Today I am thankful for...

1. My church. I am SO thankful that God has led me here. It it a real blessing to belong to a church that loves God fully, wants to know Him and His Word more and truly desires to make disciples. Sundays have become my absolute favourite day and I just love to worship with my church family every week.

2. Rest. I got hit with the flu this week and I spent a few days out of commission. God reminded me that I am not invincible and that I was relying on my own strength instead of His. Thankful for that much needed reminder.

3. Snow tires. Now that I am driving a lot more and it is the dead of winter I am thankful that I have snow tires on my car. Commuting an hour and 15 min. to school every week would not be the same without good tires, it may seem silly, but as I drive along snow/ice covered roads I feel more at peace knowing that at least I have some grip on the roads.

4. School. Seminary is a lot of work, but I love it. It's challenging and overwhelming at times, but it is a blessing to be studying again and what better to study than God and His word. I am incredibly thankful for the privilege and find myself in awe time and time again as I learn new things about the God that I worship and the Word that He gave us.

The Life of a Seminary Student

It Is Well With My Soul

One of my all time favourite hymns.

The lyrics speak multitudes and declare the assurance of salvation we as Christians have in Christ.

As the worship team began it at church on Sunday I smiled because I needed to hear it, I needed to sing out those words. (Thanks God!)

As I sang this hymn, that I have sang many times before, words and meaning came alive in a new way.

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

I've been really stressed lately and overwhelmed with everything that is on my plate. I really enjoy the areas the I am serving in and I love seminary, but it is A LOT of work! I know that I will get used to the busyness again, but it'll take some time. As I sang out these words I was reminded that through it ALL, whatever lies before me - papers, exams, missions trip, work, pain, joy - It is WELL with my soul because it belongs to Jesus. Part of this transformation that Christ is doing in me is teaching me to rest in Him, His yolk is easy and His burden is light. When stress and anxiousness well up inside of me, He is teaching me to turn to Him and leave it at the foot of the cross.

Through the stress, anxiety and lies that Satan feeds me - Jesus whispers "Be still and know that I am God." Paul writes at the end of Romans 8 that NOTHING can separate us from Christ and I rest in that promise tonight. Whatever the next week, month, year holds, my soul will remain His. My future is secure, it's in His hands. I await the day when my faith shall be sight, and I see my Saviour face to face.

One Word Can Make A Big Difference

As I wrote in a previous post, I have prayed and chosen one word for this year. One word that will be my focus, my prayer and the basis for the goals that I set. This year... transform.

transform
1. to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc.
2. to change in form, appearance or structure; metamorphose 
3. to change in condition, nature or character

I pray that this will be the year that I am changed dramatically for God's glory. That this would be the year that all of the promises that I have been making to God and to myself would be followed through. To spend more time with Jesus, to take care of my body, to be a good steward of time and money... the list goes on. There are so many things that need to change in my life and frankly I have just been too lazy to make an effort to change them. This is the year for change. The year that I will allow God to transform areas of my life that I have not allowed Him to in the past.

I am praying that God will transform...
- my walk with Him to be deeper than every before
- the direction of my life guiding me to what I am passionate about
- me physically as I seek to honour Him with my body by eating healthy and exercising often
- my thought life to be focused more on Him
- my understanding and love for His character
- my desire to give for the sake of the Gospel
- my feelings of loneliness as a single into a more intimate relationship with Him
- my heart and devotion for Him - I want to be ALL IN

I pray that I will look back at the end of 2013 and see a radical, God-glorifying transformation in my life. I set out on this journey knowing that I can accomplish not one single thing on that list above without Jesus. I will and do fail without Him. Romans 12 is my Scripture for the year. I want to memorize, but more importantly live it.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

Dear Jesus,
This is my prayer for this year, that You would completely transform me inside and out. Lord, I desire to be Your light in a very dark world, that Your love would be shown through me. I pray that You would transform my soul, my heart, my mind and my body to glorify You. May the words of Romans 12 be true of my life. Transform me Jesus into Your image. Amen.

{Linking up with Melanie at ONLYABREATH for the January One Word Link Up Party! }

Purpose in the Purposeless

Ever since starting my job in retail over a year ago, it's been a struggle. A struggle to find purpose in what seems like such a meaningless job. My plan was to be at this job for a couple of months before moving on, but God had a different plan. A better plan. Over the past year I have struggled with going to work with joy and a positive attitude when it was the last place that I wanted to be. God has given me glimpses to His purpose[s] in having me at this job and encouraged me not to waste this opportunity to be a light for Him in what can sometimes be a dark place.

Saturdays are my absolute least favourite day to work. It always seems like everyone else has the day off and I have to get up early and spend the entire day at work. This past Saturday as I was laying in bed dreading getting up and going to work I opened the Bible app on my phone and the verse of the day was Colossians 3:23-24. How appropriate.

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

I can't say that I love going to my job, but I can say that I am learning. Every day I go there I am learning. Learning to have a positive attitude, learning to choose joy and learning that God has a purpose {or purposes} in having me at this job. He has put me in a place where I interact with over 25 non-Christian co-workers plus hundreds of customers - what a unique opportunity to share my faith, an opportunity that I do NOT want to be wasted. I don't know how much longer I will be at this job, but I do know that I don't want to look back with regret that I ignored the opportunities that God placed before me.

Dear Jesus,
I pray that each and every day I would be reminded to work for You and not anyone else. May I choose to have a positive attitude and a heart of joy. May I be aware of the many opportunities that You give me to share my faith and may I truly make a difference for You in the lives of my coworkers. I want them to know You. Amen.

Back to School

This girl is excited because she becomes a student again this week!
That's right, I'm going back to school, seminary to be exact.
Thursday marks my first day of my Masters of Theological Studies degree. I am beyond excited.
Excited because I love learning, reading and writing papers - really I do, but more excited because this is the first step in doing what I am passionate about. For so long I have asked God for direction for the future and tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. In the past year God has been reveal next steps to me and showing me how the opportunities of my past have helped to prepare me. I want to and believe that God is calling me into church ministry and more specifically family and youth ministry.
I am thrilled, blessed and anticipating an exciting year ahead.
I still don't know exactly everything God has in store this year, but I trust that it will be growing, stretching and hopefully fun!

Here's to a new chapter in my God's story for me.

One Word 2013

A few years ago I was spending New Year's Eve at a student conference and a friend of mine shared with me that every year she prays and asks God for a word for that year. Something that He wants to teach, a point of focus, a way to grow. I liked this concept and began doing the same. In years past my words have included trust, joy, change and this year I knew clearly what my word needed to be.

(Thanks Melanie @ OnlyABreath for the button! I'm looking forward to connecting every month.)

I discovered oneword365 through my best friend's blog which is described as this:

Choose one word.

One word sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. 

One word that you can focus on every day, all year long. 

It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your word will shape you and your year.  it will guide your decisions and help you grow. 

Discover the big impact one word can make. 

One word. 

365 days.

A changed life. 

Although I have made goals for 2013 they all center around transformation. As my blog is titled 'Into His Likeness' I desire to be transformed - into the image of Christ, into the woman God wants me to be and into a committed disciple of His. As I mentioned in my previous post I have committed to Romans 12 as my Scripture and prayer for this year. I want to memorize it and live it. 

Romans 12

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

³ For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. ⁴ For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with^[h]liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹ not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you,be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but ^[p]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

As I've been praying over the last few days I submitted to God that I want to move deeper in my relationship with Him, step out more than I ever have, be bold and that he would rid the sin that is in my life no matter how painful the process. I am praying that I would be transformed into a disciple that is completely sold out for her Master. That my life would not be my own, but His. His path, His ways, His Word.

I encourage you to choose a word for your year. Ask God how He wants to grow you, what he wants to teach you. Commit 2013 to Him.

2013 Goals

I know, it's a big list but 2013 is going to be a big year, like I said before I'm dreaming big and praying bigger. Also, many of these things I should already be doing - many are Biblical and things I am called to as a  follower of Jesus. I don't make these goals to show how good I can be, but rather to show that I can't be these things without Jesus. 

I'm a girl who thrives off of lists and action points which is why I've included both...

1. More time with Jesus

Through my advent journey I have just fallen more in love with Jesus and am so motivated to spend more time with Him. I'm still planning out what to read/study, but it's exciting!

Actions: set aside time first thing in the morning and before I go to bed, find devotions/Bible plans on Youversion on my phone.

2. Pray specifically and fervently

I witnessed the power of prayer in big ways in 2012 and I've been encouraged to pray boldly for my friends, family, church, the world and myself.

Actions: attend prayer meetings at church, continue a prayer journal, write prayer requests on my white board, put up a world map in my room

3. Run a 10 km race

Last year I ran my very first race, a 5k, and it was a great feeling and definitely pushed me to run more and train for another race. This year I'm aiming for a 10k and the training has already begun.

Actions: research races close by, sign up in advance for motivation, find a friend who will join me (any takers?)

4. Read {a least} 12 new books (textbooks not included)

I have over a dozen books on my bookshelf that I have yet to read, I want to read them I just haven't made it a priority. I figured one a month is a good goal.

5. Don't by any new DVDs

My bookshelf is also full of DVDs, it's ridiculous. I watch them often, but really don't need to buy any more right now and as I'm trying (and needing) to be wise with my finances this is a small way I am doing so.

Actions: telling others for accountability

6. Avoid excess

This one is off to a great start. My sister and I have been extremely motivated to get rid of all of the excess in our lives starting with possessions. We've decided to have a garage sale in the spring and have been sorting through our rooms and getting rid of heaps that we will sell. It feels great and I hope to continue this purging.

Actions: continue sorting and getting rid of, ask myself "Do I really need this?" in the store

7. Live simply

This one goes nicely with the previous. I have been convicted to live simply in all areas - finances, possessions, health. I want to learn to say no to what the world tells us that we need.

8. Drink more water

I started doing this at the end of last year and I must say it made me feel better overall, I want to keep it up.

Actions: keep water bottles in my locker at work, school bag, car, on my desk;

9. Choose JOY

If you read my reflection of 2012 you will know that this is something God was {and still is} teaching me. Whether it's going to work, school, or just being at home I pray that I will choose joy.

10. Run a total of 600 km

This one scares me a little bit, but it is also really motivating. That's a lots of kilometers. I bought a used treadmill with Christmas money and have really enjoyed running on it so far, so hopefully during the cold months this will help me to reach this goal. 

Actions: print a chart to keep track

11. Continue cutting out refined sugar from my diet

This is something I started to do towards the end of last year and I noticed an incredible difference in how I felt - no sugar highs/crashes, no sick feeling after too much, more energy - The Christmas season caught me off track, but I need to start weening it out again.

Actions: cut up fruits and veggies at the beginning of the week, use maple syrup/honey instead of white sugar in tea/coffee

12. Write and mail a letter every month to a friend who is far away

Most of my best friends live at least 1 1/2 hours away - letter writing is so thoughtful and personal, I hope to bless my friends with this goal.

Actions: make a list of who I want to write to

13. Love sacrificially

I pray that God's benevolent love would overflow from my life into the lives of those around me. His love, not mine. His strength, not mine. 

14. Go on a road trip

Last year it was Watertown/Syracuse with 3 of my best friends and it.was.a.blast! I'm excited for where it will be this year.

15. Don't forget to rest

More specifically guarding my Sabbath, it is a much needed day of rest.

Actions: get schoolwork done on other days in order to have Sunday to rest

16. Less TV and Internet more creativity

I eat up hours and hours of time doing unproductive things (Pinterest, Youtube videos, etc.) on my computer and watching TV - instead I'd like to be more creative: writing, painting, playing piano, doing crafts, crocheting... the possibilities are endless.

17. Study hard

I start seminary classes in one week! I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity and I want to be a good steward with it. 

Actions: write due dates in my agenda, get work hours dropped down to 20 hours a week in order to have more time for schoolwork

18. Live intentionally 

With my actions. With my words. With my friendships. With my relationship with God. Our time here is short, I don't want to waste it.

19. Serve compassionately

God has presented me with so many opportunities to do this and I pray that I would serve wholeheartedly for His glory, not my own.

20. Share the Gospel often

Jesus commands us to share the Gospel, I want to share what He has done in my life - I would like to start with my coworkers.

21. Invite friends to church

Again, I would like to start with my coworkers. I praying hard for them and would love to see them come to church/ church activities. 

Actions: start by inviting them to the winter carnival we are having at the end of the month

22. Give generously

In finances, in time, in energy. 

Actions: set up automatic withdrawal for my tithe, plan out my schedule

23. Have fun

Sometimes I am just far too serious. Even if it's just an hour or two a month, I need to take time for spontaneous fun.

24. Set boundaries and say NO sometimes

Being a people pleaser, when someone asks me to do something, I always want to say yes sometimes for the sole reason of making them happy. I need to work on this God is working on this in me.

Actions: Pray before making decisions, don't feel the need to answer right away

25. Flee from gossip

This is hard at work, really hard. I'd say at least 50% of the conversation that takes place is gossip. I don't want to be a part of it. I am praying that God will show me ways to flee from it while still maintaining my relationships with these coworkers.

26. More coffee dates with friends and youth

Quality time is my top love language so I really appreciate coffee dates and I pray that it will allow me to further my relationships with my youth girls.

Actions: make a list of who I'd like to meet with, schedule one a month

27. Memorize Romans 12

I am going to write a whole post on this, but this is my Scripture for the year so I figure it's on 20-some-odd verses so why not memorize it.

Actions: print it off and post it on my wall, start memorizing during my quiet times

Dear Jesus,

I bring these dreams and goals before You knowing that You know everything that is going to happen in 2013 and recognizing that Your plan is above all. I pray that I wouldn't become lazy towards these things, but be motivated as You continue to transform me into Your image. Ultimately Lord I do these things to bring glory to You. I can't do any of this without You. Amen.

Twenty.Twelve in Review

I said this as I reflected on 2011 and I'll say it again this year as I think back upon last year: 2012 was a hard year. Feeling stuck. Loneliness. An accident. SO MANY changes. My life looks a lot different today than it did at the beginning of 2012.

If I had to pick one word to describe 2012 I would choose change. My life took on a "new normal" this year in a lot of ways. Church. Family. Myself. I don't like change. It usually stresses me out. As I look back though I couldn't be more grateful and excited for where God has brought me. I am thankful for the opportunities that He has given me this year and the necessary changes that He did make in my life. I am also extremely excited for what is to come in 2013. I'm dreaming big and prayer bigger.

I'm beginning to {finally} learn that through struggles and hardships God grows us and reminds us of His character. Through starting at a new church, my dad's motorcycle accident and recovery, bouts of loneliness and crying out to God for direction - He grew my trust in Him and my love for Him is greater than it ever has been. God taught me much about His character and He also taught me a lot about the person He created me to be. He revealed things that I am passionate about and ways that I love serving. God showed me that as I trust Him, my relationship with Him grows deeper. This was my favourite song in 2012. There were days that I needed to hear these words so badly that I played it on repeat. Such truth in these lyrics.

Not For a Moment (After All) - Meredith Andrews

You were reaching through the storm, walking on the water,
Even when I could not see.
In the middle of it all, when I thought you were a thousand miles away.
Not for a moment, did You forsake me.
Not for a moment, did You forsake me.

After all, You are constant.
After all, You are only good.
After all, You are sovereign.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

You were singing in the dark, whispering Your promise.
Even when I could not hear.
I was held in Your arms, carried for a thousand miles to show,
Not for a moment did You forsake me.

After all, You are constant.
After all, You are only good.
After all, You are sovereign.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

And every step, every breath You are there.
Every tear, every cry, every breath.
In my hurt, at my worst, when my world falls down.
Not for a moment, will You forsake me.

Another big lesson I learned in 2012 (and am still learning) is to choose JOY. There was so many days that I would wake up and just want to stay in bed instead of going to work. There were also many days that I would go to work so grumpy and have a bad attitude all day because I didn't want to be there. God convicted me and challenged me to choose joy over negativity. I posted "Choose Joy" in my car so that I am reminded everyday to have joy in Christ instead of in my circumstances. Making this decision has made days in retail much better.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

2012 definitely ended on an exciting note with much anticipation of things to come in 2013. God has brought me so many new opportunities and has given me direction for the next steps in my life. There were many times over the past year that I spent crying out to God asking Him what to do, where to go, what decisions to make - He has brought me to a place that I never would have imagined for myself and I love it! I am so excited about life and am thrilled to be serving God in the opportunities that He has given me. 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for 2012 - for the times of joy, times of sadness, times of loneliness and times of confusion - thank You for it all. I praise You for all that You taught me and the many ways that You grew me this past year. Thank You for showing me joy even in the deep valleys and giving me Your peace in the middle of the storms. My love for You has grown deeper than it ever has been and I cherish my relationship with You more than I ever have. I pray Lord that this would be the beginning of even more growth in my life as You continue to transform me. Thank You for keeping Your promises, never leaving me and walking with me through it all. I love You. Amen.

Advent: Reflection

As I think back on the 25 days of advent, the one thing that I came away with was a greater awe of God. As I read and wrote everyday about His different names and characteristics I found myself overwhelmed. That the God who is all powerful, all loving, all knowing and all mighty would want a relationship with me is so much to fathom. As much as advent made me excited for Christmas, it made me even more excited for the second coming of Jesus. I took 25 days to really seek to know God better, yet we are living in the advent of the second coming - I need to be seeking to know Him better EVERYDAY. I am so motivated to dive into the Word and seek God's face in 2013. I pray that I will spent more time with Jesus, take time to talk and listen to Him and develop my relationship with Him. For the first time, I really celebrated my relationship with Jesus on Christmas - yes I'm thankful for the gifts, but they didn't seem to matter as much this year. I found myself in awe of all that He had done and all that He promises to do. This Christmas I celebrated Jesus.