Another last

It finally came. Our last trip as "Mr. Till's class" at BMA. I knew that this trip would come, but how much sweeter it was now, than I imagined it could be when I first came to BMA three years ago.

Our class chose to go to Budapest (mainly because of cheaper transportation, and cheaper services!), but it was wonderful-- full of happy memories and good bonding time. I'm going to miss all these people next year!

(Sadly, not everyone could go on the trip, so this picture is not complete, but I'm still going to treasure it!)

 

Magda's idea! (The cutie in the middle)

 

Also, if you need recommendations of places to go while you're in Budapest some day, feel free to write me! We wandered a lot, so I think I might have some good tips! :) 

P.S. The castle at night reminds me of Disneyland...I. Love. It.

To start the week

This is a constant desire of my heart, and a prayer to my Lord. May I never forget what a joy it is to serve him and to share His love with those around me.

He answers

Today, something incredible happened.

But first, I have to back up. Yesterday, I wanted to work on a project due today for geography. I knew that I had the weekend free, so I was going to start it yesterday, and finish it up leisurely today. When I sat down to work on it though, I realized I didn't know the topic that I was supposed to be writing about. I thought I had written it down in one notebook, but it wasn't there. The notebook that I had written the assignment in was at school, under my desk.

And it was the weekend.

Problem: Assignment due on Saturday, don't know the topic.
Solution #1: E-mail my teacher and ask her for help. (Did that, and no reply...yet)
Solution #2: See if my school was open on Saturday, and get my notebook from my classroom. (Very small chance)
Solution #3: PRAY that God would somehow provide.

I know that it's a small thing, but it really kicked in my worry. Yes, people tell me that there's no reason to worry...that worrying uses up energy for no purpose; but it was still there. Philippians 4:6-7 came to my mind though:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Ok, God. Supplication. I prayed and prayed that I would somehow find my topic, and hand in my assignment on time. After no response from my teacher, the only option was to go to school today and see if anyone was there. I wrestled with having enough faith, but I gave it up to God, trying to remember that He is ultimately in control. I prayed on the way down that the school would be miraculously open, that somebody would be there.

As we pulled up to school, there were two people outside, kneeling down on the ground, working on something. When we got closer, we saw who it was: Mr.Till (my teacher) and his daughter Lucy (one of my best friends). They "happened" to have stopped by school, because Mr. Till forgot Lucy's art portfolio there, and they needed to take pictures of it today. 

Mr. Till had keys to the school. He's one of the only ones who has them.

I explained to him why I was here, and he unlocked the school for me. I went in and got my notebook. Solution #2. Well, really, Solution #3.

God answered my prayers!!! Not just in any way either. He planned it perfectly. Not only was any teacher there, but it was one of our American teachers, who is a family friend too, and he had the keys with him. Not only was he there, but I also got to see lovely Lucy. It was 11:45, and Mr. Till had to leave somewhere at 12. If we had gotten there 15 minutes later, we would have missed them. 

God is so good! All of this could never just be coincidence. It was so intricately planned by the Lord. 

Lesson of the day for me?

God hears. And He answers. In ways we could never imagine.
(And I learned not to leave notebooks at school over the weekend!)

Luke 10:41, and Philippians 4:6

Impromtu

It was a normal evening. Well, at least that's what it felt like. It was not, however, very normal.

Tyler, Lara, Caleb and Haley were all staying at Mrs. Kerns' house in Wheaton on Saturday night with us, and our parents were out for a dinner with our pastor and his wife. We spent the evening with Mrs. Kerns playing board, card, and dice games, drinking homemade hot chocolate, baking brownies, and laughing. It felt "normal", and yet here we all were, in the States, with no agenda except for that of being together.

They each contributed a stir to the brownies...good job guys! Now we can say we all made them.

Late that night, we decided to take an impromptu walk. Well, at least, we meant to go for a walk. We ended up only walking a short distance, before getting distracted. But it was so much fun. As you may have noticed, almost every time us three siblings have all been together, we go out and take pictures. How lovely it was to have Lara and Haley join us!!

It was so dark, I couldn't even see what I was taking pictures of through my lens, but with some long exposures, some light painting, and a couple flash pictures, I think we got some good pictures. But most importantly, we have good memories!

You can see in the picture above how dark it really was. But a little light can go a long ways with a long exposure! I'm learning! My brothers helped me. :)

Catching up

So many memories from being in the States. God was so good (and always is!). I don't want to forget the little ways He showed me his love and glory. Some of my favorites...

- Finding surprises like this: 

- Seeing a friend I haven't seen in ten years (she was an intern in Czech, and I followed her around everywhere at English Camp when I was 7!):

 - Seeing pumpkins and fall flowers everywhere:

 - My jaw dropping at sights like these:

 - Visiting colleges with Dad:

 - Getting to be at Moody for the last morning of Missions week...so powerful:

- The picture says it all:

18

On Monday, I celebrated my 18th birthday in Chicago.

Ah, if only one could record every single minute of a day, because it was wonderful. From waking up to Haley (Caleb's girlfriend... I'm really close to her too, and adore her) saying happy birthday in her dorm room, to visiting classes at Moody, to coffee at Joe's from Tyler, to walking through Chicago with everyone..it was all simple, but lovely. Such a happy day.

So thankful for my family, and for the sweet memories we made. But I'm even more thankful for God, who brings us together, and who is there for me every single step of the way. My prayer for this next year is to focus on what He's calling me to day by day, and to stay committed to walking right behind him, keeping my eyes on Him, whom I love.

Dinner at a local sandwich place that had gluten-free bread- whoop whoop!

My brothers. :)

Tyler busted out his ukulele for my birthday song...best rendition ever!

I love this thoughtful gift that Caleb and Haley put together!!! Can you se what it says? :)

One last group shot! 

*The gift from Caleb and Haley says "Selah"- Be still and know that He is God. :)

Leaving!

SAT's tomorrow. Fly on Sunday. Visit Moody. Visit Wheaton. Visit other colleges. Whew. Lots going on right now! Trying to take it all in, and go one step at a time.

I'm so excited to see my family in the States...it's going to be awesome. Next time I write, I'll probably be in Chicago! :)

I'm going to be with these guys soon!