"Baby it's cold outside"

Well this morning when I woke up, I had the wonderful pleasure of experiencing 8 degree weather. It was so cold this morning that it was painful to step outside. The wind chill factor was way in the negatives. I usually walk to class, however this morning when i stepped outside, I knew there was no way that I could walk to my class, so I drove. I mean I love the seasonal change here in Tennessee, but that is way to cold for my liking. Especially for the fact that we get no snow, so there is absolutely nothing to do but freeze to death. Also every other school in the district even all the way to Chattanooga got canceled, however Lee University did not get canceled. I guess it was ok for college kids to walk in the bitter cold. LOL

At least I only had one class today! But when I got to my class my professor was not even there, we had a fill in, so really it was a pointless class. So i spent the rest of the day with my roomie just laying around and watching movies, listening to music and taking naps. It was a very relaxing and lazy day. a day to just stay inside and keep warm. Sometimes those are my favorite times. The times when I am alone, and it is nothing but quiet and all I can hear is the still small voice of God. It is when I feel at peace, when I feel that even through the rain and the storms of life somehow God always lets the sun shine brighter than ever. Every day is a new day, a new day to rejoice, smile, laugh and look forward to all that is to come. To press on even when you don't want to. I think I am beginning to get overwhelmed with school. Thinking about all that I have to do and all that is to come, but then I stop and I just sit and rest. I think that nothing is to big for God, nothing is to big for me because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.

First Day

Well today was my first day back at classes. What a day it was. To start my day off I went to the wrong class. So even at 21 and a junior in college I still sometimes go to the wrong class. LOL... The class i went to that was incorrect, was a class I am taking for my cross cultural trip this summer, however there are 2 different sections of the class. One the first half of the semester and one the second half, well mine is the one that does not start until march. So I just sat in class and acted cool this morning while the professor was talking and then as they got into groups I quietly slipped out as if it was no big deal. So that was definitely the highlight of my day. Then i went on to my next class which people say she is a hard teacher and did not like her, she may be hard but I think that I am going to like her. i seem to like her personality. We shall see. Then my last class for the day was a personal finance class that only lasted 5 minutes long. To say the least my day was not to bad and was a pretty easy day.

i guess it was a good way to start the semester off. i got to see all my girls again tonight. It was good to reconnect and catch up from break. It was 20 degrees this morning walking to class and tomorrow is supposed to bd 9 degrees so I am truly looking forward to that!! Well now that i have rambled on and on about my day i am getting off and heading to bed to spend some time with God. I leave with Zephaniah 3:17. don't look to the left or right. Look straight ahead to the promises and dreams that God has given you. Run hard after him. run hard after the prize that God has set before you. You will be amazed at what unfolds before your eyes.

BELIEVE!

Today was an exciting day but at the same time there were some down falls to it as well. After being home for almost a month and half I headed back to campus today and said goodbye to my mom. It never seems to be easy to say goodbye to my MoM. I had a wonderful break and holidays with my mom and a great last weekend with her as well. My mom is my best friend, my other half, my partner in crime and not being with her is like having a piece of me missing. I know it is a lot harder for her being in an empty house with no kids and being so far away, but I know that God embraces her and holds her ever so close in his arms and brings her the peace, comfort, joy and love that nobody but God can give. But tonight as I sit in my apartment in my room, I am missing her. missing home. Missing where I have been, missing what is familiar, missing family. But I know that God is right here with me and when i am weak he gives me strength to face the next day. Every step I take is one step closer to him. As tomorrow is my first day of the new semester, I know that it is going to be the best semester yet because God is behind me all the way just like always. For in jeremiah 29:11 it says "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 a hope and a future" I know that my future is brighter than any sun has ever shinned and that when i keep holding on I will see the dreams and the visions that I have in my heart unfold before my eyes. I have enjoyed being able to be back with my girls. My friends mean a lot to me and it is fun to have some good laughs and good times together. I cherish the moments we share. I look forward to many more throughout this semester. This is a new season a new year. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT ONE YEAR CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE? I DO! I am ready to walk in that change and see that change.......

Half my heart will always be in Florida!

Well 9 hours later i arrived back home to Tennessee after being in Deland, Florida for the past 4 days. It was very bittersweet leaving this morning and saying goodbye to friends. I feel a sense of emptiness tonight as we pulled into the drive way. I know that Tennessee is my home. But Florida is also my home. There is something familiar about it and something special about being back where My life story began. I really miss the fellowship at church and just some best friends from long ago. It was such a refreshing weekend. A weekend that was much needed. It was a great way to end my Christmas Break!! I feel like I have been gone for a long time though. On the way home, me and my mom were talking. even though the trip coming home did not seem real long or that bad, I feel like we are so far away from Deland and so far from friends, family and everything. The trip was amazing. I loved the warm weather and the feeling of "Home". I feel like God grabbed a hold of me while I was down there and placed my feet on the path that he is taking me down and the doors he is beginning to open up. I am really excited to get this year into gear and press through to the places that i will go and the things that I will do. I love one of the lines from the Desert song by Hillsong " All of my life in every season, you are still God, i have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship. That truly says it all for me. So with that said. My weekend was good not only with family and friends but with an amazing mom as well. She is one of a kind and i love her with every ounce of my being. Thanks mom for all you do. You are my forever best friend. I LOVE YOU!

Rain falls like Fire........

So I just got back from my "Home" church, First Assembly of God in Deland Florida. God opened the flood gates of heaven and poured out his spirit tonight. The guest speaker, Pastor BoB Fisher had a very annointed message. I felt God so strong tonight, as I was praying I felt like I was on fire. God fell upon me tonight in a mighty way. I had a word spoken over my life tonight and it was at just the right time and was a word that I needed to hear. God is just awesome. I am in awe of his greatness and love. Without him I am nothing. He is my strength when I am weak, my shelter, my friend, my father, my love, my hope, my redeemer, savior, my comfort. I am my beloveds and he is mine. in him I live and move and breath. He is the very essence of my being. every step I take is one step closer to the dreams and visions that are before me. To the promises and hopes that i have. I am beginning to watch the beautiful tapestry unfold before my eyes of what God is doing in my life. The best is yet to come. This is my year. This is the year. I believe!

SunShine brightens the way.......

I woke up this morning to the Beautiful Florida sunshine and the 75 degree weather. It could not of been a more perfect morning. My mom and me went into downtown Deland and went to our favorite Coffee Shop "Boston Gourmet". I think I was in heaven when I walked in there. As i walked the streets of downtown Deland, once again memories just began to flood my mind, some even overwhelming but in a good way too... Then I drove into Orange City and Deltona first of all was very weird for me because when I left there I was not driving yet so it was my first time actaully driving where I grew up my entire life. I knew my way perfectly. It was as if I never left. It was very overwhelming, since it was the first time back in 6 years. I had many waves of emotions come over me. I began to think about my childhood and all the good memories that I had, I began to think about "My Story". I began to see how God truly takes every piece of our lives from the time we were born and intricately pieces them together to create a beautiful tapestry. It blows my mind how God is just so amazing. So I went into Orange City to see my long time friend Mark. It was a perfect day. I could not of asked for better. Mark has been one of my closest and best guy friends for the past 8 years. When I moved to Tennessee we kept in touch and have kept the friendship going. He is an amazing man of God. I am so proud of the person that he has become and so glad I can call him my friend. I am excited to see what this new year brings my way!
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Home is Where Your Heart Is

Well me and my mom arrived in Deland Florida today. For the first time since I have left Florida, I truly feel like I cam back "Home". I was always the one that said I would never come back here and felt Tennessee would always be my permanent home, but I am not so sure I feel that way anymore. I am not saying I would definitely move back to Florida, but being here for less than 24 hours has already made me realize how much I truly miss "family" and "friends". I miss having a home church, a safe haven. I miss fellowship. I miss the bonds that were mad. I miss old friends. It just made me realize how much of an impact your friends and family truly have on your life. They have helped to shape and mold the woman of God that I am today. As we were on our wat down here I began to think to myself that Florida will always truly be my "HOME". It is where My Story began. It is where my life started. It is where my friendships were first created, where my childhood began. It is apart of me and always will be. I really believe that "Home is Where Your Heart Is". A part of my heart will always and forever be in Florida. Who knows what is in store or what God has planned. I am excited to see this year unfold before my eyes. I know that God has shown himself so faithful to me these past 2 years and is daily showing me more. As I walk daily in him. I listen to his still small voice. I know that the best is still yet to come for me and my family. Wherever you go in life and whatever you do, never forget where you came from and who you are. You don't need to live in dwell in your past. But your past defines and shapes who you are as a person but you are not your past. I have seen that so much with coming back to Florida. So don't regret or be ashamed of who you are or where you came from because it is all apart of the big plan that God has for your life. The very intricate map that he has layed out for each and everyone of us! Hold on to every dream and don't loose sight of who you are in him.

Dancing in The Rain

So I am new at this whole blogging thing. But I like the idea of just being able to write my thoughs and feelings. It's been rather rainy here today. I am just so sick of the rain. Sometimes the rain can be peaceful but after a few days it can also get depressing. Me and my mom are headed to Florida in the morning. A little refreshing trip before I head back to college. I am looking forward to this little adventure. I am going back to my"hometown" so it is rather exciting! I am ready for some sunshine, friends, family, laughter and fun. It has been 6 years since I have been back to my hometown, so there have been floods of memories and emotions over the past few days. I told my mom this the other day but its as if I feel like we are really going "home". I usually would not say that but this time is different. It's a great way to begin the New Year. I am ready for this year. It is a New Season, a New Chapter, to Live, Laugh Grow and Love. I am excited to see all that God has in store. Even through the rain I always find God's little rays of sunshine. I have truly learned sometimes instead of waiting for the storm to pass you just have to get out there and dance in the rain!