So summer is around the corner! I am excited about the possibilities of these warm months ahead and really looking forward to all that is happening. My calendar is already getting booked and there is more to come! My brother and his wife are pregnant with their first child (I am officially going to be and AUNT!!), my best friend is getting married and I am the maid of honor, I have three other friends getting married this summer and one friend who is pregnant. Add to that two graduations, a family vacation and some birthday celebrations and that makes for one GIANT summer of business and fun!! I am really excited about all the awesome things that are going on the lives of some amazing people. I could not be happier about all of it!
I am also keenly aware that its going to be easy for me to let time slip me by and to allow the big moments of summer keep me from challenging and pushing myself. I am not sure what is going to happen but I definitely feel God working. I am starting some new things and changing some old things and each time I take a step further on this journey, I know that He is preparing me.
Let me update you on some newness in my life. I have a room-mate. She isn't really new but for whatever reason, I haven't written about her before! We get along GREAT. I was anxious and a little nervous to add someone to my personal space but its working out well and I am so glad that she is here. She moved in back in January. I have enjoyed our talks and all our silly girl stories. I love having her around :)
I made a change at my job. Still working for Progressive and still handling claims. I moved back into the branch and so my workload got a LOT EASIER and less stressful. I was nervous and reluctant to make the switch but its been such a blessing. God has really opened up some doors there in my office with my co-workers and I look forward to seeing them each day. The job is so much less stressful and time consuming and has really allowed me to share with them what it means to love Jesus and to encourage and talk to them about their own walk with God. They are awesome and amazing people and I am SOOOOO glad they are in my life for this season.
I think I have found a church to call home! For those of you who know me, this has been a HUGE struggle for me and I am SOOOOOOOO thankful that I am beginning to see an end to my search. I am beginning to get more involved and so far have loved meeting the people there. I even went to youth service on Wednesday and hung out with some of the kids. They are great and I am already excited about going back again next week. This new door that is opening is so full of promise and possibility and absolutely some of the BEST stuff that has happened to me lately.
I have successfully completed two classes towards my Masters In Religion Degree!! I am taking Distance Learning classes thru Liberty's Seminary and LOVING every second of it. Yes.... I occassionally complain about the ridiculous quizzes of random things, and the long papers I have to write and the hundreds of pages we are expected to read a week but I really am enjoying the classes. I am learning ALOT and so excited to see what doors will open because of that. I have two more classes this summer.... Evangelism and Theology. I am REALLY excited about Evan and REALLY nervous about Theo. haha....
Its so funny to me to consider what's going on in my life.... the ways that God is moving and working. If I am being completely honest, I will say that they are not necessarily the ways that I was hoping for or wanting for my life. In fact, some of those doors have shut and opportunities have passed completely. Some doors remain closed or even absent all together.
As I look forward in anticipation at all the things that are happening around me this summer, I don't want to get so focused on those things, that I fail to use this season to grow and challenge myself. With careful thought ant consideration, I am working on setting some goals for myself. Picking a few things that I can work on for me this summer that are going to move me in the direction that God desires.
Please pray for me that I will use discernment and wisdom when deciding what to focus on. Also pray that I would be honest enough with myself and God to reveal my true intentions and desires. I will leave you tonight with a phrase from a song that has truly become one of my favorites.
"All of my life, IN EVERY SEASON, You are still God and I have a reason to sing.... I have a reason to worhip." - Hillsong United
