The events of this week, if nothing else, have made many ponder about life,
about safety, about priorities, and about freedom. If you are anything like
me, you feel like you are coming into this experience from a different
perspective from most. Shock and horrified at the loss of life, not quite
sure if your loyalties run as deep as some of these patriotic Americans who
have never left this soil, and in the midst of all this sadness remembering
that where you came from death and destruction happened all the time, yet
there lives are lost without the benefit of 20 channel media coverage,
professional rescue teams, and quarts of blood coming in from Red Crosses
all over the country. In the midst of all this turmoil, we are reminded that
God alone is our Fortress, and that his son alone brings the salvation which
conquers death. Our deepest prayer must be that through this God's name will
somehow be glorified and that America will find its hope not in the
military, in the economy, in the government, but in GOD ALONE.

This is a lesson that I have been learning weeks before last Tuesday. This
whole college experience thus far has been one of growing, and growing does
not come without growing pains. In my lonely times, when I feel like no one
understands me or knows me or loves me, I cry out to God. One night when I
was feeling particularly overwhelmed by my circumstances, and alone in my
pain, I told God, "I feel so empty. Everything I was, my security, my
friends, my family, my home, they have all been stripped away. Now I am not
sure where I fit. THe world in which I now exist is so much bigger than the
one I came from. Where is my role? How am I significant? Why do I feel so
empty inside?"

God reminded me of one of the most miraculous and exciting truths. When we
finished up our last term at RVA, our lives were anything but empty. They
were full of academics, of sports or drama or music, full of making
memories, and leading our school. These things were all wonderful, blessings
from God. But a vessel can hold only so much. Was there room for God to
expand and fill new places, if my life didn't change?

The best thing about an empty vessel is its emptiness. Without the security,
the identity, the friendships, the busyness, could it be that there is more
room for God in our lives that did not exist before? I realized that GOd was
in the process of emptying me, so that He could fill me more with HImself.
What an exciting experience to be a part of!

Yet this is no easy process. Being "poured out" is painful at times, but to
think that He is doing this so that we can be filled more with HIm, it makes
it soo worth it.

I don't know if you remember, but at graduation (only 2 months ago! ) what I
prayed was from Ephesians 3. The last part says this: "That you may be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

So my friends, be encouraged. We will not always be empty. If you're like
me, you're finding that there are already many things filling my days, many
activities and relationship and demands. But regardless of your schedule, on
those "empty days" remember that if you allow HIm, God is emptying you, only
to fill you more with Himself. Anything  you lose in the process of gaining
more of Him is rubbish, for He is so much more worthy.

I pray for each of you, May you be emptied, may I be emptied, "that you may
be filled to the measure of ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD."

Please, continue to send this to people who aren't on here, and get me their
addresses. By the way, for any of y'all on AOL IM my screen name is
becmonye, and I would love to know yours as well. I really would love to
hear specific prayer requests if ya have them, I really do pray for you!
Also notice that Janine's address has changed to:
JaPenner@agape.twu.ca . If any of y'all have address changes you want to get
out, I'd be happy to send them when I do my next e-mail.

I love y'all so much!

Love and prayers,
Becca Boo :)