WINTER STORM

a couple of snapshots from the 5 days of texas's "winter storm". in the midst of it i had to study for finals. i adore winter and all that it brings. it only makes me that much more joyous to move to colorado! 

A NEW SEASON

I've always been told, "Don't wish away your childhood!" or "Don't try and grow up too fast, adulthood will be here before you know it!". Over these past few months, I've realized that all those people were right.

When you're young, everyone tells you just how challenging life can get when you graduate high school. College payments, jobs, studying, careers, bills, "real life" situations. But they forget to mention the extent of how incredible it is to have the freedom, the responsibilities, the options, the joy that comes with "real life" situations.

But growing up does come with tests. A test can be defined as: an event or situation that reveals the strength of someone by putting them under strain. I don't know about you, but I really like to ace any test I take. Yet somehow, life tests are extremely different compared to your standard academic tests. Academics can be studied and memorized. Life tests just aren't like that. (I'm sure glad it's not, how boring would that be?)

Life tests are going to happen, there is no way around that. Yet, it's not about the test itself, it's about how you handle it, and how you grow through it. When you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, stop and pray. Know that God has His hand in everything! GOD WILL NEVER GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU CAN'T HANDLE OR AREN'T READY FOR!! Did you read that carefully? Really understand that. Everything you're facing right now, every trial, tribulation, temptation, God knows about it. He's right there waiting for you to call upon Him and ask for help, because you cannot do life on your own. God is all powerful, all knowing, all righteous, all Holy, everything you could possibly need and then some. So why not ask for His help? It would bring Him the upmost joy. Just like a son/daughter asking their parent for help. We are God's children. He doesn't want to see us suffer, He wants to see us overcome and stand stronger on the other side.

Now in my transition to (sorta) adulthood, I've really learned to solely rely on God for the answers. He has the answer to my job. He has the means for my payments. He has the strength I need to carry on. But it starts with simply saying, "God, I'm overwhelmed. I don't know what I'm doing. This is all new. Lord, guide me in the direction you want me to be going. I trust in you! You are so good and you love me beyond words!".

My advice this week is to let go, and let God. To surrender it all to Him. You can't do life on your own. (Nor would you want to) Delight in His grace and unconditional Love. Also, since you're human, if you mess up, God will be there to help you up, dust you off, and love you. Trust in Him, and let Him be your anchor.

If you have any prayer request, I would love to pray for you! Leave it in the comments or email me.

Side Note: Here are some snap shots of a few views I've had this past week. First photo, my geology class. Second photo, my pinterest study break at starbucks. And the third photo, a breakfast date at whataburger with my dad.

MEANING OF LIFE

i've been reading Jesus is by judah smith, right now i'm on chapter eight and it's got my heart passionate about a few things.

what exactly is life all about? are we here to acquire the most money? fame? friends? what is our purpose of living on this planet? i believe that we are here for an eternal purpose, not to fix our eyes and passions on temporary measures. genesis 1:27 says that we were created by God in His own image. that's crazy! we were created by the maker of the universe and He decided to make us in His image? we can't just dismiss that! we are also heirs to the thrown, we are sons and daughters to the King! i don't know about you but that just baffles me and leaves me in awe, my little brain can't quite wrap itself around how magnificent and might God is!

so that being said, why are we here? what are we suppose to be on this planet? matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) says it quite nicely, "18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." we are here to win souls over for Christ, to add to the number in Heaven, to not let Satan dominate the minds of the children of God, to spread hope, grace and love found only in Him. to give people the good news of the one who loves them so much He died a painful and sacrficial death so that they would be free.

i give my plans, my life, my everything to God's mission for us. to see all His people return back to Him. i have to let people know about this agape love He has for us. it's indescribable!

THE QUIET MOMENTS

coffee shop hangs are vital to summer. it's time to just sit back, pause, and reflect. i love to order a venti coffee with a dash of half + half, sit back in a comfy chair, throw my headphones on, and either journal or leisurely surf the web. right now i'm at the "quiet" starbucks with my best friend just enjoying life and soaking up the calm moments. 

life has been so hectic and so fast pace lately that i almost forgot to slow down, breathe, and enjoy. i just graduated high school, my eighteenth birthday is tomorrow, i'm needing a new job, i am trying to nail down college plans, let. me. have. a. breather. please. i crave the quiet moments at this point in my life. don't get me wrong, i absolutely love the crazy and exciting moments, but i don't ever want to take calm and simple times for granted. 

here is to slowing down and enjoying the moments i'm given. oh and i got a new computer for graduation, i'm now a macbook user.