Been awhile....

I know that I haven't blogged in a ridiculously long time. I apologize. I have to say that God has been working in my heart in so many ways over the past several months that I have hardly known how to express those workings in words. My life has changed considerably since my last post. A snapshot of my life:

Home: I now live with 3 girls (including Mabel ;o) ) from my small group in an apartment a block from campus.
School: My 3rd year at Baylor, only 2 semesters left after this one, taking 18 hours right now
Work: I'm an assistant in both the Pre-K classroom and the Infant classroom at Little Learner's Academy in Waco. I love my job... it definitely keeps me busy!
Church: I continue to love being a part of Highland Baptist Church. The newest development there is that I have the privilege of helping lead worship for the college Praise and Communion service on Wednesday nights.

At this very moment, I am sitting outside on campus enjoying the beautiful, breezy day while I study. I am in awe of the Lord at this time of my life, and I pray that my awe of Him only continues to grow deeper with every passing day. I wish I could catch you up on all that He is doing in my life, but that seems nearly impossible, so I will seek to keep you informed from this point on.

Something I was meditating on this morning:

May the glory of the LORD endure
forever;
may the LORD rejoice in His works--
He who looks at the earth,
and it trembles,
who touches the mountains,
and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD.
~Psalm 104: 31-35

Struggle

I've been thinking a lot about how influential we are, and how we don't live in light of that truth. I've struggled recently with dealing with guilt over people I have hurt. We hear sermons about how to deal with people hurting us, but what about being the one that inflicts hurt on someone else? My heart breaks to think of the countless people that I have torn down, discouraged, talked down to, judged, stereotyped, labeled, misrepresented Christ to. I know I've been a tool for deep hurt in the lives of a lot of people. Satan has tried to convince me that because of my shortcomings and failures, I cannot be fruitful in my pursuit of Christ's glory. The truth is, Christ is above and beyond any mistake that I have made or will ever make, no matter how royal of a mistake it may be. There are days that I only hold on to this hope by a thread, but my grip even on that thread is unshakable. If you're like me, and you struggle with having hurt others, DON'T GIVE UP. He uses those of us who fall into the murk and mire. His Love Endures Forever. Forever. Forever.

Some thoughts...

So, I'm becoming addicted to a lot of country music. That is a story in and of itself, but I just wanted to share some thoughts I've had about the chorus of this song:

Someday maybe somebody will love me like I need
And someday I won't have to prove cause somebody will see
All my worth, but until then I'll do just fine on my own
With my cigarettes and this old dirt road

Far too often I take the hope that I have in Christ for granted. I forget what it's like to be lost. I don't know how so many people do it, going through each day without the purpose and passion that He brings. I take His love for granted. I don't have to wait for "someday" like in the song. I am loved beyond what I will ever need by my amazing Father. His love never fails. God is crazy about us, His children. Find hope in that today. It's the truth, and it is powerful. There's my very abbreviated version of what this song makes me think. :o)

Don't give up

She never slows down
She doesn't know why
But she knows that when she's all alone
It feels like its all coming down

She won't turn around
The shadows are long
And she fears if she cries that first tear
The tears will not stop raining down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won't make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself
And the fear's whispering
If she stands, she'll fall down

She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything
She's running from
Wants to give up and lie down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

"I love you, O LORD, my strength." ~Psalm 18:1

Days to be spent by the fire

Mabel and I went to visit the Arlington Stringer clan on Saturday. I'm holding Sarah above, and Mabel is holding Rachel. We spent the day snuggling the little ones. We played living room baseball and had a dance party with Camron as well. Have I mentioned that I love being an aunt??


This is pretty much what it looks like outside here. Classes were cancelled today. The forecast has said snow several times, but Mother Nature has just been teasing me as the forecast always changes right before the snow shower. I did see flurries yesterday. But mostly, it's icy outside (there are icicles hanging from my car, pretty exciting), and there is usually some sort of wintry participation stinging your face when you're outdoors.

I've been back in Waco since last Saturday. I'm so excited about my classes, and I realized how much I missed the amazing group of Christian friends I have here. They are amazing. God is working in my heart in incredible ways... showing me that He wants to change me and make me more like Him. I'm letting go.

This semester's theme song:

May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You
Pleasing to You
May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You, my God

You're my Rock and my Redeemer
You're the reason that I sing
I desire to be a blessing in Your eyes

Every hour and every moment
Lord, I want to be Your servant
I desire to be a blessing in Your eyes

May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You
Pleasing to You
May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You, my God

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."~Psalm 19:14