Monday, October 17, 2011

What Happens When I Only Have 2 Classes

I spent most of yesterday cleaning and cooking. For those that know me, this is in itself a miracle; however, it gets worse. The cleaning part wasn't just the normal shuffling of papers and doing laundry, I actually cleaned out my closet and my book shelves. In fact, after a few hours it became obvious that I could no longer easily move to another state with just 2 suitcases, like I did 5 years ago. How have I acquired so much stuff?!?!? I filed several bags full of clothes that I hated wearing but held on too just incase and (happily) a bag of clothes that now are several sizes too big. When I started in on my book collection I realized just how many books I have collected this past year. (Pretty sure I have 6 boxes of books in the storage shed in the backyard that I haven't looked at since moving in with Des and Aaron a year ago.) During small group last weekend we played 2 truths and a lie. One of my truths was that I'd spent over $750 on books bought from Amazon. After yesterday, I am convinced that is a low figure and if I don't get control of this addiction I will most likely out do myself next year. Especially since I have over 600 books on my wish list and added two more last night!

 You see I love reading, even worse than that, I love reading spiritual and personal growth books. While I've been in school these past 3 years my passion and commitment to reading has only grown by adding in business leadership and organization development books. One of the speakers in YWAM challenged us to try to read at least 2 books a month. One book in an area that you love learning about and another in an area you have no clue if you will like it or dislike. I can't say I've done this every month but I sure have tried. It's hard to fit in 2 extra books when you have 4 text books (500-700 pages) to read in 12-18 weeks 4 times a year. This is probably why I've titled this blog "What Happens When I Only Have 2 Classes." In the past 4 weeks I've read 3 books and am about to finish up my 4th. Having 2 classes (one of them math) has given me so much free time at night that I find it easy to stay up until 1 or 2 consumed by a book, much more exciting than trying to keep my eyes open as I study PMBOK theories and practices (project management stuff) or different laws that effect both non-profit and for profit business in Business Law 1 and 2.

So with all this extra time... I have read 2 books by Henri Nouwen and a book by Bill Johnson called Dreaming with God. And I am currently reading a book by Brene Brown on how to deal with my tendency to be a perfectionist. (More to come on this book in a later blog) Dreaming with God was recommended to me a few weeks back at just the right moment by a very influential person in my life. Funny how God uses others to speak directly into a situation that we seem unable to hear Him clearly on. This book has completely transformed my life and given me a passion for what my role is within the Kingdom of God. After graduating high school I thought I had the world figured out. Changing my major three billion times and being put on academic probation for the first time lead to my naive assumptions being dashed to pieces. I had no clue what I wanted to study, let a lone do with my whole life and at 20 years old I thought I had to figure it out.

So I packed my stuff and joined YWAM. After three years of learning how big the world really was and how God wanted me to spend my whole life passionately pursuing Him rather than my own selfish ambitions I decided to head back to school to get an education. Education is huge over seas, especially in middle eastern countries and having a degree can open so many doors for people trying to ministry in this area. At 23 I knew exactly what I wanted to at least study but not how I would practically use that education once achieved. I was good at coordinating and administrating events, loved planning and brainstorming, and can still see how God is using business men and women to spread His glory. Project Management seemed to encompass all of these things and going to Colorado Technical University seemed to just fall into place. Plus, when you add working for WAY-FM, where I was surrounded by men and women that constantly encouraged me and helped me to see what it meant to actually be a business women. (Although, being a receptionist may not have been fort-ay, I learned how to master setting up three way calls and conferences by only hanging up on people over and over again for 4 months. So grateful for grace!) Now after developing business skills and having three years of experiences in the business world, I still see how important it is to have men and women in this sphere of our society influencing others with God's truths.

We need accountants, marketers, IT guys, HR people, Vice-Presidents, COO's, CEO's, and board members that are willing to enter into the darkness and shine the true light. I've been so honored to work alongside the people at WAY-FM because I can honestly say I have seen their hearts to love and follow Jesus no matter what the sacrifice. Each one of them has shown me how exciting life can be when you take risks and trust God to provide and lead you. So, at 26 years old I can't say I know the plan or have figured it out, but I can tell those that are younger not to worry. God's got this. And I have begun to see the value of seeking wisdom and advice from those that have already experienced life in their 20's. We are all in this together and if we take the time to share our lives, our experiences (successes and failures), our hopes and dreams with each other I know for certain God will continue to bless us and allow us to be refined for His glory. We can't hinder truth from advancing and conquering the darkness. So as we live this life it is my prayer that each of us would trust and believe in God's wisdom, strength and ability to place specific dreams and visions on each of our hearts and that we would all relentlessly pursue Him.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen
Amazed by Grace,
Brandy

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Map of where I have traveled.