Happy Holidays!

Wow it has been awhile since I have posted on here! It is around this time of year that I think about family, taking a break from school to breathe and relax after studying hard for finals. I have four of them next week! I have already turned in all my papers, now I just have the exams to complete. As I look on this semester, I can tell you that it was challenging and rewarding at the same time. I got a new perspective on what poverty is, I learned a lot about how children develop physically, emotionally, and cognitively from birth to adolescence. I also learned how to write a research proposal (final product was 12 pages, not including the review board form!). I also learned how to manage clients in a human services situation.

I also just completed the Beth Moore studies at Summit View. If you have not heard of her, you should go to lifeway.com and look at her studies! They are amazing! They have taught me so much more about Jesus my Savior! And how amazing He really is! It totally related to my life, and it was just what I needed to hear! I would like to thank Vicky Dillion and all the women at Summit View, especially my small group,who are helping me slowly better understand Jesus and how to deepen my relationship with Him everyday.

I have also been speaking and hopefully building a relationship with my half-sister Oneida. She is my Dad's daughter from a previous relationship before he met my Mom. She found me on Myspace, and we have been talking and sorting things out that happened in the past. Hopefully if all goes well I might be seeing her in May when I go to South Carolina to visit my Dad's family, and drive with them to Atlanta to see my cousin Jeremy graduate from Morehouse! I am SO proud of what he has accomplished in his life. I wish he and the rest of the family lived closer!

Last but not least the election was a historic event! The part that saddened me,however, is all the negativity that both candidates spread throughout the election, and how their personal issues overshadowed the issues that the American public needed from them in order to make a decision that affects ALL of our lives. I think that we have come a long way since the first elections in this great country of ours!

With Christmas around the corner and in the economic times, we are all struggling. Lets remember that Christmas is not all about gifts, and parties. It is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and all that He has done for us. If Summit View is going out on Christmas Eve to Downtown Portland and serving food to those less fortunate, you can believe I will do it again! I did it last year and it was a very humbling experience. The stories I heard and the connections I made were incredible.

I hope that this sees everyone well, and may you be blessed this Holiday season!

Morgan

Serving

I went to a class at Summit View last night called Summit View 301-Serving at Summit View. The pre-work for the Class helped us find our SHAPE- or our Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. We worked a lot on the spiritual gifts and I realized that we all have been given them by God and that when we use them to the best of our ability, we are going to be rewarded in a big way. I love the fact that the whole class was based on His word and that I think it helped me figure out that I want to really help out with the middle school ministry by being a mentor to them. I think that if I had a mentor when I was their age, it would have helped a lot. My past experiences will also help in the fact that I can better understand what they are going through and either just listen and if they ask, give them advice. I think that by taking this class it really is telling me that I need to work with kids in some way. So I encourage everyone to take the classes that Summit View has to offer, and find their own unique SHAPE!!

God Bless,

Morgan

The Beach

Yesterday after church the Blais family decided to go to the beach and invited me along. I haven't been to the beach in awhile so I was really excited to go. I love going to the beach and being away from all the stress of work and school. With the water and the wind blowing in my face, I felt free and had a chance to get reconnected with myself...to recharge my batteries so to speak. The water was so calm and warm. It was sunny but windy. I think the beach is a great inspiration for prayer and some serious Bible reading! I recommend taking a day and going..or an entire weekend! Morgan

Getting Started

Hey everyone I am new at this blog thing but I was inspired by Aimee and Casey to start one! I think it is a great way to keep in touch with people and let them know how your life is going. Well I am 21 and I am a student at Clark College. I will be graduating from there hopefully after this quarter and in August I will be starting at Washington State University Vancouver. I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life. I will be getting my bachelors degree in human development, and my masters degree in elementary education. After that I will be a teacher! I am also a huge believer in Jesus Christ and I do not know what I would do without Him in my life. Since joining Summit View Church in December, I have devoted myself completely to Him and plan to do so for the rest of my life. My family is also hugely important to me. I have the best mom anyone could ask for and a wonderful sister who I love to death! My grandparents have been a huge support to me as well, especially my grandpa after my dad passed away almost 15 years ago now. He has been the male role model in my life. He takes me to lunch and the movies, and, yes if you can believe it, taught me how to drive! (that was quite the adventure, just ask him). My dad's family lives in South Carolina and even though I do not see them very often I talk with them on the phone and they are also a huge support system for me.

I love to read my Bible and write in a prayer journal that I have. I can look back at the journal entries and go wow, I have changed so much in my relationship with Jesus! I went to church growing up but after my great-grandmother passed away my mom, sister and I stopped going to church. I rarely read the Bible and then last year Kris took me to a college group called The Way. Then he invited me to Summit View and I have been going ever since. I can't wait to see what God has planned for my future, but I know that if I follow His path, He will be with me and guide me always!

I would love comments and will be giving updates regularly!

Morgan