2013 IN A NUTSHELL

I'm in shock that 2013 is already over! It seems like the older I get, the faster life zooms by. I just wish time would slow down! Anyways...this year has been one of the best years of my life. Here are some highlights!

I discovered The Pinky Promise Movement
If you haven't heard of it, I encourage you to click on this link and check it out now!! Heather Lindsey is the founder, and I'm thankful for the strong impact that she's had on me. Although I don't know her personally, her books, and her blog are some of the things that triggered the start of where I am today. Check out her website here

I started going to Victorious Believers Ministries (VBM)
This is the church I attend while I'm away at school!! If these highlights were in any specific order, this would probably be number 1!! I truly believe that God led me to this place for so many reasons, and I'm so thankful for all of the great things that I've experienced here. I've really learned/ grown a lot from the teaching, and have also come across some pretty great people too. I'm so thankful that God led me somewhere that pushes me closer to who He's called me to be, especially while I'm away at school. I feel so blessed :)

I started a youth group at my church back home 
Talk about a step outside of my comfort zone, this was a leap for me. It was around April that God placed this on my heart, and I'm so happy that I was obedient to His instruction. I can remember being at church, and receiving conformation for something I'd been praying about, and from that moment on, my heart was set on doing whatever God had for me to do. I had always struggled with speech apprehension, and so it was a big step for me to do something like this. Looking back, it was very difficult to push past my fear, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't be able to help others understand what God has shown me. I was responsible for coming up with the things I taught on, and because of this, I was able to get an understanding for myself. The biggest thing I learned throughout this process is that our obedience is always the piece to someone else's puzzle. I'm thankful that this has played a HUGE role in where I am today.

Some ran off before we could get a picture, but here's the majority :)

My job as an RA
Although this past semester was one of the hardest semesters I've ever had, my residents are one of the things that made it worth it. I was originally hired in a different building, but I ended up moving because there weren't enough people that signed up for housing. To be honest I cried when I found out I was being relocated, but now I can't imagine myself anywhere else. It's a great job that's allowed me to find out more about myself, and interact with so many great people. Cheers to a great semester with the best residents, staff, and boss anyone could ask for :) #CelFabFam

My wonderful Staff <3 

My friends 
This is another one of my biggest highlights because my friends have been one of Gods GREATEST blessings to me. Growing up, I never felt like I had anyone that I could relate to on a spiritual level, and because this was such a big part of my life, it was hard for me to feel connected with others when they didn't believe the same way that I did. My close friendships would last for about a year at a time, and I never understood why. It was always hard for me to talk about God with people who weren't traveling down the same path because I never felt like they understood. It bothered me sometimes, but I had reached a point where I was used to it. I had always wondered what it'd be like to have a friend I could talk to about anything, spiritual or not,  but now I don't have to wonder. I'm so thankful for the godly friendships I've established this year! It's been such a great blessing to have people who can pray with and for you because up until this year, I never had that in a friend. I'm so thankful that after 20 years, God has blessed me with some amazing friendships that I pray will last a lifetime

I changed my major
Last but not least, a change in the RIGHT direction. I got a lot of different reactions when I told people I was changing my major, and some of them weren't very nice ones. Most people were very supportive, including my parents, but there were a select few that said discouraging things. Before I switched, I was studying interior design, but I now thank God for FREEDOM. I know, I know...Interior Design sounds so fun....but it's not. It's death along with torture, especially if you're not a detailed orientated person. That makes it 8475984375 times worse. I pulled probably over 15 all nighters this semester (I'm not exaggerating), and I looked like a zombie 70% of the time. It required a lot of time that I didn't enjoy giving, and as a result, I changed directions. I now study Communications. I love to help people, and impact them in a positive way, so I think this is a better step towards what God has in store for my life. :)

Heel clicks on my way to recycle all of my interior design things. Hip hip hooray! 

#DefeatingTheHuns

Overall, I think the best word to describe my year would be growth. Looking back at myself a year ago, I was kind of a hot mess. God has truly repaired what was broken, and given me a new life of freedom in Him. I'm so thankful for the place that I was in, along with the place that I'm in now. It's truly a blessing when you think about how good God has been to you when you don't deserve it. Cheers to the year that my that life really began. Peace out 2013!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :) 

MOVING FORWARD AND LETTING GO.

There are so many people out there struggling to move forward and leave their past behind. Whether it's a bad habit, or an unhealthy relationship, it's never easy to leave the things you're used to and start again. I struggled with moving forward for a while, but can truly say that it's worth the journey. In order to reach the place that God has for you, you HAVE to be honest with yourself. It's necessary that you evaluate who and what you've allowed in your life, and determine if they're pushing you closer to God, or pulling you away. Just like trees have to let go of their leaves when the seasons change, we have to let go of some of the things we're attached to when we're changing. Roots of jealousy, unforgiveness, fear, or worry cannot remain in our lives if we want to develop into the person God has created us to be. Mark 9:43 says:

43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where“‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’[c].

So many times I come across people who say they're Christians, but live life to please their sinful selves. Instead of allowing God to shape their mentalities, they leave it to their friends, music, and whatever else to determine what's right and wrong. They don't read their bibles, or make an intentional effort to stay close to God, and as a result, they're blown around like the wind when their faith is tested. There's a song that sings "If your soul's not anchored in Jesus, you will SURELY drift away," and it's so true. If you have people or things in your life that are constantly leading you to sin, the bible tells us to cut them off. It's better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with no friends, than have 100 friends and be thrown into hell. Things start to get difficult when you have let go and move forward, but trust that whenever God asks you to do something hard, it's only going to make things better. 

 There have been plenty of times in my life, that instead of getting rid of toxic people, I took a break from them. I kept the door open just in case things miraculously changed, and because of this, it made it very easy to go back when opportunities presented themselves. Instead of being honest with myself and looking at the big picture, I kept my eyes on how I felt instead of focusing on how God felt. I continued to feed relationships when they should've been dying, and because of this, I wasn't even close to becoming the person God had called me to be. I had to understand that if I kept turning around, I would never move forward. I realized that the freedom God offered was free, but I HAD to put in effort to maintain it. It's just like with weight loss. A person has to stay close to the things that push them towards their goal in order to maintain their progress. It doesn't matter how much weight they lose, if they neglect their good habits, they'll end up right back where they started. In the same way, it's not enough to just seek God on the occasion that you're struggling, but it has to be a constant effort. It's the enemy's job to distract you from your purpose, and when you don't spend time with God, it ALWAYS leaves room for him to get his foot in the door of your life. Your freedom is free, but you MUST put in effort to maintain it. The bible says RESIST the devil and he will flee (James 4:7), so when he speaks to you, it's your job to shut him up. Breakthrough doesn't come when you entertain the enemy's thoughts, but when you fight back. Once you make the decision to be done with the things that pull you down, you have to stand your ground. God has given us His word as a weapon, and it's during those times of temptation that we're supposed to use it. That's why knowing scripture is so important. Learn it, fight back, and watch God back up what He says. He is a healer, and a deliverer, and if you call on Him, He will never leave you empty. He will ALWAYS be there during difficult times, to pick you up when you've fallen.   

My hard times were what pushed me closer to God, and without them, I don't think I'd be where I am today. When you're struggling, and wonder why things are happening, just remember that ALL things work together for your good (Romans 8:28). You may not understand it now, but God will reveal it in the future, and you'll be blown away. My obedience has been the piece to so many people's puzzles, and often times I ask myself "If I wouldn't have trusted God, what would my life look like?" Realize that times will get tough when you're in the process of moving forward, but God needs your obedience so that He can use you. One of my favorite quotes by Joyce Meyer says "Whenever God asks you to do something hard, it's only going to make things better," and I promise it's true. Make an intentional effort to become who you were created to be, and you'll set the world on fire. 

Have a great week, beautiful people :)