JET Update 3

From the official Canadian website for the JET Programme:

"Candidates who have interviewed for the 2009 JET Programme will be notified of the results by letter in early April."

http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/jetcanada/NewUpdates.html

April 1st is in two days!

Question. Answer? Please!

Here's the question that is bothering me:

is not creating a back-up plan demonstrating/encouraging trust in the Lord, or is not creating a back-up plan not using the abilities He has given me?

I've looked into other possible options; that is, I've researched some of them, but I haven't taken any steps towards even making the back-up options into real possibilities.

So, is this not showing faith in God's plan for me, or is this being unwise?

I don't know.  And I want some opinions.

Update On Life

It's been a while since I last posted, so I thought I'd do a quick update.

I'm currently house-sitting for someone and their demon-cat, who used to love me, but has tried to swipe me five times already (and it's only been three days)!  I have a tiny glass of Pinot Noir by my laptop, and I'm glad it was such a miniscule amount, because it's disgusting.  I really don't know how anyone can drink that!  Too bad I'm cutting my sugar intake, or I'd add some to see what happened.

I have so many news stories buzzing around in my head.  There's one that I've wanted to discuss for so long, but I simply don't have the time to analyse it as well as I would like to before posting about it.  But now I've discovered that the BBC has taken it off their site, I can't find it in my bookmarks AND I've lost the hard copy I had.  It was about the negative effect ambitious parents had on their children....I'm pretty sure it was the BBC...

I cleaned my room for the first time in about two years.  And I took pictures to prove it.  A Before-and-After moment (hours!) if you will.  But now the camera is lost!

I've been working on a paper for my Beowulf class.  I really appreciate having this as my only class.  I wouldn't be able to handle another class with all the working I've been doing.

I still haven't heard anything from JET.  That won't be until sometime in April.  Which is really hard because a friend and I are trying to plan a trip to celebrate our graduation from Uni.  My worry and anxiety has gotten really bad.  However, I did recognise the problem, and through the grace and promises of God, I am worrying a lot less about it.  I'm also not thinking about it.  I actually went through the Bible and wrote down verses that seemed applicable to me.  I wrote them down on sticky-notes and put them on the dresser by my bed, so that they are the first thing I see when I pry open my eyes.  And then I made a set of verses for my purse, and another for my car.  I'll read those ones when I'm having a bout of anxiety.

I'm really clinging to God's promises right now.  So many people told me that whatever happens, happens for the best or better.  I KNOW that!  I've heard it so many times!  BUT, another friend put it a different way that really stuck with me.  If God doesn't put you in the program, it's because His plan for you is THAT much better.

It's amazing how simply changing the wording can really get one's attention.  In this case, my friend made God the subject of the sentance, and that makes all the difference, doesn't it?

And that's the way we should be living our lives, isn't it?  Because God really is the subject of the story that our lives live out.

Please Help!

The Government of Sudan has ordered the closure of humanitarian aid programs in Darfur as well as North and East Sudan.

This decision puts the lives of millions of men, women, and children who depend on humanitarian aid for survival at risk.

Join me and call on the international community to urge the Government of Sudan to reconsider this deplorable decision and ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid to vulnerable Sudanese people. Visit www.theIRC.org/aidsudan and make your voice heard now.

After you take action, please help spread the word by clicking here.

Thank you.

-The International Rescue Committee

Please, please, please sign the petition at the very least!  Sudan desperately needs humanitarian aid, and our prayers!  Thank you in advance!

For more information, the following links are from the BBC News Website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7924982.stm (About the issuing of the arrest warrant)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7921311.stm (Confessions of a Sudanese deserter)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3496731.stm (Q&A about the Darfur Conflict, updated this morning)

One month to go!

Yesterday, a dear friend of mine pointed out to me that the two of us only have one month of university left.  One month.  And that blew me away.

At first, I was thrilled!  Only one more month of my B.A. studies?  Wooohoo!

And today I find myself back where I was before.  Not that I can't see the finish line any more.  My friend's point made me look up and see that (no more head-down anymore!).  But in light of my impending graduation, I find myself worrying even more.

I am having a very hard time believing that my plan for the next few years may not be God's plan for my next few years.

I want to get into JET.

Maybe God doesn't have that in store for me.

I want to become a teacher.

Maybe God doesn't have that in store for me.

I want to live in New Zealand (still).

Maybe God doesn't have that in store for me.

The list is longer, but I am just barely clinging to the promises God has given me.   And yet, I just reminded another friend (not the one above) that the plans God has for us, although they may not be our plans, these plans give us HOPE and a FUTURE.  And right now, that is what I am holding onto.