Birthday Reflections

Hey Guys!!

My apologies for it being so long since my last post.  The semester has gotten crazy.  My parents came and visited me 2 weekends ago and then I came home this past weekend.  Throughout that time I have been sick, with what turns out to be Bronchitis.  Anyway, all of that has combined to cause a delay in a new blog post.

Yesterday was my Birthday.  I love birthdays.  They are like a person's special holiday; a day all about them and celebrating their life.  This being said, it was so exciting to me that I was able to work out my Thanksgiving Break trip home to begin last Saturday so that I could be here for my Birthday.

The day began (leading up through midnight) with a viewing of the episode of I Love Lucy in which Lucy has a birthday.  You may remember the "Friends of the Friendless" or that this is the episode that Ricky gives Lucy the theme song of the show as a present; the only time lyrics accompany that joyful melody.

Anyway, the rest of the day was packed spending time with friends and family.  We went to Outback Monday night with a group of 13 people.  My email was constantly receiving notifications from Facebook filled with Birthday wishes from friends.  I got texts and calls all day.  I really began to think about the awesome people that I have in my life.  I am so blessed.  If you are reading this blog, you are one of those people!  You have no idea how happy and honored I am that you are a part of my life.

This has been an amazing year, full of growth inside of me.  It's crazy that I have completed my first year of adulthood and am now 19 years old.  Time is flying.  I am so excited for what this year has in store and so glad you are a part of it!

Thank you for making this birthday so happy!

Something Bigger Than Self

Life has been crazy. A good crazy though! Tons of school work, which is a bummer, but tons of Kingdom stuff too, which is glorious!

As I was reading in my history book the other day, I was reading about the conquest led by Alexander the Great.  So many people lost their lives fighting in those wars, yet, they remain nameless and faceless today.  They get mentioned in passing, as the focus in history books are on their great leader: Alexander.  They gave their lives for something bigger than themselves, they gave their lives to build an empire.

I want that kind of mentality.  I want to give my life to something bigger than myself.  I want to be a part of advancing the Kingdom that makes my Leader famous in the Earth, not me.  I want to be a part of the army that Joel saw, an army that will carry Jesus further into the darkness of the Earth than anyone has ever taken Him.  We may lay our lives down to see Jesus come to countries closed to the Gospel, or unreached people groups, but at the end of  our days, we will know that we have made a bigger difference together than we ever could have on our own.

I am so excited about the people God is linking me with.  I have an amazing group of college people at my church here, and we are living this thing out daily.  Believing Jesus will do what He said He will do.  We are done chasing revivals, but believe we can pray until one breaks out here.  This move isn't far off, but is beginning right now.  It's bigger than we can imagine, and I am overwhelmed with expectation.  It's awesome to know these friends are going to be people I get to run with for life.

Join yourself with a cause bigger than yourself!  Join yourself with people who have the same focus and purpose on their lives as you do.  You will learn how to lean with a whole new intensity.