Christmas break has arrived. Now that I am home, I am finally able to write another blog post. I hope to write more while I am at home doing...well not a whole lot.
With the recent events of this world, it is easy to become restless and uncertain about the future. People may wonder where God is in all of this trouble. Something that I want to do is reassure them that God is still near! In church today, Pastor Cal spoke deep about this issue and it hit me hard about putting my reliance on God. When God is present in our lives, there is no better security!
I want that confidence in God! The Bible is our sword!!! When the devil tries to mess with you, pull out your sword!! There is no other way to defeat the devil without God!
Something I need to stop is coming up with the worst possible scenarios for every situation in my life. God does not want me to be scared of possible outcomes; He wants me to put my full faith in Him!! Matthew 6:33 says: "But seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I should first be seeking God, and not worrying about my doubts.
Now with Christmas in a little over a week, there may be many people in this country who are sad, confused, and scared. This is a great opportunity to pray for our country. God IS here, and we should turn to Him like never before. In Isaiah 40:29-31 it says: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
This song has been in my head all day, and I felt like sharing it. Through it all, He is our hope!
30 31
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Blog Posts and Post-It Notes
I feel so old posting this. Okay, not really, but this week I did celebrate another birthday. This girl is now a twenty year-old. Honestly, this was probably one of my favorite birthdays. I have great roommates, and an awesome boyfriend who made it extra special.
My roommates surprised me with a toilet paper covered desk, wall, chair, bed, door, and post-it noted computer. Ahhh, the love. With our excessive amounts of stored toilet paper, I do not blame them for using it. Haha.
What made me the most joyful was having a knight in shining armor come and take good care of me. My boyfriend, Chris treated me very well. He first took me out on an awesome date to Applebee's on Saturday. On Sunday he bought me an amazing outfit and necklace to wear for my birthday. On my birthday...wow, he over-did himself. He started our night off by giving me a list of 20 memorable locations that we have shared together (because it was my 20th birthday). He even made me a really cool picture of us...like total "arts & crafts"/"took time to put together" kind of gift. What a special guy I have in my life.
I feel that I talk so much about him, but he is a big part of my life...he is my best friend. I see God in our relationship so much that it tears me up every time I think about it. Why did I get so blessed? God has given us so many good signs about our relationship, and it is our job to make sure we are honoring Him in all that we do.
It is always nice to get your parents' approval about the person you are in a relationship with, but it is even nicer when another adult goes up and says that as well. My favorite professor has come up to both of us this week and gave us affirmation. So cool!
This post is not meant to be a big bragging session. Let us be honest, Chris and I are figuring out this relationship thing every day. It takes work, and full reliance on God to make it.
Now that I am twenty, I should be stepping up and becoming that woman-of-God that I have been striving to be. Last year I was figuring out who I am as a woman and what God has planned for my life. This year I have a better idea about who I am as a woman, and am more open-minded to listening to what God has planned for my life.
I have been making it a goal to go through the entire Bible by the end of the year. I have now reached the gospel of John. This may sound bad, but I feel that everything that I have been reading since I started in Genesis in January is now finally clicking. Everything points to Christ. Christ should be my ultimate goal in everything I do...this includes my relationship with Chris.
I hope to start blogging more, and am debating on doing a blog-a-day again December. It is kind of something I will pray and see if God puts it on my heart or not. Till then, I am going to open up my Bible :)
My roommates surprised me with a toilet paper covered desk, wall, chair, bed, door, and post-it noted computer. Ahhh, the love. With our excessive amounts of stored toilet paper, I do not blame them for using it. Haha.
What made me the most joyful was having a knight in shining armor come and take good care of me. My boyfriend, Chris treated me very well. He first took me out on an awesome date to Applebee's on Saturday. On Sunday he bought me an amazing outfit and necklace to wear for my birthday. On my birthday...wow, he over-did himself. He started our night off by giving me a list of 20 memorable locations that we have shared together (because it was my 20th birthday). He even made me a really cool picture of us...like total "arts & crafts"/"took time to put together" kind of gift. What a special guy I have in my life.
I feel that I talk so much about him, but he is a big part of my life...he is my best friend. I see God in our relationship so much that it tears me up every time I think about it. Why did I get so blessed? God has given us so many good signs about our relationship, and it is our job to make sure we are honoring Him in all that we do.
It is always nice to get your parents' approval about the person you are in a relationship with, but it is even nicer when another adult goes up and says that as well. My favorite professor has come up to both of us this week and gave us affirmation. So cool!
This post is not meant to be a big bragging session. Let us be honest, Chris and I are figuring out this relationship thing every day. It takes work, and full reliance on God to make it.
Now that I am twenty, I should be stepping up and becoming that woman-of-God that I have been striving to be. Last year I was figuring out who I am as a woman and what God has planned for my life. This year I have a better idea about who I am as a woman, and am more open-minded to listening to what God has planned for my life.
I have been making it a goal to go through the entire Bible by the end of the year. I have now reached the gospel of John. This may sound bad, but I feel that everything that I have been reading since I started in Genesis in January is now finally clicking. Everything points to Christ. Christ should be my ultimate goal in everything I do...this includes my relationship with Chris.
I hope to start blogging more, and am debating on doing a blog-a-day again December. It is kind of something I will pray and see if God puts it on my heart or not. Till then, I am going to open up my Bible :)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Perks of Being a Communication Major
It is only Tuesday?!
Wow, within the first four words of this post I seem to have successfully turned my once optimistically thought of post into a...not so optimistic post. Let me re-word this...It is only Tuesday!
I keep telling myself that classes will get better after each week, but they never do. This week...I believe there may actually be some light at the end of the tunnel! Honestly, I do not understand how I still have A's in all of my classes. This year has been tough for me. I can only point my finger to God when I explain how I am getting through this year.
Before I came to college, everyone said I will most likely change my major. Reluctantly, the thought of changing has never occurred. If anything, I have grown to like my major more and more. Sometimes I get really annoyed and anxious when I think of the classes I am taking or have to take, but then I remind myself, "There is not a major more fitting for me than Communication." Overall, I love it. My stressful nights will pay-off in the end. I am pretty much almost done with all of my Gen-Ed classes, so it is nice to actually take classes applicable with my life. At least my professors tell me they are applicable...
To take a little break from school, I spent a weekend at home. It was my first visit home since I moved in this year, and it was nice. This last weekend was the only weekend till my birthday that I could make it home to celebrate with my family. We might have celebrated two weeks in advance, but it is always nice to come home and enjoy a nice home-cooked meal.
As I went home this weekend, I realized how much I put off the thought of school because I was so excited to be home and wanted to give my attention towards my family. Sure, I may have had a little homework to do, but overall, I tried to eliminate school as much as possible out of my mind. This thought makes me look at how I spend my time with God. Something I need to work on is removing all of the distractions surrounding me when I am with God, and put my full attention on Him. How am I supposed to have a real conversation with Him, if I am not completely in the conversation.
Recently I have been so distracted with stresses of school that I have struggled to give God all of my attention at times. With two tests to take today and two more tomorrow, my life may seem booked. In reality, I should not be planning my time with God around my other tasks, and if I cannot fit it in than I leave it out. No, I should if be placing my time with God as one of my top priorities. God knows I have a busy life, but He also knows that I need to get out of my distractions and go to Him.
Behind this busy life, I know I have a God right by my side. Before I work on my communication homework, I should be at home working on my communication with God!
...that...was cheesy.
Wow, within the first four words of this post I seem to have successfully turned my once optimistically thought of post into a...not so optimistic post. Let me re-word this...It is only Tuesday!
I keep telling myself that classes will get better after each week, but they never do. This week...I believe there may actually be some light at the end of the tunnel! Honestly, I do not understand how I still have A's in all of my classes. This year has been tough for me. I can only point my finger to God when I explain how I am getting through this year.
Before I came to college, everyone said I will most likely change my major. Reluctantly, the thought of changing has never occurred. If anything, I have grown to like my major more and more. Sometimes I get really annoyed and anxious when I think of the classes I am taking or have to take, but then I remind myself, "There is not a major more fitting for me than Communication." Overall, I love it. My stressful nights will pay-off in the end. I am pretty much almost done with all of my Gen-Ed classes, so it is nice to actually take classes applicable with my life. At least my professors tell me they are applicable...
To take a little break from school, I spent a weekend at home. It was my first visit home since I moved in this year, and it was nice. This last weekend was the only weekend till my birthday that I could make it home to celebrate with my family. We might have celebrated two weeks in advance, but it is always nice to come home and enjoy a nice home-cooked meal.
As I went home this weekend, I realized how much I put off the thought of school because I was so excited to be home and wanted to give my attention towards my family. Sure, I may have had a little homework to do, but overall, I tried to eliminate school as much as possible out of my mind. This thought makes me look at how I spend my time with God. Something I need to work on is removing all of the distractions surrounding me when I am with God, and put my full attention on Him. How am I supposed to have a real conversation with Him, if I am not completely in the conversation.
Recently I have been so distracted with stresses of school that I have struggled to give God all of my attention at times. With two tests to take today and two more tomorrow, my life may seem booked. In reality, I should not be planning my time with God around my other tasks, and if I cannot fit it in than I leave it out. No, I should if be placing my time with God as one of my top priorities. God knows I have a busy life, but He also knows that I need to get out of my distractions and go to Him.
Behind this busy life, I know I have a God right by my side. Before I work on my communication homework, I should be at home working on my communication with God!
...that...was cheesy.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
'Nuf said
Why hello there! It's been awhile...too long. It has been months since I have posted. Well...here I am, a college sophomore already over a month into school. Fall break is this weekend...I need it...badly. You see, I have been wanting to post a blog for some time now, but quite frankly, I am constantly swamped with homework to where actually sitting down to write about myself sounds...ridiculous.
So here is a quick update in my life (Not in APA style):
It has now been forty days since I last saw my family. Sadly, I never have time to talk to them. Earlier this week I did get to actually talk to my mom for the first time since I got to school instead of just having short talk. My life is spent in the library every night...the coffee shop...yeah, I am a regular.
I received a job at the Admissions office this year. I can only blame God for this awesome job. Before school started I was asked in for an interview with a different job in the Admissions Department. I thought the interview went great, but apparently she did not like me that much. To my current disappointment at the time, I could only go to God. Later that night I received an email about another job position. Honestly, I was not expecting to get it when I walked into the interview. I felt as if I was setting myself up for failure. The next morning I received a call that I had received the job! What was the weirdest thing was that over 100 people applied! How did I manage to receive the job?! I absolutely love my job. I am the Campus Visit Assistant. For better understanding, I set up campus visits by calling the professors and coaches to schedule appointments, mail out confirmation letters to prospective students, and put together visiting student's folders for their visit. It is such a relaxing...yet extremely stressful job. I can only thank God for this combination of feelings that I rather enjoy.
This year I have the awesome opportunity living in an apartment with three other girls. I enjoy the freedom...the space...my food. I have gotten the opportunity to bond with my roommates and...we are figuring out how to live together. The thing I enjoy most about them is that I really see that they have a heart for the Lord. I always know I can go to them if I need accountability or any have any prayer requests.
My boyfriend and I have gotten closer through these last few months. He truly is my best friend and one of the coolest brothers-in-Christ I have ever met. God has definitely shown His place in our relationship. We have given our relationship to Him, and we are just along for the ride. Chris and I have reached a point where we realize that the only thing that can tear our relationship apart is by our own sinful ways. Our goal is to keep our relationship glorifying in Christ, and we have individually received accountability from others. I do not want to brag about my relationship to make myself sound better...honestly, we are learning as we go, but I will have to admit that I am proud with where our relationship has been headed. Let's be honest, when you see something that God has been very present in, you automatically have this inner joy. It also helps that my family likes him... ;)
School has been so crazy. I know that I am definitely no longer a freshman. Papers...aghh...so many papers! As I am typing this I am laughing at how I now miraculously have the ability to make papers (or blogs)...long. My hardest class is...hard. (Go figure.) Honestly, it has been a very interesting class and I do love learning in it...the tests...ehh...not so much. Another class I am taking is called Service Learning. It is a class that requires us to go out into the community and work with marginalized groups. Our job is to not only volunteer, but to gain a learning experience as we serve. It is almost a give/take relationship. We are their to serve them, while we are also there to learn from them/about them. I cannot wait for that to kick off! For this class this semester I get the opportunity to help with Teen MOPS (Teen Mothers of Preschoolers). This will be an amazing opportunity to help serve teen mothers and show my compassion towards them. I start that next week and I am so excited!
Tomorrow is a great day for me...well...after work and class. Tomorrow begins fall break! Yes, I have been in desperate need for a little break. This weekend I get to go with Chris to his house in Michigan. It will be an exciting little road trip, and a great time to bond with his family again. God is so good!
You heard me...God is so good! Behind all of the stresses of my daily life, I can look back at my day and see how God was so present. I have been maturing so much in...so many ways...this past month or so. A lot of my time has been digging into my Bible trying to build up my beliefs. I love college...I get to learn what I take a stand to, and research why I believe it. I have always loved researching. Learning can be so much fun...it is the writing on what I learned that kills me...
I will end this, (mainly because I need to get ready to meet with people to write our five-page group research paper due tomorrow) but it has been nice hashing out my life. If you actually read the whole thing, I commend you...you probably just wasted eight minutes of your life. I hope to write again next week. God is so good...'nuf said.
So here is a quick update in my life (Not in APA style):
It has now been forty days since I last saw my family. Sadly, I never have time to talk to them. Earlier this week I did get to actually talk to my mom for the first time since I got to school instead of just having short talk. My life is spent in the library every night...the coffee shop...yeah, I am a regular.
I received a job at the Admissions office this year. I can only blame God for this awesome job. Before school started I was asked in for an interview with a different job in the Admissions Department. I thought the interview went great, but apparently she did not like me that much. To my current disappointment at the time, I could only go to God. Later that night I received an email about another job position. Honestly, I was not expecting to get it when I walked into the interview. I felt as if I was setting myself up for failure. The next morning I received a call that I had received the job! What was the weirdest thing was that over 100 people applied! How did I manage to receive the job?! I absolutely love my job. I am the Campus Visit Assistant. For better understanding, I set up campus visits by calling the professors and coaches to schedule appointments, mail out confirmation letters to prospective students, and put together visiting student's folders for their visit. It is such a relaxing...yet extremely stressful job. I can only thank God for this combination of feelings that I rather enjoy.
This year I have the awesome opportunity living in an apartment with three other girls. I enjoy the freedom...the space...my food. I have gotten the opportunity to bond with my roommates and...we are figuring out how to live together. The thing I enjoy most about them is that I really see that they have a heart for the Lord. I always know I can go to them if I need accountability or any have any prayer requests.
My boyfriend and I have gotten closer through these last few months. He truly is my best friend and one of the coolest brothers-in-Christ I have ever met. God has definitely shown His place in our relationship. We have given our relationship to Him, and we are just along for the ride. Chris and I have reached a point where we realize that the only thing that can tear our relationship apart is by our own sinful ways. Our goal is to keep our relationship glorifying in Christ, and we have individually received accountability from others. I do not want to brag about my relationship to make myself sound better...honestly, we are learning as we go, but I will have to admit that I am proud with where our relationship has been headed. Let's be honest, when you see something that God has been very present in, you automatically have this inner joy. It also helps that my family likes him... ;)
School has been so crazy. I know that I am definitely no longer a freshman. Papers...aghh...so many papers! As I am typing this I am laughing at how I now miraculously have the ability to make papers (or blogs)...long. My hardest class is...hard. (Go figure.) Honestly, it has been a very interesting class and I do love learning in it...the tests...ehh...not so much. Another class I am taking is called Service Learning. It is a class that requires us to go out into the community and work with marginalized groups. Our job is to not only volunteer, but to gain a learning experience as we serve. It is almost a give/take relationship. We are their to serve them, while we are also there to learn from them/about them. I cannot wait for that to kick off! For this class this semester I get the opportunity to help with Teen MOPS (Teen Mothers of Preschoolers). This will be an amazing opportunity to help serve teen mothers and show my compassion towards them. I start that next week and I am so excited!
Tomorrow is a great day for me...well...after work and class. Tomorrow begins fall break! Yes, I have been in desperate need for a little break. This weekend I get to go with Chris to his house in Michigan. It will be an exciting little road trip, and a great time to bond with his family again. God is so good!
You heard me...God is so good! Behind all of the stresses of my daily life, I can look back at my day and see how God was so present. I have been maturing so much in...so many ways...this past month or so. A lot of my time has been digging into my Bible trying to build up my beliefs. I love college...I get to learn what I take a stand to, and research why I believe it. I have always loved researching. Learning can be so much fun...it is the writing on what I learned that kills me...
I will end this, (mainly because I need to get ready to meet with people to write our five-page group research paper due tomorrow) but it has been nice hashing out my life. If you actually read the whole thing, I commend you...you probably just wasted eight minutes of your life. I hope to write again next week. God is so good...'nuf said.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Audience of One
I did it. Another month of posting blogs. It is so cool to look back on these and read what God was doing.
These were originally intended to be written as another communication device to God, but it slowly turned into something I was doing to please everyone else reading.
This blog is my way of talking to God. He deserves all of the glory. He is the one that was always there. He is the one planning out my life. I am only here to follow. This blog is for an audience of one.
God,
Thank you for such an amazing year. There were hard times, but your love proved greater. I have so much to be thankful for, and I owe it all to you...even when I do not deserve it at all. The people you have placed in my life mean the world to me and I do not want to let them go. I have know that there will be awesome opportunities to prove your love to others this year, and I find that so exciting. I am not anticipating...I am here participating.
I am yours!
These were originally intended to be written as another communication device to God, but it slowly turned into something I was doing to please everyone else reading.
This blog is my way of talking to God. He deserves all of the glory. He is the one that was always there. He is the one planning out my life. I am only here to follow. This blog is for an audience of one.
God,
Thank you for such an amazing year. There were hard times, but your love proved greater. I have so much to be thankful for, and I owe it all to you...even when I do not deserve it at all. The people you have placed in my life mean the world to me and I do not want to let them go. I have know that there will be awesome opportunities to prove your love to others this year, and I find that so exciting. I am not anticipating...I am here participating.
I am yours!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
100th Post Reflection
100 posts already?!
(Erin, I am sorry I am also acknowledging 100 posts this week! Haha.)
It is crazy to believe that I have so many posts...so many God moments...so many lessons...so much growth. Go God! It is so cool what God has been doing this past year. I owe all of the credit to Him.
I originally started writing these when I was going through a tough time in my life. It sounds lame, but when a breakup goes bad and your identity was all in that person...it is hard to find who you really are. It was then that I found my identity in Christ, again. He swept me off my feet. Christ told me I was worth something. He put the nudge on me to start blogging. I look back at posts from December and I am in awe with what God was doing.
In December I created a post about waiting...well...for a man. I did not need a man in my life right now. The one I wanted to turn to was God...He is still the one I want to turn to. Well..."insert rather cute/funny story of how God put Chris in my life" and I am where I am today. God has been taking care of our relationship more than ever. I actually looked back at my old posts from the advice I wrote on my blog to keep myself in check as Chris and I became closer. It is weird how God works in ways where I am even inspired by myself in these blogs.
It has been almost seven months since I first started writing. God was really working in me...but He is also working me now...just in a different way. I am at a different place in my relationship with God. There are some days where I wish I was as enthusiastic as I was in the winter...but God has been doing something with me nonetheless.
I feel so blessed. God's unconditional love is the best feeling in the world. He has also placed so many great people to encourage me this year.
100 posts and I still have a huge adventure ahead of me with Christ.
Psalm 100: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I can only imagine the great things God has in store for me this upcoming year as I grow closer to Him. One thing I have learned is to not anticipate, but just participate :)
(Erin, I am sorry I am also acknowledging 100 posts this week! Haha.)
It is crazy to believe that I have so many posts...so many God moments...so many lessons...so much growth. Go God! It is so cool what God has been doing this past year. I owe all of the credit to Him.
I originally started writing these when I was going through a tough time in my life. It sounds lame, but when a breakup goes bad and your identity was all in that person...it is hard to find who you really are. It was then that I found my identity in Christ, again. He swept me off my feet. Christ told me I was worth something. He put the nudge on me to start blogging. I look back at posts from December and I am in awe with what God was doing.
In December I created a post about waiting...well...for a man. I did not need a man in my life right now. The one I wanted to turn to was God...He is still the one I want to turn to. Well..."insert rather cute/funny story of how God put Chris in my life" and I am where I am today. God has been taking care of our relationship more than ever. I actually looked back at my old posts from the advice I wrote on my blog to keep myself in check as Chris and I became closer. It is weird how God works in ways where I am even inspired by myself in these blogs.
It has been almost seven months since I first started writing. God was really working in me...but He is also working me now...just in a different way. I am at a different place in my relationship with God. There are some days where I wish I was as enthusiastic as I was in the winter...but God has been doing something with me nonetheless.
I feel so blessed. God's unconditional love is the best feeling in the world. He has also placed so many great people to encourage me this year.
100 posts and I still have a huge adventure ahead of me with Christ.
Psalm 100: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I can only imagine the great things God has in store for me this upcoming year as I grow closer to Him. One thing I have learned is to not anticipate, but just participate :)
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
God is Great, I Am Willing
This is short, but I've just been praying lately that I would be open for God to give me an opportunity to reach out to people at work with my faith. I have no idea if God has someone special in mind, or if He wants me to just be a great example to Him to everyone, but I am becoming more willing to do what He wants. God is great, I am willing.
More God, less me.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A Destiny Planned By God
God is good....He is great!
I may find myself repeating this many times, but I am truly blessed. The last year has been a roller coaster of emotions...but God pulled me through! Something that He has truly blessed me with is my boyfriend, Chris.
Chris was someone that I never planned...nor expected to have in my life. We had been friends since the first few weeks of school, but through a little nudging by us...and some friends...we were placed together.
I am not going to lie, this relationship has been so awesome. Keeping God at the center of our relationship has really made us stronger, but has also protected us from mistakes that we do not want to get ourselves into. Actually, things have worked out so well for us that I just keep getting closer to him. That is not a bad thing at all...what is bad is if I do not keep my guard up and make him an idol.
It is so easy to want to just plan out my life. I want to figure everything out...but doing that is only doubting what God's plans are for me.
Looking back at what God has done this year with other things...He has made those things better than I could ever imagine them even turning out. This is just another thing I need to sit back and let God take over. I am slowly becoming at peace. It is just an exciting thing. Putting faith in what God has for me may seem stressful at times, but it is only getting me closer to the great things He has in store for me! Only He knows what is ahead for me, and I am ok with that.
Who knows what those plans are, but I will sit back and enjoy the ride till then. Praise the Lord! :)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
I may find myself repeating this many times, but I am truly blessed. The last year has been a roller coaster of emotions...but God pulled me through! Something that He has truly blessed me with is my boyfriend, Chris.
Chris was someone that I never planned...nor expected to have in my life. We had been friends since the first few weeks of school, but through a little nudging by us...and some friends...we were placed together.
I am not going to lie, this relationship has been so awesome. Keeping God at the center of our relationship has really made us stronger, but has also protected us from mistakes that we do not want to get ourselves into. Actually, things have worked out so well for us that I just keep getting closer to him. That is not a bad thing at all...what is bad is if I do not keep my guard up and make him an idol.
It is so easy to want to just plan out my life. I want to figure everything out...but doing that is only doubting what God's plans are for me.
Looking back at what God has done this year with other things...He has made those things better than I could ever imagine them even turning out. This is just another thing I need to sit back and let God take over. I am slowly becoming at peace. It is just an exciting thing. Putting faith in what God has for me may seem stressful at times, but it is only getting me closer to the great things He has in store for me! Only He knows what is ahead for me, and I am ok with that.
Who knows what those plans are, but I will sit back and enjoy the ride till then. Praise the Lord! :)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
Monday, June 25, 2012
A Stressed Mess
Stress. It is summer and I still have the ability to gain stress...who knew? Well...since school has not left me...I am yet again stressed out about my classes...well...class...Biology that is.
As I am extremely nervous about this next test, I have managed to gain peace.
It has become rather difficult to come up with things to praise God about when it comes to my class, but I have managed to praise God...just because.
God is going to get me through...I know it. I am already half way done with the class...only a month left to go!
Being a student first is truly my number one priority right now...and that must be above work, and my (not so) social life.
I will be obedient...and put my full effort into this class. It will be over before I know it.
Goal to get through my Biology class: Praise God...just because :)
As I am extremely nervous about this next test, I have managed to gain peace.
It has become rather difficult to come up with things to praise God about when it comes to my class, but I have managed to praise God...just because.
God is going to get me through...I know it. I am already half way done with the class...only a month left to go!
Being a student first is truly my number one priority right now...and that must be above work, and my (not so) social life.
I will be obedient...and put my full effort into this class. It will be over before I know it.
Goal to get through my Biology class: Praise God...just because :)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
A Holy Marriage
Ok, so I forgot to post yesterday...yeah.
Yesterday I had the lovely opportunity to attend a wedding. Weddings are just so beautiful! Something that struck me was how sacred a marriage really is. It is not only a happy thing, but a holy thing.
Christ designed marriage from the very beginning of mankind. He knew that Adam needed a partner to complete him and contain characteristics of God that he may not have. With that being said, marriage allows a man and a woman to come together as one and become the couple God has designed them to be.
Now I still have to get through college before I start thinking about marriage, but it is just a fascinating thing to think about.
Till then...I am praying that God is shaping me into the wife my husband will need me to be. Someday I will be able to show that certain kind of love to my husband that I have never been able to show/give to anyone else.
It will be so cool to someday be in a marriage that is holy. For now, I am just a nineteen year-old college sophomore on my own path to becoming like Christ :)
Yesterday I had the lovely opportunity to attend a wedding. Weddings are just so beautiful! Something that struck me was how sacred a marriage really is. It is not only a happy thing, but a holy thing.
Christ designed marriage from the very beginning of mankind. He knew that Adam needed a partner to complete him and contain characteristics of God that he may not have. With that being said, marriage allows a man and a woman to come together as one and become the couple God has designed them to be.
Now I still have to get through college before I start thinking about marriage, but it is just a fascinating thing to think about.
Till then...I am praying that God is shaping me into the wife my husband will need me to be. Someday I will be able to show that certain kind of love to my husband that I have never been able to show/give to anyone else.
It will be so cool to someday be in a marriage that is holy. For now, I am just a nineteen year-old college sophomore on my own path to becoming like Christ :)
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Faith Without Deeds? Yep, Dead.
"As the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." -James 2:26
Going through the book of James has really opened my eyes to what it means to be a Christian.
It is so easy to think that faith is all about what you believe. Sure, it is so easy to be scholarly informed about the Bible's teachings, but to live it out is such a bigger concept.
Deeds do not get us into heaven, but they show that our commitment to God is a real thing. Doing good works should not be a form of substituting for salvation, but to authenticate your faith.
This is something that has been hitting me. It is something that I will be working on this next week. My faith should show throughout my lifestyle. Having faith should naturally want me to change my life to be Christ-centered.
Another thing that I need to work on is my overall relationship with Christ. Lately other things have been large distractions from my relationship with Christ. I want to make Him (and keep Him) the center of my life.
I do not know...this is what has been stirring up in my mind...
Till tomorrow :)
Going through the book of James has really opened my eyes to what it means to be a Christian.
It is so easy to think that faith is all about what you believe. Sure, it is so easy to be scholarly informed about the Bible's teachings, but to live it out is such a bigger concept.
Deeds do not get us into heaven, but they show that our commitment to God is a real thing. Doing good works should not be a form of substituting for salvation, but to authenticate your faith.
This is something that has been hitting me. It is something that I will be working on this next week. My faith should show throughout my lifestyle. Having faith should naturally want me to change my life to be Christ-centered.
Another thing that I need to work on is my overall relationship with Christ. Lately other things have been large distractions from my relationship with Christ. I want to make Him (and keep Him) the center of my life.
I do not know...this is what has been stirring up in my mind...
Till tomorrow :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Hold Up...Wait a Minute
Hello world!
Wednesday has already come and passed. This week has just flown by. I am actually quite thankful of that because I appreciate the countdown to when my Biology class is going to finish up this summer. Too bad it will not be done till the end of July...
Actually...I am extremely tired. I have not really gotten that much time to dig into God's word today, and my body is trying to tell me to give up and try tomorrow. I do not want my tiredness to try and justify why I am putting that off. So...I am going to stop blogging right now and open up my Bible.
I will have a new post tomorrow :)
Wednesday has already come and passed. This week has just flown by. I am actually quite thankful of that because I appreciate the countdown to when my Biology class is going to finish up this summer. Too bad it will not be done till the end of July...
Actually...I am extremely tired. I have not really gotten that much time to dig into God's word today, and my body is trying to tell me to give up and try tomorrow. I do not want my tiredness to try and justify why I am putting that off. So...I am going to stop blogging right now and open up my Bible.
I will have a new post tomorrow :)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
DTR Talk
Ahh...that feeling of being off work at night and just relaxing. Today is definitely a day where I enjoy the relaxing!
What is even nicer is that moment when you can just stop with life and connect with God. That is what I just got done doing. It is nice to just reflect on my day, and listen to what Christ has to say to me.
Something that He put on my heart tonight is how I am truly growing up. With that being said, my relationship with Christ is no longer my parents, but my own. I am not saying that it was ever fully my parents. I am reluctant to have grown up in a Christian home, but as I am an adult and a sophomore in college, I need to step up and take responsibility for this relationship.
I take my relationship with other relationships seriously, but how often do I stop and realize how I am doing with my relationship with God? Am I truly doing my full part? God wants us to yearn for Him. Spending time with God is probably the most important part of my day, even when I barely acknowledge it as that.
As I am preparing my way into my second year of college, I am also maturing myself to be a representative of Christ. Ok, I may attend a Christian university, but I feel that everyone needs a reminder of Christ's love, and the lifestyle He wants us to live by.
I was reading in Matthew chapter five, and it was talking about being salt and light to the world. I want people to look at me and notice something different about me. I want them to see a new me...I want Christ to shine through me and be apparent to all!
God is so great! He accepts us and loves us even when we do not put as much into our relationship with Him as much as we could. This summer has allowed me to notice Christ in a different perspective in my life. He is not just loving and forgiving, but He is also who I want to strive to be like.
Earthly distractions are so easy to get into the way of me acknowledging God all of the time. Do I want to admit that and keep letting those distractions take over? No way! So God, I am giving my distractions to you. You are who I want to live for!
To God alone be the Glory!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pure Michigan
What a weekend. I cannot believe that I am back in Illinois after such a fun trip.
Michigan started off...interesting.
Friday I went to my Biology lab, got my hair cut, cashed in my paycheck, and headed to the airport. This was my first flight going all by myself. I was really not that worried. I am good at figuring things out...
Well...I was on the flight on my way there. It was great. I wanted to spend the time on the flight studying for my Biology test, but got intimidated when the person I sat right next to was a Neurologist and was reading in this large book about brain tumors. I felt I looked a little lame studying for my General Biology test...so I spent the hour flight looking out the window and just being in awe of God's creation. It truly is so beautiful.
We were about to land when all of a sudden an announcement came on the plane. Apparently in Detroit there had been a plane that took out a large portion of cement on the runway that we were supposed to land on and we did not have enough fuel to fly around until we could land on another runway. With that being said...they were taking us to Flint, MI. Yes, the number one dangerous city in America. Yay! Ok, Detroit is not that much more safe anyways, but the airport I was supposed to fly into was five minutes from my boyfriend's house.
Landing in Flint was kind of traumatic. I felt so bad having to call my boyfriend and tell him the news. At the time, all I could do was laugh...and kind of cry. He was sweet and drove the hour or so to pick me up, and we both arrived late to his pool party he was hosting.
That night was great with just meeting his friends and family. It really took my mind off of my plane incident.
The next day, Chris and I got up at six in the morning to go for a run. He had this great idea to go running around Ford Lake (yeah...named after Henry Ford...yeah...the car dude.) We ended up going to the wrong park and a park ranger thought we were crazy, but we finally found the correct park.
We went running...I was out of shape...but we went running. I really was not feeling good that day, but I was fighting it. After the run we went on a pretty walk along these islands on the lake that are connected by foot bridges. So pretty!
The day was just getting better. We went to a few grad parties, and also went to the mall to have Chris pick out a new dress shirt. That was an adventure...enough said. Haha. We did end up getting one for him (and he received great compliments at church the next morning...)
But back to my day...
Later that evening, my amazing boyfriend had it planned out to drive his dad's jeep and take me to the fair. I have honestly never been to a fair that huge. It was soooo packed! We spent $16 on tickets, but only went on the Ferris wheel...and the guy forgot to collect our tickets for that! It was beautiful, but with it being so crowded, it became so overwhelming to where we had to give up our tickets to someone else.
Chris and I then were able to watch a fireworks show. So beautiful. Enough said!
On our way home...the jeep broke down...on the highway...I was seriously thinking, "What else could go wrong?!" But then I received this inner-peace that everything was going to be all right. You see, Chris and I have the craziest adventures...this weekend had just added to it. I thought this week was going to be terrible just from when I found out I would not fly into the airport I was expecting....but God took care of it. This problem with the Jeep was fixed when his dad came to the rescue...God took care of it again! You see, God was taking care of us this weekend from the very beginning. It allowed me to put more trust in Him, when things do not go as expected.
The next morning I went to church with his family. We then ate at a restaurant on a lake. The rain started to come in...I felt like I was in a scene in The Notebook. Maybe that was just me being a hopeless-romantic...or just reminiscing of the days at school when Chris and I would run around campus in the rain and jump in puddles...
The afternoon was relaxing. The last few hours with Chris and his family were spent watching television, and playing croquet.
I soon had to fly back...from the correct airport! It was also a great time to finally study for that Biology test I was putting aside.
Looking back at this weekend, it just makes me realize how God truly made this such a great trip. Things may not had gone as planned, but they ended up working out and we had a great time. We had waited forever to see each other, and the waiting paid off!
God blessed us with a fantastic weekend that we had patiently waited for. In about four and a half weeks Chris will fly here. That actually sounds like nothing compared to our last break, but yet again, this break away from each other is allowing us to focus on ourselves and what God is doing in our lives.
I cannot wait to go back to Michigan, but I am even more excited for the trip God has planned out for us when Chris arrives here :)
Michigan started off...interesting.
Friday I went to my Biology lab, got my hair cut, cashed in my paycheck, and headed to the airport. This was my first flight going all by myself. I was really not that worried. I am good at figuring things out...
Well...I was on the flight on my way there. It was great. I wanted to spend the time on the flight studying for my Biology test, but got intimidated when the person I sat right next to was a Neurologist and was reading in this large book about brain tumors. I felt I looked a little lame studying for my General Biology test...so I spent the hour flight looking out the window and just being in awe of God's creation. It truly is so beautiful.
We were about to land when all of a sudden an announcement came on the plane. Apparently in Detroit there had been a plane that took out a large portion of cement on the runway that we were supposed to land on and we did not have enough fuel to fly around until we could land on another runway. With that being said...they were taking us to Flint, MI. Yes, the number one dangerous city in America. Yay! Ok, Detroit is not that much more safe anyways, but the airport I was supposed to fly into was five minutes from my boyfriend's house.
Landing in Flint was kind of traumatic. I felt so bad having to call my boyfriend and tell him the news. At the time, all I could do was laugh...and kind of cry. He was sweet and drove the hour or so to pick me up, and we both arrived late to his pool party he was hosting.
That night was great with just meeting his friends and family. It really took my mind off of my plane incident.
The next day, Chris and I got up at six in the morning to go for a run. He had this great idea to go running around Ford Lake (yeah...named after Henry Ford...yeah...the car dude.) We ended up going to the wrong park and a park ranger thought we were crazy, but we finally found the correct park.
We went running...I was out of shape...but we went running. I really was not feeling good that day, but I was fighting it. After the run we went on a pretty walk along these islands on the lake that are connected by foot bridges. So pretty!
The day was just getting better. We went to a few grad parties, and also went to the mall to have Chris pick out a new dress shirt. That was an adventure...enough said. Haha. We did end up getting one for him (and he received great compliments at church the next morning...)
But back to my day...
Later that evening, my amazing boyfriend had it planned out to drive his dad's jeep and take me to the fair. I have honestly never been to a fair that huge. It was soooo packed! We spent $16 on tickets, but only went on the Ferris wheel...and the guy forgot to collect our tickets for that! It was beautiful, but with it being so crowded, it became so overwhelming to where we had to give up our tickets to someone else.
Chris and I then were able to watch a fireworks show. So beautiful. Enough said!
On our way home...the jeep broke down...on the highway...I was seriously thinking, "What else could go wrong?!" But then I received this inner-peace that everything was going to be all right. You see, Chris and I have the craziest adventures...this weekend had just added to it. I thought this week was going to be terrible just from when I found out I would not fly into the airport I was expecting....but God took care of it. This problem with the Jeep was fixed when his dad came to the rescue...God took care of it again! You see, God was taking care of us this weekend from the very beginning. It allowed me to put more trust in Him, when things do not go as expected.
The next morning I went to church with his family. We then ate at a restaurant on a lake. The rain started to come in...I felt like I was in a scene in The Notebook. Maybe that was just me being a hopeless-romantic...or just reminiscing of the days at school when Chris and I would run around campus in the rain and jump in puddles...
The afternoon was relaxing. The last few hours with Chris and his family were spent watching television, and playing croquet.
I soon had to fly back...from the correct airport! It was also a great time to finally study for that Biology test I was putting aside.
Looking back at this weekend, it just makes me realize how God truly made this such a great trip. Things may not had gone as planned, but they ended up working out and we had a great time. We had waited forever to see each other, and the waiting paid off!
God blessed us with a fantastic weekend that we had patiently waited for. In about four and a half weeks Chris will fly here. That actually sounds like nothing compared to our last break, but yet again, this break away from each other is allowing us to focus on ourselves and what God is doing in our lives.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
What a Weekend :)
I am officially back home! It was such a blessing to go on my little vacation to see Chris.
I want to write more about it, but I may wait for when I have time tomorrow since I need to go to bed...I may possibly have a Biology test at 8 tomorrow and just crammed my studying on this last flight...
What God has shown me is the true blessing of waiting. It may have been 6 1/2 weeks without seeing my boyfriend, but with reliance on God, it was so worth it when the time finally arrived.
5 more weeks till I get to see him. I am excited, but am again giving it to God :)
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Way More God, Way less me.
Michigan. I'm here...well...I am not going to lie, the whole trip just sounds like a big piece of poop when you orginally hear everything Chris and I have gone through. Now I apologize if you are picturing a piece of poop, but I just want to remind everyone that although things may seem bad at the time, God is right by your side. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Have a great weekend, everyone. I will post about my trip tomorrow :)
Friday, June 15, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Something to Think About
Faith. What a word.
You cannot be a true Christian without faith. It is truly the basis of what being a Christian is. Faith is believing in who Christ was, who Christ is today, and Christ's return. I have been reading in the book of James the last few weeks and it has been making me think on what faith has to do in my life.
My devotional today was from Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." No I am not one to always stick with The Message version, but I really like how it was worded: "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundations under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see."
Faith is such a complicated, yet at the same time...simple concept to grasp.
Paul mentions faith as something that leads to salvation, but I am finding that James calls it also as an act to change your life.
Now going to a Nazarene affiliated school, I get an ear-full on the term "sanctification." Look it up...or...I could just tell you. Sanctification is the process of becoming holy. You see, when we put our faith in Christ, we also make a commitment to also want to live like Christ. With that being said, we are making ourselves set-apart from this world. Faith is testing us to live for Christ, and remove our impurities.
James has also made me realize that as Christians, we often pick and chose what of God's laws we will follow, and which ones we ignore. It is not like we try to do this, but James clearly states that a sin is a sin...they are all the same according to God and you must seek Him for forgiveness.
Having faith is not easy...at all. There may be some days where it is just so hard to trust God to be right by your side...but as you strive to be like Christ and become holy, faith works hand-in-hand.
This was a good reminder :)
You cannot be a true Christian without faith. It is truly the basis of what being a Christian is. Faith is believing in who Christ was, who Christ is today, and Christ's return. I have been reading in the book of James the last few weeks and it has been making me think on what faith has to do in my life.
My devotional today was from Hebrews 11:1- "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." No I am not one to always stick with The Message version, but I really like how it was worded: "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundations under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see."
Faith is such a complicated, yet at the same time...simple concept to grasp.
Paul mentions faith as something that leads to salvation, but I am finding that James calls it also as an act to change your life.
Now going to a Nazarene affiliated school, I get an ear-full on the term "sanctification." Look it up...or...I could just tell you. Sanctification is the process of becoming holy. You see, when we put our faith in Christ, we also make a commitment to also want to live like Christ. With that being said, we are making ourselves set-apart from this world. Faith is testing us to live for Christ, and remove our impurities.
James has also made me realize that as Christians, we often pick and chose what of God's laws we will follow, and which ones we ignore. It is not like we try to do this, but James clearly states that a sin is a sin...they are all the same according to God and you must seek Him for forgiveness.
Having faith is not easy...at all. There may be some days where it is just so hard to trust God to be right by your side...but as you strive to be like Christ and become holy, faith works hand-in-hand.
This was a good reminder :)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Just a Small Town Girl
Just a small town girl...living in an impatient world.
I live in the middle of (almost) nowhere, Illinois. You would think my patience would be better than the busy city-folk. Tractors going 20 mph on the highway...living in (what seems to be) the small town holy city of trains...why am I still impatient?
It all started this morning while I could not wait to get out of Biology class. For some reason I felt as if I was going to flip out on the prof is he was going to let us out a minute or two late. It is not like I had anything to do after that. I had over an hour to hang out at my dad's office before I went to work anyways...
Well I went to work and...the computers/registers had crashed. We were not even able to clock in. While hoping I was able to leave, we cleaned (without being clocked in or open) until the computers were finally working. Once we were able to get the computers working and open the store, the computers were running EXTREMELY slow the whole day. Freezing computers did not make me happy working drive thru.
Then...then I was able to leave a few hours later because they did not need everyone working. It was such a relief knowing that I could go home and pack or study. On my way home...I got back into my angry/impatient self when I got stuck behind a line of cars with a pick-up driving 45 on the highway.
I do not need to mention how the rest of my day I struggled with impatience. It is unnecessary. I need to realize that I should be living by the Spirit, and one characteristic of the Spirit is patience.
Stress is not helping, but I should not use that as an excuse for my behavior.
The week is almost over, but a new day/challenge awaits for me in the morning :)
I live in the middle of (almost) nowhere, Illinois. You would think my patience would be better than the busy city-folk. Tractors going 20 mph on the highway...living in (what seems to be) the small town holy city of trains...why am I still impatient?
It all started this morning while I could not wait to get out of Biology class. For some reason I felt as if I was going to flip out on the prof is he was going to let us out a minute or two late. It is not like I had anything to do after that. I had over an hour to hang out at my dad's office before I went to work anyways...
Well I went to work and...the computers/registers had crashed. We were not even able to clock in. While hoping I was able to leave, we cleaned (without being clocked in or open) until the computers were finally working. Once we were able to get the computers working and open the store, the computers were running EXTREMELY slow the whole day. Freezing computers did not make me happy working drive thru.
Then...then I was able to leave a few hours later because they did not need everyone working. It was such a relief knowing that I could go home and pack or study. On my way home...I got back into my angry/impatient self when I got stuck behind a line of cars with a pick-up driving 45 on the highway.
I do not need to mention how the rest of my day I struggled with impatience. It is unnecessary. I need to realize that I should be living by the Spirit, and one characteristic of the Spirit is patience.
Stress is not helping, but I should not use that as an excuse for my behavior.
The week is almost over, but a new day/challenge awaits for me in the morning :)
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Study Break
Whoa. Figure It Out is back on Nickelodeon again?!
Sorry. I just now acknowledged that as I am typing this. It is rather distracting. I used to love that show!
These days are becoming rather routinely...and boring. I am starting to realize what my priorities should be right now. My Biology prof just announced that our first test is on Monday. With that being said...I am really nervous. I hate Biology enough, and to make the test the next morning after I come back from my mini vacation to visit my boyfriend is rather...frustrating.
I feel that God is giving me a reminder that although it is summer, I am still in class and my studies should be at the top of my priorities right now. I do want to be able to talk to my boyfriend every night, but I am realizing that I should be studying first. My weekend is going to be terrible if I am freaking out about this test the whole time, or blowing the studying off until I fly back.
As anxious as I may feel about leaving this weekend, I do have things to do at home first...studying deoxyribonucleic acid is one of them. Why yes, that is the cool long way to say DNA...and why yes, I totally did look up the spelling in my notes just so I could sound cool in this blog post. Shows how much I actually enjoy Biology...
It may stink that I have to be studying for this class that I absolutely hate, but it is helping me to not get so emotionally attached to my boyfriend. School comes way before him, and this class is definitely reminding me.
He understands...I appreciate that. When we are both back at school it will be the same thing all over again...except he will be the more busy one with his studies...me the communications major and him...the engineering major.
Well...I am studied up for the night. I am ready for class tomorrow morning and ready to study away for another hour or so tomorrow...and the next day...and the...you get the picture.
Thank you God for even giving me this opportunity to take a class this summer and get it over with. I want to take my studies seriously and continue on my journey to a career You have set out for me. Please give me the patience even when I find it so difficult. I know I can do all things through You who gives me strength. I may need to be reminded that a few times, but I know you will always be there to encourage me.
It is songs like these that God offers me a reminder of getting through the days :)
Sorry. I just now acknowledged that as I am typing this. It is rather distracting. I used to love that show!
These days are becoming rather routinely...and boring. I am starting to realize what my priorities should be right now. My Biology prof just announced that our first test is on Monday. With that being said...I am really nervous. I hate Biology enough, and to make the test the next morning after I come back from my mini vacation to visit my boyfriend is rather...frustrating.
I feel that God is giving me a reminder that although it is summer, I am still in class and my studies should be at the top of my priorities right now. I do want to be able to talk to my boyfriend every night, but I am realizing that I should be studying first. My weekend is going to be terrible if I am freaking out about this test the whole time, or blowing the studying off until I fly back.
As anxious as I may feel about leaving this weekend, I do have things to do at home first...studying deoxyribonucleic acid is one of them. Why yes, that is the cool long way to say DNA...and why yes, I totally did look up the spelling in my notes just so I could sound cool in this blog post. Shows how much I actually enjoy Biology...
It may stink that I have to be studying for this class that I absolutely hate, but it is helping me to not get so emotionally attached to my boyfriend. School comes way before him, and this class is definitely reminding me.
He understands...I appreciate that. When we are both back at school it will be the same thing all over again...except he will be the more busy one with his studies...me the communications major and him...the engineering major.
Well...I am studied up for the night. I am ready for class tomorrow morning and ready to study away for another hour or so tomorrow...and the next day...and the...you get the picture.
Thank you God for even giving me this opportunity to take a class this summer and get it over with. I want to take my studies seriously and continue on my journey to a career You have set out for me. Please give me the patience even when I find it so difficult. I know I can do all things through You who gives me strength. I may need to be reminded that a few times, but I know you will always be there to encourage me.
It is songs like these that God offers me a reminder of getting through the days :)
Monday, June 11, 2012
Patience is Virtue (And Totally Worth It!)
4 days. 4 days. 4 days till I finally get to see my boyfriend.
I sound like typical teenage girl, but hey...it will have been 6 1/2 weeks since I have seen him. I should feel excited to see him.
Looking back at the year, I really do not think I could have been able to handle the distance between him and I without God right by my side. Through previous relationships, I have found myself making the other person an idol and I have been praying to God even before our relationship that I would not cling to him like with my last boyfriend.
Being honest, God set up our whole relationship. Long (and rather quite funny) story about God placing him in my life, (you can ask me another time for the whole story...) but there has been something special about my boyfriend ever since he was put in my life. I cannot pin-point what it is about him, but it is as if God has marked Him as special. No, not that kind of special...special for me. I think with that I have found appreciation in him than I never thought I would.
Anyway...with God's reliance this past semester of school, I was able to rely on God and not get super emotionally attached as we part ways.
It was hard to say goodbye the day I moved out of my dorm...I am not going to lie...I fought back some tears and (miraculously) did not cry, but God was right by my side. He still is by my side. When I came home I had gained acceptance that I would not be seeing him for awhile, but gained patience that the waiting will be totally worth it.
So now the time is approaching. I can finally say hello to my boyfriend...in person!
I still feel like I sound like a typical teenage girl, but what excites me the most is being able to glorify God in our relationship when we are together. Being away from each other has allowed us to work on ourselves, and being together will help us build maturity as we strive for a relationship to glorify Him.
This weekend will be an amazing experience; I will take in every moment of it! Having to rely on God and become patient in this circumstance has made me realize the reward in all of this.
Like I have said in other posts, this is an awkward and different summer, but God has shown me more ways to rely on Him than I have ever imagined.
As much as I want to say a prayer right now to just fast forward to Friday, I will remain patient and faithful to God that those days will come :)
I sound like typical teenage girl, but hey...it will have been 6 1/2 weeks since I have seen him. I should feel excited to see him.
Looking back at the year, I really do not think I could have been able to handle the distance between him and I without God right by my side. Through previous relationships, I have found myself making the other person an idol and I have been praying to God even before our relationship that I would not cling to him like with my last boyfriend.
Being honest, God set up our whole relationship. Long (and rather quite funny) story about God placing him in my life, (you can ask me another time for the whole story...) but there has been something special about my boyfriend ever since he was put in my life. I cannot pin-point what it is about him, but it is as if God has marked Him as special. No, not that kind of special...special for me. I think with that I have found appreciation in him than I never thought I would.
Anyway...with God's reliance this past semester of school, I was able to rely on God and not get super emotionally attached as we part ways.
It was hard to say goodbye the day I moved out of my dorm...I am not going to lie...I fought back some tears and (miraculously) did not cry, but God was right by my side. He still is by my side. When I came home I had gained acceptance that I would not be seeing him for awhile, but gained patience that the waiting will be totally worth it.
So now the time is approaching. I can finally say hello to my boyfriend...in person!
I still feel like I sound like a typical teenage girl, but what excites me the most is being able to glorify God in our relationship when we are together. Being away from each other has allowed us to work on ourselves, and being together will help us build maturity as we strive for a relationship to glorify Him.
This weekend will be an amazing experience; I will take in every moment of it! Having to rely on God and become patient in this circumstance has made me realize the reward in all of this.
Like I have said in other posts, this is an awkward and different summer, but God has shown me more ways to rely on Him than I have ever imagined.
As much as I want to say a prayer right now to just fast forward to Friday, I will remain patient and faithful to God that those days will come :)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
I'm a Poet and Didn't Even Realize
Short post.
Haiku time!
I just love Sundays.
For to God be the glory!
Goodnight world! Bedtime.
I'm ready for this week. Bring it! :)
Haiku time!
I just love Sundays.
For to God be the glory!
Goodnight world! Bedtime.
I'm ready for this week. Bring it! :)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Hitting the Gas with my Garmin, and God
These days are flying by! How is tomorrow already the 10th of June?! This summer is starting to pick up so fast!
Well...back to the question...what has God been doing in my life?
Last night my family spent the night in a hotel along the Mississippi. My family plans to go to a family reunion tomorrow in Iowa, and my dad's spontaneious self wanted to make a trip of it, so he decided to spend a night in a hotel. I was not planning to go with them to Iowa because I had work today, but was wanting to at least spend the night with them in the hotel. So...I drove separately knowing I would leave this morning to go right to work. This may sound weird, (especially coming from a girl) but I love driving.
I find that driving by myself is my alone time to relax, think, and listen. Relaxing is nice because it gives me time to be alone and take in what my day brings. I am given the opportunity to spend time thinking about...well..only girls would understand this, but just think about whatever. Apparently guys have the ability to have moments during the day where they just are not thinking about anything. I have not idea how that is possible. Girls think too much...no actually, I like thinking. I am going to continue thinking. Rambling is ending...now.
Out of my time driving by myself, I enjoy listening the most. That is my time to listen to what God is telling me, and find wisdom. I am not going to lie, getting up for my 8 am class is annoying, but I am sure loving the drive. It allows me to wake up and prepare myself for the day. Blasting Air-1 on the radio, and my voice belting out every song lyric makes me realize what great of a God He really is.
The Biology class I am taking may not be super thrilling, but waking up knowing I get to drive 15 min. to class and spend that time with God is fabulous. Yes, I said it...fabulous.
You may have a special time or place where you find it is a great opportunity to connect with God. Mine...is on the road.
It is also nice that I do not have to text and drive while talking to God ;)
That was cheezy. I apologize.
Nope, I do not apologize.
Have a great weekend, everyone :)
Well...back to the question...what has God been doing in my life?
Last night my family spent the night in a hotel along the Mississippi. My family plans to go to a family reunion tomorrow in Iowa, and my dad's spontaneious self wanted to make a trip of it, so he decided to spend a night in a hotel. I was not planning to go with them to Iowa because I had work today, but was wanting to at least spend the night with them in the hotel. So...I drove separately knowing I would leave this morning to go right to work. This may sound weird, (especially coming from a girl) but I love driving.
I find that driving by myself is my alone time to relax, think, and listen. Relaxing is nice because it gives me time to be alone and take in what my day brings. I am given the opportunity to spend time thinking about...well..only girls would understand this, but just think about whatever. Apparently guys have the ability to have moments during the day where they just are not thinking about anything. I have not idea how that is possible. Girls think too much...no actually, I like thinking. I am going to continue thinking. Rambling is ending...now.
Out of my time driving by myself, I enjoy listening the most. That is my time to listen to what God is telling me, and find wisdom. I am not going to lie, getting up for my 8 am class is annoying, but I am sure loving the drive. It allows me to wake up and prepare myself for the day. Blasting Air-1 on the radio, and my voice belting out every song lyric makes me realize what great of a God He really is.
The Biology class I am taking may not be super thrilling, but waking up knowing I get to drive 15 min. to class and spend that time with God is fabulous. Yes, I said it...fabulous.
You may have a special time or place where you find it is a great opportunity to connect with God. Mine...is on the road.
It is also nice that I do not have to text and drive while talking to God ;)
That was cheezy. I apologize.
Nope, I do not apologize.
Have a great weekend, everyone :)
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
More God, less me
10 o'clock bedtime? Yes, the new norm for me. Now I may be pushing it to 10:30 tonight because I have to write this and I also do not have work tomorrow. Yes, you heard me...I do not have work tomorrow! Pool day for sure! Little ol' me still has Biology at 8 in the morning tomorrow. Oh, I will be fine. Although...I could really go for a sandwich right about now...oh...anyway.
I am getting a lot more used to the whole getting up at 6, leaving at 7:30, going to class at 8-9:40, hanging out at my dad's office till 10:45, and then working 11-6. It may have helped that I got to leave work two hours earlier, but hey...same time...basically.
So here I am...reflecting about my day. It was actually a pretty good day. God finds ways to always sneak himself in there to remind me that He is there. Actually, God is always there. I just often get blinded by the earthly distractions that I seem to find more important.
This is a short blog post...I am just relieved that tomorrow is Friday. In one week from tomorrow I am flying to Michigan to see my boyfriend who I have not seen in six weeks. I am actually surprised we have done so well being apart. Actually, the only explanation is our patience, discipline, and reliability on God. He was the one that definitely got us through. This summer is turning out far more rewarding than I would have admitted a few days ago.
I guess what I have learned is to not take God's work in your life for granted. It may seem stressful at times, but it is far more rewarding in the end. On Monday I had no idea how I was going to survive school and work, but I am already getting used to it. On the last day of school I thought it would take forever to see my boyfriend again, but the time is almost here. Even while I was working I thought it would take forever before I would get off work, but I was able to leave early.
Sometimes I just need to not be a backseat driver, but to let God take the wheel.
More God, less me.
"He must become greater, I must become less." -John 3:30
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
God's Prayer Hotline (Toll-Free)
Wednesday, you had arrived and left faster than I ever had expected. Do not get me wrong, I am very thankful of that. Although I should not be thanking you, Wednesday, for you are only a day of the week. I must again thank God for getting me through another day.
He is amazing, really. Even in those times when I feel I have no way to get through, He is right by my side.
Something that I have noticed recently is that there is a lot of prayer needed...all over. It almost sounds overwhelming to think about, but then I get this inner peace that God is going to take care of it.
The prayer requests do not all reflect with what is going on in my life, but with so many others. Being honest, it is hard to focus and remember everything.
This weekend I have decided to make a giant wall of post-its around my bedroom. I will have a side labeled "Prayers" and a side labeled "Praises." This will allow me to visually read and be reminded of the things I should be praying for. As I create this wall throughout the summer, I hope to be able to move most of my prayer requests to the "Praises" side. I am actually quite interested to look at my wall right before I head off to school in August and see everything that God has been doing this summer.
It is sometimes easy to feel like the weight of others...or even just your own life is pulling you down. It is nice to be reminded that I can carry that weight to the Cross. God wants us to go to Him. He wants us to be able to be open with what is going on in our lives.
Going to God in prayer and laying down my troubles can help build faith that He is in control. It is so easy to worry and have doubts about troubles in life, but to know that God can get you through it can help you build a stronger relationship in Him.
You can make that decision to have complete faith in God when you first go to the foot of the Cross.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13
This song is not necessarily about prayer, but it is a great reminder that by going to God you have the opportunity to change and become a new creation in Him :)
This song is not necessarily about prayer, but it is a great reminder that by going to God you have the opportunity to change and become a new creation in Him :)
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Tomorrow is a New Day :)
...So this is what it is like to feel exhausted...
Today was the first day of a crazy eight weeks ahead of me. This was my second class day for my summer biology course I am taking, but it was my first day topping it on with work. As much as I want to complain my brains out right now, I will not. Besides, I know I only have one brain and saying I would complain multiple brains out would be impossible....and messy.
Why am I talking about brains coming out?? I need sleep.
The tole is getting to me. I wake up, go to class, work, then begin the whole process. I have not had an opportunity to read a book, or lay outside, or just workout. You could say it has made me slightly depressed.
Creepy old men figuring out my name at DQ and saying extremely creepy things has also not helped.
I just need a break.
It is actually nice because I realize that this is my break time. For the next eight hours I can sleep before I begin the cycle all over again. Blogging helps me relax. I often complain and get stressed about way too many things. I actually find myself talking and complaining about it more often than I go to seek God about it. Writing these every day helps to clear my mind and in a way...realize that God is right there by my side.
This summer may be stressful, but God is going to pull me through. He has placed wonderful people in my life to encourage me.
I guess a problem I am also facing is that I bottle all my stress and anxiety inside...and I am starting to let it out on my boyfriend. I feel bad. This is not who I really am, and I do not want him to see me like this. I guess I just spend my day putting on a smile to where I just break down at the end of the day.
Ok...ok...as I type this it sounds like I am having an extremely difficult time. No, I am not. I just get stressed out every couple days, and need to get my emotions out...it's what women do...right?
As I am rambling...I am finding I am losing sight of the point I was really trying to get to.
When I am getting all worked up and stressed out about life, I am doubting God's plans for me. He does not want me sulking every night about how annoying my day was. He wants me maturing and humbling myself for what he has in store.
I think I can go to sleep in peace now. I just needed to write this and realize that I do need to give this to God.
Tomorrow will be a better day :)
Today was the first day of a crazy eight weeks ahead of me. This was my second class day for my summer biology course I am taking, but it was my first day topping it on with work. As much as I want to complain my brains out right now, I will not. Besides, I know I only have one brain and saying I would complain multiple brains out would be impossible....and messy.
Why am I talking about brains coming out?? I need sleep.
The tole is getting to me. I wake up, go to class, work, then begin the whole process. I have not had an opportunity to read a book, or lay outside, or just workout. You could say it has made me slightly depressed.
Creepy old men figuring out my name at DQ and saying extremely creepy things has also not helped.
I just need a break.
It is actually nice because I realize that this is my break time. For the next eight hours I can sleep before I begin the cycle all over again. Blogging helps me relax. I often complain and get stressed about way too many things. I actually find myself talking and complaining about it more often than I go to seek God about it. Writing these every day helps to clear my mind and in a way...realize that God is right there by my side.
This summer may be stressful, but God is going to pull me through. He has placed wonderful people in my life to encourage me.
I guess a problem I am also facing is that I bottle all my stress and anxiety inside...and I am starting to let it out on my boyfriend. I feel bad. This is not who I really am, and I do not want him to see me like this. I guess I just spend my day putting on a smile to where I just break down at the end of the day.
Ok...ok...as I type this it sounds like I am having an extremely difficult time. No, I am not. I just get stressed out every couple days, and need to get my emotions out...it's what women do...right?
As I am rambling...I am finding I am losing sight of the point I was really trying to get to.
When I am getting all worked up and stressed out about life, I am doubting God's plans for me. He does not want me sulking every night about how annoying my day was. He wants me maturing and humbling myself for what he has in store.
I think I can go to sleep in peace now. I just needed to write this and realize that I do need to give this to God.
Tomorrow will be a better day :)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Great Friends, Even Greater God
Yay God.
I have no other words to explain how excited I am to have an awesome Savior like He. Last night was a well needed night. Last night was a God night.
Yesterday started off just like any other day. I got up...went to work...yada, yada, yada. Actually, I was rather disappointed I had to miss church, but I knew I had my bible study to look forward to later that evening.
After work I booked it over. Bible study was great...although I was a little distracted from just getting off work and having not eaten since 9:30 that morning...
Just being in a room with others who love to praise and serve the Lord was great. I felt welcomed and loved. What was even better was what happened later that night!
I planned to hang out with my best friend and catch up, but had the opportunity to also hang out with another friend who I planned to rekindle a friendship with. I am so amazed at what God had been doing between the three of us. He somehow called us all together to pray, encourage, and love one another. This is exactly what I have been hoping and praying for as I have been home this summer!
Having accountability partners is very important when you are going through your walk with Christ. It is that moment when you think you can take care of yourself when you end up messing up. God puts people in our lives as a physical voice to help keep you on the right path. I feel so blessed to have these girls. I may have not gotten home till 12:30 this morning and had an 8 am class earlier, but I consider it totally worth it.
My outlook on summer has done a complete 180. God rules. There is no doubt about it.
I encourage anyone who is reading this to have an accountability partner. They are very beneficial to you as you are growing.
...They may also be crazy fun and watch movies on a projector outside with you...
I made that a lot more specific than it needed to be...haha.
Anywho...Praise the Lord.
“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” -1 Chronicles 29:11
I have no other words to explain how excited I am to have an awesome Savior like He. Last night was a well needed night. Last night was a God night.
Yesterday started off just like any other day. I got up...went to work...yada, yada, yada. Actually, I was rather disappointed I had to miss church, but I knew I had my bible study to look forward to later that evening.
After work I booked it over. Bible study was great...although I was a little distracted from just getting off work and having not eaten since 9:30 that morning...
Just being in a room with others who love to praise and serve the Lord was great. I felt welcomed and loved. What was even better was what happened later that night!
I planned to hang out with my best friend and catch up, but had the opportunity to also hang out with another friend who I planned to rekindle a friendship with. I am so amazed at what God had been doing between the three of us. He somehow called us all together to pray, encourage, and love one another. This is exactly what I have been hoping and praying for as I have been home this summer!
Having accountability partners is very important when you are going through your walk with Christ. It is that moment when you think you can take care of yourself when you end up messing up. God puts people in our lives as a physical voice to help keep you on the right path. I feel so blessed to have these girls. I may have not gotten home till 12:30 this morning and had an 8 am class earlier, but I consider it totally worth it.
My outlook on summer has done a complete 180. God rules. There is no doubt about it.
I encourage anyone who is reading this to have an accountability partner. They are very beneficial to you as you are growing.
...They may also be crazy fun and watch movies on a projector outside with you...
I made that a lot more specific than it needed to be...haha.
Anywho...Praise the Lord.
“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” -1 Chronicles 29:11
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Open Eyes, Open Mind
Three blog posts in a row?! Wow, I have not done that since...well...six months ago! I had no intentions to be doing this, but last night I feel it was put on my heart to once again spend a month doing a blog a day. A lot has happened in six months, but I feel that this will be good for me as I grow closer to Christ. Actually, I am still in awe that I managed to post a blog post EVERY SINGLE DAY through the month of December. It was great discipline and allowed that set, daily time to reflect on what God is doing in my life. So...bring it on. The Many Adventures of Ashley and Christ Part II is in action!
I feel that I admit this a lot, but being home has just been...awkward. I miss my friends, my bible study, and my (do I dare say it) classes. One thing I never really thought I would miss so much is blogging. I miss writing down what is on my mind...I miss looking back on these posts to see what God had/has been doing in my life. For the longest time I was doing video blogs. It was not bad...I mean, it was fun to just...talk. I love to write though, and spend more time on my posts....so here I am.
Wow...I did not mean to talk that much just about that...haha.
Anyways...
I will admit it. As much as I do not sometimes feel Christ always near, I see what He has really been doing, and with that...gain faith that He truly is there...ALL OF THE TIME.
There have been so many things that have just fallen into place that I could not take any blame for besides to God.
I have been praying to have an accountability partner this summer, or at least a good group of friends who set a great example for me. Let's just say it has been rather hard finding those friends while I have been home. God has given me an opportunity to join a college bible study! Man, you do not know how excited I am! It makes me so thankful. Another thing God has been putting on my heart is to reconnect with a friend who I have...grown apart from this year.
For the longest time I was having such bitter feelings towards this person, I will admit it. For some reason God had to keep them on my heart and I continued to pray for them even though I did not want to...at all. I am truly thankful God kept putting them on my heart. My heart needed some major fixing. Being away at college helped to distract me and move on, but I was really not looking forward to coming home if we were still not on speaking terms.
Let's just say that I get to reconnect with this person this week, and I am actually very excited. It is unlike me to hold grudges, and this reconnection will help me as I am able to show Christ's love to everyone.
I would have not had any idea about what God's plans for my life were going to be this summer, but it is rather exciting to take time to actually see what God has been doing and be open to what is ahead.
This will be a great summer...my hopes are looking a little brighter. Thankfully, I have a God that is greater!
I feel that I admit this a lot, but being home has just been...awkward. I miss my friends, my bible study, and my (do I dare say it) classes. One thing I never really thought I would miss so much is blogging. I miss writing down what is on my mind...I miss looking back on these posts to see what God had/has been doing in my life. For the longest time I was doing video blogs. It was not bad...I mean, it was fun to just...talk. I love to write though, and spend more time on my posts....so here I am.
Wow...I did not mean to talk that much just about that...haha.
Anyways...
I will admit it. As much as I do not sometimes feel Christ always near, I see what He has really been doing, and with that...gain faith that He truly is there...ALL OF THE TIME.
There have been so many things that have just fallen into place that I could not take any blame for besides to God.
I have been praying to have an accountability partner this summer, or at least a good group of friends who set a great example for me. Let's just say it has been rather hard finding those friends while I have been home. God has given me an opportunity to join a college bible study! Man, you do not know how excited I am! It makes me so thankful. Another thing God has been putting on my heart is to reconnect with a friend who I have...grown apart from this year.
For the longest time I was having such bitter feelings towards this person, I will admit it. For some reason God had to keep them on my heart and I continued to pray for them even though I did not want to...at all. I am truly thankful God kept putting them on my heart. My heart needed some major fixing. Being away at college helped to distract me and move on, but I was really not looking forward to coming home if we were still not on speaking terms.
Let's just say that I get to reconnect with this person this week, and I am actually very excited. It is unlike me to hold grudges, and this reconnection will help me as I am able to show Christ's love to everyone.
I would have not had any idea about what God's plans for my life were going to be this summer, but it is rather exciting to take time to actually see what God has been doing and be open to what is ahead.
This will be a great summer...my hopes are looking a little brighter. Thankfully, I have a God that is greater!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Savior to the Rescue!
Negativity...out the door.
Bye. See ya.
Today is a new day and I am rather fond of beginning it on a great note. God is big....He is awesome...He is also there...all of the time.
Last night I was facing some spiritual warfare. The devil was attacking me, and I was letting him. He was attempting to tell me that I am worth nothing, I am ugly, I have no friends, and I am not good at anything. For someone who thought they were pretty strong and secure, I took it pretty hard.
Being honest, I felt distant from God. I was letting the devil just eat at me, and tell me things that I know are not true.
I could not stay happy for the life of me. There was this weird feeling where I just felt alone.
As for how sad I was, I felt more scared than anything. You see, the devil tries to reach people who are drawing closer to God. I noticed that I felt distant from God last night because I know what it is like to be close to Him. This was my opportunity to resist the devil, and I did!
Even though that God may not be on earth to show that I am not alone, He does put people in my life for that reminder. Last night God thankfully put someone in my life to remind me of God's awesome power and love.
I knew what I needed to do..."Devil, I do not believe you. I do not like you, nor do I ever want to be like you. God is bigger than you. You lose."
Man, that felt so good to just say it out loud.
Today is a new day. I no longer believe those negative thoughts. If God created me for who I am, than I must be pretty special.
You are special too! Do not let the devil try and tell you that God is not around and you are mere nothing.
Again, I am posting this verse again as I reminder not only to myself, but to you who often face those negative thoughts:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -Philippians 4:8
Bye. See ya.
Today is a new day and I am rather fond of beginning it on a great note. God is big....He is awesome...He is also there...all of the time.
Last night I was facing some spiritual warfare. The devil was attacking me, and I was letting him. He was attempting to tell me that I am worth nothing, I am ugly, I have no friends, and I am not good at anything. For someone who thought they were pretty strong and secure, I took it pretty hard.
Being honest, I felt distant from God. I was letting the devil just eat at me, and tell me things that I know are not true.
I could not stay happy for the life of me. There was this weird feeling where I just felt alone.
As for how sad I was, I felt more scared than anything. You see, the devil tries to reach people who are drawing closer to God. I noticed that I felt distant from God last night because I know what it is like to be close to Him. This was my opportunity to resist the devil, and I did!
Even though that God may not be on earth to show that I am not alone, He does put people in my life for that reminder. Last night God thankfully put someone in my life to remind me of God's awesome power and love.
I knew what I needed to do..."Devil, I do not believe you. I do not like you, nor do I ever want to be like you. God is bigger than you. You lose."
Man, that felt so good to just say it out loud.
Today is a new day. I no longer believe those negative thoughts. If God created me for who I am, than I must be pretty special.
You are special too! Do not let the devil try and tell you that God is not around and you are mere nothing.
Again, I am posting this verse again as I reminder not only to myself, but to you who often face those negative thoughts:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -Philippians 4:8
Friday, June 1, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
A Ketchup...I mean Catch Up
Potato.
Ok...that was weird.
I figured I might as well make this post as awkward as possible at the very beginning. It may weed out the uninterested folk. Actually, as I was typing this I kept struggling with how I was going to start it and after many attempts at writing something and immediately deleting it...the word potato came into my mind. Any significance? Not really. Welcome to the mind of Ashley.
So anyway...it has been rather quite long since I had put my last post. I had been doing video blogs for such a long time, but abruptly quit. Well for one thing...I have been way more busy than I ever thought I would be this summer. I work 35 hours a week and am starting a summer class next week. Making time to post a blog has been rather difficult.
Another reason I have yet to post a new blog is that I was feeling that the posts were getting sort of dry anyways. I intended the posts to be about what God is doing in my life, but I did not want to to sound dry. You see, God is always doing something in my life...I sometimes just do not acknowledge it as much.
So my life since school got out...
Well, being honest...I have sort of struggled with making my God time God time. I feel I need to have a better set time where I can give my time to God. When I just throw in a random time to do it I am so distracted by other things. I am ashamed that I am not giving all the glory God deserves. I want that constant yearning on figuring out who Christ is, but am finding it to sometimes be a struggle this summer.
Another problem is that my school friends are not around to encourage me and keep me accountable. Last night I had an awesome opportunity to have a Google + chat session with my bible study from school. It was a great reminder that my friends may be hundreds of miles away, but they still care for me and want to pray for me and encourage me as much as possible.
My family has recently switched churches, and many people are upset and angry that we have done so. I do not think they realize that we do not go to church to please them. We want to go to church to serve and grow in Christ. I have really enjoyed my new church and am so excited for what God is doing there.
Summer in general has been kind of annoying so far...I will admit it. I work all of the time and have not really had that many opportunities to hang out with or catch up with anyone yet. I will never really get that many chances to go to the pool. Oh well...I am trying not to complain. It is an awkward summer, but I should definitely make the best of it.
Every morning I have started doing a devotional called 7 Minutes with God. I have done the devotional before, but it is so nice going back to it. It has really opened my eyes to who God really is. God is not just that lovey-dovey guy. He is jealous, frightening, and powerful. He is creative! I often need that reminder that God is bigger than I think He really is.
Well...I may end this. If you are still reading, I give you props for finding interest in my life. Ok, I will admit it. God doing anything in someone's life is interesting.
Anyway...I want to leave off with a verse that has been put on my heart the last few weeks. I often want to get all negative and down about things going on in my life, but this verse reminds me to think of the positive and lift myself up!
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." -Philippians 4:8
Now I do not know the next time I will post, but until then...Have a great summer!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
A Final Chapter...For Awhile
So if you may have not noticed, I am not posting this on a Tuesday. I guess you can say that it has been a very busy week. I completely forgot to write one for this week.
Well...if you were not aware...this is also my last written post for awhile. I plan on sticking just to my video blogs for awhile.
Anywho...my week, you ask? Splendid. This year is flying by! One more month of school. Being honest, I wish it would not end so quickly. Maybe it is just the freshman enthusiasm in me, but I am going to miss being at college. I feel like I will be so bored at home this summer. I do know that God will give me opportunities to be used by him, though. I am just so blessed with what he is doing in my life right now.
One thing I am happy to thank God for is this beautiful campus I am attending right now. It is so awesome to just go outside and admire God's beautiful creation. The other evening I was out with my boyfriend dancing in the rain, and praising God for how BIG he really is. Lightning...Thunder (in that particular order) rain...rain...rain! Words cannot begin to describe how excited I get when I see nature at its finest.
Another thing I am thankful for is surviving this first year of college. Now I know that I still have one more month, but I will be happy to admit to my mom that I am going to pass. I was never afraid of not passing, but there were some events earlier in the year that did make my life feel so traumatic. I got by...with Christ. That is the only way I could have gotten by. God said: "Never will I leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6
God is right there by your side. Talk to me. I can tell you how he has been by my side this year. Trust God!
Probers 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the LORD will all your hearts and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
These past four months have been so amazing blogging about how God is working in my life. I hope to continue my blogs when I can. For now, I am sticking to my video blogs. Someday I will come back to writing these, but I am taking a break so I do not get burnt out.
If you enjoy doing something like blogging, I highly encourage you to do so. God has given everyone certain gifts, and it is such a cool experience to let God use you.
I give all the credit to my God.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." -Romans 12:2-8
Well...if you were not aware...this is also my last written post for awhile. I plan on sticking just to my video blogs for awhile.
Anywho...my week, you ask? Splendid. This year is flying by! One more month of school. Being honest, I wish it would not end so quickly. Maybe it is just the freshman enthusiasm in me, but I am going to miss being at college. I feel like I will be so bored at home this summer. I do know that God will give me opportunities to be used by him, though. I am just so blessed with what he is doing in my life right now.
One thing I am happy to thank God for is this beautiful campus I am attending right now. It is so awesome to just go outside and admire God's beautiful creation. The other evening I was out with my boyfriend dancing in the rain, and praising God for how BIG he really is. Lightning...Thunder (in that particular order) rain...rain...rain! Words cannot begin to describe how excited I get when I see nature at its finest.
Another thing I am thankful for is surviving this first year of college. Now I know that I still have one more month, but I will be happy to admit to my mom that I am going to pass. I was never afraid of not passing, but there were some events earlier in the year that did make my life feel so traumatic. I got by...with Christ. That is the only way I could have gotten by. God said: "Never will I leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6
God is right there by your side. Talk to me. I can tell you how he has been by my side this year. Trust God!
Probers 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the LORD will all your hearts and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
These past four months have been so amazing blogging about how God is working in my life. I hope to continue my blogs when I can. For now, I am sticking to my video blogs. Someday I will come back to writing these, but I am taking a break so I do not get burnt out.
If you enjoy doing something like blogging, I highly encourage you to do so. God has given everyone certain gifts, and it is such a cool experience to let God use you.
I give all the credit to my God.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully." -Romans 12:2-8
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Darkness to Light
Wow. What a beautiful week it has been! I feel like I am constantly talking about how awesome this weather is.
I cannot believe that there is a little less than a month and a half left of school! My freshman year of college is totally almost over! That means I have to start growing up...soon.
These last few months in general have flown by. The more I spend time here on campus, the more I realize how blessed I am to be at my school. I could not ask for a better freshman year of college. As I am rambling right now, I feel the need to ramble more...about things that have nothing to do with the above topics.
Ok, I am just going to say it right now. I am not sure what it is, but I feel that I may take a little break from writing blogs for awhile. Next Tuesday will be my last written blog for awhile. I love doing my video blogs, so I will still continue to do those. It is not that I am getting burnt out of writing blogs, I just want to make sure I am writing things genuinely and not things that come up from the top of my head that sound good. So...I am taking a break from writing and focusing on my video blogs for awhile.
...Now back to this weather...it is so amazing! I find myself playing outside than doing...about anything else. I know what you are thinking and yes, I have still been making time to do my homework. All of the yucky assignments for the semester are done with, so I am just coasting by the next few weeks.
As I spend my time outside, I cannot help but to just stop and thank God for...life! Birds are chirping. Flowers are blooming. Trees are budding. Bunnies are...hopping. I am even getting a shade darker. (Olivet appropriate sunbathing of course!)
This whole coming of Spring (in March) makes me find ways to glorify God even more. Winter just reminds me of death. It is cold...dark...dead...ehhh.
I look at my own life with Christ. Without Him, I am dead, but Christ was willing to come and die for me...and He gave me life! Wow, God is so awesome! Winter may be a depressing time, but Spring will come...it is coming now! Life is all around us! God's beautiful creation is surrounding us making us in awe of who God is.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says: "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."
Christ is the light. Spring is such a great reminder of God's glory.
Oh, I could just keep talking about how awesome God is, but my rambling should probably come to an end. Give thanks to God today! Praise the Lord!
I cannot believe that there is a little less than a month and a half left of school! My freshman year of college is totally almost over! That means I have to start growing up...soon.
These last few months in general have flown by. The more I spend time here on campus, the more I realize how blessed I am to be at my school. I could not ask for a better freshman year of college. As I am rambling right now, I feel the need to ramble more...about things that have nothing to do with the above topics.
Ok, I am just going to say it right now. I am not sure what it is, but I feel that I may take a little break from writing blogs for awhile. Next Tuesday will be my last written blog for awhile. I love doing my video blogs, so I will still continue to do those. It is not that I am getting burnt out of writing blogs, I just want to make sure I am writing things genuinely and not things that come up from the top of my head that sound good. So...I am taking a break from writing and focusing on my video blogs for awhile.
...Now back to this weather...it is so amazing! I find myself playing outside than doing...about anything else. I know what you are thinking and yes, I have still been making time to do my homework. All of the yucky assignments for the semester are done with, so I am just coasting by the next few weeks.
As I spend my time outside, I cannot help but to just stop and thank God for...life! Birds are chirping. Flowers are blooming. Trees are budding. Bunnies are...hopping. I am even getting a shade darker. (Olivet appropriate sunbathing of course!)
This whole coming of Spring (in March) makes me find ways to glorify God even more. Winter just reminds me of death. It is cold...dark...dead...ehhh.
I look at my own life with Christ. Without Him, I am dead, but Christ was willing to come and die for me...and He gave me life! Wow, God is so awesome! Winter may be a depressing time, but Spring will come...it is coming now! Life is all around us! God's beautiful creation is surrounding us making us in awe of who God is.
2 Corinthians 4:6 says: "For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."
Christ is the light. Spring is such a great reminder of God's glory.
Oh, I could just keep talking about how awesome God is, but my rambling should probably come to an end. Give thanks to God today! Praise the Lord!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Nature's Beauty
So today was a very blessed day. So blessed...that I just now realized that I have a blog to write because I have not been in my dorm all day.
It was soooo beautiful outside!!! Spring seems to be approaching and everyone wants to just be outside. I do not blame them, it is so nice out. I cannot wait for when the new chicks are born, and the flowers start to bloom. The winter blues are going away, and the end of school is approaching faster than ever.
This is a short post, but I just want to remind everyone to enjoy God's creation outside when you can. God created this world for us to live in, and sometimes I do not get as amazed at its beauty as much as I should.
Tomorrow should be a FANTASTIC day. Enjoy it! Go outside when you can and be in awe at what God has created. Have a great week everyone!
It was soooo beautiful outside!!! Spring seems to be approaching and everyone wants to just be outside. I do not blame them, it is so nice out. I cannot wait for when the new chicks are born, and the flowers start to bloom. The winter blues are going away, and the end of school is approaching faster than ever.
This is a short post, but I just want to remind everyone to enjoy God's creation outside when you can. God created this world for us to live in, and sometimes I do not get as amazed at its beauty as much as I should.
Tomorrow should be a FANTASTIC day. Enjoy it! Go outside when you can and be in awe at what God has created. Have a great week everyone!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Faithful Fridays- Set-Apart Princesses Vlog Part 1
This is part 1 of my Set-Apart Princesses vlog. Check back next Friday for part 2!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Open Hands
Break time for me! Spring break...that is...and...I am stuck at home.
Yeah, that's right. No, I am not in Florida or in some third-world country on a missions trip...I am home. Ok, stop pitying me. There is nothing to pity about. I have actually gotten a lot done while I have been home. It is also a great time to just hang out with my family.
So I may not have a cool story to come back to school to share, but I do feel that God wanted me home for a reason. I am not sure what that reason is yet, but it is only Tuesday. There may be people making a difference elsewhere, but God may have an opportunity for me to make a difference at home. Maybe God is giving me this opportunity at home to get connected with others here...Maybe God needed me to take care of my mom while she has been sick the last few days....
Whatever the case may be...I am here...home, and I have come to God with open hands. This weekend has already been about discipling myself so far. From cooking any opportunity I can...to doing my best to not fight with my sister...to reading so many chapters a day in my book for one of my classes...to eating a healthier diet...to doing things out of my comfort zone...to running that extra mile on the treadmill...I can honestly say it has been a lot harder than it sounds.
This act of discipline is helping me to discipline myself for what God has planned for me. I feel that as Christians, we feel good in our comfort zone. (Makes sense, right?)
Disciplining yourself takes you out of your comfort zone, and admitting that you have so much more potential. If you do not discipline yourself every now and then, I feel that you are not having faith in what God can give you power to do.
God can give you the strength to do so much more than you can imagine.
I may feel that I have had a boring experience at home so far, but I have also realized that I have grown so much through disciplining myself. I still have another five days to make a difference here. I am reaching out with open hands for what God has planned for me.
Yeah, that's right. No, I am not in Florida or in some third-world country on a missions trip...I am home. Ok, stop pitying me. There is nothing to pity about. I have actually gotten a lot done while I have been home. It is also a great time to just hang out with my family.
So I may not have a cool story to come back to school to share, but I do feel that God wanted me home for a reason. I am not sure what that reason is yet, but it is only Tuesday. There may be people making a difference elsewhere, but God may have an opportunity for me to make a difference at home. Maybe God is giving me this opportunity at home to get connected with others here...Maybe God needed me to take care of my mom while she has been sick the last few days....
Whatever the case may be...I am here...home, and I have come to God with open hands. This weekend has already been about discipling myself so far. From cooking any opportunity I can...to doing my best to not fight with my sister...to reading so many chapters a day in my book for one of my classes...to eating a healthier diet...to doing things out of my comfort zone...to running that extra mile on the treadmill...I can honestly say it has been a lot harder than it sounds.
This act of discipline is helping me to discipline myself for what God has planned for me. I feel that as Christians, we feel good in our comfort zone. (Makes sense, right?)
Disciplining yourself takes you out of your comfort zone, and admitting that you have so much more potential. If you do not discipline yourself every now and then, I feel that you are not having faith in what God can give you power to do.
God can give you the strength to do so much more than you can imagine.
I may feel that I have had a boring experience at home so far, but I have also realized that I have grown so much through disciplining myself. I still have another five days to make a difference here. I am reaching out with open hands for what God has planned for me.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Companions on a Journey
Wow, what a weekend. God truly is doing awesome things back home. Who am I kidding? God is doing awesome things everywhere!
Well, this past weekend I had the opportunity to go back home and help with a retreat. It made me realize how blessed I really am to have a group of friends to grow with on my walk. God wants us to gain fellowship with other Christians.
Going to a Christian university may give me a higher chance of having those Christian friends, (trust me, I know...especially after going through all of my other schooling without any other real Christian friends at school) but I have found that God has placed certain believers in my life to help encourage me on my walk, and for me to also encourage them as well.
This semester has been so cool growing in my own faith, but also openly talking about my faith with others. Theology and scripture has really excited me within the last few months, and I could talk about it for hours. Having other believers in my life to help go deeper into the word has been so beneficial.
One thing is for sure, I am blessed to have a team of prayer warriors by my side when I need the prayer and accountability. It is nice to know that I am not always alone in this fight.
You may feel like you do not have that many real Christian friends in your life, and I do know where you are coming from. I have spent the last eighteen years with very few Christian friends, and the few I had were not even found at my school. It makes me wonder as I type this...I complain that I had no Christian friends in high school, but was I really doing a good part in being an example to my peers?
Well, if anything...I now want to be an example to others...not just to unbelievers, but to everyone. I can name so many people who set an example and help encourage me, and I know I should be doing the same to others.
Love...Compassion...Respect...Honesty...High Fives...Look around you and you will find God's children.
These are your companions on your journey.
...cheesy ending, I know...
Well, this past weekend I had the opportunity to go back home and help with a retreat. It made me realize how blessed I really am to have a group of friends to grow with on my walk. God wants us to gain fellowship with other Christians.
Going to a Christian university may give me a higher chance of having those Christian friends, (trust me, I know...especially after going through all of my other schooling without any other real Christian friends at school) but I have found that God has placed certain believers in my life to help encourage me on my walk, and for me to also encourage them as well.
This semester has been so cool growing in my own faith, but also openly talking about my faith with others. Theology and scripture has really excited me within the last few months, and I could talk about it for hours. Having other believers in my life to help go deeper into the word has been so beneficial.
One thing is for sure, I am blessed to have a team of prayer warriors by my side when I need the prayer and accountability. It is nice to know that I am not always alone in this fight.
You may feel like you do not have that many real Christian friends in your life, and I do know where you are coming from. I have spent the last eighteen years with very few Christian friends, and the few I had were not even found at my school. It makes me wonder as I type this...I complain that I had no Christian friends in high school, but was I really doing a good part in being an example to my peers?
Well, if anything...I now want to be an example to others...not just to unbelievers, but to everyone. I can name so many people who set an example and help encourage me, and I know I should be doing the same to others.
Love...Compassion...Respect...Honesty...High Fives...Look around you and you will find God's children.
These are your companions on your journey.
...cheesy ending, I know...
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Deep Breath
It is Tuesday already? Praise the Lord!
Some may complain that it is only Tuesday, but I have had a lot to give praise about. Yesterday I thought that this was going to be the worst week ever. I was so sick, and I have recently been piled up with projects. Ok, so now as I type this, it does not seem like I have a whole lot to complain about. I guess today just seems a lot better than yesterday. I feel a little bit better, and I got one project completed and presented.
God just knows how to take care of me when I need it....well, I need it all of the time. We as humans are helpless without God. I seriously do not know what I would do without him. When I get so caught up in the stresses of life I often forget that God is there to help get me through it.
Philippians 4:13 says: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
That is so true! I know it is true because I experience it every day! I thought yesterday would never end, but I can gladly say that it has all passed. The crud I was all worried about is over, and now I actually have time today to just rest and thank God.
Ok, so I may have skipped my first class today, (sorry you found out this way, mom) but I have rested up and am ready for whatever is ahead of me. Zumba tonight? ...Sure.
What I am getting at is that God is pushing me through. I owe it all to him. He has even been so gracious to provide amazing people in my life to encourage me throughout the day even when I have no motivation whatsoever.
Have stresses in life? ...give it to God.
Having a crappy day?...tomorrow is near.
Need to rest? ...me too...but I know that God is taking care of me and will give me that moment to rest.
Have a great week everyone. Give it to God :)
Some may complain that it is only Tuesday, but I have had a lot to give praise about. Yesterday I thought that this was going to be the worst week ever. I was so sick, and I have recently been piled up with projects. Ok, so now as I type this, it does not seem like I have a whole lot to complain about. I guess today just seems a lot better than yesterday. I feel a little bit better, and I got one project completed and presented.
God just knows how to take care of me when I need it....well, I need it all of the time. We as humans are helpless without God. I seriously do not know what I would do without him. When I get so caught up in the stresses of life I often forget that God is there to help get me through it.
Philippians 4:13 says: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
That is so true! I know it is true because I experience it every day! I thought yesterday would never end, but I can gladly say that it has all passed. The crud I was all worried about is over, and now I actually have time today to just rest and thank God.
Ok, so I may have skipped my first class today, (sorry you found out this way, mom) but I have rested up and am ready for whatever is ahead of me. Zumba tonight? ...Sure.
What I am getting at is that God is pushing me through. I owe it all to him. He has even been so gracious to provide amazing people in my life to encourage me throughout the day even when I have no motivation whatsoever.
Have stresses in life? ...give it to God.
Having a crappy day?...tomorrow is near.
Need to rest? ...me too...but I know that God is taking care of me and will give me that moment to rest.
Have a great week everyone. Give it to God :)
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Be Mine
Well...Valentine's Day.
Yep. Valentine's Day.
It's today...Valentine's Day.
Did you forget? Oh come on...everyone at Olivet has been talking about it. You see, if you were not aware, I attend a college where the motto "ring by spring" is often used. For the people reading this that have no clue what that means, well...it is pretty much a big hype about getting married to your boyfriend/girlfriend in college. Okay, so it may feel like there is a lot of pressure to find your future spouse on campus because it feels like everyone finds "the one" here.
I am a freshman in college. That idea just...stresses me out.
You see, for once in my life I have given it to God...you know, the relationship thing. I am sick of not listening to God and doing what I want just to get my heart broken. Well, to tell you the truth...listening to God about this has actually been the most amazing thing ever. (Weird, I know.)
I want my next relationship to be God-centered. I want to be pleasing God. God has shown me what kind of wife I need to become, and how there are actually amazing men out there. I trust God that he will write my love story and provide a time for cupid to strike me (and a man) at the perfect time in my life.
So yes....Valentine's Day. For the first time ever I can actually say I have plans for today with someone. It is exciting, it really is, but Valentine's Day has also shown me that showing your love and affection towards people should not be on a set holiday. No, you should show your love to everyone...every day! Crazy, I know.
Well, there is someone that shows their love for me every day. I may fail him daily, but his love surpasses everything. The author of love challenges me to show his love to others through me...daily.
So for all you love birds out there, (or the singles...) God shows his love to us every day. Praise the Lord for he is awesome!
Do not feel lonely today. The creator of love is fully open for you to receive his ultimate prize. He says, "be mine."
Have a great day everyone :)
Yep. Valentine's Day.
It's today...Valentine's Day.
Did you forget? Oh come on...everyone at Olivet has been talking about it. You see, if you were not aware, I attend a college where the motto "ring by spring" is often used. For the people reading this that have no clue what that means, well...it is pretty much a big hype about getting married to your boyfriend/girlfriend in college. Okay, so it may feel like there is a lot of pressure to find your future spouse on campus because it feels like everyone finds "the one" here.
I am a freshman in college. That idea just...stresses me out.
You see, for once in my life I have given it to God...you know, the relationship thing. I am sick of not listening to God and doing what I want just to get my heart broken. Well, to tell you the truth...listening to God about this has actually been the most amazing thing ever. (Weird, I know.)
I want my next relationship to be God-centered. I want to be pleasing God. God has shown me what kind of wife I need to become, and how there are actually amazing men out there. I trust God that he will write my love story and provide a time for cupid to strike me (and a man) at the perfect time in my life.
So yes....Valentine's Day. For the first time ever I can actually say I have plans for today with someone. It is exciting, it really is, but Valentine's Day has also shown me that showing your love and affection towards people should not be on a set holiday. No, you should show your love to everyone...every day! Crazy, I know.
Well, there is someone that shows their love for me every day. I may fail him daily, but his love surpasses everything. The author of love challenges me to show his love to others through me...daily.
So for all you love birds out there, (or the singles...) God shows his love to us every day. Praise the Lord for he is awesome!
Do not feel lonely today. The creator of love is fully open for you to receive his ultimate prize. He says, "be mine."
Have a great day everyone :)
Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Revived
Wow. It seems like it has been so long since I have wrote a blog. Well, it is Tuesday. Here I am, world!
I am laughing right now because I have spent my whole weekend writing papers for school and I finally got done, but now I am writing once again. At least I enjoy this type of writing...
So...This week has been pretty exciting. I have been back at school for almost a month now and we are in the middle of our revival week! It has been such an amazing experience. It is so easy to get caught up in the school work and other things going on in life and forget what it is really about...glorifying God!!!
This has been a great opportunity to just open up and give it all to Him.
Through this last semester, I have found that college is my new home. My life is here now and it has been so nice coming into this semester with a positive outlook on the next chapter in my life. Yes, I still have people back at home that I love dearly, but college is pushing me more and more to grow into the woman-of-Christ God has planned for me.
Today in chapel, we had a few speakers talk about being called. You know, called...as in God hinting of opportunities to work and glorify Him. Going to Olivet, I really do not think I came here for my career...I came here because I was called. God has a purpose for my life, and knows this is the perfect place for me to equip myself for the next thing He has planned for me.
I am so excited as to what God is going to be doing in my life.
Well...it is revival week. God is doing awesome things on this campus. Let's get out of the winter blues, and start praising the Lord!
I am laughing right now because I have spent my whole weekend writing papers for school and I finally got done, but now I am writing once again. At least I enjoy this type of writing...
So...This week has been pretty exciting. I have been back at school for almost a month now and we are in the middle of our revival week! It has been such an amazing experience. It is so easy to get caught up in the school work and other things going on in life and forget what it is really about...glorifying God!!!
This has been a great opportunity to just open up and give it all to Him.
Through this last semester, I have found that college is my new home. My life is here now and it has been so nice coming into this semester with a positive outlook on the next chapter in my life. Yes, I still have people back at home that I love dearly, but college is pushing me more and more to grow into the woman-of-Christ God has planned for me.
Today in chapel, we had a few speakers talk about being called. You know, called...as in God hinting of opportunities to work and glorify Him. Going to Olivet, I really do not think I came here for my career...I came here because I was called. God has a purpose for my life, and knows this is the perfect place for me to equip myself for the next thing He has planned for me.
I am so excited as to what God is going to be doing in my life.
Well...it is revival week. God is doing awesome things on this campus. Let's get out of the winter blues, and start praising the Lord!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
It's Just One of Those Weeks...
At the beginning of the week, I was really having doubts on how awesome this week was going to be..it actually turned out quite humorous.
Sunday night I went ice skating. Man, ice skating is so much fun...now if only I was actually good at it...anyway, I walked a way with a blister...or two...so worth it though...
Monday seemed pretty good. Ran a few miles in the weight room...and came back to dropping a bottle of body wash on my foot. Yep...big bruise...my poor feet...
Tuesday I woke up to take an online test for my class. I dropped my book on my toe which left a big gash...and blood...all over...how many band-aides have I used this week??
Yesterday I woke up fearfully avoiding anything messing with my feet...I must have had my eyes too open and on the lookout because I happened to get shampoo in my eye which left my eye bloodshot and foggy-eyed for half the morning...
Today...ah today. You would think I would be scared to walk out of my dorm without some form of bubble wrap around me...I didn't have bubble wrap though...hmmph...well, so far I can proudly admit to no new injuries. (Please feel free to knock on wood at this point.)
I was actually struggling with coming up with something to write about today, but as I thought about it...sometimes it is weeks like these where all I need to do is stop...breath...and laugh a little.
God adds humor in our lives at some points or another. Do you have any funny stories about this week? Please do tell! Anyways, have a safe* rest of the week :)
Sunday night I went ice skating. Man, ice skating is so much fun...now if only I was actually good at it...anyway, I walked a way with a blister...or two...so worth it though...
Monday seemed pretty good. Ran a few miles in the weight room...and came back to dropping a bottle of body wash on my foot. Yep...big bruise...my poor feet...
Tuesday I woke up to take an online test for my class. I dropped my book on my toe which left a big gash...and blood...all over...how many band-aides have I used this week??
Yesterday I woke up fearfully avoiding anything messing with my feet...I must have had my eyes too open and on the lookout because I happened to get shampoo in my eye which left my eye bloodshot and foggy-eyed for half the morning...
Today...ah today. You would think I would be scared to walk out of my dorm without some form of bubble wrap around me...I didn't have bubble wrap though...hmmph...well, so far I can proudly admit to no new injuries. (Please feel free to knock on wood at this point.)
I was actually struggling with coming up with something to write about today, but as I thought about it...sometimes it is weeks like these where all I need to do is stop...breath...and laugh a little.
God adds humor in our lives at some points or another. Do you have any funny stories about this week? Please do tell! Anyways, have a safe* rest of the week :)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Moments Like These...
Hello world...today rings another day to praise the Lord.
It is a great feeling...it really is. My life has surprisingly been going very well these past few weeks. Despite, the pounding of homework, God has really been doing things with me this semester. Who knows...the pounding of homework is probably good for me to...
As I have been through a lot within the last few months, it just seems as if I really do not have a whole lot to complain about right now.
I guess I am not trying to brag at all about how my life has been pretty good within the last few weeks...I have just come to the realization that there are other people who need my love, support, and prayers as they face their trials right now. God has me feeling strong right now, and I feel like others need someone like me to be there for them when they feel so weak.
Looking back through the last few months, I feel as if I have been pretty selfish about what I have been facing to where I have not shown my support to others who have also been hurting. Maybe this period of things finally going right in my life is my chance to show my love to others...or...God's love to others...through me.
Everyone faces good and bad periods in our walk with Christ...or even just in our life. I think it is how we respond to those times that makes us more mature.
Right now I am just very blessed and thankful that I can start this school semester on a good note. There may be trials that come my way, but I will try and be thankful even through those times.
Like I said above, I can be using this time to show care for others. I have never done this in a blog post before, but if there is anything that you need prayer about, feel free to Facebook message me, or comment here. Your comment can even be left anonymous.
It truly is not about being thankful that my life is going good right now, it is about making God my life...for He is good!
It is a great feeling...it really is. My life has surprisingly been going very well these past few weeks. Despite, the pounding of homework, God has really been doing things with me this semester. Who knows...the pounding of homework is probably good for me to...
As I have been through a lot within the last few months, it just seems as if I really do not have a whole lot to complain about right now.
I guess I am not trying to brag at all about how my life has been pretty good within the last few weeks...I have just come to the realization that there are other people who need my love, support, and prayers as they face their trials right now. God has me feeling strong right now, and I feel like others need someone like me to be there for them when they feel so weak.
Looking back through the last few months, I feel as if I have been pretty selfish about what I have been facing to where I have not shown my support to others who have also been hurting. Maybe this period of things finally going right in my life is my chance to show my love to others...or...God's love to others...through me.
Everyone faces good and bad periods in our walk with Christ...or even just in our life. I think it is how we respond to those times that makes us more mature.
Right now I am just very blessed and thankful that I can start this school semester on a good note. There may be trials that come my way, but I will try and be thankful even through those times.
Like I said above, I can be using this time to show care for others. I have never done this in a blog post before, but if there is anything that you need prayer about, feel free to Facebook message me, or comment here. Your comment can even be left anonymous.
It truly is not about being thankful that my life is going good right now, it is about making God my life...for He is good!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
No Need For a Goat For This Sacrifice...
Happy weekend one and all! This is your blogger...blogging. Confession time...I am human. I find myself doing things that any transgressor against God would do. Am I proud of that? No. Am I honest? Well, yes.
So I have always been open to saying that my favorite chapter in the Bible is Romans 12.
Romans 12:1 says: Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.
Lately, I have found myself being a hypocrite to that verse. Have I been truly allowing to live my whole life for Christ? I am surprised I have not even done a blog on this chapter/verse yet.
You see, I do not want to have the "holier than thou" lifestyle. Trust me, I am not holier than...thou...I need to be honest with myself.
Humility. Such a hard thing for me to grasp.
If I am able to accept that I am not giving it all to Christ, I can strive to at least make that my goal now...or my life.
Being a living sacrifice...What does it truly mean to be a living sacrifice? To me, it is not just about throwing out a good Christian Facebook status everyday...it's about spending my whole day living out for God. That could be hard, but I know it will not hurt me if I try.
So...for the next week I plan on living by what I say. I want to be my favorite verse in the Bible. This is my weekly goal, which will hopefully turn out to be my goal for life.
No need to find a goat for this sacrifice...I'm all yours, God :)
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