I am going to start posting trends that I see coming, projects that I have done, and things to look out for in the interior design and fashion world. From Anthropologie to Target, this new season will be a goodie.

Enjoy  

There are many things that I love about KSU, but the number one has to be the diversity found in each class. I am now into my major classes, and loving every minute of it! But what I constantly find is me, being surrounded by non-believers or people that just “are not like me.” I love that. It makes me think more about the opportunity of influence that I can withhold here…that is if I allow myself to. It’s easy to hang out with Christians, and it is easy to find myself in a “click” of Christians even here at a big, diverse university. I pray that God will encourage every one us to step out in faith and show everyone that genuine love that everyone is looking for. And who knows what will happen in return. I love it!

I have been stuck on a verse for a while found in Hebrews 10. Starting in verse 24, it says to, “Let us consider how we may SPUR one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another,–and all the more as your see the Day approaching.” Wow! I love how we can take this and run with it, whether this means fellowship among believers or simple evangelism.

This past Sunday, I joined a small group through GroupLink and my hope and prayer for this group is that we can constantly be encouraging one another…for us to place aside any unnecessary drama and get real with who we are and who we want to be. I love the ladies in this group, and have already had such a great time being around them. I am excited to see where Christ takes us in our journey through college and our young twenties!

Besides all of that, I have been more than blessed with people to encourage me. I can’t even begin to explain how much my best friend, Mary Catherine has been my support and my backbone this past year. Ups and downs, cries and laughs, she has been there through it all. Her heart is so full of Christ, and it’s easy to see where her priorities are. And Chris, he has my heart. I am completely smitten with who he is in Christ and how he genuinely would do anything that it takes to expand His kingdom. Whatever it takes, he is there.

So, I am now working with New Life Church in the mornings, helping with the children’s “behind-the-scene” logistics as well as starting to tackle the middle school ministry with Chris here in 2 weeks. This should be an interesting ride as finances and motivation within the church continue to be a struggle. But I am fully awake in the fact that Christ has brought us here and will bring us through it as long as these new directions are fully yielded to Him. Middle schoolers? Ah! My heart’s passion is for children, but I know that I need to expand my ministry where I am uncomfortable. I want to be uncomfortable, never comfortable in my ministry enough to not be alert with God’s faithfulness and counsel.

So, that’s just a teeny, tiny update in where my heart is right now…just a month into my 2nd year in college.

Browns Bridge Community Church rocks my socks.

Boiling water spilt on my hand leading to an ER visit in Panama City…not so much.

But besides that, God is doing some amazing things in these students’ lives here in Panama City. I am so privileged to have an amazing group of girls to walk alongside while they are journeying through high school at the same pace as my own in college. I really don’t think that I could have a better co-leader, Megan Bowen. We partner together so well in having the same goals with our sophomore girls’ small group. I can’t to get to know these girls on a daily and weekly basis as the years pass!

Today I went to lunch with one of the girls on staff with Upstreet. She is such a huge encouragement to me! From the time we left church to the second we got back, conversation never ceased. Her and I are a lot alike, and are in very similar situations both relationally and emotionally. I love being able to work beside ladies like her who keep pushing me more into Christ’s arms! 

Yesterday, I spent some time with my friends Erika and Brittany. It’s funny to see how much of a connection we can still have after a whole year of being in college. Well, Erika is now a senior in college…which is even more crazy! I remember her being my “big sister” in cheerleading my freshman year of high school. Craziness. But I still love them bothwith my whole heart. 

So, my summer so far has been nothing but constant encouragement is coming in every angle…I am undeniably blessed to have such great influences in my life both in friends, mentors, and my family! I thank every one of you!

…and to the world of endless numbers of chalkboards to be done for Sunday morning

This is another reason why I absolutely love my job. I get to walk in everyday to people who are continually encouraging me, apprenticing me, and loving me. Most of all, I can tell that they fully believe in this ministry. North Point Community Church is typically referred to as the “Mega Church” in the area, and by far one of the most influential churches in America. You may think: “What do they do that’s so great?” The staff yield to the fact that irresistible environments will inevitably lead people closer to the church, and more importantly closer to Christ. In each environment, small groups are integrated which are led by dedicated and outstanding leaders. Each Sunday, I see the hard work put in during the week pay off. What an amazing way to be reminded of how much influence you can have just by being behind the scenes. I am so lucky.

As I am looking more into my future, I can see where my desire to see Christ’s name rise up is all coming into action. I question where I should be, and where I can make the most of every God-given gift and talent instilled within me. Is it to thrive in a church behind the scenes among other staff? Or is to bring my experiences elsewhere to expand the universal church? If you would have asked me what I wanted “to do” after I graduate from college just about 6 months ago…I could have completely mapped it out for you on the spot. It’s just so funny to see how God works in my life when it comes to the next chapter of my life. His plan is so much bigger and better than mine.

I was reading in the book called Solo by Eugene H. Peterson. If you are looking for daily spiritual growth that goes deeper than surface with bible passages, I definitely recommend this book! On day 12, Numbers 14:17-24 is dug into about Caleb and his different spirit. He followed Christ passionately. What does that exactly mean? Follow passionately? It made me think more about how the unique way that God calling me to live a different story-to be one who has a “different spirit” from others. To take a risk. It just might be that. Pursuing a career or a lifestyle that might be uncomfortable for a while? Maybe so. Loving the unlovely? That too.

It is obvious the lamp the Christ is holding to my feet. I am not sure if I am ready to see the light just yet, but I want to know what it feels like to have such a deep, unwavering trust in God that I would be willing to take whatever steps He presents to me.

My heart is solely dependent on and confident in Christ to take me where I need to be.

And that means that if the door is open, I will walk through…

So here it is. Here I am.

As a nineteen year old college student who is constantly learning more about myself and my faithful God, I have endless ups, downs, fears, and hopes. In keeping up with this blog, I can only hope to inspire and encourage others in whatever way I possibly can.

Well, there you go! Enjoy my chronicling