And So It Begins....

" Don't get into trouble now." My roommate Jaimie said to my rommate Molly and I as she left our dorm room.
" What are we going to do to get into trouble? Cow Tipping?" Molly replied
" Oh, perfect first date! Cow tipping! That's how to win a girl's heart right there. Cow tipping, then go on a walk."  I replied as we all crack up laughing...

Yes, this is how my first day at Frontier began. It was a long drive here, and a bit of a culture shock when I got here. The closest store is an hour away, and there is hardly any cell reception. The campus feels more like a summer camp then a college campus. But, I love every second of it!

Saturday began with crazy registration. ID pictures taken, books being picked up,and meeting new roommates for the first time with butterflies inside praying you get along and like your roommates. Thankfully both mine are beyond amazing, and we all get a long great!!!

Sunday was relaxing with orientation, and then a lunch at the park. Then hanging in the dorm with my roommates. Today was the start of classes. All we covered was introductions and what the classes are about. Basic first day stuff. But, I know i'm going to love this place, and the year will be great!!! Well, that's really all for now :) Got to go do my reading unless anyone out there wants to do it for me? Any Takers ;p....didn't think so.

~ Melinda

Ps. Write a lot of letters. My mail box is empty and sad :(. Hint Hint.My address is:
Melinda Kruger
Frontier School Of the Bible
po box 217
Lagrange, WY 82221

A NEW ADVENTURE....

    My window's rolled down, the radio was turned up, and my car was on cruise. I was heading home from one of my best friend's wedding. It was a beautiful day, and I driving home. The sky was clear, and there wasn't many cars on the road. My mind went to the past events of the week, and couple of months. Life had been beyond crazy. With Good, and really bad things happening...I was ready for a new start.

    As I continued to drive home. I knew that my new start was going to start soon, and my world was going to be turned upside down. In a good way. Some things and people from the past were really now in the past. And some people were coming into my life that I never thought would. I already had no idea what my life was going to turn out in the next few months.

  I decided to apply to college, and see what happends after talking to my cousin and her husband. I received the call today that I was accepted. After telling my mom I laid down on the couch, and snuggled up to my favorite sleeping baby girl. I watched her sleep then began to think of the past couple of years. and the crazy places God had taken me.

 Cornerstone, The call center, Ellerslie. Each place I never know what to expect. This is no exception! Yet, I feel more ready for this. Of course I am going to miss my family, and my friends. But, I feel like this is a fresh start I've needed for awhile. And things are coming together so quickly. This is definitely going to be an interesting journey. That I am ready to take :).

  It will be interesting to see where I am in a year from now. I was thinking about that. Last August at the time I am going to be leaving for College. I was coming home from Ellerslie. Though, I think a part of me stayed there. I can't wait to see all what's going to happen in the next couple of months, and see where my life is at the end of the year :).

Old Fashioned Sunday...

      A few weeks ago I sat in a pew listening to a sermon. It was just another Sunday at a church I had been attending. But, this Sunday as I looked around the church. I just didn't feel right. Then something happened. While the preacher was speaking the lights dimmed so much that the whole place was almost dark. Then someone dressed as dark vator came out and began to " fight" with light sabers or whatever they are called with the preacher.

   Some of the church seemed like this was the greatest thing as they laughed at the "battle". Me, I sat there completely appalled and stunned! This was supposed to be church! This was supposed to be a sermon! In that moment I realized what people meant when they talked about the church becoming more about entertainment then spreading the gospel, and hitting on the hard core issues. As I sat there my mind went to last summer, and the church of Ellerslie.

  How simple, and amazing the worship was as Ben played the guitar, and we sang hymns, and worship songs. Then watching the little kids go up to stage for " Kiddo Time", and was taught a bible story straight out from the bible. Then Eric would pray, then give his message. There was no entertainment. That was never his intent! So, as I sat there in church while the lights started to come back on I became annoyed.

I had been searching for a church for months! Most of the churches were like this! I don't know if they were this extreme in entertainment. But, I realized I could up, and walk out that second. No one would have noticed! That in itself bothered me. I had been going to this church since April, and no one noticed. As I prayed my frustrations to God. I knew he clearly was telling me to not go back. This wasn't the place for me. I was settling because I was sick of " looking" and I figured that this church was " Good Enough."

So, there I was again last Sunday trying out yet another church. I had wanted to try this church for awhile. But, I figured it was just to far away so what was the point. But, this past Sunday with my bible in hand, and my cousin by my side I drove the 40 minutes to church. I walked in and immediately had people coming up to me saying they had remembered me April when I came to see their Easter play. 

 As my cousin and I found a seat  a friend of a friend seen me. She came right up to me, and gave me a hug. Saying she was glad I came as I had mentioned it to her a few days before that I was thinking of going.  After a few minutes of talking to her the service began to start. The worship was amazing, and then came the sermon. The sermon was raw, straight to the point, and filled with so much scripture that I was afraid I'd miss a verse to write down as I took notes. Though there was no "entertainment" I was completely focused on the sermon. 

Then after the preacher  got done preaching something happened that I haven't seen in not only so long. But, frankly ever. There was a alter call. Though I've witnessed Alter calls I have never witnessed one like this. People started coming forth, and kneeling at their seats. People praying with each other, for each other. After praying myself. I stood there. This was what church was supposed to be. This was were I belonged. Then I laughed to myself as I remember my friend's words from April the night of his play. " This is going to be your church from now on. I don't care were your going to right now. Your going to start coming to my church from now on. It's been decided."

After the service my cousin, and I got into the car after talking to some people. I picked  up my phone and text my friend. Telling him we had gone to the church since he wasn't there that morning. After a reply of a bit of shock he asked if we were going to the night service. I figured why not. I haven't been to a night service since I was in high school. So, a few hours later my cousin and I got into the car to drive to the service again. Once again we walked in with people telling us it was good to see us again. 

The service was once again amazing, and after the service my cousin and I joined my friend, and some other people from the church for dinner at restaurant near by. Then went to one of the friend's houses to play a board game, and just hang out. On our drive home at midnight I asked my cousin if she wanted to go again. We both agreed that we felt like we belonged, and loved it. I went to bed that night and realized God had answered a prayer i'd prayed for so long. I had finally found a church that I not only felt like I belonged. But, had people that I was becoming friends with. Which, growing up even in church I didn't have either. I'm excited to see what God does with having me attend this church. It's was evident that this was were I belonged.

My first answered prayer....

     I was 10-years old, and my mom was pregnant with her 5th child. After 3 boys ( the third was a stillborn :(  I really wanted a baby sister! I was the second oldest of the three, and outnumbered by two. Even though I didn't mind. Kevin- my twin was my shadow, and Devin was only 3-4 years old. So, of course he was like my " real baby doll" haha.I wanted a baby sister!

   I was laying in bed, and my mom was tucking me in. After telling me a story as she did every night I turned to her and said " Mom, I really want a baby sister." She smiled at me, and replied " Well, pray to God, and he will give you a baby sister." I didn't go to church often as a child then. But, my parents, and grandparents always told me about God, Salvation, and Jesus all the time. Though I had 0 experience with prayer except for accepting him into my heart around that time. I got on my knees every single night, and prayed for a baby sister. 

  Nine months later I was at my uncle's house playing with my cousin's when my uncle called me upstairs. He handed me a phone telling me it was my mom. The first things I heard was " You have a baby sister. What do you want to name her?" With all the excitement in the world that a 10 year old could muster I replied " Nicole Marie." I was beyond excited to have a baby sister, and instantly became protective. I remember crying while they gave her shots once she was born because I thought they were hurting my sister. When she was little between 3-5 ( not sure what age) she got really sick and had to stay at the hospital. I walked into the hospital, and she jumped into my arms.

  When she was a baby I begged my parents to put her crib in my room, and every night after she learned how to crawl out of it I'd feel her crawl up, and lay next to me. As she grew everyone said how alike we were, and oh how we laughed....

~ I loved playing with barbies - She loved pulling their heads off

~ I had a ton of baby dolls- she had one when she was 3. There is a picture to prove it lol

~ She loves animals- me not a big fan

~ She loved getting dirty when she was younger- I hated it!!! ( I would jump in the tub with my clothes on as a kid...my mom wasn't to thrilled about that.

~ I'm full out girly-girl. ( make up, dresses, hair products, the works) She is a tomboy, and loves sports ( which I think is awesome. The girl is amazing at basketball, and running. 

    So, what's caused this trip to memory lane suddenly? In 5 days my " baby" sister will be turning 16 years old, and finishing her sophomore year of high school. I am completely amazing, and so proud of the young woman she's becoming! People think because we are 10 years apart there is no way we could be close. What could we have in common?! Yet, my sister is one of my best friends. If I ever need a good laugh. I know to hang around with her. 

  You hear how sister's fight so badly. Especially when they are so different. But, the funny thing is. We've never really got into a fight. Yes, there are times we've annoyed each other. ( ok, it's mostly me annoying her lol) But, for the most part we have an amazing relationship full of laughs. Like today for instance I wanted a different shirt then the one I was wearing. So, I ask her if she has any in her bag ( we are staying in a hotel to watch our brother in  Special Olympics for his summer games.) 

  Well, I open the bag, and  pull out a ton of shirts. I start laughing, and go wait? Is this my bag? When did you start packing like me? Because today I packed like you!!! ( to know the humor in this you have to know how we pack. Nicole- an outfit or two, and some pjs.  Me: 3 shirts, 2 jeans, some pjs, make up, accessories, 3 books, my bible, my journal, a pack of gum, my cell phone, the chargers, two pairs of shoes,socks,and hair products.- yeah this is just for one night! ( You should have seen me try to pack for Ellerslie last summer. Packing for three months. My mom heard a lot of " mom I can't get it to fit!!!! I was trying to fit everything in 2 carry ons lol) 

  My sister just laughed since all I brought was an outfit for tomorrow, some pjs and makeup.( I was rushed lol) Our conversations always end up in laughter. The best one of tonight as we stood in a crowd of people Nicole: "Uh if only I was taller!" Me: " Wait. What? If only you were taller!!!" Nicole: Laughing " I can't see. I need to be taller." Me: Laughing " Want to trade?" ( she is 5'5 and I am 4'7.) 

   Through out the past 15 ( almost 16) years it drove me nuts when my mom would tell me to watch what I do, say, act, etc. Because I had a sister looking up to me. Honestly, at times it made me so mad. I didn't want that responsibility. I wanted to be a normal "teen\ Young Adult." Yet, as I have grown I realize what kind of responsibility I have. What I do, say,act, etc can in some way shape my sister. 

"  We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day when she is spoken for?" Song of Solomon 8:8"

  I sit back and think sometimes. What kind of choices would I  have made as a teen if I had an older sister to tell me about her experiences? To tell me why Purity was so important? To tell me what Christianity really was? To tell me not to waist a second in school on boys, and things that don't matter? To tell me to Guard my heart? Oh, how my past would be so much different!!! 

Yet, I realize in these moments that my mistakes of the past are the most important. I can't just hide them away and act like they never happened. But, I need to share with my sister the mistakes, pains, trials, etc. 

I also realize that my sister not only has learned not only about things i've shared with her. But, by watching me.

This also makes me realize that not just my sister is watching me. But, my family, friends, even strangers are watching me. May it be that everyday I show Christ to this world through his strength. May I also be an example to my sweet baby sister no matter how old she becomes. 
 

Always There

Two nights ago  the sweetest two month old baby girl stay the night. My big eyed ( still not sure if her eyes are going to turn Brown or Blue ;p) beautiful cousin Aubrey. As I laid her down I snugged up next to her until I thought she was fully asleep. Once I seen she was fully asleep I moved away from her just a little.

   Even in that small movement she freaked out. She started kicking her legs, her hands flying everywhere, and she started to cry. So I put my arm around her as I told her it was ok, I was right there. The moment she felt me near her again, she went back to sleep like she had never been startled. That's when God spoke to me as he does :).

  I was Aubrey in a sense. There had been a movement that startled me,and I was freaking out. But, he wasn't the one who had been the one to move. I was. It started out by little things. But, as time went on those little things became big distractions. Some even became Idols. The things that should have been the most important, and number One went on the back burner. Under the i'll do it later category.

  After repenting of these things, and having a long heart to heart with God. I just listened to the silence. The only sound was Aubrey's breathing, and the crickets outside my window. All I could do was smile.

 Then I looked up at the sky outside my window, and seen the cloud scattered across the sky. This may not seem like a big deal. But, to me it was like finding a love note on your pillow when you wake up in the morning. You see as a child when I seen clouds like that to me they were  God's footprints. Each time I seen " God's footprints." I was reminded that he was right there watching over me. Protecting me, and keeping me safe.

 As I started to drift off to sleep I could feel his arms wrapped around me, and his whisper telling me " it's ok, i'm right here." I looked over at Aubrey one last time, and seen the peace,joy, and contentment on that sweet face. I fell asleep with a smile on my face feeling peace,joy,and contentment knowing that both Aubrey and I where indeed safe, and that everything was ok. Because he was right there.

~ Melinda