from the front porch

The weather is starting to change here in Northwest Arkansas. The mornings and evenings are cooler, and the highs during the day are only in the upper 80s/lower 90s (as opposed to 100+ during August). I have found a new favorite "productivity spot" - the front steps of our porch. During the day, I can even hear the clock bells from Old Main as they chime every hour. I feel so blessed to be living in such a fun house with wonderful roommates.



As many of you know, I am praying through my after-graduation plans. I am at such a unique position in my life right now - graduating college and having the freedom to go absolutely ANYWHERE in the entire world and do just about ANYTHING that I want! It is kind of overwhelming, but also really exciting. I feel that I have to trust the Lord more than I ever have before since I don't have a specific path towards grad school or a career or marriage (ah! how am I old enough for that to be happening to my peers??).

One of the options I am praying through is spending a year or two overseas on STINT with Campus Crusade, specifically in Thailand. Sharing that makes me nervous because then expectations are built, and God very well might change things and I won't end up in Thailand. Which I would be okay with - at this point, I am okay with wherever He takes me. However, I share it purposefully because I would love for you to join me in prayer for this. It would require a team of at least three or four other people, as well as raising support; pray that if God wants me there then He will provide whatever means necessary, but if He has other plans then He will close doors on Thailand and open them elsewhere.

This semester, I am taking "Introduction to Buddhism" - not so that I can argue with people, but so that I can understand culture and background just a little bit. (I had some extra non-major hours to fulfill, so I figured it seemed like a good use of my time. Plus another friend taking the class persuaded me.) Studying it continues to break my heart for these people. In one of my textbooks, the author states, "The goal of Buddhism is enlightenment and release of the self from a life of suffering, not union or relationship with a divinity [as in Christianity]" (Maguire, Essential Buddhism p. 71) after earlier saying that "nirvana can only be attained, and fruitless cravings extinguished, through one's own efforts" (p.44). Throughout the two books I have been reading, it continually discusses all of the things a Buddhist must do; the consequences of doing it the wrong way will affect your rebirth, so if you have already screwed up you have no hope - at least not in this life cycle.

I look at my own life and see so much dirt inside my heart. Sin is so inherent in me that I would be without hope as well, if I didn't serve such a gracious and merciful God. Salvation is in nothing I do because I could never attain it. My hope rests in the completed work of the cross. Praise God that it's not on our shoulders!

I would appreciate you joining me in prayer not simply for my future, but for people blinded by the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4). I am praying that He sends laborers into the fields (Matthew 9:37-38), and in praying that I want to be willing to go myself.

P.S. Here's a great picture of me and my roommates, taken before a 90s-themed birthday party (aka "what you would wear to your 3rd grade BFF's birthday party"):