Weekends and Week Days

It is now the middle of October, and the middle of the week.  Already. 

My life here at Simpson is steadily chugging along. God is doing great and little things in my life.  I have been juggling school work with "free time" and growing in relationships.

I'm having a difficult time describing my life as of this moment, to give you a snap shot of my day.  There is SO much that is packed into one day that I can barely keep up with it all.  I need someone to follow me to document it all! hahaha....

For Columbus Day weekend, Simpson U gave us last Friday and this Monday, so one of my lovely room mates, Emily Suryan, invited me to go home with her, which is near Fremont in the bay area.  We watched Secretariat on the big screen- a movie I so reccomend- and also spent time shopping/ window shopping at the mall. 

This weekend, my parents are coming up to Redding for the Parents' Weekend event being hosted at the school.  I am excited to see my family again!!! 

I have recently thought about how I don't feel like I have a real home anymore.  The house in San Luis Obispo  won't see me except for during breaks, and Simpson isn't a permanent dwelling place in the long run.  I find it strange that after I graduate from college, that, unless I get married, I will have to find my own appartment for myself until I do.  I will have the opportunity to create my own living space, decorate it how I want it to look, and live with the full responsibility of paying for rent, a car, food and other such needs for myself.  Now, that is a strange thought.  For now, at least.  I trust that God will prepare me so that I will be ready to do so when the time comes.

Mean while, back at the ranch,  being a freshman I realize that I don't need to worry about my future now, just the next test for Old Testament that is worth 25% of my grade. Oh my! 

 This is The Rock.   The one place at our school where you can paint anything on it.

 It's a living mural.The girls of 2nd floor in the Irwin dorm went out late one night and painted it!

This is the back of the finished rock- with my initials and a flower that I personally added :)

The Stirring- No Shame

This past Sunday evening I went to The Stirring with some Simpson U students.  The church started a series called, "Jealous Love" last week, and it's about God's jealous love for us.  I was struck by what the pastor had to say about the difference bewteen guilt and shame.  "Guilt is good!" He said, "because it is God's way of helping us to become aware of a wrong done. But shame is when all the guilt piles up and consumes you, making you have a feeling of a false humily, like thinking that you're not worthy of God's love, or that you're not that awesome, when in fact He cries out that you are wonderfully made." Ok, so those weren't his exact words.  But that's what I got out of the message.  The message punched me in the gut of my mind at that.  Knowing that I constantly build up shame, unaware of it until my mind overflows with saddness for lack of self-love.

When he brought up Genesis 2:25 "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.", he explained how the text shows us as created in God's image, and without shame.  We were never meant to live in shame. Then he read Genesis 3:7-11; I was frozen in understanding. "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they sewed fig leaves together and made coverins for themselves.  Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from theLORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, 'Where are you?' He answered, 'I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.' 
And he said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"  God asks this, showing that we are not created as poorly as we are often told and believe. God doesn't see our shame, and doesn't call us that.  So, whenever shame filled thoughts invade my thinking, I am becoming more and more aware of how 99% of it is not from God.  He LOVES me! He created me to exist in his own image to enjoy this world- why would he be ashamed of me?

With all that being observed, I am now admitting to the shame that I've carried, but God's taking over with His Love.  It's a continual journey and battle, but it's soo worth the fight. I get to sit on my Papa's lap all the time :]

2 Weeks In!

it's now 2:22 am, and my room mate Eva and I are both on our laptops facebook stalking. And the pictures are HILARIOUS!!!! especially this early in the morning.

Idk why I'm even up this late. Two of my roommates are gone for the weekend, so Eva and I went to Bethel Church for their Friday night revival service. it was fantastic! Lots of prayer and healings going on :]  We then proceeded to the gas station on our way back to the dorm, and bought some snacks. The man working at the counter is going to the Bethel school, and talked with us for a bit.  Then, in the parking back at Simpson, we had a little heart to heart. It was freeing and wonderful :D  We didn't come inside until around 12:30, and we had no idea what time it was. And now, we are glued to our computer screens. At 2:30  in the morning. I haven't stayed up this late since.... the beginning of summer, I think.

Anyways, While at Bethel, I had prayer for healing in forgiving and trusting. It was VERY freeing, and I am *reminded* to forgive, of the healings that I've seen or heard, and of how much God loves me.

He loves me! Oh, how He loves me!!!  Oh, how He loves you!! He loves you <3

My roommates have labled me as crazy. I have been full of energy- idk where to put all this Joy, the Fire of His greatness in my life, and the happiness that overflows into "flapping". Flapping is SUPER FUN- I can't contain Jesus Love- He's lavishing me with His love <3     Glory to Him :]

Joy Comes With the Morning

I'm very excited for tomorrow! I have my first classes at Simpson: world civilizations and 1st year experience. Tomorrow is the first day of my college career!

In honor of this monumental momen, I drew on our mirror in the dorm room. I'd take a picture, but it won't come out very good right now, so I have to wait till tomorrow to take one and post it.  I drew it as a bit of encouragement for my dorm mates because they all start early in the morning, so I waited till they got in bed or in the shower. sneaky me hehehh!

I am anticipating tomorrow, but I don't have enough energy to blog as much as I would like on things that I've been doing here at Simpson, like the square dance, orientation, 1st year experience competitions, floor meetings in the dorm, and evening walk, and meeting new people at meal times.  Thanks for prayers from you people! I love you so much, and miss the SLO life! But not enough to go back now- time is moving forward, and so am I. These changes that have shifted in my soul are great, with Papa at my side every step of the way <3.  So, I'm off to bed. I'll try to remember to post a picture tomorrow of the mirror and of my room.         Lots of Love!!!

P.S. If you wanna snail mail me, here's my address:

Mikayla Sutherland #666
2211 College View Dr.
Redding, CA 96003

His highest priority

His Amazing Attraction to us is unparalleled to any magnetic field- how wonderful and lovely is His kindness and care for us <3  I'm so in love with God my heavenly father :D My Utmost for His Highest!!!! He holds his children so close, and cares so deeply, deeper than any well- how majestic are His plans for our destinies!


Love love love meditating on the lyrics to this video- enjoy before bed or after waking up :]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7eykbxv2Cs




Malachi 3:16-18: The Book to be Remembered.

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened to them. And the names of those who worshiped the Lord and honored Him were written down before Him in a book to be remembered.

"They will be Mine," says the Lord of All, "on that day that i gather My special people. I will have loving-pity on them as a man has loving-pity on his own son who serves him."

Then you will again see the difference between those who are right and good, and those who are sinful. You will see the difference between one who servres God and one who does not serve Him.




Isaiah 62:2-12: Something New for Zion

The nations will see that you are righteous and good.
All kings will see your shining greatness.
And you will be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
You will be a crown of slendor in the hand of the Lord, a royald diadem in the hand of your God.
No longer will they call you "Deserted."
Your land will no longer be called "Forgotten."
But you will be called "My delight is in her," and your land "Married."
For the Lord delights in you, and to Him your land will be married.
For as a young man marries a maiden, so will your Builder marry you.
And as the bridegroom finds joy in his bride, so your God will find joy in you.
On your walls, O Jerusalem, i have put men to keep watch.
All day and all night they will never be quiet.
You who help the Lord remember, do not rest.
And give Him no rest until He builds Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth.
The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His strong arm,
"I will never again gibe you grain to be food fo those who hate you. And strangers will never again drink your new wine that you have worked hard to make. But those who have worked hard on it will eat it and praise the Lord. And those who gather it will drink it in the open spaces inside My holy house."
Go through, go through the open gates. Open the way for the people. Build up, build up the road. Take away the stones, and raise the banner over the people. See, the Lord has made it known to the end of the earth: Say to the Daughter of Zion,
"Look, the One who saves you is coming! See, He is bringing with Him the reward He is to give."
And they will call them "The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord."
And you will be called "Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted."

Jaw Breaker

For my 19th birthday, my lovely brother Joshua gave me a 4" jaw breaker.

As of now, I have counted 2,000 licks over the past week, and there's hardly a dent.

I now have something to do if I'm ever bored at Simpson. :]  MLIA.

7 Days Left

Seven Days Left Until: The Adventures of Redding!

What does one do in the last week of their hometown, before heading off to school, for three months- for the first time in one's life?


I've been pondering which places of SLO and the surrounding cities I want the most fresh in my mind before I leave.  Of course, packing and surveying everything that I'll be bringing with me, along with the usuall house chores and Joshua being back in school and just having my birthday a few days ago are adding to the confusion. [I'm 19 now! Wow!]

I've been searching for peace these past few weeks. Peace of mind, peace of soul, even peace for my body.  I've had restless nights, lying in bed for an hour before drifting off to sleepland. Part of this is probably in part due to the past few days of heat that have graced the central coast.  I am starting to get a taste of Redding weather!  Part of the restlessness is an attack onto my soul, from music, errands, visiting the barn, the internet, and packing for college while trying to enjoy the last moments here with my friends and family.  My mind WON'T stop buzzing, needing something to think about and rush on like a gushing spring, when I long for a mellow creek bed of thoughs and things to do.  I have prayed about it, but honestly, I need more accountability to steer clear of allowing the distraction to grip and tug at my mind.        Help.

Prayer is oober welcome :]