I've done everything I can to procrastinate... besides blogging... so now it's time for that!
Things I've done so far: made 3 cds, distracted Chelc, wrote a letter, skyped with Matt, read other people's blogs, bought some new music, "liked" everyone's facebook statuses about Quest reveal, googled Bible verses that have to do with certain topics, watched youtube videos, listened to acoustic versions of my favorite songs... the list goes on and on (as you can see).

No matter how hard I try, I cannot study. This is always the case but especially today. I'm guessing because I can't think of anything other than the fact that we get new leaders TONIGHT! I can't even express my excitement.

Cannot believe this was TWO years ago:




Can't wait to see what Jesus has in store for our team next year!

I've been slacking on blogging since I left for spring break...
Spri Bre Ele (as the "Panama" crew would call it) was a lot of fun! I really enjoyed time with friends, time on the beach, time away from school...














Such a great group of people!

This past weekend we went to Chattanooga to celebrate Laura and Megan's birthdays! It was a lot of fun.

Future roommates! :)

Then we drove back to pray for the new leaders that are getting placed! We find out Wednesday who are leaders are, and I could not be more excited!!

Sorry, this was a boring update about what I've been up to lately... hopefully soon I'll have more to say about where my heart is- struggling to put it into words right now.

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God
who is sending a love letter to the world.”
-Mother Teresa

(saw this on Olivia's guest post at Wild and Precious and loved it and what she had to say about it)

God's plans are so much bigger and better than what we can ever do or imagine for ourselves. Thankful that He is in control and all we have to do is trust in Him each step of the way.

Confession: I think I may be addicted to the blogging world- reading blogs of people I love and also of people I don't even know but feel like I know, as well as writing my own posts that probably no one reads. Yesterday I blogged twice, and now this is my second one for today.

Yesterday in small group (we're studying the psalms), Paulette encouraged us to take a few minutes to write our own psalm- then we could share it if we felt like it... and at the time I didn't feel like I wanted to share it, but now for some reason I do. Who knows how long I'll leave this up because I'll probably get embarrassed- I'm not a good writer (but I guess if you read this blog you already know that...), so here goes nothing:

"Lord,
I praise you for never forsaking me.
I thank you that you go before me,
yet you never leave my side.
I cry for help in the situations that tempt me to be selfish, God,
because in reality, it's ALL about you.
Remind me of this. Remind me of your love, your mercy, your grace.
Draw near to me, and draw me near to you.
I love you, Lord, and I long to praise you all my days.
Give me strength in my weakness.
Guide me.
Help me to constantly trust in you,
to keep my eyes always fixed on you,
not on the temporary troubles of this world.
In my life, be lifted high."

Suffering

I know that the trails and "suffering" that I've been through are nothing compared to the things other people have had to endure... but I've just been thinking a lot about how much time in my life I've spent feeling sorry for myself when that's absolutely ridiculous for so many reasons. One of which being that there's a reason for everything, and that God is with me through all things and teaching me something always. Another reason is that through suffering I am able to identify with Christ. My suffering obviously doesn't begin to compare to that of Christ's suffering that was because of me, but... the reason for our suffering is to draw us nearer to Him, to strengthen our faith. Jesus came to this world so that He could identify with us, and in that, He had to suffer greatly. Everything I endure is to glorify Him. And on top of that, I have my "God-story" so that I can share it with others and hopefully give them Hope and a glimpse of God's love and mercy. The focus of my suffering should not be on myself but on Christ- definitely no reason to ever feel sorry for myself. I want my trials to be worthy- glorifying to God, suffering for His sake, and waiting expectantly on the Lord in the hard times.

Psalm 44
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 1:5 "For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

"Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours."

Just my random thoughts of the day.

p.s. IT'S SPRING BREAK!!!!

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."

Mom, Dad... don't read this

I literally am going to fail out of school. First of all, I have no motivation because I don't want to be here. I try so hard to study/not procrastinate/be a good student... I really do. But then I just get distracted so easily... by the things I actually care about- Jesus, relationships... you know the things that will actually matter in the long run. (Oh- and obviously blogging since that's important and this is my second post today and it's only 9 am... and I am at Panera "studying" for my test tomorrow.)

As I was originally typing the beginning of this yesterday right after my geography test, I was sitting outside of the classroom listening to everyone complain as they came out after finishing. Glad I wasn't the only one that found it nearly impossible. Really though, it was ridiculously difficult. When am I ever going to need to know the exact location of Ljubljana (I had to look up the spelling just to type it out! It's the capital of Slovenia in case anyone thinks they might ever need that knowledge. Oh wait, you won't.)?

I'm not trying to complain. Really, I'm not. I just can't focus on school when there are so many things that I'd rather be concentrating on... Trying to remind myself that God is preparing me for something big, and that school is just a part of that preparation. Only 2 1/4 more years!

Okay, I don't want to wish those 2 years by either. Refer to Chelcie's post about living in the present. The here and now. I'm trying. And I don't want to be in the real world either- like with a job and all that. I just want to be making a difference. So in the meantime I will try to seek the Lord's plans for the present time- and seek ways to make a difference here and now. I could just do without the classes! :)

A picture since I've been failing at adding them lately:

(the only recent one I have- stolen from Chelc. Go Heels!)

1 John 4:12

"No one has ever seen God;
but if we love one another,
God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

You hold my world in Your hands

Amazing how Jesus Calling is always what I need to hear that morning. How does that happen?
This morning it was about God helping me through this day because I am helpless on my own.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." -James 1:2-3

Also, I've just been flipping through my Bible throughout last night and today and have come across so many verses about the Holy Spirit interceding for me. God is good. God is faithful. And with Him I can do all things.

God is testing my faith in Him. Reminding me not to put my hope in people- even as I'm writing my YL talk on that, He's teaching me it. It is so crazy that He can use me to teach myself things. What?

He's taking care of me. :) And I pray that in every trial I go through (big or little), I will give Him glory.

So many things going on lately and so many thoughts running through my head... but I feel as if I have nothing to say.

For now I will leave you with this- I am so thankful for friends. Friends that encourage me to seek the Lord, friends that pick me up when I'm down, friends that speak truth to me even when it hurts, and friends that tell me I'm being an idiot when that's what I need to hear.

Even more thankful for a God who loves me no matter how dumb I am. No matter how many mistakes I make. Over and over again. Today I am gently reminded of His love and His mercy.

Especially grateful for those of you who have taken the time to love me and care for me so well this week. Believe me, it has made a difference.

Just have to make it through one more week (only two more days of class) until spring break.

I really need to start working on my YL talk. Yikes!