Transitions

Transition is hard for a lot of people, to go to a new setting and environment with the unknown, not very easy. However God's been faithful and loving that every transition I've been through He's carried me through, He has been faithful.

As I prepare to depart from Colorado Springs to Montana for 5 months, I think back to all the times I've moved and changed locations. There was fear in those times, fear of the unknown and the uncertainties, however this time it's been different, its less about fear and more about excitement and joy!

I've officially made the decision to go to YWAM DTS this spring, starting in April. Just a few short weeks away. Its a bittersweet time, as I prepare to leave for 5 months. This times, there aren't so many lasts as firsts, because I plan on coming back, however, there are a lot of misses. Such as, missing my sisters graduation, missing my nephews coming for the summer, missing summer vacation, etc... the list goes on. But what I'm going to experience out of doing this DTS is going to be so much greater than missing those events. I am praying and anticipating for God's appearance and wisdom whilst there. The new friendships I'll make, the new memories. And may I add, the newness of living away from my parents for 5 months in a dorm.

It's all bittersweet, as any transition should be. Leaving behind my family, my lifestyle, friends, all hard, but I am looking forward to the new friendships, for the learning, the teachings. I am super stoked about what God is going to do in my life there, and how He is going show himself to me there. This makes me feel more at ease and peace with this transition.

God Bless

Changes

It's been a while since I've updated, reason be, I don't know how to put into words what's been going on this summer. In 5 days fall is officially here, but I already feel the season change. The changes in weather, the changes in trees and leaves. I never really liked fall, because it means the winter is coming, and I DO NOT LIKE WINTER!!! Although, got to say, photo opportunities in winter are the best!

Anyways, so what's been going on? I have a job at Sam's club, but I gave in notice and my last day is the 30th. It's for various reasons, physical issues and other stuff. But I feel really bad because I really enjoy the work I do, I love the people I'm working with. So it's kind of bittersweet moment.

I am not doing a DTS this fall, however I still plan on doing a DTS in Montana, and I may do a Winter DTS or Spring DTS. We will let God lead that path.

There's not too much change, but God's been really graceful and merciful with everything going on in our family and my personal life. I was meeting with someone today and she asked me what characteristics of God are pressing on me currently, grace and mercy came to mind. God's been carrying our family through the battle that we are fighting, through the trials, and even through the blessings He's so graciously has given to us. Mercy, I can't count how many times God's been so merciful to me, and I never can. God's constantly showing me mercy through everything. When things can get worse, when there could've been more pain, etc... God just has never brought heavy weight on me. It's grace and mercy combined, because I do deserve to suffer through constant pain and sufferings because I am a sinner. But as His daughter, he'll never 'beat myself to the ground' no matter how much I may deserve it, because He is such a loving Father.

Went on a rabbit trail there, but it's been on my heart, and it's a change and a season I've been going through.

Happy Fall everyone!
God Bless

19

19 and counting... Last Tuesday was my birthday and though it was a busy day, it was a great day! My sisters had to go to school before it started this week, and got their ID's and classes figured out. I had a job interview that day with King Soopers. But we went to a vietnamese restaurant up in Castle Rock, called Pho 777, highly recommend it for those in Colorado. Anyways, it was just a great time together with some of the family.

That week however, was busy. I had a job interview everyday that week, and... I finally have a job at Sam's Club!!!! Today and tomorrow are orientation, then training comes afterwards. It's been so exciting getting to see the associates interact with each other, and how they really put members first. Today during our orientation, we stopped to help a member get a mattress and that stuff. It was pretty cool!!

God has really blessed us. I had spent hours and weeks on my computer trying to apply to jobs, then call the individual places and get follow ups, different interviews and rejections. But, I got 3 job offers within a span of 4 days. He just multiplies his blessings over his children. What an awesome Father!!

God Bless

Untitled

I couldn't title this piece, because its about the past 4 years of high school, but also looking forward. So I guess you can title this, looking back; moving forward.

Anyways, the past 4 years, well more like 12 years of my life was dominated by school, obligations, homework, and etc... The past week has been different, I'm graduated and homework can't be used as an excuse, the first time in the past 12 years. What made it so great were my friends and the people that surrounded me.

To start, Highlander School, for pre-school. I don't remember preschool but I know that the teachers there in some way helped me grow. Covenant, that is a memory that will be stuck in my mind. I miss all my friends there, I barely keep in contact with them, but everyone has impacted my life and helped me grow. I was young there and I don't remember everything, but I do remember the people and what I learnt there (sort of). After that, Hope was the next school, but Cambodia and the move was in between those schools. Hope, there can be a whole book about how I felt about that school and everyone in it. I won't go into details because this whole blog started after joining Hope. But in between, there isn't too much about that. There was a lot that had happened between Covenant and Hope. Both sets of my grandparents are gone, my brother, and it may sound silly, but our dog, and our move to Cambodia. All this has helped build me to be who I am now. It helped me grow in Christ.

Now Rampart, the jump from Hope to Rampart was the most memorable because I was old enough to understand lost. I can't say enough how it hurt me or how sad I was, but I have actually been able to accept it. I made friends, some great people I see myself still being friends in the future. To reunite at our 10th year reunion and see how everyone has diverged or not. It was the hardest move, but it was the best move, thus far.

That was the past, but looking towards the future, its a mystery. God has plans for me and I've set plans for myself, but God's plans always trump. The future is unknown and I can't predict it, I can state what I want to happen, but it's pointless because God knows and I don't.

I will continue to update, the next series of my life here we come!

God Bless

Senior Events Week

This week has been crazy, a whole bunch of senior events that went on. Tuesday we had an IB DP pinning ceremony, pretty much the seniors pin the juniors to symbolize perseverance. The Juniors gave the seniors the stole we will have for graduation. It was so cool. Here are some pics:

One of my junior friends!!!

A couple of my good senior friends!

This is the junior I had pinned with Serah as they had to double up. 

More juniors!

Some junior guys!

Our Vice President Student Body

There was that on Tuesday, then a whole bunch of staying after school for help. But Friday is when it really got crazy. Friday Morning we had senior breakfast, then we had senior awards, then a torch assembly, where we as seniors pass down the torch as a symbol to passing down responsibility to the juniors. Then two 1hr classes, as oppose to 1hr 30min classes. Then after that, we had cap and gown distribution and year book distribution. It was pretty cool! 

Then last night (Saturday night) PROM!!!! I will be posting pictures on Facebook (if you are one of my friends) you'll be able to see it there, and I may post it here later. So the details for those interested: I went with a group to take photos at this beautiful resort, but it was 34F outside so it was pretty cold! We took photos for awhile, then went to dinner at noodles and company (pretty much 'fast food' for noodles) not too bad. Then we rode up to the prom at this ranch. Since it's been snowing, it was beautiful scenery, it truly was a winter wonderland. 

I kind of ditched that group when we got there, because we were already split anyways. So I hung out with a group of my junior friends, which was really fun! Got to bond with them over dancing lol! 

Anyways, after that, we have After Prom. It was probably the highlight of the whole night. So prom lasted till around 11-11:30 and After Prom went to around 4 am. After Prom was packed full of games and different activities to do. I stayed with that junior group and we mostly bowled all night. My fingers are pretty sore. We also played laser tag, and I might add I got 8th place out of 30. Then we did arcade games, mainly air hockey! Then they had these crazy prizes that I didn't win. But they were like, 32' TV's, $125 to Chipotle, Kindle Fire, Netbooks, Mini fridge, Microwave, iPods, and other really cool stuff. Sadly, didn't win anything. 

But as you can see it was a night pact full of fun! Here's a picture of the two people who stayed till the end! 

There were others in the group, but most of them left early. 

It's been a crazy week, and now I have exams to prepare for, they start tomorrow! Please pray for me! 

God Bless

Maggie Rhea