tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17763316776671307472024-02-19T08:52:02.870-06:00The Lord Sings Over MeZephaniah 3:17
"The Lord your God is in your midst,
na mighty one who will save;
ohe will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-16725484862698332492013-09-02T17:29:00.004-05:002013-09-02T17:29:34.978-05:00We've Moved!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Readers,</div>
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This blog is no longer being posted to Blogger. It has now moved to Wordpress. If you are not a member of Wordpress please still feel free to follow the blog here:</div>
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<a href="http://chelsynschulte.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://chelsynschulte.wordpress.com/</span></a></div>
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If not you can always follow via Facebook under The Journey here:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/chelsyschulte"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.facebook.com/chelsyschulte</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-87833849841520199222012-11-06T15:01:00.002-06:002012-11-06T15:01:12.063-06:00The Journey.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
I know I've abandoned you lately. I haven't felt called until recently to start writing again. However, it's come up in a lot of areas and I believe that it may be fruitful to begin again. In my mind though, I can't pick up where I've left off on this page. It's like starting a new book or chapter. So I've decided to begin a new "Journey" at:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.chelsysjourney.blogspot.com/">chelsysjourney.blogspot.com </a></span></div>
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If you've enjoyed reading here, please please please, follow me there. It's <b>always</b> encouraging to see that this blog is actually useful and followers are encouragers. Please tell your friends. My hope is not to be popular, but to reach people with the character of God as He reveals it to me, in a desire that you may see Him face-to-face.<br />
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Lastly, the "Daughters" website will not be re-routed. That one stays, and will be contributed to in the right timing. </div>
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Thank you all for being patient and loyal friends and strangers. I pray deeply today that this new journey will benefit you just as I feel I'm benefitting from it. </div>
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I love you all,<br />
<br />
Chelsy.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-16103782775339736642012-09-17T22:22:00.001-05:002012-09-17T22:22:48.629-05:00Love That Will Not Let Me Go.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
I'm happy to inform you that my first few weeks at the apartment have been very encouraging. We're all settled in now. It's Lisa, Kelsey, Krystal and me living here now. It's been so good to see that we all have something in common that we can share, but Krystal is definitely the one I can connect with most and the heart I most admire. It's amazing what all has happened since moving in, in my heart and in life itself.<br />
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I'm finally in a God-ordained discipling relationship, and He keeps confirming that- Praise Him! I'm in a counseling relationship that is challenging and shaping my grief. My Lot Family is solid. Our church is launching a ministry I couldn't have a deeper heart for- sexual health and healing!<br />
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But these blessings have not come without much striving and struggling. My biggest enemy is numbness. It has almost been two years since my dad died and it's still not sinking in. My prayers for healing are constant, and the fight is relentless. But somehow, in the midst of these dark hours, God is able to bless me. My focus consistently is shifted to all He is doing in me here, and what He plans to do. I can't help but awe in Him and be thankful. But still my heart longs for Him to knock down walls and heal me.<br />
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Maybe this is all to simply teach me to trust. He's revealing His great works over and over, time and again, to prove to me my heart is penetrable. And to remind me He's still bent on answering my prayers from the night my father died.<br />
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Show me how to love You, to know that You love me. And show me how to love Your people.</div>
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Two years ago I ran out of ways to ask this. I have to believe it's still what He desires to answer. I know He's still hearing those prayers and still answering them to this day. </div>
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He will not let go. </div>
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Chelsy. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-43602790680100611912012-08-29T10:51:00.001-05:002012-08-29T10:51:35.439-05:00I'm Movin' Out!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
Exciting news, I signed the lease this week to move in to the apartment on North Main Street! Whoop! So as of this weekend I will be living right in the heart of St. Charles and I'm so excited. <br />
It became evident to me, in making this decision, that to say no to this opportunity I would be succumbing to fear and I would actually be missing a really big opportunity to grow. I feel that Christ is using this as a way of exposing me to a lot of new situations and using me in man different ways.<br />
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My boyfriend went back to Kentucky for his next semester at school, although he was able to come back last weekend for our friend's wedding.<br />
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<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="212" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538544_10100782510400348_400984312_n.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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Matt and Maria's wedding was amazing. It made me so proud of them, amazed by God, and excited to be married myself one day. The ceremony was just priceless and perfect and it was a beautiful outdoor wedding. It's really cool to hear from her from their honeymoon and just love how much they love each other. </div>
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<br /></div>
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On another note, I've just felt rejuvenated this week. To be honest, my faith and steadfastness have been all but depleted lately. I've been desperate in my prayers and almost feeling like giving up on praying at all. However, this past week I prayed in the car that God would just spur Jeffrey to lead me well with how I was feeling and that somehow He would move through him. No less than minutes later he turned to me and shared his heart that we would make the majority of our prayers out of praise. I honestly in that moment felt angry that he would ask me to be thankful, when it felt like there was nothing good to be thankful for. Later that night he went over with me a multitude of things I should be thankful about and it really convicted my heart.</div>
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With no surprise, that Sunday we talked about thankfulness a little as well. Brandon, our Lot Family leader, dared us all to use thankfulness in prayer and said there was no doubt in his mind that we would see our hearts change. This just brought it home for me. Ever since then I've been so much more aware of the grace He's given me in the situation and I feel Him moving me more and more, though His word and so many other things. </div>
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Today, hover, a lot of what I learned was put into perspective. I was driving to Starbucks on my way to work, however I was hating that this was my method for breakfast because I'm trying to cut back spending. When I pulled up to pay for my order the woman and the window said the car in front of me paid for my order, because the person in front of <i>her </i>had just done the same thing! Sweet! I drove away really excited and praising God for thinking of me in my money crunch.</div>
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But right and the window came out of perspective I realized that I was already prepared to pay for that meal, and I should have been ready to extend the grace to the car behind me. I realized that we are all so ready to receive grace, but not willing to extend it again. We really <b>love </b>being blessed, but hardly think to bless others in return. </div>
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I thought of this blog, and all of you who say you get something from it. I thought of the sexual healing project my church is doing and how my heart burns to serve those struggling. I thought of the single moms of St. Charles and the homeless. I thought that all of their faces are Jesus and leaper returning to thank him and going out to shout his name. I pray today for all of you to be blessed by this, because I love you all and I do this to serve <i>you</i>. I pray that you will go out from this and bless others because He has first been gracious. </div>
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<b>I pray we don't forget to extend our hands.</b></div>
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Chelsy.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-55486225542013728182012-07-29T20:01:00.000-05:002012-07-29T20:01:09.093-05:00Answered Prayers.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
Today was a day full of answers. There have been so many questions running through my head regarding grief. There have been completely hopeless moments that I felt so out of control, days of finding no real joy, and even times of extreme doubt when I felt like I was going to fall away from everything I knew.<br />
It's hard to realize someone isn't here anymore, but even harder to know how to feel, act, or be okay now. I try to remember the thing isn't to want to be normal, I won't feel normal, but I desire to be okay. Meaning, I hope to still continue on, feel all the things that I might very well have to, but still have a life that feels worth it.<br />
Yesterday was that breaking point, the one you get to when you run out of prayers or tears of repentance. You look yourself in the mirror and your stomach falls, you ask a question and somehow you hear His voice. You begin to cry, and it doesn't feel okay right then, but at least you've passed step one.<br />
I found that in these times I'm just trying too hard. I want a quick fix, a pat on the back, to go back to normal and feel just fine again. God sometimes has a different way of healing. There's a wound. My first instinct is to cover it with a band-aid and call it a day. He sees that this could be infection if not properly taken care of. So He rips off my quick fix and digs the wound deeper, in order to cure the infection. I know He knows best, but the pain sometimes wins over my better judgement. When the feeling resides it's much easier to trust Him, to understand, to even praise Him for pain. But during that time you just wanna curse and scream, disregarding the outcome.<br />
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Today the infection has been cleared. It will come again and not everything is permanently fixed, but that's okay.<br />
I prayed for peace, and instead of that numbness I found myself on wings like eagles once again. I prayed for His nearness, and He showed up plain as day. I prayed for better prayer and a love for the word, I see Him shaping that today.<br />
I hope I can continue to remember when the next infection comes, and the pain is almost unbearable, that this is a season. Seasons come and go, but each have a purpose. Winter may bring the chill and the plants may die, but Spring will soon come again and flowers will bloom. <br />
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Grief has many layers. You don't just deal with death and get over it. I may not wake up tomorrow and just be normal again. But I <i>will</i> be okay.<br />
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Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-81926254913493562852012-07-19T12:16:00.000-05:002012-07-19T12:16:04.590-05:00Blessings.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
This past week has been awesome, but there have also been some hurdles to jump over. Firstly, there was Chris and Laura's wedding, which was awesome. I loved the way everything was really simple and fun and it was just a celebration!<br />
<br />
Then, there's just been awesome encouragement with the blogging I've been doing. Thankfully, it hasn't been an issue of pride. To be vulnerable, I've been struggling with writing because I don't feel worthy, like I'm not good enough to share the gospel with you all. So when I get multiple comments and encouragement from people this week about what God is doing through all this, it reminds me He can still use me, and it doesn't matter how I feel about it.<br />
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But not everything this week has felt very good. The grief I sometimes feel will come in and out of my life time and again. Sometimes in waves, sometimes it makes me numb for months, and sometimes only for a moment. This has happened in the past week. The hard part about this struggle is that it won't always make sense. I've had countless people tell me nothing I feel will be wrong and there's no right way to feel, but that's so hard to understand, because you just want to feel normal. When you feel normal you just wanna know you're grieving right-if at all. Feeling numb is the worst of all. <br />
The thing about greiving is it makes you desperate for a Helper. You don't feel like anyone understands (truthfully how could they) and you don't know what in the world to do. What I found is everytime I'm in the pit, He does come. It's never how I picture it, and often times I fight Him more than I allow Him to help, kicking and screaming. But eventually, He gets His way and rescues me from it all.<br />
I struggle at this point. Because I always fail to forget that this doesn't mean I won't grieve again. It doesn't mean I'm fixed and sinless and flawless. The grief stays there, but so does He, and He'll always be there for me. <br />
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<br /></div>
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I don't think the message from Matthias could've come at a better time last night.</div>
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<b>Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. </b></div>
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When my eyes fail to cry, when my heart is worn down. I look at the altar I made one night in college (that night I felt I would never be okay again). I painted it down so I'd never forget, "<b>He will turn dark into light</b>."</div>
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The Father is always fighting for us (Exodus 14:14) we need only to be silent.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Chelsy.<b> </b> </div>
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-58468987537621069382012-07-06T14:43:00.000-05:002012-07-08T18:13:50.550-05:00Gotta' Get Down on Friday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Quick update, today's Friday. So date night tomight! Also, just wanted to randomly mention that if you haven't read the full Narnia series, you need to get your act together and get on that!<br />
<br />
On a more serious note, last night I found such a blessing in my relationship with Jeffrey. He was able to meet up with Chris Jacobsen and talk about man-stuff (i.e. leadership, marriage, ...golf) and it was so nice to have him come over afterward and just hear all the encouragement he felt. He went over how he wants to be a more committed spiritual leader, meaning he wants to be in the word more intentionally and often, and different plans for engagement and marriage someday. It was just great to hear his heart for leadership, which in turn is just showing how much he cares for me.<br />
<br />
If there's one thing I want to share for this, I would like the men and women out there who will possibly pursue marriage to remember how important friendship is. Without those intentional loving relationships, outside of our boyfriend/girlfriend (or spousal) relationships, we will miss out on so much encouragement and a huge blessing. If there's a piece of advise I could give to people in relationships, don't forget your close friends, and keep pursuing them just as you did (or more) when you weren't dating. For those who are single, don't be so bent on finding the right guy you forget how to be single and have fun, intentional time with people of the same sex, you'll regret that later on.<br />
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Another thing that's on my heart today is just how exciting the future seems. It's crazy to think all of it is right around the corner. Even the exciting possibilities my career could take in the next few months are crazy. At the end of the day though, I'm glad to be right where I am, no matter what tomorrow might bring. It's also just super-encouraging to get to know my future mother-in-law (assuming everything goes well :) ). Just how much advice and support she's given in the past few months pushes me (and Jeffrey too) to be more wise in the decisions we're making.<br />
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Basically, today I feel blessed. I've been hanging on this verse in Philippians all week because of it:<br />
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<span class="verse-num" id="v50003012-1"><b>12</b> </span>Not that I have already obtained [righteousness] or am already perfect, but I press on to
make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. <span class="verse-num" id="v50003013-1"> </span><br />
<span class="verse-num" id="v50003013-1"><b>13</b> </span>Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my
own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and
straining forward to what lies ahead, <span class="verse-num" id="v50003014-1"> </span><br />
<span class="verse-num" id="v50003014-1"><b>14</b> </span>I
press on toward the goal for the
prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.<br />
<b><span class="verse-num" id="v50003015-1">15 </span></b>Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you
think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. <span class="verse-num" id="v50003016-1"> </span><br />
<span class="verse-num" id="v50003016-1"><b>16</b> </span>Only let us
hold true to what we have attained. <br />
[items in parenthesis added]<br />
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It's just spoken so much grace into my heart. If Christ has made me His own, peace and righteousness are now my own as well. I have not in any way reached the goal, but I know very well that I will someday be made completely righteous, so I have no need to grieve or fear my failure. Instead I can rejoice in my past, present, future, knowing I'm under the law of grace. Which is just awesome.<br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-13801953525303958232012-06-29T19:56:00.001-05:002012-06-29T19:56:33.616-05:00Instead, Let There Be a Flood of Justice...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Today my heart is heavy. Not out of sorrow or worry, but out of humility. Normally when people think of the word humble, the connotation is that the humble person is selfless, but most often humility feels like being <i>humiliated</i>. When a person realizes there's nothing they <i>can </i>take pride in, that is humility. This is how I feel. It's not the "woe is me" emotion that begs for pity from people, but mercy from the Lord. It's a "I'm not going to get this right, so please help me" feeling.Of course, I open to Isaiah 58 and feel immediately relief and simultaneous pain, because it's so nice to know God has something to speak in my life, but it also reveals so much of my failure.<br />
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Still, it gives hope, because He wouldn't convict us if there wasn't something to be done about it. </div>
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So that's what I'm resting in today. Jesus wouldn't come if the world wasn't worth saving. The Spirit wouldn't have filled me if there wasn't a plan. The Father wouldn't have created the Earth, knowing very well sin would enter, if He didn't know exactly how to conquer it. But just like a wise woman said to me this past week, "He does it for <i>His </i>righteousness sake" (Psalm 23:3). And yet another wise woman told me that He acts because He will receive the praise (Psalm 139:14). So there is hope, no matter how dark it is, He can make my dark like the dawn (Isaiah 58:8 & 11).</div>
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On another note, today at work was pretty chill. We had a surprise meeting, and instead of actually having a meeting we went to see the Three Stooges which was actually pretty funny (considering Micah laughs so loud, it made it even funnier). Considering we went at the time when Queues were in the red, we didn't have to take as many calls as we would have (yay!). Another thing I realized today -and more with each passing day that I work here- is that I love the people I work with. I definitely don't like the job itself, but the people make me want to stay here, and the company is pretty cool too. </div>
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Still, I long for another opportunity. Kids and discipleship, nothing could be better. I keep praying, and no light in the sky is coming, but according to Isaiah 58, my prayers and fasting mean nothing without a repentance driven heart. So I'll keep serving here, and striving to love it, so the Lord <i>may </i>bless me. </div>
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More exciting (sooo exciting) news is yet to come, but truthfully I'm not allowed to publicly announce it yet, because it's not certain. </div>
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So there's that. :] </div>
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<br /></div>
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Chelsy. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-78284059842878816882012-06-25T12:47:00.002-05:002012-06-25T12:47:59.087-05:00My Boyfriend.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Readers,<br />
<br />
It is such a blessing to come back to this and see the views are consistent even when the posts are not! How encouraging!<br />
<br />
Today I want to speak about the obvious, this awesome man God has blessed my life with. My hope is that this is not a vain opportunity to brag, but that this would encourage those in a time of struggle and also be a opportunity for us to rejoice together! What a wonderful gift God gives us in these temporary relationships we have in this life.<br />
<br />
Lately, my thankfulness for Jeffrey has been somewhat hindered. My heart started becoming very focused on what leadership I <i>thought </i>I needed. As women, I feel like it's such an easy tendency to look at other men and expect our boyfriends/husbands to lead just like them, or to look at what culture or our emotions say we need and forget what God has already provided. Because of this sin-issue, I forgot to be thankful for God <i>had </i>provided. So yesterday as I prayed for contentment and for my love to grow, God showed me what He had for me, instead of what I thought I needed. <br />
I started out the day, and ended the day, with random emotional mood swings (yay for being a girl!), yet throughout the day it was great to see Jeffrey consistently be patient and understanding, even trying to help in any way he could. He would never respond to how I was acting with frustration, but tried very hard to put himself in my shoes, which only made it easier for me.<br />
My biggest struggle is with self-confidence, and this was the main thing I was dealing with yesterday. At our soccer game it was the worst, because I'm really not very good! I tried to settle a ball from a cross-over with my body, but my first reaction was to use my arm so it was called out by the ref. Immediately I poured out all my poor self-talk and went to the bench to wallow. When Jeffrey got off the field all he had were encouraging words and kept pushing me to be confident like he did all day. My play time from that point on improved only because I actually took to heart what he said.<br />
At that moment I realized that what God really had for me was not a man that I thought I needed, but what he had for me was a very strong emotional leader. Jeffrey's major strengths fulfill my deepest needs. He listens and understands better than anyone I know, he thinks with reason and logic and knows the scripture well and uses it very practically. What a gift this is!<br />
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I say this not to boast or brag, because this is by grace and because of that there's hope for all in Christ! For anyone out there who is struggling loving that person, my encouragement is to take a step back and pray! What's beautiful about this is Him revealing the beauty in your relationship is something He does so He in turn can be glorified, so He <i>will answer</i>!<br />
For anyone at the other end of the prayer, keep praying that your hands and feet would respond to the grace shown to you! And remind that person constantly (use the Love Languages!) of how much they mean to you.<br />
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I hope this was an encouragement to you, it was one of those debatable posts for me.<br />
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Thanks all for reading! <br />
<br />
Chelsy.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-11948525801979390132012-06-12T11:37:00.000-05:002012-06-12T11:37:10.610-05:00Lift Your Eyes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear Reader,</h2>
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Looka-here, we have a header font!</div>
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This week has been so good. I say that, even though the events that have been happening, from the outside should be kind of discouraging, but for some reason the Lord has made what should despair joyful!</div>
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This past year I've been blogging (too much) about plans and future goals and desires. From the begging of the year I've already changed career paths numerous times, went back and forth about going back to LU, changed jobs and debated doing it again, etc. etc...</div>
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Basically all those plans have been "falling through". Many Christians call this "God closing doors", which seems like a pretty pessimistic way to view a situation. However its more like God is looking out for me. My desires may be good, but it doesn't mean this is the good that God has for me. For instance, my desire this year (originally) was get a full-time job, build up my credit, go back to school and graduate w/ a CMS degree, somehow date Jeffrey (or wait three years to!) and disciple one younger girl. None of those worked out (except the boyfriend ;]), which normally would be disappointing and discouraging, but what's great is that the Lord can give peace in this. </div>
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It seems to be less like a door closing and more like God keeping me from running into dead-end walls. It's also a bit more exciting, because it shows His control over my future, gives me excitement in that surprise, and shows He cares about where I'm headed. It seems like God is always the best at showing He cares for me and knows how to woo me better than anyone. What a blessing. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Chelsy. </div>
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-54644417670752842802012-06-05T14:28:00.001-05:002012-06-05T14:28:25.220-05:00He's Still Singing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So Reader,<br />
<br />
I've been debating keeping this blog. The consistent views are all that's really keeping me from doing so. I haven't posted in quite awhile but I'm still getting more and more page views, which is encouraging. Life has been crazy lately!<br />
<br />
This past week a couple amazing things happened. I woke up one morning last week to Mr. Opportunity knocking. Something I realized this good friend is that he doesn't always present me with opportunities I ask for, but they're exciting nonetheless. The less exciting opportunity was one to pray for change. A mission I've undergone the past year is falling through, although its been dwindling for quite awhile. Needless to say it's quite disappointing, but it brings a whole multitude of lessons learned and possibilities that excites me.<br />
The same day I saw an old friendship re-ignite and that person continue to pursue active repentance and show genuine improvement. Also, exciting.<br />
Lastly, there is an exciting update with Ecuador I'm dying to share with you all, but cannot until everything has begun to be set in motion. After that point, I probably won't shut up about it! What I can say, is that we desperately need your prayer on this one. We'll get back to that soon.<br />
<br />
Something I've yet to mention is that I'm currently in the process of trying to switch occupations. I've left school behind for now, and possibly forever unless something changes, in order to pursue child care. I'm hoping to get a position as a full-time nanny. It was crazy that I didn't see sooner that this is exactly the position God's been calling me to fill. Again, hopefully we'll hear more about this later!<br />
<br />
One other opportunity I've forgotten to mention, a last, but not least type, was that I recently adopted an adorable fur-ball. His name is Nugget, and he's just about as awesome as a kitten can be:<br />
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<br />
Still looking for a place to live, unfortunately. But in the mean time I'm super busy! I also have a new place in ministry at Matthias. We are not starting our first-ever Middle School/High School ministry. It's such an exciting vision we've cast and I'm overjoyed to be a part of it. The basis is a discipleship driven, fellowship focused mind-set where kids are encouraged to grow closer to each other, Jesus, and disciples. NOT being a group solely based on events and fun activities. They don't have a separate service, we're not going to do the lock-in style traditional youth group, and it sounds like the best idea ever!<br />
<br />
The underlying theme in all of this just screams grace. It reminds me so much that God is looking after, and even singing His love over me. It reminds me that He is so loving, because I definitely don't deserve to be in the place I find myself. After everything that's happened the past year, it also reminds me that God redeems. <br />
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I'm so excited to keep sharing with you. So much more to come!<br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-18902122290545189432012-05-16T14:31:00.000-05:002012-05-16T14:31:50.476-05:00The Desert.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Been awhile since I posted and this is because I've found myself going through a dry spell of sorts. I've been feeling stagnant in a lot of areas and found it almost impossible to read, pray, or make any decisions. I don't think it would be wise for me to begin posting things about life and all with mine getting so off-base. But through much pleading and grace, I'm finally starting to see a bit of growth through this hard situation. It's very hard to go through a dry season of no emotional connection to God, hardly any motivation, and a lot of challenges between how you feel and what's true. Still, it's obvious the Lord has purpose in this and is fighting for me. It's like the Jon Foreman song, "be patient as the Lord punishes me for the wrongs I've done against Him, after that He'll take my case. Bringing me into light and justice for all I have suffered."<br />
I had to remind myself this morning why it is that I not only believe in God, but <i>follow </i>Him wholeheartedly. Because it's not the my God reaps the best benefits, or that He makes the most sense, or that He's the only one who's like He is. It's that He <i>is </i>the <i>only</i> God, and I have no where else to turn, not that I would ever want to. <i>Thankfully </i>though, He is all those other things too! Another good reminder the Lord has given me in reaping the fruits of this struggle is that He deeply cares for me, and because of that any efforts I make to obey Him are for the purpose of building a relationship and can been seen as <i>service </i>not imprisonment. So I don't have to worry about being perfect (doing it right, doing it enough, and doing it wrong), but instead remember I'm serving Him out of love. Both His love for me and my love for Him.<br />
<br />I think one thing I've forgotten is that I <i>can </i>love Him through Christ, and I couldn't do that before my salvation. What's amazing though is I don't save myself from these dry spells, but I plead for grace, without deserving a response, and He gives one in due timing.<br />
The best insight I got through this time, or one of the best, was from my friend Leandra. She didn't know it, but spoke great wisdom into me, calling this "an opportunity to trust Him." I had forgotten that my trials are not something to draw me away, but closer to the Lord (although my feelings would say otherwise, the truth speaks to this). <br />
<br />
Amen. <br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-54310735540926371162012-04-27T14:55:00.000-05:002012-04-27T14:55:02.154-05:00Just Another Day.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
What a fruitful week. Not easy, not always rewarding, and not even very joyful. Still, it's been crazy seeing God unfold a plan. We're nowhere near fruition really, but it's promising. Just praying that He will humble me and change me and seeing that my struggles are for the purpose of answering that prayer. Still, life can be so monotonous at times, it's hard to remember that each day God has a plan for me.<br />
<br />
My boyfriend comes in town in less than 5 days, so that's thing (that I'm VERY excited for). Just heard from a friend today that we have a very promising gig at Picasso's (which is motivation to get back into playing again). Then I have a cool thing I learned I really like to do, which is sew! I finally broke in the sewing machine for real this time to hem a dress and realized I really wanna continue that hobby.<br />
This is a preview of my next project, the before shot at least. I'll post a blog with step-by-steps later on: <br />
<br />
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Also, babysat like 15 kids last Sunday and fell deeper in love with kids- big surprise.<br />
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This weekend there's a lot of plans for fellowship with friends, mom, grandma, nephew, and lot family. So I'll inform you on how that all goes. Lastly, I <i>finally </i>finished the tree in my moms room:<br />
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And I think I have an offer to paint someone else's room now too (woohoo)!<br />
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So yeah, not a whole lot going on, but I believe some exciting things to come soon- to be continued!<br />
<br />
Chelsy.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-6277042326372952502012-04-17T08:57:00.002-05:002012-04-17T08:57:40.700-05:00End of Tax Season!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Thank goodness tax season is over! Now work is going to slow down by so much and I'll have time for other things in life! What a relief. <br />
<br />
So, to update you on this past week, I spent some time with my family last Thursday on my day off playing Frisbee golf. It was so nice to get together with them to do something all of us enjoyed. It made me sad though, because I long for it to be this summer so my boyfriend can actually join us and get to know them better.<br />
On that note, said boyfriend came into to town this weekend and we had a great time. I saw the Hunger Games with him (finally!) and went to a few meals with each other, family, and soon-to-be family. Other than that we had a good old time doing a whole lot of nothing, which is my favorite activity when we're together and some really awesome talks about relationship that are going to fuel the fire for one of my next <i>Daughters of the King</i> posts.<br />
<br />
Now to the meat of what I want to say today. Today the truth just seems to be more than enough, which is how I wish it was every day. I've been reading a lot in Isaiah about God's grace and I've come to the conclusion that we under-appreciate grace.I find myself worrying a lot about proximity to God or about falling into my sins again and again. I find myself in so many "dry spells"' and struggling to find my place in grace.<br />
I already knew this, but God always lights this up in new ways for me to understand every now and then, that grace is something we claim, not just feel. We may feel far from Him, but we are still no father than the moment of salvation or our deepest prayers. You see there are only to areas to be, in His grace or out of it. To be a son of disobedience or a son of the Most High. A wicked man or a righteous man. Sometimes we <i>act </i>like the opposite, but God's grace is still sufficient.<br />
I see it kind of like this, and it helps me understand what is spiritually happening when I feel out of reach. Satan hurls accusations all day long at the throne. The sad part is all of them are true, but Satan forgets that God is good and forgiving and merciful. So at this point we can choose to believe the lies or we can join in combat. We have grace as a weapon and a plea to the enemy of grace. We claim Christ, the promises of God, the seal of the Holy Spirit, and what else can be said. A lot of times we disguise the enemy's voice as our own thoughts or even what we believe God thinks of us (so be weary of what is true and what is not)<br />
<br />
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I was reminded of all this from two things. One was a song by Bethany Dillon called "So Close". The line that hits me most is, "I'm so close, when I feel far away from You." I would suggest you take a listen to the lyrics, they're beautiful. The second, as I mentioned earlier, was from Isaiah 12. The whole chapter, but specifically this part: </div>
<div class="starts-chapter" id="p23012003_01-1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="verse-num" id="v23012003-1">3 </span>"With joy you<span class="footnote"></span>will draw water from the wells of
salvation. <span class="verse-num" id="v23012004-1"> </span></div>
<div class="starts-chapter" id="p23012003_01-1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="verse-num" id="v23012004-1">4 </span>And you
will say in that day:</div>
<span class="begin-line-group"></span>
<div class="line" id="p23012004_08-1" style="text-align: center;">
'Give
thanks to the <span class="small-caps">Lord</span>,</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_13-1" style="text-align: center;">
call upon his name,</div>
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</div>
<div class="line" id="p23012004_17-1" style="text-align: center;">
make
known his deeds among the peoples,</div>
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</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_24-1" style="text-align: center;">
proclaim that
his name is exalted.'"</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_24-1" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_24-1" style="text-align: left;">
Be encouraged, and carry on.</div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_24-1" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="indent line" id="p23012004_24-1" style="text-align: left;">
Chelsy. </div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-6959645012829444442012-04-09T11:03:00.000-05:002012-04-09T11:03:32.316-05:00Easter Weekend.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
So the weekend started off good. I had no plans really and I was looking forward to doing whatever I wanted to all weekend, such as catching up on some crafts I started. However, at the start of the day I had some things I had to take care of. Dana was going out of town to see her family and may be moving there, so I visited her, then I was delivered an Easter basket for Melissa. While I was in her kitchen talking to her I began to feel dizzy and nauseous and fainted. Then I was sent to the hospital and spent a good portion of the day there. They ran all their tests and did their thing and came up with nothing unusual. It seemed like a pretty pointless thing, but made for a pretty interesting weekend.<br />
<br />
In other news, nothing really interesting going on lately. Other than I'm just really excited for what's in store for this next year. I'm going to move out of the house in a few months, I'm going back to school in the fall, things are going great with my boyfriend, and there are a few promising opportunities that lie ahead.<br />
I've also been realizing I may have too many hobbies. It's okay, because I'm kinda inconsistent and don't like to do one thing at a time. Still, I have no focus on what I what to buy, or do with my time. Right now I have the desire to buy a camera, a computer, a piano, decorations, and many other things. But the part of me that is thinking on top of things realizes I probably just need to save up before I splurge.<br />
<br />
That's all for now.<br />
<br />
Chelsy.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-35584414882212605502012-04-05T16:40:00.000-05:002012-04-05T17:22:59.156-05:00DREAMS.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Readers,<br />
<br />
I make this plural today because it's obvious this blog is getting a lot of attention. I think that's awesome, but I keep hoping that it's not about me. I'm becoming more aware that anything not glorifying to Him may as well be perishing or worthless.<br />
<br />
Today has been neat. We really didn't work much, so it's been kind of leisurely. However, I woke up this morning a little bit unsettled. At service last night I found myself praying a lot to understand more the depths of His love and the weight of the cross. I prayed that somehow He would show me these things, whether they be dreams, visions, or just people. After I prayed this Matt Hawn came up to me and squeezed me so tight and said, "He loves you so much and He's so proud of you." This just warmed me to the core. Just before that I was thinking how everything my boyfriend does reminds me so much of His love for me too. Then I would reflect on my dad and how much he showed me that love.<br />
<br />
Still, last night I had a dream that was vaguely disturbing for a few reasons, although since I started writing it's become a little more foggy, so bear with me. It was a pre-apocalypse-type dream. Although it was so clear when I woke up I only remember feelings of fear and anticipation and confusion. I remember quoting revelations to other believers and assuring them of the situation. I remember things falling apart and order coming undone. There were building simply burning to the ground and people fleeing their homes. I don't mean to be frightening, but it was so vivid and seemed very real. I remember at one point breaking from the group I was fleeing with (although there was chaos the believers seemed to be filled with no fear, but complete awareness which made time seem to move slowly) and I went into an home, untouched by fire and rubble.<br />
This is when things began to unsettle me. To backtrack, I remember one night in Ecuador (real life story, not a dream) when we were all praying thinking, "Satan must hate the genuineness of this." Then I heard the door slam and lots of noise behind us and finally I felt a weird sense someone was very close to me. I don't mean to crack this up to more than it was. I brushed it off as nothing more than 30-some people being in a room in a quiet prayer and a person coming up to me. Still, when I explain the dream you'll see why the <i>dream </i>weirded me out rather than that moment.<br />
After I walked into the home it was nicely decorated, dimly lit, and a man stood in it. He was much older, with wrinkles and grey hair. At times, he was young with black hair and handsome. He spoke to me lies, he unsettled me so much, yet I felt like I knew him very well. I never heard his voice, but I always knew when he was talking. Like I said, he was so familiar. He tried to strike fear into me, but I refused to give in, although this was so hard for me to do. I would pretend what he said or did wasn't unsettling, that he was outrageous for thinking I could fall for any of it and tried to ignore him.<br />
At one point I remember knowing Jesus was so near. It was a different feeling with Him. I couldn't see Him, I just stared in the distance knowing the minute I left the building I would be with Him and others, which comforted me greatly. I also knew it was almost over. <br />
When I woke up I felt like it had been so real, I found myself having a really difficult time adjusting to being awake.<br />
Then I realized death must be like dreaming (not to sound morbid). That there is no time, not order, no storyline. That's how the dream was. I just knew what was happening, even if there was no sense of time or an order of events. That's the closest I've probably felt ever in understanding Heaven. And Hell...<br />
It gave me one more realization as well. The voice in the strangely orderly house, during all that chaos, was the enemy. His face and voice was so familiar. Yet he no longer held any power over me. Yet Jesus' face was still unseen, although I knew His voice much better, without even hearing a sound.<br />
<br />
I know this may all seem weird. I'm not one to fall into talks about demons or prophecies or fortunetelling. Still, I can't really shake this one. I was reading Isaiah today and it just wouldn't shake, I can't totally explain it.<br />
Truthfully, I don't know how to easily transition this blog to an end. I hope this means something to someone. It at least feels good to get it off my chest.<br />
<br />
Chelsy.<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-80260702387651092392012-04-04T19:23:00.000-05:002012-04-04T19:23:34.921-05:00Hunger Games Fever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Reader,<br />
<br />
I have an issue. At the airport on the way to Quito, I bought that darned book, the Hunger Games. I've knocked the thing on the head. I put down the first book in eight hours tops. I'm on the second one and it won't take long for that one either. I came home last night and it was all I could do.<br />
I really love stories. Mostly because I love metaphors and books that teach you through the pictures they paint, which is why I love the OT (Old Testament) so much . It's reminded me how much I really do love reading too. I remind myself that I never did read this book or that one or I want to read such and such, because I seem to have lost sight of that recently. I love that it teaches me so much, and encourages me to do more.<br />
I feel like it's one of the many things I've lost sight of since I lost my dad. I feel like this past year I've done a good job at playing the part. Go to school, go to work, go to church, do life. But emotionally, I've been the walking dead. I realized in Ecuador, I would get emotional so easily, at the smallest things. Even in the past few weeks at work and since Ecuador it's been that way. As if I'm a dam about to crack. Yet, all those things still don't seem real.<br />
It's hard to know what to make of it or what to do. I could get counseling, which I plan to do, but that's going to make life a lot harder-bringing all of that back to the surface. People tell me I'm dealing with this well, but somehow I just don't feel that I am.<br />
<br />
Skipping reading this morning is killing me. I hate that service might go to late for me to get some good reading in by the time I get home too. I need divine intervention daily if I hope to survive. That just keeps becoming more and more clear.<br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-52603692971386819622012-04-02T19:17:00.001-05:002012-04-02T19:17:54.322-05:00Moday Madness.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
So, Mondays at work are <i>the worst</i>. However, (with the exception of breaking down for a brief instant) I've held it together and even enjoyed it a little bit. We finally slowed down to the point where I could write- which I realized I love to do today.<br />
<br />
This weekend was amazing. Okay, this <i>month </i>was amazing... Okay, so <b><i>life </i></b>is pretty amazing. I love when the Lord just picks you up and wraps His arms around you. I spend way too many days in the corner, pretending He's out of reach and doesn't care. When I actually take the time to just ask Him if He loves me and pursue Him back I find how dead wrong I am.<br />
<br />
For instance, seeking Him in prayer and in scripture. Those two things are so simple. Yet, we make them so hard. We add so many expectations- like our prayers have to be a certain way, or our reading has to be this enlightening experience. If only we would just be more genuine and consistent.<br />
<br />
<br />
Truthfully, I don't have much else to say besides that. Just feeling so much more at peace this week than previous and I'm just so thankful for that. Can't wait to keep encouraging the body.<br />
<br />
Chelsy.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-48648926658984162262012-03-31T16:32:00.001-05:002012-03-31T17:51:48.266-05:00Home.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Reader,<br />
Good news, if you're reading this I now have 1,000 page views (Hoorah!). Also, reading this means I'm back from Ecuador. My story since then involves getting off the plane, going home, doing laundry, packing up and heading to Kentucky to surprise my boyfriend for his 22nd birthday. So currently, he's watching me write this and it's weird...<br />
<br />
Anywhoosle, (sp?)<br />
I'm assuming I need to write about Ecuador since that's the cliche thing to do on here. Unfortunately, there's way too much to say on the topic and I'd rather say it all in person. What I will say is my one-liner for those who are going to ask, "How was Ecuador," and probably not really want to hear much more and I'll explain the one-liner a little.<br />
Marc asked all of us to be prepared to explain Ecuador in one sentence and mine was "God is good." My reasoning for picking this cliche phrase (I almost hate to use that word multiple times in one post) is because God used this trip to transform all of us, answered our desperate prayers, and showed us miracles. Two men gave their lives to him, 29 sinful people grew into a community, the missionaries we encouraged, and two churches, thousands of miles from each other, acted as family.<br />
So that's Ecuador for me if there was ever a way to sum up such an amazing week in brief.<br />
<br />
In other news, today I spent the day attempting to play table tennis and yesterday attempting to play soccer and starting Monday I settle into a 10-hour-a-day work schedule (don't worry I get a day off!). In the upcoming months I'm waiting to hear back from Jenna Immergoot about possibly participating in Breakdown STL, same for Juanma (leader in Ecuador) about organizing some support for Tena, and waiting to see about the possibility of moving out of the house.<br />
<br />
TTFN,<br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-55297699371839446642012-03-21T10:00:00.002-05:002012-03-21T10:00:27.953-05:0024 Hours.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
It's kinda crazy that in 24 hours I'll be finishing packing, driving with 28 others to Lamport and boarding the plane for Atlanta and then Quito. In 48 hours I'll be in the jungle. A week from now it'll all be over. This trip is going to be such a good opportunity. I cannot wait to come back with a changed perspective and hope to give others. This trip will drain me emotionally and physically, but somehow I know it will fill me up spiritually. I'm gonna come back broken and filled all at once. Most importantly we will be able to encourage the people of Ecuador, teach each other and give glory to the Lord.<br />
<br />
Money has been a huge concern with this trip. It's been amazing to see God work in great ways with it. I turn in worry and He provides so much. It's been hard because bills and financial expectations don't go away, but He's been showing me He is more than able to give what I need. I can't wait to see Him do the same with others on the trip, with the people of Ecuador, and with our physical needs while we're there. Keep praying for us, just because the fund raising is over and we're down there doesn't mean we don't need support anymore.<br />
<br />
In other news, I could NOT sleep last night due to excitement. I remember praying when half asleep that God would just shut my brain up. I kept dreaming about work and other random things. I get anxiety dreams when I'm excited or nervous and I wake up every five minutes because I have a dream I'm running late or something stupid. It's terrible!<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, that's really all I have today. Just counting down the hours and praying for the trip. :]<br />
<br />
Chelsy. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-19449378100725884022012-03-19T09:54:00.000-05:002012-03-19T09:54:03.690-05:003 More Days.Reader,<br />
<br />
I started packing last night for Ecuador. As I was folding clothes, making mental preparations, and writing lists of what I still need, I began feeling the reality of this trip set in. In my mind I'm already in Ecuador, enjoying the jungle air, smelling dirty due to lack of showers, and playing soccer with the kids in Tana. I'm already in the airport lobby at Lamport, sitting around with my close friends in comfy clothes, waiting to make our way to Quito. There's still so much to do before Ecuador though. The list itself seems exhausting, but I'm really excited to accomplish so much in a such a little time (as long as I don't forget anything important)! <br />
<br />
Yesterday I got to talk to so many encouraging people. I always want Sunday to be a day set apart from the rest of the week, this was truly was. In talking to Maria I felt myself growing closer to a good friend and we began to be a lot more vulnerable with each other. In hanging out with Ben I felt reunited with my best friend who I don't get to see very often, and encouraged by his genuine love for me, like a twin sister <b>;)</b>. Lastly, in talking to Brooke I felt like her big sister all over again, and love watching her grow and learn as time goes on.<br />
<br />
Today, I'm working overtime. Got some coffee in me, and it should be a pretty good (but long) day.<br />
<br />
God bless,<br />
<br />
<br />Chelsy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-89944842391352500192012-03-18T14:11:00.001-05:002012-03-18T14:11:17.925-05:00Overdue.Reader,<br />
<br />
Sorry this one's gonna be long. I'm a bit overdue for a blog and you probably won't hear back again for a least a week or so. Why, you may ask? Because this Thursday marks day 1 of my trip to Ecuador! We leave in the afternoon from St. Louis to Atlanta and then to Quito late that night. I believe at that point we will take a bus ride through the jungles to the village of Tana. I'm so excited, Reader, to share with you and the others here in the U.S. what we will have experienced there. People keep asking me how I feel about the trip. To be honest it feels no different than what we do here, it's just a longer trip to get there.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Matthias' Lot had a block party in Fox Hill apartments, the neighborhood of many of the single moms we help out. This was such an amazing experience (and in my mind this is how I assume serving in Ecuador we be). My plan was to take Melissa and her family, however her and the boys got sick, so it was just Lexi and I. I think God was able to use that in a more fruitful way. I love that He keeps providing me with opportunities to grow closer to her and this time there was opportunity for others to build a healthy relationship with her as well.<br />
When we arrived, Ben, Lexi, and I stood around for awhile not really knowing what to do. I had signed up for face painting and things were still getting set up so we waited around and Lexi was still being shy at that point and didn't want to leave my side to go have fun. Finally I forced her to. I gave her into Ben's hands and let Lindsey guide her around and she was able to do a lot more than sit by me quietly. Meanwhile, I was testing out my painting skills. By the end of the day I had built relationships with the other girls painting, including Danielle, who I was excited to get to know better, and I had laughed and smiled with a bunch of kids, which was my favorite part. Lexi came and went, enjoyed helping me paint people and seemed to have a blast.<br />
Some of my favorite moments at the party were painting Jackie's entire face yellow so she could be a lion, painting a little Hispanic girls face and watching her wear the <b>biggest </b>smile when I finished, and talking with two middle school girls as they pretended to be all tough and just loving on them.<br />
After we left, Lexi and I jammed out to music on the ride home with Ben following us. I taught her how to make her hand a dolphin outside of the window in the wind and tricked her into saying "Hotototot" like Toby when she got into the warm car (HA!).<br />
On the drive home I felt so at peace. There's something about working with children that just does that to me. That and the beautiful weather. 70 degrees, cloudy skies, cool breezes, and the coming thunder storm, with the radio playing Phil Wickham and Greg Laswell and my hands covered in paint. At that moment I felt God being intimate with me, holding my hand over my heart and making me smile. I love those days.<br />
<br />
After a few hours of hanging out at the house I went to the sleepover Kim and I had planned. We laughed and talked and watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Beth Ann painted my nails and we had a lot of fun. I woke up on their couch this morning having had a good nights sleep and no plans for the day and it just felt wonderful. I cannot believe I only have a few days left and I will be in Ecuador.<br />
<br />
Reader, the real contention on my heart is this: I don't wanna stop living the gospel. I know for me that looks like serving God's children. I'm just so desperate to see Him move in the next year. I know not the plans of the Lord, but that's why they're His plans and not mine. So let them be done how He desires.<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful day,<br />
<br />
Chelsy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-36211922995946270682012-03-13T11:06:00.000-05:002012-03-13T11:06:57.991-05:00Back to School?Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Last night there was an amazing show at Picasso's coffee shop on Main Street featuring the most beautiful Sarah Lawson. If you've never heard of her it probably won't be much longer until you do. She's incredibly talented and if you're interested she has some covers posted on YouTube I believe. Watching Sarah play/sing always inspires me to do something in my own life. It's funny how music has the power to do that, especially live music. So, my thought is that I want to maybe take some classes at the community college in the fall.<br />
When I think about college, people always want you to get your gen-eds out of the way first, so it's easier to get a degree. I'm not sure, but I think I wanna do some things that are actually going to be beneficial to me, considering I don't know if I need/want a degree right now. What I'm thinking of going into is art. I've always loved all forms of art, but I lack the confidence to be creative on my own. Writing has always come easily. Painting, drawing, music, and such have always been a little harder for me. However, getting a little experience and instruction might help me to feel more confident. Plus these types of classes are easy to manage with my work schedule. So I don't know what that looks like right now, but I'm going to keep considering it.<br />
<br />
On another note, I've been considering public speaking or becoming some kind of awareness group. On Wednesday night at Matthias, we spoke on sexual immorality. I've realized that God has been extraordinarily gracious to me by rescuing me from the state of the old man and showing me it's possible to be made new, and whole, and to be fully healed. Something I long to do, is show other girls that this is possible, because I believe that we feed into the lies that nothing will change, and even if they do the scars are too deep. Lies like, "My husband couldn't love me," or "My reputation is forever ruined," or even, "God could never forgive me."<br />
I'm asking God to use me to clear up these lies. He did a work in my life, although I was undeserving, and it was by grace alone. I find myself relating so much to Paul when I look at how graciously He rescued me and has healed me. There's still so much work to be done, but now I have confidence in the one who is doing the great work. I hope I can show others that confidence too.<br />
<br />
Chelsy.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-14227614119531050722012-03-06T16:07:00.001-06:002012-03-06T16:07:42.597-06:00Not Enough Hours in the Day...Reader,<br />
<br />
This week seems to be a little crazy. It was like Monday morning I felt so relaxed because of the awesome weekend (which we'll get to later) and the open schedule for the week.Then by noon I was booked with plans that have been changing ever since. Call this person, go this place, get this money for this and that, sign these papers, etc... This morning pulling into work I was trying to sort everything out in my head of what I needed to do and I felt like I would explode. It's moments like these when I wonder how in the world I'm gonna do everything expected of me, and I get myself down. It's funny how sometimes these Daily Bible Verse apps work out for me sometimes. The one I read today was Philippians 4:6, not being anxious about anything, but offering prayer and petition with <i>thanksgiving</i>. I looked up the word petition and the definition was "a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority". Being specific with God, asking, even pleading for his grace, and requesting His help is how I <i>should </i>react to any anxieties.<br />
<br />
On another note, this weekend was <b>great!</b> My wonderful boyfriend is in town for the week. Already we've watched who knows how many movies, gone to Applebees, met some friends, hung out with family, and made some <b>awesome </b>dinner together. It's been just amazing to spend time with him and grow closer to him each day. Wish the week wouldn't fly by so fast :]<br />
<br />
Update for Ecuador: Still need about $180 dollars. Still very nervous about flights and packing and what this is gonna look like and if I'm prepared enough for this.<br />
<br />
Also, fun fact of the day: I'm <i>finally</i> getting a tax refund! Way to go USA!<br />
<br />
Chelsy.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1776331677667130747.post-30207478882421290962012-02-29T12:07:00.001-06:002012-02-29T12:07:44.839-06:00Revelation.Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Today I had a bit of a revelation. In reading Acts I've admired Paul's life, his willingness to follow, and his passion for people. Currently in my reading Paul is being wrongly accused, imprisoned, and will soon be put to death as an innocent Roman citizen. As I was comparing this to Christ's life I realized that both men were innocent, yet both men were put to death by false accusations.<br />
Most often I don't take notice of this, but today I actually related with the Jews who hated these men in a way. To the Jews, they were being fervent for the Lord. They lacked the understanding and the ears to hear these men. They hear the whole story of Paul's ministry and when he begins talking about the Gentiles and grace, they ask for his death.<br />
I realized today that I do the same to the Lord. Not by asking for His death, but hurling false accusations. In my heart I don't fully believe Him and His promises. I portray Him as something that He's not, just like the Jews made Paul and Jesus out to be blasphemers and liars. I think we have the tendency to believe the same. I find myself in the shoes of a lot of the people we often "condemn" in the Bible, like Jonah, Saul, Esau. I believe that may be why they're there.<br />
<br />
I was also thinking today about the strangeness in human nature. The kind of thing Paul is talking about in Romans 7:15<br />
"<span class="verse-num" id="v45007015-1"></span>For I do not understand my own actions.
For I do not do what I want, but I do
the very thing I hate."<br />
I was thinking about this while eating breakfast this morning. I wondered why it is my taste buds love to eat the foods that aren't good for my body. It's like my taste buds are lying telling me something is good and to eat it, but then my stomach tells me the truth about that food.<br />
It's just like our hearts and minds vs our actual soul. The mind says this makes sense, the heart says this feels right, but the Spirit whispers to our spirit that this is not good. I thought this was so eye opening today. That's why its so necessary to lean on the Word of the Lord, because that's where truth is.<br />
<br />
<br />
Chelsy.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09348997550923137411noreply@blogger.com0