Holy Spirit at Work

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Tis the Season

It seems that the Fall season brings lots of change.  In the last few weeks, I have been enjoying the changing colors of fall.  The sudden change in temperature has been drastic and it is duly noted that winter is approaching.  Not sure if I'm ready for it or not.  About three weeks ago, I changed my address.  I am now at: 4431 East 107th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64137.  I have been given the opportunity to move in with a couple friends from school, AnnaKate and Dawn.  We've had a really fun time getting to know each other and learning from one another.  Upon mid-semester, my Old Testament Survey classes changed to New Testament Survey.  We're all really enjoying learning from Tom Mills!  The number of hours at work that I am being given have changed, but it has given me more time to study and devote myself to the Prayer Room.


As all these changes are different, whether planned or unplanned...I am pressed to put my trust in the Lord. I heard a sermon this weekend that everything in life pushes us to lean on Jesus.  If we're not leaning, He's gonna change our circumstances (oh so slightly) to give us the opportunity to choose His guidance and leadership over our own.  He is such a patient and faithful leader.  


Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  Until next time...

First Three Weeks

I know I say this every time I write in my blog, but time goes so fast! I have been enjoying my classes (Hermanuetics/Old & New Testament Survey, Keys 2, Guitar Lesson) and working at the UPS Store, near my old apartment. I've been back almost a month already!!!

It's an amazing story about how the Lord provides and how I got my job. Since last year, I have printed my support letters at the UPS Store by my old apartment (103rd and Wornall). One day last May, John (Store Owner) asked me if I wanted a job when I came back to school in the Fall. Of course I said yes, but doubting he would remember me three months after. In July, I stopped by to see if he even remembered my face. To my surprise he asked when I would be back and would be able to start!

Again, I say to myself...Lord, why do I doubt the way you work? You just love to fascinate my heart! I'm so thankful to the job and am enjoying catching up with friends from last year.

Dun-dun-dun-dun

As many of you may have heard, Bobby proposed to me two weeks ago by a waterfall in Estes Park. Big news...right?! I couldn't have been more surprised! And the ring is stunning! So, with that comes much planning, prayers needed and pre-marital counseling. We're so excited about our lives coming together and the Lord knitting us together more than ever before.

As many of you know, marriage will bring lots of character building challenges. A teacher of mine from last semester said, "Marriage is a perfect way to learn to show agape love." (Agape meaning to give love without expectation of your own needs being met.) We're saying "Yes," to what the Lord has for us and are excited to be on the journey together.

We're planning a small wedding in Estes Park in March. For more information as well as stories and pictures, click on our wedding website (a work in progress): theknot.com/ourwedding/AlexandraOchs&BobbyRainbolt .

Blessings to you all!

The Glory of Moving and Reunions

This last week, I have started the process of my migration back to Kansas City. School starts in less than a month and I will be living with a family this semester, instead of in my apartment with my last roommate, Danielle. It should be an interesting transition but I think it will enable to Lord to stretch me in lots of ways.

The family I will be renting a room from is Katie, Miguel and their little girl, Grace (4). Whenever I have seen Katie and Grace, I must have been wearing my sunglasses on my head. Katie says sometimes Grace puts her sunglasses on her head, sticks out her hip and says, "I'm Alex," which is what she calls me. She's adorable!

Bobby came to Jetmore and then with me to Kansas City to move my things from my apartment. Oh, the glory of moving! He was so helpful. And even though it's sad moving out of my apartment after such a fun year with Danielle, I'm excited for what this next season will bring. My new address is: 1301 East 126th Street, Grandview, MO 64030.

We also were able to drive to the Lake of the Ozarks for my family's 20-year-annual :) reunion. Haha. The lake was great and it was a lot of fun chatting with relatives I hadn't seen in a really long time. Hoping it's not another 20 years before we all meet up again!

Hope this finds you all well and you're enjoying the last part of July...it's rather hot here! Bring on the fall temps! Blessings to you all!

Summer Thus Far

It's been a while since I given my blog a new heading, so I thought I'd fill you in on my summer thus far. As many of you know, my plans to lead worship at Vail Church fell through only a few days before I was to leave. In the meantime, I have been leading worship at New Horizons Church in my hometown, Jetmore. I have been so blessed at how hungry and responsive the people have been. Although my plans for the summer were more of being "poured into," I am excited that people are able to connect with God through worship at New Horizons.

Last week, I went to Vail to visit Bobby. He is spending the next few weeks in Vail, working with Campus Crusade staff and students from all over the country. The students participated in an activity called "The Great Rescue," while I was there. They were divided into groups of ten and had to share gospel with three people (role-playing) who had physical and emotional needs. My role was to be someone who didn't know Jesus, along with three others. If the physical and emotional needs were met by the students, they "rescued" us. These scenarios are meant to encourage students to share the faith with others.

After 1 pm, the groups gathered together and debriefed about the morning's experiences with sharing their faith. One of the physical needs of another role-player, Martin, was that he was a bum with mud on his face, discouraged about losing his job. One of the students, Adam, ripped his sleeves off his t-shirt to wash Martin's face.

The whole time while I was in Vail, the selflessness of Adam gripped me. He didn't do it because he wanted to be noticed, he just genuinely wanted to help Martin out. Little did he know how much this selfless act impacted my heart and the hearts of many others. What an amazing picture of agape love . . . giving without any expectation of having one's own needs met.

Bless you all as we continue through our summers! Love to you all!

Summer Update

Good Morning everybody!  I wanted to update you with my summer plans, which have recently changed.  I was planning to leave today for Vail, Colorado, for an internship with a worship pastor at Vail Church, but my housing arrangements fell through Wednesday, last week.  I'm really bummed, but also remember telling the Lord when I was praying about this summer, "If you don't want me there, Lord, SLAM the door."  It looks as if it's officially been slammed.  Haha.

So, instead I'll be working in Jetmore at the grocery store and staying with Dad and Mom.  I have been home one week, as of today, and am so grateful for the job I have in Jetmore.  I'll be taking guitar lessons this summer, as well as pursuing some opportunities to lead worship!

Thank you for all your support financially and prayerfully.  If you have partnered with me financially, I will apply your support toward next semester's tuition, unless you have another preference (just let me know).  

Bless you all and have a great summer!