Thoughts in process...

my mind has been slightly overwhelmed with thoughts in the last few weeks but there's this thing we refer to as school that just keeps distracting me from them.

God has been teaching me so much lately regardless of the fact that I honestly haven't been seeking out much to be taught. He has been continually speaking to my heart about just how powerful he really is. He has the power to take care of my country more than any one man could or ever will, he has the power to restore and free my heart from mistakes of my past and he has the power to change and entire world and how I could very well have the privilege of helping if I so desire.

First:

History was made the other day and regardless of your political beliefs or whoever you voted for it's reassuring to know that God is bigger than my government. I had never given him that much credit before honestly but that's something he has been reassuring me a lot of in the last year. All I can do is serve my God and he'll take care of me. The man in the White House won't change that. (But I am still so excited that I got to be part of this! I voted. It was fun getting involved and learning about my government. I can't wait to continue.)

Second:
"No matter where you are in your life today, be encouraged; God is in the restoration business. He is already at work redeeming your yesterdays and building your tomorrow." -Christopher Surber-
"He restores my soul." -Psalm 23:3-

Not to bore you with the many thoughts I've had on this for the past weeks but I find so much hope in this. Mistakes I have made in the past do not have to hold any power over me. My heart belongs to God and does not have to be trapped by the sins of my past. God restores my soul! The definition of restore: to bring back to an original condition. That in itself encourages me so much.

"I run in the paths of your commands for you have set my heart FREE." -Psalm 119:32
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." -Philippians 1:20

Third:
I'm going to Africa. I have to. There is so much need. But first, I'm going to start making a difference right here. There's need in my own backyard and until I'm on that plane to Africa I'm gonna make a difference right here.

Thankful

Just to continue with my thankful theme I gave my testimony at CRU on Thursday along with 2 others. Throughout the week I had been writing it out and just thinking about the past (which I suppose you have to do if you're going to be talking about it)and then practicing just before CRU with the other 2 I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude.

I have a story.

One that has a great ending and isn't even close to being over. I have a God who loves me enough that no matter how I mess up he continues to work in my life anyway. And that's the best part: this story isn't even mine. Shoot, if I was given control of writing this thing my happy ending wouldn't come for a while. I'd still be living a life of heartbreak and rebellion but God showed up, gave me a choice and made my story his. He took everything that was gross and disgusting in my life and turned it into something beautiful.

It just amazes me that he does this for us, and that I'm not the only one with a story...with his story.

and I can't wait to see what this chapter holds...

The worst consequence of losing our imagination, our wonder, is that we no longer see the Christward life as an adventure.
-Mark Buchanan

3 things...

There are about 75.3 things I learned this summer at/from camp and probably 85.7 more things since the semester has begun but if there is one thing that I learned at camp it was this: There is always something to be grateful for. During training my wonderful and beautiful program director gave me a little journal telling me that I need to write 3 things everyday that I am grateful for cause even when the days get long and you feel like you failed and you just want to sleep there is always something to be grateful for. Frequently she would ask me what my 3 things were for that day. I was grateful for that and remembering that today I thought I would share my 3 with the world.

1. It rained making it possible to wear my brand new rain boots.
2. It rained. :)
3. While I love tennis I had much work today so it got canceled giving me ample time to get everything done.
and just for fun: 4. I'm about to share my testimony at CRU. Just kinda grateful I have a story that ends in Jesus. How can I not be grateful?


thanks bree. <3