She's Baaaack (Part one of two)

So it's been a few months. How've y'all been? I've been hanging on for dear life if we're being honest. But hanging on in the best way and with the biggest smile on my face. God is SO GOOD. He's been spoiling me as of late and I'm so unbelievably blessed. Here's what's been going on:

Background: I have been acting since I was four years old and entered Baylor with an intended Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance. I made a deal with my parents that we would give it a year and then reaccess the plan in May. 

My gorgeous theatre freshman class

When January rolled around I realized just how close that conversation was and started to stress. A lot. I got cast in a really awesome Post Modern Workshop Scene with some of my closest friends and had a blast with that. Yet that sense of unrest was still there, constantly nagging at me. The non theatre classes were pulling at me, and for the first time ever, the stage wasn't where I wanted to be. It was terrifying. I spent so much time trying to figure out my future for me. Trying to plan out what was best for me. Trying to figure out where I wanted to be. (Sounds pretty selfish doncha think?) 

The Post-Modern Scene "Play" 

Awakening changed that. God changed that. 

You can read about the Awakening retreat here. God really challenged me that weekend to relax in Him. My friend Maddie pointed me to Proverbs 31 "She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future" That last part was a wake up call for me. Had I been laughing? No. Not even a little bit. It occurred to me that God knew the plan. He made it and He made it perfect. So I decided that I would sit back and let him take the reigns. 

My Awakening Family & Our "I'm Offended" Signs (You had to be there) 

The Tuesday after Awakening I remember specifically waking up and saying "Okay Lord, I'm laughing today." 

Biggest understatement I have made in awhile. 

If I were actually laughing I don't think I would have come up for air once. The Lord divinely guided that day right down to the people I interacted with on the sidewalk. My professor in my favorite class (whom I kind of want to be just like) gave me some incredible advice along with some pretty crazy opportunities, my advisor emailed me the second I got out of that meeting, I talked to an old friend for the first time in months, saw another one randomly, led a bible study where the Holy Spirit WORKED MAGIC, and basically just let God do His thing. I remember sitting in the car with my Big that evening going over how awesome that day was and finally exclaiming "Okay Lord, if this is what You want, then I am in." The most incredible tangible peace came over me. It was the first time in almost 3 months I'd felt that content with my life. 

How I am feeling. (Also how adorable is this little girl??)

So I switched my major. The Lord showed me that while I will always have a passion for theatre, it's time for me to step off the stage and go somewhere new. I am now a Great Texts (think Literature) major with a double minor in Philosophy and Creative Writing. It's a huge switch but not surprising to those closest to me. I am so very excited to see more of God's plan. 

That decision (to sit back and laugh without fear of the future) has changed everything these past two months. God has been spoiling me in the most unbelievable, wonderful ways. But that's enough for today, I'll be explaining the rest of my wonderful end of semester tomorrow :) 

Happy Summer Everyone! 

It's a Good Morning

1 Rosary

2 1/2 hours of Worship

3 Hour Drive

4 hours of Sleep

+5 shots of Expresso

------------------------------

one heck of a morning.

I am so on fire y'all! I will admit that it was insanely difficult to get out of bed this morning but once I got some coffee in me I was bright eyed and bushy tailed.

I saw George Strait last night (OMG) at the rodeo so I didn't get home until 12. Instead of driving back to the Wack then, I decided to get up before the sun and drive.
The three hour drive allowed for a whole lot of Jesus/me time. It was so lovely! Starting the day reminding myself what its all about and giving back to the one who gave it all has made such an impact on my day so far. I asked to see Him today. Y'all I have seen Him EVERYWHERE. In the nice lady who cleans my floor, in my best friend, in the chapel speaker Bob Goff, and I could go on and on.

I want every morning to be like this. I want to be excited to get up, to go and see Him everywhere. I think the big difference is how I begin each day. If I start it with the snooze button, with running late, with being annoyed at the hour, the roommate, the coffee maker, the air in the room (it's happened.), then the rest of my day will reflect those things. However, if I were to start each day remembering why I'm here, who I serve, and how I can love more, then wouldn't those things be reflected?

That is my resolution for the week. I am going to try to begin each day 30 minutes earlier and spend some time with the King of Kings. My hypothesis is that it will be a huge impact on the week and that things will go a whole lot more smoothly.

What do you think? Do you spend time in morning prayer or wait til the evening?

About Me

Hi lovely folks! Quick post today- I'm off to work a double shift at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! But more on that tomorrow.

Want to learn a bit more about me? Well aren't you sweet! Lucky for you I created a page for that :)

Check it out!

Apartment Love

So it's been a blast living in the shoebox. My roommate is awesome and I like the way it's decorated.

(See decorating posts here , here, here and here for more) 

But I am so. over. it.

Maybe it's the fact that I spend more time in my room this semester than I have last semester but I swear the walls are closing in.

Spring Break is 5 school days away and I am practically counting down the hours.

To keep me sane I have been daydreaming about next years apartment and my very own room! *sigh*

Here are some ideas I have:

1. The Desk

Inspiration: 

Gah The Everygirl gets it right again. So this is the West Elm Parsons Desk. It's simple, classic, and beautiful. It's made even more so by the awesome style. The only bad thing is that the desk is $400. Not exactly breaking the bank, but also not exactly necessary for a fully furnished apartment.

Solution?

Source: overstock.com via Rachel on Pinterest

This bad boy. 

Looks the same right?? The only difference is the finish, which is easily remedied by some DIY. And for 75% off the price, it's a simple compromise.

This needs to happen.

2. Reading Chair

I want a snuggly chair that I can curl up into with a good book and a cup of coffee. There is a nook in my future room that is just begging for a cute accent chair to call a friend.

Here are a few that I enjoy:

Source: google.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: ticonderogaa.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

3. Finally, the kitchen.

I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE A KITCHEN AGAIN!

These are some savory dishes I am planning on having next semester:

Source: pinterestwithgrace.weebly.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Rachel on Pinterest

And that is just the tip of the iceberg my dear friends. If you want more of my inspiration (dreams) you can check out my Pinterest page.

How many days until summer?

My ICE Bag

JIC & ICE ('just in case' and 'in case of emergency' respectfully) are two names for these cases that save the day constantly.

Mine is in this:


I got it in May as a grad gift from a family friend. It was the perfect size for my ICE Bag! I can easily transfer it from backpack to purse and have most everything I could ever need. 

It contains:


-Ulta (Mandarin Mint) hand sanitizer & lotion
-Este Lauder powder
-Oil Absorbing Sheets
-Lip Gloss
-Chapstick
-Mini Mascara
-Miss Dior Cherie Mini Perfume
-Asprin
-Band-Aids
-Hair Ties
-Bobby Pins
-Five Spearmint Gum
-Tide To Go
-Starbucks Ready Brew Via Very Berry Refresher
-Apple Iphone 5 Charger Converter

I cannot tell you how many times this bad boy has saved me from awkward situations.

Do you have a JIC Kit? What do you put in it? Am I forgetting something??

Go.

Go.

The redemption story between God and His people starts with this word. 

12: 1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.”

So Abram went as the Lord had told him."

That isn't an easy request. God asks Abram to leave all security behind and put his trust in Him. Could you do it? Sometimes, like after a retreat or conference, I think I can. Out in nature with the Lord, just the two of us, is perfect. But amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life the doubt starts to creep in. Leave everything? Surely not all of my books, or my shoes, or my school? Not my friends too? It's a heavy request. 

Yet look what God will give Abram if he follows! A great nation, a great name, blessings, children, and the promise of redemption for the entire human race. Seems like a pretty good deal.

So Abram goes. 

And we are still talking about him today! Abram (later Abraham) becomes the patriarch of the Hebrew people. He recieves a call to greatness and responds. 

Brace yourself... we get the same call. "Go and make disciples of all nations" We have to go! We don't necessarily have to leave everything but we are called to lead others to Christ. It's the same call to greatness. It's also just as scary. What if people don't like me? What if they get mad? What if I offend someone? What if I'm not ready? 

There is an answer for that too! Later in Genesis God says to Jacob, Abraham's grandson (who continues the mission): 

"Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you" 

We have a helper! We have THE Helper! The Lord is not going to send us somewhere we cannot handle. I love the saying that "The will of God will not send you where the grace of God cannot protect you." So true and so comforting right? The call is scary, there is no doubt about that. But our God is SO MUCH GREATER than our fear. 

Where is He sending you?

Where are you called? 

Are you willing to go??

Whatcha gonna do?

New Week, New Start.

My Theme for this week is definitely "What Am I Going To Do?"

It's inspired by the Francesca Battistelli song "It's Your Life"

This is the moment
It's on the line
Which way you gonna fall?
In the middle between
Wrong and right
But you know after all

It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door
It's your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way

It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door

It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door
It's your life
It's your life

Songwriter(s):Ian Ashley Eskelin, Francesca Battistelli
Copyright:Word Music Llc, Designer Music, Honest And Popular Songs

It's about the middle of the semester, so there is a crossroad of sorts. Do I keep up with how I lived the beginning of the semester? Do I change it? Do I slack off? Do I work harder? My goal is to continue on with the habits Ive been forming. I hope I don't fall into the procrastination cycle that I typically do. Which probably means I should be studying instead of blogging. Talk to y'all tomorrow!