Virginia

Well... I've officially moved out of the house! It's strange to me... I'm actually almost an adult! haha! Really though, it's an odd feeling leaving home. My last day at home I found tears come to my mind as I thought about all the moments I would be missing from my family and friends. I will and do miss them terribly. But, I am also overjoyed to be near James, my ministry, and to see the ways in which the Lord is going to surprise me here. Unlike last time, this isn't just a visit to Virginia, I'm actually moved here! So weird! Well the drive was long but well worth it and the weather is beautiful today. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to pilgrim this new place and that I would cast my eyes upon the Lord and His promises. I am praying that I would continue to see His faithfulness in preparing the way before me :) I should get back to working on ministry stuff but I'll post soon and let you know how Virginia life is going!

giving

2 Corinthians 8:7 "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

Giving and Grace.... these are two of the most difficult words to fully grasp, in my opinion. It seems like it would be easier to understand these words and their depth since I am in fact doing ministry work. But I find that these two things grace and giving are a constant discovery of God, and who he is. The Lord is eagerly waiting to give to those who ask, and bestows unsurpassed grace upon all who call on Him. He continues to be faithful to us, taking care of us, and yet still we doubt. He's already paid our ransom on the cross and still... He gives us more! I know that sometimes I allow my circumstance to determine where my focus is. I realize that I need to guard against that by keeping the focus off of me and onto God. I also realize that in my selfishness I am not giving to anyone. In fact... I am restricting myself and others. This past week I've discovered that when I am having my "me" moments and when I get caught up in the circumstances around me, one of the best things I can do is...give.

It's been a really tough week this week. I worked a lot, and I have a lot left to do for support raising. But right now I am feeling encouraged and renewed. I am excited to see how these next couple of weeks are going to go and how the Lord is going to meet me exactly where I need Him most. Some amazing things have happened these past couple of weeks and the Lord keeps reminding me of how sovereign and great He really is. James is coming in a few days and I am so excited to see him and spend time with him. Plus this weekend is my friends Devon and Justin's wedding! Not to mention it is also James' birthday! So yeah a lot of fun things will be happening around here :) Okay once again it's time for bed... I'm going to try and get up early tomorrow... maybe :)

Quasi-Motto

Today I am feeling more like Quasi-Motto (I think that's how he spells his name) than myself. Yeah... I'm looking quite interesting! So I have a weird allergic reaction to some kind of face cream that makes the space underneath my eyes swell to the size of golf balls! (Don't worry too much I tend to exaggerate.) As the day progressed they just got worse and worse. When I look down I can see the puffed up under eye part. I do admit right now I feel like I look silly especially with all the oatmeal butter I put on them to stop them from getting any bigger. But at least it doesn't hurt :) Leave it to me to have strange and odd occurrences.

On a different note.... I've been reflecting a lot lately. God has been showing me so much in the midst of all my circumstances. I have spent way more time worrying about the things of this world and my selfish desire than truly trusting in His perfect provision, will, and timing. These past couple of weeks He has made it clear that He is providing for me. I know that I need to seek Him and have peace. He is working even when we don't see Him! I have definitely been encouraged this week to take heart in Him and the rest will worry about itself.

Also I've been thinking about James :) I miss him a lot and I am so excited to have him be here in a week and a half. We were talking tonight and I was thinking about how much I have learned from our relationship and how I have gained insight in certain areas. It's so weird to think that he and I met and started dating almost 2 years ago!!! Time is so short :) Well that's all for now, it's late and I need to rest in hopes of my eyes returning to their natural size within the next couple of days. (Last time it took 2 whole days!!) Goodnight everyone, I'll write again soon!