#6 Is Here . . . To Stay.

Six months ago, I found out that my church, Christ Fellowship, was launching its sixth campus. I spent a lot of time in prayer debating and arguing with myself as to why I should or shouldn’t go. Now, it’s May 2012, and our campus (Coral Gables) is already 9 weeks old. How would I describe it? Fresh, new, raw, growing… a learning experience. Is it different from what I was used to? Sure. Is it different people? Sure. Is it far from my house? Sure. Do I believe with all my heart that this is where God has called me to be? YES. So that makes it all worth it.

Moving forward, I think the coming months will be challenging and interesting. I strongly believe that God calls us out of our comfort zones for ministry. No, I’m not living in a hut in the middle of Africa, but my passion for the Gables community has continued to grow and I can’t wait to see how God will move there. We’ve also launched a college group which I’m really excited to help lead.

Having said that, I need to prioritize life. I’m terrible at it. I’d rather focus on doing few things well rather than skimming the surface in all areas. I know that it’s important that I, a volunteer, don’t burn myself out. Prayers welcomed as far as that’s concerned! :)

Anywho, that’s pretty much what I’ve been up to as of late. That, plus preparing for summer graduation, plus looking for a full-time job, plus growing up (wah), haha. Until next time :)

(p.s. Major shout-out to m’girl Steph for revamping this little ole’ blog. She loves me. <3 )

 

Small Groups

I joined my first small group when I was 14. We even had a name: “DECENT”. We met at Steph & Ena‘s house. This small group was the most influential factor in my walk with God. Those girls became my family…

Fast-forward eight years. I’m in a different small group, but the facts remain the same. These ladies are my family…

I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to go to group tonight. The past few days, I’ve felt discouraged for different reasons. But I couldn’t say no when Esther asked me to lead the group because she had a family emergency. I know God wanted me there because now there was no way out of it, haha. Needless to say, I’m so glad I went. It’s comforting to be surrounded by godly women who are just trying to live for Christ. It’s relieving to realize I’m not the only one who struggles, and even more relieving when I realize we’re usually struggling with the same thing! It’s encouraging to have a group who will hold me accountable for my actions, and who will do cute things, like take me out for my birthday (see the last picture). I can go on and on… but I think I’m starting to rant.

Maybe you’re reading this and you’re a Christian who’s not actively involved in a small group. I really encourage you to join one at your home church, and if not, you can join one at mine! Maybe you’re not a Christian and you think this post is incredibly boring and will never read my blog again, haha. That’s okay. I have a proposition for you. Join me for Easter this Sunday at my church. I can assure you that it won’t be boring, because the Gospel is far from boring. It’s intriguing, cutthroat, and beautiful. I know you won’t regret it. <3

From the Desk of an FIU Secretary (Pt. 2)

So, maybe you read Part 1 of this, and maybe you didn’t. If you haven’t, you can read it here. Anywho, this is just a continuation of guidelines and tidbits on how to survive as an FIU student.

1) Attention males! Please do not hit on the lovely student assistants. They are only trying to help you. It’s creepy. Especially if you’re old. It’s even weirder.

2) Students, do not cheat on your exam. Just avoid all the drama. You will get caught. And when you do get caught, don’t lie. You’re a bad liar. Own up to your mistake.

3) If you are a graduate assistant… please, do not treat the undergrad assistants as if we are the scum of the earth. We are not. Just because you have a piece of paper saying that you have a Bachelors in who-knows-what does not make you significantly wiser/smarter/cooler. Please, let’s just get along.

4) Major Pet Peeve: Students, please do not show up late to the exam I am proctoring for you. I took the time to be at FIU on a beautiful Saturday morning. The least you can do is not show up when there are only 2 students left, requiring me to wait while you take your sweet time to finish in the allotted time. I was looking forward to going home early. Thanks guy.

5) It is 6:05 pm. The office closes at 6:00 pm. No, I will not let you in. Sure, you can keep knocking at the door. No, I cannot help you. Please try again next time.

So yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job. I know I’m (sorta) venting but it is an amazing job, and I adore the people I work with. But hey, every job has its perks and every job has its… non-perks. Haha.

22!

So I know I’ve neglected the blog quite a bit and for that, forgive me. I think I had a bad case of writer’s block. Sometimes I feel like the days just blur together and the minute a Monday is over, the next one seems to have arrived before I can even blink. I’m getting old.

Anywho, I turned 22 yesterday. It was a little weird, really. I used to count down the days to my birthday, as if it was some kind of amazing holiday. This year was pretty different. I think I’ve finally come to the point where it isn’t fun to be older (as it was when we were kids). Being older comes with more responsibilities and bills, but also, of course, with more adventures. I think it’s healthy to take time to reflect on the past year, lessons learned and what not. 21 was definitely a year of growth. I’ve learned so much about myself, about others, about Christ… It wasn’t a perfect year, but I’m extremely grateful for it.

I’m so excited for the future! I really am. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but my worries have diminished drastically. I graduate this year (al fin!) and I’ve got some trips planned, but I’m (surprisingly) more excited for whatever will happen that I don’t know about. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I’m sure He’s got something up His sleeve that’s greater than anything I could ever imagine.

This weekend really was a spectacular one, though. I couldn’t ask for better friends who worked so hard to make my birthday special. I love each of you deeply. <3

Humble Reminders

We’ve been going through J.D. Greear’s “Gospel Revolution” series at college group. This past Tuesday night, he spoke on forgiveness. I can sum up the entire message into one phrase that he said. One phrase that stood out to me more than anything else…

“Sinner first, sinned against second.”

Everyone has been wronged in one way or another. And everyone has wronged someone else in one way or another. Yet for some reason, I’ve realized that sometimes I don’t truly forgive others the way Jesus has forgiven me. When I really sit and think about it… Man. Christ died for me. I wrong Him all the time, and unfortunately, I will continue to! So how is it that I, in all my self-righteousness and pride, can turn my back, or hold bitterness, toward someone who has wronged me? How dare I! Who am I to judge someone for “sinning against me”? Who am I to not love them anyway? I believe it was Piper who said, “There is only one person God has treated worse than He deserved.” Ha! That person is definitely not me.

So. All this to say, I am nobody. Without Christ, I am nobody. I am a sinner, desperately in need of forgiveness on a daily basis. I’m blessed that He calls me His child. I don’t deserve to be, but I am. And I’m humbly thankful for Greear’s reminder. Sinner first, sinned against second. Sinner first… sinned against second.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Phil. 2:4-8

Warning: This is a sappy post.

Today is my mom’s birthday. Words can’t express how thankful I am for my mother. I don’t think I show how much I appreciate her, but I really do. She isn’t perfect, though she might say she is (haha), but I couldn’t ask for a more understanding, compassionate, forgiving (that’s a big one), intelligent, selfless, Christ-like woman in my life. She knows me inside and out, every imperfection, every flaw… though she’ll brag that it’s because she had me in her stomach for 9 months and 8 days (emphasis on the 8 days).

When Anthony and I were younger, Mom was kinda like Super Mom. Band practice, soccer, piano lesson, karate, after school activities, and feeding us in between… she did it all. We always came first. Our needs before hers. And, sometimes, our wants before her needs. As we got older, her role obviously changed. I didn’t need her to drive me places (unless I was in between car accidents :/), but she’s become Super Best Friend. Cheese alert! My mom is my best friend. Countless times I’ve thrown myself on her bed and wallowed in my own self-pity and she’ll cheer me up, whether it’s with the advice I don’t want to hear or a corny joke to make me forget all about it.

Not every girl is blessed with a mother/daughter bond with their mom, but I truly have one with mine and I’m incredibly thankful for that. So, Mom, here’s a sappy ole’ blog post dedicated entirely to YOU. I love you very much. Happy __th birthday. (<– Slick, eh?)

One word: Learn

Christmas is over and the new year is here. I love, love, love this time: when we reflect on the past year’s experiences and look forward to the new ones we’ll encounter. I seriously love it. I’m not too fond of “New Year’s Resolutions”, just because I don’t like to make promises I can’t keep. Plus, a resolution is usually some ridiculous statement on how I will work out 5 times a week or never eat chocolate again, and, let’s face it, those are both promises that I can’t keep. I do usually draft a list of goals that I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. I’ll be posting it soon.

2011 in one word? Learn. It was a learning experience for me. God has been all-sufficient and ever so gracious to me, even in times that I don’t deserve it. I wouldn’t change anything about this year, even though at times I wish I could. God knows what he is doing, and I’m just going along for the ride.

Currently, I’m road tripping with Steph and Cristy; we’re heading to the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia! I’m seriously so excited for this week and how God will speak to us. I don’t think there’s a better way to start the year. :)

Happy new year, friends. I love you all.

There’s something about Coldplay…

Mylo Xyloto.

I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to like it in the beginning. I thought it was too radio-friendly, and I was annoyed that there was a track featuring Rihanna. But… Coldplay won me over, like they always do, and now I love it. It’s as if I was trying to create the soundtrack of my life as of late and they beat me to it. Chris Martin and I are definitely on the same page. That’s why they’re my favorite band. The ironic thing is, this happens with every album. I admire this band so much: their songwriting skills, their musical style, their British accents… ;) So, if you’re not a fan, we’re no longer friends. If you’ve never given them a listen, check out Yellow, Warning Sign, Fix You, Swallowed in the Sea, Death and All His Friends, Don’t Let It Break Your Heart, and Up in Flames. If you are a fan, I liked them first ;)

Anywho, this is one of their latest singles. It’s good, but this parody (which Coldplay actually promoted) of the original video makes it even better. Thanks to Brigitte for showing this to me!

Worries and All That Jazz

Yesterday, my dad randomly asked my brother and I a simple question: “Are you insecure about your future?” My brother, in a heartbeat, quickly responded no. He isn’t sure where God will lead him in life, but he feels that wherever that is, it will be fine. He isn’t sure what career he’ll have, where he’ll live, etc, but he has faith that everything will turn out fine. I, on the other hand, would be lying if I said I wasn’t insecure. Maybe guys are different, or maybe I just over-analyze everything, but I think about everything. What career will I have? What if I don’t like my career? Who will I marry? What if I make the wrong choice about that? What if I can’t have kids? What if I can’t adopt? What if I live in Miami for forever? What if I don’t like it? What if I move? What if I don’t like where I moved? What if I can’t move back? What if I can’t find a job? What if? What if? What if?

Now, before I lose you in all my “What Ifs”, bear with me in the fact that this is probably the most honest post I’ve ever written. So please, don’t slap me in the face with a “You of little faith” argument. Let me just clarify: At the end of the day, I know God is in control. My life belongs to Him. I really do believe that. Sometimes I feel guilty because I feel that these worries make me a crappy Christian. How could I say “I know God is in control” and then worry anyway? Because I’m human. It’s not like these random worries have turned into paranoia or anything like that, haha. But, I do realize that I, being a planner, can’t really make so many plans on how my so-called “life” will turn out. “Not knowing” can be scary… or it can be exciting. So, I’m working on being excited.

So, for now, I’m concentrating on not making so many plans. Life is unpredictable, and just when I think I have it all figured out, God probably chuckles as I fret when He changes it up on me. For now, I’ll work on what I can: finishing school (If you saw my recent Instagram, I’m ecstatic about my grades!) and just taking each day as it comes. I’d rather live by God’s surprises than fret over them. It’s easier said than done though, so I’d appreciate your prayers :)

Pretty much the entire “Do Not Worry” passage in Matthew relates to this post but I’ll just share my favorite verses from it…

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6: 31, 33-34

Falalalala…

It’s 2am on December 1st. I can’t believe it. It’s Christmas time! I love Christmas. And, it’s December, which means November is over. It’d be an understatement to say that November has been my least favorite month of 2011. However, although it was far from perfect, I still have a smile on my face cause a lot of good came from this month too.

*First, I’ve started attending a new small group, which I happen to love. I’ve only gone a few times, but I’ve seriously felt so at home and connected with the people there. The opportunity rose at the perfect time, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

*So many exciting things are happening at my church, Christ Fellowship. I’m really looking forward to seeing how God will use me there in 2012.

*After not going to a show for almost 9 months, I got to go to two this past month! My friend Steph & I took a mini road trip to see David Crowder Band in Orlando, and then later that month was “small group fellowship” (oh the irony) to see Manchester Orchestra (I’m telling you, it’s an awesome bunch). The bands couldn’t be anymore different, haha, but I really enjoyed them both.

*I was able to take a road trip up to Atlanta, Georgia to spend time with family for Thanksgiving. We didn’t do much, but it was the perfect getaway to just go, spend time with loved ones, and beat my brother in dominoes. And that’s always good.

*Most importantly, I have continuously felt God’s hand on my life as He is constantly working in me. I’m not perfect and I’ll always mess up and question and cry. But He picks me up, He places people in my life to remind me of His sovereignty, and He still makes sure to remind me that I’m definitely not in control. ;) And that’s okay… because Lord knows I’d screw it up.

I’m looking forward to Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year… when the Miami weather drops to 60 degrees and we all bust out with ski jackets. I love it! But seriously, Christmas is remembering that it’s about CHRISTmas (call me corny but I went there). I celebrate the day that a baby named Jesus was born to die so that I could one day pray for Him to save my life. And you should too.

<3