Hello friends! I decided it was time to do a little updating on my blog. I know I've slacked on my writing, for basically the past year, but I've decided to get back into the swing of things. We'll see how this goes. There's been a few interesting things going on in my life lately. For one, I'm back in school. I'm actually sitting in class as I type this. Our professor didn't show up today, so we're watching a video. And of course, I thought I'd use my time wisely and update my blog. :)  We're already halfway through the semester and I've learned that BCF is different than when I attended almost 3 years ago. Lots of new faces. Sometimes I find myself getting nostalgic for days passed. I made so many great friends here, I learned so many life lessons here, and most importantly... I met my husband here. I walk pass the gym where he first spoke to me, I walk in the coffee shop where I worked and we shared so many talks and I pass by the tree where he ran to hug me and accidentally ripped my toenail off. Romantic, I know.

But that's the beauty of life. Every second we're making memories. My mom used to have this fun saying whenever something funny or sometimes frustrating happened, she'd say, "We're making memories!" Making memories. I've become quite good at that.

Fast forward five years, and now I'm married to my college boyfriend. We're serving at a church with college friends. And I'm back to finish up my last year of college. God is good.

I'll leave you now with a few pictures from my college days. Don't laugh.

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Click on a picture to enlarge.

I am approaching my last week of summer break... and whew, what a busy one it was! Josh and I spent the majority of our time this summer with 13-18 year olds. It was a blast! God is doing a great work in these students and we are blessed to be a part of it. Our prayer now, is that they will continue standing strong in their faith throughout the school year! It only takes one. It scares me a little to think life is about to get even busier! I am returning to school to finish my BA in Christian Studies this fall. I'll be taking a full 15 hour load. On top of that, I'll be teaching a small group, singing with the worship team and working at Eagle Eye Outfitters part-time! I'm ready to dive in head first. I've learned in the past few years, that I accomplish more when I stay busy. My prayer now is that I don't become too busy doing work for the Lord, that I miss spending time with Him. The more I seek Him... the more I find Him, the more I find Him... the more I love Him.

I am going to go ahead and apologize for anything that doesn't make sense, is unreadable or misspelled in this note. It's pretty late, I'm up with a sinus headache and tons of random thoughts going on in my head. But, I truly believe the Lord has laid some burdens on my heart for a reason and I'm pretty sure He wants me to share. Although, I can't be certain if it's He that wants me to share, or just myself. I'm trusting that it's Him. If you know anything about me (and you must know a little bit if you are reading this note since we are "Facebook friends") then you know that I am totally and unashamedly a follower of Christ. I hope that I haven't hidden that well. I have put my entire mustard seed of faith in the authority of Scripture. I believe that what the Bible says is Truth. In that, I guess you could say, I have no doubt.

Ironically, I only begin to notice doubt creep in - when I struggle to share my faith.

I know that makes me sound like I'm completely contradicting myself. But, if I'm being honest... sharing Jesus is easy, if I'm inside a church or talking with someone who understands the words "salvation, grace, redemption, repentance, atonement, and everlasting life." But, it's not so easy when they don't.

I never want the message of Christ to become so redundant to the point where I don't even believe myself when I speak it! And unfortunately, I've felt that way at times. So, I'm determined to change this pattern of speaking and teaching and sharing Christ with others. I want to lead them to Truth - not with flattering speech, but with an authentically, changed life that could have only taken place through the power of something greater.

And just like John the Baptist in Matthew 11:3, when my faith and doubt collide, I'll be holding on to the words of Jesus to remind me...

"The blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them."

...it's always been about changed lives, anyway.