What do I have to lose?

Younglife Club was really great last night. Being a new leader now at Cherry Creek, however makes me laugh because I remember when I first started leading back in Michigan.

I remembered talking to kids, and having them walk away from you when you were talking because their friend came or someone cooler is there, Or standing akwardly in the lunchroom and so on. And its hard to find that courage to put yourself in those akward situations, yet here I am, giving it a whirl here in Colorado. I mean, what do I have to lose anyway???

It took me a while to decide to be a leader again. I LOVED leading wyldlife in Michigan, and was scared to do Younglife here. Being in a new state, new city, having no friends and not really knowing anyone, starting new job new everything, the idea of being a leader as well made me reaaally nervous.

But I prayed for a long time about it, met with the area director about it and questioned myself time and time again. When it came to it, I realized I was putting in too many excuses in the equation. I was afraid. Afraid of not being good enough, afraid I wouldnt have time because I had SO much crazy stuff going on, afraid I was too old compared to the other leaders, afraid of failing, afraid and doubting myself because I dont always remember bible verses, am terrible with club talks, or that I always make the right decisions and so on and so forth.

Brad our area director kept pursing me, and I continued to pray. As I prayed, I thought you know, there is a reason why Brad hasnt given up on me...and there was a reason why God placed it on my heart to even consider doing it..I thought what did I have to lose? Nothing really...What changed my heart is thinking of why I would be a good leader. I mean, it only shows how human we are, and how much we really need to rely on God. It holds me accountable. I think of all the mistakes i have made, think of my story, and thought of how awesome it would be to share my stories about about God to help them not make the same mistakes I have. How cool it would be for these High School kids to know God and to have Him in their lives..How much better life would be for them! And I was excited for the relationships i was going to create, and how much JOY I get when I can help someone and so on. I thought about how much JOY i get when i am around people, and how God is opening this HUGE opportunity to love and be create relationships. It was a really cool feeling when i realized this, because I was excited. I know I fail at things, But I KNOW God doesnt.

And to answer the question, what do I have to lose?? Nothing. Because I know that I have God, and He will not fail me. I may not look forward to stand akwardly in a lunchroom or at club or kids not liking me or whatever, but I am excited for it. Because I know God has a purpose in me. And i know I will make a difference in peoples lives, even if they dont see now. And it comes down to the Younglife slogan, I was made for this. :) It is so true.

I was made to love God, and to love on kids.

I pray to God that He will use me as a light and example as a follower of Jesus.

dreams.

Sometimes I cant beleive I am where I am. It amazes me, when I look back, and think wow. Gods plan is so good. I couldnt plan anything the way He does. I have dreamed about living in Colorado. Ever since I was a little kid. I remember discussions with one of my friends after graduation saying I wanted to move to Colorado.

God will always make our dreams come true. In His time. In His way. Our dreams may not look exactly the way we had intended them, but God plans it better. I can recall so many times where I was like really God?? But now when I look back I think...Oh. I get it. :) Ha. It just blows my mind.

Anyways, Found this really amazing article at http://junialeigh.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/acheiving-your-god-given-dream/ and there is one quote that stuck out to me... "A lot of us would have given up AFTER having gone through just one of these tests. And that reason is the reason why many dreams from God never materialize...we give up too soon."

Have faith my friends. With God, all things are possible.

excitedddd

So God is so cool. I still cant beleive I live here in Colorado. And get to enjoy the comforts of the Niedzinski home, yet embrace the uncertainty and unfamiliar life I am learning here. Praise God for his never failing love and His plans and the purpose He has for me. I am doing a bible study with an amazing fellow Michigander named Alicia. I met her out here, thanks for friends of friends. Her like me, embraced this calling to come to Colorado. Im excited to get to know her more, and appreciate and am greatful for her friendship. We are starting to do random adventures on the weekends to get aquainted with Colorado. One weekend we went snowshoeing for the first time, another weekend we visited the Coors brewery and red rocks ampitheater. But, anyways, I was driving one day and was listening to K Love christian radio, and heard about a Switchfoot concert playing at red rocks ampitheater. Instantly thought to call Alicia, for us to look into it. Check this out! www.thecallingconference.org Little did we know, it not only is a Switchfoot concert, but a conference with speakers and bands all calling out to God. I couldnt be more stoked to be not only going to this concert, but being able to worship God in such an amazing backdrop, to be able to within the beauty of His creation, to be able to boast his beautiful majestic creation. I have chills thinking about it. and we are going with 10 people to the concert! So excited! :)

enjoy the struggle

Colorado is amazing. I praise God daily for bringing me here. I praise Him for his challenge, this adventure He presented me. I've been stripped away from all of my known comforts....job, family, friends, home, city, state, church, and so on. But its teaching me to rely on Him. To go to Him first...even when He is silent. Hes teaching me more things than I ever thought imaginable. I have slipped up a few times here, but its something Hes teaching me slowly. I cant have all the answers now, even when I pray for comforts and friends and answers. :) Its not easy, and Im learning, thats Hes who I cling to when I am lonely. When Im scared. When I feel loved. When Im happy. When I feel blessed. Which these are emotions I feel daily. My emotions are as uncertain and always changing as is my surroundings. Its definitly a struggle, some days easier than others, but I am learning. I am learning more about me. about colorado. about Him. I need to not only be patient with Him, but to be patient with ME. To ignore MY WANTS and what I NEED, and what HE can do for ME, but what I CAN DO FOR HIM.

To quote an amazing friend of mine....enjoy the struggle. :) and THAT...I plan to do. Hugs.

time flies

Wow. its been MONTHS since my last post. And sooo much happens in such that time. Heres a quick sum up...full of working, amazing friends, amazing family, leaps of faith, and amazing adventues.

June-took AMAZING girls to Wyldlife camp at Timberwolf lake. Took a trip with my family to Colorado for a family reunion...amaazing.
July-nothing too intense, work, friends family
August- blahh working away
September-Younglife leader weekend retreat to Timberwolf Lake. Met Shelley Sandler from Denver,CO the speaker for the weekend.......a sign possibly? :):)
October- quit my job and took a leap of faith and moved to Colorado!! My mom and I took a roadtrip and traveled to Colorado--my new home on October 26th. Packed my bags and left for my new adventure :)
November-The job hunting began...experienced my first thanksgiving without my mom, dad and siblings, but had the blessing to share it with the Niedzinskis!
December-LANDED A JOB!! Only a month in....PRAISE GOD. a general dental office. www.drpatdds.com. Couldnt feel more blessed, my boss is awesome!!! Had the opportunity to go home for a few days to celebrate christmas. Unfortunally, it was such a short visit, i missed alot of friends.
January-Spent new years day with Uncle Jerry and Lauren at Copper mountain. We skied in negative 15 degree weather!!! So fun!
February-Nicole came for a visit!!!! :) We skiied vail and copper mountain in 18 inches of powder!! so cool!

MARCH!!!! Holy smokes!! Where did time go????? more to come

beauty.

could it really be a whole month since i checked this? wow. i have a ton of blogs to catch up on with my friends and family.

anywhooo I just started reading captivating. A quick clip i wanted to share.

"Every woman has a beauty to unveil. Every woman. Because she bears the image of God. She doesn't have to conjure it, go get it from a salon, have plastic surgury or breast implants. No, beauty is an essence that is given to every woman at her creation."

"We didnt say that a woman is prized only for her good looks. We did not say that a woman is here merely to complete a man, therefore a single women is somehow missing her destiny. What we said was, first, that Eve is the crown of creation. There is something uniquely magnificent and powerful about a woman. We tried to reveal the immeasureable dignity, the holiness of your feminine heart by showing that it is GOD who longs for romance, it is GOD who longs to be our ezer, it is GOD who reveals beauty as essential to live. You are the image bearer of this God. That is why you long for those things too.. THERE IS A RADIANCE HIDDEN IN YOUR HEART THAT THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS."

Kabam.

I am beautiful. You are beautiful. The world desperately needs our beauty.

BAPTIZIM! :)

Last night, I was baptized in the name of the Father, the son, the holy spirit by one of my best friends Katie Sweeney.

Words really cannot even come close to describe my emotions, thoughts, feelings and so on... 7 people including myself were baptized last night at the last Younglife Leadership meeting. Praise God!

What an amazing feeling to witness Christ in so many people...not only could I feel Christ, but I could see Him pouring out of the eyes and smiles of the baptizimers. Love was truely evident last night.

I stand by what I said last night, too long I have been talking the talk...I want to walk the walk.

God gave me life. And I will live my life for you.