. . . God IS Good. . .

It's hard sometimes...not to get caught up in taking control of our own lives.

Something I've learned and really become very at peace with is that the Lord has never failed me before.

In one of my previous blog posts I spoke about how I came into the RA position my sophomore year in college. Initially I was so devastated when I didn't receive the position right off the bat. But looking back I realize that being an RA was always in God's plan for me...And, His plan panned out in a far better way than I could have ever imagined or created for myself- by my own strength.

It's as simple as this...we are limited but God is unlimited. There is nothing He can't do and He will never leave us, fail us, or lead us astray.
You know why? Because that would be going against Himself...
As humans that is what we are used to...people hurting us, letting us down, betraying us etc. because we are sinful.
The Lord can not turn his back on us because it goes against the very nature of who He is.

Luckily, when we are weak, He is strong.
"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

When we are hurt, rejected, betrayed or let down by others is when we feel weak...in actuality this is when we are the strongest because it is when we are helpless and the Lord is finally able to step in and carry out His perfect plan for us.

All this to say...pursue the Lord and have FAITH in Him
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13

AND ALSO.........

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Why not give it a shot, right? Why not at least try and trust the Lord with our whole heart?

Worst that can happen...life continues to breeze by but worry, fear & the empty feeling persists.

Best that can happen...your life is changed for the better while joy, peace & the indescribable "full" feeling takes over.

It's Amazing

It's amazing how God works.

I did not initially get the position as Resident Assistant until the weekend before school started. I was devastated. I wanted the position for many different reasons. One, it looks good on resumes- an added bonus. Two, my family was struggling financially and I wanted nothing more than to do my part and pull my weight in whatever way I could. Three, I wanted to be someone that freshman girls could go to if they needed anything; someone they could trust and who would give them encouragement through their difficult transition.

I did not see this at the time, but looking back now I am able to see that not getting the RA position right off the bat was a blessing in disguise. It tested my faith and trust that God must have something better for me. Well, He definitely did. Being an RA is the hardest job I have ever had. No one properly prepares you for the literal 24/7- time commitment. But, I can't complain because I am so thankful and blessed to have this position. It's amazing how God works.

I am currently an RA in Brachman Hall and am loving every minute. I did not anticipate liking my residents and staff as much as I do, but I have made friends that I hope to keep for a lifetime.

The City That Never Sleeps-NYC

Thanksgiving break was exciting and fast paced. Unfortunately it was everything but relaxing.

November 22-27^th my friend Brittany and I went to New York City to celebrate Thanksgiving. We landed late Tuesday night and stayed with her family for the remainder of the trip in a small town, outside of the city, named Merrick. Our New York adventures did not begin until Wednesday morning at 6:30a.m. Unfortunately 6:30 became the standard time we woke up for the remainder of the trip. The train left at 7:00 every morning so we were able to be in the city by 8a.m.

Our first day in the city we arrived at 8a.m. We spent most of our time walking around and familiarizing ourselves with the new and fast paced environment. We also spent time with Brittany’s older cousin who gave us a “private tour” and showed us around the city. He showed us Time Square, Radio City and so much more. 

Thanksgiving was on Thursday so we got up early again and went to the Macy’s Day Parade. It was an experience of a lifetime. The moment Santa reached the end of the parade, the Christmas season officially began. We noticed the streets were filled with Christmas music as we rushed to make the train back to Merrick. That night we shared Thanksgiving with all of her aunts, uncles and cousins, watched football and shared stories.

The next day was Black Friday. The amount of people on the streets rushing into stores to be the first to get the best deals was insane! That day we went sight seeing: Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty, the Mo Ma, Top of the Rock, saw Chicago on Broadway and of course a little bit of shopping

Having the opportunity to be in New York for Thanksgiving was a once in a lifetime experience and I am blessed for every New York minute I was able to experience during break.

The Stresses of School

College can be such a stressful time in life. One of my residents called me today in tears because she is so stressed about her courses. Currently she is a neuroscience major and says she is struggling to maintain her grades. She is taking 3 of her major courses as a freshman and is having a hard time managing and adjusting to her first year! I have tried to encourage her that it is still only the first semester of her college career.

As a Resident Assistant my goal is to remind her to take it one step at a time- one day at a time- because according to Matthew 6:26, "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." It is good to set goals, but putting too much pressure on ourselves can sometimes cause us to perform worse in regards to academics.

As one of her peers, I too find myself worrying too much about tomorrow. Matthew 6:26 is a great reminder to be in the present, at peace and content with my life as it is now.

High Schools- State Championship Football Game

On November 4, my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma had a formal with the fraternity Phi Delta Theta. Instead of going to the formal I chose to go to the Texas private high school state championship football game between All Saints Episcopal Schools and Oakridge School.

The game was Saturday at 7:30p.m. at Pennington Field. All Saints is the school where I am a YoungLife leader so it was great getting to go and support the team.

The group of girls I mentor is growing larger in number as the year progresses. Going to this game was a great way for me to get to know the girls better. We were able to talk and get to know each other a little more. Going to this game was worth missing my formal for because I was able to meet new girls and begin forming new relationships.

I am really looking forward to establishing a set small group of girls that will stick together and carry over into the next 3 years. A group that can all get together and share with one another about what is going on in each of our lives.

Family and Football

Texas Christian University played against Brigham Young University last Friday, October 28, at Cowboy Stadium. The screen is bigger than I remembered! That night, the Horned Frogs beat the Cougars 38-28 while we watched the St. Louis Cardinals take the World Series title against the Texas Rangers.
In regards to the TCU football game, fans were confident they would walk away with a win. The game was close enough to keep people's energy high all the way until the close of the 4th quarter.

My parents flew in, Thursday, from California for the game. I took them to the Junior Varsity Football game at All Saints Episcopal Schools where we watched my YoungLife girls cheer in the pouring rain. None of us were equipped for the rain so the 3 of us used plastic bags as shelter. The game was an interesting experience, but a great memory! You know your parents love you when they will stand in the cold and pouring rain to watch girls, whom they do not even know, cheer at a high school football game. 

That night we went Texas two-stepping at Billy Bob's where we also watched the Cardinals win game 6 against the Rangers. This brought the World Series to game 7 on Saturday when the Cardinals again defeated the Rangers and took the 2011 World Series title. We went downtown for a nice dinner Friday after the game and Saturday was dedicated to shopping at Northpark Mall in Dallas.

My parents left Sunday night. I will not see them again until Christmas so, it was hard to say goodbye. But, it was nice having family in town, even if it was just for a short while. I was happy to show them why I love Texas and how it has become a second home. I look forward to the next time they come out so I am able to show them the new things I have found to love about Texas.

Family For The Weekend

It has been 3 months since I have seen my parents. There flight comes in Thursday at 2p.m. and I am eager to pick them up from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. I have many fun things planned for us to do while they are here for the next 3 days.

After I pick them up from the airport I plan for all of us to go eat lunch and go shopping around town. I am most looking forward to taking them to All Saints Episcopal school's- Upper School- Junior Varsity football game. While there my parents will get to meet the freshman YoungLife girls I mentor. Tomorrow night is also college night at Billy Bob's so I plan to take them there, after the game, so they are able to experience the World's Biggest Honky Tonk. 

Friday is the TCU v. BYU game at Dallas Cowboy Stadium. Both my parents and I bought tickets to go to the game. My dad is a huge Cowboy fan so he is looking forward to being in the stadium and both are eager to tailgate with a group of my friends before kick off.

Not only have I missed my parents these past few months, but I am excited for them to see the life I have established for myself here in Fort Worth. With the first year of college under my belt I finally feel at home here at TCU.