velvet elvis.

Seriously, this book just amazes me. Rob Bell is incredibly wise and gives a great, different perspective on God and life with God. This book covers a whole bunch of great stuff and it's hard to choose favorites. I'm almost mad that I finished the book because there is so much to learn! He talks about what it looks like to be Jesus' disciple and to view him as our Rabbi and what his "yoke" is, and faith and our freedom in Christ, and about truth and the Bible, and the art of questioning, and about our identity and how we are new creations, and bringing God's Kingdom here... It's all good! I'm sure if I read it again, I'd find several completely new things to learn. Rob Bell definitely looks at things from a different perspective that is challenging. I recommend that as you read, do so slowly so that you do not miss out on anything!

".. maybe it means teaching people to use their eyes to see things that have always been there; they just didn't realize it.. so the issue isn't so much taking Jesus to people who don't have him, but going to a place and pointing out to the people there the creative, life-giving God who is already present in their midst." (Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p.88)

beloved.

Coming to Missouri State and being on my own has probably been one of the most challenging, and life-changing experiences I've ever had. To leave all that is comfortable: my Christian High School, my Trinity Church, my parents, my friends.. All of these things provided safety and certainty for me. At MSU, however, my comfort, my safety, my certainty all left. I began school in a position of questioning what I believe and why I believed it. I was forced to see my life just as me and God and without all of the wonderful support I had before. It was now time for me to seek out whether God was my Lord or my imaginary friend. Through a whole bunch of questions, changes, fear, skepticism, Scripture, prayer, and honesty, God showed up! Not entirely sure if I've ever known truly that I am LOVED by my Heavenly Father. I've atleast never understood it so clearly before. But, as I was on a date with Jesus last week, He changed my entire perspective on our relationship. I am a beloved daughter of the Creator of everything. I now have my identity. I am Christ's and He is mine. I am a new creation with a new life that is full and has purpose. I did absolutely nothing to earn, achieve, or accomplish these beautiful things. I only have them because God loves ME.

proud fake sister.

from left: My buddy Jarred, Me, Fake Brother Jackson

This week has been very academically challenging. I have studied over 20 hours for three different test! So, my wonderful moma gave me some gas money to head home for two days (since I am still jobless and can't yet pay for my own gas). It was great seeing my family and going to church. But since it was in the middle of the week, I was able to go see my high school's play on Thursday! I use to be very involved with these every single year. The cast and crew members are all like family to me. I had so much fun catching up with all of them! I forget how special they all are to me. There is one particular person that was very good to see and that I am very proud of and that is my "fake brother" Jackson. He played Seppi (the play was Heidi) and he was the comic relief of the show. He did so great! Jackson is the coolest kid ever and I miss speding time with him. I'm a very proud "fake sister".

halloween blowout.

the sweet dance floor and dj table.. picture about 90 people crammed in here dancing like crazy!

me and my best friend Kelsey: Sporty Spice and Scary Spice

The Spice Girls!! from L: Sporty(Kelsey), Ginger(Sandra), Scary(Me), Posh(Erica), Baby(Hanna)

Halloween was the best night ever!! Me and six of my friends got to plan a big Halloween party for the campus ministry I'm a part of called "Campus Crusade" (Cru). Our freshman group is called "Frosh" and we were in charge of decorating and getting food. The party was at the Cru guys' house (The Nut House). They set up a sweet DJ table! And about 90 of us danced from 8 till midnight. It was craziness and seriously the best time I've had so far at college! Me and my four other friends were the Spice Girls.. it was so fun!!