I'm sorry it's such a long post....

In the past few weeks there have been so many exciting things to happen. There has been so much that I am overwhelmed. So here's what's going on:

My church is amazing. The people, the music, the pastor. All amazing. My pastor is an incredibly humble man, that I am looking forward being under his pastoral leadership for the next few years. Since starting to go to Southland, I feel like all I can do is go ahead and get on my face, because the message is going to really make me have to lay down everything. Which at this point, is what I needed. I was very much on a "I can do it on my own" kinda thinking path. Not good. But I have been so encouraged and challenged.

My bible study for this time of Lent is "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. I have decided that Beth Moore, Leslie Ludy, Emily Ryan and I would all be BFFs for real. I feel strangely close to them, and I have never met any of them. They're all super awesome women that love Jesus in a way that fascinates me.I have a strange longing to sit at Common Grounds here in Lex. and chat with them. I also have a friend from church who has "adopted" me so to speak, she's amazing, and we're hanging out this week which makes me happy.

Common Grounds in itself is a blessing. It is my escape place. This wonderful coffee house is in and old building with bright colors, low lights, happy music, and great organic coffee. I would love to sit on their couches and take a nice long nap.

For some reason I can't think of naps without thinking of Shannon and Jill. I think of Shannon because she slept through most of our Algebra class and pretty much everywhere, I think this still happens.

Jill however is a more exciting reason. She's PREGNANT!!!! I'm super excited!! When she told me I literally screamed and did a little happy dance. I am going to spoil that child every chance I get.

Last night two of my friends came down to my room and we played Scattergories. I would love to play with you, but I warn you I'm pretty good.

Spring Break is coming soon. I'm going home!! I can't wait. I miss my mommy and daddy and sister really bad. Jill is coming to see me! It will be a wonderful week.

Early Morning Pancakes

This morning I was moving around a lot earlier than normal, 6am to be exact. Today is the wonderful day of free pancakes at IHOP!!! So at 6:35 am I walked outside in the fridged air with two dear friends. We went to eat our 3 pancakes (we were filmed eating them by 2 different news stations), listened to somewhat sappy music in the car, and laughed a lot. It was a wonderful morning, and all of this happened before 8am!!!

I ate my pancakes.... And I made a donation.....

I was sitting in my Jewish Thought and Culture class, as I was trying to stay awake, when I realized that I have done something terrible. Today I woke up and was thrilled to, because I was getting "free food" and spending time with some super sweet ladies that I love (which is the real reason for going). But I tell myself so often that "I want to get up early and spend some time with Jesus." But when morning comes with the sound of an alarm, I hit the snooze button. I am willing to go walk outside in nasty cold weather for some pancakes and friends, but I'm not willing to spare even a half hour of my sleep to spend time with Jesus!?! Craziness. My heart hurts at the thought of the pain that this is causing my Lord.

Which brings me to the next season, Lent. For the past 3 or 4 years I have practiced this season of Lent. This year I have decided that this year I want to make changes, big changes. I want you to PLEASE hold me accountable to these changes, ask me about them, or better yet... JOIN ME!!

I want to work out at least 3 times a week. I also want to spend time DAILY with Jesus, not only in studying the word, but in prayer as well. I have realized that I do not take care of myself in the ways that I feel would be honoring to God. I damage my body daily, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As I told a dear friend of mine recently, I wnat ot make sure to protect my heart, mind, and emotions, which I so often let just wander free through my life. I want to keep these parts of me in check in such a way that I am honoring God. My prayer is that somehow through my words and interactions with others, they will be able to tell that there is something that's different about me.

I also want to challenge you, in this season of Lent, take time to examine your own life. Look for ways to improve it, even if it's just buying a planner and getting organized!! But in whatever you do take this time to reflect on what this season means...it is the preparation for the season of Easter, so remember what Christ did for you and how that has changed your life. He is able still everyday to change us, and I am so thankful for that. I know that daily I struggle with letting Christ have control, but the days that I do, they are glorious and that glory goes straight to God!!

1 Peter 4:11

11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Something New

Well this blog comes at a time of "newness" for me. I am at a new school, new church, new friends, new job, and as of today a new ministry. Please allow me a little time to figure this whole blogging thing out, seeing as I am technologically challenged.

I so often feel like I need to share the exciting things that are happening in my life because God is doing some cool things, and I think people should know.

Right now, I'm studying Social Work, which makes me really happy. I see so many ways that I am going to be able to use what I'm learning later on in my career. I feel like I am learning so many things, not necessarily in my classes, but in everything that I'm doing with church and friends. I feel so blessed by my church, the people that I have met there are constantly challenging me to seek after God and to make sure that I am listening to HIS guidance and not my own. Also I have a nanny job, which has been great so far! I'm very excited about the family that I work for, they are wonderful Christian people.

But by far, the most exciting part of the day has been finding out that there is someone else that wants to help me start a ministry at UK!! I have felt God leading me to start a program that reaches out and not only informs about the problems with dating abuse and violence, but also helps those that have been the victims. I really thought for a long time that God was calling me to start this after college, but in the past 3 weeks I have felt this extremely strong tug on my heart for those that are dealing with this issue at UK. I know that at a school this big there are men and women that are hurting and wondering if there is anyone else that knows how they feel. I want to reach out to them and love them, show them through love and actions that someone else not only cares but knows exactly what they are going through. I ask that you be praying for this ministry, and that it will be able to show God's amazing redeeming love!!