what ive been doing since the flu.

reading about Helen Roseveare's life..

                                                             watching Clueless

eating Cheese puffs & drinking diet cherry limeades..

   And borrowing Lynn's season 1 of Desperate Housewives, my favorite show while support raising.

Flu.

After going to the Alive conference for 5 days, which was AWESOME by the way, I knew I was getting the flu. On the long 12 hr bus ride home, I felt exactly like I did on the day of Emily's wedding, it was unforgettable. Sure enough, I had influenza A.


Having the flu has taught me alot about myself and about my relationship with God, which have honestly not been that easy to learn :(
Ive seen how....
I value busyness, and find my value in it
I base my worth not on WHOSE I am, but more on WHAT I do. This can only lead to an emotional roller coaster and discontentment in the end...no wonder I felt slightly down all week.
I have an entitled spirit. I want things when I want them, and lack patience in the work that God is doing in me.

There are alot more that I can think of, but.....yeah. Thats true of me. Theres not a quick fix, but accepting that who I am now is not who I will be, and who I am at this moment is not who I will be even next year.

Why can I say that??? because of sanctification. The process thats going on where God is making me more like Jesus daily. Basically, He's making me more set apart. Maybe I dont notice it daily, but I can tell you that last year at this time I am not who I am today, and thats really really awesome.

Since Ive been sick, I think, even though this verse doesnt directly relate, it speaks to me of my disgusting self reliance : "Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead." 2 Cor 1:9


My prayer is that my heart would not give into these natural tendencies to rely on self and find worth apart from Christ. But, it has to start with You, God, softening the crispy edges of my hard heart to Your will, and let me be willing to surrender. Its hard to surrender, but its really the only way.

Beautiful things.

 I love photography...by that I mean my favorite type of art ever is photography. I wish I knew how to take pictures. Thats one of my dreams in life, to get a good camera, and then do my dream job....photojournalist/evangelist in an unreached people group. Sometimes I look at pictures on etsy.com, where people sell their pictures. If I could I would buy tons of them!! Maybe thats what I should have asked for for Christmas. Here are some pictures that are beautiful and to me reflect God and the beauty of His creation....

 Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."




Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God; 
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Christmas at Furman!!!

Well, these past few weeks have been some of the busiest yet! We've had 2 huge parties and have been preparing for the ALIVE conference in DC! 

Even though you couldn't be there, here are some highlights of our Christmas bash we had last week:

-smores, hot chocolate, and tons of treats!

-an eggnog chugging contest....not really my thing but VERY entertaining!!

-SLIP N SLIDE!!! In 30 degree weather, some guys (and a couple girls were brave enough to try) did a soapy and wet slip n slide in the guys front yard!

Natalee, Jordan, me, Hayly, Martha, and Suzanne (all freshman girls!)

Hayley, Martha, Suzanne, & Cecilia at our freshman Bible study white elephant gift exchange

Eggnog chugging contest.....very gross if you ask me! But the crowd loved it!

Alyssa, me, Anna, Allie, and Casey at my house!! 3 of these girls are KD's

The guys (Daniel, Sam, & Peters) house all ready for the Christmas party! Looks awesome!

Me and some girls hanging by the fire!!!

help me Lord.

Bethany Dillon- Hallelujah 



Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play

And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah 




Dad, help me choose to believe your promises, to believe that you are enough even when I dont feel like it, and make my greatest joy in life be YOU. Alone.

LADY ANTEBELLUM!

Margaret, Katie, me, Em, and Leila!!

 Well, if you know me you know I LOVE country music!!! A couple weeks ago, I went with 3 freshman girls (and my sis Em!!) to see them at Furman! Of course it was awesome. I love that we really believe (campus outreach and me personally) in incarnational ministry AKA Life on Life....living life with people you are ministering to!! Jesus lived life with His 12 disciples. Ministry isnt just the times when you're studying the Bible and praying but its also the timesba when you're just hanging out, going to Wal Mart together, walking to the library together, getting a snack in the dining hall!! Thats one reason I think I want to talk to people about Jesus for a living forever- it combines my 2 passions- JESUS and LIVING!!

me and Katie!!! 

Beautiful Furman. Pray for this school and all the students!!  "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord....."

Thanksgiving Dinner!!!

Girls hanging out at Thanksgiving dinner!

Last Monday, over 100 students piled into Thomas and Sarah's backyard for a festive potluck dinner! The night was complete with live music, pie eating contest, and lots of eating! It was AWESOME. It was truly a celebration for our staff team, celebrating all that the Lord has allowed us to do this semester. This semester has been spent really plowing the fields, building relationships and sharing Christ with students. Our team has really worked together and worked tirelessly to be on the campus, living life with these students.

Me, Emily, and Hunter!

Molly, Emmi, and me!

Pie eating contest!

If you would have told me last year that at this time this year we would be putting on something like THAT, I would have bet you anything it would never happen. Look at what God has done in just ONE year!!!!!! I am so thankful.

Now...check out this AWESOME 1 MINUTE VIDEO from the night!!
thanksgiving dinner!