More Love

I began to sing some very old songs the other day one of which was:

Lord I want more of you
Living Water rain down on me
Lord I need more of you
Living Breath of Life come fill me up
We are hungry, for more of You

As well as a newer:

Set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain that I can't control
I want more of You God, I want more of You God.

And it kinda struck me funny. God is not hiding or withholding any of himself. We can be as close to God and have as much of Him as we choose. When we tell God we want more of Him, I heard the reply, "I want more of YOU". The conviction came that God wants and so desires a relationship with me, my time, my devotion, my love; He never withholds Himself from me. So the free will comes in again and it's my choice. If I want more of God I need to give Him more/all of me.

Plan Change

So, God continues to blow my mind. Just like with school, and GBC, and plans I had for myself, He continues to guide me in different, better ways. This summer the plan was to get a job and make as much money as possible to prepare for whatever The Lord has next for me. But God knew better. He knew that this summer was a key relational summer. A time I needed to grow in relationships, build new ones, and be a connector of people. In the past two or three weeks I have met so many people in which it was so obvious The Lord placed them in my life for a reason.

Jenna: I received an out of the blue text from a mom I know who happened to know another mom who moved to the area recently and her daughter needed to meet some people, so somehow I showed up in the conversation and was asked to have lunch with this gal... Kinda crazy huh? Well I did. We had a wonderful breakfast at First Watch and really connected, and basically are really good friends already, waiting to make slumber party plans!

Nate: My girlfriend Bre and I needed food at like 10:30 one Friday night so we decided to go to Walmart and look around. (I never go to Walmart) Well it just so happens a guy about my age was headed in the exact same time to get some ice cream and we started chatting. He moved here two months ago to pursue music and hasn't met a ton of people yet, so I offered to hook him up with some friends and maybe some fun outings with people. We so far have gotten bubble tea, Chipotle, a rainy picnic, and I was able to share my testimony with him! Just a really cool opportunity that God put in place.

Rheed: An old friend from high school reconnected with me through FaceBook and we were able to catch up over coffee. This friend I have missed! He is a Christian and a musician and he just encourages me in so many ways!

Becca: My cousin whom I haven't seen or talked to in ages reconnected with me after seeing my testimony on FaceBook. She was encouraged and wanted to catch up and hear about all the things I have been up to! She is studying religious studies and I am so proud of her for stepping out in faith and pursuing what God desires of her! Go Becca!

Brookes: A bloke I knew in middle school reconnected with me on FaceBook and basically we should be best friends! He came back home from Bryan College, is doing an internship at Crosspoint, and this kid is just super easy to talk to about everything, especially things of The Lord!
--side note-- when we hung out in person playing frisbee at the park, a older gentleman named Josh just began talking to us and sharing his heart and situation very freely. Brookes was able to speak truth and encouragement through scripture and we left with a chance to pray over him and his family, and it was simply incredible being so led by the Spirit!

Sam & Mitchell: I got done with a late volleyball practice, went for a late run, and came home to eat dinner. After dinner I was just full of energy (which is not normal) so I called up Bre and said hey let's do something right now at 10 pm. She said ok let's meet at Chipotle and decide what to do. So I get there, sit with her, start telling her this funny story about practice, and this random guy walks up and asks if we would like to join him and his friends to eat... I was really confused and somehow got an.. "ummmm yeah sure" out. So we ventured outside and began chatting with these two guys and two girls. The guys were musicians and had just played a show that night. After a bit of getting to know one another we decided to let Chipotle close and leave, but not before the guys offered to play us some songs. We are in Nashville so this kinda stuff is very normal... sorta. So anyways we just went to the parking lot jumped in the bed of Bre's truck and listened to these two guys play and sing, and they were real good! Just a crazy cool encounter and they were all interested in hanging out again sometime!

So, I have learned a few things:

1. God's thoughts and plans are higher than my own.
2. It is vital to continue loving people as Jesus loved us.
3. FaceBook can be a really great tool for reconnecting.
4. Coffee is always a good choice to chat over.
5. Be available ALWAYS for the Spirit to move.
6. Coincidence is not real, God has crazy cool plans!
7. Even though I'm not working very much, The Lord is faithful to provide.
8. I love HAVING to trust in Him for everything

--And a further side note--
Check out TheMainStreetSM cause they are pretty good!
#TheMainStreetSM

Know

Welp, I have finished my first year as a college freshman and it feels so good to finally have somewhat of a brain break. But before it gets too relaxed, my grandma asked if we could stay in student mode and do a study of 1 John together, to which I replied "umm of course!" I want to be a lifelong student, everyday learning more and more about my God. So, I went ahead and read 1 John through a few times and simply asked the Lord to reveal things in His word that I do not fully understand, or things need to be implanted on my heart. What I really walked away with after a brief time was what we as believers can be assured of and know with confidence.

Believers know:

1. That a righteous life indicates regeneration, 2.29; 5.18
2. That we shall be like Christ at his coming, 3.2
3. That Christ came to take away our sins, 3.5
4. That brotherly love indicates that we have passed from death into life, 3.14
5. That he lives in us by the witness of the Spirit, 3.24
6. That we have eternal life, 5.13
7. That our prayers are answered, 5.15

I'm so thankful today that I can stand on these truths. They are unwavering, solidified, and helpful. John says so simply that those who love the world and the things of the world do NOT have the love of the Father in them. 2.15-17. My continual daily prayer is that I am purged and cleansed of all things impure or worldly that will prevent the love of the Father from dwelling in me and being poured out on others through me. The outward sign of life in Christ is brotherly love. Loving one another. It's God's commandment.

If we love God, we love His people. If we do not love His children, we do not love Him. 

Bon Apetite

I watched "Julie and Julia" last night, and for those of you who haven't seen it before I would recommend it to those aspiring cooks out there, or those who just like food. It's two stories, one of Julia Childs and how she came to be famous, and on of Julie who creates a blog and endeavors to complete all the recipes in the Julia Childs cookbook in one year. I was inspired.

Although with a very limited student budget for groceries, and some picky eaters in the house, I'll have to scope out a different cook book. But the idea was the aim. One cookbook, a set amount of time, and a blog about my experience. Sounds wonderful right? So, for those of you in the greater Nashville area if your interested in stoping by for a meal, let me know in advance so I can prepare correct portions!

In other news, I have declared a business major at CState and my dream is to someday open my own grilled cheese shop! Thinking about the name Shmeltz.. Alright, I may start with a food truck, and who knows may franchise the Grilled Cheeserie, but the point is, this is my passion! So far I have experimented with: pesto, pickles, tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, apples, jelly and jam, different cheeses, cinnamon, and sugar. Of course there will be holiday specials, Thanksgiving on a grilled cheese, Christmas on a grilled cheese... you name it. Also my wonderful different homeade soups will be advertised with these unique sandwiches..

If there are any gooey new ideas for grilled cheeses, shoot me some suggestions. I plan to name them after the inventor or the muse. 

Tid-Bits

This blog is funny to me. Nobody reads it except when I am daily informing of being overseas or big things that happen! The "BLOG" favorited tab always intimidates me. I feel like I need to be profound or write a ton of stuff, but I like using a blog to simply document little things as well, you know like a journal.
I'm attending Columbia State Community College. General Education classes right now. Wellness, Art, Spanish, History, and English. I will be starting this season assistant volleyball coaching for ClubWest on the 12-1 team. I'm excited to get plugged back into the sport that I love so much! The opportunity to pour into young girls who are in similar shoes I was at their age. What a God move!
I have entered into adulthood, 20!!
My mom will be coming into town next weekend to help me find and buy a car! And the Lord strikes again!
I was so blessed with friends and love on my birthday, meeting lots of new gals and blokes at school that I just really like. I will be having a fall party next weekend as well with a bonfire and pumpkin carving contest! How sweet is that. Well hopefully lots of people will show up!

I'm in love with fall! the colors, clothes, food, smells, just everything about fall! Thank you Lord for Your unending beauty in creation

Sweet Water

Hey Hey Hey!
Been a bit since my last update, but I have had so much stuff going on. I officially moved with my dad. We are now living in the upstairs portion of my aunt's house. And my grandparents are living in a connected "cottage" that just passed inspection and is livable! I'm liking the new arrangement very much.
Right after graduating from GBC I was hired by Sweet Water Pools, and now I am a pool monitor. OK the job is pretty chill. I get to sit in a shaded area, help people sign in, and try to keep the pool area clean and orderly. Simple. It's one of my favorite jobs so far. I love being outside, and in all the down time I have I get to read, and do other things ;) I'm enjoying my summer so far. It's always nice to jump into my little white Honda and cruise over to Sonic for a daily treat with dear Zachary. We had a grilled cheese off! That was deliciously fun! Mine was a creation with pesto, mozzarella, and sun dried tomatoes. Zack made this whole new invention with french toast as bread, incredibly sharp cheddar, and a crispy fried tortilla in the middle dusted with cinnamon and sugar. And then dipped in jam. May sound interesting, but they were both delectable. What fun adventures await this summer!

graduation

ENO loving

Zack's 18th birthday, Melting Pot

My first day!

Home On The Range

O it feels good to be home. My own bed and room feel wonderful!
GBC is not complete yet. I officially graduate from the Global BootCamp program May 24th. The rest of this month is debrief time, classes, and a few outreaches. This Sunday I get to speak to the church about a few things that happened and things God has done and is doing, so that will be exciting.
Re-entry wasn't too difficult for me, I can eat whenever, and whatever I want, I can drive my car to go where I want when I need to, and I missed my family and friends quite a bit. It's weird to actually see how life has gone on without me. Lot's of things have changed as well as me. I'm working on reestablishing my routine. I'm getting excited for Lee, gonna work on finding a job for this summer, and hopefully have some fun as well and enjoy this summer at home!
Thank you for all your support, but most importantly prayers.