wows, pows, distractions, and pet peeves

Alright, so I haven't had the words to describe how the past month has been, so I'm putting it in list form. Note: wows and pows are highs and lows; the terms were coined in the Bible studies I have led and been a part of. "Wow" is obviously our reaction to awesome things and "pow" is the sucker punch that comes with crappy things. Distractions and pet peeves are self-explanatory. This might be all over the place, but if anything I hope this will make you chuckle.

Wow- My youngest sister placed her faith in Jesus on April 18th (Happy Birthday, Madison)! God answered a four-year prayer.

Pow- Inability to focus and the spiritual warfare that has been raging on.

Distraction- "Liking" friends' engagement/married statuses and stalking their engagement/wedding pictures. I can name off the top of my head 15 couples that are engaged. These do not include those who have already gotten married, those who are going to get engaged, or those not of the top of my head.

Pet Peeve- Speaking of weddings and engagements, it really irks me when a conversation goes like this: Other Person- "Sooo, are you dating anyone?" Me- "Nope." Other Person- "Ohhh. Well there's this one single guy I know who I'm pretty sure loves Jesus. He'd be the perfect husband for you!" I could really go on a rant about this, but I'll refrain.

Wow- Francis Chan sermon. Enough said. Click here.

Pow- The 21 year-old (aka me) having to be the only adult acting like an adult in a professional setting (long story).

Distraction- Hockey playoffs. C-A-P-S CAPS CAPS CAPS!

Wow- God coming through financially every. single. time.

Pow- Seasons of refinement...they stink, even though they are for my good.

Wow- Figuring out where I'll live in Rwanda!

Pow- The rather long (and impatient on my part, whoops) waiting to hear back from CTEN.


Wow- Getting a substituting job!

That's what I got. Take it or leave it.

100 days of prayer

This April marked the 18th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda. On April 6, 1994 the Hutu president was assassinated and thus launched 100 days of brutal genocide. This is my first year having some grasp on what happened in Rwanda and my first year of remembering this anniversary. While I am not an advocate of dwelling  and remaining on the past and the tragedies it holds, I am an advocate of remembering for the purpose of learning, moving forward, and trusting God's faithfulness. And it's the remembrance of this anniversary of the genocide that leads me to prayer. I have been praying for Rwanda, and I know many of you have as well, as I have been preparing to go back in August. And I will continue to earnestly pray for Rwanda specifically for the next 100 days during this memorial season. Join me in praying for Rwanda in these ways to start, I'm sure God will bring to mind more ways to pray.

Above all that the Gospel would spread to the unreached and that disciples for Jesus would be made

That the people of Rwanda would look to God for healing and Jesus for hope in light of the genocide

For the ministries on the ground, such as Africa New Life Ministries, International Justice Mission, Africa Inland Mission, and World Vision, and their labor in the Lord.

For continuing forgiveness and reconciliation

For the children as the upcoming generation of godly leaders and for God's provision for their education and future opportunities 

For political and economic stability and continued reformation

For the churches and its growth, leadership, and ministries

That the poverty level and AIDS/HIV epidemic would decrease

For this city on a hill to be God's light in a dark world!

"and My people who are called by My name, humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14