Experiencing God's amazing glory.

A lot has been going on lately, with school, hanging out with friends, and starting an awesome bible study. Last night, we went out to dinner with the girls that are going to be apart of the bible study this semester. A few girls that are in the bible study were not able to come, but the girls that did come, it was awesome. I can't tell you how much I love having a group of girls I can depend on, being sisters in Christ, lifting each other up.
My life seems alittle crazy right now and i can't seem to understand many of the things that happen in my life. But the crazy thing about not being in control of your life and the things that you have to experience, especially having your heart broken, is that you feel so close to God through these times, more than any other time. Jesus' light shines most brightly through believers who TRUST him in the DARKNESS. Jesus is less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes our way. God's love and faithfulness shines so much brighter through the tough times, through the heartbreak, when you are relying so much on God, that you are holding fast to the promises God has laid out for us. I am so much closer to God than I have ever been in my life, trusting in the promises has made me stronger and God has been SO FAITHFUL, SO GLORIOUS, SO LOVING, and he never lets you down. I have truly seen God work in my life this week, not that I haven't before, but it so awesome to experience God's love. Our God is the God who provides!

Finding out who you are in Christ: Taking the Mask off :)

I am so excited about this semester because we are starting a bible study with a group of girls who are just absolutely amazing. It's about finding out who we are in Christ. This is very inspiring for me, because it's something that I think a lot of girls our age struggle with. This is going to be such an awesome semester! I can't wait to get closer with this group of girls and talk about Jesus for a couple of hours together one night a week :) I love all you girls, and I think you all are just awesome!!

When the world has fallen out from under me
I'll be found in you, still standing! :)

Realization

Traveling back home today, I realize how much I miss my family. I love columbia and all of my friends, but my family seems so far away(even though it's only an hour away). Going away to school I have realized how much I took my family for granted sometimes. I value each and every time I spend with my family, they are the most wonderful people in my life. I always know that I have a strong place to fall back on when things get tough and when I need the very best advice. My litte cousin Sam just turned 9 today, how quickly does time pass us by?! It seems just like yesterday that he was born! I remember holding him in my arms and now he is such a grown up little boy! I've also converted him to a USC fan! I'm so excited!! He has as much school spirit as I do, which I absolutely love :) He will be the next basketball player at Carolina, well in about 10 years or so.. :) My cousins are amazing and I'm so thankful that I can be a positive role model for them, and show them the most important things in life! God has truly blessed me with a family that has taught me so much about life and love.

On another note, today's service in sunday school and church was exactly what I posted last night in my blog. So amazing how God works to help us see the answer to our prayers. In Sunday School we talked about drawing near to God. "..let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22 As it says in scripture, this is ALL past tense. He SprinklED our hearts from an evil conscience and our bodies were washED with pure water. With that being said, why do we hold on to past guilt or shame? What I learned today was that I need to embrace what I already have from God the Father.

FREEDOM IS HERE :)

I struggle with a lot of things, and one of the things I struggle with the most and have been a lot lately is being content with my past. I am a lot different now than the person I used to be, and to look back on that, really hurts sometimes. God always knows when I really struggle with this and I listened to a song just a minute ago about hope and it was so inspiring for me. I have never truly listened to this particular song like I just did. I've always loved the song, but something really awakened in my soul when I listened to it.
This song is called "Hope Now" by Addison Road. Through this song I'm reminded that God provides hope for everyone. When you choose to follow Jesus, his strength provides everything you need to face the trials of life, or any guilt you may feel about who you once were. He erases it all and says that all sins have been cast as far as the east is from the west. So why do I worry? Why do I think I'm not good enough? God thought I was good enough to fufill his purpose for HIS glory, So why can't that be good enough.

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:12-14

I quickly forget that EVERYTHING in life comes down to love and in the everyday routine, I call out God's name, and this peace transcends over me. How quickly I forget I'm God's child, I'm made in his image, FOR HIS GLORY. What am I so afraid of? When the world breaks me down, God's love sets me free, his word brings peace to my heart. When I go through these thoughts of not being good enough, God always says "It will be okay, I'm your shelter from the storms of this life. Learn to trust in me, and you will be okay." My whole life rides on hope and faith in God. How quickly the day to day struggles make us forget how wonderful God's glory is. Where we are going, does not even compare to what we are going through now.

The New Year and My Awakening

I've never done a blog before but I thought that It would be a great start to a new year because I have so much on my mind these days. My year started out by heading down to Atlanta with Shandon College Ministry, which I have to say is the most amazing group of people I have ever met. Heading down to Atlanta, I did not know what to expect because I've never been to a conference like this before. It was overwhelming at first, but I quickly got used to being around thousands of people, oddly enough. Everyone was there for the very purpose of Glorifying God and that for me, was just amazing! Praising our lord, Jesus Christ, for 4 days from the time we woke up at 8:00AM until around 1:00AM, was such a life changing experience for me. I started my journey with Christ in September of 2008, but never have I ever experienced such an awakening. I am a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, but I always did what he wanted me to do in my own time, thinking that it was good enough. I learned that I'm not doing enough. We listened to amazing speakers, bands, and had amazing community groups, but what suprised me the most, was seeing the love of Jesus Christ show through every single person there.
In my community groups, I met an amazing family group, that I love. I never thought that I could be so comfortable with complete strangers. They all have such a lasting impact on my heart, that I am so thankful for. At Passion 2010, we not only came together unified in Christ, but also to help some of the worlds least fortunate people. Do Something Now, was an eye opener for me. For some people, we don't realize that throughout the world, MOST other people do not have the luxuries that we have. Seeing some of the causes that need our support, broke my heart. I have truly found my passion in life and God's will and that is to travel out of the country to teach in a less fortunate country. I saw children that need to be sponsored so that they can live past the age of 2, and what are we doing to help that? Well, at Passion 2010, around 600,000 dollars was given by everyone for all of the causes. BUT it didn't stop there, someone that came to Passion 2010 for the first time was amazed at how much we gave, that they wanted to match the price that we gave. How AMAZING does God work in people's lives?!! BUT it doesn't stop there either. On the last day of Passion 2010, they had buckets that we as college students could give to help in the cost of Passion 2010 traveling all across the world. Do you know how much we gave?! $200,000! God is truly doing a work in this generation and I am so amazed. I have truly been awakened to God's will for my life and Passion 2010 truly changed my view of my life journey with Christ and was my AWAKENING. I encourage everyone to go next year, you will be AMAZED at God's Glory.

After leaving Atlanta, we ventured to Gatlinburg, TN! Leadership Retreat was very Refreshing. I say that because we are college students who have a passion for the work of the Lord. We all have one purpose, and that is to Glorify God in all that we do. I got to know amazing new friends and get closer to the ones I already knew. It was amazing to see everyone have such a passion to be in the college ministry and know that in everything that we do, it's all for the Glory of God. I am so honored to be apart of a group of college age students that live FOR GOD. It amazes me, and I have been blessed.

I had a great start to 2010 and I know that God is doing great things in my life. I can't wait to see where God takes me this year! With God, all things are possible, and I am so ready to go on this new year journey with Jesus Christ.