How Great Is Our God (World Edition)

Today I heard this version of this song on the radio for the first time. I had heard the English version many times throughout the last several years. In fact, the E-TEAM group I was apart of going to St. Croix used the song for a sign language presentation in 2007. With the memory of the song, and the words within it, this song has a special meaning in my life. Then, today, I heard this specific newer version.

When the song came on the radio my mom and I were in my car. Throughout the car ride we chatted throughout the whole drive. However, when this song came on...I stopped talking and instead I listened. Goosebumps traveled up my arms as a smile curved on my face and tears filled in my eyes. I told my mom, "Can you imagine? This is what it's going to be like in Heaven. All nations together worshiping God in our own languages. Except, regardless of language, we'll be understand one another."

Revelations 7:9

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."

Can you imagine? Can you imagine standing in the streets of Heaven with believers from China, Uruguay, Bulgaria, Japan, Spain, (and so many more countries that I can't even begin to name)? What an amazing sight and sound this will be. I've been to worship services in Mexico, Japan, and Spain where English is not the primary language. It's hard for me to describe the feeling I get when I worship with others who speak a different language. It's on of the most amazing feelings and experiences I have ever had in my lifetime, and one I always look forward to while traveling.

This song puts me in awe and makes me excited. It's one reminder (of many) of why I do what I do. Why I travel and go abroad...Why God has given me the passion for missions that He has given me. It helps me imagine the bigger picture in a way my human mind can grasp, although I can't even begin to really fathom what it will be like in Heaven one day. This song inspires me.

The Travelin' Chick,

Crystal

Second Year of College? Done.

My second year of college is officially over. In my mind it is currently a huge relief that I made it out alive from this last semester. In my mind I am also amazed at how time seemed to fly by, as this makes it one whole year since I left Nashville. (Well, FWBBC anyway...I didn't leave Nashville until June.)

When seasons end I enjoy looking back at memories that were made and the cool things that happened or that I got to participate in. Usually I do this with school years and summer vacations. (You know you're a college student when...Life is organized around two seasons. School - and Summer.)

This list won't be crazy long as usually the long one is at the end of the summer time, but here is some of the main things that happened or that I tried...Oh - and this may be out of order.

1. I transfered to Fresno City College from FWBBC. Not an easy thing to do. To be honest, it was rough, especially in the beginning. After a year has gone by I do see what God was trying to do in my life this year. Maybe I don't see all that God has done yet or the full purpose of bringing me back. I do, however, see some of the beauty in the complex puzzle of life.
2. My baby cousin was born. Until this sweet little kid came along, I was the baby in the family.
3. Until Spring break I had never changed a diaper before in my life. (Look at #2)
4. I had a job in a photography studio.
5. I found out I'm going to be an AUNT! Yeaaa!
6. My dad got super sick and almost died as he spent about 2 weeks in the hospital...(Seriously. He basically had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.) I'm so blessed to still have my dad with me today.
7. I took photography classes as well as a class for photoshop.
8. The College and Career class started working with our high schoolers/junior highers at church.
9. Through this semester I've learned how much I LOVE working with the teens. (check out previous number) Before this year, I had no idea. I'm praying that God will guide me in my future to work with the youth, whether I become a Youth Pastor's wife, work at a camp, children's home, work with Truth and Peace or E-TEAM, etc. The possibilities are endless. Regardless of wherever I end up in my life, I know I want to be involved in someway with the youth!
10. After being away for a year and then returning I realized how beautiful California truly is.
11. With the college and career class at church we helped plan a mission trip to Mexico for this upcoming June. We're all super pumped for this trip!!
12. I did NOT injure myself ONCE! YEAHHH! Talk about a record and something to be proud of! ;-)
13. During the semester I found out about Operation Mobilization. I dug for more information and learned a lot about the organization. Now I have been accepted to go with them in January of 2012 to go for about 4 months to London and 10 days in Germany.
14. In January I went to Nashville!
15. We lost our little dog Harley. This was within the last couple of days. I have hope and faith that he'll come home and that we'll find him!
16. With the amazing women in my family we all went and saw Wicked together. We took a limo and ate at the Tokyo Steakhouse in Clovis. What a night!!

That's about it...I think...Those are the big moments I can remember off the top of my head anway..."What now?" you ask? Here is a brief look at my upcoming summer plans:

May 20 (AKA: Tomorrow): Leave for Seattle

May 21-28: Alaskan Cruise!

May 28: Leave for Nashville straight from Seattle!

June 7 (I think): Start Road Trip from Nashville, TN, to Fresno, CA.

June 11 (Or EARLY June 12! Who knows how this will go...): Get home

June 12 (yes, the 12th!): Leave for Mexico!! (We're building a house, doing women and children's ministries!)

June 18: Get home...again.

July 1-13: I'll possibly be in a group headed to Japan to help with disaster relief!!

From there I'll be home...that is until...

July 31: Leave from Camp (I am the camp counselor for our church's teen girls again this year! YEA!!)

August 5: Go home...Once more...

There might be some traveling with my aunt as she goes out of town for work in all of that too. There should also be fundraising for London.

I am ready for an exciting summer and I hope you are ready to buckle your seat belts to come along! Check out my blog often. Who knows what will happen and what will come my way! While I've done a lot of things in my life time I haven't done a lot of what is considered "normal things". That being said, maybe I'll even visit a taco truck sometime while I'm in my hometown. (Yes, Bryan, that was for you!)

Put your reading glasses on and travel the world through my blog.

The Travelin' Chick,

Crystal

PS: For my friends who actually read the blog - I wonder how many pictures my camera will take this summer? Take a guess, and whomever guesses right or the closest to the right amount might get something cool from the adventures…