Cut it out!

Hey,

God has really been putting it on my Heart to cut everything out of my life that doesn't glorify Him! And at first I was completely on board, but then I realized how hard that truly is...So its a process, slowly cutting things out rather than going cold turkey! Today I erased all the games on my computer and blocked all Facebook games, I see no reason to sit on my butt and play computer games when I could be doing something that Glorifies the Lord instead! Next I think I will switch to books, cutting out books that aren't Christian ones, I don't need to be reading romance novels and the like. I've also been learning to pray more, still not as good as I want to be, but better than I was! (again a slow moving process) I'm also narrowing down my college choices, Montreat tops the list, but I am still looking into 3 schools I haven't visited yet. William Jessup in Sacramento, New Hope in Eugene, Oregon, and George Fox in the Portland-ish area. Praying lots and lots that God would show me the way He needs me to go so that I can give Him the most Glory through my life!

In Christ,
Ali Decker

Visit of Montreat College

Hello again from South Carolina,

Today I crossed the state line and went to visit Montreat College near Asheville. I was amazed! To start if off it's beautiful, mountain town just like Julian, it wasn't as run down as Clinton, and the people were nicer than they had been in Clinton. The college itself is not only beautiful, but Tiny! There are only 462 students, the community aspect of this college I must say is my favorite part. My day started with a video about their mission statement which is "Christ-centered, Student-focused, and Service-driven" everything I'm looking for in an institution. :) I then got to attend their chapel which was awesome, it's Maundy Thursday, so there was worship, and John was read and then people were free to get up and wash each others feet. I totally would have done if I hadn't been there by myself! :) The worship was great, then I got to have lunch with a professor from the Bible and Religion department and he just let me pick his brain about Montreat etc and then introduced me to a lot of other staff members who came to have lunch with us. There was no separation from students and teachers, It of course was professional, but students were just coming up to talk about anything! I then had a tour of the campus and got a chance to ask the rest of my questions, and at the end I got to meet with an admissions counselor who went through my transcripts and told me what would transfer, and told me my current plan was perfect! Overall I am in love with Montreat! I was asking our student tour guide all sorts of questions and he continued to describe the depth of the community the student body has with itself, the professors, and the Black Mountain community!

In Christ,
Ali

This is the Library and the chapel of the prodigal son (named after beautiful painting inside)

Visit of Presbyterian College

Hello all from South Carolina,

I am attempting to choose a college to transfer to so I figure I should share the visits with all of you! I visited Presbyterian College today, it was amazing! First off, the campus was beautiful, all brick buildings with white columns and lots of windows! I got to talk to an admissions counselor who answered all my questions and explained that there is a special leadership development program for the PCUSA students, called celtic cross. That would augment my major of Christian Education nicely. This campus had everything I am looking for, It is currently at the top of the list. It had great security/honor code, great spiritual life opportunities, job/internship opportunities, and the town its in is an absolutely beautiful quaint town! Plus they are a division one school and have lots of sports. The one downside I can list is they have a silly mascot...The Blue Hose! haha oh well, its not necessarily a deal-breaker!

God Bless You,
Ali

This is Neville Hall, the largest academic building and its exactly in the center of campus!

Transformed

Okay,

So I know I haven't posted in forever, to be completely honest I haven't really been sure what to say, I've been changing so much. But one thing I do know for sure that full time ministry is only 3-ish years away. :) I've been looking at Christian colleges to transfer to, I'm back taking classes now at grossmont college. I'm going to visit three of them in April, maybe some more in the summer or fall...roadtrip anyone? haha. But God has been doing amazing things in me. I've been challenged recently to get rid of all the worldly junk I'm surrounded with every day and simplify everything, it's been life changing. I've also been learning to listen to God and He has been teaching me to have patience with His timing. I'm also learning about myself, I'm learning, albeit slowly, to be quiet and really care about and invest in the people around me. Although I know that makes it harder to be as social as I'm used to, but I can feel how important it's becoming. I'm also learning the importance of becoming healthier for God, which for me means both physically and spiritually. So that means more bible time, but I'm also now on weight watchers and have started going to the gym. I am also truly blessed God has just opened new doors for me to serve in a greater capacity at my church and in my community. I am now the Assistant to the Director of Children and Family Ministries, and I went last weekend to Tijuana and built a house with a friend of mine from work. I definitely plan on going back. I'm praising God for everything He's doing in my life, and I pray that this post would be an encouragement to you so that you may too look at your blessing and be transformed. I'm loving Romans right now, if it's been a while go for it, you won't be sorry! :)

God Bless,

Ali

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

New Direction??

Okay so Lately God has been changing everything, I've been learning a lot! I've had my heart set on going to New York to work with the Arabic speaking refugee children there for like 2 months, but over the last couple of days I've been not quite as jazzed about it, and having just moved, I realized I don't do well in an environment where I have no human interaction when I come home from work. I very much thrive on fellowship and relationships and I don't know if I can handle leaving everyone I know and care about for long periods of time. I think I might get homesick and therefore miserable quite quickly. I finally sat down and asked God today if I was going to end up in New York, and immediately I knew that it wasn't going to happen! and now God has opened a bunch of new doors, I just have to push through the feeling of being stuck, and figure out what the heck I'm gonna do with myself. Me not leaving of course now means that I still want to get rid of all my debt this summer, and I need an apartment and roommates starting August 1st. plus now, I'm super stoked to go to Palm Springs on a business conference! Tonight has been a roller coaster of emotions, I've gone from being heart-broken to being stoked. I just need to put all of my trust in God and know that everything will be alright!

Ali

ps. please keep my sister in your prayers next Tuesday she is having surgery on her shoulder they have to re-attach the ligament to her bone!

Telephone interview

So today I had a telephone interview with a really really nice gal who works at Pioneers, which is that missions organization I'm leaning most towards. We were chatting and she asked how my family felt about me going overseas, and I mentioned that eventually I feel called to go to Morocco, she stopped me and asked if I speak Arabic and my obvious answer was no. Then she suggested I go to a place where there are muslim families that speak Arabic and get involved there. She looked online and found one place in New York City and one in Northern England. I would be able to work with children in both places as well as learn Arabic. Right now, the plan is to be in prayer about where God wants me to go. I felt for a while like it was Bolivia and that option is still on the table, but I'm thinking maybe these might be smarter options. The other thing I found out during our phone call today was about Pioneers orientation. Its 6 days long and in Orlando, so the plan is to go to the August orientation, Aug.1st-6th, so that I can have my financial situation a little more under control. Before I can begin to work with pioneers, I have to have all of my personal debt paid off, plus orientation costs 625 dollars, not including my flights to and from. So my goal for the summer is to get myself all taken care of.

In Christ,

Ali

ps. I'm so ridiculously excited! :)

New Road

Hey,

So this is just a quick update, I just wanted to let yall know that today I got in contact with my "missions coach" from rightnow.org and the site is all about connecting people who want to go with organizations that need people. She suggested I look into a couple of different organizations, but that she would give them my contact info. So when I checked my e-mail tonight, I had two e-mails from organizations. CAM international is an organization that works in a lot of Spanish speaking countries, so naturally they sent me an e-mail! :) and the other organization is called international teams and they send people to both Latin America as well as the middle east. I filled out mini questionnaires/profiles on both of their sites after checking them our you know making sure doctrine stuff matches etc.! I just thought I'd let everybody know cuz I'm super stoked, I feel like I'm finally getting the ball rolling! I'm still in prayer about timing and money issues, but I know the Lord will work it out however he deems necessary! Hope you have a wonderful day!

For His Glory,

Ali