His Love

~ Through a single set of eyes I'm hard to see. From a greater perspective it's all I am to be. My existence is because of the Great I Am. Wishing to be felt by all that breathe, though many will live, die, and never hear of me. I’m a promise covering all sin. Death wins without me, but because of my power and ceaselessness, death is destroyed as life is lifted. Weakness and anger are blinded at my perfection and righteousness. I’m the love between God and His children. Between two worlds, I've always been and will always be. ~ Over and over I've read about it in the Bible, how His never fails, why is it so hard to see on earth? Its meaning has been lost in a sea of evil and people are giving up on the search. Maybe they're afraid of never finding it, but if they only knew the power of God's love and what it's capable of. It's more than just a feeling, it's a life style.

winter break in the states

On December 9th, 2011 I went home to an awesome family and began one of the hardest four weeks of my life. Walking into my home, the realization of how blessed I was, was all I could think about. As a looked around at all I had, I couldn’t help but thank God. Reuniting with my best friend brought tears of joy and many struggles I had never experienced before. I learned in the past few weeks how much I had changed from the last time I was in the states. My thought process had dramatically changed, the way I spent my time changed, and a lot of friendships changed. Being the older sister of two brothers can be difficult at times, but I continued to try to be the best example to them as I could. Being thrown back into the American way of life caused me to feel selfish, but because of a month of prior preparation through prayer, God gave me a love I would not have had otherwise. Temptations were stronger, trials were harder, but God’s love was the same. Through the hard times I was reminded that the God I fell in love with in Costa Rica, is the same God here in Georgia. I have never been so fully captivated by something so beautiful. Jesus has my entire heart and “my desire is burning like a million stars”. 

"Where You Go I Go"

Two months ago I would have started this blog out by saying how the weather has been or what I did over the weekend. In two months a person can be encouraged, influenced, and moved, but two months of complete obedience and submission to Jesus Christ will drive one to want more than this world. As I sit and overlook the incredible mountains of Costa Rica, I can't help but think of the artist of this beautiful picture. I never expected to have changed this much in just two months, but by God's unfathomable power and grace I can testify to His love. Living with thirty other students can be difficult at times, but the thing that holds us together is Jesus, without Him we would fall apart. I have realized my definition of living a christian life was completely wrong, until now I had God in a box I thought I could control what He did in my life. Until now my faith was tiny and motionless. Two months of listening to God and reading His word has taught me the power of prayer. Instead of putting my prayers off, I turn to prayer for everything! It's what I base a huge part of my relationship with God on. I now have a love for Him that I never knew was possible. I think back to my old life and all the time I wasted on trying to fill voids with things other than the only thing that can completely satisfy someone. I have experienced spiritual warfare and two months ago I would turn away scared, but now I drown the demons with worship for Jesus Christ. The battle has already been won, there's no need to exhaust myself in trying to fight, when I can just surrender everything and continue to receive His love and pour it out on others. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, without Him I would have no direction in my life. God has given me a peace about my future, I'm so glad He didn't leave it up to me because I would mess up and fail. I have given Him my dreams because mine are too small. He is a part of everything I do now, He gives me a joy no earthly experience could give me. His mystery is what makes getting to know Him better all the more exciting. The passion He has placed inside my heart is impossible to explain. All I want to do is live my entire life for Him. He never needed us, He wanted us. He doesn't love us because we're lovable, but because He's loving. Being here has made me fall in love with Him so much more!

The First Of Many.

In exactly eight days the wonderful country of Costa Rica will be my new home! As I pack and prepare for this nine month journey, I often stop and think about how I got to this point in my life. I thank my family for helping me reach my goals and never letting me give up, I thank my best friend for always being there for me even when i probably didn't deserve it, and I thank God for blessing me with such an incredible opportunity. I know His plans for my life are far greater than any plans I have for myself! "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." -Proverbs 16:9