Brand New Day

My Best Friend's Wedding

This past weekend I had the opportunity to witness the marriage of my roommate, Anna, to her new husband, Jon Heisterkamp.  It was such an eventful and exciting day for everyone.  I was able to take the getting ready photos of the bride and her bridemaids as well as any little detail that I could spot throughout the day.  This is the first time I had ever done this and I had agreed to do this the night before the wedding.  After sorting through the couple thousand photos that I had taken during Rehearsal and Wedding Day, these are my favorites:

The beautiful bride, Anna, getting ready for the big day.

Kristin, Anna's older sister and maid of honor, puts the finishing touches on the gown.

During the Fall 2012 semester of college, Jon was living at home in Iowa while Anna was finishing up her final semester at BBC in PA. He created a paper link chain counting down until the wedding day. Each link had something pertaining to their relationship. Here she is reading the final link.

Wiping away some lipstick that was left behind after the first kiss as husband and wife.

The bride had gone out to thrift stores and bought boxes of mix-match China that served as the place settings

Adding a modern touch to the wedding day was having their own hastag on Instagram: #theheisterkampwedding

Caught this sweet picture while the lovely couple was greeting their guests.

Such an amazing couple that God has joined together on this exciting day! I cannot wait to see what God does with the new Mr. & Mrs. Heisterkamp!

Possibility or Reality

This morning was an exceptionally challenging message from a missionary couple that is raising support to serve in Germany beginning next month.  Richard and Julia Rudolph presented to my church this question:

"Are you living as if the Resurrection is a

Possibility or Reality?"

You see, Christians all too often settle into our comfort zones and we all too often forget about the Resurrection.  But the Resurrection is part of the Good News.  Christ conquered death by rising on the third day.  I too often forget this.  1 Corinthians 15 shows us that if we are living as if the Resurrection were just a possibility, then we can "eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." type of attitude (v.32).  We are settled into our comfort zones.  We do not wish to stretch out of what we like.  But the Gospel tells us that we must.  We must do things that we do not like.  What we are not comfortable with.  Later down, verses 54b-58 state, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."  Believers have this steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord swag about them, but they never use it.  

So whomever might be reading this, I want to change you with this: Are you living as if the Resurrection is just a possibility or reality?

A Crowded Mind

Most of you know, I had the opportunity to attend Passion Conference in Atlanta, GA with about 60,000 other college age students during the first few days of the new year. It is an amazing opportunity to experience Passion.  If you are interested, check out the site: http://www.268generation.com/3.0/.  So at this conference, Louie Giglio states at the end of his first message

"Sin does not make us bad.

Sin makes us DEAD."

Man does that hit home every time I read it. And I read it often. I have it on a Post-It on my desk so that I have to read it every day.  All too often I'm given this reminder.  Sin does not make us bad. Sin makes us dead.  Spiritually dead.  Hard and calloused toward what God would like to teach us.  Being constantly reminded of my sin makes me more grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior.  He was perfect. He was sinless. He bore my sins when He hung on the Cross. But while He was on the Cross, He declared "It is finished." These three words are the other phrase that are continually in the forefront of my mind.  Not only this, but He died and rose again three days later. Conquering sin. Conquering death. 

Crown Him (Majesty)

Chris Tomlin ft. Kari Jobe

at Passion 2013

Beautiful Things

It has been ten months since my last post and my life is currently super busy for me to stay caught up with everyone.  So my plan is to try and stay on top of updating this blog at least until the summer.  For now, I can catch you all up on what my current adventures are:
             1. I am currently Student Teaching in Second Grade then Kindergarten in public schools until May 8.  My Second Grade class is such a group of ambitious learners! I am excited to begin teaching them this week! On May 11, 2013 I will get to walk across the graduation stage and receive my Degree in Elementary Education.
             2. I am also currently planning our wedding that is just three short weeks after graduation.  What was I thinking?!  Things are slowly coming together for this, but honestly I have no time to plan it during Student Teaching.  Just the little things here-and-there.  In the end, I will be married to my best friend and God will be honored at our wedding.  That's all I wish for.
             3. After the Big Day, Ryan and I will be moving to Des Moines, Iowa where we will begin our journey together.  Ryan hopes to get a ministry position while I get my Master's Degree online.  My wish is to be an Autistic Specialist in the public school systems in Des Moines.  We are overjoyed to see where God might take both of us!

As I sit here, I can't help but think back to the past year that God has allowed me to experience.  The roller-coaster that I have been on for the past fourteen months have taught me more about myself and how God is slowly molding me into the woman He has created me to be.  All too often I find myself saying, "Why did you make me like this?" to my Creator.  I have no right to state this.  I am humbled at the fact that God has placed circumstances in my life so that I can draw closer to Him.  Looking back during the first few months of this time, I played on repeat Beautiful Things by Gungor.  If I could claim any song to be "mine", this would be the one.  What grace God has given me with each new morning. Just as the song states: God makes me new and is making me new. Enjoy!

Beautiful Thing by Gungor

Inked

The Story Behind the Tattoo

This past Friday, March 23rd, 2012 after many months of waiting... I got a tattoo.  The entire day I was nervous but was still positive about getting it.  Come 2:30, I left the dorm and headed to the parlor for my 3 o'clock appointment.  Getting there nice and early, I sat there on the big comfy couch for a good 30 minutes by myself.  Then my roommate, Anna, came and I was a little less nervous.  Around 3:30, Shelly Black, my artist, escorted me into the first room on the left where she showed me the final drawing and placed the stencil on my back.  This thing was huge! So much larger than anticipated!  Anna came into the room for support and any hand squeezing that might have been needed.  Shelly is an amazing artist who knows what she is doing and does it quickly.  One hour later, the hand squeezing, lip biting pain was finally over. Now to just wait for it to heal.  

All that to say the purpose and meaning behind each piece of my new tattoo...

Dandelion- since I am in college and almost finished, this is for my independence that I have be gaining through my years of college.

Three Blue Birds- (they don't know this but...) they represent my mom, dad and myself. Without their support I would not be the woman I am today by God's grace.

Words- these come from the first part of Psalm 138:8 that states, "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me.  This is the verse that my dad gave to me at the beginning of a turning point in my life and has grown to be my life verse.  I do not know God's exact purpose for my life (except to glorify Him in everything), but I love that He is shaping and molding me each day to be more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Courage- (down the stem of the dandelion) this is the word that my dad continually told me day after day during this turning point in my life.  My courage and strength comes from God alone.  I choose to be bold about what I believe because of the sacrifice given for me.

                     By His Grace,

                                      Lizz

Hesed

Today I had a nice three hour drive back to campus by myself.  That is a lot of time to think... and even over think.  With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I couldn't help but think of love.  How God show's us His steadfast love over and over again.  I was reminded of this the other day when I read through Psalm 136: "His love endures forever." is repeated 26 times, once after each phrase.  God's hesed [passionate, devoted, sacrificial] love endures forever.  What have I done to deserve such a love?  Nothing but be a depraved sinner.  The awesome part of all this is that God allows us the ability to show others His hesed through us.  What a vessel we are.  In 1 John 4, John lets us know all about this love.  God showed us His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  John goes on to say, "Dear friends, since God so love us, we also ought to love one another." (v.11)  This is a command not an option.  So loving other's is meant for every day of the year, not just Valentine's Day.  Show God's hesed.

Nothing But Grace

        For the past couple of months I have been overwhelmed by God's grace in my life.  Even more so in the past couple of days.  He has given me so much more than I deserve.  I do not deserve God's steadfast love.  I do not deserve my current life situations.  I do not deserve my godly friends and yet God has proven Himself faithful time and time again.  Some things that have been on my heart that He has allowed to happen in my life include supportive and loving parents, a job, working with deaf students, working with Special Olympics PA, discipling, backpacking, peace and strength.  It is so exciting to look back and see God use past events in my life to bring glory to His name through my life now.  


        One item that has particularly been on my mind is a verse that my Dad had given me back in November.  I am reminded each day of it: "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever." Psalm 138:8a  I am constantly reminded of this verse and am making sure I think on this truth continually.  God has created me for a purpose that I have yet to fully comprehend.  He reveals Himself to me each day in a new way and each time it amazes me.  I could not ask for a better way to be living my life out for my Creator, the Creator of the universe! The same God that has created the galaxies wishes to invest in His children, of whom I am a sinner.  I do not deserve such a relationship and yet He offers it so graciously.  He sees me without blemish and of that I am truly grateful.  Thank you for this life and for allowing me to live it out for You.  Walk the narrow path and I promise you will not regret it. Matthew 7:13-14.

Brand New Day

      Since the beginning of this new year I am continually being reminded that each day is a new day.  I must not dwell on the past but continue to go on toward the day when my Savior returns.  Until that day, I must do all to bring glory to His name.  
      With the new year came a new me.  My new year's resolution is to be more spontaneous and outgoing in my actions and efforts to serve God in every aspect of my life.  What might that entail?  I am living on the edge and having no regrets.  In the past month that has consisted of applying to work at a summer camp (never been done before), doing photography for the school magazine (never been done before), working for a Teen Leadership Conference (very nervous about), designing a tattoo (which I'll be getting next Saturday), going to South Africa for 3 weeks (never thought I would do that), working at a school for deaf and hard of hearing children (never in my wildest dreams!), and investing in the young women on campus.  I'm sure there are many more but I just cannot think of them as of yet.  With all that said, I do not know what God has planned with my life but I am so excited to see how He will use me.  I continually remember that "the LORD will fulfill his purpose for me" (Psalm 138:8). I am trying to place myself in the position for God to use me to greater His kingdom.  I am learning to have a faith and confidence that God will fulfill what He has promised in His Word. 

Pleasant Surprise

So last Monday I got a shot to get tested to see if I have tuberculosis.  Now 2 years ago when I had gotten it and nothing happened.  This time the bottom half of my arm became itchy and a little swollen around where I had gotten the shot.  On Wednesday I went to the nurse to see if the results where positive or negative. (Now my roommate had gotten it taken the same time and she just had a little bruise the size of a baby’s fingernail.)  I was pretty nervous.  The nurse had a funny reaction once she saw my arm and said, “I’ve never seen this before.”  The immediate response in my head was, “CRAP! I have TB and now I can’t be a teacher! What am I going to do?!” (Granted, I thought the worst scenario but I was worried!)  I even cried a little because I had no idea what TB was.  So I went to a doctor the next day and he said that he doesn’t see that kind of reaction too often.  He scheduled me for a chest x-ray just to make sure I was all clear and had no TB.  On Thursday morning I got the chest x-ray bright and early, waited all day for a call from the doctor…no call.  Called them in the morning and left my number…still no call…. until about 2:30 in the middle of a class.  I was so relieved of the news that I had gotten: no TB, it was just an allergic reaction. 

Needless to say that the day after I had gotten the TB shot, I read Psalm 34:1-4:

            “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.  Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!  I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

The day that I got the news that I might have TB I went back and read this chapter over again and it hit me- God is still with me through my trials and I need to praise him no matter the outcome.  I sighed a big sigh of relief and prayed that God would give me comfort in the next few days as I was awaiting the results.  Lastly, he delivered me from my fears.  I didn’t have a fear that I would have TB or that I would have to take pills for the next 9 months to make sure that it didn’t become active while I was alive, I had the belief that I can handle all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Even if I had TB, I would still praise God because it is just one more reason to.  

A New Day

Since today marked a new day, I started anew this morning and left my yesterdays in the past.  I chose to keep a smile on my face even if I didn’t feel like it because it kept me thinking positively.  I am starting to do my devos in the morning hoping that they will make my day go a lot better and smoother.  I feel a lot more relaxed after half way completing a couple assignments that are due Friday and I am not stressed at all to finish it.  It’s such an awesome feeling- the peace of God.  Hopefully I can keep this up!

p.s.- I'm not sure why, but it's relieving to write these blogs because I have no time to talk to anyone about it.  It's so much better than keeping it all bottled up inside.

Stuck Like Glue

       Okay, so I have been so swamped with work and longterm projects that it’s all building up to this week and next week.  I’ve been struggling a lot to juggle college, homework, volleyball, boyfriend, and my personal time with Christ.  I also recently picked up on taking pictures for people as a little side job and the time that it’s taking me to edit and get developed the pictures is wasting so much of my free time (that I didn’t really have much of in the first place).  Anyway, It’s only Tuesday and I’m down in the dumps and I have no idea why.  I just have so much running through my mind that I don’t have time to stop, relax, and smile.  This is what I always tell my one friend to do but there is no one to tell me.  I try to always be positive and give it over to God but this week I feel as though I am in a valley and I have no clue why.  I’m hoping that refocusing my priorities again will help my week go better.  My new priorities:

1.      Personal time with Christ

2.      School

3.      Friends (boyfriend)

4.      Volleyball

5.      Photography

Let’s see if this works….

Also, Shawn & I celebrated our 3 years of being together yesterday but I’m waiting patiently to actually go out and celebrate for it :)

Coincidence

           Okay, so I have a legitimate reason for not posting the past week.  This past Monday we started classes, one of them being Theology 2.  In this class, one of our assignments for the semester is to read a book on the characteristics of God and keep a journal of it.  I think that this was a coinicidence that I needed that connection because I know I couldn't do this on my own quite yet.  So I have read almost a chapter a day and have been keeping a journal, just not posting it on here.  When I get some free time, I will make sure I post what I am learning.  Starting this week I know I will be scarce on my free time and will have to use it wisely because volleyball games start so I am sorry if I go a couple of days without posting.  The book is called Knowing God by J.I. Packer, if anyone was interested in reading it as well. 

Day 3: Patience

          Today I moved back into my dorm and it feels good to be back.  Now I am just waiting for my roommate and suitemate to come tomorrow sometime.  I am very excited about this upcoming semester and helping out with the volleyball team.  But anyway..back to the point of why I created this blog...
          
          This is definitely not one of my best characteristics.  But I can only imagine how much patience God has to have with us!  I mean one day we want to fully follow Him with all of our hearts and the next we could care less if we skipped our devos for the day.  One of my favorite quotes goes something like this: God doesn’t just give you patience when you ask for it, He gives you “trials” to test your patience and make it stronger.  This is something I have to constantly remind myself.  Whether it’s driving down the turnpike, working at a waterice stand, or something as simple as playing with my 3-year-old niece.   If I want to be more like Christ, than I need to have patience and love for everyone, not just who I want.  God tells us clearly in Colossians 3:12 to “…clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and PATIENCE.” Now just because patience is listed last doesn’t make it any less then the other characteristics.  They all should be used equally. Everyday. 

 

Day Two: Love

               This is probably one of the first things you think of when you think of God, am I right?  And probably the first thing that you think of when you hear “now where can I find love in the Bible?”, you would probably think of 1 Corinthians 13, right?  Well there are many forms of love: philia (brotherly love), eros (romantic love), and agape (unconditional, self-sacrificing love) just to name a couple.  Well, as a lady I know I always need to feel loved from something, whether it was from my parents, dog, or boyfriend.  But there is no love that can be described as the love that comes from God.  His agape love for us was the reason why He was able to send His son for us.  While God loves us, we are also commanded to love others the same way. 

           

            1 John 4:7-10

            “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Day One: Attention to Detail

          Have you ever just stopped everything that you were doing, took a step back and looked at everything?  I mean EVERYTHING, in detail.  You see, you don’t have to think about breathing or seeing or need to activate any of our senses to use them.  God created us with those little details.  Now what about everything else that He created?  Have you ever planted something and watched it grow each and every day?  I had that privilege this past summer while working in a greenhouse filled with herbs.  Each Monday we would plant new seeds and every Friday they would be these tiny green plants just sprouting out of the soil.  About three weeks later when it came time for them to be sent out to other companies, I would be like a proud parent sending a child off to school (even though I have no clue what that feels like).  The nourishment and care that I gave to them is exactly the same from my Caretaker.  Even though I don’t realize something is good as soon as it happens, I look back and see the changes. 

            How about have you ever just sat and watched hummingbirds?  I think they are the most fascinating animals that He could have created!  I could watch them for hours on end.  These tiny 3-4 inch birds flap their wings about 55 times per second! The little details that God has put into everything that He has created just amaze me! I could probably write a book on it all!  Now it's you turn to "stop and think".

My Challenge

I have decided to begin a blog so that I can keep myself on track with my personal walk with Christ and to be able to look back and see if and how things are progressing.  I am going to start off with a 30-day challenge: each day I am going to choose an attribute of God and chat about it.  Easy enough...and hopefully I can keep going past the 30 days. Now some days I won't be able to post because I will be away on volleyball trips or will have tons of homework to do that day, but I will do my best to post each day.

Day 1 will be posted later on today so feel free to check back later :)