Out with the old.

Well, I decided it was time for a change. So, I got my hair cut.

It's the first of many changes that will take place this summer.

most recent hair

7 inches later....

It's definitely different...and it scared me at first.

But it's growing on me, and really...I needed a haircut.

And there is the fact that it's just hair.

Sweet, Sweet Summertime.

It feels like it's been weeks since I've posted. But, I just looked, it's only been 10 days. Nearly every one of those days I've thought to myself, "Wow, I really need to update my blog, I have a lot to say." Well if you think about it, that's 10 days of "a lot to say" that has built up. So naturally, I have no idea what to say. I'm winging it.  Hang in there with me. It may be worth it.

Since I last wrote, many things have happened. I went through finals week, I said good-bye to my Arkansas family, I spent enough time in Nashville to say I've been to Nashville, I drove 14 hours to Maryland (and have been here since) and I've ventured all through D.C. It's been a pretty eventful 10 days. At least it sounds that way when I write it all out. 

I'm less than a week into summer and I'm already having an incredible time.

It's exciting to think that I still have almost 3 months of this left.

Also, I've been thinking a lot about stress. I've been praying a lot about finances for school. That doesn't mean I've been able to magically stop stressing about it. But one thing I have noticed is that when I do start to stress, I notice within a couple minutes, I remind myself that God is in control. It may not seem like a big deal, but it wasn't always that way. It's amazing how much changes when you truly give it to God. He is right there to walk us through our anxiety. The ultimate comforter. How lucky are we?

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. "

 1 Peter 5:7                          

Por Los Niños is reborn!

Yes, I realize I just posted like 15 minutes ago. 

BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT!

VISIT THIS WEBSITE!

It's the brand new, sparkly website for Por Los Niños!

This will tell you everything you might want to know about the children's home I worked at in Catacamas, Honduras during spring break! Take time to look at each child's picture, they are all so special and so precious. If you have any questions at all, I'm here to answer what I can! But be prepared, their chocolate eyes and golden brown skin is enough to melt your heart. Let it happen.

I'm not saying anything new.

Welcome to finals week. The best & worst week of your semester.

Here's the thing...

stop stressing.

It's a class.

A or B or C or D,

life will go on.

I promise.

I'm not saying slack off and don't study.

Study until you pass out.

Shoot for that A, or that B, or that C.

Don't slack off.

Put 110% effort in and get it over with.

Here's the tricky part though, 

once it's over, it's over.

You gave it your best and that's it.

Or you slacked off, but that's still it.

You can't change it.

So move on.

Nothing good comes from regret.

So you spaced on a final, it's gonna be okay.

We've got bigger things than finals coming our way.

Better things coming our way.

 ¹¹ "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

 

Don't expect the grades you want to be handed to you.

You've got to work for them.

You've got to work for everything you want in life.

But work hard for them, 

then when it's over, it's just that, over.

Leave it all out there.

You did what you could.

 So, relax and stop stressing.

Enjoy your free time.

Enjoy your friends.

Enjoy your God.

Enjoy your life.

Just enjoy.

An oxymoron of sorts.

God and I have a pretty good relationship. But sometimes, I read/hear/learn things, and never follow through/apply them to my life. Hence, oxymoron. I've got the knowledge and am told to use it, and instead I keep it in some closed section of my brain. Anyways, next week is finals week, which is absolutely mind blowing, but I've got some plans for summer. Goals really.

1. Read my bible cover to cover.

2. Do what it says.

3. Stop worrying & rely on God.

4. RELY ON GOD.

I am very much someone who needs to be in control. Ask my friends, it's probably annoying sometimes. But even with God, I can't seem to shake the need to be in control. To have a reliable plan. To know all the steps of the plan. I've got to have it my way, and it's got to work. False. Every time I get hung up on being in control, like clock work, I can expect everything to start to fall apart. That's a sign in my opinion. Give it up God says to me, you are not in control. I've read it a thousand times, "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" I know it. I've heard it. I comfort others with it. But until I start to believe it myself, to live it, its basically just a nifty compilation of words. So, I'm starting to stress about paying for school next semester, as I always do. But this time instead of freaking out, crying, yelling, getting angry, etc etc, I'm giving it up. God led me to Harding for a reason. He's got a plan. He's holding onto me. It's time to embrace that.

 ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25

Love your enemy.

Click it.

  ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

 

 

Love.

Your.

Enemy.

  ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35 

 

 

 ²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24