He is good!

About six months ago I developed a strong desire to study the Old Testament and have been doing so since. I think the desire is rooted in the fact that I had spent very little time there prior to this new ambition. I spent most of my time in Paul’s letters for my quiet times and in the Gospels for my club talks. My Old Testament reading used to just simply be from the Psalms and Proverbs. I got to a point where I just wasn’t feeling challenged. I didn’t feel like I was getting a lot out of my time in the Word. Sure, it made me feel encouraged and it was really exciting, but I just didn’t feel like I was getting all that the Lord wanted me to. Probably because I was basically ignoring more than half of the Bible!! A couple weeks ago I decided to take on the task of Leviticus. I don’t think I have ever actually intended on reading Leviticus. I had looked at the pages from time to time and new the general theme. But, never had I spent my mornings dwelling in it, until now. It has been teaching me so much about what it means to be obedient to the Lord. At first I found myself wishing that the Lord would speak to me like He did to Moses and tell me exactly every step I’m supposed to take. But, He has since shown me what a joy it is to take a step of faith! To just trust in Him and nothing else! Once I got over the initial jealously stage I found myself in awe of their obedience. Today however, I was reading through chapter 14 and it was talking about the steps to take regarding someone who has a skin disease, my Bible footnoted that often times it was leprosy. This triggered the accounts in the Gospels where Jesus heals the man with leprosy. Before now, I knew that the man with leprosy was considered to be “unclean” but never really understood the severity of what that meant. I love the Old Testament because it helps me get a better understanding at the mindsets of those who walked with Jesus when He was on this earth. It helps me see their frustration and their concern that this man who claims to be God is completely altering their way of life. Such an incredible picture of what it means to follow the Lord. Following Him no matter what; no matter if it changes your life and everything you once held on to. Following Him means surrendering all. Everything! Since moving I have come to realize what true surrender looks like and what a joy letting Him have absolute control can be! He is good! So good!

Update:

First Camas/Washougal club was great!! A lot of kids, a lot of fun, a lot of Truth shared! It was weirder than I expected going from knowing practically every kid that walked into the Field House in Axtell, to knowing no one, aside from the leaders, that came into The Barn in Camas. Weird… but exciting!

I have three jobs!!! I’m working as a part time nanny and the boys, Jack who is 2 ½ and John who is 5, are absolutely adorable! The other two jobs are in stores in downtown Camas, exactly what I prayed for! The three fit together perfectly, works out to be about 40 hours a week.  

A man who lives in Washougal who loves the Lord and loves YL emailed the area director on Monday and said he is ready to do all that it takes to get YL started in Washougal. He has organized a meeting Tuesday night for Erin and I tell who we are, explain what YL is, share our vision for the area, and brainstorm ways to make it happen! I am SO excited for it!! There will be parents, faculty, youth pastors and other adults from the community that love the Lord all in one room together figuring out how to get this thing going!

Going to the committee meeting on Wednesday night, it will be my first time to meet the people who basically will decide if I will be hired!