Once again it's that time of year. The school year is coming to an end and lots of exciting things are happening. I've also been taking the time to once again reflect on this past school year. This post is going to be yet another life update and reflection (and maybe a little inspiration). So get cozy, grab a cup of coffee, and read on.
Life Update: This May I will be walking in graduation at Grace. However, I won't finish my undergrad under December this year. I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to walk early and be alongside most of my friends who are graduating in May. Many of my friends are eagerly counting down until Graduation, yet I don't feel like it's a huge deal yet because I'm not going to be done in May.
The day of graduation, I will be moving into my on-campus apartment for the summer! I'm so excited for the chance to stay in Winona Lake this summer. I will continue to work in Student Affairs on campus, take some summer classes, and do some internship work with SMM (Sisters Mentoring with a Mission).
BUT before I get to start all of that, the Monday after graduation I'll be hopping on a plane with 20 other students/staff members from Grace to Italy and Greece for 10 days. I'm so excited to live out this dream and experience a new culture, new food, old art, and create new memories.
(If you would like to contribute to my trip click here. Thank you in advance!) (:
In the fall, I will finish out my undergrad career living in Alpha (Alpha for life) and also be starting classes towards my master's degree. I will be pursuing a Masters in Local Church Ministry with a Women's Leadership Concentration. I'm so excited and blessed for this opportunity as well, to further my education and work towards something I'm truly passionate about. As of now, I will finish my Masters in Fall 2020.
Reflection of Junior/Senior Year: Wow, what a year it's been. When I compare the person I am today to the person I was this past August, I see such a difference. This year has been full of hardships (losing loved ones, heartbreak, difficult times with friends, time management, finally getting my license) but so much growth as well. I've been able to gain more experience that will benefit my career/ministry experience. I've also been able to continue to grow personally and in my faith.
Some things I've learned include:
- It really is ok to not be ok.
- There's a balance of taking care of yourself and taking care of others. (It's a tricking one I'm still working on)
- God uses your struggles and everything happens for a reason. (I've known this one but learned it again this past year)
- I'm a lot stronger than I think, especially when I rely on God for my strength and give Him the things I'm struggling with.
- There's truly nothing like God's grace. (or God's love. or God in general, just like wow, praise Him!)
- Even when you feel alone, someone will always be there for you.
- Listening is huge in communication.
- You can't go through life alone.
- You can't influence everyone in ministry. Everyone is different and takes things in different ways.
- You get what you put in.
And I could keep going on and on...
I'm excited about the next stages of my life but also nervous. New changes can be scary but it's important to remember the people who are always by your side and that we have such an awesome God on our team. Below are some pictures of people (not all are pictured in some group shots) who've helped me along the way this year and verses that have been impactful.
My amazing family
My Bible study ladies
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. - 2 Corinthians 4:16
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24
The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. - Psalm 9:1
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. - Hosea 6:3
Life Update: This May I will be walking in graduation at Grace. However, I won't finish my undergrad under December this year. I'm so thankful I have the opportunity to walk early and be alongside most of my friends who are graduating in May. Many of my friends are eagerly counting down until Graduation, yet I don't feel like it's a huge deal yet because I'm not going to be done in May.
The day of graduation, I will be moving into my on-campus apartment for the summer! I'm so excited for the chance to stay in Winona Lake this summer. I will continue to work in Student Affairs on campus, take some summer classes, and do some internship work with SMM (Sisters Mentoring with a Mission).
BUT before I get to start all of that, the Monday after graduation I'll be hopping on a plane with 20 other students/staff members from Grace to Italy and Greece for 10 days. I'm so excited to live out this dream and experience a new culture, new food, old art, and create new memories.
(If you would like to contribute to my trip click here. Thank you in advance!) (:
In the fall, I will finish out my undergrad career living in Alpha (Alpha for life) and also be starting classes towards my master's degree. I will be pursuing a Masters in Local Church Ministry with a Women's Leadership Concentration. I'm so excited and blessed for this opportunity as well, to further my education and work towards something I'm truly passionate about. As of now, I will finish my Masters in Fall 2020.
Reflection of Junior/Senior Year: Wow, what a year it's been. When I compare the person I am today to the person I was this past August, I see such a difference. This year has been full of hardships (losing loved ones, heartbreak, difficult times with friends, time management, finally getting my license) but so much growth as well. I've been able to gain more experience that will benefit my career/ministry experience. I've also been able to continue to grow personally and in my faith.
Some things I've learned include:
- It really is ok to not be ok.
- There's a balance of taking care of yourself and taking care of others. (It's a tricking one I'm still working on)
- God uses your struggles and everything happens for a reason. (I've known this one but learned it again this past year)
- I'm a lot stronger than I think, especially when I rely on God for my strength and give Him the things I'm struggling with.
- There's truly nothing like God's grace. (or God's love. or God in general, just like wow, praise Him!)
- Even when you feel alone, someone will always be there for you.
- Listening is huge in communication.
- You can't go through life alone.
- You can't influence everyone in ministry. Everyone is different and takes things in different ways.
- You get what you put in.
And I could keep going on and on...
I'm excited about the next stages of my life but also nervous. New changes can be scary but it's important to remember the people who are always by your side and that we have such an awesome God on our team. Below are some pictures of people (not all are pictured in some group shots) who've helped me along the way this year and verses that have been impactful.
My amazing family
My church family
(left)
My amazing friends
(right)
My Bible study ladies
(left)
My SMM girls- and the leaders too
(right)
My wonderful Mentor, Mallery
(left)
The amazing people I work
with, in Student affairs (right)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. - 1 Thessalonians 5:24
The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. - Psalm 9:1
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth. - Hosea 6:3
Keep dreaming,
e.k.
Hello Emily. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your pfofile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and about your interest in Christ. It was great to go through your your life update and the ietms you listed in your reflections of junior/ senior year. I have truly enjoyed going through your blog post and the last part of beautiful pictures of your amazing family,church family, your amazing friends, Bible studies ladies, Your SMM girls and the leaders too, your wonderful mentor, and the amazing people you work with. Great to see their radiant faces . I love getting connected with the people of God aroung the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I would love to meet them personally and get connected. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the borkenhearted. we also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. Looking at the pictures above in the blog post I would love to have some of you come to Mumbai to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure as you dare to dream it would be great experience if your dare to take a step by faith to go on a missions trip to a land of unknown. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. God willing I will be coming to the United States in the month of July 2019 and will be so glad to stop by your place and meet all those who all are interested in short term missions trip. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede
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