Strength Renewed

It's getting toward the end of the summer.  Many students and families are starting a new school year.  Joshua and I have less than two weeks until school begins again for us.

I'm ready for a new schedule, a change of pace, a different routine.  This summer has been wonderful, don't get me wrong--but I'm ready for some changes.

At the same time, I'm a little apprehensive.  With the new school year will come new challenges: juggling being a wife and homemaker with being a full-time student and working part-time and trying to spend some time with friends, too.  It's a bit overwhelming!  (If you're feeling like you have a lot on your plate--you are not alone!)

A verse from Isaiah came to mind this morning.  God said to Isaiah,

"I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.  So 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 41:9b-10

God has chosen me to serve him.  He is always with me; he gives me strength and help.  I have nothing to fear or worry about.  And neither do you, no matter what your life looks like right now!

In the previous chapter of Isaiah, God spoke more comforting words:

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.  But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  -Isaiah 41:28-31

Our strength does not come from ourselves.  Even youth (like me!) grow tired and weary.  But God never does.  Our God is everlasting--Creator of all that exists.  It is when we put our hope in him, not in our own "strength," that we become strong.  It is God who lifts us up.

I won't get through this coming school year on my own power.  It will be with the strength of God, by his grace and his will, that I will live each day to his glory.  I won't do that perfectly... but I can trust that God has forgiven me.  And he chose me to be his servant knowing that I'm imperfect, so I know he can and will use me for his will despite my imperfections.

I can't wait to see where his strength will take me this year... to what new heights I'll soar.  I wonder...where will God take you?

Linking up with these lovely ladies:
 Growing Home; Thankful Homemaker; Time-Warp Wife; Cornerstone Confessions; Lessons from Ivy

 

The Habit of Joy

I'm trying some new things this year.

One of them is starting a gratitude journal: I'm going to write out my One Thousand Gifts this year.  And I started today, in a beautiful new journal from a friend.

Something else I'm doing in relation to that is the Joy Dare from Ann Voskamp, writer of One Thousand Gifts.  As an encouragement, a challenge, Ann has a list (the Joy Dare link above) of blessings to look for each day.  I'm going to challenge myself to do this and to blog every day about that day's blessings, as well as recording at least five blessings a day in my gratitude journal.  I'm also going to start reading Ann's book.

Today, January 6, Epiphany: "One thing in your bag, your fridge, your heart."

I haven't been using a purse or a backpack much in the last couple of weeks.  But starting Monday I'll be hoisting my red backpack again, full of books, notebooks, a sack lunch.  Those notebooks: places to record what I'm learning.  What I'm being taught.  What God is showing me.

My fridge: is full, thanks to a recent grocery shopping.  One thing in there that I especially love is those little clementine oranges, the "Cuties."  They're so sweet, so juicy, so fun to eat!  And I get them all to myself because Hubby doesn't like oranges. ;)

My heart: is convicted.  Is reassured.  Convicted that I need to trust.  Reassured that I don't have to do it alone.  Reassured that I will be taken care of, provided for, blessed--by the One who loves me more than I can imagine, and by my husband, who also relies on the Creator for all things.


I'm excited to develop these habits of thankfulness and joyfulness--and writing. :)

New Goals for a New Year

Everybody's doing it.

Making New Year's resolutions, that is.  It's a new year, we all feel like we have a fresh start, to try again, to do the things we didn't accomplish last year, to become better at something.

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions.  I've found them very hard to keep.  But this year, I've been inspired by several different people.  Jon Acuff was the major one.  He advised making just a few goals for the year, not a lot, and making them very specific.  If I accomplish all my goals I can create more.  And the more specific they are, the easier it will be to measure that I'm actually doing them.

I want to focus on three major areas of my life: spiritual, relational, and financial.  (Physically, I've already gotten into the habit of regularly working out, and although over Christmas break that's been set aside, it'll get going again once school starts back up.)

Spiritual: I want to spend half an hour a day, at least five days a week, reading Scripture, writing down what I learn from that day's reading, and praying about what I've read.

I want to read at least two books that will encourage me in my walk with God.  (One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp is first on that list.)

Relational: I want to learn to love my husband better.  Specifically, this means seeking out one way to intentionally love him every day (by letting him have his way in something, making a food he likes, saying something encouraging, asking what I can do to help him, etc).

I will also read at least two books on marriage and relationships.  The first will be The Resolution for Women, by Priscilla Shirer (inspired by the movie "Courageous").

Financial: I want to write out, and follow, a set, specific budget for this year.  I want to keep track of our finances and tithe every paycheck.  I would like to attend Financial Peace University (there's a class at our college this spring).

Overall, I want to revamp my priorities so that it's always God, my husband, family and friends, and then me.

This isn't going to be easy.  Please pray for me, for willpower, steadfastness, and the desire to fulfill these things.  And guess what--I'll be praying for you, too. :)

Off to School Again!

Last night I wasn't very excited for school to start.  The back-and-forth between school and home (because, of course, Hubby and I can't both have all our classes back-to-back.  No, that would be too easy), the homework, the studying, the summer freedom gone...

All of that is true, and is happening now, I suppose.  But this morning, sitting beside my husband in chapel with a complete stranger on my other side, surrounded by friends and people I don't know yet...I knew I had come home.  We all sang the Doxology, in harmony because that's how we do it here, and I had chills from my scalp to my toes.  I was even excited to get my syllabus in my Doctrine class before chapel (also sitting beside Hubby), because that is something I'm passionate about and can get really interested in.  And I have to admit, sitting there in the front row knowing the whole class behind me knew I was married...it was pretty cool.  :)

It's been a fun summer, living here in this college town.  But now that all my friends are back, it really feels like home.  It felt so good to know that I had friends happy to see me, excited even.  There's those other people who I know could care less about my existence, but at the same time, seeing their familiar faces brings a sense of contentment, of knowing that I belong here.

Now that I'm an upperclassman it feels a little weird--there's a whole class of freshmen that I don't know, and half (or nearly) the student population is younger than I.  Junior year?  Already?  When did that happen?!?

I'm thankful to be back on campus, thankful for the opportunity to learn, thankful for my wise and caring professors who have a lot to teach me.  But I have to say, I'm most thankful for the relationships I have with my friends and classmates here, friendships that may be for just this season, and that may last our whole lives.  I know God has me here, at this time, for a very good reason.  I hope that once again this year I can bring him praise, honor, and glory in everything I say and do and think.

Just a few of many marital blessings

There's always someone around to do heavy lifting, move the table, and take out the trash, so I don't have to.

I have a far greater self-motivation for housekeeping and chores than ever before.  (Not that I didn't like helping to take care of my family's home, or wasn't motivated to...but the motivation to do so is much greater when it's my home.  OUR home.)

I'm constantly being reminded that I'm beautiful, even when I think I look a mess.  It's nice to know that someone thinks I'm always beautiful.

I don't ever have to go to bed or wake up alone.

My best friend is with me all day, every day.

There's always someone around with whom to talk to Jesus and about Jesus.

Even though I don't think I'm a very good cook (yet), someone apparently thinks I am!

The greatest comfort in life so far comes from being held by my husband while I sleep.

My toothbrush has a permanent home and roommate.

When I go out in public I have a permanent, incredibly handsome escort.

The person who loves me most in the world is always there to encourage and support me.


This really is just a few.  I could go on and on.  Marriage is the most amazing thing I've experienced yet in life!    I thank God for this incredible gift.

Endings and Beginnings

I know I haven't posted in a while.  Truthfully, other things have been keeping me from Scripture reading and blogging.  Facebook, for one.  I never should have gone back on it after Lent.  Maybe I should just get rid of the account altogether!  That, and it's finals week, and I have a paper to finish and two more to write and a final exam to study for and a portfolio to assemble.  And I haven't even begun packing up my dorm room yet.  And I have one week left on campus as a sophomore.

This semester has flown by.  Everyone's saying it, but I really wasn't expecting this year to go by so very quickly!  It has been a delight, and I have learned and grown and matured so much (at least I think so).  And I have strengthened old friendships and made new ones and God has put people in my life that have been the most incredible blessings.

I have failed, I have triumphed, I have been forgiven, I have forgiven others (and myself).  God's grace has become more real to me in this last year than ever before.  He has revealed himself to me in new ways.  I am growing in my faith and learning more about him all the time.  Nope, I'm not doing everything nearly right, but I'm a work in progress.

My mom has expressed to me that the thought of me not coming home for this summer is hard for her to fully accept.  I'll be home with my parents for less than three weeks before beginning my life as a married woman.  I have to admit, it does feel a little weird--but I'm ready.  I've been ready.  I firmly believe that God prepares us our whole lives for each transition that we experience; he's been preparing me for this, too.  I know I still have a lot of learning to do, but I'm ready to jump into my new role as wife and homemaker, by the grace of and with the help of my heavenly Father!

I've made good friends in a few of my classes this semester.  I'll miss seeing them every week.  But each semester so far I've made new, closer friends, and I know that will continue to happen.  I wonder who God will bless me with next year!

Sometimes it's bittersweet, all the goodbye's, and knowing that things will not be the same when we come back.  But it's exciting, too, because I can hardly wait to see what God has in store.  I know it will be good.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  -Jeremiah 29:11