Hello from Grand Lake, Oklahoma USA!

I know some of you are probably thinking...“Wait…I thought she was from Kansas?” haha You’re right…I am from Kansas, but right now I am on vacation (holiday) with my family at Grand Lake in Oklahoma. We have a holiday on Monday called Labor Day where we celebrate all of the people that have and are continuing to work hard in this country on a daily basis. Most people use this extra long weekend to go on vacation (holiday) somewhere. Every year my whole family travels to this lake and we get to have a few days of relaxation right after school is back in session. Right now I am actually sitting on my families boat out on the lake while my uncle and grandpop are fishing. In fact, my uncle has already caught 2 fish but I’m definitely not looking too forward to eating them,haha,fish here are SO much different than in Malaysia. Yerrrrr! hahaha

On a brighter note, it’s beautiful here. This evening is one of those in between moments where the seasons seem to be moving into one another. It was hot this afternoon but it is definitely cooling down now. Autumn has to be slowly approaching.

Thinking about the seasons made me think about Malaysia. I thought about how it is probably still blazing hot and humid there. I wonder what kind of emotions my body would go through if I didn’t experience these seasons that I am so accustomed to, especially autumn, my favorite…Hmm, interesting thought!

Anyway, I had told a few of you that I had a blog spot that I wrote on once a week during my time in Malaysia. I used the blog to let all of my friends and family at home know what was going on with me and all the ways that God was using me. It was extremely hard to put everything into words and I most definitely did not do justice to my experience but once I got back I heard from all of them that they were so happy to hear what was going on with me. It gave them a chance to take in a bit of what I was going through and somewhat feel like they were still near me. After hearing the positive feedback from them I thought that it would be nice for you and me to stay in touch. I am really, really, REALLY missing you and Malaysia so very much. I can’t put into words all of the emotions that I have experienced since getting back but it has definitely been a challenge. God has put a lot of work ahead of me since returning and I have my hands full. BUT! I know that I can do it because He gave me so many tools this summer in all that I learned.

The past 3 years of my college experience were so full and busy. I never really knew how to say “no” so I ended up being REALLY involved and over committed. I was involved in 6 main things: Theatre, Chapel, Choir, Orchestra, Selah (my praise band), and The Discipleship Team. Even with all of those things on my plate I worked about 20 hours a week, took about 18 hours of classes a semester, and also helped out whenever others needed me to do things. I was SO stressed all the time. I never felt peace and I always felt overwhelmed. But, I couldn’t figure out how to say no. When the end of my time in Malaysia was nearing I all of a sudden started feeling the words “say no” placed on my heart. This summer was one of the few times in my life where I was able to just say yes to God and not worry about anything else. I started feeling that the words “say no” were in reference to my schedule this year at school. I started praying that God would show me what He wanted me to say yes to and what He wanted me to say no to so that I could be as at peace with Him now as I was while I was there in Malaysia. Slowly it was brought to my attention that I was supposed to say yes to Chapel, Selah, and Discipleship but no to all the others. I couldn’t and still can’t believe that God was asking me to give up the other things but I forced myself to do it. That was HARD. I’ve been involved in all of these things since the beginning of my schooling and now I am not. Very hard… But after saying no to those things I led the first chapel of the year, met with my Discipleship team, and started thinking about the route that I am supposed to go with Selah this year (which I am in charge of this year) and found out exactly why God wants those other things out of my life right now. He needs me to completely put my all into these 3 things because they need revival so badly. I’ve found since being back that I have so much sharing and living that I need to do with the people involved in each of these groups that I have to make time for that. I know that I have a big role to play in the revival happening here and so I need to have extra time in my life to really pray for the people involved in each of these groups with me. I have a big job this year but I know that God has given me and will continue to give me all that I need to do His work here. So, this is just the beginning…I am praying right now that He would share His vision with me. I am also praying that He would focus my heart on “here and now”. I am still having issues every now and then with wishing that I was still in Malaysia but I know that I have to focus on where He has brought me right now and all He needs me to do without letting things like my emotions hinder His work. So, as you can see, I already have big work to do now that I’m back and not to mention…this is my last year of school. Whew! God give me strength! If you have any extra time to pray for me…I would greatly appreciate it...

Now, all of that being said…I know that we all have busy schedules and lives but I am hoping to be able to keep you up to date on what I am doing here and all that is happening in my life, post-Malaysia. On this blog there is a place where you can leave me messages and notes and I would love to hear from you as well! Please stay in touch and know that I love you all dearly and pray to God daily that we will meet again if it is in His plans for us. Miss you!!!
Until Next Time…
Christie :-)