How are you? It's been a long time since the last time I sent out a new Chronicles, and I'm so glad to have a chance to connect with you again. I have to admit that I really have been missing you lately. Life has been so very busy lately that any chance I get to stop and relax is a huge blessing. I hope that things are going great for you and that the Lord is truly blessing you immensely.
The pic to the left is a pic that I had taken at this years Maine Republican Convention. NO, this is not a political update on me, but if you want to know anything about where I stand, give me a call or email me.
I am thankful to have finished my 2nd year at Husson College majoring in Elementary Education. Things are going good, and I am doing better in my grades then I ever have in the past. What a blessing. BUT PLEASE don't stop praying because although I am doing better in my grades, it is still a huge struggle to do well. I am facing a few math classes that are going to be the hardest of all of my classes. I have never been good at math, but I am confident with your prayers and God's provision, I will do fine.
Since the last time I sent out another Chronicles, I had the privilege of attending an amazing student conference in Providence, Rhode Island called SICM (Student Institute for Campus Missions). SICM is a week long conference where college students from all over the eastern part of the country come together for a week to have some intense and life changing Bible studies, seminars on how to lead small group bible studies and worship times. During this week, we were all paired into small groups that were overseen by a campus pastor and a mentor. Please pray for Sharell, Veronica, and Demaris. They are awesome girls that really love the Lord and want to serve Him with all of their heart. I had an amazing time getting to know them and bonding with these precious sisters in the faith this special week.I gotta tell you, it was one of the most awesome times I have ever had with God's people in my life. I had heard a lot about SICM from a few of my friends who had attended in the past, but I had no idea how life changing it really was. I met some amazing people from all over the eastern part of the U.S. who undoubtedly will remain great friends for years to come. God did such a work in my heart that week. I really needed it. I prayed and asked God at the beginning of the week to help me to recieve a refreshing and a revival in my heart and mind, and man, did he ever answer my prayer.
For those of you who may not know, for the past year I have had the privilege of living with 3 other great christian guys in a nice little apartment here in Bangor, ME. Overall, it has been an amazing experience. My roommates names are Josh, Buster, and Eric. They all love the Lord with all of their hearts and we have all grown very close over the past year. Please pray for Josh, Eric and Buster, that the Lord would continue to bless them and help them as they seek to do His will for their lives. I know that they would appreciate it. What a blessing it has been to have these guys as roommates. My roommate Josh and I have started a bible study on the book of Ecclesiastes. I have always loved Ecclesiastes, but sometimes we have the tendancy to forget how applicable the Bible can be to our everyday lives. I still remember the first time that Ecclesiastes came to life for me. Pastor Chris Luppino was speaking out to River of Life Bible Camp and I was a camper in Senior camp. It is important for me to remind myself on a regular basis that my life is practically meaningless without my Lord as the center. Solomon says that "All is Vanity" under the sun. Think about that for a second. Aren't you thankful that we as believers can live under the SON instead of relying on the things that are useless under the SUN. It is so easy for me to rely on all of the "things" in my life, and all of the circumstances in my life for my happiness, but its when I look at the Lord that I see my real need, and my real happiness. I am reminded that God is good, and God is awesome, all because I trust in him, and seek to do His will in my life.
OH, and i couldn't end this Chronicle without showing off my cute little niece Mikaela Lynn Grover. I am now the proud Uncle of 3 nieces. Alexis, who is almost 2 and a half, Aireonna, who is about 4 months old now, and my newest niece to be born, Mikaela, who is now about a little over a month old. Mom had 6 boys. She always wished that she would have at least had 1 little girl, well, she didnt have one little daughter, but now she's got 3 little granddaughters. Watch out for grandma. Its so funny to call my mother grandma. Its just wierd. Well, here is a pic of me and little Mikaela. I will post some more pics with the other two beautiful little sweethearts sometime in the near future.
The Challenger, The Challenged, and The Victor
I can imagine that most of you, on a daily basis encounter challenges in your life. Over the past several weeks I have had a number of things discourage me, to be completely honest with you. It is SO INCREDIBLY EASY to get down sometimes. To feel defeated. To feel like you are accomplishing nothing and that you are just spinning your wheels. How many of you can relate to that. That is how I have felt over the past few months. I have struggled with my finances, my job, and some of my relationships. Through it all, I have had no choice but to look at my situations, evaluate them based on God's Word and prayer, and look to my Victor for help, comfort, and encouragement. That's all that I could do.
1 Corinthians 15:57 says "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I love this verse, and its nice because the very next verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58 just happens to be my own life verse. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain, in the Lord."
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory. See that is what my problem is most of the time. I am look everywhere else to find the victory to my struggles. I had to stop and tell myself that I was looking in all the wrong places for my victory. THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US (ME) the VICTORY. THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US (ME) THE VICTORY! ONE MORE TIME. THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US (ME) THE VICTORY! Its not thanks be to our circumstances, or thanks be to our friends, or thanks be to our family, but THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY. I can imagine for some that is hard to remember, but for me, it is a lifesaver. Over the past few months dealing with being laid off from a job, and having financial problems (whats new, ha ha), and other problems, it has not been easy, but through it all, I know that God is going to give me the victory. Now remember, many times the victory is not always the victory that we want, and many times the victory does not come in OUR time, but in HIS time. That is the hardest thing to swallow. We have got to realize that as much as we think we know when we need the victory, many times Gods timing is completely different. Why? Because He is the only one that knows the best time for victory. Through it all, the Lord has made me stronger and more appreciative of His grace and mercy in my life. Most importantly, He has never let me down, and has got me through everything, from the easiest, to the hardest struggles of life. He can do the same for you. Just let him. Remind yourself to let the Lord have His way in your life. Let the Lord give you the victory or discouragement, struggles, sin, and so many other things. He is willing and able if you ask Him. That's what I have had to do with my struggles lately. Let Him take care of the details of the victory. THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES TO US THE VICTORY.
Prayer Requests
1. Please pray for my job situation. I need a good, steady, reliable job. 2. Please pray that I would stay focused on doing God's will and not my own will. 3. Please pray that I would remind myself everyday that God is in control, and that I can rest in His care and comfort in times of need. 4. Please pray that I am a witness and testimony to all of my friends and family
Well, that is another edition of the Grover Chronicles! I want you to know that I truly do miss you and am keeping you in my prayers. I thank you for your prayers for me. Please PLEASE PLEASE feel free to give me a phone call at 207-949-5418 anytime. Currently my cell phone is shut off, but if you try to call me in about a week or so it should be back up and running again. Thanks again, God Bless You, Keep Smiling, and remember that God Loves You and I do too.
Till He Comes,
Jared Grover :)
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