To Do:

Today in chapters 3-4, I read on the legacy of men serving at Arkansas and Ole Miss. But the more effective chapter that I was able to draw from was chapter 4, concerning what Jenkins would consider to be wise decisions. If acting out on these things it will provide for much more effective ministry:

• Live in your chapter's housing/be available
• Pick your battles/ don't be involved in anything and everything
• Take them with you/ to bible studies, to church, to anything
• Don't take on other letters/ give your chapter your time
• Sharing Christ with pledges/ dividing up your pledge class and sharing Christ with a chosen few
• Being faithful to Bible studies/ have people know who you are completely & truthfully
• Consider to not get too serious in your dating/ relationships can distract you
• Get involved in a local campus ministry/ great materials & references
• Attend a local church faithfully
• Build friendships with non-believers/

"I once heard a Baptist preacher say that if all there was to life was comin to know Christ ad waiting for heaven, then when we were baptized we should just ask the preacher to hold our head under the water. This was a humorous but true indictment against Christinas who form a 'holy huddle' and do nothing to reach out to the lost around them."

• Don't just lead by example/ actively share the Gospel
• Making Christ Lord of your life

Let this be my prayer: I want to be one of those people the Lord strongly supports. I want to be living my life in such a way that when God wants to use someone to accomplish something big, He will use me.

Liep,
Goda

Something New

So today I started my next devotional. Even though I have one my discipler Molli and I will be doing for the rest of the break covering the Holy Spirit. But for now I'm thoroughly enjoying this book called, "Leaving a Legacy for Christ in your Fraternity or Sorority." And it covers exactly that. It's to encourage those that are in and out of the Greek system and encouraging them to begin ministry there no matter what. Because Greeks are the key to affecting an entire campus. Due to our heavy involvement in everything on campus, our nationwide sisterhood, our involvement with non-Believers, and our strong sisterhood within ourselves; we are the vital key to starting something legendary. Leaving a legacy in your chapter isn't hard. We hold traditions in everything. The way we conduct meeting, who we party with, what we do on Homecoming. Whatever it is, we have a purpose or a tradition behind it. I cannot wait to get into this book and truly learn from it. No doubt it will be a good read, but I hope that  I will be able to grow and act on everything I've learned from it. I was so excited when Elizabeth told me she had a gift for me. Turns out it was this book from her friend Angela from NC, she had gone to China with Elizabeth last summer. She happens to be a Sigma Sigma Sigma at a small university. But it was really neat to hear how hard she works to minister to her chapter. It was encouraging and convicting. Because I feel that yes, Molli and I have been working hard within our own chapter to spread the Word, but there's so much more we can do. There are so many other chapters that need the Gospel. For example, one of my best friends that is a Theta came and talked to me one night and told me she thought I had it all together when it comes to my relationship with God. I have to say I know my eyes got big! But I told her nothing beats Christian community, which I'm not always able to find within Alpha Gam, but I can find it within my Bible study and a select few in my chapter. Taylor can't find that in Theta. She has maybe one friend that will talk about Godly things with her. So creating a Christian community between all believing Greeks is something that I would absolutely love to work on. But for now I'm going to continue to pray for a huge revolution within Alpha Gam. I want hearts to be changed and committed to Christ. I'm going to be praying for that every day. I believe in the awesome power of prayer, so I'm going to utilize it.

Liep,
Goda

This past semester

So a lot has happened. Too much to fit in one post. But I've determined that I will post every day over winter break... starting today. I mean I got off Friday, but it's Monday and who cares. When's a better time than now? I'm glad I'm on break. These last two weeks have been hell. Hell on my heart & mind. I lost a friendship due to a stupid drunken mistake I made last semester. I'm so sorry for what I did, but I'm also really disappointed in the fact that she would chose this guy over me. She can't give up on him and it's so frustrating to watch. But I can't blame her for being mad at me, but her giving up on our friendship and not willing to listen to me explain or apologize in person  isn't worth my time. It isn't worth me exhausting all my emotion and energy on gaining her friendship back. I went about seeking her forgiveness biblically and appropriately, as according to all the lessons I had learned in the past. But it was hell on my mind too, as my tweet said: "5 exams. 4 days. 1 brain. These do not add up." It was really tough, but I fixed a grade, won back a better grade, and maintained overall a pretty great GPA. I'm not happy with the way my grades turned out. Honestly, I'm really disappointed in myself. I can't believe I let my grades slip this much. I realize it was only one C, but there were too many B's and not enough A's. Ugh. Oh well, I guess some people would call this motivation to do better. I definitely agree with this. I will do better next semester. I will also do better with my bible study, all of my VP positions, and especially my grades. I just hope I can actually do that. But in better news, I got my summer internship! I will be working with the Mid Atlantic PGA Section in the Junior Golf Tournament Administration. I killed the phone interview and got a call back two days later and accepted the job on he spot. I could not be more excited, especially when I get a text from another junior PGMer that applied for the same job saying he didn't get it. Quite funny, especially when he's incredibly attractive and probably better qualified than me. But I'm so glad I got it, but I found out that they took three ladies. Which is great, but this could mean they'll either be my best friends or worst enemies. We'll just have to wait and see. I completed all of my finals. It was tough but I got er done! The worst part of finals weeks was completing the Greek Life Standards of Excellence, which included a two inch binder documenting anything and everything philanthropy and community service our chapter has done. It wasn't easy, I even had to stay an extra day but I got it done. So I ended the semester on a high note. I'm glad I'm home. I've already worked out once, done some DIY stuff, and turned in my car to get tommy fixed. Lordwilling it will be soon. So I'm without a car and I should get more done. Speaking of which I really need to work on philanthropy hours. So I'll get back to you soon.
LiEP,
Goda

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.

XII XII

This is the tattoo I hope to get. It is the duplicated roman numeral for twelve. This is to represent Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be constant in prayer, and be patient in tribulation." This is a verse where I have found accountability and strength in my daily walk in Christ. Also, with it being a roman numeral and not necessarily a fish symbol or a cross, should I chose to cross international borders I can use the tattoo as a witnessing tool without being red flagged for being an unwanted missionary. I hope to get it on my left wrist before the semester is over... but we'll see.