beautiful blessings.

Today has been beautiful.

It was a little rainy and dreary at first. But I think it has been the company that has made things just wonderful.

I am at Spencer's right now, which just so happens to be one of my favorite places in Bowling Green. I have been working on stuff for one of my classes for a few hours & I am just sitting and enjoying the atmosphere now.

I will have to say that I have decided one of the greatest feelings ever. A renewed friendship after a long time of not being close. Two of my very great friends and I have been distanced for a while. But for some reason, all of a sudden, we have taken the initiative to rekindle the sweet friendship. They are the type of girls that I forgot how much I missed having them around. Friends are such a blessing!

I have been so amazed at the power of God lately. I have been feeling His love non-stop lately.

I woke up on Monday to an email that said my church in Irvine was donating another $400 on top of the $500. But the $400 was from personal donations. It was so precious to hear that my church family was supporting me individually. The first thing I thought, "You do provide and take care of me. I know I am supposed to do 1L8 this summer. And you are making that apparent with all the doors You have opened."

Also that night there was something that needed to be said at 180 after we showed a video and I knew that I was supposed to talk about it in front of everyone. It just so happened that this night there were tons of people at our service and it was their first time. I was so intimidated, but began to understand that I need to be available for God to use. After I sat back down - I felt so at peace. Sometimes it's just the things we are most scared to do that offer the most blessings and rewards.

HE is still in control.

Honor His holy name; let the hearts of those who love the LORD rejoice. Search for the LORD and for His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced. - Psalm 105:3-5

This weekend has been quite eventful... It has been full of everything that makes my little heart leap with joy - dancing silly, late nights, raspberry tea, tennis, Spencers, the square, the farm, sparklers, long talks, the colonnades, dark chocolate, guitar and my family.

The only way to sum it all up: beautiful.

Sometimes it is the simple things that make us truly happy. But it is Christ that gives us joy for when the times aren't going so great. Rejoice all the time, find God in everything - because He is everywhere - even in a coffee shop or in a conversation. But remember Him when things are difficult and your eyes are tired from tearing up.

The first part of the weekend was amazing, the second part.. let's just say... wasn't. But still I felt God's faithful love that is better than life. When something that I never thought would happen during my wonderful weekend happened, I was devastated but was able to say, "God, YOU are in control."

It is during these times that rejoicing and worship is necessary and all the more beautiful and special. I woke up Sunday morning to some not so good news about my family and was in tears almost all day - but before I left for Living Hope, I pulled out the guitar and played the new song I just learned - Blessed Be Your Name. How beautiful it was in the midst of a time when things seemed to be falling apart.

"You give and take away. You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, 'Lord, blessed be Your name.'"

It is the little things that can make your heart leap - but Christ who can sustain when the clouds roll in.

seek FIRST

Don’t worry now.

Sometimes there are these little thoughts that enter my mind… ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Are you ready?’ ‘Can you really do that?’ ‘What makes you so sure?’ ‘Are you good enough?’

A good friend gave me some advice yesterday, “Take it one day at a time.” There has been something that I have been worrying about lately. Honesty, let’s just say I have been thinking about something a lot – almost too much. When I get something on my mind, it is there and hard for me to focus on anything else. I was talking to my friend about this certain subject that has been on my mind lately & when she gave me that advice… one day at a time, she was pretty much saying, “Emily, don’t worry!!”

So later that night – I looked to see what scripture had to say and if it backed up what my friend said… Wouldn’t you know that I looked up the word ‘seek’ in the concordance and the first verse I went to was Matthew 6:33 (Which is funny because that was the title of my youth Wednesday night service at Rosedale Baptist Church. We met at 6:33 p.m.). Matthew 6:33-34 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

And the next verse that I went to was Deuteronomy 4:29, which says, “But from there, you will search for the LORD your God and you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.

So what is the moral of the story? Focus, seek and find strength in the LORD. Not just when you are troubled, or when things seem difficult – or great for that matter. But see FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

So that is my goal. To seek, and not just seek once in a while.. But seek Him with all my heart and all my soul. Because His faithful love is better than life.

Spring Break Happenings

Spring Break was amazing

It may have seemed like a disappointment at first, but turned out to truly be a blessing.

A few friends and I spent the week on campus cooking dinner for the international students that were still on campus. The parts that may have been a disappointment were me being sick almost all week and the first night we had a dinner... no one came. On the second night, we had a few people come. And on the third night, we had a some more new faces. I got to teach two guys from India how to make pizza, that was fun.

I think the best part of the week was spending time with people that are dear to me. I got to stay in the BCM apartment with two great friends and then go home after a week to spend time with family and friends from home. It was great to catch up with my friends from high school - I just can't get enough of them! It has been so great to see how God is working.

My parents & grandparents showered me with encouragement and love, which is what they are best at doing.

Coming back to WKU was great also. I have had more time to spend being silly with friends - and that is always a good time! Sunday - apples to apples. Monday - a great movie. Tuesday - Gads. That is the beginning of a beautiful week. I can't wait to see what else is in store!

open your eyes.

This week has been absolutely ridiculous. I have been ready to crash for two weeks. Finally it was time last night. I got to move into the BCM apt for Spring Break - since some of my friends and I are planning stuff for the international students to do.

I am the only one in the apartment for the weekend - and it is scary at night! - but it has been a blessed rest. I got to sit back and enjoy some free time. I had not had it in so long that I forgot what it was like. I really didn't know what to do!

But that is not the point of my post. Today I woke up around 8:30 because I can't sleep any later apparently. I woke up and got some breakfast and then spent time getting ready and then went out for lunch. I got Subway and was hit on at the register. I thought it was quite funny. "Where are you from?" "Do you have a boyfriend?" "How old are you?" "Do you give out your number?" - answer to the last question.. sorry no. I didn't think about it until later - but I have a new idea.. maybe a guy should know your name instead of your age and if you have a boyfriend before they get your number. It was very entertaining.

After laughing at the Subway situation, I tried to find a park to go and eat my sandwich. I was driving on Scottsville Road and then saw Covington.. and thought.. 'hey .. there is a park called Covington.. maybe I should try that road.' It was quite an adventure!

I got my food out and found a picnic table to enjoy the blessings God was offering with the beautiful day and weekend of rest. There happened to be a band playing under one of the picnic shelters. They were doing some covers and as I sat there I heard three words over and over as I began to close my eyes and pray. They were, "open your eyes" and that statement was followed by, "look how beautiful"

I began to notice that everything today was a gift. a beautiful gift.

i'm so sick of the stumble i've been caught in.

Yesterday morning every part of her just shut down
Getting out of bed never felt so difficult before
Every step she took led to the wrong direction
And she never made it out her door

Yesterday morning ______ yielded to all she hates
She despised it so much, oh why did she give in
it seems like this battle just can't be won
And she's stuck here alone again

But she says, "I'm so sick of the stumble I've been caught it."
"I'm so tired of the mumble I've described as talk."

Now I guess it's time I lose myself to One who found me here.
(Yesterday Morning lyrics - Matt Wertz)

This song is always one that I can relate to. I always feel like I should put my name in the blank. (it gives a name.. jamie.. but hey. emily fits too). There are so many times that I screw up and have to remember that His Grace Is Sufficient.

There are so many routine actions and talks that we get caught up in. So many meaningless things that just don't make sense. Why don't I walk upright and strong and speak words of love with intention? We are truly caught in this - it's something that is so normal. Let's escape. Do you think it's possible?

It's time to lose myself in Christ. Since He's the one who found me in this despair - in this problem. He didn't find me when I was doing right - or attempting to do right. He found me when I was intentionally doing wrong - disobeying - running away from His name. He surrounded me & showed Me what He had to offer & I can't turn it down - it's such a beautiful offer.

So I will always have these moments - mainly because it is what I struggle with - but I can know that when I do feel like I am having a "yesterday morning" I can stand strong in Christ and the promises He has made to His children. He has a plan for my hope and future.

It is so comforting and makes me want to get out of bed to see what new blessings or lessons He has to show me. It makes me want to stop stumbling and start letting Christ be my foundation to stead my steps. - "Think about the Lord in all you do & He will guide you on the right paths."

How beautiful is the One who found me here.

40 days... not for Lent

Fast so you can feast.

This was a new thought that I was able to hear this weekend from David Nasser. I was the leader at 'Quest' (DNOW weekend). So I decided to fast from facebook. So far I haven't had that many withdraws. Aly is checking it for me so I can know if there is an event or important message.. (So no secrets in a facebook message that you don't want Aly to see!)

This weekend was amazing - I really think it was meant that I go for me to grow. I learned so much from the speakers, staff and other college leaders. I was the leader for a group of energetic 7th grade girls. They were fabulous.

I can't wait for Spring Break. I get to spend it with some fabulous people serving international students on campus. It is going to be great! Another thing is that on Friday I am going home to spend some time with friends and my wonderful family!

I wish that I had something profound to say - but I think it's the withdraw of facebook setting in... just kidding. I am fasting from facebook so I can focus on God's word and study. That way 40 days from now I will be feasting on the Truth :)

And when I say that I am fasting from it.. I know that sounds like I am trying to let everyone know.. but.. I am not complaining.. just letting those know who might need to contact me. I am so excited about all that I am going to learn in those hours that I usually waste time!

So this is not me being self-righteous.. or whatever. Just to let you know :)