showed me how much he loves me though, and that meant the world to me.

Change is a hard thing. Starting a new phase in your life is hard. This has been a difficult thing to experience and accept for all of us, and saying goodbye is always the hardest part.

Last night after I said goodbye, I spent some time in my favorite book, The Bible, before going to sleep. No other book in the whole world could comfort me more. No other words could comfort me more than HIS words. I read Romans 5, which focuses on peace, joy and hope.

Here are a few verses from the chapter that really comforted me.

"We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:2b-5

Dad, Mom, Brent, Dane, Morgan, and Christian- I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! I miss you already, but I know that God will ALWAYS give us hope, peace, and joy. Thank you for the amazing, one of a kind, best family I could ever ask for.

College Continues

As my journey at Corban University continues, I grow to enjoy it more and more. Homework is bearable, and sometimes even a little fun. Sometimes. ;)
Not living on campus, I'm definitely missing "the campus life", but at the same time I'm enjoying living at my Aunt and Uncle's house. I spend time on campus hanging out with friends, going to chapel, sports events, etc. oh yeah, and going to class. haha. But here at the Baker's house I can have quiet time to study, be in my room to relax, hang out with my cousins, and even fall asleep on the couch, like I did last night.
This past weekend, my friend Kelsea and I left right after class on Friday and went up to the Tri-Cities, Washington where my grandparents live. The rest of my family decided to go and spend a week with our relatives, and I wanted to come too! I couldn't spend the whole week up there, so we just made a weekend trip. It was so much fun to see my grandparents again, and hang out with my family for the weekend, as well as forget about homework and just enjoy the weekend away!

One thing that has really helped me in the process of adjusting to life here in Oregon again is memorizing Scripture. Adapting to life here again has been far more difficult than I thought it would be. Life has changed a lot, and I guess I just didn't think it would be so emotionally draining for me. It's a hard change, but I know it's a good change. To be honest, when I think about some stuff that's happening or that I know (or maybe don't know) will happen, scare me. But the adventure, new experiences, friends, and things ahead excite me as well. I'm learning day by day, as each new thing becomes more and more real, to completely trust God. It's really hard sometimes, but like I said, I'm learning. And He's been teaching me soooo much!

In the process of everything, God has been teaching, comforting, and providing for my needs and broken emotions in so many ways. One thing that has helped me incredibly is my friend Chloe and I are memorizing Bible verses together. This week we are memorizing Galatians 1:10. It says:
"Am I now trying to with the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."

I love that when I feel at my weakest, God shows me how strong He is. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my never-failing Savior to depend on, and the peace that with my family and friends that I love and care about, but can't always be with, Christ is my connection to them, and that is one thing in life that will NEVER change. God will always be faithful, and when I'm going through a hard time in Life, I can completely trust in Him, and He will work everything out for HIS glory in HIS timing. And He will give me the strength to endure it.
God is so amazing!

Life here in Salem is fun, and I'm beginning to find my place, and trying to figure out the new ways God desires for me to be used here. The things I can do for His glory.

College Beginnings

I've been in Salem for almost two weeks now! I've been crazy busy with lots of stuff since I got here, which has left me with little time to write. :/
I've settled into my new home here at the Baker's house, and am enjoying my room. There are currently 16 people living here, which makes things really fun. There's always something going on! :) My family will be going out to stay in Jefferson at our shop there in the next few days, and will stay there until they return to Mexico on October 9th.
I began my college classes at Corban University on Wednesday! So far things have been going great! I'm loving being a college student, with the exception of all the homework that will be taking up a rather large sum of my time. haha. I'm taking Bible Survey and American Thought and Culture this semester. Along with my two high school classes.
It has been so great to reconnect with my friends here in Salem, as well as begin to meet new friends out at Corban.
So, it's mid August, the nicest month of the year here in Oregon, and today was the first day since I've been here that I haven't been cold. What is up with that?! It finally got up to 90 today, it was so nice. It was probably the first time this whole year that I actually was okay with being hot and sweaty.

For those of you that have been concerned about my health issues...
If you read my facebook posts, you will know that I went to the hospital last Tuesday night. I spent most of my evening there, and they did a CT scan. They found out that I had a kidney stone.
Thursday I went to my new general doctor for a follow up. After explaining everything that's been going on since May, she believes that the kidney stone is not the only thing that's been going on. She thinks there's something else too, maybe several other things. She ordered some tests, and we're pretty much starting from the very beginning, even though I had some testing done in Mexico. She wants to start from square one. I have another appointment with her in two weeks, and I should have some test results ready by then, and then I can start with the next ones she wants me to do.
I pray that it won't be another 4+ months before we figure out what's going on. I will update you all again when I get more answers. Thank you all so much for your prayers as I go through all of this.

I would also appreciate your prayers as I am still in the process of adapting to being back in the US, the "newness" of college and everything that brings with it, the sad thought of not being with my family much longer, relationships, my spiritual life, etc. etc. It's a lot to take in and try to process all at once, and can be quite draining and just all around tough at times. So I really thank you for your prayers and support through this!

Psalm 37:4-6
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your ways to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."