Late night thoughts and reeling minds....

So when I laid down in bed at 11:30pm because I was exhausted I was suddenly wide awake. Not only was I wide awake, but my mind was reeling. So since it is now 12:09am, I thought I may as well get up and do something... I decided that maybe if I get some of my thoughts out I can go to sleep (we'll see how this theory goes).

There have been so many things going on lately that I haven't really had time to process everything hardly much less blog. lol!! Oh well but here goes nothing. The other night I was at work and one of the girls was saying that we should only go through one major change in a year (such as moving, changing jobs, changing schools, etc). One major change a year? Hah that's funny. You see life doesn't go by the only one change a year rule. Everything is constantly changing in life, and big changes occur all the time. In the course of a year alone I have changed jobs, schools, moved on campus, and had other major life changes.... Lets see that 1...2...3...4....5......100 (Ok, so not really 100 but that's what it feels like sometimes). 

One major change a year? Sure didn't happen this year... The fact is that everything changes constantly, and with these changes comes joy, sorrow, rejoicing, fear, and disappointments... But what happens when sorrow or disappointment is on the other side of these changes. How do you deal when things don't end up as what you thought or how you wanted? Sure everyone is disappointed at times, but what happens when you experience heartbreak and your world is crashing down? No amount of advice can change it. 

Thankfully, I know one who heals broken hearts. One who can handle disappointments, sorrow, and pain. One who not only can handle them but heals and changes everything. The One who is constant, who cares, and who loves you more than you could ever know... God! He sent his son to die on the cross, and now we can have a direct personal relationship with him. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you." What happens is these things happen, and we try to take care of it ourselves instead of relying on God. We don't know the big picture, and just because things didn't turn out how we wanted doesn't mean they didn't how God wanted or that he doesn't have a plan. "He works all things together for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28). So take your troubles, disappointments, heartbreak, joys, and delights to God, for he cares for you.

 One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 46:4, "Even when you are old and your hair has turned grey, I am the same. I made you and I will take care of you." Although life throws curve balls and things change, God. The God that parted the Red Sea, raised the dead to life, healed lepers, and raised Christ from the dead is the same God that works in my life daily. He is the all powerful, all knowing, Great I AM, and He loves me. He knows the number of hairs on my head, and even as things change in my life and I get older God will still remain faithful and take care of me. I hope that brings you comfort. It brings me so much comfort and joy to know that no matter what may come my way God is constant. When others disappoint me and my world feels like it is crashing down; God's love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out on me!! How great it is to know that in a year and a half when I am looking for a teaching job, and hopefully setting up my classroom that God is there through it all. I am a dearly beloved child of God, and nothing can change that! That is what changes how we react and interact with people. And I am so thankful for that. And always remember.....

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  - Philippians 4:6-7 

Christmas . . . Music . . . and all that fun

SO I was just happened to find a draft from around December 15th last year. I guess it was late and I never finished it, but i'm going to post what I did have because I think it is so cool to see how much my life has changed in the past six months and where God has me now. So enjoy the little snippet from last December... it's hard to believe it's almost October and December will only be 2 months away.... Crazy!!!! Oh how time flies!!

I have been so remiss in the craziness and its been forever since i've written. Not that i have been at a loss for topics to write about considering my life has become a movie or soap opera lately... lol. But anyways with everything being so crazy i've done good to sleep. So here's the abbreviated scoop. I am finally done with finals, test, and homework for this semester :) WOOHOO!! No more school till January. I've applied for study abroad this summer and am waiting to see if I get the scholarship so I can go, and I have all the usual craziness with everything else that I do. I am have applied and am looking at transfer schools for the Fall of 2012. There is so much more I could say about what has happened lately but i'll leave it at that and get to the fun. December brings the Christmas Season, Holiday cheer, and my favorite Christmas Music. Yes I said it, I LOVE Christmas Music! All the grumbles can commence. lol. And yes I work Retail so everyday I work I am surrounded by Christmas songs like "Here Comes Suzi Snowflake..." And I still love Christmas Music. I love December between Mom's  birthday, My birthday, and Christmas it's one crazy holiday season. I love all the snow, cold weather, clothes, music, traditions . . .  It's all so fun and festive!

Genuine Authenticity

So.... its been a year since I last posted... WOW!! So much has happened and changed over the past year. I started leading middle school girls on wednesday nights, graduated with my Associates, went to Greece for May on study abroad, was the maid of honor in a friends wedding, taught at VBS as the missions coordinator for all ages, was one of two female chaperones for church camp, transferred to Lipscomb, moved on campus, along with a few other things. Don't worry I wont try to fill you in on all those things; I will post about Greece and include pictures at another time but tonight I'm writing about what is on my heart. So in the past year many other things have come to pass as well... Other life-changing, heart-breaking things that have forever impacted my life. It has been amazing to see how God has worked in the midst of those circumstances. I am so thankful for all that God is teaching me and how he is active in my life. One of the things that God has been teaching me in is sharing and talking about him with others. Yeah yeah I know you're thinking that's what we're commanded to do and that's what the great commission is all about; however, its more than going on a mission trip, going out door to door, going out as evangelist, or designating service or church time as when you talk about God. Rather, it is to be something that others see in our lives and that we share with everyone we come into contact with. It should be evident in our relationships. Jesus was authentic and genuine in his relationships and the people he came into contact with. Its ok that we don't have everything together and don't know all the answers, to tell the truth thats the testament to how great God is because we can't do it, but in Him we have strength. So, it has been something that God has really been challenging me in to ask each other what God is teaching them, what they're struggling with, and how do they see God working. We have become a society where people go to church and never challenge each other or sit down and be real with what's going on in our lives. It's amazing the opportunities He has given me to do this from wednesday nights with my middle school girls, to my relationships with friends, to random people that I have met at school, and the Women at the Well group at the coffee shop. Needless to say God has taught me so much over this past year, its too much to write about. Anyways, so to whats on my heart tonight... One part of this is being authentic and consistent. We cannot say one thing on Monday, change the story on Tuesday, do something completely different than either of those and then expect someone to believe or trust us. I will spare you of my rant about being honest and open with people and being authentic. Anyways, I want to challenge you to look at the relationships you have with people.... who do you come into contact with on a daily basis? Who do you randomly see? Who are your friends? and to think What is God doing in their lives? I often when driving down the road and passing cars wonder what God is doing in each person's life and what their stories are. I want to challenge you to stop, take an extra second to talk to that person who is having a bad day, smile, and to simply just be there for people, have authentic relationships and see what God does through them!! Keep one another accountable and ask what God is teaching them and how they see him at work. Be the hands and feet of Jesus and live out His love!! But enough for now its late, I have to submit an assignment and take a shower. Don't worry more about Greece and the Well to come. Night all.