AARON IS COMING TOMORROW!!!

<3

So things are finally settling down around here and life is beginning to seem fairly normal again, which is a blessing in and of itself. I passed my 2nd check-off today (and proceeded to throw another small party for Theresa and myself tonight after Campus Church)...w35sdvjglk;o[0poiu92345eoiu-0....yeah definitely just spilled water ALL OVER my laptop so hopefully it still works in the morning. At least the screen is now a bit cleaner...

This week was spiritual emphasis week here at LU and it's a pretty exciting time because a lot of our students aren't believers (even though most people don't realize that, it's true...I promise)  ....since Sunday night, around 300 students (69 of which were from the high school) trusted in Christ. THAT IS SO EXCITING!!!! Way more exciting than passing my check-off or the fact that football season began or whatever else happened this week. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE'S ETERNAL DESTINIES WERE CHANGED, but more exciting to me, they realized that their lives have purpose before we leave this Earth. How exciting is that?!

I'm amped, but I can't really put it into words. (partially because emotion is hard to capture and partially because I am not gifted in the area of writing; there are plenty of other people who are gifted in that area) ...God is doing some incredible things on this campus, in my own life personally, and from what I can see - at THE George Mason University, home of the Patriots.  Our God is ALL-POWERFUL and He is succeeding in proving that to us this semester (along with many other lessons that aren't as easy to swallow, I'm sure) and it is breathtaking to see and understand sometimes.

We sang a song tonight and all of the most theologically relevant and inspiring songs couldn't have meant as much as this simple phrase that strung this song together....."be my everything, be my everything, be my everything, ..."  What would our lives look like if we truly lived our lives with Jesus Christ as our EVERYTHING.  What if He was at the forefront of every thought, action, word, movement, breath; if Jesus Christ was our purpose - if bringing glory to His name was our only desire and our only burden and the only thing we boasted in. His death and resurrection for our salvation. He was beaten, bruised, and broken so that we can be redeemed, transformed, sanctified; He was killed so that we can be clean.

There are times when, as a believer, as someone who has grown up completely surrounded by Christian-thought, that the gospel seems weak, boring, and less than life-changing; BUT there are times like right now where I sit down and the perfection of the gospel, the perfection of my Lord, the IMperfection of myself, all those things....are impossible for me to wrap my head around.  I am so unworthy of the sacrifice made for me, but BECAUSE of that very sacrifice, God has deemed me worthy.

No more words.

These last few weeks have been so rough, but I can't help but look back at all of the ways God has blessed me in the midst of the struggles!!!  To say I stand amazed would be a definitely understatement of how I feel when looking at all the many gifts I've been given.

1 - Found PHIL lectures online for $40 instead of $180
2 - Found a used PHIL book hidden behind a stack of other books - saved $30
3 - God a VCR from Theresa's family when our VCR wouldn't work
4 - God, as promised, has helped me through the days where I've woken up early to spend time with Him or helped me find time to do my work when I've put it aside for Him.
5 - Church on Sunday = direct message from God to my heart
6 - Friends who understand and care
7 - Conversation with Professor Drohn today - she calmed my nerves about our skills check-off tomorrow AND encouraged me to continue seeking the Lord and that He would be my strength.
8 - A reminder in class from Dr.Caner that Jesus IS our peace, strength, salvation; He doesn't just offer it to us, He IS the way, the truth, and the life.
9 - Shannon and I are still able to have our Monday night dinners.
10 - Aaron and I have been able to figure out ways to work together in communication as we start this new semester. We've been able to encourage each other and connect with substance-filled conversation even when we are both so busy.
11 - I was able to sign up for check-offs FIRST, which means I was able to pick when I want to do it and not have to choose a leftover spot. MAJOR BLESSING.
12 - I live on a hall with some amazing women of God and have met some wonderful, phenomenal women so far this semester. I have met so many people!
13 - Because we had to go to Charlottesville, Theresa, Amanda, and I were able to spend all day studying AT THE POOL instead of in our dorms or at the library.
14 - Theresa and I have managed our time in such a way that we were able to complete all of our PHIL lectures and our professor is SUCH a great teacher.
15 - Grace.
16 - Stephanie sends me encouraging emails that I print out and hang on my wall.
17 - I have a heated blanket, which helps the little sleep I get to be more restful. (Coffee & Red Bull help too, when a boost is needed)
18 - Prayer group tonight was amazing; just like last year, I've gotten placed in an amazing group with an amazing leader. AND, very much had to do with what God is teaching me, which is always exciting.
19 - Every detail that I've had to take care of with Nursing has been taken care of so easily, which usually isn't the case.
20 - Some people I have been praying for have contacted me and I can't put details here, but good things are happening.
21 - If I pass check-offs tomorrow, I get to come to the 703 and see some of my favorite people.

I can't say that is the end of the list because there are so many more ways that God has blessed me in these past few days, but yeah....I think that's enough for now. Our God is an awesome God and I think oftentimes we lose sight of that.  Jesus Christ is truly all that we need and if He calls us to something (in my case - Nursing school), He will enable us, through His power, to get through it.