Well, I now can successfully say I completed my fist semester of college. Just like my good friend, Martin Callen said, "That was college, huh? I could do that 7 more times." What a kid! He is great! I want to start off by saying all praise be to God for putting me at York, & a major thank you to my parents & grandparents who supported me while I study there. I am so blessed with the opportunity to be at a school where I get to feel so much love every single day. I have met so many beautiful, loving, & caring people in the past four months, & it truly has been a blessing to have their support & love every time I leave my dorm room. York has been such a blessing to me & has helped me grow spiritually & mentally. Though there were some challenges, revelations, ups & downs, tears & laughter, I can honestly say, this is where I belong. God knew exactly what He had in mind for me when I moved away August 15th, 2012.
In the short few months that I have been here, York has taught me so many things, helped me to grow up, & helped me to focus my life. I have heard so many great chapel speakers (Ramses, Macy, Pres. Eckman, Dr. Mountjoy, & so many others) & I've heard plenty of beautiful devos & stories of how God is working everyday in someone's life. I've seen the students & faculty come together in times of need to help out Leo & the Caranza family, & just showering people in prayer when they need it the most, or don't think they need it at all. GOD IS SO GOOD! The Lord really has blessed me with this opportunity of learning & I know over the next three & a half years, He will continue to bless me & guide me. Learning to give God control is one of the best lessons I could have ever learned, & I'm so grateful I did. Getting to feel His love & compassion when I wake up in the morning, ready to face each day as a new experience & adventure, is the best feeling ever. No matter how crummy I may feel, or how awful I may look, God will continue to love me & watch out for me. I cannot wait to see how He will use me & where He will lead me!
I hope that all of you one day will be able to feel the love that God has showered upon me over this entire first semester. "Do not fear, for I am with you." -Isaiah 41:10
"Inside is a weak heart, but behind it is a strong God."
God is good all the time. All the time, God is good!
Peace & love
B.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
{This Kind Life}
College has made me realize a couple of things:
1. Sleep is a very treasured thing.
2. Coffee is so good for your soul.
3. Skipping meals to take naps is sometimes a good idea.
4. Wal-mart is from the Devil because all it does is eat your money.
5. Waiting until the last minute to do your laundry is probably a bad thing.
But, overall, I've held on to one truth: God will always be there.
I was on crutches for a couples of weeks {hallelujah I'm finally off them!}. I got kicked during a club activity by a kid, & well it bruised up my leg pretty bad. But anyway... I saw small acts of kindness from several people around this campus, whether or not I personally know them, everyone was very kind. So I wan to say a big THANK YOU to the the YC campus. But through all these acts of kindness, such as offering to carrying my stuff, or myself, or opening doors, carrying my crutches as I tried to gimp down the stairs to chapel, I was able to see God.. He was using the kids here to be a light for Him. I think everyone should experience the kindness I was shown for those few weeks every single day. I mean just jump on crutches & you'll see how suddenly kind people are towards you. I'm not saying that the people her at YC are awful, they are far from that! But I am saying, that when you are obviously struggling, then people are more willing to help you out. If only people could see when you are emotionally or spiritually struggling like they can when you are physically struggling with a gimp limp. It's easy for everyone to put on a happy face & go about their day as if nothing is wrong, but could go & lose it when alone.
I wish people would go out of their way everyday to be kind to everyone. Because who knows, maybe that person is just having a bad day, & you simply telling them "Good morning" or "Have a great day". Take time out of your day to just do that. It doesn't take much effort & it's not like you really have to try hard to open up your mouth and speak. Be the light that Jesus would show you.
Have a great day, everyone! God & I love you! :)
Peace & love.
B.
1. Sleep is a very treasured thing.
2. Coffee is so good for your soul.
3. Skipping meals to take naps is sometimes a good idea.
4. Wal-mart is from the Devil because all it does is eat your money.
5. Waiting until the last minute to do your laundry is probably a bad thing.
But, overall, I've held on to one truth: God will always be there.
I was on crutches for a couples of weeks {hallelujah I'm finally off them!}. I got kicked during a club activity by a kid, & well it bruised up my leg pretty bad. But anyway... I saw small acts of kindness from several people around this campus, whether or not I personally know them, everyone was very kind. So I wan to say a big THANK YOU to the the YC campus. But through all these acts of kindness, such as offering to carrying my stuff, or myself, or opening doors, carrying my crutches as I tried to gimp down the stairs to chapel, I was able to see God.. He was using the kids here to be a light for Him. I think everyone should experience the kindness I was shown for those few weeks every single day. I mean just jump on crutches & you'll see how suddenly kind people are towards you. I'm not saying that the people her at YC are awful, they are far from that! But I am saying, that when you are obviously struggling, then people are more willing to help you out. If only people could see when you are emotionally or spiritually struggling like they can when you are physically struggling with a gimp limp. It's easy for everyone to put on a happy face & go about their day as if nothing is wrong, but could go & lose it when alone.
I wish people would go out of their way everyday to be kind to everyone. Because who knows, maybe that person is just having a bad day, & you simply telling them "Good morning" or "Have a great day". Take time out of your day to just do that. It doesn't take much effort & it's not like you really have to try hard to open up your mouth and speak. Be the light that Jesus would show you.
Have a great day, everyone! God & I love you! :)
Peace & love.
B.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
{i'm a big girl now}
So as most of you might know, I've had a few great changes in my life recently. I've had to become a big girl & packed up all my belongings & moved to the small town of York, Nebraska. I love it though. Not to mention I have the cutest dorm in all of Tomas Hall & I'm probably the only one with a couch, which is a plus to not having a roommate. This campus has the most supportive & loving people here. I've been so inspired by a few individuals since I moved here. I've heard so many different stories of struggle & success. I've gotten the chance to meet so many new, interesting people. I've made a whole new set of friends & gotten the chance to reconnect with a few old ones.
The encouragement I've felt from the students, as well as the staff here is unbelievable. I thank God everyday for that. My spiritual cup is starting to overflow from the uplifting attitudes of everyone here on campus. The bathroom in my hall has sticky notes in the stalls for us all to write down our thoughts. I decided that it would be nice to have positive things posted in there, so I started to write down different encouraging things, within a matter of a day or so, more thoughts began to pop up on sticky notes on that stall door. All mentioning being positive, or where beauty really comes from. Some speak of being motivated to change lives, while other talk about the love our Savior has for us. It's so great to see what these girls have to say. Though I know all the girls in my hall, I don't know who is writing what. Which means that others are just willing to share their thought for the day & not take credit for it. It's just so cute!
Moving to York has been such a change for me. 1. Because I've never moved in my life. 2. Because it's forced me to get out of my comfort zone & meet new people. 3. I've been challenged in my class, by people. & by the everyday lessons people are teaching me. It's great to have this new opportunity to get out & actually be a big girl. I've gotten the chance to make my own choices & decisions.
It's great to be on my own, but don't get me wrong, I miss my family. I call my mom so much more than I thought I would & Tweet Maddog all the time. Even Taylor & I have had a few conversations, mostly about her missing me ;) I've yet to hear from my brother, but I guess I did see him just last week. I miss getting to sit by my grandpa at church on Sundays & getting to chat with all the cute old ladies after services. I miss goofing around with my siblings & cuddling with my two puppies. I really miss dinner with my family, (especially since I can't eat most of the food here) & having my daddy pray before the meal. I also miss all my baby cows! Living in the "city" doesn't compare to living on the farm.
Being a girl is great, but I wouldn't mind being a little girl for a little longer. Having my mom take are of me when I feel bad, & having Daddy tell me everything will be alright when I'm upset. I would give anything to act like a little kid with my sisters again & have the joy of running down the Grandpa's house to get candy money or take a long trip down to visit Grammy and Pawpaw in Mulberry. But life doesn't like to wait for you to decide to grow up, it's forced on you. As soon as you hit high school age & you get a job. Then you start driving. Then you go to your first prom, & before you know it, you graduate & move away to a new environment. It feels good to be a big girl, but I would give anything to just be that little girl getting on the school bus for the first time.
Peace & love.
B.
The encouragement I've felt from the students, as well as the staff here is unbelievable. I thank God everyday for that. My spiritual cup is starting to overflow from the uplifting attitudes of everyone here on campus. The bathroom in my hall has sticky notes in the stalls for us all to write down our thoughts. I decided that it would be nice to have positive things posted in there, so I started to write down different encouraging things, within a matter of a day or so, more thoughts began to pop up on sticky notes on that stall door. All mentioning being positive, or where beauty really comes from. Some speak of being motivated to change lives, while other talk about the love our Savior has for us. It's so great to see what these girls have to say. Though I know all the girls in my hall, I don't know who is writing what. Which means that others are just willing to share their thought for the day & not take credit for it. It's just so cute!
Moving to York has been such a change for me. 1. Because I've never moved in my life. 2. Because it's forced me to get out of my comfort zone & meet new people. 3. I've been challenged in my class, by people. & by the everyday lessons people are teaching me. It's great to have this new opportunity to get out & actually be a big girl. I've gotten the chance to make my own choices & decisions.
It's great to be on my own, but don't get me wrong, I miss my family. I call my mom so much more than I thought I would & Tweet Maddog all the time. Even Taylor & I have had a few conversations, mostly about her missing me ;) I've yet to hear from my brother, but I guess I did see him just last week. I miss getting to sit by my grandpa at church on Sundays & getting to chat with all the cute old ladies after services. I miss goofing around with my siblings & cuddling with my two puppies. I really miss dinner with my family, (especially since I can't eat most of the food here) & having my daddy pray before the meal. I also miss all my baby cows! Living in the "city" doesn't compare to living on the farm.
Being a girl is great, but I wouldn't mind being a little girl for a little longer. Having my mom take are of me when I feel bad, & having Daddy tell me everything will be alright when I'm upset. I would give anything to act like a little kid with my sisters again & have the joy of running down the Grandpa's house to get candy money or take a long trip down to visit Grammy and Pawpaw in Mulberry. But life doesn't like to wait for you to decide to grow up, it's forced on you. As soon as you hit high school age & you get a job. Then you start driving. Then you go to your first prom, & before you know it, you graduate & move away to a new environment. It feels good to be a big girl, but I would give anything to just be that little girl getting on the school bus for the first time.
Peace & love.
B.
Monday, July 30, 2012
{The Perfect Friendship}
So let me tell you a story. It's about a group of girls who have this extremely tight bond. A bond so tight that they literally will do anything when they're together. I like to call this group the EVES {aka, my best friends}. That's right, you know, from the Bible. Actually, Bible camp is where the EVES all started, at No Rules Camp in 2011. The details to the beginning of this group will not be disclosed, I'll just let your imaginations run wild. Anyhow, the EVES are this select group of girls, who all happen to be my best friends. There's seven of us: Courtney King, Bailey Cate, Brooke Bailey, McKenzie King, Delaney Woods, & Cassidy Shields, & well of course, me. {In the Bible, seven is a perfect number, so that means we have the perfect friendship, just saying.} Always living with the motto, "Once an Eve, Always and Eve." You can't go back to a normal life after join this group. We do all sorts of crazy things together & have such a close friendship with each other. We even have T-shirts! Be jealous, because they're pretty tight. We're all kinda professionals at tye-dye, well everyone except Courtney.
These girls have been such a stronghold in my life for these past couple of years. I've known I've always had several girls to count on & trust with ever inch of my being. This year, we took on the title of the "Single Eves." But who needs boyfriends when you've got girlfriends? Seriously though, this summer was so much more fun without any boy drama to worry about. Stress free, LOVE THAT. These girls are my glue, they hold me together when I feel like falling apart. Seven is more than just a number, it defines our friendship entirely.
Going to college is going to be hard, especially with four of us going to three different colleges that are several hours apart. I mean Texas, Tennessee & Nebraska aren't very close to each other... & with three Eves still in high school, we're all faced with different stages of life & different challenges. God has a plan for each of us, that I am sure of, it just kinda sucks not having all of my best friends right at my disposal. These girls aren't perfect. But they're each flawed in a beautiful way. I love them all in their own individual way.
I just want to say to each of them: I love you. You mean the world to me. Don't be a stranger, come stay in my dorm, {Cass, Brooke, & Laners} I've got a couch! Don't forget the memories we've had & don't forget how wonderful each of you are. God made us all friends for a specific purpose. I miss you all so much! Let's utilize the power of Skype & pray this year. Have fun & be wild.
.jpg)
Peace & love.
B.
2012 BeliEVE {minus Bailey Cate}
2011 Ultimate EVE {Original Eves}
These girls have been such a stronghold in my life for these past couple of years. I've known I've always had several girls to count on & trust with ever inch of my being. This year, we took on the title of the "Single Eves." But who needs boyfriends when you've got girlfriends? Seriously though, this summer was so much more fun without any boy drama to worry about. Stress free, LOVE THAT. These girls are my glue, they hold me together when I feel like falling apart. Seven is more than just a number, it defines our friendship entirely.
2012 NYC Banquet {minus Bailey Cate}
Going to college is going to be hard, especially with four of us going to three different colleges that are several hours apart. I mean Texas, Tennessee & Nebraska aren't very close to each other... & with three Eves still in high school, we're all faced with different stages of life & different challenges. God has a plan for each of us, that I am sure of, it just kinda sucks not having all of my best friends right at my disposal. These girls aren't perfect. But they're each flawed in a beautiful way. I love them all in their own individual way.
I just want to say to each of them: I love you. You mean the world to me. Don't be a stranger, come stay in my dorm, {Cass, Brooke, & Laners} I've got a couch! Don't forget the memories we've had & don't forget how wonderful each of you are. God made us all friends for a specific purpose. I miss you all so much! Let's utilize the power of Skype & pray this year. Have fun & be wild.
.jpg)
Peace & love.
B.
Friday, July 6, 2012
{this one's for my daddy}
Today, I would like to honor my dad, not only because he is a great person & has taken great care of me & brought me up loving the Lord, but because it's his birthday! Old man, you're turning into, an old man, & though your red hair is thinning & fading, that's okay, I still love you regardless.
My dad has always been my hero. Making me feel better when I'm upset, telling me I look pretty in my prom dress, crying when he would hear my contest solos. Making me feel special more than any other boy could ever do.
Dad, you got lucky, with four pretty awesome girls & a stinky little son {luckily you got that boy in the end to keep you sane in a house full of hormones & to take over my chores}. We all appreciate the way you work to keep our family stable a & the way you have let us all grow up to be who we want to be. You've always supported us in all of our activities, not matter how dumb you thought they were. You & Mom have taught us that Christ's love is greater than anything we could ever have on earth & that no matter what, He will never fail us. So thanks, Dad, for being such an example to us all. & as we grow up & move out, we will miss our favorite guy. So I'm just gunna say:
No matter where I go in life, who I get married to, how much time I spent with guys, how much I love my boyfriend, you'll always be my number 1 man.
Love always,
Your little girl
I love you & happy birthday!
Peace & love
B.
Friday, June 8, 2012
{I'm on a mission}
Well, I know it's been awhile since my last post, & yes, I know I'm kinda slacking on this whole, "I'm gunna write a blog!" thing. But hey, you can't blame a girl for trying, right? Well, let's just say, that since my last post, a lot has happened. I didn't win Miss AL, or Prom Queen, but I'm quite frankly okay with that. Though it may have crushed any high school dream I had ever had, I ended up with a smile on my face by the end of the night, though prom night was a bit iffy & a little bit on the rocks and & edgy, I still ended up smiling. I however, did get the chance throughout the end of my high school career the chance to sing several duets with my boyfriend & his guitar, I love nothing more than performing with him right next to me. I was blessed enough to be award the Outstanding Female Vocalist Award in my school's choir, the one award I work so hard for, for four long years. It shows that hard work, dedication, & determination, along with several Division I ratings pay off. I was blessed this year. I was also able to reconnect with two of my best friends, Emily and Melanie, before we head off to college, on the way to our TJ class that we started off hating, but in the end, ending up loving, it's amazing how things work like that, don't ya think? We made some great memories, some very inappropriate, but some that we would love to share!
I recently, as in yesterday, got back from a small camp in Kearney, NE, from a camp session that is most commonly known as No Rules Camp. {Or Leadership Camp, which most people would refer to it as, but we all know the true name.} I spent half a week with 16 other campers & 8 adults talking about the leadership opportunities that God calls us to do. This half a week left us with late nights, long talks, great discussions, & LOTS of laughs.
Sitting at campfire the first night we got there, Sunday, we all had the opportunity to say something that has recently been on our minds, especially since we were all stuck in solitary confinement for two full hours as soon as we arrived at the camp. Slowly as our musical praises to the Lord started to wind down, my dear friend, John, decided to start the group off with what was on his mind, & after that, no one wanted to follow, because what he said hit all of us hard. I'll give you all a short recap of what he said to all of us that left us all speechless. John had recently returned from a mission trip to Ecuador, by recently meaning he got home Saturday at noon and was at No Rules Camp by 5 o'clock on Sunday. He talked about the simplicity of life that he experienced while down there. Saying that the people have only what they need & what they have extra of, they give away. Simplicity. John proceeded to say that he realized it was possible for people to live without hot water or indoor plumbing, they didn't need cell phones or electricity. They had the hearts of givers & showed love with their actions. Don't get me wrong, I am so blessed to live in the USA and to have all that I do, yes I do know it is way more than I would ever need, {as I type this, I also have several other tabs pulled up on my personal laptop screen, ones connecting me to Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, & Pinterest, not to mention, I'm texting my boyfriend} but I like the idea of living in a simplistic way.
I feel like if God took away all the distractions of today's world, then we would be able to spend more time worshiping & honoring Him daily. John got me thinking this week. I started thinking: How should I be using my time? Is my time management self centered or Christ centered. Am I being selfish, or selfless? All these answers I started coming up with, were not what a Follower of Christ should be proud of. I spend the vast majority of my day staring at a screen. Heck, I spend more time sitting on a toilet than I do with God. Daily thoughts that cross my mind consist of: "Man, I have to poop." "When is he/she going to text me back?" "What should I eat now?" "Wow, you really need to stop talking." Those are just the few examples. Do those sound like Godly thoughts? I'll answer that, NO. We have been put on a mission to be examples & role models, no not to be perfect, but to love, to give, & to serve. Jesus was not only a teacher, but a friend. & if I can serve others by being a friend, then I should use that to bring glory to my Lord. Simple acts of giving love & help. We are all missionaries for Christ, but where you live doesn't make you a missionary. It's the mission you are on that makes you a missionary. How will you serve?
Peace & love.
B.
I recently, as in yesterday, got back from a small camp in Kearney, NE, from a camp session that is most commonly known as No Rules Camp. {Or Leadership Camp, which most people would refer to it as, but we all know the true name.} I spent half a week with 16 other campers & 8 adults talking about the leadership opportunities that God calls us to do. This half a week left us with late nights, long talks, great discussions, & LOTS of laughs.
Sitting at campfire the first night we got there, Sunday, we all had the opportunity to say something that has recently been on our minds, especially since we were all stuck in solitary confinement for two full hours as soon as we arrived at the camp. Slowly as our musical praises to the Lord started to wind down, my dear friend, John, decided to start the group off with what was on his mind, & after that, no one wanted to follow, because what he said hit all of us hard. I'll give you all a short recap of what he said to all of us that left us all speechless. John had recently returned from a mission trip to Ecuador, by recently meaning he got home Saturday at noon and was at No Rules Camp by 5 o'clock on Sunday. He talked about the simplicity of life that he experienced while down there. Saying that the people have only what they need & what they have extra of, they give away. Simplicity. John proceeded to say that he realized it was possible for people to live without hot water or indoor plumbing, they didn't need cell phones or electricity. They had the hearts of givers & showed love with their actions. Don't get me wrong, I am so blessed to live in the USA and to have all that I do, yes I do know it is way more than I would ever need, {as I type this, I also have several other tabs pulled up on my personal laptop screen, ones connecting me to Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, & Pinterest, not to mention, I'm texting my boyfriend} but I like the idea of living in a simplistic way.
I feel like if God took away all the distractions of today's world, then we would be able to spend more time worshiping & honoring Him daily. John got me thinking this week. I started thinking: How should I be using my time? Is my time management self centered or Christ centered. Am I being selfish, or selfless? All these answers I started coming up with, were not what a Follower of Christ should be proud of. I spend the vast majority of my day staring at a screen. Heck, I spend more time sitting on a toilet than I do with God. Daily thoughts that cross my mind consist of: "Man, I have to poop." "When is he/she going to text me back?" "What should I eat now?" "Wow, you really need to stop talking." Those are just the few examples. Do those sound like Godly thoughts? I'll answer that, NO. We have been put on a mission to be examples & role models, no not to be perfect, but to love, to give, & to serve. Jesus was not only a teacher, but a friend. & if I can serve others by being a friend, then I should use that to bring glory to my Lord. Simple acts of giving love & help. We are all missionaries for Christ, but where you live doesn't make you a missionary. It's the mission you are on that makes you a missionary. How will you serve?
Peace & love.
B.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)