from kenya to kentucky

it has seriously been a crazy month for me. i have to been to Kenya and then two weeks after i got back, i went to Kentucky.

Kenya was amazing. it was beautiful and peaceful. i honestly did not want to leave. my heart is not necessarily for Africa but a child of any age has my heart. i wanted to stay with them. i did not miss a single thing in America and i honestly believe that i am capable of being a full time missionary if God called me to it. I know that is not my calling but i am learning to do what the Lord wants me to do in the present time. i don't want to miss anything. there are so many stories i could tell you from Kenya but i will not write them all on here but as i think of some to share, i will do so here. i also blogged while we were over there on the Restoration Ministries website. you can view there if you want to know a little bit more on our trip.

Kentucky is a beautiful place. I went with Fuel Student Ministries to Kentucky Church of God Youth Camp. i absolutely loved it. i never think i would to do ministry at a camp but i really enjoyed this one. i didn't get to interact with the campers that much but just praying for them and for my students blessed me so much. The Lord we serve is so good. we definitely had some trials but the Lord reigned and i continually encouraged my kids to let go of their frustrations so they can serve with a servant's heart. i also had to give my frustrations to the Lord because those kids drove me nuts sometimes but we can't serve unless we are right with the Lord. The Lord moved so much at this camp. we were the young teens and these are the most troubled kids. they may have behavioral issues but i didn't see it; however, they come from families who are not good to them. i loved being with them. The Lord is so good. I'm in awe of the work i got to do for the Lord. I give all of the glory to Him.

peace!!!

i leave for Kenya in the morning!!!
today, i got to spend my morning in worship and prayer with some of my wonderful friends from church. afterward, my best friend and her little sis came and spent the day with me. they helped me get my last minute shopping done (i got a bunch of snacks) and pack. it was a low-key day which is what i love about my friends. we are so laid back. tonight, i ended my day with worship and prayer with some of my other friends that live in Moody. waffle house was a great end as well.

i'm so full of the Lord's joy that i can't contain it! it's wonderful! i'm so excited to leave tomorrow and ready! a day with the Lord will definitely prepare you. i love you guys and i hope i get to post on here; if not, go to www.restoration-ministries.com to keep posted on our adventures.

see ya in two weeks!

Come away with Me

My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.”

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

As i prepare for Kenya, i consistently ask the Lord if I am truly ready to go. "Am I prepared? I am not prepared." I have been going to a Song of Solomon Bible study these last few weeks. We studied this passage above this week. it was explained to me that the Lord, our beloved, is calling us to come out of our comfort zone. He is asking us to come with Him to go on this adventure with Him. He does not want us to recoil in fear and yet we do when He wants us to do something new. I have been in this waiting period and now it is time to do something radical. this is new and Kenya will be a start for a new season. I cannot wait to see where He will take me in our journey together. i'm ready to run with Him and for Him. Are you?

love is in air, it's everywhere!

so my other best friend got engaged today!
i absolutely adore her and her now fiance. their story is so unique and wonderful. the Lord definitely put them together and writing their love story. i am so excited for the two of them and their marriage!
love you christy and jeremiah!

weddings, weddings, weddings

How i love weddings!

within two weeks, two of my close friends got married. they were both gorgeous weddings too. both weddings were inspired with antiques and the vintage style. (will post more pics if requested)

first one: Bethany & Shaun (April 30,2011)
Bethany and i have known each other since she was three and i was five. we met at church and have been close since (for the most part). Shaun and i have known each other since i was two and him 3 (i guess). His mom babysat me and my sister. we went to a different church together. they met in high school and it was really weird to see two different worlds come together but i'm so glad they met and finally got married!

second one: Heather & Ryan (May 14,2011)
Heather and i went to Alabama together and met in the Social Work Department. a fun friendship we have. She is a great friend and we planned all of our classes together and had weekly dinners with some other friends. I was honored to be in her wedding and i adored her antique decor.

I truly enjoy weddings. it is always wonderful to see how the Lord unites people that are compatible for each other. i can't wait to see who i will marry. it will be so exciting!
i am so thankful to have Jesus as my Husband. I am His bride and i seriously can't wait to see who He has, for me, as my earthly husband.

two extremes

so it has been a crazy month in alabama. tornado season. today my former school was hit terribly by the tornado. my heart hurts for my friends that still live there and for all the people who lost their houses. here are a few pictures:
the apartment complex i lived in my senior year of college


these next two pictures are of 15th street. 15th street had a bunch of restaurants where a bunch of students would eat and it was one of the main roads to get to the University.

there are more pictures that people have been posting but you get the point of the devastation. so please pray for the city of tuscaloosa and for the state of Alabama.

on a much lighter note here is my announcement:
that's right!! i'm going to AFRICA this summer in June. more info to come soon :D

i'm so blessed to be going and i really need prayer of protection and guidance for this trip. also be praying for guidance and that i would be obedient with my walk with the Lord. some changes will be happening soon in my life.

love you guys!

i've been learning so much with my relationship with the Lord. i have realized that i am so blessed and i will continue to tell myself that because it is speaking truth to myself. i've realized that i am truly loved by my Father, His Son/my Husband, and by His Holy Spirit. it's such a comforting thought.

speaking of love... two of my best friends got engaged a little over a week ago. i can honestly say that i am so excited for them and that we are all still friends. the three of us have been through so much with different things that we have experienced together and/or separately. it is a blessing to have them in my life for so long! congrats you two :D

so i have made a decision that is basically life changing. i'm really excited but i also do not feel like the Lord has released me to tell more than a few people. unfortunately, those who read this and do not already know will have to wait until i can tell the virtual world. it's going to be great and i can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do but i completely trust Him with everything that i have!

love you guys!