Finances. Winter Term. Ecola.

It's that time of the year. Christmas Break. Since I am home I would like to give you all an update on the past eight weeks otherwise known as Fall Term. Wow. It is crazy to think how stubborn I was before applying to Ecola. Honestly Ecola was the last school I was going to apply to which is funny to think back to now. And actually recently a friend mentioned how I once told her I would never go to a Bible school. Ha and now look at me. My how things change. As I have grown closer to God, He has been changing my heart. I am glad He is the one in control of my life because my plans look nothing like the plans He has had for my life.

Seems just like yesterday my friend Sarah and I were getting lost in Portland on our way to Cannon Beach and barely making it in time for registration. That first night was acka-awkward. (Pitch Perfect anyone?) I remember being in a room that evening listening to the director of the school welcoming the 60 some students to Ecola. Flash forward to just a little over a week ago and we were all dreading saying goodbye to one another. It is pretty incredible how the Holy Spirit knit us all so close to one another in just a short eight weeks. Only something God could do. It is beautiful. I am missing everyone oh so much. January will bring along an oh so sweet reunion. 

In eight weeks God has brought healing, restoration, challenges, and a deeper desire to draw closer to Him into my life. I would not change anything. The classes this term are some I will forever treasure. Some weeks I was more intrigued than others. It was always a challenge to go into each week without comparing the previous teachers to the new ones. One week in particular I struggled and then I had a friend tell me something that changed my perspective it went a little something like this... some teachers are here to teach while others are here to just spark a curiosity within you to dig deeper. God has been teaching me new things left and right. I feel like a sponge just soaking up everything thrown at me. BUT here is the thing... at the end of this year I don't want to be that person who will try to talk all theological or want to start a debate. I desire to be the kind of person who takes Bible school as an opportunity to grow and learn and then apply it all to my life using what I have learned as tools along the way. The learning does not stop after Bible school. We should be so in love with God that it is strange when we are not allowing Him to be a part of each day of our lives.

I have a prayer request for you all. I currently don't know how I will be paying for the rest of my tuition for the year. So, if you could be praying that God will provide and more importantly that His will may be done. I am trying to muster up all the faith I have to trust Him with this whole financial aspect of life. It is hard though. Money is something so often talked about in the Bible. When it comes to our finances we so often want God to tangibly answer us right away. But He always seems to have a different plan. A better plan.

And if by chance God puts it on your heart to help support me with tuition please contact me.

I would like to end this post by encouraging you to take the time to read Hebrews 11 sometime this week.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:39,40