WEEK ONE. 1/11 - 1/17 the nature and character of God

Hey everyone!

This first week has been super exciting and just enjoyable overall! (:

Autumn, Me, Jana on the way to the beach

Our speaker for this week was Derek Schoenhoff and he spoke on the nature and character of God.  The nature of God is his fundamental qualities, such as being omnipresent, all-knowing, things that we cannot attain.  But his characteristics are distinguishing traits that we can strive for, such as being loving, forgiving, uplifting, comforting, and a light to the world.

There was one point in which Derek was explaining how God wants to have a personal relationship with us.  He told us to close our eyes and imagine God asking to play with us, as a father would.  I started to imagine it but, I was feeling such strong emotions that I quickly pushed Him away.

everyone on base loves
the pizza my heart shirt

Later, Derek said "God is always there for us, but we are not always there for him." It hit me hard, but it encouraged me to encounter Jesus, the joy and peace that he has for me, in every moment.

Monday night was ministry night, a time we spent in the prayer room, just singing out praises to Him.  It was that night when He just filled me with true joy and happiness.  God was so faithful, and he set up everything so perfectly for me.   Maybe it sounds, cliché but he actually has a plan.  I'm so thankful to be learning and growing in Hawaii.  I've been blessed with wonderful friends here, and just a great environment to live in. 

twizzlers mustaches. no big deal (:

Tuesday we had family group, so everyone in our school, 47 students, got to share a little bit of their stories.  It was a good way to get to know a little bit more about everyone.  The staff shared their testimonies on Monday.  Hearing all their stories was great because each one was so different, and it helped the students relate to the staffers like, "Hey, that's kinda like my story..." or "I've felt that way too."  I dunno, it was just a nice thing to hear.  Shout out to the Engage staff.  I love them (:

Thursday and Friday we had our first WORK DUTY.  I got kitchen duty.  It's pretty fun, but so so so hot in the kitchen.  I enjoy serving people the most, but a lot of them don't speak English so it can be a little challenging at times... at least we can all communicate through smiles!

On Friday Derek talked about how importance forgiveness is to our hearts.  How forgiveness results in change and action.  We did this one exercise where we wrote down all the names of people who we felt that we needed to forgive.  And I found that the hardest person to forgive was myself.  In every situation where I needed to forgive someone, I was at fault to.  We went down to a bonfire and threw our papers into the fire.  I have done this kind of exercise many times before, but this time Bailey, a friend from my DTS, said that the hardest part for her was forgiving herself too, and she continued "but I don't need to forgive myself, because Jesus already has."  I let Jesus forgive me.  Shout out to Jesus.  Filling me with joy 24/7 <3

I feel like God has been giving me a word for every week, and this first week, I believe he gave me the word faithfulness.  In everything that he has done, he has showed me his faithfulness.  I didn't know that I was supposed to go to UofN, but I'm here now and it feels so right.  He honestly knows what's best for me, it's so cool.

I don't know exactly why I'm at UofN either, but I know I want to fall in love with my Father.  I'm excited to see what He has in store for our journey <3



sunset on the way to family time

Thanks again to everyone who's been supporting me!  I got to come to Kona completely funded for my lecture portion, thanks to all of the support.  As for outreach, I still need my funds.  My first deposit of $2,500 is due on Friday the 6th of February.  I could really use anyone's help if they have it in their heart to support me.

Also, feel free to check out my Etsy shop!   https://www.etsy.com/shop/claudiasanborn (:

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

Lecture Funds: 4235.00 /4235.00 !!!
Outreach Funds: 100 / 4000-6000
Total Funded: $4335.00