The Giver Of Life

"You are the giver of life; your light lets us enjoy life" 

--Psalm 36:9 

My dad was in a car accident Monday.

His truck was flipped across the highway 4 times.

It was completely crushed.

The cab was flat.

Its parts were scattered across miles of highway. 

Glass was everywhere. Including spread throughout his blood stained body. 

I answered my ringing phone Monday night to my worried sister who lives near 2,000 miles away. She told me everything. She explained all the information that she knew at the time about what had happened. She knew that he was in the hospital, conscious, and with my mother who had been at his side since the moment she received the call from the EMT's. After she told me these things she said two simple words- "Please, Pray". 

I remember nothing from the time we hung up to the time my knees hit the floor. Tears dripped off my face and onto the carpet while I begged God to save my dad's life. I reminded God (as if he didn't already know) of the eight children and the wife that would be devastated if he took this life. I begged and pleaded with God. Though I was in a dorm room with people living in such close quarters, my surroundings didn't even cross my mind. 

Throughout the night, my siblings and I kept in contact with each other about what was going on. We knew that he was o.k. and the fact that he lives is a miracle. 

A Miracle. 

Those are the words I keep seeing everywhere in relation to the accident. People from church, facebook friends, texts from close friends and relatives all keep using those words. A Miracle. 

I prayed a simple prayer this morning. It went like this-- "God... I thank you. I thank you because you are the giver of life." 

 I have never truly thought about the meaning of those words. God is the Giver of Life. He gives life to all. He is the only one in whom life endures. He holds life in his hands. He is the maker of life. He is the sustainer of life. He is the very example of life. His life goes on and on and never ends. His life has no beginning. His life has no limits. 

So thanking God for saving my dad seems so simple. So raw. 

Because that is what it is. Raw. Simple. God holds the power to protect one life in his very hands, and he chose to save this one man. 

Prayer is beautiful. It is a raw and simple tool of communication we use to absorb the presence of a holy God. When there is no other options but to trust God's hand in the situation, we can experience something amazing. We experience God's power. And that is all I ever want. 

Jesus, School and Stuff

Yeah,

So It has been a while since my last blog was updated. So sorry! I'm sure all my raving fans were heartbroken over the lack of posts I have put on here. :) Just kidding! 

So, my first and second semester have been full of excitement, work, homework, trips, and just all around busy schedules. I can honestly say that this is one of the greatest times of my life. I have had all kinds of ups and downs. I have learned so many lessons about life and who I am as a Christian Woman. I have grown in my faith. I have gained friendships that I never would have expected. I have gotten closer to my family. God has revealed himself to me throughout scripture again and again. I have cried tears of joy, and tears of hurt. I have ridden horses, eaten more Ramen then ever before, and laughed until 2 am with my friends. I have made bad choices and I have made good decisions. I have changed my major, swooned over baseball boys, walked a mile to McDonald's because we didn't have the money for gas. This list doesn't even come close to telling sharing my year with you. There are so many more things that I could tell you about. There are so many stories that I will forever hold close to my heart. College is an adventure that will take you places you never dreamed you would go. 

I really love this verse because no matter where I am in my walk in life, I have been called to "go" for Christ. I am "sent" to share the Good News. Oh how freeing it is to know that God, knowing my strengths and weaknesses accepts me as I am, and has called me to go for him. 

I just wanted to share that encouraging word along. :) And as a college student who questions her purpose in life daily, I am thankful to have a God who reveals these things to me.   

Getting Excited!

Got a new roomie whom I think I will love (:

Only 2 weeks left till Character Camp

I see my Sister and my Niece's in a week!

I have another day off tomorrow (:

Emily and I Snapchatted today!

I went to lunch at some friends from church's house (:

^ They sent me home with chocolate chip zucchini bread!

Going to the lake tomorrow

Love my Jesus!

Love my Family!

Love my friends!

Time for bed (:

The Day After

Yesterday was my "Lazy Day". It was rainy and dark and I just wanted to sleep all the livelong day. I laid in bed from 9am when I woke up until 1:20pm when I had to leave for work. What was I doing awake in bed you ask? Well I HAD to finish Pretty Little Liars: Season 2. It was a must, and like I said, it was a lazy day.

But the hardest part about having a lazy day was not getting up to go to work at 1:20 (although that was not easy), but it was waking up the next morning and forcing myself to complete some much needed tasks. I wanted to lay in bed and have another lazy day. I wanted to watch four hours worth of Pretty Little Liars again. I didn't want to shower, eat, even breathe. I wanted to lay in bed again and not enter the outside world. It is a scary place out there, and when you are living as a college student on your own, It is difficult to go anywhere by yourself. You have no one telling you when to do anything or be responsible. The only person you have to respond to is yourself. So truthfully, I could have just laid in bed all day and watched Pretty Little Liars: Season 3. I could have not entered the outside world. I could have entered the state of hibernation again. No one would have cared.

But what good would that do me?

If I had stayed in my room I never would have gone to Starbucks and read another chapter in my book. I never would have gone to some of Branson's thrift shops. I never would have gone to Walgreens and gotten some needed items. Beyond all of that, I never would have experienced new things in the world. I would have laid in bed and the only thing I would have learned some of the new dramas in Pretty Little Liars.

It Is Not Worth It.

I don't want to be the person who hides away from everything new and exciting. I want to enjoy the things that God has placed in my life.

So give people a chance. Go out and meet someone totally new. Get out of your comfort zone and do something great. Go Outside!

Don't make your whole life a "Lazy Life".

One Little Comment

"Wow! The Grill Queen is doing a really great job tonight keeping up with all these orders". -Chef James Braddock

It's amazing how powerful words can be. They can make your entire day great, or do the opposite. Those silly words above were actually some of the most impacting words I have heard all day. My boss, Chef James, didn't mean it as more than a couple of small words that were meant as a small compliment. To me, they meant that he NOTICED my hard work, dedication, and it also lifted my spirits up. I have never been so happy to hear just a few little words.

This isn't going to be a long blog, I just wanted to share with you how just a few small words of encouragement can be so powerful to someone who needs those words.

Challenge: Everyday for the next 7 days, I am going to encourage someone. It may be with those small words that just make someone's day, or by helping out when needed. I just feel like I should share the joy I feel when I am complimented.


Have a GREAT week :)

Things You Should Know Before Going To College #1

Food is good... I came to college knowing about the "Freshman 15" but never put into reality... I haven't gained it, but I know I am gaining... It is awful! And working at a 4 star restaurant doesn't help! I need to start exercising and eating healthy.. I plan on keeping you updated in my weight loss journey. Starting tonight I will go on a run... I'm pretty excited! I'm ready to start this Adventure. Any Tips? Leave a comment below!

Every Hour

This song has been on my heart lately. I have really been trying to focus on God and his glory. I have not been doing so well in reading the Bible.. I know that I should. I could come up with a hundred reasons not to read it, but none of them are good enough. I fail consistently. But amazingly Christ is ALWAYS there to pick me back up. I Need Him. I Need God. Without Him, I hold no love, grace, forgiveness, etc. God is everything to me. I NEED him!!!