When The Day Is Done

Confession: I have been a terrible blogger these past couple weeks.

Time management has been quite a task, but there is so much to share.

First of all, I must affirm how faithful the Lord is. 

Truly, I am in awe of His steadfast love.

These past couple weeks have been a whirlwind comparable to none other.

During this time, the Lord has really shown me the beauty of community.

Moving eight hours away from all that is familiar has truly 

caused me to reflect on the things I value most in life. 

Time after time, I am reminded of the fact that the Lord created us for relationships, for the body.

Having the opportunity to live and thrive in that has been so transformational.

Life on life.

This was God's intention for the church.

It is convicting, challenging, rewarding, difficult, amazing,

all at the same time.

From the girls on my hall, to my new body of believers, to my Chi Omega family,

iron is sharpening iron. 

Darkness is being brought to the light.

Prisoners are being set free.

The Glory of God is all around,

look for community today.

It's your mother, it's your co-worker, your acquaintance at school.

Be the body.

A College Hodgepodge

1. I LOVE COLLEGE. 
You might would think this would be an obvious statement.
It's not. College isn't easy, isn't always enjoyable, & is often awkward at first.
But when I step back and look past all of this, I see God's plans and purposes unfolding and I'm amazed.
2. My first quiz, which I just completed, was only five questions. 
Not exactly what I was expecting.
3. DREW AND ELLIE HOLCOMB ARE COMING TO MY SCHOOL.
Tomorrow! I literally cannot contain my excitement.
My love for them is so profound that I dream of their sweet music serenading everyone at my wedding.
4. My new obsession is Diet Citrus Green Tea.
I highly recommend it.
5. I just got my roomie hooked on the blogging thing.
Such a great trend.
6. Birmingham experienced a major storm this weekend and Samford had a power outage, resulting in a day off from class.
I love my life.
7. That power outage resulted in the third Panera trip since arriving here at Samford.
Yes, to answer your question, Panera gift cards are the perfect care package item =]
8. My RA happens to know one of my very best friends from back home, Shaheen Safaie!
You are well loved all across this country, my friend.
9. Brook Hills is home.
I bathed the situation of finding a great church home in prayer, and I walked away from church at Brook Hills this Sunday with a full assurance that God had led me precisely to this place. 
10. We have our first 4th East "Family Dinner" this Friday at Newk's and I'm pretty much not sure I can handle having so many of my greatest loves characterize one night of my life.

4th East

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways" 

declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 

"This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21

God knows our needs.

And He is faithful to provide.

He knows our yearnings, our passions, our desires.

He knew that coming to Samford, 

being 8 hours away from home,

I would need more than surface relationships to survive on.

In fact, we all would.

Every human being is made to thrive in community,

and I am watching an entire floor of young women testify to that reality,

day in and day out.

4th East.

This just so happens to be the name of my residence hall,

and my new family (away from family.)

In the past week I have laughed, cried, learned, and grown

with these girls in ways none of us could have ever imagined. 

God has truly blessed me with community of girls!

And a movement of God is about us.

These women share my passion for women's ministry

and are hungry for the Lord,

which has caused me to grow and mature in my faith.

Exhibit A:

It's a rough night. Typical freshman problems.

Awkward scenarios and the like.

We're all feeling a little discouraged.

My dear friend, Tabs (aka Tabitha) asks if I would like to go back to the dorm

to spend time reading in the Word and praying about our time here.

I was blown away.

These are the types of friendships I prayed God would bless me with 

sometime during my 4 years here.

And one week into things,

I'm already seeing an answer to that prayer.

Tabitha, Rebekah, Laura, Aby, Maggie, Alexis...

I could go on and on.

These girls love the Lord and have rock solid faith.

Iron truly does sharpen Iron.

God is up to something big.

I'm waiting expectantly upon Him.

And until we see the details,

my sweet 4th East girls are committed to seeking His face in all that we do here.

Show Me Your Ways

I thought I had it all figured out.

Before I got to the great state of Alabama, 

I had conveniently told God just how my freshman year would work out.

I told Him what organizations I would get involved with, 

how I would spend my time, and where I would invest my life.

Funny concept, me telling God how things will work.

I fooled myself into thinking that simply because all of my plans were "good" 

that they must be God's.

Good plans and God's plans are not the same thing, 

I have come to realize.

Are God's plans always good? Yes.

Are 'Good' plans always God's? No.

He has called me to areas that I would have never

 imagined to invest my time and energy in, 

and those areas have been the most rewarding, 

even in the short time I've been here.

After my first week of college life, 

that would have to be my biggest piece of advice:

Walk with Him. 

His plans are not intended to be a mystery.

He desires that you know and live according to His will.

Seek Him daily and you will find Him.