Tis the Season!

*Merry Christmas*

I pray that this season find you with full hearts in anticipation of the gospel. The Word becoming flesh. Today, I get to drive home and spend the day there. I am finished with finals! (Except for a small project due on Monday) We have received quite the dumping of snow up here, which leads to quite the interesting time dealing with plowing roads, and cold!

I sit and reflect, now that there's time, and i see how blessed I am, Christmas i just around the corner, I can barely believe it. I have been blessed with amazing opportunities this semester. It has been a bittersweet semester. It might sound weird, but I semi-loathe this upcoming thing called graduation. I am learning that I am a person who likes things to remain the way they've always been. Yet, life rarely remains the same.

This semester brings with it the occasion to say goodbye to some good friends and even more opportunities to trust Jesus. I think back to who I was at the beginning of the semester and who I am now. I had just said goodbye to 110 of some of the greatest people that God had blessed my life with. Somedays, I don't even know what to do without them, yet I see a God who is faithful! If only I could learn to trust Him with the same measure. Now, here I am, looking towards a month off a school, and am really looking forward to time for processing, even things from this summer.

Here is the chorus to a Christmas song that was written by the band Downhere, it always causes me to stop and think, and reflect. Hope it makes you do the same (the crown just seemed to fit with the title):

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

Agape/For the Sake of His Glory!

"So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Agape week was really one of the most touching weeks out here as we looked towards saying goodbye to our staff who we love and trusting the Lord to work through us. Monday I got up really early and rode my bike to watch the sunset all by myself, but having to go to work at six thirty, didn't leave me enough time to actually watch the entire thing. That night, Bob talked about the only mark of the Spirit-filled life being fruit. Then, I got to join a friend in celebration of her birthday at Hobby Horse. Let me just say that I think Mankato needs an ice cream parlor hardcore. I know we have Coldstone, but that is nothing like Hobby Horse...plus they have Winnie the Pooh there..so yeah don't mess. I worked through a lot of feelings of inadequacy this week, of not feeling adequate to disciple women, and as I worked through them, it was amazing to have God confirms those feelings and then tell me, But I AM. I AM able to disciple women, I AM able to love them when you don't know how, I know what they need and how to stretch them.

Then, I encountered one of the hardest days I've yet to experience on project. It started at work. There was one lady who pretty much made it her goal to make life miserable for everyone. She was just so rude, and I had to remember that Jesus loved this lady as I encountered her and tried to show her patience and grace. Yet, I never take it well when people yell at me. Then, as I was ending my shift I started to feel very ill. Slightly faint and had a large headache. It was a bummer, because we had planned a sleepover and an evening trip to Cape May for our last action group time with Sarah. I ended up sleeping in my room because I felt so sick. But we all woke up and went to watch the sunrise with our impact group boys.

Thursday was our last day with the staff. It was a good day, our goodbye night started at supper, where we had an agape feast and started to serve each other. Then, Bob gave his final talk imparting upon us some last words of wisdom. Exhorting us to run full speed ahead, in community, then we went back into the gym and people had an opportunity to share what God had been doing in their hearts. About 15 minutes in, Bob and Kim come out with buckets of water and towels and went to our student leaders and washed their feet. Then, it trickled down as my action group leader washed my and the other girls in my study's feet. Then, I wanting to have my lead foot with the women I would be leading be love and service washed the women that I would be leading's feet. Then, we went back into the sanctuary and prayed for our new leaders and the staff gathered in the back, and left.

It is amazing the impact these men and women had upon our life in a short six weeks. How different we all our and the new appreciation we have for them, as we take on their roles. Our schedule has just become more busy. I just finished my first discipleship appointment and it went alright. I have been finding peace and my role and trusting that God is adequate to disciple people even when I'm not. I will spend about eight hours a week in discipleship, 2 hours being discipled myself and 2 hours with each of the three women that I have been entrusted to love. My host family here is amazing. I have been invited to spend as much time as I want over at their house. Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time just chilling and reading and even took a dip in their pool.

Prayer Requests:

-That I would take the time I need to with Jesus as I need to have a right relationship before I can even think about pouring into other women.

-That I would have a changed heart and lead my women in transparency and love.

-I would not be overwhelmed by my busy schedule.

- I would continue to build relationships with people here on project.

-I would move towards my coworkers and be intentional about sharing the gospel with them.

Praises:

-Amazing friends that I get to laugh and cry with.

-The way Jesus is using this in my life.

.....what will I regret?

So last night I enjoyed my three hour date night with Jesus. At first the thought of an extended Jesus time was just daunting. What would I even do for that long.

Last night I sat on the beach and just watched the waves for awhile. I have been struggling with what it looks like to be crucified with Christ and what it means that my  life is no longer my own.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me." Galatians 2:20

I had been struggling with selfishness and not really wanting to give up my "rights". Yet as I sat on the shore a thought came to my mind. "I should take more pictures." I will never regret taking too many pictures, but I will usually regret not taking enough. Then, I realized that the same was true of my walk with God. I will not get to heaven and say that I did too much for God, but my thought and regret may just be that I didn't do enough. So, that was just a moment where I started to put out lies in my life.

You are not your own.....

Well, I'm officially employed at Superfresh. So, yeah that's a super-exciting fact. I went back to accept my job that I was offered. I was interviewed at Air Circus, but wasn't called back, so I decided that after taking a drug test for Superfresh, I couldn't turn down a sure thing for prospects.

Then, I hung out on the beach for the entire rest of the day and went swimming and ended up getting pretty sunburned. but, it was fun trying to boogie board.

Then, I had date night with Jesus, where we spend three hours in quiet study. This week is "Setting the Pace" week we talked about what our hearts were running after. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. I have really been challenged in looking at what it means to live my life as it's not my own and to not give any excuses to God about why i can't follow him right now, etc.  The Lord is working on my heart to not just honor him with only my mouth but with every decision and choice that I'm making, and to feel passionately about Christ and his will. I have been so complacent, i can see that now, I just desire to grow....

Last night we were hanging out on the porch and this couple came onto the porch with a very distinct accent asking if this was a hotel. I immediately noted that it was slightly German, so I got up and asked them where they were from. Who knew that the Lord would speak to my German heart by sending to me a German couple, that I got to speak to in German. :)

The Last Post before OC 09 begins

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, the final countdown has begun!

5 days stand between me and the Jersey shore.....

As the day quickly approaches when I shall embark upon this journey, I am filled with many sentiments. I have a full heart, one that is adventurous and looking forward to this day like no other, and yet, I find myself to be nervous with what all this summer will entail, as I think and look ahead, I see that there is still a LOT that I have no idea about for this summer.

Yet, I know that I am meant to go on project. There are just so many things that keep reaffirming me in this. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and best wishes. I know my God is in control and has an experience planned for me this summer that will draw me closer to him.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.²⁵For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ²⁶For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? ²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

As weird as it may sound, I cannot wait to learn more of what it means to die to myself and live for Christ!

My address for the summer follows:

Kimberly Nickel

c/o Campus Crusade for Christ

1301 Central Ave

Ocean City, NJ 08226

May, no WAY!

22

The number of days until Ocean City keeps dropping! Unlike these MN temperatures which keep rising. I spent two hours just basking in the sun, it was wonderful! Tomorrow starts finals week here at MSU, which leaves me with anticipation and some reflective sadness. I am in GREAT anticipation of this summer and what the LORD will do in and through my life, but I am also taking a peek at what this year has been. I, as is normal have a few regrets. I wish that I would have been able to be involved in more women's lives here on campus, especially on this floor! I know that I will deeply miss all my friends here and will anticipate seeing them all again! We've spent so much time together the last week, playing games so often. It is a cool summer as most of my close friends have dedicated their summer to the LORD and are going on project. Last week at CRU, the students who are going on project were prayed for, and there are 19 of us, that is a crazy number! 

I can't even wait to see how that will impact us as we head back to campus with the training and the growing we'll go through. 

Prayer Requests:

1) Finish Well: 3 Finals this week! :)

2) A heart that is open to the Lord's working and one that sees opportunities

3) A desire to spend time with the LORD (this has been a little difficult for me with a changing schedule)

4) That I will leave all of my friendships on a good foot and that we would enjoy our last moments together before the summer takes us all around the United States and the world.

Praises:

1) Another well-completed semester of college (only 3 more!)

2) Beautiful sunny days that warm my heart! :)

3) Seeing family very soon!

Hello all from a GORGEOUS day here at the MN plains of Mankato! The sun is shining and it is sixty some degrees! OH SO BEAUTIFUL!

I have only 9 days of class left, that is beyond crazy! That means before I know

 it, I will be packing up my room and heading home! 

I really enjoyed my Easter weekend, attending a school with no religious attachments means no days off, but I have no classes on Friday, so was able to be home. I slept a LOT, but also spent time with my mom and grandpa who came to visit. I even had time to bake my first pie!

This week so far has been hectic, but I am enjoying planning MAN (Male Appreciation Night). The women of CRU plan a night to thank the men for their service in our ministry. It's a little over a week away! Tomorrow night I'll be attending my first ever Women's appreciation night, who knows what will be in store for that!

Today in my quiet time, I read 1 Corinthians 1:27-29:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. "

I am thankful that he did that, because I know that I am not wise, and I am weak and I am most definitely NOT of noble birth. I have no claim other than a heart the loves Jesus! I thank him for wanting to use me!

I thought I would give an update about support raising to say that the Lord has provided more than enough money for me to go this summer! I'm so grateful and humbled by the support and outpourings that I have received!  Only 40 some days until my feet will touch New Jersey soil!

Hopefully, we'll have flowers soon!!! :)

Bis naechtes mal,

Kimberly

Not even sure anyone reads this

I have no idea if anyone even reads this, but this is BLOG monday!

-I didn't want to go to class this morning at 8am....but I did (the life of a college student)

-I finished my introduction video for Ocean City

-I was asked to play flute for CRU next week(we'll see if I even remember how)

-Went out sharing with my a girl in my discipleship group

-Giggled (this is a part of my everyday and fits well with my favorite quote "A giggle a day, keeps the glums away!)

-Got like 10 phone calls (I normally get like one and so uh that was bizarre and they all came at the same time)

-Sang in German Class.....

That is a day in the life of a college student!

The following video is the proof that my friends think I am old, I don't know what they would say I wear that is "old lady like" but apparently i'm like 80 so, whatever. I think ever 80 year old should go back to college....

Good news! I believe God has finally released the grip of winter on this Minnesota landscape. That means spring! Today it rained! I really love a good rainstorm, unfortunately this one was a little cold.

But spring does mean things like going to the park and going on walks with friends! No more parkas!

I have purchased my plane ticket for this summer. AHHH!!! It seems to get more and more real to me everyday that I am actually going to this place called Ocean City New Jersey!

I am continually blown away with the LORD's provision and how he provides for His people. I had a fabulous weekend! I went with my friend Roxanne to the cities to see our friend Zack play in the club 3 degrees battle of the bands. Then we went out to supper with our friends Paul and Ben. I'm so thankful for friendship and friends who love Jesus! Then, we had a romp on an amazing playground! :)...I'm still I little kid, trapped in a 20 year olds body!

Then, I went home. It was really fun to bring Roxanne to my house and introduce her to my family. I spoke in church on Sunday morning, then I showed Roxanne the sight that should definitely be highlighted in "1000 Places to see before you Die", the biggest ball of twine made by one man!!! (YES I KNOW!) A delicious home-cooked meal was also par for the course...yummmm! It was a great weekend to revel in who Jesus is and to see Him in friendship, family, and in pure joy!

Last night we had a CRU leadership meeting and it was great to be reminded to finish well. My frustrations with the semester following spring break were large last week, and so reading 2 Timothy 3:14-4:8 was a good reminder to continue to share the gospel in and out of season and continue to reproof, rebuke, and exhort.

Spring Break

It seems as though, I've already fell behind in blogging' but I felt that there wasn't too much traffic coming here. Yet, I feel tis time for yet another jaunt on blog lane. *said with a British accent it can sound quite cool*

So, the good news is that I have finally stopped this insaneness of not being able to sleep because of my excitement over the thought of Ocean City. It was hard for me to continue on like that with school and everything. I have also made it through the nastiest mid-terms week that I have yet to see. So, I sit in my parent's basement on spring break, while my friends are in Florida!
That's a shout out to them, no jealousy!

So, as I realized that my prayers for Ocean City were answered, I quickly slipped once again into complacency until I was lying unasleep on one of those nights and realized that I had even MORE that I needed to be asking the Lord for. I thought I might share my short list with you.
In fact, I sort of summed them up even for myself.

1) Spiritual Preparedness-
That my heart and the hearts of students joining me on project will be right before the LORD and open to what he will want to do to us through this project. Also that God would through His Spirit begin to prepare the hearts of the people we will be sharing the gospel with.
2) Support
This week I am sending out letters asking people to partner with me, a big step of faith! That people would see this as an opportunity to partner with me in the gospel, and would give. Not because I'm worthy, but because my King is!
3) Job
That I would find a job upon arrival in Ocean City.

These are all things that are testing my faith, as I continually choose to not worry about them, but to place them in the hands of the one who truly is capable to meet all these need, more than abundantly!

I have been continuing in my Beth Moore study and I think what has impacted me the most in the past week, is reading about Joseph. He believed the promise that God gave to Abraham of the promise land. The promise took place 400 years after it was given to them. Joseph could easily have believed that God had forgotten, but he chose to continue on in faith, believing that God is faithful!

how my adventure began

You are invited to be a part of the Ocean City Project 2009...

Those words were long awaited! Seriously, when I finished my application to project in December, over two months ago, I guess I never really had an inkling of what the Lord would have for me as I waited on him in faith. 

Why project? Why Ocean City? Very difficult questions and ones that I don't necessarily have a solid answer for. I have had the opportunity to see my friends come back from project last summer. What I got to see is what a summer did to them, a summer in the community of believers and one of trusting. What I observed in all was this growth. They knew Jesus more after they had returned. I wanted that then, and I continued to want it and as I asked the Lord if project was for me, I felt at peace to go ahead and fill out an application.

Ocean City. My original leaning was actually towards San Diego. Yes, sun, sand, and the whole manifest destiny thing. As I prayed and asked the Lord and did some seeking of wise counsel and people who knew me and dared to ask them, "Where should I go?" As I asked this question, I saw my heart towards San Diego start to change and go in the direction of Ocean City.

This was all before I even submitted my application.

Then, I finally submitted my application. That was quite an experience in itself. I remember feeling like screaming and throwing up and there were butterflies all around in my stomach. I was no longer in control. I was really going to have to trust God in this one. My prayer for project was "Lord, if you want me to go on summer project, allow me to be accepted, if you don't then I won't be accepted."

I will now fast forward a month to January. The first round of people were hearing back from their project directors and a record number of people from our region had applied, so the projects were all flooded with applications. A girl who had applied to OC as well, heard back that she was on the waiting list.

When I heard that news, I pretty much thought my hopes were over and really was ready wave my white flag and accept that I was going to be on project. Yet, I couldn't. The women in my discipleship group continued to encourage me to continue seeking the Lord until I heard for sure. During this time, our leadership Bible study had started Beth Moore's "Believing God" study. During the homework in my time of in-betweenness and foundering, we were asked to read Romans 4. 

This was no accident, what I found in there were two verses that I clung to and believe that the Lord gave me to grow my faith and trust in Him as I waited for Him to answer my prayers.

"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." (Romans 4:20-21)

Then this week dawned, the week that I had called "The Week of Reckoning". Not only was I waiting to hear back, but so were a handful of my friends. I got a call from one of my friends that he had been accepted to project. Then, when I got home after a night of German conversation, I decided to check my e-mail, I mean what did I have to lose?

And there it was, my answer. As you can imagine, I was ecstatic, I immediately called my mom, but I was unable to have an intelligent conversation, thinking about all that it meant! I pretty much spent the next 2 hours on the phone rejoicing with all the people who had been praying for me and the ones I had talked to.

Praise the Lord that he answers prayers!