Crossroads

In the past little while I've really been feeling like I'm at crossroads in many aspects of my life. In school, in what I would do this summer... God has really been challenging me to grow in faith and trust. While it would be nice to know the future and see how everything works out, there is a beauty to this uncertainty because it reminds me that I'm still in need of a Saviour. There's a verse that I've read many times and memorized but it has meant alot more to me lately...

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It's comforting to know that God has a plan for us, and not only a plan but one that gives you hope and a future. One of the challenges to grow in my faith was my decision to go to China this summer. As some of you may know, I'll be going with an organization called English Language Institute/China (ELIC) that sends out Christian college students to teach English to Chinese high school students for five weeks. God really urged me to take that step of faith - to first seek for His will for my life and trust that He would provide all that I need.

"So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father know that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." matthew 6:31-33

This verse really affirmed and encouraged me to grow in my faith and go on this trip this summer. I'm really excited for the plans God has in store :) If you would like to know more about my trip or would like to support me, feel free to talk to me anytime or leave me a comment!

It has been nice to be back home! On tuesday and wednesday, me and my parents went on a little family trip to niagra falls. I really enjoyed it, maybe cuz I haven't been on a trip with my parents for a long time. On the way there I started reading a book called "The Myth of You & Me" by Leah Stewart. I continued to read it whenever we were driving, when we were at the hotel and I finished it before I went to bed :p I liked the book. It was about two childhood best friends who grew up and because of an incident stopped being friends. The story begins with one of them, who's now in their twenties, tracing back to their childhood in search of their childhood best friend. The story was very nostalgic and there was a hint of sadness and regret through out the entire story. Being an extremely nostalgic and sentimental person I am, it really made me think about my life, if there were any regrets and about my childhood best friends that have stuck with me until this day. Three of my closest friends came to my mind, and I guess my one regret would be not having acknowledged them enough for how important they were in my childhood and now, how they've influenced me to become who I am, and how much they mean to me.

Amanda - I thought of you first, because when I think of my childhood you're in so many of my memories. I saw you almost everyday from grade two until grade eight :p Growing up together, learning things together, playing imaginary games together... though we go to different schools and are pursuing different things in life now, everytime I do see you I still feel the same around you. I'm glad about that because true friends stand the test of time :)

Michelle - I still remember when I sat beside you in grade one! We certainly did alot of growing up together, and our friendship has gone through many ups and downs to become what it is now. I'm so glad to have found a friend who understands me and in some ways so similar to me that we can be stupid together :p You have been such an encouragment to me, watching you mature and grow in your walk with God.

Hannah - miss iluvcdguy :p I don't know how to describe you. I've never met someone before that thought so similarly to me! and I know that was what brought us to be best friends :) I'll continue to finish your sentences for you, and we'll be silly grandmothers one day reminiscing about our 'youthful' days... wait a minute... we already do that quite often :p Thanks hannah, for always believing in me :)