I'm Home!!

Well, it has definitely been a long time since I've posted. I have completed my first year of college and I can't believe how fast it went. Finals were stressful, but thanks to alot of prayer and coffee, I got through them. I didn't realize how sad I would be to say goodbye to all my friends, especially the ones who won't be coming back next semester. I left a day early from school to go to TN because my sister was graduating from college. We're all so proud of all that she has accomplished and it was definitely a proud moment for our family to see her walk across the stage and get her diploma. Alicia and I stayed for a week in TN to visit with friends and family. We had a great week and we'll be going back on Wednesday to stay through the weekend. My boyfriend, Gabe, is graduating and I can't wait to see him! Alicia and I are still looking for a job for the summer and hopefully, we'll know something by this week. I have the opportunity to work in the youth group at my church and I'm really excited. I talked to youth pastor a couple of weeks ago and he said he has a few projects he wants me to head up, so I can't wait to get started! I pray that God will use me and teach me alot through working with the teens. I know that by doing this, the Lord will prepare me for what He has for my future. Well, I guess that's all I'll write for now and once something exciting happens, I'll post again!

Early, My God, without Delay by: Isaac Watts

Early, My God, without delay,
I haste to seek Thy face;
My thirsty spirit faints away
Without Thy cheering grace.

So pilgrims on the scorching sand,
Beneath a burning sky,
Long for a cooling stream at hand,
And they must drink or die.

I've seen Thy glory and Thy power
Through all Thy temple shine;
My God, repeat that heav'nly hour;
That vision so divine.

Not all the blessings of a feast
Can please my soul so well,
As when Thy richer grace I taste,
And in Thy presence dwell.

Not life itself, with all her joys,
Can my best passions move,
Or rise so high my cheerful voice,
As Thy forgiving love.

Thus til my last expiring day
I'll bless my God and King;
Thus will I lift my hands to pray,
And tune my lips to sing.

Ps. 63:1 " O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thrists for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

Fun Weekend

This week we had Bible Conference at school and it was so nice to be out of classes! I spent time hanging out with friends, going down town, and running. It was great! This weekend my aunt, grandma, and baby cousin came down to visit. It seems like he changes so much every time I see him. He's at that age where he's getting into everything and you never know where he's going to put it. For example, we figured out that he really likes that magnets that we have on the fridge, and he not only likes to stick them in his mouth, but he also likes to throw them in the toilet. He's so much fun to be with! He laughs at everything and he's learned to make "sweet eyes" at every female he comes in contact with......he's starting early! I was sad to say goodbye to them today, but I'll see them a few weeks!
My sister got engaged a week ago and we're all sooo excited!!! Her ring is beautiful and she was completely shocked! Yes, it's a miracle I kept my mouth shut! Congrats Alicia and Aaron!!
This week classes start again and we have Living Gallery starting on thursday. So basically, I'll be working many many hours, but the next week my boyfriend and the rest of the bell people come to BJ for Nationals and I can't wait!!!!!!!!! I've got about a month left and then it's home for the summer!

Major Update!

Well, it has definitley been a long time since I've posted. I've started a new semester at BJ and I'm ready for it to end! I really enjoy the social part, just not so much the academic part. This semester has been great, but there have been alot of challenging personal struggles as well. A couple of weeks ago, my grandpa passed away. I had witnessed to him for many years and prayed for him faithfully. As far as I know, he never accepted Christ. When I first found out, my whole body went numb. Then, after the numbness was gone, all I could feel was my heart aching. It was indesrcibable hurt that consumed my thoughts. I blamed myself and then became angry. I was angry at my Pappy for not seeing the truth and rejecting it. As people were coming to pay their respects, many of them continually told me that God always gets the glory. At that time, I didn't understand how that could be possible and just continued to wallow in my pain. Then , one afternoon about a week later, my aunt emailed me and said that my uncle accepted Christ. She said that because of my Pappy's death and another death of a small child, he realized his need for Jesus. That was the moment that God opened my eyes to His sovereignty. I couldn't see past my owm guilt and pain to see that God is always good and He is always faithful. Just because I don't understand a situation, doesn't mean that God can't use it to bring Himself glory.
I'm home this weekend because my sister and her boyfriend, Aaron, came to visit. It's been great to spend some time with them. My boyfriend, Gabe, has an awesome new website that I think everyone should see. So go to gabegerdt.com and check it out! He's a great guy and he's got some super cute pictures posted too! My little cousin Caden is the cutest baby in the world and he has grown so much. I'll post some picutres as soon as I figure out how to do it :) I'll have to ask Gabe for help on that one! Well, tomorrow Sis and I are going shopping all day so I better get some rest.

I Love Christmas!

My family and I had a wonderful Christmas this year. We spent Christmas Eve in TN. with my Dad's side of the family. It was so great to see everyone. My little cousin, Caden, took his first steps while we were there and he almost said my name!! It's amazing how fast that kid can crawl. One minute he's in the living room and the next minute he's in the kitchen eating fake grass out the fake tree pot. We left my aunt's house and headed back to South Carolina. It took about four hours to drive through the mountains. My sister decided to sleep most of the way, so it was very hard to stay awake while driving. But after a coffee break, I was good to go. After we finished our Christmas Eve traditions we finshed wrapping presents and went to bed. The next day, I woke up to find a new digital camera, a tv, and many other exciting things. My digital camera is definitely the most exciting gift. I was so excited that I actually read through the camera book.......most people know that when it comes to technology, I usually end up breaking it, so reading the manuel is a big step for me! Anyway, I also got three new cookbooks so I'm ready to try out some new recipes. This week we're just going to hang out here and do some shopping and then we'll leave again this friday for TN. for Christmas with my mom's side of the family. Well, whenever something exciting happens I'll post again!

Christmas Time!!!

One of the things I love most about christmas is buying/making gifts for people. Everyone is so different that it makes it so much fun to come up with new ideas for presents. Yesterday, my sister and I went to the Haywood Mall here in Greenville. Well, I didn't realize that not everyone had the excited christmas spirit that we had. People can be so rude during this time of year! Anyway, I've spent the majority of the day working on Gabe's present. I have just a few more details to work out and then it will finally be complete! Every year we give each other a "home made" gift and I think this one beats all the other presents from years before. And I have even kept this a secret! For those of you who know me, you know that I'm terrible at keeping secrets when it comes to gifts...so don't tell me anything!
A lot of people have asked me what I've learned the most this semester and I have to admit that I've definitely learned alot. Some things were hard, but there were so many great things that happened. I made so many new friends, learned how to manage my time, became addicted to coffee, and made alot of great memories. But the one thing that is continually on my heart is apathy....I know it sounds weird, but let me explain..........
This entire semester and pretty much my whole life, I've been surrounded by christianity. I'm in church, chapel services, prayer meetings, and in a christian enviroment. These are not bad things in the least bit, but that makes it so much easier to become immune to things. I missed out on alot this sememster because I learned how to go through the motions of a christian walk. Chapel messages and even my quiet time wasn't affecting me like it should have. God had to bring to a place where I was weak and alone to help me realize what was most important. It all begins in the heart. My walk wasn't strong because I had things in my life I needed to get rid of. And it's so easy to hide those things, but when you finally give them to the Lord, He makes you new again. I don't want to be known as the "normal christian". I want to be different and I want to be real. When people see me, I don't want them to see me but I want them to see Christ. Yes, I struggle with alot of things, but God's grace covers me and makes me new. I never want to come to a place where I don't stand in awe of who God is.........that's something He's been teaching me alot lately.
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!

Prayer Request

When I was little I played on a soccer team in the town I grew up in. It was supposed to be a co-ed team, but I was the only girl.....it was a really small town. Anyway, my soccer coach was one of the nicest men I've ever met. He was my coach for many years and he was such a positive influence in my life. Tonight my uncle called to tell me that my coach had passed away. In may he found out he had cancer and he died last Wednesday. It all happened so fast. On that same day, his step brother passed away also. Please pray for these families during this time. I'm still in shock and many memories flood my mind. Just keep these families in mind during the Christmas holiday and remember to cherish the people you love.

Job 1:21...."the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."