A new year, yet a constant celebration...

So this year I was concerned how my birthday would end up because I was going to be alone when all of my greatest friends and my family were not with me. I was not looking forward to it to say the least. Then, as if it could get any harder, my Uncle Sloan passed away July 1st, and the funeral was the third. I spent a lot of time with extended family, but it was better than anything I could have imagined or pictured. I was overwhelmed by the love from family and friends through Facebook posts, text messages and phone calls, only to find letters, cards and gifts waiting for me at Ted's the next day.  The whole day was filled with joy and love! To finish off the night, I laughed with Sloan's family and with less than 10 minutes to spare until my first day of being 21 was over, I bought a six pack. I fell asleep that night completely amazed at my creator and His faithfulness. Even if I were in a foreign country, by myself with a hostile, violent tribe, I would still be loved and wanted. The Lord has overwhelmed me this summer with understanding of what it truly means to trust in him and to put my faith in Him. With all of this solitude in new places on my own doing grown up things, I am fiercely putting my trust in Him because that is all I know how to do. Although my circumstances change, my God does not. What joy! What hope! As I struggled to put Bailee in reverse and "mash" the gas pedal out of that sweet little blue house on June 25th, I was so amazed at my creator. He has taught me so much in this past year and my only gratitude is my lifestyle.  This year I made 18 resolutions that I hope and pray the Lord will give me grace to keep. They are my way of holding true to the convictions the Holy Spirit has blessed me with this past year and I hope there will be many blessed people that come from keeping them. There is so much to say, so much on my mind and so much to be thankful for, but the Lord knows those things, and this post is simply to remind my carnal mind about the faithfulness of my God. For that only I am thankful and I pray I would "live to know nothing among this world except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." He is glorious, infinitely worthy and my only way to God and I hope my life lives for that glory and that gospel.

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."

This verse could not be more true in my life. As the season changes from Summer to Fall, my spiritual seasons are changing too. Not in a profound way necessarily, but in way that is certainly getting my attention. As I sit here typing on my MacBook, with my Iphone at my side, drinking hot tea with a lamp and roofed house, I can't help but wonder about those without these things. This morning as I read through Mulitply, I learned about the Holiness of God, and how his covenant with Moses was different than that of Abraham's in that it had conditions for the people to follow. As I went online to watch David Platt and Francis Chan discuss this morning's section, it led me to a blog they have been posted in while spreading the Gospel in one of the most poor, spiritually deprived countries - North and South Korea. They sat there and talked about how overwhelmed with heartbreak they were over the people on the other side of the war-ridden border of North Korea. I couldn't help but think of the Body of Christ. In 1st Corinthians 12:26 it says, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." Today my heart is heavy for those in unreached people groups who have never heard the gospel, and for those who are spreading the Gospel where it is hard, difficult and scary. I don't truly know what it means to be persecuted for the Gospel when I am sitting in my church, or in Wesley, or with my "Christian" family. We have the luxury to throw around phrases like "Praise the Lord!" "Thank you, Jesus!" even church! This morning I just began to pray that the Lord would break my heart for those people and that I can be fervently praying for the work missionaries are doing all over the world, and for those who are captive; that the Lord would free them not only from their earthly imprisonment, but would be set free by the Truth of Jesus and his work on the cross. Platt said today that if he were in a situation where he was captive or persecuted, he said he would hope that there would be people praying for and crying out to God that He would rescue them from their slavery. I just want that to become an everyday part of our prayer life. That our hearts would cry out for God to rescue those who are in bondage to sin. I think of Melissa, who has been struggling spiritually, and Satan has been tugging at her conscious and just that the Lord would protect her and keep her strong. That she would know we are so proud of her obedience to what the Lord has called her to do, and know that she is fully equipped to carry out every good work of his. I just pray for the people she interacts with everyday and that they would see the power of the Spirit in her and that He would work through their hearts as well.

Oddly enough, tonight was also "Missions Night" at AWANA. When we walked into the Warehouse tonight, on the screen was Cliff and Rebekah Barnette! Talk about being persecuted for the Gospel, and no freedom of speech. When Cliff started talking, He kept saying "The Father, and used JC" and "The Fellowship" They had to speak in code because the government has tapped into every aspect of their lives and they could be imprisoned, asked to leave the country or killed for saying anything that was against government views. Even in emails that they send back and forth to family members in GA, they have to code everything. It just brought me to tears! Just to see how powerful the Lord is in convicting his people to put them in situations like that and the strength he gives us to persevere. They have been there for 8 months and are currently taking lessons at a University there to learn the language. They will be there for another 2 years! It's just so wonderful and to God be all the Glory! When I think about these people in these opposite cultures of our own, and how fortunate I am, I just want to fall to my knees and praise the God for their obedience and understanding of Him!

In the past month the Lord has just showed me show much of my own heart and consequently his! After Rachel started dating Kevin, I would get ill over them talking all of the time, and was so protective and worried about the suture standing of our relationship and how he was going to take over. In the past I have just prayed that whoever got into a relationship first, that it would happen at the same time! Funny how God has a different plan than we have for ourselves because I couldn't be farther from having a relationship now.  The Lord just began to reveal to me the idols I had in my life over him and being in a relationship was one of them! Not to mention Rachel and I's relationship and my Dad's! I grew envious of Rachel's relationship and longed to be loved in the way that Kevin loves her. He wrote her a poem, sends her letters, bought her a Bible! Everything he writes talks about how his only desire is to grow closer to the Creator. It's just perfect. And while I am head over heels for Rachel, I just found myself pushing back from her, and bringing myself down telling myself no one would ever love me in that way, and I would be single and date-less for the rest of my life. The Lord revealed to my heart this summer that I need to be wholly satisfied in Him and once we are "fully satisfied in him, He is most glorified in us" (Piper). Not that in being obedient to this, a husband would come, but that with Jesus, that's all I need. Understanding my sinful nature, and the punishment that I deserve, Jesus took. This should be enough. Through that I can communicate with a Holy God and my only desire would be to serve Him and glorify Him through my actions and telling others.

I also got yet another Parking Ticket today. Fun. I now have over $250 in parking tickets to pay and currently have $400 dollars to my name.

This past season has been one of testing my faith and realizing what I was truly putting it in. Was I putting faith in God because he was going to keep me at Georgia and grant my residency. Did I just like the idea of going to heaven or was I in love with a good, just, holy, merciful, patient, loving, angry, jealous God? As a new season begins of investigating this faith I so devoutly believe and learning more about my creator, I pray that I have a repentant heart, that I can learn to hate my sin; that I will glorify God in all I do; my faith would be founded on his character not his benefits; that I would be a bright light and salty salt to the world, not relying on my own power, but the power that comes from the Holy Spirit who lives in me; that I would fall so in love with The Word and it's power; that my prayer life would include a hatred for my sin, a reverence for the Holy God who gives me a relationship with him; wisdom about his Word and truth from it; a confidence in that knowledge; that I would daily beg and plead for His mercy and grace and never take it for granted.

As I prepare for major changes coming up in my life these next two years that are going to rock my world, that my faith would not be rocked. I could trust in the work on the cross and realize that is all I need and whatever I do, whoever I live with, wherever I live, I am doing it for His glory and His Fame, not my own. And that I can trust whatever that looks like, it is good because it is His, just as I am His - forever.

Reminder of God's Sovreignty

Today I spent the day with WynLyn, Stryker, Lynx, Till, Meemaw, Cougar, Kirk, Joi, Carrie & Mom (through Skype) and Texas A&M and Bama. It was joyous. It was filled with love, yummy Italian food, glorifying conversations and babies. The baby did poop on me, that was fun, but that was a minor downside to an overall wonderful day. I am currently sitting next to my favorite Meemaw while watching Huckabee. Greg worked on my car today and got me a serious discount on car parts. I hope I love him besides his abilities to work on my car and for free. Last night I had an interesting conversation with River, Uncle Billy claimed he was a Christian solely based on the fact that's all he knew growing up.. My family needs so much prayer and so much Christ and as much as I love the Lord's revelation of that, it is also so scary.. I still need to find a flight home, change my car insurance and maybe find another job. I am getting really overwhelmed with grad school stuff, growing up, changes with friends and leaving Rachel. These are all things I have no control over, yet I serve a God who is never-changing. If He is the only thing I know as good and constant, I pray I may be at peace with that. My life is in His hands, and because of that, I know it is good! I will add pictures from today later, as well as some stuff from quiet time, but for now, I have some smelly laundry waiting for me.. Also, Meemaw gave me her "Just Do Something" book by Kevin DeYoung, and I am excited to read it! I just need to finish Multiply first! Toodaloo!

Joys of July Fifth

I woke up from some of the best sleep of my life. We got up and ate a yummy breakfast at the hotel. (side note: the best part of vacationing is delicious food. for the past three days, all I have eaten is delicious food. Though it most likely is not helping my weight loss, nor my long-term health. eh, live a little.) Then we went sailing, and I mean real sailing with the main sail and jib both up. It was magical. I sat next to my favorite Captain A-MAZE-ing, and rocked back and forth under the overcast California sky. It will be one of my most favorite memories. Once we got back, we headed home, but not without a stop for some food from Carl's and a trip to Dick's! The latter was especially exciting because I got an eno!!! It's red and charcoal, and a double nester! Also, I picked up a new Nalgene as well! It was a wonderful day. I also took a nap in the car, which are my favorite. We listened to John Mayer every time, and not one got sick of it. To make the day even better, I had invited some friends over to eat some more yummy food (Carne Asada, rice, beans, tres leches cake; I'm representing my home town over here) These 5 hours were wonderful. Trevor, Dee, Nicole, Emily #2, Mitchell, Gracie (Mitch's girlfriend, who I really like), Michelle and Jim Barnett, Katey and Sarah, and of course my family. It was just wonderful. We ate, laughed, talked, laughed, swam and laughed. Then I had to get up at 5 am and take Alexa Rae to the airport........... It was good to see her though..... I had breakfast with my favorite little cuz (Riv) and headed back to sleep for two more hours and who knows what the rest of today will bring! I am beyond blessed, and hope my trip stays this joyful! Until tomorrow, cyber world!

Joys:

• Jesus is still King. 
• I like breakfast, and coffee.
• I hope I am a better waitress than Sophia
• I like John Mayer
• It is a new day

Joys of July Fourth (Also, my 20th Birthday)

I am blogging now as a 20 year old. yikes. I keep telling myself I am only growing in age, and nothing more. I can't believe this day has finally come. If I feel this way about 20, I can only imagine how I'll feel at 50! ahhh! Anyway, here are my joys from the fourth:

• Jesus is King
• I woke up and went on a walk with my favorite old man with Hazelnut coffee in both of our hands
• We sailed (motored) up to Ventura and at at Brohpy Bros. I had crab cakes. They were yummy.
• we came back, chilled and went on a walk to get Panda Express. even yummier.
• we watched fireworks on the boat, went to sleep and I slept so good. 
• I love my dad.

EBSCOhost: Helping Students Explore Three Styles of Learning to Illustrate the Percept...

EBSCOhost: Helping Students Explore Three Styles of Learning to Illustrate the Percept...

Random Thoughts

I like the smell of Hose Water.
I might grow a sweet potato in my stomach, on account of I love them, and eat them too much.
I don't like oatmeal raisin cookies.
Dee comes in 6 days. 6 DAYS PEOPLE.
God is Good.