Does Jesus Care?

"Does Jesus care, when I've said goodbye to the dearest on earth to me? When my sad heart aches, till it nearly breaks, is it aught to Him? Does He see? Oh yes, He cares! I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief..."

Here at the Podolls there is a collection of little glass bottles of various shapes and sizes. Everytime I see them I am reminded of the verse which talks about God collecting each of our tears in a bottle. What an awesome thought... God knows about and saves each one of my tears!!! Yet, I think about all the tears that I DON'T shed... the ones that are so deep in my heart that no one (except Jesus) can see. Does God see those and save those in a bottle? I verily believe that He does. I hope that He does, because I have cried barrels and buckets of those "hidden tears." I think I am crying them now... Lord Jesus, please collect them and heal my hurting heart!

We will be attending yet another funeral sometime in the next week. My Aunt Stacy passed away this morning in her sleep; cause of death is as yet undetermined. Pray for us... pray that the Lord will be glorified and that family members will be saved through this!

"...when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I KNOW my Savior cares!"

alc

Milwaukee!

Yesterday we went and picked my brother, Kyle, up from the airport in Milwaukee. He had been in CO for 3 weeks doing security officer training. Well, he done gradgiated and is now a Certified Protection Specialist. :) He even bought his fiance, Stacy, and I matching "Colorado" hats... this is a HUGE thing coming from my frugal brother. I couldn't have been more thrilled that he thought of me and bought me a souvenir! Blessings upon him! :) Please pray with us that he would be able to get a job soon.


Ah, love at first sight! :) This is "Studd," a handsome suburban that I found in Milwaukee. He is even for sale! However, I don't have any money to take him home, nor is it feasible to drag him all the way to Northland for pictures. :o) I can dream, though, can't I? ;)

So, it was a good trip to Milwaukee. It was good to see my family... I hadn't spend much time with them in a long while because of college, teaching, and work. I've been only slightly busy. :)

Only 2 weeks till Dad and I go to Northland... I'm so excited!!! Blueberry needs some repairs before we go, though... her belts are bad, she needs new tires, and an oil change wouldn't hurt (I can do the oil change by myself, though-- I've been taking Mechanics for Dummies 101 :) ).

My last undergraduate class started today-- yay! The "no homework" week was oh so nice, yet it could have lasted a lot longer. :o) Oh, by the by, we wrote the Christmas program last week!!! We will probably do auditions sometime this week. We are very excited about it. The possible (though as yet unofficial) title is "Out of Touch in the Inn." Performances are Dec. 9th & 10th at Faith Baptist Church, Wautoma. Come join us, if you can! :)

Must needs get back to the aforementioned homework. :) Have a splendiforous week!

Cuvulti!
alc

PS-- If you should so desire, I believe you may now post comments. :)

Musings of a Singular Nature

Singleness. Quite possibly the single-most dreaded word in a young woman's vocabulary. I have been musing on this topic for quite a while, and I thought I would post some comments, which will undoubtedly lead to more questions rather than provide answers. :) This is my paltry attempt at profundity, a result of my ever-increasing and unending love affair with the written word.

Carolyn McCulley has an apt description for what she terms, "extended singleness." Namely-- "One day past the wedding of a close high school friend." Having at least 4 close high school (or almost high school, if you count CMI :) ) friends get married in the past year (not to mention the unending list of acquaintences, former ministry partners, high school friends, etc.), I can relate to this definition and affirm that it is an accurate statement, at least in my own life. So, what do you DO if you are facing that (admittedly unattractive-- pun intended) prospect?

Methinks that there is a part of every woman's soul that longs to be loved... to find that "second half" of herself that she hopes is out there somewhere. To meet the one who somehow knows her heartbeat, and the one whose heartbeat she shares. To know that SOME young man out there (besides her father and grandfather) thinks that she is beautiful. To have a love so strong that it will last for 50 or 60 years and grow better with age. To love with a committment so deep that even at 70 and 80 they will be able to walk hand in hand down a country lane and enjoy it just as much as they did in their 20's. To know that she is a fit helpmeet for the man of God's choosing. Sentimental? Probably. Unrealistic? Probably. :) Yet, I see those comments and yearnings in women's eyes, whether or not they will admit to the feelings. How do I know? Because I see it in my own reflection in the mirror. Oh, we know how to hide it well. A smile, a laugh, an "I'm doing fine!" can throw most of the population (save the astute viewer) off the track.

Methinks that there is also a tendency to feel that God has somehow abandoned us as single women. In a world that seems filled to overflowing with doubles, why am I still single?! Am I THAT much of an oddball? (Please don't answer that-- that was a rhetorical question :) ). There is a sense of despair that creeps in and settles in the very depths of the soul. It is positively frightful, for one does not realize its presence until it has corrupted much of the mental processes.

What, then, is the solution? Has God abandoned us? It is an issue of sin, plain and simple. And the sin is this: Looking inward instead of God-ward, looking at circumstances instead of the One Who controls all things. Putting God in a box and declaring that someway, somehow, I, His finite creation, knows better! How many different ways are there to say "arrogance and pride"?! There is no easy answer, no "cure all" for the loneliness that single women face. In fact, it seems as though, as the woman matures, so does the desire for marriage. It deepens and grows and (if one is not careful) grows into a mammoth monster.

But, lo, there is hope! We must realize that God is LOVE, God is sovereign, and God rules and reigns over the hearts of men (and women). Many times lately I have had to repent of the attitude of "God must be holding out on me!" No... God has given me everything I need. God has, for this moment, given me the gift of singleness. That gift could be revoked at any time (which would excite me! ;) ), but until that time it is God's gift to me to use for His glory. Also, my satisfaction needs to be in HIM ALONE. I was praying the other day in the car, and I realized that as I poured out my heart to the Lord, I was... satisfied. Not even the thought of marriage brought a sense of depression. He satisfied my longings. Hence, for us as single women, we need to focus on the Lover of our Souls, the only One who truly satisfies and knows our hearts.

Also, we need to use our singleness to bless others. I will never forget a conversation with a young, at the time, single woman from a college near and dear to my heart. :) We were talking about ministry at school and church, etc. and she said that I had encouraged her because I was a single woman not feeling sorry for herself but seeking to serve the Lord with my single years. Unfortunately, I have stumbled a LOT since that encounter, yet her words were impressed on my heart. I can do many things right now as a single that I couldn't do as a double, so why am I not content with that?! If I am not content with God's will for my life right now, then I will not be content with God's will for my life as a married woman.

Those are some Chanda Panda musings on the topic of prominence in my mind at this moment. :) Comments welcome!

Hold fast, single sisters! :)

alc

Bounteous Blessings!

"Count your blessings, name them one by one...."

So, I am taking a few moments to tell you how the Lord has blessed me recently! To Him be all the praise and glory!!!

1. Today, by God's grace and mercy, I FINISHED my 11-page Romans research paper as well as took my Daniel final exam, which means I am DONE with both of those classes!!! And, I even finished before the midnight deadline! :)

2. Also today, I learned that my next 8-week class (which is my LAST undergraduate class!) does not start today, as I had thought, but NEXT Monday, which means that I have a blissful week of absolutely NO homework!!! Happiness!! :)

3. Yesterday the Lord provided so that Steph, Arthur and I were able to take the Dobbertin kids out to dinner at Culvers! We had a marvelous time!

4. Yesterday Craig preached a good sermon on trusting God to provide-- I always seem to need that reminder!

5. Saturday I was able to teach at the Children's Ministry Conference in Madison. It went very well, and I was excited to see friends that I haven't seen in a while! :)

6. Also Saturday, had a great time of fellowship with Sara, Steph, Jeremiah, & Tim. They are each a blessing! :)

7. Plans are coming together to do the illustrations for my CT & Blueberry book! Dad and I are headed to Northland on Nov. 3-4 to take pictures for the illustrations. Jeremiah is taking pics (Dad might, too), Scotty and I are driving the main characters, and mehopes that the rest of the e-team will join in the fun! The Lord is also providing ideas and vehiculars, which is a blessing!

8. The other day I bought a book "just for me"-- it's not for college, teaching, church, ministry, or anything... just for me! It is a huge blessing and has reminded me to keep my eyes on my sovereign God Who doeth all things well and Who does NOT make mistakes. Praise God for His faithfulness and longsuffering toward me!

I know there are more blessings, but I will close for now. Praise God for His goodness!

alc

Following

Cuvulti! (Don't ask me what it means, because SOMEBODY won't tell me.... :) )

Just a quick little update on what goes on in a Chanda Panda world. School, work, and college are all going fairly well... it's hard to keep them all organized, but for all that, it's going well! :) Had a great weekend with the e-team from Northland... some good ministry, fun, and fellowship. My little "niece", Rebekah, is the cutest thing! I verily believe she recognizes and knows me... she's always giving me big smiles. :) Last night we unloaded the hay wagon and put some bales around the house for insulation and then put the rest in the barn for the cows. I picked up a chicken for the first time in my life-- thrilling! ;)

Last night John and I were walking toward a mysterious location known only as "Otto's Chicken Coop" for an undetermined reason. It was dark and I wasn't sure where I was going. So, I decided to follow John instead of walk next to him. I figured, "Well, John knows where he's going-- if John doesn't trip and fall, then neither will I!" It reminded me of my walk as a Christian. I need to be careful who I am following so that I don't trip and fall, either. Primarily, I need to follow Christ, and then secondarily, Christian leaders. I am reminded of the verse which says, "Follow me, as I follow Christ." So, am I a good follower? Do I follow people who follow Christ? And, am I a good leader? Who is following behind my footsteps? Am I leading them to Christ, or will they end up tripping and falling?

I was talking to a dear friend last night, and we were sharing about some awesome answers to prayer that have just happened in the last day or two. It is exciting to see the Lord work in our lives and do "impossible" things! A few of the prayer requests I have seem "insignificant" in most people's eyes, but I know that I can take them to my Heavenly Father! He will never say, "Chanda Panda, why are you asking for that? Don't you know that's silly? Grow up!" He is ever patient and will answer according to His perfect will and timing.

Well, homework is calling... I have a final this week in Daniel/ Revelation and a big research paper due for Romans. But, after next Monday, I will be DONE with those 2 classes and will then begin Acts, which is my LAST undergraduate class!!!! Hooray!!!!

Have a good and godly day!

alc

Random Pics :o)

Hi!

So, I thought it would be fun to see if I could post pics here from my computer, and lo! it works!

Here's the nutty dog, Liberty, thinking she is Blueberry's bestest friend. Liberty thinks she fits quite nicely into Blueberry's trunk. "C'mon, Blueberry, let's RIDE!" Right.







These are the flowers my Dad brought to school... just for me!!!! ;) Am I spoiled... maybe a little?! My Dad is the greatest! :)

The kids all had to tease me about the flowers, though... they haven't gotten the memo yet that I'm a spinsterly schoolmarm. ;) But, I'll let them tease me anyway. I do so love my kids!










Here, folks, is "the pond." That will not mean anything to you unless you have read about the adventures of C.T. & Blueberry. This is the famed pond at which many adventures take place, and yes, those are their friends the geese. The day was just too beautiful... had to snap this pic! If Jeremiah likes it, maybe it will even end up in the book. :) By the by, if you would like to read about the adventures of C.T. & Blueberry, just email me and I'll send you a copy! ;)





The Lord has really been teaching me lately a lot about faith and trusting Him. I have felt my faith bolstered as I believe Him for "impossible things." He is the God of the impossibles! So, when was the last time you asked God for "the impossible thing"? ;)

Have a fabulous weekend serving the LORD in your local church!

alc

No, Not One!

A reminder that there is no friend like Jesus! (Also, a reminder of "The Ratio" singing group-- Erin, Kelly Ellen, Larea, Ben, & Ashley :) ).

No, Not One!

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all the soul's diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!

(Chorus)
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done.
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

There's not an hour that He is not near us--
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us--
No, not one! No, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!

Was e'er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! No, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in heaven?
No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our troubles,
He will guide till the day is done.
There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

~Johnson Oatman, Jr.

The Rush

Hello all (yes, all three people that read this :) ),

Rushing around is the best way to describe last week, esp. the last 4 days. Friday we drove to Minneapolis and back for Educator's Convention (talk about a LONG day!), then Sat. I worked 11 hours at Heartland House, mostly as a resident assistant (R.A.). Sun. was Sunday School (which I taught), then a surprise b-day party for Mrs. Dobbertin, which went very well! But, I am exhaustified and have a bunch of homework to accomplish before midnight tonight! No pressure! :) Have I mentioned that I am the part-time activities director at Preston Place (sister facility to HH) now?! The second job is a blessing, but right now I am trying to juggle a few too many balls.

The verse that comes to mind is "Be still and know that I am God." I am trying to remember that verse right about now. :)

Which means I should sign off and get busy! Let me know how you're doing, k? ;)

alc