Perspectives

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I walked in to the fellowship hall of GBFC four weeks ago.

But I'm glad I did.

I had heard the announcements for this "Perspectives" course for several weeks prior to that evening. It just didn't dawn on me it would start so soon...or last for 15 weeks.

I'm only just entering week 4. There is a lot of reading [at least when I put it in my pile of other responsibilities], but it has been such a blessing!

So far I have learned a few things that are changing how I view EVERYTHING. 
1. God doesn't bless me just because He wants to bless me because this life isn't about me. God blesses me so that I will take that blessing and bless others. I am commanded to SHARE my blessings.
2. Nothing in this life is about me. Not even me. EVERYTHING is about God's glory. God wowed me with this about a year ago, and He's wowing me again. You'd think I'd know this. I'm almost 24 years old. But I'm quite egocentric and God has to knock me back down out of the center of my universe every now and again. Everything God has done has been for His own glory--even His sacrifice at the Cross. He is to be glorified in all things.
3. What we do is not OUR ministry...it's God's. He's just allowing us to be in the middle of it. There's a precious family at my church who give God the honor in all things, even their car is called "God's car." It's not theirs; God's just lending it to them for a while. What a beautiful way of looking at this world.
4. Too many people, including myself, only see what's in our goggle vision. We see our needs and wants. We see only what is in our here and now. It's time I stop being so narrow-minded and instead be Kingdom-minded. What will benefit the Kingdom of God? I just recently read a book in a series by Michael Phillips called New Beginnings. In the book, one of the main characters, Christopher, has a conversation with his wife, Corrie, about how we should do all things with the motive of growing in our relationship with God or helping someone else to grow in theirs, and it's even better if both you and the other person can grow from it. This is the difference between just goodwill toward men--and God's will toward men. Everything I--we--do should advance the Kingdom of God.

So, umm...I'm pretty far from perfect and am only just beginning to apply all this to my life. Though I am trying--trying to see everything through this new perspective.

And not through Kristina goggles.

In the past few days, weeks, months...

I haven't posted in a while. When I started up this blog, I intended to post on a regular basis for family and friends. I have obviously not been too keen to follow through with my intentions!

I have now come back to the college speech clinic for my second semester of clinical practicum. I *hope* to graduate in August of this year. I say that because I am always doubting my chances of succeeding. God has given me ability, but I find myself in doubt of that ability all the time. I just don't feel "good enough" to be helpful to others. It's an ongoing struggle, mostly when I'm focused on me. That's the problem right there. It's not ME, it's HIM. It's not my ability, my personality, my life...it's HIS. When Kristina gets on her own track, she always messes things up--royally.

I was reading through some metaphors today and came across one that fits nicely with my blog: "writing is thinking on paper". Or, in this case, thinking on an 8" Crystalbrite computer screen.

I dropped facebook a few weeks ago, and I intend to be facebook-less for the remainder of my days. There is a lot of good in facebook, but communicating without thinking is much easier to do now with the social networks of our internet world than it was before them. Well, at least doing so without the instant ramifications of face-to-face speaking-your-mind-without-thinking-it-over.

I absolute love what I'm doing and am reinforced all the time that speech therapy is right. It is my ministry. I've got a long way to go before I'm a polished therapist, but regardless, I am enjoying the ride. I'm still trying to learn to juggle all the new responsibilities, but the experience has been a blessing.

In less than a week I have learned SO MUCH!

On a side note to anyone who's been praying about a certain client who was giving me some trouble and almost made me cry--God is in control! The client was much different today and I feel that we made some progress, at least in building rapport, that may open the doors for me to aid in helping him.

I say aid in it because ultimately it is God who will make the difference. Maybe through my hands, but by His will.

I'm just so excited!

Local Strawberry Limeade Eases Stress

Local college student, Kristina, claims to have found the perfect combination of strawberries and limes to cure all emotional pain**.

“It’s a sweet-and-sour blend that provides many nutrients vital to survival, but also incorporates that feel-good sensation that helps to calm down the limbic system during emotional distress,” reports Dr. I.M. Smart, the neurologist on a team hired by the FDA to examine the truth to Kristina's claims.

Wow! Who knew that feeling better could taste so good! Even more exciting is the fact that Kristina has decided not to patent her recipe. Instead she intends to share it with everyone—free of charge.

“Just place six medium-sized frozen strawberries in a glass and pour Simply Made limeade over it. Let it set for about 5 minutes so the strawberries have time to defrost and mix with the juice. You can add a slice of lime or two for added flavor or as a beautiful garnish to your glass. Then it’s ready for your taste buds’ enjoyment!” Kristina shared on Friday.

**The feel-good effects of homemade strawberry limeade are only temporary and should not be utilized as a replacement for prayer and worship to the God who made the limbic system and the emotions connected with it. Chronic negativity may affect your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In cases of stress and emotional pain lasting more than a short time, contact Jesus Christ directly for a lasting cure.