twenty

This birthday seemed a bit different than the rest. I actually feel older. I'm not sure why that is, but I LOVE IT. I'm not ashamed to admit I am enjoying the fact that I am now a junior in college, that I'm halfway through my college years and that soon I'll be applying for jobs and living in the real world.

My twentieth birthday was really special. I got to spend it with my crazy, awesome aunt in Aspen, Colorado doing all the things I love best- spending time outdoors, trying new things, eating good food and enjoying sweet fellowship.

This year will undoubtedly bring new challenges, many changes, lessons learned and a bit more life lived.

Currently, the biggest sign to me that I'm growing up and taking on more responsibility is that I just moved into my first house! It's a sweet, old house with a lot of character in which I get to live in with some of my dearest friends. I'm learning that living with roommates means acquiring many life skills- like how to cook biscuits! And also more important things like how to care, respect and shower love on one another well while living in such close quarters. [And also it is a fabulous time for me to test out my amateur cooking skills on my roomies- no judgement!]

Academically, this semester is looking promising because I am finally getting to take classes that I love and am interested in and not just to fulfill requirements. My class schedule includes an English Lit class, Anthropology, French Advanced Oral Expression, Advanced English Composition and just for fun, Rock climbing! I've found that there really is no better way to get pumped up for class than riding on my baby blue cruiser bike to class, which has momentarily been named "Mozart", and jammin' out to Katy Perry's "Roar".

Yet one thing I can be quite sure of is- if I'm not rooted deeply in the Lord, I'll fall when the hard times come. The devil doesn't like when followers of Christ are being lights in the darkness of this world.

"The thief comes ONLY to steal and kill and destroy [and feed you lies and twist and deceive]; I have come that they may have life , and have it to the FULL."  John 10:10

"Continue to live in him, ROOTED and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and o v e r f l o w i n g with thankfulness."  Colossians 2:7

"God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day." Psalm 46:5

I wonder what happens if I hit the cray button?

This summer, so far, has been one for the books. I got to spend 6 weeks at one of my favorite places on earth- Kanakuk Kamps.

I learned that when I am weak, for then I am strong. Because JESUS is strong in me // 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I learned that following Jesus doesn't mean that I need to be perfect. It doesn't mean that I always have to say all the right things. It means that I am seeking a relationship with Christ, accepting Him and loving him as my Lord and Savior. Jesus never asked me to be perfect or to save the world. 

I learned how to work really hard and make sure that I wasn't doing it just so I could earn praise from my peers // Luke 15:11-32

I learned that my human flesh is really silly and pretty icky gross sometimes. And that is all the more reason to praise Jesus that he came to save me from it.

I learned that I do indeed have a lot of sin in my life that separates me from Christ and that he rejoices when we confess it and lay it at the foot of the cross // James 5:16

I learned that it's NOT about me.

I learned to grasp the gospel a bit more clearly and that the good news is just as much for believers to hear as it is for non-believers to hear. 

I learned that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus // Romans 8:1

I learned that the Lord is more proud of me than he ever could be and ever will be- not because of my good works, but because I am one of his precious children // 1 John 3:1

I learned that sometimes (or all the time) I need to SIT DOWN and let Jesus take over. Let Jesus work through me, be strong in me, love and serve me so I can broadcast his love to others.

<< he has made EVERYTHING beautiful in it's time. he has also set ETERNITY in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning -------> end. I know that there is NOTHING better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may EAT and DRINK, and find satisfaction  in all his toil- this is the GIFT of GOD. I know that everything God does will ENDURE forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will REVERE him. >>     ecclesiastes 3:11-14

gator huntin'

So you ask, how would one go about hunting said gators?

This is the very question I asked myself a few days ago before I got to experience it first hand. If you ever sit down to watch Swamp People and you say to yourself- self, lets go get us a gator. Here is a nice little how-to.

Step 1: Hop on a boat just at sunset and make sure to grab a view such as this one.

taken at Coon Creek Club in East Texas

taken at Coon Creek Club in East Texas

Step 2: Take pictures impersonating Swamp People. 

pretty good, eh?

Step 3: Set a large piece of bamboo near an area where gators are likely to abide. Attach an extra long wire with a bright buoy at one end and a large hook at the other end via duct tape and clothespins. Apply gloves and hook a piece of rancid, rotten, extremely appealing and appetizing chicken as bait.

Step 4: Get a good night's rest and then check back in the morning to see if a gator has taken the bait. 

We discovered Mister Alligator leisurely swimming underneath our bamboo contraption..the chicken was gone. Do not underestimate!

Step 5: Even if there is not a gator on the end of your hook, pick some water lilies and enjoy the sunshine. 

the loveliest things

I am a HUGE fan of this blog called The Lipstick Gospel (check.it.out) and the writer, Stephanie May, always features little blurbs of her friends and of her own called "The Loveliest Things". Today I decided to write my own, in honor of my favorite blog.

1. Driving around College Station
(I know some haters are gonna hate on this one, but I'm doin' me.)
I absolutely adore my school. I could go on and on about the spirit of Aggieland and all the special traditions, but today I'll just hit on the town itself. It's so fun to just drive around and see all the fun places that Bryan/College Station has to offer. This morning my friend and I went to this SKETCHY looking restaurant called Shannon's Cafe in Bryan. The restaurant itself was barely twice the size of my room. I ordered bacon and pancakes; Victoria ordered eggs, grits and toast. The pancakes tasted strongly of vanilla extract which was a sweet, strong taste and I felt like I was in the deep South. The relationships and bonds that tie me to this place are so strong and bring me so much joy that I can't help but have a huge grin on my face as I drive around.

Also, I am hardly ever upset about a nice little drive out to the majestic Lake Bryan. 

2. Hot Tea

I'm not sure whether it's the excitement of having a new painted mug to hold, the joy of trying out new flavors, or walking around stores like World Market and exploring all the cute kettles and giraffe mugs, but something about drinking tea makes me feel fancy and sophisticated. 

3.  Vulnerability

Being vulnerable and seeing other people be vulnerable is one of the most powerful things in this world. When we are open and vulnerable with each other, it allows for close bonds to be formed because we are getting to understand ourselves and each other on a deeper level. Having a sensitive and tender heart is not a bad thing. I am thankful for the people in my life who have shown me how to truly be open and share what Jesus has taught me through my life and experiences. 

4. Jesus Musik

Whether I'm driving, running, studying or just hanging around, there is never a bad time to get some truth in my life via Christian rap. These guys are legit. I'm so impressed how they have used their talents and skills and worked hard to provide scripture and truth in a new way. 

Trip Lee // One Sixteen

Lecrae // Tell The World

individualization

Recently, especially in college and especially after living in a house of 40 girls this year, it's easy to feel like I'm just blending into the crowd. What exactly makes me special or different from everyone else? How do I look different from my friends? What does it look like for me to worship the Lord?

One of the most important things I've been learning is how to truly be the woman who God made me to be. This means pursuing my passions, seeking out activities and oppourtunities that make my heart happy and that are highlighting my God-given skills and talents. Not just for me, but to further advance the kingdom and to fulfill my ultimate mission on this Earth: worshipping my Lord and Savior. It's the best to see people in the place where God has created them to be. A place where they are using their unique skills and talents to contribute to the body of Christ.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many different parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body."

                                                                                                                          1 Corinthians 12:12-13

For me, I find so much happiness and joy when I am doing something or going someplace that I have never been before. Something that is a bit unknown to me, urging me to take that leap of faith. This is when I truly feel closest to God.

This semester I took a Backpacking class for one of my Kinesiology credits. We met once a week for two hours and learned all the ins and outs of what to bring in your pack, how to prepare for the elements, how to properly prepare food with a camping stove, how to build a sump hole and my personal favorite- how to use the restroom in the woods (yippee!).

At the end we took a 3 night trip to Lake Georgetown to backpack the Good Water Trail. In all, we hiked the distance of a half marathon while lugging our huge packs around with all our sleeping materials, cooking devices and a few other necessary items. It was quite the...

It's important to spend time alone and not be afraid to be completely myself in order to cultivate the gifts and talents that have been given to me. 

So, thank you to my backpacking class for teaching me a little more about life and growing me a lot more in my faith. It's definitely the little things in life. 

friendships

I have been learning A TON about relationships these past few years.
In each friendship I can see a bit of Jesus and his character, his love for us. Jesus has used relationships and friendships to draw me closer to him through a little bit of heartache and a lot of love. Each friendship means something different to me because they all look different. And it's taken me a while to realize that. But here is my final conclusion: I am thankful for each and every person that the Lord has put in my life because I have learned so many different things from each of them.

Kristen, thank you for teaching me patience and love through your friendship. You are one of the most intuitive people I know and I have learned so much from you. I am incredibly thankful for each and every second I get to spend with you. 

Sarah, I cherish your friendship more than you know. You are so special to me and I am continually amazed by your kind spirit and sassy personality. You have taught me how to love others better and challenged me in my walk with the Lord. 

                                                                                                Allie, you are one of the funniest people I have ever met. You always keep me laughing and I love that you are always up for a new adventure. Thank you for being so genuine and caring and goofy and awkward and hilarious and awesome.

                                                                                           




Madison, you are one of a kind. Your transparency and joy are indescribable and to say that I have learned and grown through my friendship with you would be an enormous understatement. Thanks for being there for me in some of my hardest times. 

    

Brittany, you are so incredibly special to me. Thanks for dying your hair red with me, crying with me, falling asleep on me like the narcoleptic puppy that you are and most importantly, challenging and teaching me so much about the way Jesus loves us. 

Shelbi, I can't help but smile when I think of what your friendship means to me. I absolutely could not have done this year without you and I love you to the moon and back. Your wisdom, patience and silly personality are so incredible.  

    Kelsey, thank you for taking the time to invest in my life and our friendship as much as you have. You know my heart so well and I am beyond grateful to have you in my life. I seriously couldn't imagine my days without you in them to explore, stumble and enjoy life with. 

   

Hannah, my partner in crime. You are wonderful and irreplaceable. I have learned so much from you, thank you for being by my side through many adventures and many heartaches. I love you infinitely more than my Hot Lips coin purse. 

Reebs, I look up to you so much and I cherish our time spent together. Thanks for being there for me and loving me so well. You are the best big sister I've ever had! ;)

Alyssa, you are one of the most beautiful (inside and obviously out) people I have ever gotten the privilege to be friends with. I admire your passion and your love for others and for Jesus. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with me and for caring for me so much. 

Madi, wow, you are one special friend. I can't describe the joy that you bring me and I am certain that you have touched my life in more ways that you know. Thank you for teaching me so much about life and about Jesus.

"sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9

"as iron sharpens iron, one [wo]man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

chi alpha // ROOTED

This past weekend I got the cool opportunity to be a leader for a junior high/high school retreat at a church called The Heights in Plano. Let me just say, going in, I had absolutely no.idea. what I was doing. None. I've never done anything like D-Now before so I was just kind of rollin with it. Well, good thing I did because it was probably one of the best weekends I've ever had.

I spent all evening/night on Friday, all day/night Saturday and Sunday morning chillin with some pretty stellar eighth grade girls. I grew more in this weekend than I can even express and I'm so thankful that I even had this opportunity!

We stayed in a host home (all 9 of the girls, plus me) which was definitely one of the best parts. Imagine 10 teenage girls invading a home with all of our pillows, face masks, fruit snacks and  matching pink bandanas for a whole weekend. It was a sight to see. Even though the family that we stayed with has FOUR, count them, FOUR boys living in their house, they were still willing to open up their home for us to use for a weekend. Now if that doesn't scream "church community" and "being the hands and feet of God" then I don't know what does.

I was so inspired by the life story of the sweet woman whose home we got to invade for the weekend. I've been learning so much lately how the Lord LALALOVES to share his character, his creativity, his faithfulness and of course, his love through the lives of his children. Each of our lives breathes the attributes and passion of Christ and that's why I love getting to hear the testimonies and life stories of others.

We spent the weekend exploring different topics and questions, but of course, the heart of the matter was the gospel. We talked about the beginning, in Ephesians 2:1-3 where Paul tells us "as for you, you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world...gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." 

But the good news comes in verses 4-10 "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by GRACE (not works) you have been saved."

One of the biggest ways that the Lord spoke to me this weekend was through Hebrews 5:11-14. Check it out when you have a chance! It's a cool reminder that we are called to be growing and learning in faith and righteousness so that we are able to turn around and use what the Lord has taught us to teach others. Let's not be idle! I'm not about this life of milk, I need some solid food! [read the passage; you'll understand that absurd reference]

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:19

Love y'all so much and thanks for letting me spend the weekend with you, Emily, Esther, Amanda, Alivia, Madi, Saralyn, Allyson, Lauren, Kate and the Harris Family!!