He Is. . . Unchanging

I am very thankful for all of you!

This may sound silly, but last night I came to the powerful and comforting realization that God has not changed. I had been angry with Him (something I do not advise) for all the change I have experienced, especially in beliefs and ways of thinking. My frustration was stupid because the change was for the better, but the change causes me to feel out of place here. When I realized I was angry at Him, I soon realized the foolishness of it. Many things have shifted, but He has not changed. His character and attributes are steadfast. It is terribly comforting to discover that He Is. And in that to discover that I have not lost nearly as much as I thought.

Doc, I finally ordered my Trinity Hymnal today! I'm excited to get it.

I also got to practice voice again yesterday for the first time in what seemed like ages! I know, Doc's question is going to be, "How did it feel?" Well, it felt good, definitely need to work back into shape, but it felt good to have that work out after a long time.

Please pray

I only have a second. Please, please, please pray for my family. I can't really say why, but we are going through a real hardship right now.

Thanks

I'm a happy camper!!!

Hey Everyone,

I hope to be able to post once a week to let you all know how God has been working in my life on my time on Lifeguard. We finished our first week of camp and it was amazing. We all had a great time and it was an amazing start to the summer. We got to work with a team from FBBC and we got on great with them. It was amazing to meet more of our brothers and sisters in Christ. I love the instant connection we had, being united in goal and purpose in serving our saviour. They did all the counselling and we did all the programming. I also got to meet Jamie Jackson, who was on the FBBC team, who is the daughter of our new Missions Prof John Jackson. The biggest way I saw God work in my own life was through the sermon I had to preach. I felt very unadiquete, but that was where God showed himself adiquete. I got to preach on Genesis 22, which I like to call my "life chapter," so I was able to communicate to them that it really was not about Abraham, but what God was showing Abraham about himself. My challenge for them was, what are you willing to give up in your life to let God show himself to you. On the mountain of the Lord it shall be provided." Hope you are all doing well,

Niall.

I desire deep prayer.

I need prayer. I have been slacking on so many things. Bible study, musical pracitces, the way I think. I need prayer to keep my strength up, to keep the right mind set, to stay on top of things that need to be constantly watched.

I find it hard to be here, with so many of my closest friends being away.

I miss my church family.

Oh, and Sara:
I don't mean to never answer the phone. I am either never near it, or I am in the middle of something when you call. Forgive me.
I am very busy all of the time, but hopefully life will let up some time soon.
But please don't think I am ignoring you.

Just Kidding!

I was going to leave for Mexico this morning, but yesterday my friend became very sick. She called me this morning to say that she wasn't going to be able to go on the trip. I understood, and honestly, I could think of lots of good things about staying home. So, I'm still here, and you don't have to be jealous of my international adventures. My adventures are going to stay here this summer.

So I went to the beach with my mom and nephews and we had a good time. However, I am gaining so much respect for parents these days. It's hard work to keep young depraved souls from hurting each other!!! Then it feels worth it at the end of the day when they fall asleep on your lap, lean against your shoulder, or give hugs and kisses before bedtime.

Cancun Bound

Tomorrow I'll be leaving for my 3 night stay in Mexico. I'm excited. It will be the first time I've ever gone to another country just for fun. It's me and my best friend Mary, so if you think of it please pray for our safety.

This past week was good. I got to work more and had fun with the fam. I do feel weird though, because there's all these things I'm supposed to be doing this summer and I haven't been doing any of them yet because of having the nephews over. But they will be going home this week and I will settle in to the summer. I'm doing my church music apprenticeship with my dad, so that's going to take a lot of work. I need to practice tons. . . voice and piano. I need to take a clep test for English Comp (I know, I've been using tons of run-ons, but this doesn't count). I also wanted to get a head start on my reading for a class I'm taking next semester (Ministry Leadership). I'll be biting the bullet on that project :). But I figure the more I get done before the semester, the less I will have to feel like it's wasting my time during the semester.

Doc, we will all be praying for you, I'm sure! I miss the circle!

I'll tell more about my trip when I get back. Have a good week, everyone!

A lot going on...too much to say here

There are so many blessings being shown to me through so many different ways, it's hard to even try and put it all down. God is showing me that I have a lot of things in my life that must be confronted, and He is also showing me things that I must cultivate and work on to improve.

This past Sunday I had the awesome chance to visit my church in PA. Just being there made my spirit rise! The family has been greatly missed, and I enjoyed seeing everyone! We have a new facility, and it was neat to see the new place. But it's not the place that makes the church, it's the people, and I definitely love them all!

I have been working a lot lately, and being outside has been great! Of course, today was the first day that has been really nice outside, but it's been wonderful just the same. I was thinking today what a wonderful Creation God has blessed us with! And then I thought, I wonder what Evolutionists say on days like today? "Ah! What a great thing it is to be able to enjoy the random beauty that I happened to sprout into life to see." Ha, I feel less than smart just saying that....it's rediculous! Our God is completely obvious in His Creation, and yet men supress this truth in order to try and live life without a God to be held accountable to.

Just thinking about that is enough to keep me up all night.

But now, I have to go to bed, cause I am tired.

O Day of Rest and Gladness

One of my nephews is sick, so I am staying home from church with him. I've spent the last week at home playing with my nephews and helping to take care of them. I'm starting to get an idea of what it's like to be a parent. I'm also starting to get cabin fever, missing friends, normalcy, etc.

But it's been fun. On Monday I worked. On Tuesday we went to the Sarasota Jungle Gardens (a touristy place with plants and animals), on Wednesday we went to the beach, on Thursday we went to Chuck-E-Cheese, and Friday was the best because we drove 3 hours away to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

My Dad and I had a good laugh when I discovered that I am definitely an ! I no longer can understand why it's appealing to kids to run around a playground in the hot sun! My six-year-old nephew especially seems to have never-ending energy! But he is the one who is sick today, so we are trying to get him to relax. For anyone who has seen Over the Hedge, he is just like the squirrel in that movie.

This week I will be working more, so my parents will have to watch the boys more. I guess the way I'm feeling today is that I have no other identity than the person taking care of the nephews. It's been nice to check this site periodically and hear how people are doing. I don't think I have anything more to say, so I will go.

The happy couple and the shiny ring!!!

Sorry it's taken me so long to publish some pics...we just got back from vacation to Myrtle Beach. It was WONDERFUL! The weather was great! Here's a pic of the ring and the happy couple!! The picture doesn't capture the full shinyness of the ring...it's STUNNING...I love it! We're so excited!!!!!!

Westminster West

I am writing from the computer room at Westminster Seminary California. This really is a great place. I am enjoying my time here and with Jared and Jessica Mullins.

Just a little good news: I was officially accepted to the seminary--got that news today.

Anyone want me to bring them back some Pacific sand or salt water?

Here's another update. I was able to safely retrieve my nephews from the airport this morning. The airport is an hour away from my house, so I think everyone was worried that I'd get lost or something. But we made it and we're having a good time.

My parents are somewhere in Florida now, and expect to get here sometime tonight. Everything seems to be going well, so thank you for praying.

Thanks, Doc, for keeping us updated on Jordan. I'm praying!

Home at Last

I got home to Sarasota, FL last night. Today I have been getting the house ready. Tomorrow morning I will be picking up my nephews from the airport. They are 9 and 6, and will be flying from Kansas City by themselves. They are staying with us for over two weeks while their parents are in Israel.

I've kept in contact with my parents while they are on their way. Texas is a big state. The truck is running fine, and last I heard from them they were going through Baton Rouge, Louisianna. They should get here sometime tomorrow evening. So I will be alone with the nephews all afternoon! But they are intelligent and well-behaved, so there isn't much to worry about. We will have a good time.

So, the adventure continues. I did a little singing and playing this afternoon. That was nice. It's a little lonely here by myself, but I have had plenty to do as well.
Thanks for your continued prayers everyone!