Thursday, July 8, 2010

I Promised Pictures, Here You Go!

PFO Pictures
Johnstone Family Arriving at PFO (I'm already inside checking in)

Our First Meeting...with Dancing!

The Whole Gang (VCS people are on the right side)

PFO Staff

VCS Group
top: Michael Johnstone, Katie Stephen, Me, Joe Overby
middle: Rebecca Johnstone, Justin Johnstone,
Nathan Overby, Channon Overby
bottom: Caylah Overby, Bethany Overby

The room I lived in for 7 hours each day.

How Quickly it Goes

It's amazing to think that in 23 days I will be getting on a plane bound for Vienna, Austria.  Sometimes it is unbelievable how quickly time passes.  Tomorrow I will be leaving PFO training in Houghton, NY and return to California late in the evening.  On Sunday our family will be off to our yearly trip to Mount Hermon Family Christian Camp near Santa Cruz, CA.  I look forward to being able to see all of the Romberger side of the family.  It will be nice to spend time with each other and catch up before I leave for Vienna.

Today in class we were told the parable that I found very insightful.  I've written it below for you to read as well.

The Pencil Parable

In the beginning, the Pencil Maker spoke to the pencil saying, "There are five things you need to know before I send you out into the world.  Always remember them and you will become the best pencil you can be."

1st: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand.
2nd: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but this is required if you are to become a better pencil.
3rd: You have the ability to correct any mistakes you might make.
4th: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
5th: No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.  You must always leave a clear, legible mark no matter how difficult the situation.

The pencil understood, promising to remember and went into the box fully understanding its Maker's purpose.


Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand and allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
Five: One every surface you walk, you must leave your mark.  No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

Everyone is like a pencil...created by the Maker for a unique and special purpose.  By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

I don't know who wrote this parable, but I find it very applicable in everyday life.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

I will soon put some PFO pictures up on the blog, but please be patient until I do.  :)

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

God's Creation

One of the beautiful parts about being in New York is the scenery.  In Houghton, where I am spending most of my time for PFO training, the college is surrounded by a large amount of foliage, animals, and bugs (one bug was particularly friendly with me on Monday night by taking a bite out of my ankle).  Everywhere you go, there is a reminder of God's presence in His creation.  On Sunday, July 4th, we went to Niagara Falls.  I had never been there before, but I thought it was beautiful.  The rushing of the water over the edge demonstrated great strength and beauty.  Once the water reached a bottom it flowed quietly and smoothly down the river.  The water was the same, but it went through times of roughness and calmness.  Sometimes our walk with the Lord can be very similar.  At times life can seem to be calm and soothing, while other times it feels as if we are rushing toward the edge.  The one constant is that God is still there, no matter what.  He doesn't change...we do and we need to acknowledge Him for who He is...our creator.  This reminds me of a song that we used to sing in high school by Everybodyduck-Creation to Creator.  It is a wonderful reminder that God is the creator of ALL and we need to give Him the glory.

Creation to Creator
You made my hands so I will lift them to You
You made my eyes, I long to see Your face
You made my heart, so Jesus I could choose You
You made my knees
So now I kneel before You in this place

From creation to creator I acknowledge You as Lord
For without You I would have no life at all
Every breath I use to praise,
Drawn only as You have allowed
Designer of my heart I love You so
Just wanted You to know

You made my voice, You know me when I call you
You made my ears, I love to hear You speak
You made my feet so I could return to You made my mind to recognize
Without You I'm so weak

And though I may fall short
When on the worlds scale I've been weighed,
It's an honor just to know
That in Your image I've been made

Houghton Pictures:





























Niagara Falls Pictures: