Challenges of the Heart

This week has passed by so fast! I've been so focussed on studying for tests that the days just flew! I'm not sure how I did on the tests this past week, but when I do I'll let ya know.

On Monday we had a really hard test (Ed Wharton) and I studied a lot for it and I was freaking out. At times during the test I would either stop breathing or breath very hard. I didn't know what to do with myself. lol. And the closer the time came for the test to be over, the more i couldn't think because of the pressure to finish quickly. It drove me crazy. When i finished I handed the test in, and as my grasp loosened and let the teacher take it, my body immediately felt limp and for some reason I felt like balling. It was the weirdest experience! I didn't cry, thank goodness, but I did seek out my friend that I pray with before each Ed Wharton test, and I just fell into her arms. It was quite humurous how worked up I got. I was so tense I could feel my ears burning and my face a shade of red.

Please pray for hurt in the group. Satan is really attacking us. One of the guy AIMers was throwing up on Tuesday, and so some girls took him to the ER and he had to have his appendix removed, but he's still in the hospital and he's not feeling much better yet. Our director broke his heel last week in a dirt bike accident and he had surgery today. There are at least four AIMers that are currently dealing with the affect of cancer in their families.
Tonight a few of us had a prayer setion for the ones dealing with cancer in their families. It was so awesome and very emotional. I was blown away by their humbleness and strength at the same time. They were strong enough to admit that they can't do this alone and humble enough to let God handle it. I was thinking about if it were my mom that had cancer...would I be as strong? Could I be that trusting in God? I hope so. I know that through all of this we will only grow stronger together, but that's not what Satan is aiming for, so please pray for our group that we can only build up from here. Thank you.

My Luke class has been challanging me to be honest with myself about my faults and pride and how I need to just let God have it all. Please pray that I can put past all of my bitterness and just give it to Him. It really affects me and I'm tired of it . I want to be like Christ...I want to be a peacemaker and shine love, not bitterness.

I'm becoming more comfortable in this group, and I'm being more myself. It's been hard considering I've always had my amazing twin around, so I've never really had to find my own identity. But while I'm searching for my identity that I want in Christ, I've realized that I don't need to be different from everyone, which is hard because that's what my generation is all about. Being different in tasts of music, politics, ect. But Paul says in 1 Cor. 9:22, "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." I need to strive to find similarities and love them for our differences. It's not easy and it's going to require sacrifices on my part, like possibly giving up my preference in a type of music or fashion, but that's what God has called me to do.

Lubbock is so flat (I'm not complaining, just stating a fact) so the rain water floods very fast. Since the roads are currently flooded, we have no school tomorrow! Yay! More time for homework and possibly sleeping in later. Thank you, Lord. :)

I'll be sending out newsletters soon! If i forget to send you one, will you please let me know (if you even want one) and I will be sure to not forget you again! :) And when you do inform me, please give me your email and address. Thanks!

Tomorrow a lot of us are wearing pink in honor of the ones that have cancer. One of my friend's mom is having surgery in the morning, so please pray for her and if you would like to join with us, wear pink! Thanks! Love you all! God bless!