It's Fall Break for me and I FINALLY have time to blog...
My life since being in Greenville has been crazy busy. Taking 23 credit hours, being an RA, being on Leadership with CRU, and still struggling with post-project depression hasn't been the most easiest combination of things in my life. I know that I love being busy, but I've been learning a lot about myself and I've also been able to see how God has transformed my heart this summer in preparing me for this new semester. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I've always struggled with finding my identity in my academics and performance. Let me just say the Lord has really been redeeming me in my sin. I'm halfway through the semester already (I can't believe it!) and I'm slowly realizing that I'm not as caught up in my school work than I used to. I used to stress out to the max if I didn't have my readings finished before class or if I wasn't fully prepared for class. Now I am not concerned with that. I know that God has given me the ability to take classes and so I'm trusting Him in that He will allow me to do my best and to be satisfied with what He has given me. I would honestly so much rather just hang out with my ECU CSP12 people and talk about Christ and what He is doing in our lives, but I'm finding contentment in getting my school work done and having the little conversations with them that I can.
CRU had their fall retreat in September at Myrtle Beach. It was a really awesome weekend. My favorite part of the weekend was our speaker, Will Plitt. If you haven't heard of him, you should look him up. He's freakin' amazing!!! He spoke this year on having a heart for change, for God, and for missions. Each talked built upon each other and they were all so powerful. The "Heart for Change" talk was my favorite one that weekend. Will Plitt talked about what our lives should look like when we become saved and put our faith in Christ. That our hearts are changed to obey God and His word. Will Plitt said this "Coming to faith in Christ, is coming to the end of self." How true is that. Once we believe in Christ, we our putting our flesh aside and trusting fully in God. This quote really stuck out with me. Have I really came to the end of self? Have I fully came to faith in Christ? To hand over every aspect of my life to Him. As I have thought about this, I come to think about the sins in my life, especially how pride is a recurring theme. Dang pride. I've realized this semester that my pride goes further than just academics and performance, but into friendships and my interactions with other people. I have felt so bad in how I've treated people because of this. I'm seeing everyday that I am in need of grace and how badly I need to come to the end of self so that I can shine God brighter than myself. Actually, so that God is the ONLY thing shining through me.
Like I said earlier, I'm on Fall Break. Thank goodness for this break from school work. The week prior to break was definitely my most stressful week of school ever!! A million things to do and not enough sleep resulting in this girl being exhausted by the end of the week. Either way, I made it out alive and home safely. Since being home, I started working at The Loft Outlets at Tanger. If you know me well enough, you know that I absolutely LOVE that store. I've only been working for two days so far and it has been a great experience. Everyone there has been so nice and helpful. I got to work the wardrobe room (dressing room) today, and it was soooo much fun. I got to help the ladies that came in make outfits and leave with something new for their closet. I think I may have a niche for the wardrobe room...just maybe.
Psalm 121 :)
