Three Quarters Left!!!

I start school back up tomorrow. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. . . I know, that is a shock to all those who have heard me talk about school.
I have complained far too much about school. I make it sound like the most terrible thing that has ever happened to me, when in all actuality it is one of the greatest things that has happened to me because it is God's will and it has forced me to depend on Him daily.

It has been a hard road, but this experience is helping shape me into the person that God wants me to be.

I am so excited to get into the "real world" and start working and making a living!
I am so excited to be able to come home from work and not have to study!
I am so excited to have the weekend to spend with my family and not be interrupted by assignments!
I am so excited to use my new skill to serve the LORD!
I am so excited about Life!

William Wilberforce: A Leader of Leaders

I am currently reading "Statesman and Saint" on the life of William Wilberforce. I am constantly amazed at this gentleman's character, values, and convictions.

He inherited much wealth, yet after his conversion he used his position to help the poor, both by giving material possessions (including shelter) and fighting for the bettering of their working conditions.

He was a firm believer in reaching the lost. He kept a "Friends Paper" in his Bible which he would write various ways to turn regular daily conversation into a witnessing opportunity with his unsaved friends. He would often pray for hours for these friends.

He lived a life of integrity and was constantly looking for ways he could "improve" himself. He kept a journal in which he would examine himself daily. On Sunday he would spend much time in prayer evaluating his "spiritual and moral condition."

During his many years in parliament, he was exposed to much reproof and criticism. Did he retaliate? No. He looked at reproof as a means in helping him make himself a better person. Therefore, he took reproof from even his severest critics most seriously. In at least one account he even sent his "reproover" a letter expressing his thanks for showing him how he could improve.

Once he knew God's will, he wasted no time in getting to it. A rather amusing example of this is his marriage to a Miss Barbara Spooner. The two were married after knowing each other only ten days. Talk about a whirlwind romance!

Mr. Wilberforce did not possess the best of health. He was almost constantly plagued by what physicians thought to be ulcerative colitis. He did not, however, allow this to get in the way of what God had called him to. I'm sure he has many riches in heaven for his faithfulness here on earth.

This is most definitely one gentleman whose character I would like to emulate.

Are YOU a Little Teapot

Family Camp 2009

This year's family camp was very encouraging (and rather convicting) to me. The speaker focused mainly on witnessing to the lost. He told how so many lost souls know Christians, but the Christians never once ask if the lost soul would like to receive Christ as their Savior. This was very convicting to me since I am with unbelievers every day, and I even carpool with one every day.
Here are some of the memories made a Family Camp: