Africa, Verses, and Girlyness

Africa Update: Up to the $655.00 mark. Talk about seeing God work in the process of raising money. My great-grandma who is in a retirement home showed my letter to her neigbors who decided to help me out. People I don't even know are sending donations. Talk about God having everything in His hands!
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26 NIV)
Talk about a verse which you can find freedom in. How much do I worry about grades and tuition money and future career and the desire to serve God in missions? Way too much. God has everything in His hands-even the animals. And when it really comes down to it, how much more does He care for us as human beings? A lot. I think I can stop worrying!

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
Satan and other enemies have set out to destroy, but God is turning it around. I get up and fight and use that attack against me to glorify Him. Last night at Bible study, we were talking about battles. Sometimes I get up in the morning, not ready for the day. I wonder what battles might come up and I feel discouraged. But I'm forgetting who I have on my side. Duh! :) Jesus is on my side of the war, and when I wake up in the morning and remember that, I think Satan becomes a very fearful being.

I was just thinking about the whole bridesmaid thing today. And I thought, "OH MY GOSH! I WILL BE WEARING A DRESS AND MAKEUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!". So, if you are new to my blog or just don't really know me, you won't get what I am saying. I'll attempt to put it into perspective for you. Last time I wore a skirt was at graduation in May, because I was forced to by a dress code. Before that was camp, um, three years ago for another picture dress code. As far as a dress goes....I was probably seven last time I wore one. Oh, except for that time I was co-erced into wearing one when I was hanging out with some friends and some crazy person thought it would be "fun" to try on prom dresses.
Makeup next. I never wear it. My parents let me start wearing it when I was sixteen. Since then I can probably count the number of times I have put it on with one hand. I found out it was nothing special. The last time someone put on my makeup, it was bad. Again, I was forced into it by a crazy person who thought it would be "fun". My eye started having spasms. Dude, why do girls stick pencils on their eyeballs? Come to think of it, these days I guess guys do it also. It hurts! Anyway, my eye was wacking out so much I ended up looking like a raccoon. So, all that preface to say I can't believe I am going to be wearing a dress and makeup in a wedding.
Now after the preface and exclamation comes a disclaimer: Once again, my sarcastic nature comes out. I am not seriously worried or bummed or irritated about being girly for a day. As a matter of fact, I am excited to "dress up" for a day. I've never actually worn a nice dress. I love my friend, M****** who is getting married, and I would wear a dress every day for her if it really meant a lot to her....As long as I could wear some jeans and chuck taylors underneath. :)