Unity

Colossians 3:14-- "Beyond all these things, put on love which is the perfect bond of unity."

What does it look like to love a group of people?
How do you love others when everyone shows and receives love differently?
How do I show love?
How do I receive love?
How is my love perceived?
What is it about love, that bonds people together?

It is interesting to think about how love and communication go hand-in-hand. I might be able to love someone with a brotherly love, but if it is miss communicated as something else, would it still be considered love that is the perfect bond of unity?

Just a few of my thoughts lately!

Kanakuk Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

This is a picture of all the beautiful women at Kanakuk Institute! We had an awesome gift exchange, full of laughs and wonderful memories! I will definitely miss them over the break!

Love...

John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

I'm learning what this looks like. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life as a sacrifice for everyone. Out of that love, we are called to love others. My prayer is that the Lord would show me what this love looks like. How do I love others as Christ loved us? And by THIS LOVE people will know that I belong to Him. Lord, I can't do that on my own. Show me how to love others deeply, purposefully, constantly, sacrificially, as Christ loved me.

Thoughts

Kanakuk Institute has been a whirl wind of a time lately. It isn't the people that are here, it isn't the atmosphere around, it isn't the knowledge that the teachers bring... but the Lord has been meeting me personally here. I know that might sound weird to some, but I have never felt closer to the God of the Universe. 

He is the Provider, the Healer, the All-Sufficient One. He is the Most High God, the Lord of Hosts, and the great I Am. I have been reading Hosea 2, and I am blown away by His love. Hosea is a book about a man told by God that he needs to marry a harlot in order to serve as an example for the relationship between God and Israel. God has been faithful in love, but Israel continues to turn their back on Him. The Lord says of Gomer (Israel) that she will turn away and run towards her other lovers, but He will hedge her way with thorns. He will block her paths with walls. She will seek her other lovers but she will not find them. She will then realize that it is better with her first love, and she will return to Him. 

Because, she did not know that it was Him who provided her water and food. 

Thank the Lord, that He saves us from ourselves. The passage continues to say that the Lord will bring her to a place where she will no longer call Him, Master; but she will now call Him, Husband. God is a God of love. There is sin in this world, and that is what brings pain; but, God does not wish harm on any of His children. The sin of this world brings harm on people, and God feels the pain. He is all-powerful in that He could stop it, but would I want Him to take away all of the free will that prevented any sin? Then I wouldn't have the ability to choose good. Wouldn't that take away the goodness in the good? If I was forced to be that way? 

Just some random thoughts that the Lord has been putting on my heart lately. He is good, and for that I thank Him. 

Lately...

I have been accurately accused of not updating my blog like I should... so I thought I'd take a moment to say a little about the multiple things that have taken place since October :) 

1. Early November there was a country dance! Now you know I loved that! 

2. Prior to the country dance, my powder puff football team got smashed by the other teams... but I should have known... how intimidating is a team called "the 

purple puffy penguins"?!?!?

3. The next weekend we had parents weekend! I loved it because my mom and sis

ter got to come and visit me! It was a great time because I was sooo homesick and their visit made a huge difference! We went to see a show called Dixie Stampede, and we got a picture, but it was far too expensive to keep it, so you can use your imagination!

4. The weekend after that, I went on a JR HIGH RETREAT! We had a great time! I got to know my kids better, and we played a bunch of fun games! At the end of the weekend there was a long prayer walk that was very meaningful. 

Pumpkin Carving

Alissa decided to invite the group to carve pumpkins with us! In true fall fashion, we decided to go at it!

Updates from Kanakuk Institute

So, I decided to start a blog that I could update throughout my time here at the Institute! I know that I am terrible at keeping in touch with all of the people I love, so in order to improve, I'm creating a blog! Hopefully this will be a place to come and get updates on pictures, events, and thoughts on life! I hope you enjoy! And please feel free to add comments! This is a two-way street!