Lessons learned...

From College Station...

This past week was pretty tough. Filled with lots of ups and downs. A week ago today (last Sunday) I heard about an organization on campus called Project Sunshine. Their mission is to host activities for kids with special needs, usually things they don't normally get to do. Things like a mini-prom, basketball games, carnivals, trips to the zoo, etc. As soon as I heard about it, I immediately fell in love with the idea of being a part of something like that. I went to the informational the next night and signed up for an interview 2 days later (Wednesday). The application process was fairly simple...basically I just had to answer why I wanted to be a part of the organization. My answer was truthful, stating that I believe that every child is a gift from God and is precious in His sight and should be shown the same amount of love, if not more, than a child without disabilities, and that it is our calling to show the unconditional love of Jesus to those who need it the most. I felt like my interview went very well. I was very honest in all of my answers, and the girl interviewing me seemed like she could tell this was really on my heart. After the interview, she told me to come by their cubicle on Friday morning to pick up my letter saying if I made it in or not. I left not feeling too worried about it, because surely they only denied the people who answered things like "I just want something good to put on my resume". Fast forward to Friday. I got my envelope, and I opened it as soon as I got on the bus. It was like the letters got smaller and smaller as I read...

"Thank you for applying to Project Sunshine. Unfortunately, we cannot offer you acceptance into the program at this time. Don't let this discourage you from applying next semester."

I felt like crying right then and there. I felt like screaming at God at the top of my lungs. I felt confused. Angry. Hurt. Inadequate. For the first time in a while I felt like He had really put something on my heart to be a part of. Some way I could serve Him tangibly. And then to pull it out from under me? Of course I was upset! All the questions came flooding into my head. And then they all were silenced with one voice...

"Be still and know that I am God..."

That was so hard for me to hear. I wanted to be still, but something inside of me kept talking back. It took me a few minutes, but then it all became so clear to me. My plans may not always match with God's plans. Let's be honest...my plans RARELY match with God's plans. How silly of me to think that I knew what was best, and then to blame God for not doing it my way. God revealed to me that although we may have all the right intentions of doing something, it still may not be in His timing. "No" may simply mean "not now" or "wait". I have recently been asking God to provide money for my mission trip to Alaska this summer, since I have not had the best of luck finding a job this year. Project Sunshine cost $50 to join. Who knows, maybe it's God's way of providing that extra $50 I had been asking for. On a better note, I did have a job interview on Thursday, and I will hear back about it by next week sometime. I'm really putting all my trust in God with this one, because if I don't get it, I'm really going to have to have a ton of faith to believe that He will provide a way for me to pay for this trip. Please pray about that.

I leave you with this applicable verse.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5

Long time no post!

From Denton...

It has been almost a month since I last posted and I did not think I would go this long without blogging but indeed I did. However, I am going to work on blogging more often :).

I am finally back in Denton for the semester. I went from going to Round Rock to Houston, back to Round Rock then to New Braunfels, back to Round Rock then to Denton, back to Round Rock then to Belton, back to Round Rock, then finally back to Denton all in about a month. It was a lot of traveling but very much worth it because I got to visit my mom and dad's side of the family and be a leader at Disciple Now in Belton, TX which was an incredible experience and God blessed my heart.

I am currently coaching an upward basketball team with one of my dearest friends, Jordan, and we are coaching 3rd and 4th grade girls. They are precious girls and it has been so much fun. We have had four practices and our first game was today. Although I was a tad nervous, it turned out to be a blast and I am more pumped up than ever to get back to practice. The neat thing about upward is that it is geared towards having fun and sharing the Love/Gospel of Christ and not so much the winning aspect. Therefore, they do not keep score or make many calls on fouls and things like that. The not keeping score part turned out to benefit us today because we had our lunch served to us (or however you say it) so it kept them from having low spirits. We hand out stars at the end of each game; each girl gets a star and they all represent different things like most Christlike, best offense, best defense, best effort, and sportsman ship. It was such a blessing to see how excited they got when we announced which star they got! The girls had such great attitudes throughout the whole game and I know they are going to have a fantastic season!!

School starts back up on Tuesday and although I am not so excited for the 'school' part I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things...I will feel more productive since I have spent the last few days hanging out, sleeping in, and watching too much television.

I hope everyone has a blessed week!!

Trip to San Antonio

From College Station...or Round Rock, rather.

This Saturday was my 20th birthday! To celebrate the occasion, my parents and I, along with my boyfriend Chris, took a trip to San Antonio. We stayed in a hotel right on the Riverwalk, so that was very convenient! Saturday night we went to a wonderful Italian restaurant called Zio's. I would highly recommend it. We spent most of Sunday at the zoo. I hadn't been in quite a while, so it was extra fun! Over all, I would say it was a very successful trip, and a good getaway from the craziness of Christmas shopping.

Have a wonderful Christmas week!

'Tis the Season?

From Denton...

Well, this weekend was a very exciting weekend. My birthday was on sunday, Dec. 6th and I turned 20! I can't believe I am not a teen anymore...it does not feel any different but it definitely sounds different, and by that I mean older (but in a cool way :]). My beautiful Mama and my lovely neighbor, Mrs. Dance came to Denton to celebrate my birthday with me. We had a great time. They made dinner friday night then saturday we went to the galleria in Dallas! :] I am so thankful that God has given me 20 years of life to live and serve him.

I guess you are wondering what the title of this particular blog is referring to, so now I am getting to the point! It is Christmas time and I love this time of the year. However, the past few weeks...especially the past few days, I have been extremely convicted about what I am really celebrating. I must admit that I am a huge sucker for Christmas and everything that it involves. I love all the lights and decorations. I love the Christmas trees, the ornaments, and the warmth it brings to decorate the house with family and friends. I love the weather, how it gets cold and gives us hope that we will wake up to snow on Christmas morning. I love the nutcracker ballet and all of the Christmas performances put on by schools and churches. I love love love Christmas music (yes, I am the one to listens to it even before Thanksgiving). I love all the Holiday drinks at starbucks even though I never get them because I am afraid to try something other than my regular, and comfortable, hot chocolate. I love how a Christmas tree looks with all the beautifully wrapped gifts under it and the look on people's faces as they unwrap them. I love the spirit of giving and the joy that it brings to people. I love all of the Christmas movies...especially ELF! I love Santa Clause and everything that comes with him. I love Christ. I love that God sent his son; "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" Colossians 2:9. I love that he was incredibly selfless, loved us so much, that he gave his life for us on the Cross because he wanted us to live a life where we are not tied down by our sin or have to carry the burdens of it; but could live a life in freedom proclaiming God's beautiful and glorious name and loving others. I love that Christ provides for us, that he never forsakes us and keeps his promises when we fail him each and every day. That is what I lose sight in every Christmas because I get wrapped up in the worldly holiday that is centered around selfishness. Yes, there is giving but that only lasts for a month and it is a giving in which we expect something in return. Why can't we give each and every day? Because that is what we should be doing as Christ's disciples. I am convicted because James talks about having a friendship with the world and once we have that with the world than we are becoming an enemy of God. "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4. If I love all the materialistic and worldly things of the Christmas holiday then I am not showing my love for Christ.

I pray that this Christmas we are able to see CHRIST and focus on him and not everything else. I pray that we are excited to spend time with our family, and that we are excited to give to those who actually need things and give it selflessly...not expecting anything in return. I also pray that we don't do these things only once a year but every day strive to live as Christ's disciples, devoting ourselves to others, having a joy that only comes from Christ's Spirit in us, and truly understanding the Christmas story and his life here on earth. :] We are incredibly blessed.

Thank you for reading and letting me share. I hope ya'll have a great week. :]

Short post

From College Station...

So sadly, no snow. At least not enough to matter. Oh well, it's Texas. I was just happy for there to even be talk of snow!

I'm going home on Tuesday, and I could not be any happier. I have too much time on my hands here. It will be nice to have some things to do, and spend time with my family.

On a side note, happy birthday to Kristen E! She is 20 today! I have been so incredibly blessed to have her in my life, and I hope we stay friends for the next 20 years and longer!

I hope your weekend was fantastic!
Have a good week =]

Scariest day of my life

From College Station...

I can't wait for tomorrow because I'm hoping to wake up and see white on the ground. I guess we'll see in the morning, won't we?

With that bit of excitement out of the way, I shall continue...

Today I experienced something very scary. It doesn't take much to scare me; however, I don't think I have ever been literally scared for my life like I was this afternoon. My house is on a culdesac, and the bus stop is right around the corner on the main street. I had gotten off the bus after finishing up class for the day, and as I was rounding the corner, there it was. A huge doberman that looked angry/hungry/rude. I tried to stay calm, because I have always been told that they can smell your fear. I guess he smelled it from across the street because he ran at me full speed barking angrily like he wanted to tear me to pieces. There was a pickup truck in front of me so I quickly contemplated jumping in the back of the truck. No I didn't care whose truck it was, I was more concerned with being eaten by the monster that was charging at me. I tried to remain as calm as possible in a situation like that, but naturally I started to panic and tear up. Just then I hear a whistle. I don't think I've ever been so relieved in my life. The monster's brave owner had been sitting on his front porch watching me fear for my life the whole time! I didn't even care. I was too happy that this angry animal was now heading back to where he belonged...preferably a big cage. I quickly walked down to the end of the culdesac and into the safety of my house, away from dangerous animals who want to eat me, only to study for one of my final exams... Come to think of it, I don't know which was worse.

So there you have it. My eventful day. And I ended up making a 95 on my final, praise the Lord!

Thanks for reading!
Have a good weekend!

Let it Snow :]

Coming from Denton...

Okay, so Kristen (Kennedy) just talked about wanting snow and YES let's keep our fingers crossed that she does, indeed, get to experience the joy of Texas snow! However, this morning I experienced quite the surprise...yes people...it DID snow! :] :] :] I was technically in Ft. Worth so it had snowed a lot more there than in Denton, amazing a 20 minutes drive could make that much of a difference. Anyways, I was staying at a friend's house and she lives in a gorgeous neighborhood in the country with acres of land, long white wooden fences all around, and some of the neighbors have horses. So, with blankets of snow everywhere it was a Christmas card picture, dream come true, a glorious morning, all of the above! I was so incredibly thankful for that beautiful image. It was funny because I was just telling people recently that I had a feeling it would snow this year and it DID. To be honest, I say that every year...that way it is bound to snow at some point. :] It has just been a lovely day and like Kristen said, it is supposed to snow again on Friday!!

I also wanted to take a minute to introduce this blog to you! Kristen and I grew up in the same youth group together and became such dear friends. I am extremely grateful that God has placed her in my life and how he has allowed us to have such a strong bond and friendship in him. We are currently attending two different colleges Kristen Kennedy at A&M University and I (Kristen Eddleman) at the University of North Texas. So, although it is hard being far from each other we both feel that God has placed us where we should be and are encouraged by all that God is doing. Thus, the reason for this blog! We want to be able to share with friends and family all the wonderful things that God is doing in our lives as well as others. :]

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Pslam 62:1-2