More than just my favorite things.

 Last weekend was one of the best since school started.  Some of this is probably due to the fact that I was actually on a college campus.  Or maybe it was because the weather had begun to cool and walking around outside was lovely.  Yes it was exciting to go window shopping, get ice cream, walk down a pier at night, explore West Palm Beach, eat apple cider donuts at a fresh market, enjoy coffee, walk on the beach, watch movies, go to an art museum.  I mean, these are a few of my favorite things. 

And they truly were wonderful.  But the main thing that made this past weekend the best was simply seeing good friends.  Talking, laughing, having inside jokes, encouraging...  Though I love having a lot of acquantances to talk to and also find value in my amazing new friends,  there's really nothing like spending time with friends you've known for years and years.  I realized that I truly am completely and utterly blessed.

Valleys of the Everyday.

The other day I woke up in the morning discontented.  I had dreamed I was in college, in Chicago.  The leaves were changing, the weather was perfect, the sky was blue.  There were red balloons everywhere and excitement was all around because it was missions week at college.  There I was, in the middle of a beautiful big city, caught up in the beauty of serving God.  And it seemed perfect.

But it was a dream.  I woke up.

Oswald Chambers reminded me that day, "We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life- those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration.  We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength."  Jesus took a few of His disciples up on the mountain to be inspired, but they couldn't stay there.  Life isn't all mountaintop experiences with Christ, it's real.  Real life is often mundane, harsh, customary, bothersome, and just plain demanding.

The other day my boss at work really gave me an inspiring pep talk.  Even though this year isn't the mountaintop experience I expected it to me, I need to be faithful during my trials.  I need to continue to be a good steward during this time.  He mentioned that often we ask God to strengthen us and use us but then we don't expect it to be difficult.  But it is.  However, this builds character.

I want character.  A year ago I thought I was strong, but that was because I was ignorant of troubles.  A year later, I'm a stronger person because I've faced the trials and overcome. 

I'm still dreaming of Chi-town in the Autumn, with red balloons, missions week, and good friends.  However, I see that the valley times aren't all that unnecessary.  They only make us stronger so we can really relate to others and become more useful to God.  If I'm faithful in valley, the mountaintops will just seem that much more great.

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
  Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

It's been unpredictable.

This past week was completely busy and hectic.  But I loved it, especially the unexpected moments it brought...

Meeting people online is always interesting.

But this week I had the opportunity to video chat with some of my online college classmates.

The verdict: they are some pretty amazing people!

Yes, it was different talking online...

Especially when these people are in different time zones and everything.

But it makes me excited for next year when I will actually go to college with these awesome people.

Seeing God change a school

See you at the pole was Wednesday and since I'm in college, I went my one friend to her public school to pray around her flagpool. 

Even though it ended up only being three of us, it was so great for me.

To be brave and obedient to God, by going into this school and taking a stand for Christ meant so much to me.

Plus, that high school is now going to start a Christian ministry group.

Those prayers we prayed were only the beginning!

Running into people from Class of '11

That night at college ministry, I sat with some good friends for the service.

Then on the way out I ran into some other of my high school classmates.

It made me so joyful to see them still around, seeking to know God and grow closer to Him.

All those prayers I prayed in high school for them are not in vain.

Spending time with a friend like old times

The next day I got the chance to take a break from classes and have a lunch date with my dear friend I've known since I was little.

It was so great to hear how her senior year is going and also hear how she is waiting on God's guidance for college.

She also is continuing to faithfully lead a prayer group at my church.

As we both enjoyed chick-fil-a, I was encouraged by her joyful faith in God during this time in her life.

My new job is growing on me more and more as I get to know the people who work there.

They are all so nice and encouraging!

I was blessed enough to get treated to lunch on Thursday by my manager.

And I am blessed to work hard to earn money for college, clothes, and missions trips.

Overwhelming Encouragement

On Friday I got to eat lunch with my high school guidance counselor.

She truly must be filled with the Holy Spirit to give such godly and perfect advice.

It was so lovely to just update her about my life and take in her encouragement.

Art again

Since I was around, I also ran over to the art room.

It felt so good to be back in that class room and thinking creatively rather than just spending time reading and analyzing.

My art teacher helped me gather some supplies so I can do more artwork on my own. 

Now, Golden Acres was tough this week and I got pretty discouraged.

Thankfully, I talked to some friends who reminded me that we are not serving in vain.

The past few weeks before had been so wonderful.

Yet, sometimes we just don't see the fruit of out labor.

And that reminds me, it's not my labor in that community anyways, it's God's.

I still have faith He will continue to show up there!

October.

The rainstorms stop, the sun seems more orange, the air starts to cool, the breeze picks up, pumpkins surround the grocery store doors, the leaves are changing up North, pumpkin spice lattes are available at Starbucks, it smells like... October.