Let the Children Come to Me

So, nothing crazy new has really been happening lately. I did get the opportunity to go to my friend's lake house with her whole family and my other close friend last weekend and we had a BLAST! It was so nice to be able to get away from school for a weekend and relax, even though it was super hard coming back to school because I felt like I was on vacation. Friday I'm shadowing for a hopeful daycare job and I could not be more ecstatic about the opportunity. Those that know me also know that children are my heart and soul. I cannot wait for the opportunity to get to teach them and learn from them everyday! Luke 18:17 says "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will truly not enter it."

I love the way in which children view the world. They are so innocent and trustworthy. If we come to God in our lives the way children come to him, we would have the best faith around. Children don't ask questions, they just believe. I adore children for this reason. I also adore their innocence and care-free lifestyle. We get so caught up in this world and obviously it's understandable. Between school, family, friends, work, faith, and everything else in life, it's hard to manage things. I pray that by spending my time with children this summer I will not only learn how to be an incredible teacher and mother, but also person.

I guess my message for this blog is just to relax and be like a child. It's often frowned upon to act child-like in society, but I think it's great. Be happy, trust, go out on a limb, and relax. With finals coming up, many of us need to hear this message I think. Oh, and if you find it hard to channel your inner kid...a trip to a beautiful lake house will always do ;) Hope everyone's weeks are going great! All my love.

Back on My Feet (:

Well, this time last week I was feeling so beaten down and overwhelmed. Somehow, the Lord has put a new pep in my step and picked me off my feet again. I've found myself thinking a lot lately about how much my life has changed in a year. This time last year, I was praying I could get through proms, AP exams, senior speeches, and my senior dance recital. Now, I'm pushing through the tail end of my first year in college...where has the time gone?!?!

I have literally changed so much this year; sometimes I look at myself and think who is this girl...but in a good way. I have first off learned so so much this year academically, spiritually, and internally. I have been bombarded with new information but thankfully I adore being an HD major so everything has been incredibly interesting to me. My faith has been strengthened in a way I never thought it could. My bible study has challenged me to dig so much deeper into the word of God and it has done nothing but good things in my life. Also, I feel like I'm a grown up. This sounds really cliche and such, but I've always been kind of childish. Not in the maturity sense, but just in the sense that I'm kind of innocent and giddy all of the time. Now, I find myself job searching and planning out the next 4 years of my life. Where has the time gone?!?!

I have also had the blessing of coming to college with my boyfriend/ best friend of over two and a half years. I cannot explain how incredible this has been for me. I've gotten home sick, had so many stressful times, and friendship issues and he has been there EVERY DAY to hold me and calm me down. Being this close to each other has also made our relationship grow so much stronger! Since we are kind of growing up, we have started to think more about our future together. Most people would see this as terrifying, but thinking about spending our life together is the most beautiful dream/thought I've ever had. It's insane to think that the prince charming I dreamed of since I was little has come to me SO SOON in the form of an insanely goofy, intelligent, faith-filled, musically-talented, handsome-beyond-belief man. Where has the time gone?!?!

Anyways, this year has been incredible. I'm so blessed to be at my school and so blessed to be so close to home. The main thing I've learned this year is that my family is my heart and soul! I see my parents almost every week and when I don't, it really sucks... My mom and dad are my best friends and I greatly look forward to seeing them every time I can. I remember when I was a dumb teenager and thought my parents were SO overbearing and protective for no reason...I could not have been more wrong. Where has the time gone?!?! I don't know honestly, but every second I get to spend on this Earth around these incredible people God has blessed me with makes all the hard times worthwhile. Thanks for being in my life y'all <3

Incredibly Confused but Relying on Him

I am writing my first blog post today with the thought that it might help me along this journey called life. Today was a very devastating day in America. The Boston Marathon runners were met at the finish line with 3 bombs, and at this moment 3 have been killed. My heart is heavy as I think of 6 years ago tomorrow, as well, when the Virginia Tech shootings occurred. I don't know how to comprehend this world...

I find myself turning to the Lord most in times like these even though I shouldn't; I should turn to him constantly. I ask questions, I don't understand, I strive for answers. The answer is always the same with him, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30 Still I don't know how to comprehend this world...

I guess all you can do is follow this verse. Evil and darkness will always be in the world and unfortunately it seems to be increasing day by day. Martin Luther King Jr said "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." This is where I come in. As a Christian, I believe most all things the bible tells me. This can get me into political debates and keep people away from my religion. Lately, though, I've tried to focus on one thing: love; what the world seems to be lacking is love and again I don't know how to comprehend this world...

But I do comprehend the world of the Lord and the WORD of the Lord. Jesus preached love above all else. What the world needs now is love. So next time you start into that political debate or religious argument, don't. Take a step back. The person you are talking to will probably not be changed by your ideas, so take a step back and simply love. I do not comprehend this world...but I do comprehend the world that awaits me when all of this pain and sorrow will be no more. I love you Lord.