calm my anxious heart

1 hall camping trip to organize

3 books to read before Saturday

3 papers to write before Friday

3 presentations to finish before the end of the semester

4 projects to finish before the end of the semester

5 days until spring break

6 papers to write before the end of the semester

14 days until Easter

30 days until I turn 21

37 days until I am DONE with this semester

44 days until I am off contract as an RA

52 days until I leave for Brazil!

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat of what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient of the day is its own trouble." Matthe 6:25-34

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm...other times He calms His child.  

Engstrom Bowling Night

On Monday night, we had an all-Engstrom bowling event!  The theme was "Neon" so we all dressed in bright colors.  I rocked my crazy tights, my Engstrom shades and my "Choose Joy" foam finger.
That's right.

It was a fun night of laughter, healthy competition and hanging with some rad people.

p.s. post to come soon about my best night so far as an RA.  To sum it up in one sentence, my residents are incredible and my God is sovereign.

Kid time

If you know me, you know I adore kids.  I'm pretty sure I would rather spend my time will silly little ones than with adults most of the time  :)  One of my favorite things about being in Rezlife is getting to know the RDs and their families.  Kelly is an RD here and he and his wife have three beautiful/handsome children.  I get the blessing of hanging with them occasionally and I love it!  On Sunday, we got to spend some time together while their parents were out.  So. Much. Fun.

Kyler and I worked on a puzzle for a little while.

Brayden loves the Bible.  Like really loves it.  

So...Brayden and I built the Temple in Jerusalem out of blocks  :)

Right now, they are fostering five kittens until they are old enough to be weened and given away.  They are so funny to watch...they are just now starting to play with each other!  Haha.

We had breakfast for dinner (my personal favorite): breakfast potatoes, eggs and turkey bacon.

This is sweet Naiya.  She was lovin her applesauce and sweet potatoes.

This is the second time building the Temple. (I'm telling you...he really loves the Bible.)

"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me.  Don't stop them! For the kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'" Matthew 19:14

The people I love most.

As many of you know, my family came to visit me last weekend.
It was an incredible time of laughter, rest and quality time.

While we were here, my wonderful friend, Amie, took my brothers' senior pictures and also snapped a few family pics.  We haven't had family pictures in sooooooooo long.  Thanks, Amie!

My best friend in the whole wide world.

Daniel and Kendall...aren't they good looking? :)

We're just models. nbd.

The parentals.

My parents have THREE seniors this year!!  

The boys will graduate in June and I will graduate from college in December  :)

I miss these people already.  Thank you, Lord for an amazing weekend.

KONY 2012

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Soul care.

This week has just been on of those weeks.  One of those weeks where everything seems to be packedtogetherthistight and there's not room for anything beyond the necessities.  I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water--just trying to endure the waves and wait for calm seas again.

This week has included many events that have given me a run for my money:

-Sending out support letters to fundraise for Brazil

-Trying to get sleep even though my body has decided to stop sleeping through the night

-Turning in my "Intent to Graduate" forms

-Finding housing for next year (eek.)

-Having to fight feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, happy, sad, frustrated, humbled, angry, isolated and even depressed

-Choosing to trust the Lord even when I feel this way

-Being a student (papers, student teaching/service learning, projects, tests)

It's times like this when I just want to run far, far away.  To get away from life.  I yearn to be home with my family.  I miss my mom's hugs, my Dad's talks with me and my brothers' laughter.  I just keep waiting for my spirit to find rest.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11: 28-30


So for now, I will seek the Lord with all my heart.
He promises that when I do, I will find rest.
But more importantly, I will find Him.
And He is more than enough.