Calm Seas Ahead...

You all may be in a deep state of perplexity and wonder about the latter part of the title of my blog: "Bearings and Headings." Alas, I shall remove any confusion from your minds and explain to you why I choose such an enigmatic title.

I was trying to be clever and pun-esque with my title and decided to play off of my last name: Shipley! So I chose nautical terms that have to do with the direction, whereabouts, and such of a sea-faring vessel. Hence, “bearings and headings”…

But, as I thought about it, such a title has more meaning than meets the superficial eye. To me, it signifies my on-going voyage through life. It is beyond my control and is in the hands of the Almighty. Some seasons and days are faced with rain, winds, and tumultuous seas while others are simply blessed with sun, blue sky and glassy seas. Each of which bring me to the realization of my deep need for and dependence on Christ. He is my compass, my charts, my map—he is the one giving me my bearings and headings. Without him I would be lost at sea, awaiting the day when my ship would be enveloped by the waters and come to rest on the ocean floor. Ah, it is such a comfort to know that I am not it this thing we call life alone.

For the last couple of months, I have been trying to figure out my bearings and headings…it is not really working! I am so lost…God has been teaching me to rely on him and allow him to direct my path. Every time that I have let him have control of the wheel, I have been blown away by his providence. He totally hooks me up! Why can’t I just give it all to him? Why do I still want partial control of the ship? It is so hard to just place my cares, my worries, my life at his feet. I want to know what I am doing and when I am doing it. I am such a planner and spontenaity is not exactly in my nature. But I need to trust that God will provide and everything will be okay! I shall endure. I shall make it to the other side of the storm. There are calm seas ahead. Alas, there are calm seas ahead…

Fall Break

After six weeks of a seemingly never-ending torrent of reading assignments, tests, meetings, and lectures, my fall four-day weekend finally came. And, despite opportunities to embark on unknown adventures around california with friends, staying in beautiful Santa Barbara seemed to be a more pleasing and viable option. The thought of a quiet campus, a full night's rest, free time, fall weather, the beach, and time to digest what has happened in the last two months of my life, proved to be enough to quinch my thirst for a break.

Friday night turned out to be a longer night than i had expected...i was in a meeting for about four hours going over each and every detail of "A Community Affiar", an awareness and fundraiser event for children in Uganda that I am helping put on [www.exchangeforlife.org]. Although the meeting was long, we got a lot done and I was amazed by how much the Lord has provided. I got home and hit the sack hard, only to get to wake up at 8am for a prayer walk around the Courthouse Grounds and a volunteer meeting (I am the volunteers co-coordinator. yikes!)

Walking around the courthouse and praying for the event coming up next weekend was quite a powerful experience--to know of God's blessing that he will rain down over the event. I came home just in time for my afternoon nap which lasted to dinner! hehe...and then, played some pong with te Velde and watched a movie with Beth. Ah, what a delight it was to catch up with friends.

Sunday, I went to church in the morning, took my nappy, read a bit and ponged it up some more with te Velde. (Much to my chagrin, I lost again).

Monday consisted of sleeping-in, taking some pics around campus, and doing some homework...

Home for the Weekend!

So last weekend I got to go home for my dear friends Matt and Abby's wedding! It was such a pleasure to be home and a blessing to be able to see them get married. Well, it turns out that I was not going to be able to make it home for the wedding originally, but in a last minute decision to get home, I re-scheduled my test, tied up loose ends with my ministry, booked a train ticket south, found a ride up north, and made it home early Friday morning at 2:30am. Whew! what a trip! I spent friday at home with my mom. We just hung out around the house, I took some pics of my dogs, and then the whole fam went to the big football game at my alma mater, Mammoth High School. It was great to see all my buddies from high school who were home for weekend as well despite the fact that our team was terrible (ouch!).

Saturday was the big day! The wedding was absolutely beautiful. So here's the thing, Abby thought that I was not coming and was super bummed about it...but much to her surprise I showed up. The story: she did not see me at the ceremony (whew), so when she arrived at the reception, Sister sneaked into the house where she and her hubby were waiting to come out, had her close her eyes and wait, and then came and got me. I grabbed Abby's hands and said "Hey Abby!" She opened her eyes and her face just lit up! She gave me a big hug as tears were streaming down her face. She was so blessed that I had made the effort to come to her wedding. That moment is a moment that I will never forget!

I learned something that weekend at home...that no matter what is going on in my life and how little time I have, I need make the effort to be there for my friends when they need me. Just by showing up, you can make someone's day. Bless and be blessed!



On Sunday, I took some pics of my Sis, and then I was able to go to my home church service before driving back down to Santa Barbara in time for volleyball practice and a ministry leader meeting.