Graduation

About 3 years ago I made the decision on the college I would attend.

2 years ago I left North Central University for reasons I barely knew, trusting that God had more in store for me. My time at NCU was short but it was a season of preparation and foundation building. A season of growing and learning about my heavenly Father. I was able to focus on my faith and relationship with the Lord. It was a season that equipped me for all I would face in the coming years. 

I started at Minnesota State University Mankato that fall. It was a school I had never imagined myself at but the Lord's plan prevailed in my life. I learned about loving people in all circumstances and always seeking the Lord. I faced many challenges; I was surrounded by non-believers, critics, drinkers, but really just people who were lost and empty. Daily I made the decision to live for Christ and seek Him first. 

Through my obedience to leave NCU, a place full of Godly people I loved, God blessed me in huge measures. The way he wants to bless all His children who follow him. The same way He wants to bless you. 

Last week I earned my bachelors in Exercise Science at the age of 20 with the highest academic honors. When I decided to stop living by the world's standards, the chains fell at my feet and all I didn't think possible happened. 

In 1 month I will begin working what may very likely be my dream job. Serving people and showing them the character of Christ through my profession. I will have the opportunity to teach people to love the beautiful bodies God gave us and take care of them. 

Because of this job opportunity I will be able to stay in my precious hometown and continuing growing in the community that grew me into who I am today. I'm so excited for all that is in store for the future. I am learning that surrendering all my fears, anxiety, worries, and most importantly my heart to the Lord is the his desire for me and through full surrender God is able to do greater things than I ever could. 

God continues to move in my life and I'm learning to trust Him with all I have. May His plan continue to prevail in my life and in yours as well.

Jeremiah 29:11. 

Be blessed.

Beautiful Restoration

I have experienced two friendships that have been wrought with trials. Each person played a significant role in my life and knew me as well as I knew myself. I would be so bold to say they may have known me better than I did because I had allowed my identity to become so connected to theirs, I was no longer my own. When I allowed that to happen it left no room for God to speak truth into who I was or who He was trying to shape me to be. While both of my friends were strong Christians and frequently spoke truth, I had become blind to the plank in my own eye. My identity was not where it needed to be. I thought my heart was close to God while I was really failing to know my own heart at all. 

In time, those relationships crumbled until each one broke. There was nothing left but pieces and memories I wanted back. My heart hurt to the point of physical pain and I was lost in myself. Twice I went through losing my best friend with no understanding as to why. It took me two times to realize the mistakes I had been making and the pain I was causing. Emotionally I was broken and spiritually I was lost. These relationships could not be fixed in my own strength.

But I am sure of the faithfulness of the Lord and His promise to work all things together for the good of those who love him. The seasons of trial were refining fires. I experienced pain, grief, regret, anger, lonliness, and bitterness. Those seasons allowed for all the ungodly elements of our friendship to be removed. My pride was diminished and my love for the Lord increased. It required allowing God to heal, to speak, and to move in each if our lives. I finally heard the words He had been speaking to me, I heard the Father calling my name. 

After the season of healing began a season of restoration. Restoration in my life and the lives of my friends, but also in our relationships with each other. We learned to forgive and the patience required to do that. We learned to build our foundation on the Lord and to root our identity in Him. We learned to see each other how God sees us. 

Today I can see the process. I value each person so highly now. Our journey together has been hard but I truly believe the best is yet to come. By allowing God to move in our lives and see Him working in our past and in our present gives me hope for the future. They are both a huge blessing to me and I know I am better because of the fire we walked through. Last time we did it alone, next time we will do it together.