Merry Christmas

                              These are all Hudson's, by the way.

Wordless Wednesday: Old School

Couldn't be more thankful for this man.

Giving Thanks (Very Late)

I had the most enjoyable Thanksgiving break! It consisted of a lot of different things and people that I love. So sad to see it end. Here is what it was:

Before I left, we had a Hatley feast! All the girls in our dorm met in the lobby and shared a meal together provided by our RA's and RD. It was very yummy and fun!

Wednesday: We went to Springfield to have a Thanksgiving with my grandparents! We had a fun time there fishing (trying), making s'mores, seeing family we haven't seen in awhile, and just enjoying each other's company. We also enjoyed a scary ride home during the thunderstorm!

Thursday: We woke up early and Nick and I ran a 5k held by the Y! It was my first and my worst. Haha. It was a good experience, though, and I'm sure it won't be my last. We then had a Thanksgiving dinner that night at my house! It was delicious, of course, and I truly enjoy being with my family. Those are the moments I cherish. After dinner we all headed to bed pretty early to enjoy some crazy shopping the next morning!

Friday: At midnight, Nick and I decided to hit up Wal-Mart just for the heck of it. I'm not sure why we made that decision because it was absolutely ridiculous! It was definitely entertaining though. After that, we slept for a little bit then went back to Target, Old Navy, and JcPenney at 4! All of that to come out with nothing! haha. We missed the deals that we wanted, but we enjoyed watching a lady at Target screaming at the workers. People are crazy these days.

Saturday: so much fun! I made my way to Bartlesville and got a much needed pedicure with Nick's mom, Jody. I enjoyed getting to know her better. We then hung out for a little bit before heading to a wedding of some of their friends. It was a fun night of dancing (yes, Nazarenes!) and eating! I love hanging out with the Williams' and getting to know them better.

I love my family and friends and am so thankful for them all! This week was wonderful and I am sad that it had to end. Just looking forward to Christmas break now :) Now it's almost here since it took me so long to post!

God of my Everything

Bebo Norman hosted a concert at my college this past Thursday evening and since he was there he decided to lead worship for us at chapel as well. He sang two songs that are commonly heard on the radio, then he played one for us that he wrote for a friend. It is called God of my Everything. This song portrays God in a way I've never looked at him. Sure, God is my refuge, my strength, and my provider, but never have I given so much thought to him being God of my EVERYTHING. I continue to play this song over in my head and repeat the chorus to constantly remind myself of this simple truth. God is in constant watch over us and that is something we must never forget. No matter what we are going through he knows and understands. God IS everything.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." -Hebrews 13:8

I hope these lyrics mean as much to someone else as they do to me. 

Oh God of Heaven come and hem me in
Gather the pieces that are broken
Show me the wonder of You again
Oh God of Heaven

God of my hope, God of my need
God of my pain that no one else will ever see
God of my healing, God of my strength
God who has always and will forever reign
God of my everything

In all creation You call my name
In all the beauty that this world displays
Still I'm the one for who Your heart aches
In all creation

God of my hope, God of my need
God of my pain that no one else will ever see
God of my healing, God of my strength
God who has always and will forever reign
God of my everything 
God of my everything

And when the mountains shake
You are my God
You never change

And when the earth gives way
You are still God
You never change

God of my hope, God of my need
God of my pain that no one else will ever see
God of my healing, God of my strength
God who has always and will forever reign
God of my everything
God of my everything
God of my everything
God of my everything

Thankful

Today I am thankful for a lot of things, as I should be every day.

First and foremost: God. I serve a wonderful Creator who loves me unconditionally. I know I do not thank him nearly enough for what he has done for me. It has been a rough week in some aspects and I think that is the time I need him most. When times get tough, though, I tend to run away. I cannot do this alone and I don't know who I am to think I can. It's a humbling experience to try to control my every situation only to find out that I can't. I am weak, but he makes me strong.

I am also thankful for my family and every little thing they do for me. They drove up here on Sunday to be with me on my birthday. That means more than they know. They have been so supportive of me as I journey through this new experience of college and I can never repay them. I know I can always go to them for anything. They are my safe harbor.

Last, but not least, I am thankful for Nick. It's not easy being in relationship with someone who is not in the same town. I am thankful that he puts up with my every bad mood when I'm frustrated or not having a good day. He never fails to want to help me through every situation. I cannot express my gratitude. He comes and visits me on days like today, just because. God has thrown a lot of curve balls at us lately and there are a lot of decisions to be made regarding each of our futures. I know God has a plan, though, and he is watching over us. We are continuing to grow stronger and love each other more every day because of each of these struggles. I don't deserve all that he does for me, but I am grateful. :)

Next week is fall break and I am VERY thankful for that as well. A little break and rest time is much needed. I am excited to relax with friends and family!

What are you thankful for today?

Life

I started to write a whole post and somehow I hit back and it all got erased. I was in the middle of typing this bible verse, and I think it was a sign that it was all that needed to be said. None of my other words were important.

"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

I am fully relying on this verse right now. Life happens so fast sometimes. I pray that God shows me where to go next.

Let the Leaves FALL!

It's been a long week, but it's a new season and I am inspired. Fall is my favorite season of all. I love all the things that this season includes: leaves falling, football games, chilly mornings, Halloween, walks, drinking hot chocolate, and cuddling by a fire. This fall is different than any other though. It is my first fall of college and that is both exciting and scary. College has definitely been a big change in my life. Change, besides God, seems to be the only constant. I am realizing this more every day. I am thankful that God is my constant, though. As I've been going through these last 2 months at school, I find myself relying on him more and more. There have been a lot of things that don't seem to go my way, but I believe God is testing me. He will never forsake me and he wants to know that I really believe that. I pray that throughout this season, that will be my focus. There are a lot of decisions to be made and I have to trust Him fully. I hope everyone enjoys this season!

This is just my first post. Eventually, I will talk of college and my experiences of life lately. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down, and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.