transparency and blessings

Dear readers, can I be really honest and transparent with you?
I'm kind of overwhelmed right now, thinking about my life at the moment. I don't need to give you my detailed schedule, but suffice it to say I am at school/work for an average of 9 1/2 hours ever day Monday-Friday. A lot of that time is in the evenings (for example, Wednesdays I don't get home till 10, and Thursdays my hubby doesn't get home till 9.) Meals have been sporadic, housecleaning even more so, and I constantly miss my husband because we don't see each other nearly enough.

Now, I know a LOT of people have schedules like this or busier, but it's a little more crazy than we've had in previous semesters. And I'm definitely not looking for sympathy; I know I've gotten myself into this! But I like being open with you. As cheery and upbeat as I seem on here and on Facebook etc., I don't always feel that way. Sometimes I'm snippy with my husband. I'm very often not understanding. Some days I'm so tired I feel like I don't do anything well because I can't focus. We've eaten convenience food way more times in the last two and a half weeks than I care to admit. And I definitely don't want you to see what my house looks like right now (although at the moment it's not bad in comparison with last week).

On the other hand...
I have been so blessed in the last three weeks it would take a long time to tell you about it all. And I'm really, really happy with my life.

I've gotten to start a little tiny ministry in our home once a week, by inviting girls from school over for tea, coffee, something homemade and baked, and visiting. I want to incorporate some Bible study into these get-togethers soon, too. This has been on my heart for months and I'm so excited to finally be able to do it. Joshua is incredibly supportive and has made this a high priority for me/us.

I absolutely LOVE my classes (all of them, which isn't always the case), and two of them in particular are going to be incredibly helpful with advancing my blogging and writing careers. I have big dreams for this blog, and I can't even tell you how excited I am at the prospect of some major projects this semester.

In less than three weeks of classes I've already made a new friend and strengthened old friendships. I'm excited to connect with people this year that I haven't connected with much.

Despite not spending tons of time together like we did over the summer, the time Joshua and I have had together has been quality. He brought me lunch today (frozen pizza is sometimes such a blessing), and we had a great talk for more than half an hour about something other than classes, work, and scheduling. I can't tell you how much we needed that or how refreshing it was.

There's so much more that I am so incredibly thankful for. God has been showing himself to me in new ways thanks to a class that requires we do Bible study and spend time praying and meditating. I've been able to worship in chapel at least twice a week. And boy, I love theology classes, and getting to talk faith-stuff with dear friends and classmates.

So as crazy life is... it is so, so good right now. As always, of course. I have a job I love...classes I love...friends I love...and of course a husband I am absolutely crazy for. And God amazes and awes me with how he heaps his love on us till I just overflow.

When life feels rough, I just look at the good things and thank God for them... and then a messy kitchen and sleep deprivation really don't look so big after all.

Linking with black tag diaries, The Fontenot Four

Planning for ministry. This is exciting.

My friends, I want to share something with you.  Something about which I'm starting to get really excited.

First, a little background--Joshua and I will be here in our little college town for a while.  We've spread out our college classes in order to stay sane, so it's taking us longer than typical to finish.  What this means is we can stay comfy; we're not leaving anytime soon.

I experienced the blessing of having several older girls who reached out to me my freshman and sophomore years, who were there when I needed advice or just to talk, and were spiritual mentors to me.  I want to be able to do that for other girls--to be a blessing as I have been blessed.

So I decided that this fall I'm going to seek to start a small ministry to college girls here in our home.

Image credit: Ambro via freedigitalphotos.net

I've been thinking and praying about this for some time now, and I feel a peace about it, although the idea fills me with--not worry, not anxiety, but a positive kind of stress.  It'll be a big job, and a big responsibility, and a pretty big commitment.  Joshua's willing that I open our home one night a week to whatever girls want to come.  I don't have a clear idea yet of what this will look like, exactly--I don't want it to be too structured, but I do want to have regular components of fellowship, a simple Bible study, and prayer.  I want our home to be a place where young women feel welcome and comfortable, and most importantly, where the Holy Spirit is very obviously present.  My primary goal for this is to let young women know that they are beautiful, treasured daughters of the King of kings--that Jesus loves them more than anything they could imagine.

I'll let you know as my plans for this fill out.  I'm starting now to pray that God leads me to seek out the girls he wants to be a part of this, and that above all, His will will be accomplished.  In the meantime, could you be praying for me?  Praying that the Gospel will be proclaimed?  That the young women who need this kind of fellowship will be led to it?  That I will honor God in everything?

And practically speaking, could you be helping me think of a name for this group?  I'm thinking something like "Faith Fellowship Sisters,"  But better.

I am so very excited about this, dear readers!  I can't wait to see what God is going to do with me.