i am grateful...

Well guys, it has been a while hasn't it? How much longer can I use the "22 credits" excuse? Probably not too long. But I really do miss you guys! Reading your e-mails, comments, and posts make my day! Especially in those moments where the stress of school can get a little over whelming! Thank you for being an amazing set of readers and being so understanding in this time of transition. So I thought I would link up with Sarah from A Girl Smitten again! She is the best and I have been reading her blog since my very first blogging days. You definitely have to check her out if you haven't! So without further or do..... 1. These Girls  The Lord has blessed me with some amazingly priceless roommates! Can I say it enough? No, I truly can't. Each and every one of these women have an amazing heart for the Lord. With women like this, I am definitely creating friendships that will last a lifetime! Just expect to see more and more of these ladies in the future! So grateful for Hannah, Nicole, Ariel, Jessica, and Emily! 

2. This Night  I remember clearly the moment that God softened my heart for worship ministry. Everything else faded away and all I wanted to do was to sing as loud as I could. I remember that is was while I was singing "Cannons" by Phil Wickham. Phil Wickham as some a-ma-zing worship songs. His newest album "The Ascension' just came out this Tuesday. He had a CD release concert at a church only 30 minutes away from my school so the some of the roommates got to go! It was unbelievable! Phil is phenomenal live and his new album is just awesome! Check it out here!  (Do you think I will be forgiven for skipping class? Hehe.) 

3. This Place So 4 weeks have passed and I still can't believe that I live here. I have had so much joy, walking around  my campus finding all the little places to read my Bible and do homework. 

joy in the ordinary...

*breathe in...breathe out* *breathe in...out*

well, hello friends. i can easily say, i couldn't be happier to be writing this post. why? because i'm writing it as i sit in my bible college coffee shop. wait.

yup. that's right. after a two hour car ride filled with good-bye texts, heavy thoughts and prayer, i made it.  i received my key and began to move in to my new home. 

this next week was filled with orientations, syllabi, roommates, and signing up for classes. for whatever reason, the Lord called me to take 22 credits this semester. (pray for me.)

let me just say, i have one of the most beautiful campuses ever. i have lived here for over 2 weeks now and i still can't believe it. but i will let the picture do the talking.

last week was filled with firsts. first day of classes. first meeting for my new job. first paper due. (way too soon i might add) and the first time everything set in. everything became much more real and i was stricken with fear and uncertainty.

new places. new people. new things. new chapters. new life. it is a lot to take in at one time.

but. the Lord is in control. for whatever reason, He has called me here right now. He has called me to be sitting at His feet and listening. Not doubting, not fearing, not question.

in these moments of fear, i have to know that He has a plan, He has a purpose, and that He will provide. I have also discovered to find joy in the ordinary. 

finding joy in hectic days.
finding joy when it is 77 degrees and i am able to study outside.
finding joy in the facetime dates and hour long phone calls.
finding joy in the amazing roommates the Lord has given me.
finding joy in non-home cooked meals.
finding joy in missing my family and friends.
finding joy in the long nights and early mornings.
finding joy in always feeling tired.
finding joy in the midnight trips to denny's with the roommates.
finding joy in the peace He has placed in my heart.
finding joy in the unknown future.
finding joy in my beautiful and wonderful Savior.

words from 2 timothy...

So are you willing to take the risk and give everything to Him? He wants it all. Every concern, every desire, every hope, every passion. Take the leap and give it all. 

"....yet from them all the Lord has recused me..." 

2 Timothy 3:10b 

a victim of grace...(my testimony)

I Was...bitter, angry, upset, unresolved, unloving, careless, unsure, broken, and unresponsive. 

But God...made me a victim of grace, lavished His love upon me, showed me the Light, showed me all the wonderful things that He is and has done, accepted me, loved me, and called me His own. 

So that...I can live every second of my day to worship Him and strive to learn more about Him.