Everyone Has A Story..

"When you look at a person, any person, remember everyone has a story. Everyone has gone through something that has changed them." 

I learned over the past year how true this can be.

I am thankful for what I have gone through. If someone told me this time last year, that this is how my life would turn out, I would not have believed them.

Everyone goes through something in their life that has changed them. We may not be aware of what that is or even when they are going through something. One of my best friends confided in me a few weeks ago about something she was going through, and had been for a long time, I never knew because she hid it. I then told her my story of what I have gone through and she did not know either.

Everybody comes with baggage, find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack. <3

Bittersweet

That's the only word I have to describe today. BITTERSWEET.

 

“It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What's hard is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about.”

Another chapter of my life has been closed. I moved out of the dorm room that I have lived in since August 23, 2012. I spent around 8 months in there.

Last summer was a hard time in my life and I spent most of the summer thinking about moving to college, living in a dorm, making new friends, and having amazing experiences. I received all of that over the past few months. I am so thankful for the opportunity and I cannot believe I am back home for the summer. 

So with today, it has been bittersweet. I finished my classes a few days ago, and have spent time with friends and packed up my room since then. As I moved everything out today with the help of my parents, I was sad. Last night as I walked down the hallway in shower shoes and carrying my shower caddy, I realized that it was the last time I would do that. 

Ever. 

It's a weird feeling when you cross over a bridge that you know you will never go back too. Like the day I graduated from high school. I would never walk down that hallway as a student again. Never play another game on the basketball court. 

Enough with the sadness though. I'm so glad to be moving out of the dorms. It is an experience that I would encourage everyone to do. I met so many great friends that I believe will be friends for life. I spent days in a little cramped room with eight, nine, even ten other people playing games and laughing hysterically. We became so close and I believe they enjoyed the time as much as I did. There are girls who love the Lord as I do and we have talked about the Lord many times over the past few months. We have been able to go to RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) and to conferences together to grow closer to our Savior. 

I met two of these girls last semester at college and the other two I have known all through high school. These pictures were took on our last night together on the patio outside of our dormitory. We decided to dress up and go out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was a lot of fun and a special time with dear friends.

 In the fall, I will be living in an apartment with two other girls. It is a beautiful area and a beautiful apartment, and for three girls we will make it special. Here is one of the beautiful girls I will be living with. I met her last semester, and we have become the best of friends.

I am so excited about this upcoming chapter in my life. 

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.

 Music is Life 

 

My taste in music has changed throughout the years and especially throughout the last two semesters. I now love songs by people such as Chris Tomlin, Imagine Dragons, Bruno Mars, Hunter Hayes, and Colton Dixon.

April 19, 2013, I saw Colton Dixon in concert! It was an incredible experience. The tickets were a gift from a dear friend and one of my best friends went with me. She enjoyed the concert as well.

Colton Dixon is from Murfreesboro, TN and was a finalist on American Idol season 10. I was a big fan and voted for him every week. When I found out he was coming close to where I attend college, I just had to go.

He sings from his heart and a love for God. In between songs, he would talk about God's love for us. How he died for our sins and that the world we live in is blind to it.

When Colton Dixon was on American Idol, he took a lot of criticism for standing for what he believed in and for standing for Christ on a weekly basis. When he was voted off, her performed Everything by Lighthouse. He fell on his knees in worship for what God had done for him in his life. He now serves God faithfully and has released his first album. I encourage all of you to look him up.

 

The tickets to the concert. It was for Josh Wilson, Colton Dixon and Third Day. 

Colton Dixon performs "Never Gone"; one of his first hit singles. 

Lights off, a shot in the dark 

We get lost when we're playing a part 

We lay blame like we know what's best 

... It's a shame... 

We break when we fall too hard 

Lose faith when we're torn apart 

Don't say you're too far gone 

It's a shame 

Breaking Bitterness

I know it has been awhile since my last post. I'm sorry loves.

It's been a crazy semester thus far. 18 hours was not my best decision, but I'm going to make it through. There are other things in life besides school though. From a dear man, "Sometimes you have to put the book down, accept a lower grade, to help a dear friend in need." Well, I have some friends that have done that for me lately.

Let me share with you a verse I read in my devotional over the weekend..

James 3:13-14
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

James 3 talks about the tongue and how you talk to others, what kind of communication should come out of your mouth. Verse 14 is what spoke to me about bitterness in your heart.

Ill be honest, there is one person, who I am completely nice to, but I don't like them. I'm nice because the Bible says in Romans 12:9 God says that vengeance is his and a few verses down it talks of how being nice is worse than getting even. "Heap coals of fire on their head" meaning that they hate your kindness. They have done unnecessary mean and horrid things to me, and in my heart I can not stand them.

I spent a long time in prayer, praying that I could let go of that bitterness. With God's help, I am letting go. They don't anger me anymore.

I pray you all would let go of any bitterness in your heart. It's the only way to have full joy with God. ❤

Back to College

Most all colleges around the country have started or are starting today. My classes began early this morning at 9am and I will not be finished until 6pm. I know it is a cold, snowy day, but I am still content with life.
God has blessed me beyond imagine. As I look around and see what other people suffer, I am thankful God has never tried me like He has some.
"Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands..." 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Remember this verse as you go about your day of classes. For those in high school, college, and workforce. Work with what God has blessed you with, don't compare what others have. God clearly states "Thou shalt not covet". Live your life everyday to the best you can. Care for others, but do not waste your time trying to know everything about someone else.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side, it's green where YOU water it. <3

A Real Man

Just wanted to share this photo! Hold out for a gentleman ladies. My boyfriend always opens the door for me. It's just a little thing, but it makes me know he'll always take care of me. Once I decided to trust God and pray for Him to lead me in my life, not necessarily to a good man, but just to lead me in life, He then blessed me with the most amazing man ever.

Guard my life for I am devoted to you, you are my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
Psalms 86:2

Unanswered Prayers❤

Ever wonder why God doesn't answer your prayers immediately?

God answers prayers in three ways:
1. Yes
2. Not now
3. I have something better in mind

These are hard things to take when you want something immediately. Every lessoned learned is done the hard way. I know from experience the anxiety of God choosing to tell me "Not now" or "I have something better in mind". This past summer was rough for me.

Things had occurred in my life that I was not happy about. I spent many nights in tears, praying God would change what had happened. After several months, I realized the answer was not going to be "Yes". I was expecting it to be "Not now" though. I just knew that God would turn the situation around and things would be right again...

That was not the case. God had something way better in mind for me. I still pray for the situation from this summer, but not in the same way that I used to. I know now that God used that time in my life for me to grow spiritually and to trust Him with everything in me. Because I trusted him, God blessed me with the most amazing person in my life.

"Eye hath not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which Hod hath prepared for hem that love Him" -1 Corinthians 2:9