Dental Clinic

Just this last Sunday, our campus had a free dental clinic for the community.  It was such blessing to be able to help those who came!  I was able to help a little with parking, as well as direct people from the screening area to triage.  We were able to see about 95 people.  Here are some pictures:

I got there about 6:45am, and at 7am, people started arriving!  This is the line for registration

Registration!  Stacey is helping there

This was the health expo, where people could go through while waiting to be seen by the dentist

Another waiting room

People just about ready to be called in by the dentist.  We had six dentists there.

Students had the opportunity to do dental assisting

It was such a blessing to be able to help these people!  Many were so grateful for the help they received, and I hope they can continue to see Jesus in us!

The Blessing of Prayer

There is a special gift

That God gave to man;

Something that one’s soul can lift—

Something that lifts to the Lamb.

This special gift can strengthen,

Those journey worn souls

Whose trials seem to lengthen,

And bring them down into the hole.

This gift can be used for thankfulness,

For bountiful blessings shed,

For the Lifegiver’s faithfulness,

And for the light that has led.

This gift can be used for others,

So to share that life-giving power;

Our families—our sisters and brothers,

So Christ’s love on them may shower.

This gift is a special one,

Not to be used with disheartened care,

We must use it reverently, and not shun,

This special gift called Prayer.

Tuesday nights at the college there is a prayer meeting, where we get together and sing and pray. It is always a blessing to be able to put studies and homework aside and spend time in fellowship praying with one another.

Last night was especially a blessing for me--it seems that every song that was picked was meant for me, and spending time in prayer was so refreshing.  I was also reminded how privileged I am to be able to talk to the King of the universe--yet sometimes I get so busy with my every day activities that I don't spend enough time praying.  Prayer is really a gift to us, and I want to take every opportunity I have to be able to talk to Jesus!

I was also reminded how Jesus spent whole nights in prayer.  If prayer was that important for Christ, how much more important should it be for us?  "It was in hours of solitary prayer that Jesus in His earth-life received wisdom and power.  Let the youth follow His example in finding at dawn and twilight a quiet season for communion with their Father in heaven.  And throughout the day let them lift up their hearts to God" (CG 525.2).

I came back last night so refreshed, that I have recommitted to praying more often--even if it means laying aside an important assignment in order to spend time with Jesus.  Here is one of the songs that really blessed me last night.  Try to focus on the words--I hope it can be a blessing for you too!

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me, at my Father's throne,

Make all my wants and wishes known!

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief.

And oft escaped the tempters snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His word, and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolation share

Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height

I view my home and take my flight.

In my immortal flesh I'll rise

To seize the everlasting prize.

And shout while passing through the air,

"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

Running a 10k

Wow, what a fun day!

For the past three weeks, a friend and I have been training for a 10k (6.3 miles)--I know that sounds like not enough time, but we decided last minute.  But I have enjoyed every bit of it.  And there were two things that kept me going as well: first, I live where it is higher elevation, and the race took place in lower elevation; and second, I trained where there were hills, and in Sacramento, there are no hills. ;)

We trained almost every day that we could.  We would end our run by going up a steep hill, and it paid off!  This morning we left at 5am and headed to Davis, CA where the race was.  Quite a few other people from the college went as well.

Elias, Rahel & Me

More people from the college

Just before the race begins

Lining up! We started the race at 8am.  Our goal was to end in less than an hour.  We ran the whole way without stopping--in a rainstorm. :)

We made it!  58 minutes, 9.2 min/mi

I had an awesome day, and as soon as Rahel and I are not sore anymore, we are going to start training for a half marathon. :)

Here's a little thought that today reminded of--let's not forget that we have a race everyday, and that we need to keep our eyes focused continually on Christ!

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:1, 2

School Days...

School has been so busy!  I have many more papers to write this semester than last semester, but thankfully, I have been able to get some of them done ahead of time.

I have really been enjoying my classes too.  I think I might have mentioned this before, but I am taking an  Intro to Teaching class, to see if teaching is something I would enjoy.  We have to spend a couple hours each week observing at the academy and elementary schools here.  We have to decide by Monday where we want to plant ourselves for the rest of the semester.  I think I will try elementary this time.  :) I went observing at the elementary school one day last week, and we took a hike for their break.  I also had meant to take some pictures of the classroom, but I completely forgot! Oh well, here are some pictures of their hike to the swing.

Esther is doing her student teaching.

I have been reading through Psalms for my devotions, and I wanted to share a little thought here before I close.  It was a good reminder to me to be more thankful for all of God's blessings that He gives me each and every day. I hope it will be a blessing to you too!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul:

and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

who healeth all thy diseases;

 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

Psalm 103:1-5

Afternoon Hike

Sabbath afternoon we went on a hike with friends.  It was a great day for a hike because it was warm--72 degrees outside.  We went on a hike called Steven's Trail.  If you go the whole way, it is 4.5 miles down to the American river.  We just went maybe a little less than half way.

Kelly and Stefanie

That's a train track up there...

...And there's the train!

Climbing rocks in the creek

A little further down the trail there is a small cave

A view of the American River

Panorama View

"Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens;

and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains;

thy judgments are a great deep:

O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.

 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God!

therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house;

and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

 For with thee is the fountain of life:

in thy light shall we see light" 

Psalm 36:5-9.

A Day of Lessons...

God taught me some important lessons today for which I am very thankful!   I have been able to help a little bit with the outreach here, and although it has been a huge blessing for me, it can sometimes be a little discouraging.   Today was especially discouraging because it seemed like I and a few others would be the only ones helping with outreach today.  

But God showed me that sometimes we just need to be willing to do what He has called us to do, and work faithfully for Him to fulfill whatever duty we have been given.  We shouldn't be worried about how much help we are going to get, or be worried about how things will turn out for that day.  We just need to do our part willingly and faithfully, letting God take care of the rest.  

I am so thankful for this lesson!  It turned out to be a big blessing!  I was able to go with a group to help with some yard work, and although there were just four of us, we were able to get a lot done.

This lady needed a lot of help with her yard.

Michael trimming trees

Jessa!

Jessa and Me!

Finished!

The lady was so touched by our willingness to take a few hours out of our day to come and help her and her husband with their yard.  And for me, it made me feel so blessed, and so very happy to know that I had made a difference in someone's life--however small it was.   I have made a commitment to just be faithful and willing to do whatever God calls me to do, and not worry about anything else--because God is the one ultimately guiding us in our work.   I feel so very blessed! :)

School Blessings

School has gotten off to a good start for me, for which I am really thankful.  This semester, along with the General courses that I am taking, I am also taking an Intro to Teaching class.  This is to help me determine whether I want to do teaching as a career or not.  Like my teacher said, for this class, I'll either really come to love teaching, or I'll get really sick of teaching.  ;) For the class, we have to do a lot of observing in classrooms, as well as do some teaching.  I'm continuing to pray that God will show me which direction to go.

But, as of now, I am really enjoying that class.  We have to read through Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students.   I started reading it this afternoon--the first two paragraphs were so powerful!  This was a blessing to me, and I want to apply this to my life.  I hope it will be a blessing to anyone who reads this.

"Higher education is an experimental knowledge of the plan of salvation, and this knowledge is secured by earnest and diligent study of the Scriptures.  Such an education will renew the mind and transform the character, restoring the image of God in the soul.  It will fortify the mind against the deceptive whisperings of the adversary, and enable us to understand the voice of God.  It will teach the learner to become a co-worker with Jesus Christ, to dispel the moral darkness about him, and bring light and knowledge to men.  It is the simplicity of true godliness--our passport from the preparatory school of earth to the higher school above....To gain the higher education means to follow this word implicitly; it means to walk in the footsteps of Christ, to practice His virtues.  It means to give up selfishness and to devote the life to the service of God.  Higher education calls for something greater, something more divine, than the knowledge to be obtained merely from books.  It means a personal, experimental knowledge of Christ; it means emancipation from ideas, from habits and practices, that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness, and which are opposed to loyalty to God.  It means to overcome stubbornness, pride, selfishness, worldly ambition, and unbelief.  It is the message of the deliverance from sin."  CT 11, 12

Back Home!

We arrived home late Tuesday night.  It seemed that all of our flights were delayed by at least 30 or more minutes.  But, when we finally arrived in Sacramento, the same group that saw us off was there to meet us--my family, and Brenna and Michelle!  

Now, I am just getting settled into another semester of school.  Classes began today, but thankfully I had only a couple of classes so I could finish getting settled from my trip.

Just because I am back from Panama doesn't mean that you won't hear from me on my blog again--I plan to keep it up the best I can.  :)

Headed Home!

We have finally arrived in Los Angeles!   Now we just have one more leg to Sacramento.  :)

LA

Panama Canal

This morning we went to Panama Canal--it was so interesting!  I remember studying about this in history years ago.  It was really neat being able to see the boats going through the different locks.  We were at the Miraflores locks. 

This boat was a cargo boat from Indonesia.

The red boat carries oil and gas--from London.

Tomorrow, we leave around 11:40am, and we will arrive in Sacramento around 9:30pm.  And then, school registration the next day!

Panama City

I can't believe that a month has gone by so fast!   It seems like only yesterday when we arrived.  I am so thankful that the Acosta family let me come and stay with them. :)

Yesterday morning we left for Panama City.  We drove to David, where we loaded our bags into their cousin's car.   Then we drove about 6 hours to Panama City--we will be staying with their cousin until Tuesday when we fly out.  

Today, we are touring around the city to see the Panama Canal, and a few other places.  

A New Year's Thought

Here's something I read for my devotions this morning I thought I would share as a little new year's thought.    I hope it can be a blessing to you--and may you have a blessed new year!

"Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious....O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:  Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.  For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.  Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.   Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads;  we went through fire and through water:  but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place....Come and hear, all ye that fear God,  and I will declare what he hath done for my soul....Blessed be the Lord,  who daily loadeth us with benefits,  even the God of our salvation."  Psalm 66:1, 2, 8-12, 16; 68:19.