Bahahaha

When you title the name of a post something like "Bahahaha", it is going to cause people to read it because they want to laugh too.

Is there a reason that I did title it laughter other than just catching attention... no, not really. But I do love to laugh!

Summer has returned. I have finished my junior year of college and I am approaching the end of my college career. :) I am very excited. I am ready to be done with studying and move onto other adventures.

Today, when I was driving down the road, I had one of those moments where I was looking back at my life and where I am and thought.... how did I get here? Meaning, how did I end up in living off campus in an apartment, having a job, and living around my friends. Its just weird to think that I am not at home with my parents. I haven't done that the last 2 summers anyway... but still, just weird to think back on. But, it wasn't a bad thought... it was a good one.... like God is in control and I can just rest in his sovereignty.... hmmm that sounds so familiar... OH YEAH.... thats the name of this blog. Ha. I don't think resting in God's power is something we ever fully grasp or are completely comfortable with... it is something we are still learning everyday. Definitely something that I pray about a lot, that I will just be resting in God.

Sorry for the long sentences and weird spacing.

I think I like to do more thoughts on this blog than actual updates. If you want an update... just call me. If you don't have my number, then we probably aren't very good friends, so you shouldn't be calling me. HA.

Have I mentioned I love listening to sermons. I remember when I was younger and my brother used to listen to Piper sermons all the time and I was so confused, now, I do that same thing. I have really enjoyed listening to Matt Chandler and Mark Driscoll. Have any other suggestions?

I am doing laundry right now as I write this... haha... OH... I deleted my facebook for a month. It was becoming an idol with all this extra time I have this summer. So how do you break down idols??? BURN THEM! It was hard the first few days, but now I kinda enjoy not having it... who knows. I might make it permanent. Also, I am trying to read every night before I go to bed. Right now I am reading a book for RUF... God's big picture by V. Roberts. Next, I will read Desiring God by Piper and then Radical Together by D. Platt. I want to try and read at least 4 books this summer. I don't read much, but with deleting facebook and trying to go to bed early every night, I think I might be able to read all four if not more. I will keep you updated on that!

I get to see my WHOLE family in July. I am so excited to see the twin boys! They will be one, they grow so fast. Birthdays are not only good to celebrate our changes but look back and see where we used to be. A lot has changed in my life this year. I would have never saw it coming, that goes back to God's sovereignty, and especially after looking back a year ago... I know I can trust my Father!

Thank you Father for your grace in sending your son and only for your glory, Lord! You are righteous and all sufficient. I love you!!!

The Book of Matthew

So, for probably about a month now, I have been reading the book of Matthew. I am just now getting towards the end. Some wonder how one can read a book only full of 28 chapters and take a month to do it. Well, lets just say, I don't read a chapter a morning. I have slowly been dissecting each passage (pericope--what i've learned in RELG class--lol) at a time. Sometimes that means 4 verses and sometimes that means 12 verses. It's whatever the Spirit leads me to read. The reason for this post is to chat about how neat it has been to slowly go through Matthew. Through this process, I have come across passages that I have never personally read or heard of in church growing up. I think its common for Christians to believe that they know most of the bible pretty well, or at least think that know all of the "little bible stories" you heard growing up. Well, thats not true. Sorry to break it to you. I came across the beheading of John the Baptist. Now that would have been a cool story to hear back in the old Sunday School days, with the felt boards and coloring book Jesus and friends. Truth is, God is rocking my world. He is showing me more and more of his word and how I am NOT a know-it-all Christian like I think most of the time.... thats sin on my part. So, its a humbling process--SANCTIFICATION that I am experiencing at the moment. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not in the Word 24/7. I have even failed to be daily in the Word, but the Lord has taught me truth even of those times when I am far away. The cool thing is... God never strays away. He is still there-- in the words of David Crowder... "my God is not dead, he is surely alive!" I think the Lord has definitely taught me a lot this semester. I am so thankful for my cousin and his transformation in Christ. Our relationship as cousins has grown so much! We have the same passion--JESUS CHRIST!! We get to just sit and talk about Jesus and grace and love and whatever else the Spirit places on our hearts. He has taught me so much already. Which is really neat and very humbling. My flesh wants to be prideful and say... well I have been a Christian longer so I know more... once again--thats sin! But the Lord humbles me and shows me how passionate Doug is and wants to grow and know Christ better that he doesn't let old sin get in his way. He keeps fighting.... thats so encouraging!! He pushes me towards Christ. Its neat to see others around you loving Jesus so much that is rubs onto you! I have also experienced with a new friend I have made this year. That friend doesn't even realize how they push me towards Jesus and how I want to know Christ more and more. Just how that friend talks about the Lord is so beautiful and worshipful. They can't stop talking about Jesus! Thats how we should all be.... never-ceasing Jesus' name! Of course, that doesn't happen because of our sin and distractions, but the Lord can restore that. We are to make Christ the center of our lives..... and why wouldn't we.... Just notice.... we are sinking in his grace! What a beautiful grace that we can't stare away. A beautiful grace that we will never fulling understand. A beautiful grace we don't deserve by any means at all. Oh the precious blood of Jesus.

Fall Break

So its that time of year again... Fall Break. Meaning, I get 1 day off, classes cancelled. Other students have two days, but because I don't have Monday classes, I only got one day cancelled. But I am thankful nonetheless. This Fall Break is not like any of the rest. I am staying in town. The past two, I went home to be with my parents and take a break. But now since I am in my apartment, I just decided to stay here with my roommate. Its kinda lame, but I will be doing homework and babysitting while I am on Fall Break, while other students visit different states, shop, or party. I am not interested in the party part at all. I don't need to visit any different states, but I am missing out of the shopping lol. Since break has started, I have already started cooking which is pretty cool. Over the summer I got to cook a lot but once school started, that kinda ended. So its nice to get back into the cooking spirit. I plan to use this break to read my brothers book.

Its funny, because I act like I know a bunch of people will read this and right comments, which is the opposite of the truth. No one reads this and NO ONE comments on this. Ha. But thats fine nonetheless. I am not writing this for people to read or write comments, this is just for a time to write out what's going on. Kinda a listener.

On another note, I got to carve a pumpkin yesterday evening. First time I have carved without my dad's help. So I didn't really know what to do... lol. But it came out well, I guess. I had fun.

I pray that the Lord uses this break to teach me new truths and grow. I pray for the desire to know God and read his Word.

God is Enough

God is Enough!

I just got the new Lecrae CD. PTL! (Praise the Lord) for those who don't know. I am so thankful for positive scriptural Godly music that uplifts us. So often we get stuck on that bad music that is SO catchy but talks about worldly things that take off focus off Christ and place it only things such as self-centered love, sex, drugs, violence, etc. Yall know what I'm talking about... THAT music.

God is Enough!

I am listening to one of the new songs right now... called... GOD IS ENOUGH. Surprise Surprise. The reason I capitalized Enough is because another way to say Enough is to say Jesus. Jesus is Enough. We don't need these worldly things. We need less of us and more of Christ! Think about our lives. Most of the time we think about ourselves which is emphasizing ourself and making God less. That is sin. Christ should be our center, our center focus. I think thats why reading the bible at the beginning of the day is so important. It puts Christ the center. Spending time with God is the first thing we do that day. It starts out day off with the right focus. I've really been pushing myself to wake up early to read my bible right when I get up. I can tell you, I am a morning person, but when it comes to losing 20 to 30 mins of sleep, I fail. But God has been gracious and has given me the strength to wake up early to spend time with him. I pray for the desire to read this word and understand it and how I can apply it to my life that day and bring him Glory every time before I read the Word.

I also found my journal of prayers and notes from last summer. Its really neat to look about over it and see how much I was growing and all the truths the Spirit was teaching me during that time. Seeing that growth gives me a spark of desire to learn and grow more, not for the sake of growing but knowing my God better and bringing him glory. I am so thankful for the growth I have already experienced this year through bible study, weekly RUF meetings, and my new friends this year and also current friends. I have asked for my girlfriends to pray for me. True prayer from my girlfriends. We need to be there for one another, especially godly women coming together and uplifting one another and encouraging one another through God's Word and genuine prayer. God is Enough! All the Praise and Glory to Christ!

I will rejoice in the Lord! PTL!

Time to Dwell

Well, I guess I need to update from the last time I wrote on here, which was ages ago. I am currently 21 years old, live in an apartment with one of my best friends, have a part-time off campus job, am an aunt of two beautiful twin boys, am a junior in college, and growing everyday in my walk with the Lord. This summer brought a lot of change to my life. I think I have finally realized the importance of responsibility and the Lord definitely placed a lot of that in my lap. Having a part-time job sounds easy enough, but there are those days when I just feel like being lazy and not wanting to go into work, even though I know I was will be rewarded with money in the end. Speaking of money, this morning, I was asked to go and have a free facial with a couple of friends. I accepted just like any wise girl that would enjoy a time of relaxation. Quickly we realized that this "free facial" was not as exciting as it sounded. Firstly, there were people doing our facials, we were..... hmmmm I do that every morning thankyouverymuch. Haha. Secondly, the women who were leading us in this facial experience were trying to badly to make us want their job. In the fact that for 20 mins she talked about all the benefits of working there, but mainly the money they got, the cars they received, the free gifts, trips, and makeup that they enjoyed all year round. This definitely can sound appealing.... but I didn't find it appealing at all. First, I am going to become a RD... which means... I am not going to make much money and I know that, and I am okay with that. The Lord will provide and I can tell you, I don't need money falling out of my pockets to be in the Lord's will. If anything, I think a lot of the times I am called to not have much money because I want to go overseas, get rid of all my earthly items and go share the gospel with people all the time. I want to become that RD so I not only can physical heal those suffering people from the malnutrition they face daily, but most importantly heal them spiritually through sharing the gospel with them. I am waiting/praying for the day when the Lord shows me that it is time for me to go start missions outside the US. I believe that I can also be called to another US city to share the gospel, that why I continue to pray because I am not sure if its God's will, or my sinful flesh and own will that desires to leave the US. It's definitely easier for me to just leave the US and sale everything and just start all over.

Well I think I got off track, but I was just trying to empathize the changes in my life this year. Now, its a new school year, which means new classes, new schedule, new events, and most importantly... NEW FRIENDS! The Lord is so gracious in blessing me with wonderful Godly friends. I am blessed by what they teach me and help me personally grow. I am so thankful for each and every one of them. One of the coolest parts for me this year is my friends that do not know the Lord. I have always had friends that are believers but my recent prayer has been to have friends that don't know the Lord, and hopefully being able to share Christ with them. That will always continue to be my prayer.

This blog is nice to go to when I need something to write down and just "type it out" (rather than talk it out) haha.

one of those weird days

well hello world. its a beautiful evening. actually its raining. so its kinda sad out. SOOOO. i am having one of those weird days. I want to do some spontaneous, but at the same time i dont feel like moving. lol. Sometimes, I feel stupid writing on these things. But its kinda cool to just type it. I am is listening to some easy-listening right now, John Mayer.

I am so thankful for the wonderful life that the Lord has blessed me with. For example: I have the most wonderful family. A family that loves Christ and he is put as center and as top priority. I have great friends who love me for my goofiness and my love for the Lord. And this college. Yeah, I know weird. I am thankful for school. But its cool to see Gods sovereignty in that I was supposed to come here. Its such a blessing. Im moving into my apartment soon. Crazy. I am going to be a junior. I never thought I would be that old. but, here I am 20 years old. I am half way done with my college career. My life is moving on. Things have changed, Ive changed. Sometimes, I dont even feel like I have changed but then I think and actually see how I am acting and know that I have changed.

Sometimes I wonder why I say the things I say. Sometimes I wish I could just be in another country and be sharing the gospel everywhere and let people know of the hope and joy found in Christ.

So, Aubs just came into my room and we are both in weird moods. We want to get our nails done and just feel pampered, but we dont want to spend the money. lol. oh geez. Well I am excited about this summer. Its going to fun and I cant wait to see what all the Lord will teach me about him. Alright, well I guess its time for studying again.... blahhhh.

SB2010

Hello all the way from Florida! I am on SB2010 with Aubrey, Kayla, and Julia. I will call them JAK*. So, Kitty has an aunt down here that we are staying with. We have gone to the beach almost everyday and now we are burnt. So today we are going to try something different--shopping. :) We are going to go check out the outlets about 30 mins away. My little cameron (my car) has been doing so much driving. I am so proud. I am now to 54000 miles. Aka: my baby is getting old. ha. Ive taken some pictures. We went to the Strawberry Festival on Sunday. It was awesome. We saw pigs race, dirty bike tricks, Lynard Skynard (ha), and ate strawberries.