Turn! Turn! Turn!- The Byrds

That song title just seems appropriate for now. All I have been wanting to do these past few days is a wake up to a rainy morning, spend the day in my pajamas, drink tea, eat pastries, and watch sleepless in seattle. Today is that kind of morning and I think I got just about everything on my list except for pajamas and the movie. My books were calling my name and can't go unread, but I did get a delicious pastry from Ravelin Bakery. It was a almond chocolate filled croissant...So so so good! We will have to visit the bakery if any of you make it out to denton. I can't believe I have lived for almost two years and not made it out to the bakery yet. So yummy! 

School is wrapping up and I am so thankful to finally see this semester come to a close. I am ready to pack up and head home, for what will probably be my last summer at the house. I am really looking forward to home, school, and work. I am not looking forward to seven a.m. class, but the fact that when it is over I can finally apply is what makes me so excited! 

I have decided to get a house here in denton in the fall with lovely girls that God brought to me. I am completely trusting God for a job in the fall, the opportunity to get into to nursing school, and where he wants me next summer. 

God has been showing me lots these past few weeks since New York. He has continued to show me the strength and sweetness in His name, and is showing Himself to me as Jehovah Rophi, Jehovah Jireh, and Jehovah M' Kaddesh, that is The Lord our Shepherd, The Lord our Provider, and The Lord who sanctifies. He has been speaking so loud and clear. More recently He has finally shown me as the bridegroom through music and verses. I have been praying for a long time to be able to see Him like this, and finally have been able to and it is really just amazing. 

I always seem to forget what everything is about. Praise. Praise! I wish I was not such a forgetful human being, who needed a constant reminder of my purpose, but I do at all times. I was reminded of this on wednesday that life is not mine, and not for me, but to fulfill God's purpose. 1 Chronicles 16:8-10- Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what he had done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

He also reminded me that everything is in His hands. Ecclesiastes 3:11-15-He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor-it is the gift of God. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him. That which is had already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past. 

Those scriptures really comforted me this past month or so. 

I love you girls and am so glad I get to spend time with yall tonight! 

Things I am excited about:

- Spending time with yall

- Getting my haircute

- Seeing the puppies soon

- Summer

- Snowcones

- Rangers game soon, dollar hot dog night!

- Listening to She & Him when I get into the car

- Warm weather

- That christmas is only 251 days away

- That I will have a house to decorate christmas next year! :0

- Baby Kaitlyn!!!!!

- Getting to wear scrubs :)

-

There's No Place Like Home

New York

I have been trying to sit down and write about New York all week, but nothing has come to mind when I try to sit down and write about it. It was such a long week, and it felt like we were there for a very long time, so much more than just one short week. 

One of the biggest things the Lord taught me was about prayer. Earlier in this semester our college pastor had been challenging us to look at the way we pray, and if we truly believed God would do what He says He is capable of doing. I had thought about it, but not much after that week. I can know see how God was planting a seed in my heart that was leading up to something. In New York we had the opportunity to be a part of three churches, experiencing their prayer meetings, and sunday gatherings. It is in these churches that God showed me how I am to think and pray. I am so guilty of praying without fully believing that God can do what He says He can do. Each and everyone of these churches pray with expectancy, with passion, that God is faithful, and is capable of doing something. They whole heartedly believe that He can if it His will. It taught me a lot about how I should praying, with as much fervor and passion as I can, and the reason I don't see things is because I haven't been asking for them.

The churches up there are so different. Not just the worship or the way they pray, but they all feel like home. Each member of those churches truly wants to be there, and many are sacrificing things to be there. Genuine is the word we all kept using to describe them, because they are so different than anything else we had all experienced. They could care less about the smell of the church, looks of the church, amount of people in the church, or type of music played. They would praise God in nothing, and i think that is just the kind of complete abandonment some of our churches need. Church is not about any of those things anyway. It strictly about the people. Being the hands and feet. Seriously wish you guys could see these people, they can't contain the joy of the Lord, and are such an inspiration. 

Another thing God taught me a lot about was about His people. I had to many preconceived notions about other religions. I feared the people were harsh, rude, and radical. They totally proved me wrong. The people group we worked with, were more welcoming than many people in my classes, or people I share pews with. They welcomed us into their lives, talking, and freely sharing with us about their past, family, and beliefs. God showed me His love for all His people, even the ones that don't acknowledge Him, even those that scoff, and scorn, He loves them just the same as me. That is what is so different about our God. He is so unique. We serve a LIVING God, not a stone statue who is limited in so many ways. 

I also was able to see how big God is, how he stretches across the continents, and using relationships in New York to build churches in Africa. The missionaries we worked with have an amazing story, and while they didn't expect to be used in New York the same way they would have thought they could be used directly in Africa, God always has different plans. They are able to directly effect the lives of the west african muslims in new york who in return travel home to change their families and villages. It is cool to see how big and in control He is. 

And another thing that really stood out to me while we were there was the power in Jesus name. I have never realized before that week how powerful it is to say something In Jesus Name. It really is the most beautiful name ever, and simply marvelous. 

I also think you all should go listen to "Jesus Messiah" by Chris Tomlin, because it seemed to be the theme song of the week among all the churches. And funnily enough, mine the weeks leading up to New york. Coincidence? I think not. 

For the harlem team is was very much a planting seeds kind of trip, but relationships were built, and God always proves to be faithful. I know that He will use those c.d.s with His word to penetrate the lives of His people. 

Please keep in prayer our west african friends: Modou, Mohammed, Iesha, Omar, and many others who received c.d.s from our table. 

I could not have asked for a better way to spend spring break. Thank you for the opportunity to go. 

It was so fun to all get together to celebrate Courtney's birthday. Sisters and mexican food, it doesn't get much better than that. So glad to be home for a weekend and see everyone, except mom and day, but including the puppies, who by the way, got into a little fight with two other dogs, when I took them for a run on Sunday morning. All is well though. 

School is school. And I am just counting down the days till' summer arrives, shorts, sun, snow cones, and sunscreen! I really am ecstatic. I am liking most of my classes, and I love my chemistry teacher. He is a very bold christian and is just the sweetest old man who is very reminiscent of a grandfather figure. 

As hard as a time I have been having with this new adjustment I have never felt so much peace. I know their is a purpose for my being here and whether it is revealed now or never I know God is fully with me while here at TWU, and quite frankly that is all I need in this life. He has been so loud here to me. I feel Him speaking so clearly and comforting me as I miss you guys. 

If you get a chance listen to God of Justice by Tim Hughes and May Our Praise by Leeland. Those are my two theme songs for this semester. 

What is going on with yall? How is work, school, and everything else? 

I love yall so very much and hope yall know that. 

FInally Back

I am finally back to denton and to this blogging thing. Even though I am still in denton it feels strange to be in this new room and school. It still feels far away from everything else and like a very different world. The people are nice and I have been trying to get out and meet new people. 

This past weekend at disciple now we talked a lot about being a light in this world and even as I was teaching I knew God had orchestrated me to so He could teach me just as much that weekend. I really needed that refocusing of what my true purpose is for the Here & Now. I needed to remember why I am here, at this school, in this world.  My main verse for this semester is going to Matthew 5:16-"In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven." As well as John 14:15-18, John 14:27, and Luke 9:23-24. 

I met several girls on the floor today as I went door to door. Three actually came to my room tonight to talk and stayed over for thirty minutes. It was exciting, but I was a nervous wreck, I have not done anything like that since I don't know when, but I hope this semester I will be able to show them God's love. 

Please pray for me as this semester brings so many changes that may seem small, but make everything feel so different. It is a hard change to not come home every night to a friendly face to who I can tell my day about. I know there is a reason to be here at TWU and I know God will do good things if I stay willing. What can I pray for you about sisters?

Blessed Assurance

I am so thankful for UNT. A challenging school but full of interesting people. I am so glad to be out of the bubble, but it is hard. I know what I believe and I believe it with all my heart. I was convicted to night though to know it more, so i will set off to the library first thing in the morning. 

God has given me so many challenging, but cool opportunities this semester. 

Last week our college group split into groups and traveled dorm to dorm. We wanted to serve the people of our community and knocked on doors asking if we could take out their trash for them. People were amazed that we actually wanted to do that for them. We also asked each if they had a prayer request and gave them more info about our church. The community was really open for the most part and people's reactions were so funny. It truly was so much fun though. 

Today a man was preaching on campus. He had drawn a huge crowd with people from all religions and it was more of a debate and question asking forum type thing in the middle of the campus green. Me and kristen decided to stop for just a few minutes but ended up being there for two and half hours. So many people are looking for answers. I am not adequate enough to talk to people but had the opportunity to talk with several atheist. Smart ones...they are so smart! And completely open. and they were surprised that many christians were willing to talk so openly and learn new things. I also had the opportunity to talk to two proclaimed satanist. At first the situation was completely hostile, but I know God was working in their lives. We shared both view points and she asked questions. We talked awhile, and she has been hurt my many christians. I hope she was able to see that God loves her in and out, and wants that perfect relationship with her.  The talk ended in the sharing of tattoos ideas, seeing pictures of her daughter, and a hug. God is working in denton and these people are searching for something more. 

I will being doing my research so i can further talk to these people and talk more. Even though I would give everything for what I believe it does not convince those who need the evidence.

For Me, I can not believe that my sin has been completely removed and forgotten. It is so amazing how God is continually showing His love for Us. 

It is well with my soul. 

Chocolate

Sorry I have not updated things have been So crazy! 

Went to Lake Murray this weekend with the old c

rew. It was so much fun and a nice short break. We left on saturday and just sat around the campfire talking and cooking hot dogs and smores almost all of saturday and then hung out a little on sunday before heading back. It has been forever since any of us had been, and it Looks exactly the same. Not one thing has changed. My camer

a died the day we got there, but everyone took lots of pictures. I will post some on my next entry. 

Also this week me and Amber got to Chris Carrabba live. It was really fun to see someone I have loved for so long and someone whose lyrics have been written on practically everything I own and whose cd's have been played so much they no longer work. He was great live and really funny....and of course beautiful. 

I Had a job interview at Hobby Lobby last week, but I don't think it went that well, and I got a weird vibe from the guy who interviewed me so I will not be so sad if it doesn't work out. 

This week Twilight comes out and I will be joining the avid readers to see it at 12:01 on thursday night. should be fun, my friends kind of want to dresss up, but I am opting for a homemade t-shirt instead. 

Miss you girls. Can't wait to all be together at Thanksgiving. Love you.