College Days: Finishing Well

I am absolutely in awe of all that God has done in our lives this past year. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be where I am today, I would have been in complete shock haha. I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness to us! Now that life has slowed down a little bit, I'm going to catch up on blogging about the momentous occasions from the past few months. First up: Graduation. In many ways, it is hard to believe that just two months ago, we were living in Missouri, finishing final projects, papers, presentations and finals, graduating, and saying goodbye to dear friends. Alex and I both grew a tremendous amount during our college years. We learned more about ourselves as individuals and more about God's desire and dreams for our lives. It was also at college where I had some very real talks with God about falling in love with Alex :) College stretched me in many ways: out of my comfort zone of normality, living away from home, challenging me academically, and undergoing a lot of stress from all of my responsibilities. I met so many amazing people who I know will be world changers for Christ. Alex and I have now closed the college chapter of our lives. As I've ended each stage of my life to begin another, I'm amazed how God has prepared me for each transition. God has certainly prepared us and blessed us tremendously in this new chapter. We're ready...or at least as ready as God wants us to be :)

Thank you Emily (aka roommie) for coming into my life right when I needed you.

Gianna, I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, funnier, best friend to share my college experience. I will treasure our goofy memories forever :)

I'm so thankful to have ministered through dance alongside these amazing young ladies!

My wonderful floor-mates!

Social Work is not an easy major nor an easier career, but I believe each one of us will impact the world for Christ!!

I miss these girls SO much! Thank you Bethany and Shannon for keeping me going when Social Work life got hard! #dreamteamforlife

It was an absolute blessing to have our families visit for the week before graduation! Here's a pic of me with Alex's family  at Silver Dollar City 

How can I thank you enough, Mom and Dad?! You're my biggest cheer leaders in life. I love you!!!

Thankful for family! :)

Rebecca, I'm not sure if you know how much your friendship has meant to me. Thank you for ALWAYS being there!

Thank you to all of our amazing friends and family who blessed us at our graduation party!!!

I'm SO proud of my hubby!!! He's the best!

Alex and his roommate Sterling :) Thanks for all the awesome memories Sterling!! We miss you!

We did it!!!

More of the Journey

Alex and I have been living in a whirlwind this year. I have much to write about! Finishing college, coming home, preparing for the wedding, GETTING MARRIED, our wonderful honeymoon, and preparing to move to a new state. I do plan on posting about all of that soon, but today, I'm reflecting on life before the whirlwind.

As we prepare to start over in a whole new place where we will establish a new home, I'm reflecting on some things God did here at the home I've known for most of my life. Today, I had an exit interview at the missions organization I have been working/volunteering at for the past 9 years. I volunteered with many projects, but mostly babysat the missionary kids while their parents were in training. I am amazed to reflect on how much this experience impacted my life. During pivotal stages of my life, I had the privilege of spending a large amount of time building relationships with families who were completely sold out to serving the Lord with their entire lives. I'm not exactly sure why this was the case, but I had a hard time connecting with peers during my youth years and the majority of my time was spent taking care of/mentoring kids and building relationships with adults (missionaries, ladies at church, and my parents) who poured into my life. Looking back, I'm so thankful that God made this part of my journey. I'm so thankful God taught me through the example of Godly men and women. These godly men and women taught me: self-less living, surrender to God's will, trusting God, choosing to serve the Lord even in the tough times, what it means to be a Christ centered family, grace, and how to serve others. Let us never underestimate the influence we have on those around us.

As I reflect on the people who have influenced me here and the blessing it has been to call this place home, I can't help but wonder what God is preparing for our future. Alex and I are stepping into the unknown. But, to God, it is completely known. During my devo time this morning I was thinking about the "leap of faith" we're taking as we journey to a new home. As I was talking with God, I was thinking about how it's not really a leap of faith over a canyon. It's more like God has built a bridge across the canyon and He's holding our hand all the way. The only challenging part is that we are blind to the next step. All we have to do is trust. In the past, when God has brought me to stages where I've just had to trust, He's ALWAYS been faithful. I may be week, but He is strong. The step of faith might be scary, but this time around, I will hold the promises and memories of His faithfulness in my heart.

87 Days Until Happily Ever After!

It is now officially less than 100 days until our wedding!!! 87 to be exact :) We are so in love and so thrilled with all that God is doing in our lives. Things are quite busy with us attempting to balance school responsibilities, dance/track, campus ministry, my practicum, preparing for a wedding and marriage, and the job search. Essentially, we are preparing for three major life changing events and they are all happen in the same month - graduation, getting married, and moving to where God calls us into ministry. God has truly blessed us in each of these areas and we are so thankful to Him for His goodness and faithfulness!

In between the craziness of our lives, Alex and I also are enjoying the amazing blessing of being engaged! I love him so very much and just have to share about what amazing man he is (be prepared for a sappy post)! There is such peace and joy in being in love with my best friend. He is so supportive in all that I am doing, loves me for who I am, makes me laugh, listens to me, and cares for me. He takes his role as my future provider and protector seriously. He strongly desires to seek and serve the Lord with his whole heart and life. I am so proud of the man he is and so thankful to call him mine. He has most certainly been worth the wait :)

Our beautiful engagement pictures by Kris Johnson

Lessons to be Learned

Lesson 1:
Every New Year I get in this cleaning/organizing craze! I get rid of the useless things I've accumulated and organize the things worth keeping. Sometimes, God needs to do this in our hearts. At the beginning of each semester, our school has Spiritual Emphasis week which consists of extra chapels in the evenings. At one of those evening services, I allowed God to clear out the clutter of my heart. I had been been feeling overwhelmed with fears, insecurities, and feelings of failure. I wrote down (a rather long list) of each of those messy, unwanted, useless feelings and allowed God to speak His truth into my heart. I asked the Lord to do His cleansing work, to throw out the junk until my heart was like an empty, clean room. I then asked Him to fill that room in my heart with the things of Him. God's pretty awesome at "housekeeping"our hearts!

Lesson 2:
I find it interesting that one of the first words we learn as children is "no" and yet it is one of the hardest words for me to use as an adult. God has been teaching me lately that there are many awesome opportunities in this life, however, sometimes it is healthier to say "no" to something (even when it is very good), than to clutter our lives with so many things that we can't even do anything well! Simple lesson; hard to practice. I'm working on it though...this week I said "no"...to one thing, but hey, I said "no" :)

Lesson 3:
Let's just say, I've been a little overwhelmed lately. Overwhelmed with those messy, unwanted feelings (mentioned above), overwhelmed with the wonderful, but many, responsibilities/opportunities I have, and overwhelmed with the effects its had on me. Admittedly, it took a bit of some health issues for me to realize the stress I was putting myself through. I'm in recovery from the stress and praying through how to deal with it all. The writer of Psalms 28:6-7 puts it well " Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of Thanksgiving." I certainly need His mercy and peace, but more than that, I'm recognizing the need for His JOY. It's so easy to get bogged down with the clutter, the busyness, and the stress of life that we focus on those things instead of focusing on the joy He gives us as we allow Him to walk with us through life.

Truth be Told:
Just so you know, these lessons are in the process of being learned; I don't have it all figured out. However, I'm so very thankful God cares enough to be my Teacher. I pray you have a blessed day and know the peace of walking in His joy!

Reflections from the Holidays

Christmas break was a whirlwind of wonderful activity! It seemed like every day was some sort of party or family gathering. The time with our families was too short but we tried our best to soak in every moment of being home. A main theme of thought for me the past month is how very precious both time and people are. The older I get the more I appreciate the moments I have with my family. Growing up, every Christmas was the same - each tradition was held from year to year. Now that both of my brothers are married and Alex and I are together, Christmas looks very different than it used to. However, it no longer matters nearly as much whether or not we carry on the same traditions. What matters most is getting to be together. I felt so blessed to be included in Alex's family celebrations!! And it was so amazing to finally have Alex as part of our family!

In addition to spending lots of time with our families, a very special occasion occurred over break - Alex and I got engaged! The proposal was absolutely perfect! Alex's sister Latisha led me to each destination which had a clue attached to it. Each place held significant memories for Alex and I - where we first met, had our first date, etc. My dad drove me to my last destination: the river where Alex was all dressed up, flowers in hand, ready to propose. It was a beautiful moment I will never forget! Also,the ring is better than I ever could have imagined! Afterwords, we went home and celebrated with our families for a bit before Alex and I went to the Cheesecake factory for dinner. He did such an amazing job of making the day fun yet sentimental, shared with our families, and a special time with just the two of us. But the best part of all of this is...ALEX! I'm so incredibly thankful to have a fiance who is so dedicated to the Lord, generous, caring, thoughtful, loves me, supports me, encourages me, and makes me laugh. I'm so thankful HE is the one I get to spend the rest of my life with!

We are back at school again and attempting to get back in work mode. Coming back to school felt surprisingly different this time around. Since we know this is our last semester here, I have a greater appreciation for the moments we have left in this stage of our life. Although this place isn't home, it holds great memories with people we love and also represents for me a place where God has shaped me. This semester will certainly be a very busy one, but I look forward to all God has for us in these months left at school.

My wonderful family! It is just so fantastic to be reunited again!

Alex's beautiful family! I feel so blessed to be part of it!

Me and my handsome FIANCE!!!

The gorgeous ring!

So in love :)

Loving Others

God has been working these things in my heart and I hope that it will encourage all of you.

I was thinking about how challenging it is to love people who are so hurtful to me. Then I realized "WOW! That's exactly who Jesus told us to love!"

Matthew 5:43-48 says "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

It's all about loving those who don't love us; who don't treat us right! That's following Christ. Also, I've been processing the idea that we don't have to "like" everyone. I believe that is one of the lamest excuses we can give ourselves as Christians. God doesn't say "you can like some people and not others." No! He says LOVE!

Then I thought to myself what is this love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

That's what it's all about. I'm not perfect as my Heavenly Father is, but I want to live life the way He's called me to through His power - to love those who don't love me back.

A Greater Plan

 From the time I was a little girl I hoped for two things: to have a family and to be in ministry. The Lord has taken me on quite the journey since those dreams first began. After graduating high-school I knew I wanted to help people and do so as an avenue for ministry. Through a process the Lord led me to social work.This semester will have spent 200 hours at my practicum agency where I work with women in crisis pregnancy situations. This past week as I drove home from practicum, I was broken for my hurting clients and the challenges they face. God's love for people is SO great! I know it is only because of the love He has poured into my life that He gives me the passion to do social work. That day the Lord confirmed in my heart that He knew years ago that He would call a little girl who grew up in an ideal home to one day share His love and hope with His broken and hurting people.

Beyond the Lord's call to social work, He has given me a tremendous passion for discipleship and church ministry. You know how when you're little, you don't have a great sense of days of the week? Well from a very young age, my favorite day was Sunday because we'd get to go to church. I knew it was Sunday when I would awake to mom practicing piano for Sunday morning worship. Well my love for church has not ceased :) This summer Alex's dad (before Alex and I started dating) asked me what my plans were after college graduation. I had a hard time answering him because I knew I had a passion for social work but also for church ministry. At that point, I wasn't sure how the Lord would combine both of those callings in my life. An answer came just a few months later :)

Yesterday, Alex played acoustic piano at one of our college chapel services. I absolutely love hearing him play! He is so talented and has such a passion for worshiping the Lord. Hearing him play took me back to memories in highschool when we'd go to the kids church room after youth group and listen to him play on the acoustic piano there or when he would play and I would sing with him at his piano at home. God placed a strong calling on Alex's life from a young age to become a pastor and minister through music. It has been a complete privilege and joy to encourage and help him throughout his ministry in highschool and college. I am amazed how the Lord has led both of us on journeys that led us to each other. God has fulfilled my desire to be in church ministry by allowing me to minister along side Alex!!

This week I was reminded of a funny conversation I had with Alex when we were teenagers. I remember how strange it was to hear such a young guy telling me about how serious and passionate he was about taking care of, protecting, and providing for his wife and family one day. Now, I'm extremely thankful for that passion of his.

So God has fulfilled both of my childhood dreams to be in ministry and to have a family. I couldn't have written a better story for myself. God's plans for us are always greater than our own plans!

Alex playing guitar in chapel worship

Alex and I spent a beautiful fall day together at the park