"I've counted up the cost and you are worth it" - rend collective experiment

A longgggggg day. But an amazing one. School all day long was long---but good--- I LOVE LOVE my classes and am learning so much AND I love what we are learning about- minus the math class--- but it's okay--- I choose to still enjoy it-- and a guy came up and introduced himself to me in that class- Steven- he was sweet- I asked him a random question. I also had a random but fun conversation with my HBSE professor- Dr. Seime- quality and random conversation! I get out to my car at around 4ish in the afternoon after arriving at campus at 8AM. I turn the key in my car to start Emma Grace and nothing. Come to find out that I left my lights on and so, my battery died. I asked a girl from my Research Methods class if she could jump my car, and she agrees and drives her car into the grass. I grab the jumper cables from my trunk and go into mechanic mode and place the cables just right praying that I did it correctly and nothing would explode. A guy walking out to his car right next to mine ends up asking if we needed help-- he ensures that I did set it up correctly- at which I do an inward happy dance- the jump is successful and I am on my way….after a stop to get tissues and then onwards to GIRLS Ranch. While there- I realized that out of the 4 group leaders, I am the only single one. In that moment, there was this realization and remembrance of how strategic my singleness is in this season. I do desire him---whoever he is---- I do not have evidence and yet, somehow, I believe that he is alive and on planet earth right now. Buttttttttt right now, singleness is my season and I will not despise it or ignore- I will face it-- I shall enjoy it and embrace each moment.

loveeeee embracing the seasons---even this frrrrriiiggggidd Tennessee winter *giggle* One day, the spring will come yet again… *smile*….how fitting!!!

embracing each season…..being fully present! *smile*

"a single girl in a couple's world"

That has been my story for 29 and a half years minus nine months. Why does this world make us single girls and guys to feel less than because we aren't in a relationship. Everything seemingly is for couples. You can get "couple discounts" - Two for One- Two Dinners…. But you know what? I think this is a matter of perspective. I do have the desire to be married and have a family. But that is not my season right now. I want to be content in this season, so, I am changing my point of view and embracing THIS season. Right now, I am awaiting my future husband's arrival--- or his announcement of his arrival onto the scene of my life. But my life is more than that. I have a deep passion for missions. I have a heart for teenage girls. I am pursing my social work degree in college. I have an extraordinarily amazing group of friends where it does not matter what we do, when we are together, we have fun. I am currently training for the Nashville FULL 26.2 marathon in April. I am digging into the Word and pursuing memorizing the Word more and more. I work with some of the coolest people at my workplace and am thoroughly enjoying their friendships!!!

There is more to life than relationship status. I will thoroughly enjoy when my season changes when he, whoever he may be enters my life. Right now, though, I am enjoying my season- I choose to be present and enjoy the pieces of the puzzle of my life and I will stand with confidence as a single girl in a couple's world…. leaning into my Beloved as He writes my story.

So, changing the story, I shall. Embracing this story, I shall. Loving my Jesus more and more as I embrace the adventure in front of me. For sure!!!!

morning Holy Spirit revelation!!

This morning I encountered a powerful revelation in the Word. I read in Genesis 2 about how God commanded Adam to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil- verse 16.  He commanded this however, BEFORE Eve was ever created. She was then formed out of Adam's ribs as Adam was in a deep sleep- in verse 21-22. How interesting!!! I have been a lover of Jesus since I was a little girl and have read the Bible and this passage NUMEROUS times and not until this morning did I grasp this timing.

So, challenges…. first… I want a man- my future husband- to be a man of the Word. A man that will properly teach me and our family the Word. Did Adam teach Eve properly the Word? In Genesis 3:2- she speaks to the serpent and tells him not exactly what God spoke to Adam. I want a man who is a man of the Word. Who, together, we can read and teach each other the Word. I'm sure that we will have different perspectives of the Word as well- opposites attract *smile*…. such a challenge. Not just a  "I go to church, I love Jesus" man. I want a man who the Word is in his veins and even when he fails that he still has a heart to pursue the Word of God. I want to marry a human- so I'm not saying that he has to be a man who has the entirety of the Bible memorized, but a man who pursues the Word of God- what a powerful foundation our marriage could be built on!

Second, I want to be a woman of the Word. I do not want to just talk about the Bible or have a "the Word says this somewhere---it sounds like something like…" I want to be a woman who speaks the Word as a weapon. To encourage my future husband with and the people in my life. I want to be a woman who can use the Word of God in spiritual warfare when the enemy is coming after me, my family, and the people in my life. I want to be a woman of the Word who will attract a man who is passionate after the Word. And TOGETHER, we can be a couple of the Word running after the KINGDOM with His Word in our veins and as our fuel.

BAM! Thank You, Holy Spirit for your Word and seeing through new eyes. I love love revelation from Holy Spirit.. so good.

a fresh start---it's a brand new day! #shereadstruth

(this is my friend, Chad's dog- Cody--- coolest dog on the planet!!!)

(my best friend Meagan and me at our friend's Blayne and Shannan Janney's wedding)

Happy 2014!!!!!!