All The Single Ladies (and fellas)

This morning was a little cray here at Texas State. We had a bomb threat (shocking), but honestly these are becoming so common it didn't phase me too much haha. -- thank you to all the sweet people who texted and checked up on me! In the midst of all that I came home between classes and had quiet time with the Lord. I really soaked it up today so I felt like I should write since I haven't in a while. I know this really gave me such a revelation and I know it applies to most single (and some not single) chicks (and dudes) out there.

I read the book of Esther. -- what a story! Ladies, and even you boys, if you haven't read Esther.. I would say it's a pretty neat read. Looking back you see that Esther and Xerxes fell in love at just the right time and it was no coincidence. Esther met King Xerxes right when Haman was planning to kill the Jews (which she just so happened to be). Also not a coincidence, Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai. He had saved King Xerxes a while back which benefited him and the rest of the Jews greatly down the road. He is also responsible for encouraging Esther to approach the King about stopping Haman from wiping out their people. He was her only support system and without this encouragement, Esther never would have approached the King about this issue.
Esther was so brave and did just what her cousin told her to do.. turns out she was "Queen for such a time as this!" AHHHHHHH! In case you didn't get that through my excited yelling, God's perfect plan/ timing was revealed when the King gave her anything she wanted because she was his Queen and she respected him and he was crazy about her (what mutual love!). He also owed Mordecai a favor for saving his life, thus resulting in Haman being killed and her people being saved! ALL BECAUSE OF GOD'S TIMING. None of this would have worked out the way it did if it wasn't precisely set up in that order and fashion. God is so neaaaaaat.

All this to say that this "precise plan" thing is going on in you and me at this very moment.
"See your singleness as a gift and solitude as your time of preparation for a good relationship. It's all about positioning. During her time of preparation, Esther did everything she was taught to do in order to win the eye, admiration and affection of a man she had never met. God positioned her right where she needed to be to win Xerxes heart and save her people. Singlehood is not a death sentence, it's a time of preparation and positioning."

So many people think singleness is such a suckfest, and at times.. yeah, it's just that. I don't think any season of life is going to be all sunshine and rainbows, whether you're single or not, but singleness is also something that is supposed to be used for your benefit and for God's glory. Press into Him. For all of us who claim to be followers of Christ, there is such a distinction between the label "Christian" and having a relationship with the god you claim to follow. He wants a relationship with you.
Modern language talk -- If you're in a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend you don't just hit them up whenever you need something from them. You want to be with/ talk to this person all the time! You really like this person. That's just how Jesus longs for your relationship to be with Him, boy or girl. No He's not your boyfriend.. but as His child you are in a relationship with Him.

If you claim to love Him, wouldn't you want to spend time with Him?
There's no better time to start than now! He's waitin for ya :)

It's a great day to be a bobcat

Last night was our first home game, which means the first time for the Texas State University Strutters to take the field this football season. We played against Texas Tech in a sold out (new!) stadium--  literally thank God I don't get scared dancing in front of huge crowds anymore, growing up dancing for CBC prepared me for most crowds I'd dance for in my life and now I'm just comfortable. Well, most of the time;)      
 Pre-game the Texas State Strutters and members of our ROTC had the privilege of unfurling the American flag from goal post to goal post. Walking past the crowd you could hear everyone screaming for whatever school they were supporting, but soon all of those chants changed to "USA! USA!" and being able to carry that flag and watch as members of our armed forces flew overhead has never made me feel more patriotic. Strutting out of the tunnel for the first time AND with one of my best friends Taylor was so fun. This was our first time to dance together after years of dancing in the same district!
Right when I made the team everyone would always ask me if I was excited to be a Strutter and I would usually honestly reply with a neutral answer. Most of these people asked me this question during the two weeks of Strutter camp which probably isn't the best time to ask haha. We lost last night, but I came home and was just so happy. Not that we lost, but because I looked back and remembered telling myself in the past that I told myself I didn't want to go to Texas State, I wanted to go to a private school and move somewhere out of Texas. And I remember telling myself that I would probably never try out for Strutters because I didn't want to go through the whole team experience again just because I did it during high school and could check it off my list, but God orchestrated my life and I ended up doing both of those things despite what I had intended to do. So last night after the game I came home and just thought about that and became overwhelmed because I'm exactly where the Lord wants me for such a time as this. This was all His doing and I'm having the time of my life.

We Are

Today is the last day of Summer. Usually I'd be dreading it, but this time I'm actually anxious for school. My life is about to get rolling!

I started off my last day of Summer at church. I met some new people and enjoyed worship. Most of the time worship is where I feel the Lord speak to me the most in a church service. I just love music and I think He knows that. Don't get me wrong, sermons have such a powerful purpose too. Speaking of sermons.. haha in the one I listened to today we read through Matthew 5. At two completely different points of the message, relating to two completely different things, Matthew 5:14 was brought up. "You are the light of the world" // that's talking about us ya'll! 

If you know me you know that I love Kari Jobe so immediately this song started playing in my crazy little head. 

But even more than that, tomorrow is the first day of school (for most of us anyway). For those of us who are in Christ, we are called to be just that.. a light! We hear it all the time but this morning my eyes were opened to a little different perspective. What good is it to be a light in an area that's already lit up? We are called to go out into the world into the areas of darkness so that we can shine that light we've been given. I don't know about ya'll but I am SO excited to get this year rolling and to start things in my new surroundings with new people.

We had a pep rally tonight and now I am relaxing because tomorrow things are going to start to get CRAZY. I have stuff pretty much every day/night of the week. We'll see what the weekend holds..

But anyways, I'm praying for everyone who will be starting school this week. 

I'd love to hear how everyone's first week goes! And to all of the people who have been wanting to hear how my first days go feel free to call me! I love phone calls. And it will probably be easier for me to share with you haha. Tomorrow my only class is Strutters but Tuesday and Thursdays are rough so call me anytime after my classes on Tuesday to get an update.

This is all a little strange starting over as an upperclassmen when most people get that chance as a freshman. It was such a crazy ride up until this point, but I'm extremely thankful all that craziness made me end up where I am now. 

But the Lord says do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. -- watch all the new things He is going to do! Isaiah 43:19 

Harder said than done, but I'm ready Lord!

Life As I Know It

Ahh! I'm horrible at this. My life the past month has been CRAZY. Once I moved into my new place I hit the ground running. I guess I should back track a little bit.
I love love LOVE where I'm living and I love my roommates. We have girls nights and take random night drives together,  typical and how life should be. Shortly after I got things situated at my new home (so thankful for all my parents have done to provide and get me here, love them!) I packed up again and headed to Strutter camp for about 2 weeks. It was kind of a rough start, but things are starting to get much better and enjoyable. I got my Strutter big at camp and she is so cute. We're going to have a lot of fun this year. Camp is also where I got to meet tons and tons of my teammates. If we're friends on facebook you've probably witnessed all of the photos and friend requests, sorry about that haha.

Once that ended I drove to SA to spend time with my friends and say goodbye to everyone that was leaving. We also had some family friends come in town so it was a packed weekend! I loved it. I came back here and started up field practices this week to get ready for football season, woohoo! I have awkward tanlines from being out in the sun, it rocks. Today I audition for our first home game routine, so that should be fun.  I can't believe school starts so soon, it's crazy.

I promise I will try to update as frequently as I can once I get into the swing of things.
Until then, I love visitors! If we're friends and you have my number feel free to hit me up and come on over anytime.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR STRUTTERS:

*Saturday September 1st - MEET THE STRUTTERS! 
*Saturday September 8th- Texas State vs. Texas Tech
*Saturday September 22nd- Texas State vs.Stephen F. Austin
*Saturday September 29th- Texas State vs. Nevada
*Saturday October 13th- Texas State vs. Idaho
*Saturday November 10th- Texas State vs. Louisiana Tech
*Saturday December 1st- Texas State vs. New Mexico State

I will try to keep you all updated on events open to the public as I hear about them.
Thanksgiving day wake up bright and early and watch us as we open the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York!


Prayers- Right now I would love prayers for financial provision as well as the Lord's direction, wisdom, discernment, joy and peace to live for His name and glory.

I would love to pray for you too! If we are friends/following eachother on other social media you can send me a private message and if you're a viewer from somewhere else feel free to leave a comment with a way that I can contact you.

Some rando people stopped me on the drag and asked if they could take a picture of me for their website.. I found it hahaha. 

Anyways.. 

I MOVE IN TWO WEEKS. There is seriously certain moments when I get so anxious that my body goes crazy on me. It's getting so close! I ordered my comforter the other day - I would have ordered it before but it was out of stock and I knew this one was perfect so I waited, duh- and I spent a couple days in Austin and all of my friends shared their excitement about how close we are going to be now. My dad and I had dinner together tonight and when he prayed over our food he mentioned me leaving and how we wouldn't have meals like that together as much, he hasn't done that before up until this point. It's all starting to feel real! 

I've already started looking for jobs, stressful process. I didn't realize how blessed I was to literally have every job I've ever had handed to me. 

Same goes for churches, I'm not as exposed to a variety of churches in my small town so I'm going to be adventuring for a while until I find my home!

I'm getting nervous for dance camp in two weeks. It should be interesting to see how that goes haha. But I'm super excited to meet my team mates.

Speaking of.. I'M OFFICIALLY GOING TO NEW YORK FOR THANKSGIVING! I'm going to be in the Macy's Parade with my team. I've reserved my spot on the flight and it's a done deal. This has been a concern of mine, but it's going to be so great to see how the Lord provides up until I board that plane. EEEKKK!

Prayers for a great productive and renewing season would be so welcomed! 

Let The Good Times Roll

Sorry I haven't been very consistent on this ya'll..
BUT I will update you on my weekend since I have the chance!
Friday I had a seminar to go to at school so I did that, took care of business and headed to Austin. I am there a lot these days. It's where I like to get away from life for a while. It's the perfect distance where I don't have to be too far away but I'm still not in my usual surroundings.
I had dinner with a friend that I've known forever but we just really clicked at camp this summer so it was great seeing her again. Then I connected with my kindred spirit Layne. We are both busy bees so it's always hard to get together but our time we spend with one another is always so precious to me. We just love on each other so well, I love our friendship.
The next morning I woke up and saw that Ben Rector and I share the same mind and he too thought it would be a good weekend to be in Austin. So since he and I were so close I obviously had to see him.

-we'll get back to that later..

I had lunch on the lake with one of my friends and that was so peaceful and nice to just chill by the water, I loved it. I seriously go into an adventurous mode of a sort whenever I'm in Austin. I have no idea why. Being by the water I decided I wanted to paddle board, paddle boat, kayak and learn how to water ski (probably impossible because my upper body strength is almost non existent).

Back to Ben Rector. Tickets were bought and then, like any dedicated fan I waited. In 100 degree weather. And I perspired.. a lot. It was really cute, believe me. But it was totally worth it when Ben came out. He's one of those artists who can take me back in time. I just love his music. I'm a sucker for those sappy songs for sure.















Afterwards we bombarded him before he went to get his Amy's ice cream. It's what any fan would do people. But we got a picture with him so obviously it was worth it.

Camp 2012

Well apparently people still read this thingy majig haha. I couldn't think of a better thing to write about than my life changing experience at camp. All in all I didn't want to go to camp this summer. I actually wanted to do the opposite and go to Washington to work at a church there, but the Lord made sure I was where He wanted me to be. Two weeks after I made the decision not to go to Washington the person heading up camp called my mom and asked if I would be a counselor because they didn't have enough. There was other aspects and a spiritual battle going on so I told her I would get back to her the next day. That night I prayed and God straight up told me during my quiet time that I was going. Once I knew God had His hand all over it, I was expectant.

I was assigned to 7 girls. I loved them before I knew what they looked like, but they are all absolutely beautiful.
We have a morning and night service every day while at camp and at every night service I bawled. Like hardcore tears. I keep telling everyone I don't know how I produced that many tears for four consecutive days. The Lord has made me more aware of my emotions in the past 2 years. I used to rarely cry but once I started college that has changed haha. But it's such a blessing too. At camp the Holy Spirit was so heavy on and around me that I cried. How many people can say that? One night we saw a reenactment of Jesus being crucified. I've seen countless plays/movies you name it of that event, but this was just so heart wrenching, what was before me may have been an act, but it happened in real life! I got to feel but only a slight glimpse of what the Heavenly Father felt that day when He saw His own son being nailed to a cross. Wow. Thank You Lord for my emotions so that I could experience what You did, even if it was just a little bit. The night we saw Jesus being nailed to the cross I also had the honor of washing 7 precious middle schooler's feet who I had been serving all week. Once again, a wreck. I cried so hard that night I received a lovely headache. It was that intense. The night before, I had my feet washed by my mother. Also sobbed. Jesus washed His disciples feet. These people were undeserving to have their feet washed by a King. Here I was having my feet washed by my mom who is constantly serving me. It was definitely humbling.

The last night we were at camp we had baptisms. That night 6 out of my 7 asked me to baptize them. So awesome! It was an amazing night. Praying that these girls continue to learn and grow so that they can show their Jesus to the world.

The last day of camp one of my girls had a breakthrough. All week long I felt like there were walls built up that I couldn't break down and it was discouraging. The last night during worship one of those walls came down with one of my girls and on the last day we shared a special moment together. Going to camp I had no idea what to expect, but He led me there even if it was just for that moment. He is so faithful!