Unfortunate Mishap...

So. I had a fairly nice camera, a Canon something or other that had pretty neat features and settings. And over outreach in Guatemala, I learned how to use it and what most of the settings were for.

The weekend that I got back, my purse and all of its contents (including my camera) were soaked in brake fluid...

Alas, my camera is ruined. I don't think that it's still under warranty, since I've had it for three years. The lens won't even open. it's really sad.

So! If you hear of someone who's selling a fairly nice camera for cheap, or upgrading their camera and needing someone to take the old one off of their hands, please let me know! I would like to be able to take pictures so I can communicate better with you, since you're not here with me. Thanks! :)

Love you!

Justine

Huge Update! :)

Sorry for the long wait, ya'll :)

This past week of class was Financial Seminar. We learned the biblical basis on why it's okay for missionaries to ask for money and how to best go about that... we are to view it as "friend-raising" instead of fundraising. It was a very insightful week... God really spoke to me about tithing and really holding the money he gives me with an open hand...ready to give it when he asks.

Anyway, really busy, full week.

Last weekend I helped staff a mini SST (this used to stand for Summer of Service in Training, and now we just use the acronym... it's not called that anymore :D). It was really neat! I had the chance to get a taste of what I'll be doing this summer for my outreach, and I didn't really hate it, so I'm encouraged! It's going to be a good summer!

Maybe you're thinking, "wait... I thought she was going to Germany for outreach." well... I thought that too. But I realized that I hadn't actually taken time to ask God where he wanted me to go.

When I got back to the base here in Texas, I just felt uneasy about going to Germany, and then I heard that there were only 3 girls helping staff SSTs... so I thought I would take a little time to talk to God about it.

I had a little time of worship by myself, and then I just felt peace... that I knew that no matter where I decided to go for outreach, God would use me and provide for me, and it would all work out. I was outside, and as I began to look around at the ponds and sunshine and trees, I got more and more excited about being in Texas for the whole summer.

One of the many ponds on the base :)

Okay, here's the important part. Bear with me, because maybe you won't think this makes a whole lot of sense, or that it's a very solid reason to change my outreach, but I have to tell you... I *know* God spoke to me.

So I was sitting on cement that's got all of these little rocks in it, and there were two dark rocks, one closer to me than the other. And as I looked at them, I started to think that the one furthest from me could be a penny. It looked like maybe it was... calcified? or something... there was that white/teal stuff on it... in the shape of a head, i thought.

So I was thinking, okay. this is what we'll do. If it's heads, I'm going to Germany. If it's tails, I'll staff SSTs. And if it's a rock, then I'm a moron and I'm done with this whole thing. And I stopped and asked God if it was okay, and he said yes.
So... I walked closer, and it *was* a penny. and it was definitely tails up. So I flipped it over to look at the other side, and the whole other side was completely white, so you couldn't even see the head! :)

So... I'm going to staff SSTs. :)  And I'm actually really excited about it! I really enjoy working with youth. Rightly so, since my major in college is Youth Ministry :) And I love being able to speak into their lives and share my life with them and encourage them, because High school and Middle school can really suck. And I've had really bad experiences every time I went to camp, so I want to be moral support for those kids! :) haha.

So... I think we're up to speed now :) If there's anything that I forgot to cover, or something you would like me to write about/you're curious about, shoot me a message or an email or something...

Praying for you as I fall asleep... may God bless you this coming week!

Justine

So much!!!!

Hello Everyone!
Long time, no post... I know. very sorry... it's been quite busy here lately...
Quick updates that I will get into later hopefully:

- I received a very generous gift toward my school, which was totally led by the Lord! Thanks to everyone who is praying and supporting... you are all amazing! I'm so grateful that God has blessed me with you!

- I have changed my outreach... I'm going to staff the SST's this summer (high school summer camp program). We will be leading the students through a very condensed mini-DTS, and an outreach phase, which will be to Chicago, Houston, or Haiti. (I'll try to write about how God spoke to me about this change next week sometime...).

- I'm helping staff a mini-SST for a youth group this weekend, which is why i'm so pressed for time right now  :) I have to pack still, and i have class in 15 minutes... haha :)


Well, more later! But I wanted to write a quick overview so everyone knew what was going on! Love you all!

Justine