Semester.

Well, I'm officially done with my first semester of college! Its weird to think about how fast the past few months have flown by. There have been rough patches, but also some of the best moments of my life so far. The actual school part of this first semester wasn't difficult, but lots of things change when you start college.

I have always been deeply involved in my church's student ministry, so moving to the college group was a little nerve-wracking. Little did I know that in that group I would find some amazing, lifelong friends. They love me and support me every time we talk. The college pastors parents have a Bible study type meeting at their house every Sunday night, and it has made a huge impact on my faith. I always leave with a deeper understanding of who God is and how He is moving in the world right nos. It's been such a blessing to dig in to the Word with people going through the same parts of life as I am.

The Lord has been moving in my heart in a big way, and has provided an amazing opportunity for ministry on my own campus. At the beginning of the semester my friend, Hannah, contacted me about a campus ministry branch that she was starting. I have known Hannah since about the fifth grade, but hadn't seen her in almost four years, so when she called me and asked me to help, I was excited. Chi Alpha is a huge campus ministry all over the United States, and Hannah was starting a chapter on our campus. Because of my work schedule, I wasn't able to attend the meetings as often as I wanted, but Hannah and I were able to meet up a few times over the course of the semester and just talk about life. I LOVE seeing the work that the Lord is doing in and through her. She is transferring schools for the spring semester, and she asked me to take over Chi Alpha. While I was nervous at first, I am so excited for this opportunity. I know that God is going  to stretch me and challenge me in big ways through this ministry, but I'm ready and willing to see what He has in store.

Finally, I have learned the power and the importance of prayer. Being able to lift others up to the Lord in prayer I incredible, and knowing that others are doing the same for you is so impactful. I would love for you to join me in praying for a few things...

-Our student pastor, Joe, had his colon removed this past week, and it was a pretty extensive surgery. He has had a rough few days lately, but seems to be on the mend. Will you  pray for continued healing for him, as well as for peace for his wife Renée and their kids?

-My church is currently seeking a new senior pastor. Our current, and founding, senior pastor will retire in August of this next year. Please pray for the Lord to bring the right candidate to our search committee, and that they would be playful and discerning in making this decision.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Thanks.

Instead of obnoxiously posting what I'm thankful for on Facebook each day, I'm just going to post an obnoxiously long blog post. 

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. The Lord has taught me so much and blessed me so greatly in the past year. 

Things I'm thankful for include:

-A Savior who died for my sins and rose for my soul

-Family that is crazy but awesome

-Friends that are willing to laugh, cry, and live life with me

-Friends in different states

-A church family that unashamedly preaches the truth and challenges me in my faith 

-A house that provides shelter 

-A closet full of clothes 

-A truck that gets me where I need to go 

-A job that I like

-Coworkers that I love

-Travel 

-An education 

-Clean water

-Plenty of food 

-Savings accounts

-Technology 

-Singleness

-Patience

-Love

The last year of my life has been filled with ups and downs but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am eternally thankful for the people who invest in me and teach me to be a strong woman of Christ. 

If you're reading this, I am thankful for YOU, yes you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving, and tell someone how thankful you are for them today. 

Victim // A Poem

The latest pen to paper creation:

Smashed, bruised, and shattered

This once whole heart now torn and tattered

I failed and let the enemy in

Worthless, ugly, unwanted

So called truths about me and my sin

Each shard pointed at a fragile heart

Thrown by a deceptive hand

Ready to pierce every vulnerable part 

But with mercy my Savior covers it all

He looks not on my sin

And stands when I fall

On a cross His one Son took my own place

Dismissed all my sin

Now I'm a victim of grace 

Heartsick // Homesick

I am missing this place desperately today. My heart is torn in two: one half is with the people of Napoli and the other half is here in Missouri.I'll blog about Italy more soon.

Why Women Are Killing Chivalry

"Chivalry is dead." 

How many times have you heard this phrase? 

As a young woman growing up in a feministic society, I've heard it plenty of times. In fact, it's been engrained in my brain. That simple phrase slips out of my mouth when a guy fails to open the car door for me or takes the recliner during movie night while I am stuck on the floor. This seemingly harmless phrase has been bouncing around in my head over the summer as I have dug deeper into the meaning of being a true woman of Christ and finding a Godly man. 

The Christian side of us begs for a man who is going to open the car door and let us have the recliner. We recognize that we are daughters of the King and deserve to be treated with respect. However, society's fascination with feminism has wrecked our view of chivalry. We are now annoyed when he opens the car door for us because "does he really think I can't do that myself?", and we begin to confuse attempted chivalry with the implications that we are incapable of completing such tasks ourselves. 

I know a couple who broke up recently after dating for five months or so. The girl said she was annoyed with the way he was always trying to do stuff for her because she is "an independent woman". 

Wait, you broke up with a guy because he was being too nice to you? 

No wonder guys are confused about what girls want in a relationship. We demand chivalry and then express our annoyance at it when it is displayed because we insist on being strong, self-sufficient women. 

If someone you love is constantly getting annoyed or frustrated by something you do, don't you eventually stop doing it? Chivalry isn't dead; it's simply hidden in the hearts of men who have been consistently rejected by "independent" women. 

Ladies, let him open the car door for you isn't going to take away your independence or identity. It's simply a small way for him to show you he cares. 

Men, don't be afraid to show us you care. When you find the right girl, she won't be scared away by acts of chivalry, but will cherish them instead. 

Hole // Whole

I attended a campus ministry a few nights ago at Missouri State University.The speaker talked about how we are caught in this endless cycle of desire, anticipation, and then disappointment. The world promises us that what it gives us will make us whole, when in reality, it just leaves us with a hole. We will never be able to satisfy God-given desires with man-made solutions. Until we come to realize that true wholeness is found in Christ, we will be digging holes within ourselves for the rest of our lives. We can only be completed by the One who created us. Only He knows us intimately enough to fulfill our deepest desires and cravings. We just must seek Him first.

"Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4


*Sorry this post is so short; I'm running out the door for work*

New.

There has been a lot of newness in my life lately.

New school, new friends, new small group, etc.

College is all about newness, so I figured why not start a new blog to chronicle all the newness?

I'm hoping to use this as a place to keep all of my sporadic spiritual thoughts, humorous stories (I'm sure there will be plenty), and random collegiate ramblings.

So, for my first post, I decided to share my (and Jesus') thoughts on all things new.

I used to have a crippling fear of change, but a deep desire for something new. Those two things don't coexist very well. I wanted desperately a new adventure or conquest, but anytime something in my world shifted, I ran. I ran and hid and said, "But God, I really like my boring, safe little life."

Then about six months ago, when I was prepping for a mission trip to Italy, I came across this verse:

¹⁹ "For I am about to do something new.
    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." -Isaiah 43:19

Well then. Talk about a slap in the face. 

See, my boring, safe little life was not glorifying to God. My complacency was holding me back from living out Gods call on my life. 

Change is a natural part of life, and we as followers of Christ should not only recognize that but boldly embrace it. Jesus doesn't call us to "stay" and make disciples, He calls us to "go". When change occurs, we are pulled out of our comfort zone, and that's where the Lord tends to work the most in us and through us. 

Now when change comes, I don't run and hide. I stand before the King and say, "I'm ready for whatever opportunities are before me. Use me." 

The next time change starts to happen in your life, will you run away, or will you embrace it and realize that it's there for a reason?