"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.

Maddie Quote of the Week

Upon my hair being in a bun,

Maddie: "Emily, Did you get your hair cut?"

no, Maddie. no.

Remember that one time when...

....we lost our spare key in the dumpster, after Rachel threw her orange peels out, and I had a final the next morning, and we had walked a mile from out house and back, only to discover we had no way in? That happened today. Once we had a "brain blast, "in the words of Jimmy Neutron, and realized it was probably in the dumpster, we got to the dumpster only to find orage peels scattered at every square inch, and streams of ants crawling about the interior.  And in case Facebook or Instagram don't live to remind me, Blogger/Tumblr will, Right? right. Upon discovering we were locked out, Rachel had the genius idear to throw a rock at a window, and attempt to unlock the door from the inside. "We'll just tell our Landlord a bird flew into it." Yeah, I'm glad we found the key too. I was praying and praying and praying. The Lord was watching over us tonight! On another note, I have an 8 am final tmrw, I have yet to study for. I got an Athens Library card today, and had quite a delightful day at work. (That last statement will be worth gold one day. That hardly happens...) I hope to get this receptionist job at the Audiologist office, hear back from the IRS, at some point, if ever, and I am getting more and more excited for this different, yet boring and exciting summer to commence. Happy Monday, y'all!

The typical, and expected Thanksgiving post of the year..

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1st Thessalonians 5:16-18

This Thanksgiving will be my first Thanksgiving away from my family. I just remember how hard Easter was this past year, and I already miss them so much. Not being with them on the holidays is hard. Alas, it was my decision to come here, and it can easily be my decision to go back. I love it here, I really really do. I just wish they were here with me. On a brighter note! I am going to my Aunt VIcki's this weekend for Thanksgiving, and I's super excited! not because I get to spend time with her oh, so charming children, BUT for her fooooood. She is such a good cook, and I can't wait for her Mac n' Cheese and all the delicious-and-extremely-awful-for-you-that-will-cause-me-to-gain-all-my-weight-back desserts! mmmmm. Then, on Thanksgiving day, I will be going to Meemaw's! Where there will be thousands of people who know me, and tell me how much I look like my mom, and how grown up I've gotten, and ask me how I love Georgia, and I will tell them I love it, that right now I"m working full-time because I didn't get residency.... yadayadayada. THEN, I will be headed to Florence to spend yet another Thanksgiving at Wick's! I'm beyond excited for that one because I just really love them a lot. I love being able to spend time with them, I just wish my family could spend it with me, with them. But here we are.. After reading this, I will have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving, and it reminds me of how thankful I am for family, period. Wether it is my family in California, who know me so well, or it is my extended family in the South East that remind me I'm not alone in Georgia, I am thankful. I struggle with being vocal about what I'm thankful for, because so much of the time, I worry and complain about petty things. I have improved, with the guidance of my Jesus, but none-the-less, I am in a constant state of always needing my Savior. I am thankful for my job, even though I hate it most days, and the people I work with are wretched. I am thankful for Rachel Hernandez. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude for that girl, and what a blessing she is in my life. God knew exactly what He was up to putting her in my life. I am thankful for Swedish Fish, and peanut butter cookies; dutch apple pie and grilled cheese. I am thankful for hot showers, heat and a bed. I am thankful for fuzzy socks, moccasins and dads who know what they are doing when they work on cars. Most importantly, I am thankful for Jesus. He is my rock, my peace, my shoulder to cry on. He loves me more than any person ever will. This Thanksgiving will be filled with food, laughter, love and thankfulness, and for that I am thankful. Here's to not missing my family too much, and enjoying where I am knowing I am swimming in an ocean of grace and love.

p.s. no lie. at work, they are already decorating/have decorated for Christmas, CHRISTMAS at work. it's the 15th of November, y'all.

The Lord IS Good. All the time, all the time.

I have recently been struggling with and praying fervently about my job. I find no joy in it, I have no time for anything else, my ambitions are/have been set on the money, and not to serve the Lord, nor glorify him. All of my co-workers are "Christians" but live their lives in a manner I would think is displeasing to the the Lord. With all of these thoughts, the Lord is somehow pushing me to continue to work here.

This morning I got down on my knees and surrendered my life to Him. I can't do it by myself. I desperately need the God who loved me so much, He sent his perfect son on the cross for me. My only reaction would be to exalt and glorify Him in EVERYTHING I do. No matter what it be. I opened my bible to Colossians this morning and read this after my prayer of surrender, and asking for wisdom and guidance over this topic:

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,^[c] who is a faithful minister of Christ on our^[d] behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Lord spoke to me through this, and convinced me that no matter what I do, as long as I am showing people His love, and am doing it for his glory, and not my own, I am pleasing him, and doing his will. 

Jesus, 

I love you. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for your love. Let me be a light to the dark today, and glorify you in everything I do. When working, I pray that I work diligently and without complaining all for you. Lord, you have my life. I am Yours.