I need your guys's help on this one. Last Sunday I found out I had this mission basically assigned to me (not really assigned but I feel God wants me to go about this mission). First, an explanation story.

About nine months ago I met this girl who I didn't particularly like at the time thought I could easily guess that she liked me when she tried to convince my parents to "let" me public school and later asked me why I prefered homeschooling.

After nearly totally falling for her (stupid girl-crazy-ness) I slowly began discovering that she was somewhat...shall we say...evil. I was made to eat a blackened french fry (long story) and heard from her own self that she pulled her pants down (I happened to have been elsewhere!!!).

Anyway. Because she had a horrible father and because she didn't treat me very well (and she stole one of her friend's mom's checkbook once I hear) I was told by mom that I couldn't like her. *cough* Easier said than done.

I had mostly convinced myself that I didn't like her and had managed to avoid her throughout the bowling season this year. But I was so confused because the best way I could figure at the time to like her was to ignore her, and that didn't seem to nice or Christian to me.

So thought on Sunday about what exactly my mission here was (at least at the present) uncovered that maybe she wasn't placed in my life to tempt me, but that I was rather meant to help her.

However, setting about this task is a bit dificult, any suggestions?

Hmm. Your right when you say that it isn't good for you to avoid her and ignore her. Remember Jesus was a "friend of sinners." He was always around the people society considered "bad company." So, if we are to be like Christ, we need to be among others setting an example for them and showing the light of Christ.

As to how to do this: Don't let this interection pull you down and hamper your faith. Seek strength in God's Word, in prayer, and with other Believers. That's a good way to remain grounded in your faith while out "in the field." But when you're around her, I think the first thing to do is to just develop the relationship. You seem to be pretty good friends so you probably have this covered (don't stop engaging in relationship though). Then let her know that you are a Christian and tell her where you stand. Also, pray that God will open doors to let you have a spiritual conversation with her. Really connect. Above all pray: pray that God will give you the words and will empower you to do His work.

One more thing that I can't stress enough: keep being in relationship. Don't look at her as simply someone who you want to lead to God and that's that. See her as a precious person who Jesus gave His life for. And don't wait. You never know how much time you have left impact her life. Don't miss the opportunities. You never know whether they will be your last chance with her.

This is kid of general advice that can be applied to most witnessing situations. This is stuff I've learned both by experience and from others. Trust God.

Thanks, danrahk. This week I was planning on just getting to know her again, showing her that someone cares (she doesn't have the greatest friends). But yes, your suggestions seem to fit into that perfectly.

Last night when I was reading my Bible I suddenly got the idea to turn to my Saints book and read Mary Magdalen's entry because I knew she was once a great sinner. What really caught my eye was this:

"One day, she saw Jesus, Our Lord. He looked at her and showed her how sorry He was about her sin. Right away, she knew how ugly sin was."

This really inspired me. I think this quote and danrahk's advice will really help me along here, but still I can't ask you all enough to pray for my work today (and of course, every Friday).

EIDTSIES: Bowled with her today (as I had strangely predicted earlier this week). Did horrible the last game (5 in the 4th frame and ended up with 63). But anyway, talked to her some, just got to know her more again (still as funny as ever only now she sings to herself!).

Found out she can't go back to school anymore for some reason. She said she wasn't gonna go back anymore and I happen to know she loves school. Now the mission gets harder. I have to walk over to talk to her because our team already bowled with theirs.

Awsome. I'll be sure to pray for you and her.

Weekly update, seeing that yesterday was Friday...

We were originally supposed to be bowling on opposite ends of the bowling ally (which is still only a few meters) but because nine members of our league were gone, everybody got smushed onto two lanes (thus making us bowl together!).

Talked to her some, but the problem is that our conversations die so quickly because I can't keep them moving and that we always have to interupt a conversation to go bowl and it seems awkward to start the conversation again where we left off.

So what I need this week are conversation starters that can be kept alive easily and that won't seem wierd if continued after a sometimes-long interruption. And it's most likely that we'll be somewhat far away next week as well, so keep that in mind.

Yaaaaaahoooooooooo! Though I didn't bowl with the person (Mariah) I was able to talk to her some (and she beat my score all three games AGAIN!). It's amazing the conversation you can have just by listening.


Mariah: Can you move so I can get my pink shoes?
Me: Uh, yeah.
Mariah: Becuase, I don't think you want them do you?
Me: Not really.
Mariah: What time is it?
Me: I don't know I can't see the clock either.
Mariah: Twelve!? I've got a whole hour 'til I have to work.
Me: Ooh, where do you work.
Mariah: [name of local resaurant]
Me: Sweet, we were just there Wednesday because we got kicked out...
Mariah: *wierd looks*
Me: of the house. My mom was having a party
Mariah: Oh, I was thinking "Wow, you got kicked out of [name of restaurant]." It's funny 'cause I have to kick out all the drunk people there.
Me: Wow, I bet you have a lot of interesting cases.
Mariah: Well there was this one guy. He had a long beard and he was just pooring beer into his beard.
Me: Oh, uh-huh.
Mariah: So I pushed him out the door and he turned back around and his beard touched me and I had beer all over my face.
Me: Sick. I've been in a dumpster that had beer in it. Because she *points to Mariah's bowling parter* dropped a trach can in there when we were collecting them.
Mariah: Smelly feet. :P

Makes me wonder how much was lying...

Edit (12-8-06): She says she smokes "on occasion", and she used the F word once today... It's worse than I thought.