Entering His Rest

Wow. I can't get over how incredible and divine God is! Daily and in more and more ways (various ways, detailed ways, simple ways, profound ways :) God ushers my soul deeper into His rest.

I found out today that "Bethany" was the town Jesus went to for rest. How beautiful! Tonight I had the pleasure of spending some time with this vibrant woman of God:


Her name is Susanna, and she has such a free spirit and a beautiful passion for God! Her delight for the Lord it contagious. :) Tonight we were talking and we were led to pray for one of our classmates, which turned into prayer for many things! What a refreshing time. I again was struck with gratitude for the many ways God has provided. I can go just feet from my room and enter the presence of God with others.

This is another beautiful woman of God who has already ministered so deeply to me!

Her name is Emily and she has such a gentle spirit and is a profound listener! God has really been making my heart tender this week, and God has used Emily to help lead me into that. Thank you Jesus for Jesus-loving and abiding friends who lay down their lives for others!

Emily and I also took a trip to the "Sally Ann" today (it's a type of thrift store that we have here on campus, except everthing's FREE!) and recruited quite a few old books, frames, lampshades, and a big hope chest, among an assortment of other things to use to CREATE! Emily shares my passion for art and creativity, so we're both excited to take these old things and make them new.

This week is the last week for our Old Testament Survey class. I've loved it!! I wish it went on throughout the whole year. We always start out the class singing a hymn or song accapella and then our teacher leads us in genuine prayer. It's moving to study the text in an environment of teachability, openness and hunger-- the Word of God is so alive! It's so powerful to go through the Old Testament in detail and discover the cultural keys that shine light on the stories I've heard my whole life. Every day my jaw drops at the beautiful typology of Jesus that fills the Old Testament! How intracite and purposeful our God is! This class has definitely whetted my appetite to go after this more.

I'm loving my practical training! This week I've been answering phone calls (sometimes accidentally picking up the receiver and saying, "Hi, this is McKenzie with Global Expeditions!"... after doing that day in and day out last year I think it's ingrained in me!), setting up some campus visits for students who want to visit Bethany, and I've given two tours! Who hoo. :) I'm really enjoying it. I've also been able to learn a little photoshop thanks to an amazing computer whiz that works in the office. Fun stuff. :) The Director of Admissions is an awesome guy named Richee Parks, and he's all about loving Jesus and loving people! I get so energized from being in the office and I really feel free to run after my job and create.

Thank you Jesus!