My Man

My man will have coffee in his veins that lead to a heart set on God. His soul will run on caffeine and the glory of God. This will overflow into a hyperactive love of his family and the church. He will have a beard that is as rosy as his cheeks. His smile will spread because of the verses that cross through his cranium. His hands will reach for the little hands that reach up for his. His feet will go wherever the Lord calls for them to. Whether it be across the street, or across oceans my man will have the Lord of Lords, the God of the universe on his side.

Another Afternoon at Purdy's

To sum up my afternoon:
- I have ridden a longboard with Elizabeth down Main Street
- Salem is blowing my mind with his deep spiritual conversations
- I'm noticing this creepy European man that has done nothing and watches women leave the shop
- I have sat here and gotten 1/4 of everything I've wanted to get done
- I have signed up for Encounter! Yay!

SO all-in-all, it has been successful and very lax all at the same time! But signing up for Encounter is super duper exciting! Oh update! We just had our first greeter team meeting and I was able to share my 4 H's which is ultimately your shortened testimony. Which was totally on the spot, and came out nicely. Here it is summed up:
History: born in a Christian home, believed to be saved at a young age but really I wasn't saved until I understood the difference between fear of hell and fear of God. then I faced my hard times in high school when I dealt with my pride and my self-efficiency when I should be relying on God in everything and Him satisfying my needs, desires and joy. I wasn't experiencing growth and that was frustrating me. But then I realized it was my fault for not being in the word and spending more time with roses and not thorns. Then I went into my high times which was spring break with cru last spring when I realized that my ministry was in the Greek world. When I would rather go party next door I was required to do quiet time. And I was frustrated and humbled to realize that I am a child of God that can only be satisfied by what he can give me, not Friday nights. Not a red solo cup, but rather the red lines in the holy word conveying the great works of his son. But I have found my niche in cru and found that I can serve god no matter where I am just like my grandma Susie. I consider her my hero, with her being such a solid biblical example that is willing to share the word of God to women that are in jail. I never had really considered the significance of this before but ministry is every where. Even behind bars. So all-in-all God has placed some incredible people in my life and I am so thankful for that. I am continuously humbled and amazed to find out how exactly he is working in my life.

So this is my prayer: that I may cherish the time I spend with roses and make the time I spend with thorns more effective.

LiEP,
Michelle

Fall Getaway

I have to brag a little bit, but I personally believe that I have the best Bible study group ever. Not only does our B-Stud group call ourselves the Wolfpack, but we also had T-shirts made for us all to wear at Fall Getaway! We also are caring and love each other, hold each other accountable, encourage each other, understand where we stand in Christ and help each other with all the things we struggle with. We are a force to reckoned with. When I say my Bible study I also mean Sarah, Elizabeth, Hannah, Jordan, and Audrey. Not that the rest are useless but rather we are the movers and shakers of our b-stud. We are team leaders in Cru, we are  those that are leading others within our group, we are those that have a firm foundation in Christ and are actively bringing others to Christ. While I do think that the rest of our group are being great active Christians, I believe that the bonds I share with these five are the bonds that will go down in history. I can't brag enough on how awesome we are.
But back to fall getaway, I had an incredible time, but it was different from last year to this year. As a freshman not knowing many people it seemed like a bigger ordeal. I really did enjoy serving as a member of the greeter team and helping with registration but it did steal a little bit of the magic. I made so many friends, both freshman and those from Berea. I also have determined that I have a Cru crush. Even though it is an awkward situation, it will be ok. I have also learned that I still need to work on patience even with those that are believers. While even Sarah agrees that I have had exponential growth in this area, I still could use a lot of work. I've realized that God has placed so many people in my life to work on my patience in so many various ways. And I've decided that God will give me a husband that requires much patience... because the Lord is preparing me! But finally, I have also decided that I want to be in some form of ministry for the rest of my life. I have also determined that I must go back to Ireland. I have to see Dromoland and all its inhabitants and see how they're growing and the great work that is happening there! I have to have spiritual conversations with Yvonne and tell her God loves her and she needs to commit to something. I need to see Dave Foley and give him a hug and praise the Lord with him because he is now a born again believer. I have to go back. Some way. Some how. It will happen. I don't know how. But it will happen.

Liep,
Michelle Goda

P.S. - oh yeah, and I really wanna go to Encounter this year and meet my husband this winter.