Winter Wonderland (1/27/14- 2/2/14)

It snowed on the night of the 27th (a Monday) and the next two days following it were snow days, meaning that school was canceled!

It was a nice break from school, just a week after getting back. I got the opportunity to relax, appreciate the beauty of nature that living on campus has provided me with.

This is a picture of the view from just stepping outside my dorm building.

During that week, I went around singing Wonderland on my own and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" with my friends. Funny thing is that we've been singing Snowman for a least a week before it snowed, so even now (as I am writing this, the song has not died among us yet).

The next 4 pictures are various parts of campus covered in snow.

Soccer Field

Trail in the Campus Forest

A House the Campus Forest

Having two days off and one delayed day (2 and a half days of school) was exactly what I need to get into the pattern of being back in school.

I thought constantly thought of home and prayed for rain to come for y'all and I'm so glad it finally has :)

Someone Acknowledges My Wants (1/20/14- 1/26/14)

Have you ever felt like you couldn't possibly figure out everything on your own? I have. There are several people in our lives that we can talk to. One being God.Thinking that one prayer request goes unanswered-None of them do.

I know that I often think that when I don't get what I asked for, it's often considered an 'unanswered prayer', but I've begun to grasp that every request we give God
through prayer is heard and answered. If we don't see it happen as we ask for it to be, His answer is probably

• no, it's not meant to be
• this isn't the right time for this to happen
• I will send someone to help you get there

I truly do believe that everything that happens in my life is INTENTIONAL. Beginning last year, that word struck me with a figurative consciousness--awareness. I've grasped that my hardships and rough days help me appreciate the many decent (and even wonderful) days I have experienced. 

Being away from home and not sure where the declared focus of my studies (major) should be, is definitely a big growing process. 

I am currently trying to decide what ministry/service I should commit my community service hours to. There are a lot of projects going on and I'd love prayer for that. I think that I may find an unexpected interest in the process.

I know that wherever I happen to do my hours, it will be very rewarding if I let it be.

It's been incredible getting to go back home to family and friends. It was exactly what I needed to recharge. Some people back home know more of me (in the sense also involving time) and it's comforting to feel their physical and social embrace. Returning home is incredibly worth it and helped me realize the big heart I have for where I'm from-a fierce sentiment I never knew I had.

Thank you for being a part of home for me. I'm smiling as I type this, because my friendships are a shining example of the fulfillment of an acknowledged 'want'. 

This Week's Incredible Blessings (Just the Beginning) 1/12/2014-1/17/2014

Yay, this is the first blog post of 2013 4 (heh heh)!
Mood: Content
Status: Last week before school starts (starting 1/22-Wed)

This week has already started off great, because last week ended off on a really good note. On Sunday night, the college group I got to, made me feel challenged and I didn't feel any of the hesitation to share my thoughts/opinions on the matter, where I usually in the past didn't find what I had to say to be of much value ("my opinion won't make a difference, and they'll figure it out without me"), but really I feel like I've finally grasped some idea of the purpose of why we are called to fellowship.

Colossians 2:2 (NIV) says, "My hope is that they be encouraged in heart and united in love, so they have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely in Christ, in whom are hidden all the the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

God has shown to me that He can do a lot of work on the internal aspects of a person (whether believer or not), when they decide that they can't figure everything out on their own without any help from others (and possibly choosing to submit to His plan and truly believe that there is no other plan better than His).

Ephesians 4: 11-16 (NIV)
11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

This week isn't even over yet! There's still 3 more days in this week & that holds ample time for God to do beautiful work: personal revelations, sincere & meaningful conversations, feelings of being called by God to change something, and having a renewal in choosing to submit to His plan for your life.

I have experienced a little of all this few things I have literally just mentioned. I am humbled & my mind is completely blown to know that a God that can do anything, that has that much of infinite love for His creation would have a plan set out for ME.

Recap: post fall break-now

I do realize that I haven't posted in two months. I have had lots of assignments to do and sorts. So I'll catch you up with some highlights.

SCC concert for Homecoming with alumni Laura Story & artist Jason Gray.

Annual Flag football game north vs south.

Women's south won and men's north won.

Watched my best friends in the school's Fall Play: Play On about people putting on a play 

Feasting in the school caf before thanksgiving break

God's been revealing himself to me a lot lately and it's been both exciting and demanding of my extending out and working on making some positive change for myself and others. Gid is faithful!

And now thanksgiving break has started! 

Posting everyday about it this week :)

Love y'all!

Home in 21 days!

October 5 (church); Fall Break (October 9-13)

Visiting Kinsey's church ⬆

Seeing Kinsey play the music during offering time.⬆

On th greyhound to Georgia

Holding a pretty kitty

Beautiful river in Georgia 

Relaxing by the river

Lys' church (Baptist)

Pho before getting on the bus back to

school 

Back to school we went (4hours)

Prayer Day~October 1, 2013

Today we did morning worship and pray in small groups (by where we're seated).

A passage I found that spoke to me was:

The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; they help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!” (Isaiah 41:5, 6 NIV)

It signifies the importance of unity of believers. We are relational beings so we need each other.

September 23-September 29

I decided to start having a new format for posting. I'm going to post some highs/lows of the weeks and songs/ Scripture that I felt encouraged by during my week. That will be followed with any prayer requests I many have.

🎼 Songs: We Exalt Thee by Chris Quilala, Cornerstone by Hillsong, All I Have is Christ

Scripture Passages: 

Wednesday

High: had a high energy night helping at AWANA

Low: Went to sleep too late staying up talking about non-sensical things. Had class at 8 the next day. Had to nap to regain energy.

Saturday

High: Watched movies with friends and had a night of great conversation

Low:  Many people were gone for the weekend

Sunday 

HighS: 1 I visited a church I really liked..it was a Presbyterian church-great message, worship, new church (4months old) 2 My RA and I went out for shakes and I got a new bible :D 3 Hungout with my friend who were being one with nature. Enjoyed the peace of a late night

Low: Didn't have a chance go rearrange my room

September 22, 2013

I went to Riverbend Community Church. The message was on how God desires His love for us to be returned. 

As a part of the message the pastor handed out key charms to represent God having the key to our hearts.

Kinsey and I riding in the backward-facing seats in the back row of our friend's station wagon (like Coleman's).

September 21, 2013

Saturday we went thrift shopping downtown. I fell in love with this peace if art. It might not seem much but it's really cool for faith to be publicized as art...you definitely don't see this painted on the side of a wall everyday while you're walking on the street. 

Getting time to spend with my girls off campus was really refreshing and exactly what I needed.

I came back to a peaceful night :)

September 20, 2013

Ari's got awesome earrings.

Listening in on a jam session with Austin (with uke), Caleb (guitar), and Jacob (banjo). I was there hanging out most of the evening.

September 19, 2013

I do realize that my day seems to always start with dinner.

Dress up to the Freshman Girls' Event: Mountain Dew pong. 

Kinsey was my partner. So much fun. Love her; it was just what I needed after a long day of sitting in the library.

It was a great night..great bonding time.

Top left: watching a different table play. 

Bottom left: Love my roomie. She's better  than anyone I could imagine sharing a room with. Top right: our FLTs (one from each floor) competing in chugging soda. Middle right: Finalists competing for overall winner. Bottom right: Melinda and Anna dresses up for the night

September 17, 2013

Dinner..long wait for pasta..so delicious. Just made customly.

Yoghut Run in honor of Emily's birthday 

Their seats make me think of fruit 

They spelled my name right here..beginner's luck

Post caffeine excitement kept me up late HIGH ENERGY

Snapchat from RaeRae! Excited for my coffee

September 18, 2013

AWANA tonight! Clubbers attentively sitting before Cubbies starts the night

Cubbie Bear says hi to the Cubbies

Luvie Lamb comes to say hi too

I'm the leader of the Awesome Apple group :)

Everyone waiting to go to their different activities. My group!

Nice verse in the handbook time room.

Playing in the indoor playground during game time.

Children giving hugs 

Making Jesus Loves Me hearts. This is Zaida.

Cubbie books are distributed

Eric is my co-leader