Wow! It has been a while since I have written a blog! Sorry bout that! :)
My sophomore year at Co-Lin is in full swing, and the semester is halfway over already! Around 5 more weeks of school left, then Christmas break! That's insane. It won't be long until I'll be graduating!
Backing up a little bit, y'all know that I spent the whole summer in the Philippines loving on babies and discipling staff members there, and sharing the Gospel at local places there like a hospital. It was such a new and amazing experience for me! God showed me so much this summer, and I was so blessed by the experiences.
I've learned to truly study the Word to not only know myself, but to teach others.
I've learned more about sharing the Gospel.
I've learned that missions is not just going overseas, but sharing the Gospel wherever your feet go.
I've learned that I am beyond blessed to have an aunt and uncle to take care of me in my situation, when there are babies and children who have no one...
I've learned that I am blessed to have the nourishment I need to survive, when there are children who can't have that, and may not live to be 5...
I've learned to pray more and more during each day.
I've learned (and still learning) how to be content with what I have.
I've learned this life is not about me, but life is about knowing God and making Him known to others and to live for Him; doing everything for Him.
I am so thankful for the opportunity that I was given to serve in the Philippines.
Since I've been back, there is no denying that I left a piece of my heart in the Philippines. The staff became like my family, the other volunteers I met there were absolutely amazing and became great friends, and I fell in love with a child there who I probably will never see again. It was so hard adjusting back to everything in America. Now I look for opportunities on campus to share the Gospel, as well as mission opportunities. I want to do things for God now more than ever before.
IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT THAT YOU ARE WHERE YOU ARE TODAY! LOOK AROUND! SOMEONE NEEDS GOD!
Below I have a video of just a glimpse of what I experienced this summer. Fill free to watch! :)
So school! Let me tell ya about that a little!
I am interning for my youth pastor at my church this year and I love it so far! Getting so much experience that I'll need in the future and I'm so thankful for this opportunity! I'm on the BSU (Ministry on campus here) leadership team and I serve as the Missions coordinator which is so cool because I get to talk about missions and encourage people to GO! Which as y'all know I can't get enough of! I'm still the bible study leader for the junior high girls at my church and they are so sweet and I love them so much! I'm busy with church and BSU activities majority of the time, but it's so awesome and fun! So blessed! I can't thank God enough for the new opportunities that He's given me.
Here are some pics from this semester!
^starting being back in the states off with helping out my church with the back to school retreat.
^first BSU of the year with my roommate.
^some new friends!
^teaching youth one night
^having the opportunity to share what God did this summer to the BSU, my church, my youth group, and another youth group. God is awesome!
^ I'm an intern!
^Trailblazing it up!
^Promoting missions and leading a missions bible study with some students on campus!
God is so amazing and I'm so thankful! Thank y'all for praying for me this summer, and please continue to pray for me during school!
Show Love. Be Love.
Tonya, :)
