Week 1

I've been home for a total of three days, and it makes me realize just how blessed I am. Seriously, I walked my dog this afternoon, and was blown away by the beauty in our side yard. Let's just say there was a bunny, a few robins, and a cardinal all frolicking together. It was like Tweety was peeing in the 100 acre woods, and it was great. Since Monday I've unpacked my clothes in record time, donated half of my old wardrobe, enjoyed many a long walk with Tweety, finalized my internship plans (Praises!), and gotten my zen on.

This summer is seriously promising, and I can see that my prayers are already being answered in tangible ways. Before leaving Athens, I asked the Lord for a spirit of productivity and discipline--and I can see this already coming into fruition. Nothing has been getting me down, and I can't wait to walk more in this
"get-it-done" spirit.

Now, I realize that this blog is very journal-y, but that is what I want it to be, I think. I can tell that my heart is already changing, but in ways different than I thought. Today, was my first day since being home that I was  able to have extended quiet/prayer time. The Lord is so, so refreshing, and that's what today's time provided--restoration. I was, however, guilty that I had not fulfilled my plans, and though I was busy, and found it hard to piece two consecutive hours together to pray. I had been feeling like I was backing out on my commitment, and started to resent this goal I had set for myself. Since these feelings occurred at the beginning of my "journey," however, I found it maybe easier to "reshape" what I thought my plans would entail.

What I realized: the Lord meets you where you are always, and more than anything is pursuing a relationship with you. When you spend time with your best friend, do you do it out of obligation? No, you do it because you want to, and the time spent is life-giving and joyful.

I want my desire with my time spent with the Lord to mirror the joy you get from hanging out with your gal pals. I've realized now that two hours is really an arbitrary number, and while great in all, I don't want to put any limits on the time I spend with the Lord. Friendships are much more organic than scheduled "Jesus" appointments, and that is what I want to encounter with the Lord this summer.

He has no limits, or confines, and so I am not going let self-imposed burdens on myself.

Additionally, I've learned that expectation can be really enslaving. When you establish plans for yourself, and then fail to measure up: you feel condemned. And if even if y'all succeed, you still might feel trapped by the pressure of your plans.

I'm becoming more and more content with having faith and hope in God's plans for my life and on the day-to-day. If you (I) keep my heart and soul open, His work can produce things that I can't even imagine. Literally.

God is so good, and I have so much love for y'all.

The Last Week

ONE MORE WEEK...until the first "real" update. 

No pressure, but I truly can't wait start updating you all on my journey which (to be official) will begin next Tuesday when I am finally home for the semester, though truthfully, I know I have already embarked. 

This year has been SO crazy and full, and as I look at what the coming weeks have in store, I feel that I will be busier than I had initially planned. This is good, so good, but raises the fear that I will need to become more disciplined than I am presently to make it through. This discipline, of balance and structure, is the gift and strength I believe God has certainly promised me this summer more than anything. How do I fill my days with joy and His freedom, and unlock His full potential in my life? 

This semester in Athens I ran and ran and ran to meeting after meeting, and it burnt out my spirit. I wasn't restoring my soul and life in the Lord's fountains, and as a result, I suffered...and complained, a lot. I have a vision that this summer is going to be a time for me to take back what the Lord has given me in freedom and love and joy, and I am excited to seize it, but this prospect of a new season of renewal scares me slightly because committing to balance and abiding in the Lord's spirit takes--discipline. 

Recently, I've realized and come to understand that the Lord moves in power when hearts and lives are open for him to pour in His spirit, and I have been praying that I keep mine open to him as I step into this new season. I want it to be fruitful, and know that this is key to this hope.

I am truly in shock that this is the last week of school, and am so grateful for the Lord's work in my life this year, but more importantly, I am thankful for Him. SO MUCH LOVE. 

prayers for the summer (and last week of school)

*open hearts, and a willingness to work for what the Lord has planted. That we may abide in Him everyday this summer, that this dwelling continues next semester, and that we are faithful to the faithful Lord. 

*an excitement and yearning to grow and be transformed. A content spirit, and an understanding and joy to simply be still and listen to the Lord. 

*faith that He never leaves, even when do.

*supernatural discipline & that we can dedicate all of our plans to the Lord for His glory. all days.

*that He can continually renew our spirits, and restore us. 

*provision, protection, continual restoration.

So much love for you all!