SO blessed

Thanksgiving break was amazing! I had a great time with my friends, family, pets, and at church! I spent a lot of time at home and of course ate way too much! I feel like winter break cannot come soon enough! It will be nice to have a whole six weeks off!

Over the course of the week I had so much time to sit and reflect on all of the things I have to be thankful for (I thought it was appropriate considering the holiday). I thought I would just name them off (: ...A family that has overcome so much yet still remains close and unbreakable. Parents that support me in everything I do. A God that loves me unconditionally and is ALWAYS there for me despite any circumstances, He goes with me through the valleys! An opportunity to go to college (away from home!) and get a great education. Wonderful friends that I have known most of my life; despite the problems we have faced, we still remain close and have a shared history full of memories that can't be replaced. Great new friends from school who are quick to love and slow to judge people. An amazing church in Fresno as well as a awesomely welcoming church in Santa Rosa. A car and food (those are pretty self explanitory). And last but definitely not least... Adorable, loving, and amazingly loyal pets(:

I am SO blessed to have each and every one of those things in my life! I thank God everyday for the amazing life I have and all of the opportunities I am presented with... It's so easy to take all of those things for granted, which is why it's nice and convenient that we have a holiday to remind us to be THANKFUL!

Before I left on Sunday we took some pictures of/with our sweet baby Herc. Poor guy is sick... Please keep him in your prayers! ♥










"So I close my eyes, and I kiss that frog... Each time finding, the more boys I meet, the more I love my dog" -Carrie Underwood

My favorite♥ I don't know if the caption on this picture is legible (I think the blog site downsized it when I put it on here) but it says: God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.


Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. -Romans 12:12

This Little Light of Mine (:

The countdown continues... 4 days until I come home!

Today I just went through my classes, got a midterm done with, then went to the caf for lunch with Sarah and Chloe. After lunch, I came home and ended up falling asleep on the couch for about 2 hours... And that's when Chloe woke me up to make shirts for the New Moon premiere tomorrow night. Later this afternoon, my friend Ross text me to tell me that he applied to SSU for the fall 2010 semester; it's crazy to think that a year ago I was just visiting the campus and applying to the school... Who knew that all this would lie ahead of me! But anyways... I had ballet class tonight too, but right before I left, we had a fire drill and our CSA was going crazy and running around our quad in a bright orange vest yelling at all of us to evacuate! Haha it was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Tonight, instead of Bible study, we all got together with other Bible studies and made tie blankets for the people at the homeless shelter in Petaluma. As we were tying and cutting the blankets, we shared in fellowship and talked a lot about reaching out to people... Not just the homeless, but even just people on campus who don't know God's love. My Bible study leader, Matt, started telling a story about how he gave a homeless man his leftovers in San Francisco and then he ended up talking to him for a half hour about his faith, and he ended the conversation by praying for him. I was SO inspired by his story and it made me want to reach out to people even just around campus (I have to work my way up to talking to the homeless, since I don't exactly have the best track record with them). I just can't think of any reason why I wouldn't want to tell people about the love that I've found in such a good and soveriegn God. I just don't feel like holding back anymore or being scared about what people will think of me... He is the center of my life, so there is absolutely no reason to be ashamed. I think that's a good note to end the night on (:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine... Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine ♥

Ready to go HOME!

I feel so overwhelmed by school work this week, and it's only Tuesday! I studied for a good two hours for my math midterm tomorrow, then after a short nap/dinner break I worked on my philosophy homework for a few hours AND my philosophy project for about an hour and a half. I am SO ready for break. I have less than a week then I'll be home with my dog on the couch, relaxing. Plus my AMAZING mom made me an appointment to get a facial and I'll hopefully get my haircut sometime over break and visit with my hair dresser that I miss so much! Clovis and just my home in general will be a nice change of pace after living on campus for almost three months straight. I just don't know how much more caf food, cold weather (it started pouring randomly tonight), drunk people out in the quad on Thursday nights, or homework/classes I can take! I have never felt like I have worked this hard before in my life, at least not at school work. My brain is on complete overload from all the studying, and over break (after navigating my way back home) I plan to turn off my brain for the week haha!

It will also be nice to have some time to myself at home. Here I feel like I'm ALWAYS surrounded by people, even if I'm in my room, I can still hear people all around me. It will be nice to have some silence next week and some time to really dig deep in my quiet times. I'll be able to spend my days not worrying about school, but hopefully drawing closer to God. It's going to be an amazing week I'm sure... It just can't come fast enough!

I'm trading my sorrows and I'm trading my shame... and I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord (:

Infinite Love

Today I was somewhat productive, I guess... I got my psych paper done, but it's not like I exactly had a choice since it is due tomorrow. But other than that, I had an uneventful day, till my room key flew off of my key ring while I was riding my bike and it landed somewhere in a bush. After searching for 20 minutes with Kaitlin in the 30 degree weather, I spoke to an angry lady at police services, who sent over a sweet police officer who was more than happy to unlock my door for me. But now I have to pay $20 to get a new card, why do I have such bad luck?! On the bright side, I'm one day closer to coming home! I can't wait to be back in Clovis and escape the freezing cold weather for a week! I also can't wait to spend time with my family, it will have been over 5 weeks since I've seem them last, so it will be nice to have some quality time together.

Now as my day comes to a close, I'm getting ready to spend quality time with someone who is always waiting for me. The time I spend with God, my quiet times, is the one time of day that I feel totally at peace and like I have nothing to worry about. I know that I can cast my fears on Him and He will hold my hand through everything I am facing. Who could ask for anything more than the unconditional love God shows us? I think I've realized lately that prayer is something I look forward to, love doing, and feel comfort from. It brings me this sense of hope and reassurance, knowing that my life is in His hands and He is ALWAYS there to listen to me and hold me in His arms when I need it. Who else is available to do that 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year... forever and ever, no one! I'm just in awe of God's unfailing, unwavering, and unending love tonight! ♥

Who am I that You are mindful of me, that You hear me when I call?
Is it true that You are thinking of me? How You love me... it's amazing

One More Week!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

This weekend I had Micaela and Chels staying with me; they came to visit for the weekend. Friday night we went to Ameci's with some of my friends then went to a game night that my friend Shannon and her roommates were holding in/outside of their dorm. Ninja, ultimate spoons, and great people made for a really fun night! The next day we went to Santa Rosa to go shopping, walked the campus, then went to Mary's and rented Up. This morning it was time for them to go home, and I really wished I could have gone with them! But just one more week till I can go home! I can't wait to be with my dog especially; poor little guy is slowing down... And I can't stand the fact that I'm so far away from him. I want to get home as soon as possible so I can lay with him and as much time with him as possible!

After church this morning, I finished watching Up, and if you have not seen that movie yet, you should! It is now one of my new favorite Disney movies! Tonight I was really productive and I got a lot of homework done. But throughout all the fun of this weekend, I realized by tonight that I had kind of neglected reading my Bible and having quiet times this whole weekend. And even now, it's already midnight and I'm just now getting ready for bed then I plan on reading my Bible. Making time for my quiet times and having my priorities in line is something I've been trying to work on lately, but it's hard when I have so many things planned and so much to do. But it's even harder for me to comprehend Isaiah when I'm extremely tired. I just don't want to say that God is such a big part of my life, but not live in a way that shows that. I feel so disconnected and distant from God when I miss a day of reading my Bible or I don't write in my prayer journal. It's so hard to find a balance, but that's my goal this week... To do my quiet times before homework and to really center my life around God. This should really be my goal everyday (:

The ways of this world are grabbing a hold; won't let me go, won't let me fly by. It takes it's toll down on my soul cause I know what I need in my life. Don't let me lose my sight of You.

Frustration!

The city was so amazing today! We did A LOT of walking, like a major amount, but it was still so fun. Spencer kind of needs to work on his navigating skills, but other than that we didn't have any problems. I didn't run into any scary homeless people and we didn't get harassed by any of the protester kind of people in front of Forever 21!

When I got home, it was about time for Bible study and James ended up coming early. So he and I got ourselves into shanningans as he likes to say. I cut a question mark out of duck tape and we stuck it to the signs on the building next to mine, which is Burgundy... So the sign read "Burgundy?"... as in "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (if you haven't seen Anchor Man then feel free to ask my brother what this means because I think he knows!). Then Bible studay tonight was out of Romans like always, but we talked a lot about how we all have unique gifts and we can't expect to always have the same gifts as everyone else, because we all work together for God, we are His body. I thought that was a good way of looking at it!

Since Bible study ended tonight, I've been in my room for the majority of the time... Trying to find some quiet away from my roommates. I love them all, but as time goes on I'm starting to see more and more just how different I am from them. It's hard for me to just sit and listen to some of their conversations... They're not the type of people I would turn to with a problem, and it sucks because I live with them. I know as a Christian I'm instructed to grow where I'm planted, but it's SO difficult. Sometimes I wish my roommates were all Christians, but at the same time I realize that I should be reaching out to them and not get trapped in the Christian bubble. I'm just sort of frustrated right now... And because it's so hard for me to hide my frustration, I am instead hiding in my bedroom until tomorrow. I cannot wait until Thanksgiving break.

There's a raging sea right in front of me, wants to pull me in bring me to my knees. So let the waters rise if You want them to... I will follow You.

Good Day (:

Today I was all over the place and spent hardly any time in my room. After a hilarious psych class (which included two students bringing their pets, a bulldog puppy and a cat to class, and my teacher calling a man his archnemesis and telling us that he would "cut him" if he got the chance), I met the girls at the caf for lunch. Later on, Liz and I stopped by the Childrens School to tell the manager we were still interested in getting jobs then we headed over to the duck pond. This week is prayer week at Sonoma State and each day they have different activities, today was intercessory prayer. We prayed for people on campus, locally, and globally they may not have asked for prayer but need it. It was nice because we got to look out over the pond and they had candles lit, but then James decided to chase a herd of ducks which kind of killed the silent calming mood haha. Liz and I then went back to her room and hung out. We skyped with her boyfriend until Jenna came back from class. Then I had to meet up with some people from my philosophy class to work on a project, and when that was over it was back to the caf for dinner and onto Safeway with Kaitlin and Spencer! Spencer and I then went back to his room and made a cake for our friend Kali's birthday that we're celebrating and Bible study tomorrow!

I am extremely excited because all classes are canceled tomorrow due to Veterans Day (YES!) so I get to go to the city! I haven't been in forever and I am so excited! I know tomorrow will be a good day, I can already tell (:

"Come, ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and power."
I love this song because of the part that says "Jesus ready stands to save you".... I love that idea that He stands waiting for us, always ready with arms wide open. His love amazes me (:

How Much Longer?

Today seemed to drag on SO slow, yet the end of the day/night seemed to fly by, if that makes sense at all. I had classes this morning, met up with the girls for lunch, then came home and finished the book I've been reading for the past week. After a short nap, I felt motivated to hit the gym... So I went and ran about a mile on the track then went straight to ballet. After ballet I raced home to change really quick then meet up with Spencer for dinner in the caf. The food was surprisingly good tonight (lasagna and salad) and I had a good time talking with Spencer. For some reason I just wanted to be alone for the majority of the day, which is why I read and stayed in my room then went to the gym alone. But once I met up with Spencer I felt like it was a good escape because he's such a good listener and he understands where I'm coming from on a lot of things because he's a Christian. After dinner with him, I was in a better mood so I came home and spent some time with my roommates before doing my homework.

All day today I have been listening to the same playlist of songs over and over again and I think they're making me more and more ready to come home... They're songs like "Cinderella" and "Temporary Home". Then after talking to one of my friends tonight, I realized I hadn't been home in about a month, let alone seen my parents! That's just crazy to me... I cannot wait to be home for a week and sleep in my bed with my kitty. I miss eating dinner with my parents and laying on the couch with them at night... It's the little things I miss, more than just them cooking and cleaning for me. Only about 2 more weeks to go! (:

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. -Ephesians 3:18 ♥

Amazing Weekend (:

So I had a fun and very busy last three days! Friday I had two classes and between them I met with Kaitlin for breakfast, then after I met with Matt (Bible study leader) for lunch. We had a nice little conversation and had a good time hanging out with each other and just getting to know one another. Then after coming home for a little bit, my friend James came over and we walked to Starbucks and talked for a few hours. He pretty much told me his life story, which I loved because after I felt like I knew him so much better than before! After he walked me home, I met up with my friend Spencer for dinner in the caf, and then me, Spencer, James, Jack, and Kathy all went to an amazing worship service in Petaluma called First Friday then went to In N Out after. That was probably one of the best days I've had since moving up here!

Saturday, Chloe and I had friends visit from Monterey, Lindsey and Caylee. Each of the girls we know from our hometowns and they just happen to be friends from college too! So we took them to Mary's Pizza Shack in Santa Rosa... Where I ran into the creepiest man who had dread locks from his beard and his head. He told me my shirt looked like Where's Waldo... Needless to say I freaked out and ran to my friends. Why do I attract all the weirdos?! Anyways, after that we went to see The Box (possibly one of the weirdest movies ever). Then we came home, talked, and fell asleep pretty late.

Today I volunteered at church with the preteens then I headed home and hung out for a few more hours till the girls had to head home. Then Kaitlin, Chloe, and Chelsea decided to go to Bodega Bay. I didn't feel like going so I stayed home, read, and took a nap. When I woke up I had a text from Spencer asking me to go to church with him in Petaluma. So I got ready super quick and we met up with his friend Janelle who drove us. That church reminded me SO much of The Well... I cannot wait to come home now! But after service, Spencer walked me to my room and he ended up staying and we talked for about an hour and a half while watching TV on and off with Chloe. I feel like he's a really easy person to talk to... It's nice to know that I'm making genuine and reliable friends here. It's hard when you have to start over and it's not like home anymore, where you've known your friends forever and you have a shared past. Now I have to ask more questions and listen closer when people tell me about themselves. But I must say that I am blessed to be meeting such amazing people here (:

"Here in this place, Jesus right here and now... I lift my hands as my knees start to bow. Carry me away, carry me away Lord"

Forgiveness

Today was a fairly easy day since I only had one class and I was out by noon. After that I met up with the girls for lunch then hung out in Liz and Jenna's room for most of the afternoon. We just laid around and talked which was nice since it was pretty relaxing. Later in the afternoon I met up with my friend/Bible study leader, Shannon, and went to Starbucks for a little bit. She is possibly one of the sweetest people I know! After we walked back, I had dinner at home with everyone then I went to Nexus!

Tonight we watched a skit done to the song "everything" by Lifehouse and it was SO good! If you have not seen it before then search it out on youtube! People from our school acted it out tonight and it gave me chills, it was that good! After the skit, we listened to the speaker talk on forgiveness. It just struck a chord in my heart when he brought up the fact that Jesus forgives us for our immeasurable amount of sin, yet we let things root deep down inside of us and we hold onto grudges without even giving forgiveness a second thought. He explained that forgiveness is often a sensitive thing because it is the person who was hurt giving something back to the person who hurt them. That is such a hard thing for me to do. I think it always has been, but not just with little things that have happened, more of big things. I find it hard to forgive, but the speaker tonight has caused me to rethink that. He encouraged us to go talk to those who have hurt us and forgive them, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable we feel. If Jesus can die for our forgiveness then how is it that we hold onto things that seem so minuscule in comparison?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest. You hold me in your hands, You won't let me fall. You steal my heart, and You take my breath away... Would you take me in? Take me deeper now♥

The Hub of My Life

After getting my morning classes out of the way, I came home to eat lunch and just relax for a little bit. While I was laying on my bed, I decided to watch a sermon from The Well online since I've missed it for the past two weeks. Continuing on in Nehemiah and the subjects of having a "holy discontent" (an issue God puts on your heart that you feel completely passionate about), I found some interesting thoughts in what Pastor Brad was saying. He talked about how along with going public about this holy discontent, you will experience persecution and criticism for what you are doing because no one will understand what you are doing like you do. In addition to that, they are not persecuting you, but instead the plan God has for you and your obedience. I feel like lately I have been feeling this from different areas of my life, a disagreeance in the choices I've been making... But I'm not worried because I am making those decisions with prayer and in line with God's plan for my life.

This all connects back to what I learned at Trilogy this weekend. We filled out a paper with a wheel on it. Each of the spokes represented different aspects of your life that you care about (family, friends, money, education, etc) and then there was a hub in the center. As I filled it out, I put Jesus at the center, not because I believe that I always put Jesus at the center of everything I do, but because I know that that is something I strive to do and would like to see happen. That meant that Jesus was at the center of my ambitions; He has taken my ambitions and changed them over the past few months and I have tried to be as obedient as possible. And why should I put my needs or myself at the center of my wheel? A wheel puts a lot of pressure and has its major stress point at the hub. If your hub is wobbly or not strong enough to support all other aspects of your life, then how can you keep moving straight down a path without veering into the unknown or breaking down? With Jesus as my hub, I don't have to worry about the persecution I may face because I know that He is leading me in the right direction. What is at the hub of your life?

"Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art" -Be Thou My Vision

Furlough Day!

Thank goodness for those much needed furlough days! I didn't have class this morning so I slept in until 11 (I haven't slept past 9 since Labor Day weekend!) then had a lazy morning. I got all my laundry done, had a relaxing lunch at home, and worked on my homework. Between doing a million loads of laundry, sitting at my desk half the day, and feeling like I was getting a much needed day off, I couldn't help but laugh about how "grown up" this all felt! I don't think I ever realized the importance of a lazy day until today! It was nice though to have a day to myself since I feel like all I've been doing lately is going nonstop. I've been working on homework, helping at church, studying, going to class, or some other sort of activity and I haven't really had the time to just sit back and relax for a second. I LOVE having a busy life and I feel so blessed to be going to college, have a great church to help at and attend, and have great friends that are always asking me to hang out... But it just wares me down sometimes.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break and spending time with my family. I miss seeing them everyday! It will be nice to go home for more than 2 days at a time and be able to eat some real food! I plan on spending an extreme amount of time on the couch with my pugglet and kitty cat while watching everything on the dvr that I've been missing out on! I can't wait! I also CANNOT believe that this semseter is going by so quick! It's already November and I have my second round of midterms coming up... Where has the time gone?! It was just about 2 1/2 months ago that I was completely freaking out about moving away from home and going to school and now I can't even imagine my life any different! It's crazy how quickly things change!

Trilogy Pictures!
The lake where we did quiet time every morning.. and some amazing friends!

Kaitlin and I... I love this girl! She helps me keep a good attitude and clear head with everything!

Chloe! Roomie love ♥ don't know where I'd be without her!

Oh goodness... Liz wanted to take a "prom picture"! Haha, she's so amazing... accountability partner, fishing buddy, best friend, germaphob... the list goes on and on (:

Some of the guys from my AMAZING Bible study... They're the best!

Just a glimpse of the 500 people worshiping and surrounded by God's love (:

"Name above all names, You are Worthy of all praise... And My heart will sing how great is our God" ♥


PS... There's more pictures on my facebook... just copy and paste this link into your browser!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020904&id=1285520328&l=1d07ab410f

Trilogy

I could go on forever about how amazing this weekend was! I attended a conference in Challenge (the middle of nowhere northern California) with about 500 college students who are all involved in Intervarsity. We stayed at a little camp in cute little cabins. Depending on your year, you were split up into different tracks for the whole weekend. I was in "disciples on campus" and we listened to some pretty awesome speakers. They opened my eyes to so many different things in my life. They talked about what is at the center of our life, how we can witness on campus, and why we should witness in a community. After each of the talks we would meet with a "small group" which was pretty much 4 other girls who go to your school, and you would reflect on everything you learned. There were lots of tears and deep moments shared over the course of the weekend, along with a crazy dance party Friday night!

Last night, all of the students came together for an hour and a half of worship... And can I just say that I have NEVER experienced anything like that in my life. Not only was the band great, but just seeing 500 college students dancing, singing, praying, and just being SO on fire for God was enough to take my breath away. I have been more happy over the last few days than I have in what feels like forever. I met so many new people and formed some amazing friendships. I feel like I am no longer afraid or ashamed to talk to people about Jesus or to build relationships with people who don't believe. This weekend has taught me the importance of quiet time with God. Every morning we would spend a half hour by the lake reading our Bibles and reflecting on the passages in prayer. It was amazing, and it's something I want to do everyday! This conference was such a good experience for not only myself, but my friends too. Last night before worship Chloe was really emotional, and we had had a conversation earlier in the evening about where she was in her walk with God... She told me that she had never invited Jesus into her life and really accepted Him as her Lord and Savior. But after our last session of the night she came over with tears in her eyes and said, "I'm ready"... I was SO happy for her!

I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to go to Trilogy this weekend, and I could not be more excited to go to Urbana and to see the incredible plans God has for my life!

I never knew I could be so happy, and I never knew I'd be so secure. Because of your love, life has brand new meaning... It's gonna be a brighter day, brighter day (: