Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's already here! I am at Taylor right now, anxiously awaiting my flight to Ireland! Tomorrow we are leaving around 3 for Chicago, spending the night there, then heading for Ireland on Friday! We leave around 4:45pm! Oh my word, it's already here! I am super excited! I am trying to get everything done before I leave but I wanted to give you all my address in case anyone is interested. Here it is:
Michelle Cravens
An Tobar Nua
25-27 Lower Dominick Street
Galway, Ireland
Fill free to e-mail, leave comments on this blog or on my picture website, or snail mail me while I'm in Ireland! I'd love to hear from all of you! And please keep me in your prayers! I can't wait to start sharing my adventure with you all! God bless!
-Michelle =)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Summer's Almost Over =(
I can't believe it! This summer has flown by so fast! This whole year has flown by so fast! It's crazy! Anyway, I just want to give everybody a head's up of what's going down in the next couple of weeks. I leave for Indiana this Friday or Saturday and will be up there for about a week to take a prep class. Then, on Friday the 31st, I leave for Ireland! We head out about 6:45pm and will probably get there about 3 in the morning our time. (however, it'd be about 7am their time!) And my luck, they will probably make us stay awake all day so we can get used to the time change. It sucks but it totally works cause that's what I did the last time I went to Ireland. Oh gosh, it was aweful, I'll never forget it! We got there and they were like no sleeping till like 6 or 7pm. And so to keep us awake they made us go on a scavenger hunt all over Dublin! I was so frustrated (and tired) but it actually was a good thing because I got to know my way around Dublin and figure out where everything was! Ha! But man, when I went to sleep that night, it was the best thing ever! I think all of us could have skipped dinner that night. We just wanted to sleep!
Ha, anyway, I'll be in Lexington for the rest of this week trying to pack up, see friends before I leave, and read a history book about Ireland! So much to do and so little time, but I'll get it done! Anyway, please just keep me in your prayers. Pray that God would continue preparing my heart for what He's going to teach me in Ireland and for the work He is doing over there. I want to find where God's heart is at and the work He's doing over there and partner with Him. It's going to be awesome!! Only 11 days away now!! AHHH!! Okay, I'll try to post again before I leave! Lots of love!
~Meeshie~
Ha, anyway, I'll be in Lexington for the rest of this week trying to pack up, see friends before I leave, and read a history book about Ireland! So much to do and so little time, but I'll get it done! Anyway, please just keep me in your prayers. Pray that God would continue preparing my heart for what He's going to teach me in Ireland and for the work He is doing over there. I want to find where God's heart is at and the work He's doing over there and partner with Him. It's going to be awesome!! Only 11 days away now!! AHHH!! Okay, I'll try to post again before I leave! Lots of love!
~Meeshie~
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Holy Spirit Rain Down!
"Lord Jesus, I am thirsty for the fullness of Your Holy Spirit. I present my body to You as a temple, and my members as instruments of righteousness, especially my tongue, the member I cannot tame. Fill me, I pray, and let Your Holy Spirit flow through my lips in rivers of praise and worship!" -In Jesus Name, AMEN!
Wow, God is GREAT! Things have been tough for me for the past couple of weeks, but God is working in my life. James and I are taking a break from our relationship. We both have so much to learn and so much for God to teach us both. We both just had a peace about it and feel like this is what the Lord wants us to do. So we are taking time apart. I don't know if it's God's will to be back together. I do hope we will be because he is my best friend and I love him and care for him very much, but I also want God's best for my life and for his. The best place for us to be is in the center of God's will and His plan for our lives. And if we're not in that, then we need to move to where God's at. However, that's not the easiest thing (even though it's the best). And as you can see from my previous post, God has been teaching me over and over again about trust. It's so hard, but so amazing when we finally do it.
Right now, I know I am where God wants me to be. He is refining me, shaping me, drawing me to Himself. And oh how sweet it is! I had been struggling a lot and the only place that seemed to bring comfort was in God's Word and in His presence. I really have just been trying to focus my time in on Him and seek His face. I want to come back to my first love, which is Jesus. I want to fall madly in love with Him so that He is all I need. It's been incredible to see how He really truly has been there and carried me every step of the way.
My pastor's been talking a lot about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and I just went up because I wanted it. I wanted more of Jesus and more of Him to fill and overflow my life. So I went and God just touched my heart. I went up for prayer at church and He just showed up! I am learning just to release and believe in faith. And it's incredible!! God's power flowing through me. His Holy Spirit over my life! I want Him to lead me where I'm to go and show me where He's working. I want more of it and more of God! It's like I'm in a whole new ball game, a deeper level with God. I have been learning so much and been realizing how important that personal time with the Lord really is. It's in the secret place with God where intimacy with Him comes. He meets us where we're at, loves us, comforts us, speaks to us. And He's always there! It's like this quote I found the other day, "God knows the rhythm of my spirit and knows my heart's thoughts. He is as close as breathing." -author unknown. Wow, isn't that incredible?!?! He is right there all the time, that close to us!! I really wish I could express to you in full on this blog what God is doing in my life but I can't. I just hope what little I can express will show you and encourage you of God's goodness and faithfulness. His promises really are true. It's not easy though, believe me. I still have very difficult times and ask why things have happened the way they have. I know I will probably continue to struggle but my goal is to continually keep my eyes on Jesus (that's something James always encouraged me to do while he was on the mission field). When my eyes are on Him, all is well and good because I am trusting Him. He is in control in the present and with the future! Praise God!!
Psalm 63:1-5
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
Wow, God is GREAT! Things have been tough for me for the past couple of weeks, but God is working in my life. James and I are taking a break from our relationship. We both have so much to learn and so much for God to teach us both. We both just had a peace about it and feel like this is what the Lord wants us to do. So we are taking time apart. I don't know if it's God's will to be back together. I do hope we will be because he is my best friend and I love him and care for him very much, but I also want God's best for my life and for his. The best place for us to be is in the center of God's will and His plan for our lives. And if we're not in that, then we need to move to where God's at. However, that's not the easiest thing (even though it's the best). And as you can see from my previous post, God has been teaching me over and over again about trust. It's so hard, but so amazing when we finally do it.
Right now, I know I am where God wants me to be. He is refining me, shaping me, drawing me to Himself. And oh how sweet it is! I had been struggling a lot and the only place that seemed to bring comfort was in God's Word and in His presence. I really have just been trying to focus my time in on Him and seek His face. I want to come back to my first love, which is Jesus. I want to fall madly in love with Him so that He is all I need. It's been incredible to see how He really truly has been there and carried me every step of the way.
My pastor's been talking a lot about being baptized in the Holy Spirit and I just went up because I wanted it. I wanted more of Jesus and more of Him to fill and overflow my life. So I went and God just touched my heart. I went up for prayer at church and He just showed up! I am learning just to release and believe in faith. And it's incredible!! God's power flowing through me. His Holy Spirit over my life! I want Him to lead me where I'm to go and show me where He's working. I want more of it and more of God! It's like I'm in a whole new ball game, a deeper level with God. I have been learning so much and been realizing how important that personal time with the Lord really is. It's in the secret place with God where intimacy with Him comes. He meets us where we're at, loves us, comforts us, speaks to us. And He's always there! It's like this quote I found the other day, "God knows the rhythm of my spirit and knows my heart's thoughts. He is as close as breathing." -author unknown. Wow, isn't that incredible?!?! He is right there all the time, that close to us!! I really wish I could express to you in full on this blog what God is doing in my life but I can't. I just hope what little I can express will show you and encourage you of God's goodness and faithfulness. His promises really are true. It's not easy though, believe me. I still have very difficult times and ask why things have happened the way they have. I know I will probably continue to struggle but my goal is to continually keep my eyes on Jesus (that's something James always encouraged me to do while he was on the mission field). When my eyes are on Him, all is well and good because I am trusting Him. He is in control in the present and with the future! Praise God!!
Psalm 63:1-5
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you."
Monday, July 30, 2007
Trust: Why is it So Hard?
Sometimes trusting is the hardest thing ever to do. Ever since I've been home for the summer, I've been trying to really get my priorities straight, with God as the most important thing in my life. And it seems like just about every time I have been reading in my Bible, I have come across His promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. Seriously though, I will read in the Psalms and come across a verse that talks about how God is always there and will never leave us. And about every time that I find it, I underline it and make sure to write in that it's God's promise to us. Because when we know that He's always going to be there, then all we need to do it trust in Him. That is something He's been trying to teach me over the past month since I've been home. I need to just trust Him and let go. But it's so hard. I don't know why. I guess it's because I want to have control of every situation. I seem to feel so much better that way. When I have control, I seem to think I know what all is going on and I don't need to worry. But I really can't control anything and it just leaves me being even more anxious. I talked to Jennie tonight and she has struggled with the same stuff. She made a good statement and is so right: "It's bondage." But the freedom that comes from letting go of it is incredible because seriously, all we have to do is trust. So that's what I'm trying to work on right now. I just need to trust Jesus. His way is best. He always wants what's best for me and for everyone else. So I guess the question is why not trust Him? I just ask that you please keep me in your prayers right now. I'm struggling so much and just need God's direction in my life.
And by the way, a really good movie to watch is Diary of a Mad Black Woman (by Tyler Perry). It is incredible and I highly recommend it. I watched it for the 3rd time tonight and would really like to watch it again but I have to work in the morning. Maybe I'll watch it again tomorrow. It's just amazing. Incredible themes and story line! Okay, goodnight all! =)
"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. " -Psalm 28:6-7
And by the way, a really good movie to watch is Diary of a Mad Black Woman (by Tyler Perry). It is incredible and I highly recommend it. I watched it for the 3rd time tonight and would really like to watch it again but I have to work in the morning. Maybe I'll watch it again tomorrow. It's just amazing. Incredible themes and story line! Okay, goodnight all! =)
"Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. " -Psalm 28:6-7
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Commisions, Weddings, and a Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
Well hello, it's been a while since I have written on here. Where to start. Let's see, I started working at Holifield Photography a few weeks ago. Things are going well, just staying busy making phone calls out to the high school seniors in my city. We are the official photographer of the 5 main public county schools for their yearbook pictures and are trying to get them to come in and do other sessions with us for their senior pics. So my boss wants us to call out and do a telemarketing type thing with them. We are offering 5 different types of sessions and we can earn commission on 4 of the 5 which is really nice but it's hard calling people and getting them to actually make an appointment and pay for it when you call. However, God is good. Last week, I called and scheduled this one appointment that gave me $15 in commission! I was very excited! I think that's the most anyone has gotten. It's still kind of a bummer though cause I've probably made close to 200 phone calls and haven't had very many schedule. Oh well, all is good. Just pray they'll call back later to make an appointment!
What else, oh this past weekend I went to Pennsylvania for a wedding! It was so beautiful! James' cousin got married and it was such a fun time! It went by way too fast though. Oh well, guess that's how things go. You can check out the pictures on my dropshots account.
And finally, this is the big event of the day...I made dinner today! I finally decided I just needed to do it. I am not a very good cook at all and really haven't made anything great in my life (I can do omelets and mac and cheese and sandwiches and quick things like that) but today I decided to make a casserole type dish. I found the recipe in a magazine and decided to go for it. It was a chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole. It came out okay until I took a scoop out and realized the chicken wasn't cooked all the way. Oops! So I put it in the microwave, zapped it for a bit, and then served it to my parents. It all ended up okay and actually tasted pretty good!! I was pretty proud of it! And I'm already thinking of ways I can improve it! Yay! So I made it through my first cooked meal! Haha!! Wish me luck cause hopefully I'll be trying some other things here soon!!
Well, that's all for now. Lots still going on....good things but just tired and need to go to bed. Need to get up early and get my homework done for my summer classes (I am so far behind, yikes!) And by the way, it is now July 10, 2007, which is me and James' one year anniversary!! Hard to believe it's already been that long!! Yay!! Time flies by so fast! =)
What else, oh this past weekend I went to Pennsylvania for a wedding! It was so beautiful! James' cousin got married and it was such a fun time! It went by way too fast though. Oh well, guess that's how things go. You can check out the pictures on my dropshots account.
And finally, this is the big event of the day...I made dinner today! I finally decided I just needed to do it. I am not a very good cook at all and really haven't made anything great in my life (I can do omelets and mac and cheese and sandwiches and quick things like that) but today I decided to make a casserole type dish. I found the recipe in a magazine and decided to go for it. It was a chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole. It came out okay until I took a scoop out and realized the chicken wasn't cooked all the way. Oops! So I put it in the microwave, zapped it for a bit, and then served it to my parents. It all ended up okay and actually tasted pretty good!! I was pretty proud of it! And I'm already thinking of ways I can improve it! Yay! So I made it through my first cooked meal! Haha!! Wish me luck cause hopefully I'll be trying some other things here soon!!
Well, that's all for now. Lots still going on....good things but just tired and need to go to bed. Need to get up early and get my homework done for my summer classes (I am so far behind, yikes!) And by the way, it is now July 10, 2007, which is me and James' one year anniversary!! Hard to believe it's already been that long!! Yay!! Time flies by so fast! =)
Monday, June 18, 2007
Okay, well this is my very first blog post! I decided to set one up because I will be studying abroad in Ireland this fall and want to keep people up to date as to what's going on with me and my life. So I figured why not start now with a blog and get some practice in before I actually go! Now that I've got one, I guess I should write some interesting stuff. Haha, I don't really know what to say except for the fact that I'm back in Kentucky now and will hopefully work on unpacking all of my stuff and moving all my things back in over the next two days. Then I start work at Holifield Photography on Wednesday. Finally, I'll be earning some money! Okay well that's gonna be it for now. I need to get ready because my Dad and I are going to lunch! Maybe he'll take me to lunch on his motorcycle! Woohoo! =) Hasta luego amigos...
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