God Provides

God is faithful. 
Let me tell you how I know. 


 I'm in Hawaii living in a tent and without a job. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of money. For me, this is a very stressful thing. I start freaking out about how I'm going to do anything, get anywhere or even get my laundry done. But then the words of Jesus pop into my head. 

 Matthew 6:25
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?"


 About a week ago, I was having a particularly hard time trusting the Lord for provision as I looked at my bank account and saw the dwindling numbers with the knowledge that two of my good friends were coming out to visit from Minnesota and I really wanted to be able to show them a good time. But God told me it was time to put full trust in him to provide and that he will take care of everything. The next day I read in the Psalms. 


 37:5
 "Commit your way to the Lord; 
  Trust in him, and he will act."


It was then when I finally surrendered and decided that God would take much better care of me than I ever could on my own. I committed my way to him. 
About ten minutes after I read this I picked up my phone and saw a text message from a friend of mine telling me that she just put money in my account! Praise the Lord! 


Again, just this past weekend I needed to fill the car with gas and was concerned about spending that much (Gas out here in about 5 bucks a gallon right now). Only this time I was a little more quick to remember what God has done for me. I told the Lord that I was trusting him to provide again for me. Just 5 minutes later I received a letter in the mail with a check for me! God continues to be amazing.  His timing is so perfect. 


 And just yesterday I was out with my Minnesotan friends having one of the best days I have ever had (I got to snorkel and see 3 sea turtles!) when I got a phone call from my parents letting me know that I was getting a substantial amount of money back from my tax refund! I'm so overwhelmed with how God is so amazing.  


 I get to live this life!

Poipu

Rain. Rain. Lightening. Thunder. More Rain. Water EVERYWHERE. 


We had to leave camp yesterday because we were getting flooded out. 
A few friends and I have been staying with the family of one of the students who's staying in Poipu on the south side of the island. It was a huge blessing to hang out with an awesome family and stay dry.It's funny because they say it's always sunny in Poipu. 
  We woke up this morning and found out that classes were canceled and saw that the sun was shining. 


 So we did what any bible college/Minnesotan would do. 


 We hit up the beach. 
 Boggie boarding and cliff jumping. It was a wonderful, sunny day. 


 Praise the Lord for the rain. Praise Him for the sun. 

Rainy Days

           It's Sunday. 

Here in Kapaa it's rainy and chilly. 

The tents are getting a good washing out. Literally. This girl was not the brightest the other night and forgot to zip up all the windows and the water came in and got into my clothes containers. Almost everything I own is damp right now. I'm kinda getting used to it. Mud, water, more mud, chickens, spiders, and eternally frizzy hair are becoming a way of life for me. God is defiantly teaching me to not hold on to the things of this world but to set my mind on things above and store my treasures in heaven rather than here because things really do get destroyed. (i.e. my cell phone a few weeks ago haha)

     But I LOVE THE RAIN. It reminds me of the Fathers grace poured out for his beloved.  

   But I can't always sit out and get soaked in his love and grace, that's really cold and wet. So to get out of the rain, I came to Starbucks get get some homework done and drink some coffee that isn't Folgers. I was happy cause today I got to wear my hat that Elizabeth Danger made for me. It's finally chilly enough for me to wear it. I'm dressing like a Minnesotan today and it makes me happy. 

ps, I LOVE coffee shops. This Starbucks is beginning to feel like my caribou coffee back home. And if you know me, you know that I really like that caribou. 

 Anyway, 

  This past Friday, Josh and Noelle, two if the students in our worship class lead worship for the youth group on their own and I was so encouraged. After helping them set up and walking down to girls camp I was nearly moved to tears because God showed me that he was answering my prayer. 

  A few years ago I decided I wanted to do for others what my friend Rommel did for me in my early teenage years, and that was to pull on the gifts of those who are musically talented and teach them how to use those gifts for the Lord and encourage them to lead others in worshiping a God who is totally worthy of it all. God showed me that it was happening! He is using me to teach and encourage the students here. This is what I've been dreaming about doing for years! God is so faithful to us when we are in surrender to his plans. 

 Another thing that God has been laying on my heart and it kinda goes along with what I was just talking about, is that I need to be completely faithful in what the Lord has me doing right now in this season of life and to learn to be content where I am and not worry about what the next step is. A few weeks ago I found myself TOTALLY stressing about what I was to do when I get home this summer and wasn't really focused on the task in front of me. God will show me what he has for me when he's ready. It's really great that he knows what he's doing. I'm so grateful for that. 

The Lord is wonderful. I get to sing about it and lead others to do so. 

I have the best job ever. 

  Until next time. 

 -Emily