live. laugh. love.

So the first part of orientation was this trip to the Northwoods of Michigan. Wow. the prettiest facility ever! would totally love to live there. :)

I got a lot of bonding time with a handful of the students... but the best time was definitely the bonding time i got with Jesus.

There are somethings i have been wrestling through and a few of them came to head this week through different things and i was really having a hard time. and i started praying about them. one of the days i took some time and just walked the airstrip praying... and i was kinda frustrated because the harder i tried to give these things to God, the more they bothered me. and finally Jesus was like, Nina, i know you are praying about these things... but even through that your focus is still not on me. you are still focusing on the problem.

I knew that was right. even though i wanted to give these things to God, i was still frustrated about them and distracted. the more i prayed the more distracted and frustrated i was. So i just began praising Jesus and reading the psalms back to him and thanking Him for who he is... and everything changed. i began praying psalm 119...

how blessed are those who observe his testimonies, who seek him with all their heart....

how can a young man keep his way pure? by keeping it according to your word. with all my heart i have sought you.....

this was really significant to me. and i realized that my heart was distracted and not seeking Jesus with EVERYTHING....and through some other passages, Jesus gently confirmed this was the case.

seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you. [mt6:33]

no one can serve two masters... [mt6:24]

It was very real to me that seeking Jesus with all my heart was the most important thing. and loving him... after all that is the greatest commandment... "love the Lord your God with all your heart... with all your soul... with all your mind." this is awesome. this is the main thing.

ive been reading through 1 cor... and Paul says, "I do all things for the sake of the Gospel." that is my new slogan. :) the gospel will be the center of my life. all else is peripheral. :) praise the Lord. THAT is what i learned at Journey. :)