I Will Run to JESUS Again!

"I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Psalm 16:8

These past few months has been full of amazing adventures, with many ups and downs. I find myself constantly needing to fix my gaze upon Jesus, because so often in wonders to lesser things that get me distracted and cause me to be shaken. But He is our Rock and our Fortress and He will not allow us to be shaken. I have to keep asking myself, "are you keeping your gaze fixed upon the Lord?" Only He can give true and lasting joy! Only He can provide all that we need! Only He can be our full and complete satisfaction! Only in His loving-kindness and goodness towards us, does He cause our cup to be overflowing with His abundant blessings! 

I'm just blessed to have a Shepherd who is always ready to protect me, when I call upon His name! A Father who cherishes me and desires a close relationship with me! And a friend who is always waiting for me to run to Him with my joys, hardships, praise, struggles and no matter what is happening, He is always ready to listen to my hearts desires! I've been pondering what an absolute privilege it is, to be a daughter of the King of kings! I've been realizing afresh, all that He's given to me! Yet so often I find myself not cherishing with praise and thanksgiving for all that He's given me! Let's be children who cherish our God, His word and the people that He's put in our lives! We're blessed to have another day to pursue Jesus and love others! Lets be intentional with each and every and use it to glorify our King!

Our God is Worthy of us completely turning our hearts back to praise His name! Even, when it's cloudy, confusing and hard to see what the next step will be. He is our Faithful Provider who cares and knows about even our smallest desires and concerns. So, turn and look into the face of the One who loves you and set your heart to seek Him! I find myself constantly running to Him again, because in my weakness, I find that He is SO strong. He is completely capable of completing the work that He has begun in us! No matter what comes against us, we can find a safe refuge in the arms of Jesus! 

You ask me why I'm smiling,

You ask me why I'm free.

Why it seems I have no worries,

And I live a life of ease.

Well, believe me when I tell you,

I've seen the strong winds blow,

But when I need a shelter,

I have a place to go.

Who else is there to help me,

When I am in need?

Who else is there to strengthen

When I'm tired and weak?

Who else can give protection

Until the storm subsides?

There's no one else like Jesus

So, I will run and hide. . . 

Again in His arms,

Again safe from harm.

I will run to Jesus again. 

Again He's drawing near,

Again free from fear,

Like a child who knows

When danger's closing in 

I will run to Jesus again.

This summer has been very busy but good as I traveled all over the country! 

Here's just a small peek into all the adventures! 

In June, Nate and I went out to visit Hans in Colorado. I had a blast with these two! They're absolutely my favorite!

We went canoeing for my birthday!! I love canoeing and especially when I get to do it with this amazing guy!!  

Then I spent a few days with these two in Colorado!! So grateful for awesome friends that I got to grow up with! I miss hanging out with y'all but so thankful for the times when we get together!

We went home to visit the fam for Labor Day, which was super fun and great to see Hans again!! 

In September we went camping with Nate's family and had a blast!! There's never enough time but so blessed with every moment that we're together!!

Mushing was definitely a highlight of visiting the big bro!

So grateful for the time that I was able to visit Pal in Alaska! Great chats, regular adventures, hiking, shooting, cooking, driving and much needed time with Jesus!

I love making memories with my favorite people!! 

I'm so blessed by what Jesus has given me!

Nate, you're the most kind, compassionate, selfless, loving, sacrificial, Christ-centered man I know! It's a privilege to pursue Jesus with you! Your desire to know Him more and reflect who He is to those around you, blesses me in so many ways! You're amazing!!

“He Has done great things for us, wherefore we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

In Faith, I Will Follow!

We don't say "yes" to the Lord because we have all the answers figured out or completely understand what He is doing. No, we say "yes" because of who HE IS and what He has promised to us. We can trust Him, because He is good; we can rest in peace, because He is always faithful; and we can love, because He has freely poured out and given His life to us. Wow, what a blessing a privilege it is to be a child of the King. He is unchanging and is ALWAYS the same!! He alone is worthy of our adoration and praise! Will you worship at His feet? Our lives should be a continual declaration of His life, goodness, love and mercy! So, go and declare what great things He has done for you, because there is no way to even begin to describe all the miracles that He has given to us!

So. . .It's kinda crazy, but I'm getting to know this super amazing man of God that the Lord has brought into my life. I've been so encouraged and challenged in my walk with God, by His consistent devotion to Jesus Christ. He continually shows me more and more of Jesus Christ! I'm so blessed by his love, kindness, encouragement, strength, leadership, humility, support, patience, honesty, commitment, courage and faith.

Nate, You're amazing!! You continually go above and beyond what I ever expected and have totally blown away my dreams!! I feel like the most blessed girl in the world!! What an awesome privilege it is to go into the throne room of Heaven with you, and fight for the burdens that God has placed on our hearts. It's an honor to be a part of your life and a great delight watching God work in our lives, continually drawing us closer to Himself.

 So many awesome memories. . .and so many more to make!!

I flew out to Colorado to pick up Tricia from Ellerslie! We had a blast hanging out and hiking again!! It was super great to have her back for a few weeks. She just headed home but what an awesome privilege it was spend the last couple years with you!! You loved me, challenged me, prayed for me and constantly encouraged me!! :) I couldn't have asked for a better friend to walk through these past couple years.  Thanks girl! Through the ups and downs; You've been there for me, always pointing me back to Jesus!! There's no way to describe how much you're missed, but go forward in the strength of our King and impact those around you, for His honor and glory!

I'm SO beyond thankful for the wonderful friends that Jesus has blessed me with!! Thank y'all for the awesome memories that we've had, I'll treasure them forever!

Love spending time with these two!! They're hilarious! #always laughing

And YES, I'm still having crazy awesome times with this fantastic sister of mine!! I'm so proud of you and it's super exciting to watch how God is using you to draw others closer to Jesus! She came up to visit me this spring and totally surprised me!! You're the best sister anyone could ever ask for!!

Our God is faithful and He is completely worthy of our lives!! He deserves all of our glory, adoration and praise! I've been challenged by this and I know if I'm holding back in any area and not completely surrendering it to Him. It's because I'm believing something that is not completely true about Him. Because He is only good and only does what is best for His children. Trust Him, because He is a trustworthy God!

Don't Pitch Your Tent

I'm continually challenged by this verse. Don't ever be satisfied with how well you know Jesus right now, because there is SO much more that He desires to reveal to us. Everyday our heart and passion should be to know Him more! He's promised to complete the work that He has begun in us! So, always say "yes" to whatever He may ask of us and don't ever settle (pitch your tent) or get comfortable with where He's brought you! He is completely worthy of our entire devotion to Him alone! So, pull up those tent stakes of apathy or idolatry and let us wholeheartedly run towards gaining more of Jesus Christ. May we never look back but press on towards eternity!  

Will You Still Follow Even When Jesus Says No?

I've been studying the mercy of God recently and I was challenged this morning not only by this man's response to the mercy of God but also how he immediately followed Jesus not in His own way but in the way that Jesus instructed him.

". . .the man who had been demon-possessed was entreating Him (Jesus) that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him' and everyone marveled." Mark 5:18-20

When Jesus was leaving the place where this demon-possessed man had been healed, the man was begging and earnestly pleading that he might be able to accompany Jesus. His one desire and prayer was to follow Jesus. Now, what caught my attention, was the fact that even though Jesus said "no" to his request. At the very same time, He also said "yes" to the true desire and heart of the matter, which was his desire to follow after Jesus. 

". . .If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23 This word deny here means "to forget one's self and lose sight of one's own interest." Jesus says that following Him, requires laying down all our own pursuits of self-glory and seeking His glory alone. A cross is choosing to completely surrender every area on the alter, daily. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:38  

This cross is complete death to ourselves. It's no longer your life but His life living through you. I was challenged by this man's response when Jesus told him "no" to a seemingly good desire. He choose to continue to follow Jesus and immediately proclaim what Jesus Christ had done for him. Why? Because, that's what Jesus asked him to do and he had chosen to take up his cross and follow the Savior, even though it was different than what he had asked for or anticipated, he was obedient. It was no longer about his life and desires but proclaiming and sharing about the goodness and mercy of Jesus Christ to everyone he met. Even though he had desired something different, he chose to die to that desire and fully surrender  and submit to whatever the Lord had asked him to do.  Taking up our cross and dying daily to our flesh is not an option, it is the cost that is required to follow Him. 

Following Jesus is not about what we want to do but rather, we should ask ourselves, how will Jesus be most glorified and exalted by what He's already done and is doing in our lives? Our lives must be fully surrendered to however the Lord sees fit to use us in His kingdom work. Even when it's not what we may have asked for and it seems like he's saying "no", we must remain dependent upon Him, trusting that He always know what is best! Trust Him, He is always good and merciful! He can't change that, because it's not something He does but who He is! He is so worthy to be followed, which requires our daily death so that He can be lifted high through our lives. "The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad." Psalm 126:3 May we always be willing to be fully available and surrendered to whatever the Lord may ask of us.

Blessed by the Goodness of My Father!

What an absolute undeserved blessing to have spent this past semester with Hans!!! I never expected that God would put us together in the same place and time again! But it couldn't have been better! It was a huge blessing for me that she was out there, and as we pursued Christ together. . .we saw even more of His heart and His unending love and grace towards us!! We're so unworthy and yet He continues to pour out His love and grace upon us! 

Here is the precious lady that I helped take care of the last few months of her life. 

We had some awesome roommates!! I'm so grateful for the time that we were able to encourage each other and push each other towards Jesus! What a precious season that the Lord allowed us to be a part of out at Ellerslie!!

Tricia and Julianne came out to visit Hans and I while we were in Colorado! We had so much fun driving, hiking, cooking, chilling, bike riding, talking, rock climbing, laughing. volleyball, swinging, haircuts, etc. We definitely packed the weekend full!! They're such an encouragement and blessing in my life! Thank y'all for being such awesome friends!! 

I got to visit Hans at her new work place! It's a cute place and the food was great!!

Oh, and she's basically. . .super awesome!! FYI :)

My parents had their 40th wedding anniversary and I'm so thankful to count them as some of my closest friends!! I wouldn't be where I am today without their constant love, encouragement and direction in my life. Thanks Mom and Dad!!

I had a lot of fun spending the past week with my sister Elizabeth and her family!!

We got to go skiing for the first time this year! It was a blast!!

Happy New Year!

May each and every moment of our days be consumed by our King, choosing to honor and glorify Him in all that we do! This year, my our aim be Jesus Christ himself, allowing His life to clearly shine through ours! He is worthy of nothing less than our complete devotion, saying "yes" to His voice at every turn that we make. 

Overwhelmed By the Work of His Hands!

I guess this is a small update of the recent happenings in my life! I just finished four years of working for IBLP and now Jesus has moved me back out to Colorado. While it is hard to let go of everything that I know and where it's comfortable, I know that when Jesus is calling, I must go and do the work that He has set before me. Even through the unknowns and uncertainty, I can rest in complete peace knowing that my God holds my life in His gentle hands and He withholds nothing from those who walk uprightly! I'm excited to see what God will do in this next season of life! #Embracingthechange 

I loved living life with y'all! Each of you showed me a little more of Jesus that I hadn't seen before! You've been there to cheer me on when things were tough and you always rejoiced when I was overwhelmed with joy (seal claps) by what God was doing! I will always treasure this season of life that God gave me with y'all. Thanks for letting Jesus shine through you. . .Keep loving those whom God puts in your path, they're there for a reason! 

Guess what!? I get to spend eternity with these daughters of the King!!! Even though goodbye's are hard, I'm super grateful to have journeyed a small part of this life with y'all! What a privilege to have rubbed shoulders with these sisters and friends! 

Continue to allow Jesus to forge you into mighty women of faith, may He look down and smile upon His precious daughters that have pursued their King with all that is within them! Keep running on that endless frontier with Jesus and may each and every day you find Him to be faithful, who performs what He has promised to us. 

Pal came up for the weekend before he moved to Alaska. We had a great time and of course, don't forget the party! Volleyball, Food, Fellowship and Great Memories! It doesn't get much better than that! As I say, every girl needs an older brother and God knew I needed Pal. I'm blessed to have this awesome, loving, strong, caring, hard-working, gentle, determined, and protective guy as my brother. I'm excited to see what God does in your life, as you continue your training with the Alaska State Troopers, may Jesus be glorified through your life. 

What an awesome privilege to go seek Jesus with these girls! I was honored to be able to lead with Rebekah and Sophia, what mighty women of God to run alongside with! 

Jesus always amazes me by the work that He does in each of our hearts, if we are willing, taking us one step closer to Himself. What a blessed peace that rests upon us when we surrender and say "yes" to the work that He is doing in our lives. May we never hesitate in allowing Him to conform us into His image and may we never stop short or be satisfied until we have reached the perfection of His dear Son. 

Rebekah and Melissa took me out to eat one last time before I left! You two are such a blessing to me, thanks for everything! You guys are the best! :)

Our faithful Manor Care group! What a blessing to be able to go and sing for the old folks every week with these guys. I wouldn't trade these times for anything and I know that many of them were blessed by the sacrifices y'all made! Keep sharing Jesus with those around you!!

Our last department outing! Work is so much easier and fun with these guys! They never cease to keep us laughing and enjoying life! You guys are definitely in my thoughts and prayers!

My last trip downtown with these awesome people! I sure miss everyone at HQ, I'm super thankful for the time that God gave me up there, to get to know each one of you! 

I'm gonna miss working with these people! I'm beyond blessed to be able to call my co-workers, friends! I love y'all and I'm excited to see what God will do through each of your lives as you continue to seek after Him with all of your heart! 

Jesus has blessed me above and beyond my greatest desires! Each one of y'all, in your own way, have pushed me towards Jesus. I can't ever thank you enough for encouraging me and pushing me to do the hard things! Thanks! 

I wouldn't trade the world for the time that I had with this girl over the past year! Whether we were laughing, crying, going through tough times, chatting, or having deep talks, I'm gonna miss cooking for you and playing volleyball with you but Tricia you've blessed my life and I'm gonna miss living it with you! There really are no words to describe what you mean to me. You continually encouraged me and brought my focus back to Jesus and there is no price for a friend who points me back to my Savoir. In this next season of your life, spend extra time to get know Jesus better! It's easy to fill the time up with whatever, but make it count for eternity! Love you girl! 

"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which YOU have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is non to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count." Psalm 40:5

Wow, the work that my God has done over the past four years, is literally indescribable. There are not enough words to even begin to express the miracles that He's performed in my life and in those around me. I've seen my God prove to be faithful to me, time and time again and He continues to reveal more of Himself to me. He deserves all the praise and glory for what He's done in and through each one of us, may we always turn back to praise Him, for His goodness to us! Over the past year Jesus has definitely depended my faith, trust and belief in Him! Faith is about believing, even when you can't see it! Jesus is trustworthy, never doubt in His goodness and unending love towards His children.

Enjoying the Moments. . .

Because They Don't Last Forever!

Ariana and Kevin spending time with their uncles! 

Hannah with her guys!! These guys are the best, it's really hard to imagine life without them.

We celebrated Hannah's high school graduation! It's hard to believe how fast time flies. . .enjoy the moment, because you will never have it again!

Family Pictures! Wow, we're all together again! :)

Oh happy day!!

Siblings make this world a much better place!!!

It's the little things in life that make the biggest difference in our hearts!

These are the pies that Hans made for July Fourth!

Yes, she definitely can bring out my crazy side. There's never a dull moment when this girl is around! 

Pal took me to one of my favorite places! :) Enjoying the last few chats before he moves to Alaska to join the State Troopers. It's been awesome to watch God direct his steps and see Him answer so many prayers. I'm super excited and expectant for the next thing that God will do in your life!

How can words even begin to express what this girl means to me. She never ceases to amaze me with all the many skills and talents God has given her. Along with her selfless love and care for those around her! Love you girl!!