Hello, 2012!

I've been living in a fog and finally realized that it's really truly a brand new year! Over the past couple of weeks I have tried to start writing another blog post and seem almost overwhelmed by paralysis. I used to love writing, and now I feel like I can barely write a single word that truly reflects what God is teaching me or what's on my heart. For once in my life, words just aren't adequate. I also get to be a "guest" blogger on our InterVarsity Graduate Faculty Ministry blog this upcoming week. What should I express? Where do I start?

I could write about all the struggles going on in my heart and mind, especially about the future, but I won't. At this point in time, I just desperately want to keep my eyes fixed on Christ, and everything else always falls into place. The biggest temptation grad school seems to offer on a regular basis is to be consumed by self.

We started classes up again this week. It's my final semester! Sometimes I still think I made a horrible mistake by coming back to America to get my degree in something that has turned out to not really interest me. But I have been able to be used by God for His glory and purposes not only in the classroom, but especially outside of it. Who knew that God would give boldness to share the Gospel and befriend so many people even in southern Indiana?

So I have chosen not to dwell on the "what ifs" and "should haves." There are different seasons in life, and this one has just been particularly challenging and often frustrating. However, although I feel like I've often walked in the desert, God has been there all along. I've grown and been refined in ways I didn't think were possible. Through the desert experience I've had to call out to God nearly constantly, and even in the desert there is beauty! I've grown up a lot in the past year or so...

Oh, and if you're looking for an awesome, relevant read this winter, you should definitely read "A Praying Life," by Paul Miller. It's probably one of the top three books I've read, which is high praise coming from someone who regularly reads 3 or 4 books (excluding textbooks!) a month.