I completed my fourth year of school a little over a week ago now, and I have been meaning to write this post for a while, but thankfully I've been very preoccupied with work ever since I got home. (I say thankfully because it is honestly such a joy to work and I am very thankful for my job with Chick fil A). But tonight I have some free time so I thought I would take the time to write this.
This past year was a very rewarding school year for me; quite honestly the best year I've had in college. I thoroughly enjoyed living at Indiana School for the Deaf, working in the classrooms, and getting to know nine beautiful girls better. And I learned A LOT!! I really improved with my ASL skills and learned about different aspects of teaching that I don't think any lecture hall at Ball State could prepare me for. I also discovered that teaching students with any degree loss is truly what I want to do with the rest of my life. My heart is definitely in this field, and I am thankful that I had the wonderful experience of working in the classroom to realize that.
But this past year was also my fourth year of college, and I have two more years to go. At first, when I realized how long I was going to be in college, I was a little disappointed (and discouraged). The past week was a little more difficult for me because quite a number of my high school friends graduated from college on Saturday.
But God has been constantly reminding me of the verse in Isaiah that says this: " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways', thus says the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). I don't think we as inhabitants of this earth truly understand what this means. I don't think the Lord was only talking about the thoughts we think and the things we do; I think He was also talking about the plans we make for our own life. This verse could also be read "For My plans are not your plans, nor is My timing your timing". Sometimes we make plans for ourselves (or the world makes plans for us or tells us the ideal paths we should follow) and they don't always go the way we map out. But that doesn't mean we are failing in life AT ALL!
I used to believe that if I didn't finish college in four years, I was a failure. But my God has shown me how that train of thinking is the wrong train of thinking. My God's plans are not my plans (or the world's plans) at all, that is for sure. But the good news is His thoughts and plans are higher than mine and are absolutely perfect! Jesus is a GOOD King, and we can trust Him completely to bless our lives and guide it according to His will. NONE of His plans will fail.
However, we have to realize and accept that our plans are not always His plans, and be willing to pray and seek the Lord when life just doesn't make sense. I have two more years (at least) in school, and to some that might sound depressing/disappointing (and honestly, there are days when that reminder is just a painful one). But I believe I will be in school for a while because God has something great and amazing He wants to do with the last two years of my college career. I have absolutely no idea what those plans are, but I know my God is good all the time. ALL the time.
Quite honestly, I am thankful that God placed me in Ivy Tech for two years because although it might of "set me behind", without those two years, I wouldn't have my job at Chick-fil-A. And if you read my last few blogs, you know how much I ADORE my job at Chick-fil-A.
I can trust Him. In the meantime, the Lord just wants me to let Him take the wheel and enjoy the ride. God has a purpose for every single year, every single DAY of our lives; our lives and the work He has for us doesn't start when we start our dream career or marry the partner of our prayers; our life is NOW, today. Today we should live, and live for His glory. His plans are for the future, yes, but just as importantly, they are for today.
So, as I finish my last two years (hopefully ;) ) of school, I am going to use those years to draw closer to my God, and the people He has brought into my life. I have made some incredible friendships during my college career and developed closer relationships with my family; I wouldn't trade those relationships for the best teaching job in the world. Because God has used EACH person I've had the privilege of fellowshipping with to greatly bless and enrich my life.While I take the next two years of school to study hard, I will also take the next two years to spend time with the amazing people God has placed in my life.
We have to remember that God may have different plans than we do, and that is okay. We don't have to know what those plans are; but we do have to learn to TRUST Him and pray more. I am still working on praying more than I do, but I believe that as I pray daily, all the trials and periods of waiting I've gone through (and have yet to experience) will make sense in the light of my Savior's will. And I will learn to trust Him more. So let us put away our life's agenda and our plans, and let us just simply "follow Him". (Warning: It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it!)
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Considering It Pure Joy
The purpose of this blog is not to complain, though it might seem like it at first. And it is not to make you, the reader, feel bad. I just wanted to give you a perspective of what it is like to be hard of hearing from my ears so that you (the reader) might learn how to help other people in your life who have a hearing loss lead an easier lifestyle. Also, my difficulties are what make me a better person. Learning to deal with not having perfect hearing teaches me so much more than I think even hearing people will ever learn. And I hope your eyes will be open to that. May my God enlighten you with my experiences, and may He grant you more compassion by understanding what it is like living with a disability (although, I try to turn it into an ability! :))
Growing up with a hearing loss and a little bit of a memory difficulty was definitely never easy. It came with numerous trials and sometimes some heartaches. I hated causing some frustration and, once in a while, heartache, for my parents and my siblings...mostly my parents. I knew that it was challenging for my mom and dad to have to raise their voices while still working on not sounding angry (which is not easy, I know. I saw how hard they worked on it). They were never angry with me when I had to ask them to repeat themselves (though they'd understandably showed frustration) and I appreciated that, but I knew it was also challenging. I hated being a "burden" in that sense, although now I knew that God had a purpose in that and my parents probably learned a lot while raising me.
Another challenging aspect of living with a hearing loss is not catching every part of a group conversation (and not having the guts to ask the group to repeat themselves). Sometimes (and this happens still) someone would say something funny and the whole group would start laughing, and I'd be sitting there, feeling a little left out, because I missed the punch line. And let's be honest, it just isn't the same when tells you the punch line for the second time. I hated (and still dislike) the feeling I get when I realize I missed a great group conversation.
Hearing aids are not very comfortable to wear. I can tell you that for sure! That is why I refuse to wear them to bed, even for a nap! This year while living at the Deaf School has been a blessing since I don't have to wear my hearing aids all day. They get so sore after a while! Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for my hearing aids! I wouldn't be able to be as independent as I am without them, and I probably wouldn't be as outgoing as I am now if I didn't have the blessing of being able to hear (kind of...it doesn't sound the same as being able to hear the real sounds, I would assume). But I am definitely looking forward to that day when after I embrace my Savior for the first time, He looks at me and says, "Let's take these out and throw them away! You can hear!" (At least, sometimes that is how I imagine it will go. Hehe)
Another challenge with being hard of hearing is asking people to repeat themselves. I honestly hate doing that. I feel like an inconvenience when I have to do that, although most people are really good at being patient and just slowing down and speaking more clearly. But I know it is annoying to some people sometimes and I don't like being a burden in that sense. I am not sorry I couldn't hear them at first because it is embarrassing for me. Because it honestly isn't embarrassing to ask people to repeat themselves. I don't like giving them more work to do, or delaying our conversation. But I am thankful that most people don't let this inconvenience be a burden. It is the understanding of these people that give me confidence to hold a conversation with others.
I absolutely love music!!! Love it, love it, love it! I wish I had the time and means to play my instruments every single day for hours, especially my piano. I am by no means an accomplished pianist, but I LOVE to hear the piano just the same. It is a beautiful sound! But, I wish I could hear what the piano sounds like for real. If it is beautiful to my imperfect ears that makes the sound muffled and "electronic", I am sure it is absolutely GORGEOUS when one listens to it with perfect hearing. I asked God to give me a grand piano so I can worship Him in my eternal home, and I cannot wait to hear it's beautiful sound!
But you know what? Even with the various difficulties that come with having a hearing loss, I wouldn't trade it for a life with perfect hearing at all!!! My hearing loss has actually drawn me closer to my Savior, and it is through my hearing loss that I am able to reach out to other people. When I am having a frustrating day because I am not hearing others very well (which most often occurs at Chick fil A), I remind myself to lean on Jesus. It is through my hearing loss that I've grown more dependent on Him and it has caused me to run to Him more, which is beautiful! I have learned the love of my Savior when I've called on Him to help me hear people better, and He answers. And I've learned to be very patient with others, what it means to love others above myself, and to let Jesus be my ears. And I have such a compassion for those who are Deaf. I believe my hearing loss is what is going to make me a compassionate and understanding teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing, and I hope to be a good role model for them.
But the number one reason I wouldn't trade my hearing loss for perfect hearing in this life is because I know that the first thing I'll ever hear perfectly is the voice of my Savior. That will be such a sweet, sweet sound! I know His voice is the most beautiful thing ever to be heard, and I am so thankful that that will be the very first thing I will truly hear. And it is so worth the wait.
My hearing loss is truly a blessing in disguise, my cross to bear. And I bear it gladly, leaning on my Savior. (I must say though, I am thankful He gave people the gift to make hearing aids for people like me!) It is through my hearing loss that He has given me so much compassion for other people who have a hearing loss, who are completely deaf, or have other disabilities. And it has taught me patience. When others get frustrated with me, I remember how difficult it is for them to not truly understand what it is like to be in my shoes, and instead of becoming frustrated with them in turn, Jesus has been teaching me to be compassionate and understanding with them. I think that sometimes, God uses my patience and compassion with others to lead others closer to Him. If that isn't true, then may that be my new prayer.
My word of advice to all of you who are reading this is this: If God has given you a cross to bear, ask Him to show you how to use it for His glory. How does He want you to use your struggles to reach out to the lost, and those who are stumbling in their walk with God (which will definitely be every person in your life.)? And how can you use your difficulty to grow more dependent on your Savior? I won't promise you these are easy lessons, because they are not. But the reward...the reward of knowing your Savior on a deeper level and having such a desire for Him....is worth ALL the heartache.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" ~ James 1:2-4
P.S. It is really nice to be able to "turn my ears off" to annoying sounds too!
Friday, March 28, 2014
Why I Love Chick fil A
Most of you who will read my posts already know me personally and therefore know I work at Chick fil A in my hometown. But you might not know why I work there (besides the obvious reason that is a great way to earn money) and why I love it! Well, let me tell you. :)
I still remember the day I went to Chick fil A to do an open interview. I was so nervous, and honestly I didn't want to be there at first. But money was getting really tight, I was in my second year at Ivy Tech, and I was bored of only going to school, doing homework and volunteering at a local preschool. Plus a friend of mine really encouraged me to apply at the store, ensuring me it would be an awesome experience for me. So I thought, "Why not? At least it'll be a way to earn money."
My friend was right about it being an awesome experience! What started off as a job just to earn some money and earn my way through school (with the help of my parents and a few scholarships) turned into a beautiful daily experience and a mission for God's kingdom. During my interviews, the owner of the store and the executive manager at the time spent more time asking me personal questions and striving to get to know me on a personal level, and that really impressed me! They obviously saw me as an individual, not just as a potential employer. They also both asked me a lot of questions regarding my hearing loss, how I coped with it, what THEY could do to make this job easier for me, and seemed impressed that I was so independent regardless of my hearing loss. That really blessed me, and I knew I would love working for this company.
And I do! I absolutely adore working for Chick fil A!
As I said, Chick-fil-A is not only my part time job; it is also my mission field. God calls us to do EVERYTHING for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). I have an opportunity to do that every time I work at the store. When I am at Chick fil A, I have the opportunity to serve other people, both customers and co-workers, friends and strangers. And I have the opportunity to be a light for Christ through the act of service. Those opportunities come in many different forms; through sharing a smile, saying "My pleasure!" sincerely, carrying trays to the table for the guests, being patient with my co workers and the guests, giving children free ice-cream, and showing genuine care for the customers as individuals. Even less pleasant work, such as cleaning the tables, the bathrooms, or mopping the floors, have become a mission for Jesus to me. At first, I didn't consider these tasks as ways I could honor Christ (I mean, emptying the trash can?? Really? How is that being a light to Jesus?). But further into my time at Chick-fil-A, I realized that doing these things were how I could serve our team and our guest, and God says that when we serve others we bring glory to God. Guests like having a clean place to eat (and I do too, quite frankly), and I can serve God by making sure they have a clean dining experience. Clearing the guest's tray for them show them that we want to serve them the best we can, and when we do that, we are serving Christ (Matthew 25:40).
Another way my job at Chick fil A has become a mission field is by showing love for, interest in, and genuine care for the guests and my teammates. There have been many times when I've had the opportunity to just talk with a guest (or a couple of guests) and hear about what is going on in their lives, share a smile with them, and help them get everything they need in order to enjoy a meal together as a family. There are even a couple of regular guests that I now consider friends, and it is always a blessing to see them at the store and hear what God has been doing in their lives. (I greatly respect and admire a couple that frequent the store. They've been married for 60+ years! So amazing! It is always a joy to see them at the store and hear what God has been doing in their lives. And they have told me that they pray for me all the time, that I will be able to do well in school. What a blessing!!)
I consider each of my teammates a friend, and I love hearing about what God is doing in their lives and just see their smiling faces at work. I pray for each of them often (I need to make sure I pray for them daily, though), and I love working alongside each of them. God created some amazing and beautiful people! Friendship is one of His greatest gifts to us, and I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful Chick fil A friends! Going to work is often fun because it means working alongside my friends to serve God and others. We have a lot of fun together, even on stressful days! Being friends with your coworkers makes it easier to work together, accomplish our mission, and help each other out. The many friendships God has given me through the Chick fil A team is probably the number one reason I love working for this company!
This last point I want to make is by no means the least important reason I love working at Chick fil A. I love working at Chick fil A because my co workers, the managers, and our operator show an incredible amount of respect for me despite my hearing loss and work so well with me. I have NEVER had to deal with anyone getting frustrated with me when I cannot hear them well or am having trouble understanding them. Nor do they allow my hearing loss be a limit to what they let me help with. Andrew still hired me even after hearing about the struggles I sometimes face due to my hearing loss, and he is always letting me try to do things even if they could be a struggle at first. During my first year at Chick fil A I only worked in the dining room because my old hearing aids made it difficult for me to understand the guests when they ordered and block out the background noise while at the register. But when I got my new, better-quality digital hearing aids two years ago, I asked if I could try working at the register one day, and the leadership team were willing to give it a go. I am so thankful they were because now I can help the store out by working both in the dining room and on the register; and I love doing both!!
Due to my imperfect hearing, I probably say the word "What?" or ask my coworkers to repeat themselves more often than I would like to admit, and I am sure it must be annoying or frustrating for my coworkers at times; but not once have any of them EVER displayed anger or frustration toward me when they need to repeat themselves. I am SO THANKFUL for that! It makes my job so much easier, and it really boosts my confidence in myself. Knowing that I can ask my co workers and the leaders to repeat themselves without fearing that I am being annoying or a nuisance is so reassuring to me. Chick fil A is really good at working with all their employees, and not allowing ANY disability or difficulty be a nuisance or a hindrance. I love that they allow me to challenge myself and overcome my disability by working at the register and talking directly with the guests in the dining room. The amount of respect I receive at Chick fil A is such a treasure to me (and they probably don't even realize how much respect they actually give me!) To me, this is true Christianity in action: being willing to see an individual as a child of God who is more than capable to do His work despite their disability. It is an amazing way of loving others like Christ loves them.
I couldn't ask for a better part time job while I continue my education. I am always so excited to come back home and serve God and others alongside my friends. Getting paid is just a bonus! So, the next time someone asks me why on earth I spend my break working at Chick fil A or why I would drive home on a weekend just to spend a few hours at the store, I'll tell them this: Because every day I spend at the store, I can see the hand of God at work in my life and the life of others; and I can make sure that every act I do is for HIS glory. And nothing can compare to that!
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
I still remember the day I went to Chick fil A to do an open interview. I was so nervous, and honestly I didn't want to be there at first. But money was getting really tight, I was in my second year at Ivy Tech, and I was bored of only going to school, doing homework and volunteering at a local preschool. Plus a friend of mine really encouraged me to apply at the store, ensuring me it would be an awesome experience for me. So I thought, "Why not? At least it'll be a way to earn money."
My friend was right about it being an awesome experience! What started off as a job just to earn some money and earn my way through school (with the help of my parents and a few scholarships) turned into a beautiful daily experience and a mission for God's kingdom. During my interviews, the owner of the store and the executive manager at the time spent more time asking me personal questions and striving to get to know me on a personal level, and that really impressed me! They obviously saw me as an individual, not just as a potential employer. They also both asked me a lot of questions regarding my hearing loss, how I coped with it, what THEY could do to make this job easier for me, and seemed impressed that I was so independent regardless of my hearing loss. That really blessed me, and I knew I would love working for this company.
And I do! I absolutely adore working for Chick fil A!
As I said, Chick-fil-A is not only my part time job; it is also my mission field. God calls us to do EVERYTHING for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). I have an opportunity to do that every time I work at the store. When I am at Chick fil A, I have the opportunity to serve other people, both customers and co-workers, friends and strangers. And I have the opportunity to be a light for Christ through the act of service. Those opportunities come in many different forms; through sharing a smile, saying "My pleasure!" sincerely, carrying trays to the table for the guests, being patient with my co workers and the guests, giving children free ice-cream, and showing genuine care for the customers as individuals. Even less pleasant work, such as cleaning the tables, the bathrooms, or mopping the floors, have become a mission for Jesus to me. At first, I didn't consider these tasks as ways I could honor Christ (I mean, emptying the trash can?? Really? How is that being a light to Jesus?). But further into my time at Chick-fil-A, I realized that doing these things were how I could serve our team and our guest, and God says that when we serve others we bring glory to God. Guests like having a clean place to eat (and I do too, quite frankly), and I can serve God by making sure they have a clean dining experience. Clearing the guest's tray for them show them that we want to serve them the best we can, and when we do that, we are serving Christ (Matthew 25:40).
Another way my job at Chick fil A has become a mission field is by showing love for, interest in, and genuine care for the guests and my teammates. There have been many times when I've had the opportunity to just talk with a guest (or a couple of guests) and hear about what is going on in their lives, share a smile with them, and help them get everything they need in order to enjoy a meal together as a family. There are even a couple of regular guests that I now consider friends, and it is always a blessing to see them at the store and hear what God has been doing in their lives. (I greatly respect and admire a couple that frequent the store. They've been married for 60+ years! So amazing! It is always a joy to see them at the store and hear what God has been doing in their lives. And they have told me that they pray for me all the time, that I will be able to do well in school. What a blessing!!)
I consider each of my teammates a friend, and I love hearing about what God is doing in their lives and just see their smiling faces at work. I pray for each of them often (I need to make sure I pray for them daily, though), and I love working alongside each of them. God created some amazing and beautiful people! Friendship is one of His greatest gifts to us, and I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful Chick fil A friends! Going to work is often fun because it means working alongside my friends to serve God and others. We have a lot of fun together, even on stressful days! Being friends with your coworkers makes it easier to work together, accomplish our mission, and help each other out. The many friendships God has given me through the Chick fil A team is probably the number one reason I love working for this company!
This last point I want to make is by no means the least important reason I love working at Chick fil A. I love working at Chick fil A because my co workers, the managers, and our operator show an incredible amount of respect for me despite my hearing loss and work so well with me. I have NEVER had to deal with anyone getting frustrated with me when I cannot hear them well or am having trouble understanding them. Nor do they allow my hearing loss be a limit to what they let me help with. Andrew still hired me even after hearing about the struggles I sometimes face due to my hearing loss, and he is always letting me try to do things even if they could be a struggle at first. During my first year at Chick fil A I only worked in the dining room because my old hearing aids made it difficult for me to understand the guests when they ordered and block out the background noise while at the register. But when I got my new, better-quality digital hearing aids two years ago, I asked if I could try working at the register one day, and the leadership team were willing to give it a go. I am so thankful they were because now I can help the store out by working both in the dining room and on the register; and I love doing both!!
Due to my imperfect hearing, I probably say the word "What?" or ask my coworkers to repeat themselves more often than I would like to admit, and I am sure it must be annoying or frustrating for my coworkers at times; but not once have any of them EVER displayed anger or frustration toward me when they need to repeat themselves. I am SO THANKFUL for that! It makes my job so much easier, and it really boosts my confidence in myself. Knowing that I can ask my co workers and the leaders to repeat themselves without fearing that I am being annoying or a nuisance is so reassuring to me. Chick fil A is really good at working with all their employees, and not allowing ANY disability or difficulty be a nuisance or a hindrance. I love that they allow me to challenge myself and overcome my disability by working at the register and talking directly with the guests in the dining room. The amount of respect I receive at Chick fil A is such a treasure to me (and they probably don't even realize how much respect they actually give me!) To me, this is true Christianity in action: being willing to see an individual as a child of God who is more than capable to do His work despite their disability. It is an amazing way of loving others like Christ loves them.
I couldn't ask for a better part time job while I continue my education. I am always so excited to come back home and serve God and others alongside my friends. Getting paid is just a bonus! So, the next time someone asks me why on earth I spend my break working at Chick fil A or why I would drive home on a weekend just to spend a few hours at the store, I'll tell them this: Because every day I spend at the store, I can see the hand of God at work in my life and the life of others; and I can make sure that every act I do is for HIS glory. And nothing can compare to that!
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
Thursday, March 27, 2014
It's All for You
I never really thought about starting a blog before. It seemed like something that only those who live crazily amazing lives and have many adventures could do, such as my dear friend Chelsea. But then one day I was meditating on the Lord and thinking about all He has done for me in my life. And I was reminded of the changes that this year brought, changes that were hard to accept at first but I learned to embrace. And I thought: How can I keep from singing out His praise and what all He's done for me? How can I keep from shouting about His MERCY and POWER in my life. But the problem is...I can't sing. Not well. (And I'd really rather not shout) But I can write. And I can share with you the goodness and the mercy of our God; the different things He has been showing me lately and the ways He is molding me into the vessel that He needs me to be.
The purpose of this blog is to brag on God. I believe we don't do enough of that. We brag way too much on ourselves, the created, and not enough on Jesus, our Creator. My goal is to change that. I am praying that this blog will give you just a glimpse of His power, work, and mercy in my life and that He will use my testimony of His grace and hand on my life to change yours and inspire you to run more after Him. Now, I am by no means a perfect example of a vessel for the Holy Spirit. And I never will be. (Boy, am I a queen at making mistakes!) But I am learning and growing. And I invite you to learn and grow with me!
Having said that, enjoy reading a little about God's work in a simple girl's life and what His power can do.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
~1 Corinthians 10:31
The purpose of this blog is to brag on God. I believe we don't do enough of that. We brag way too much on ourselves, the created, and not enough on Jesus, our Creator. My goal is to change that. I am praying that this blog will give you just a glimpse of His power, work, and mercy in my life and that He will use my testimony of His grace and hand on my life to change yours and inspire you to run more after Him. Now, I am by no means a perfect example of a vessel for the Holy Spirit. And I never will be. (Boy, am I a queen at making mistakes!) But I am learning and growing. And I invite you to learn and grow with me!
Having said that, enjoy reading a little about God's work in a simple girl's life and what His power can do.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
~1 Corinthians 10:31
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