finished

fin·ished/ˈfiniSHt/

Adjective:

(of an action, activity, or piece of work) Having been completed or ended. (of a person) Having completed or ended an action or activity: "they'll be finished here in an hour".

I'm done with the semester.

This has been the most challenging semester yet both academically and emotionally. I've grown leaps and bounds. I've learned in the classroom and out. I've found out who I am. For now. I'm confident in the woman God created me to be. I know that His plan is steady & sure. I know He carries me.

I have my insecurities, my unsure-ities, and my failures. I have my failed expectations, and my mistakes. But God loves me despite them. He heals them & makes up for them.

This semester, I took an immunology course (the study of the immune system). In it, I learned all about how the body fights against infection and pathogens. How these minute cells keep our bodies from being overtaken by invaders. How insanely awesome is just that fact alone?!?! God designed those CELLS. How much more did he design US?

My favorite are the helper T cells (CD4+ T cells) because they do just that: They "help" other cells do their jobs. They don't get the credit for killing the pathogen but without them, killing wouldn't occur. They're the behind the scenes key players. They don't want the glory or the fame; they just want to help.

I'm like a T helper cell. I just want to help, but in helping sometimes I have to

sacrifice myself.

Now that I'm done with school for a little while, I'm going to take myself back for a while. I need to be refilled by my Creator and Maker. I need to be reminded of His love for me, His plan for me, and His purpose.

To Him be the Glory.

In this time of Christmas, I am reminded that I am not enough. Nothing that I do will ever be enough and in no way can I earn place to be enough. However, there is this amazing man, depicted throughout the Bible, who was born a man and was willing to die - to be enough - for my sins.

I read John 20 last night, about the death & resurrection of Christ. It never ceases to amaze me. It seems so simply, clear cut, and easy to comprehend but really its profound! This man - the SON of GOD - chose to come & DIE for me.

Why? So I would be seen as enough.

Because Christ died for me, I am covered in the Book of Life. I am enough because God sees Jesus' death in place of my own.

Single-handedly, I will never be enough. I will fail every time. I'm human, I let people down, I screw up, I say things I shouldn't, I make mistakes. But with Christ, I can do anything.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

I am never alone in my suffering, troubles, tribulations, rejoicing, or praising.

Christ is in me.

Thanksgiving

Be thankful, thankful for the good, fun, friends, family, and many blessings of life as well as the bad, ugly, disappointing, messy parts of life. Because what was once ugly is now beautiful, what was once a closed door is now opened, and what was once messy has been cleaned. That's the beauty of this sinful world, there's a Savior who came and died in order that we dont have to. We have been redeemed, therefore, our life here on Earth may have pitfalls and troubles, but we are promised eternity in Heaven.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving everyone!

God bless!

pondering and wandering

In the past few days, I've been thinking a lot about trust and where I put mine.

Who do I trust? With what?

I've come to the conclusion that I haven't trusted God with much. at all.

I tend to love being in control of my own life. Isn't that awful?

I have a really hard time just letting go & giving it up to God.

In times of trouble, I tend to turn to anyone other than God. That is a BAD realization to have. Its one of those things where I really WANT to lean on the Lord but because I can't physically hear the Lord giving me the advice that I want. Well, one of my good friends posed a great question "But can't you feel him & hear him?"

**Light bulb moment** I've never thought of it that way. Who did I think gave me the people around me? Where did I think their words came from?

God. duh. He puts these people into your life, He gives them the words they say to you, He gives you the strength to move over the next hurdle.

So, I am no longer placing the majority of my trust in earthy people.

I am placing my trust in God alone. Because He is good.

you should too.

closer

The past few weeks have been full. Full of homework, classes, obligations, friends, pain, stress, love, phone calls home, disney movies, and -lets be real- sugar. But most of all, they have been full of God. The parts that I love about each of these things is that God is in them. Now, some of you may say that God is not in our pain, but really, He is the one who heals us. God is in our classes, our homework, and obligations because this is His purpose for our "right now," to get us to our future. These are all things I've been thinking about lately. How God puts us on Earth for only a short time but even shorter is the time we spend in one place/in certain circumstances. In my life, I have take for granted the fluidity of life. It is ever changing and moving, and honestly it doesn't care if you want to move with it or not. God has put us here to adapt to our environment, to thrive in the place that He has placed us, much like animals in their habitats. We are constantly adapting to our environment. Don't think that I am saying to conform to this world- because that is exactly the opposite of what I am saying. I am saying that we each have unique purposes God has given us and that in order to fulfill those purposes we must adapt and become content/able to thrive in the conditions He has placed us in. I don't know what this may look like for you, but I know that its a hard reality- we are not put on earth for our own gain or satisfaction. We were put here for the sole purpose of glorifying the Most High, whether it is in Nashville, TN, Los Angeles, or Hong Kong. No matter if we are alone or with others, single or married, old or young. We are HIS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B07iK9uh9qY&feature=related

take a deep breath and let it go.

My new mantra.

you see, letting things "go" is a very difficult thing for me to do. its one of those things where I love to be in control of what's going on in my life- i know that sounds awful. but its true. I hold onto way too much. Its my human nature. So, my new thing is to just let it go. That doesn't mean to just be lazy and leave it flailing in the wind, but just to not worry about it. Let it go and let God. Life is way way too short to not enjoy it and there can be no joy in life if you are always worried about something or someone.

Have a worry free day today:)

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/20-uplifting-quotes-and-pieces

http://polishmycrown.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/thursday-thankful-list/

Needtobreathe-The Reckoning.

Midterms were this week. Stressful for everyone- including/not limited to/and especially me. I was to my wits end, with a lot of things, people and myself. Well, let me tell you just what got me through. The Lord. He's blessed me with people that have pushed me to seek His face in the midst of trouble. And with these people come a safety net, people i know I can count on to hold my hand and keep me up. So, here, breathe as we enter this weekend and know that God loves you. I love you. and you CAN do anything. Nothing is impossible with God on our side.

Happy fall break!