It seems like it's been forever since I've blogged, and in all honesty: It has been forever. Life has been so crazy hectic that I have barely had time to turn around and say 'Where did all the time go?' From huge life changes, to moving, switching schools, planning a wedding, being re-directed in ministry...the Lord has taken me through some crazy journeys. Most of them I've gone through only by His grace, His love, His mercy and His forgiveness. I have failed horribly, but He has restored. I have grown more and He has blessed. I have surrendered and He has fulfilled. I have been broken down, and He has built back up. I have lost and He has regained. I have never experienced such love, joy, excitement, and rest before. Each season of life is sweet and God-breathed into our lives.

It's been a crazy semester or two. My last entry was in March...crazy! The Lord shortly after that blessed me with bringing my spouse into my life. And life has changed dramastically since then =) I have never been so in love with anyone or anything on this earth until Jesus blessed me with him. It's been a crazy awesome learning and growing experience. Apart from that I have left Bible College to finish my degree online at home while I can help plan the wedding, work and make some money, save money financially and spend quality time with my parents before I become a wife and start to really serve my husband the rest of my life. After all, I will be 2,000 miles away from them (bittersweet!) I have learned so dang much spending quality time with my prince this Summer. Learning how to love him as Jesus loves me, serving him, failing at serving him, learning what bugs him and what blesses him...it's been crazy but sweet! I have never known a man (apart from my daddy) that has sacrificed, loved, cared, and served me just as Jesus does His church. It's a constant reminder to me of the portrait of the bride of Christ! Isn't that how a blessed marriage should be? The sweet example and picture of the union we have with our Jesus. How He desires that time with us, looking unto Him to complete us.

Aside from being able to spend quality time with my fiance, I have had the blessing of serving in ministry with him. God has surely blessed me with someone who has the gift of worship as well. Not only that, but youth ministry. Being with those girls and going through the Word together were some of the sweetest times we had each week. It reminded me of why I started this blog..the entire purpose. Back when I got saved at ISU the Lord quickly purposed the unique desire on my heart for women. To see women of Christ walk in holiness, fear God above all else, be modest in not only their apparel but their entirety, and to be devoted to the Word of God and unhindered from walking with Him closely. The burden and passion on my heart, not only for women, but for the youth of our generation continually grows. Sure, there are days when I feel completely defeated, discourged, and useless. The enemy will always attack us in times when the Lord wants to use us. There are those days I wake up and think 'There's no way I can truly serve the Lord and these girls today...I suck.' But Jesus is so good to quickly remind me that He uses the foolish things of this world and not only that, He uses us to PUT TO SHAME the WISE! (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) It humbles me daily as I remember that sweet truth.

I stopped blogging not because I felt discouraged (although that was a teeny part of it), but life honestly got crazy. But these past few weeks the Lord pressed it upon my heart to start blogging again. I just didn't know where to begin. As I woke up this morning I was doing my devos. I've been going through the book of Romans. I came across Romans 12:6-8 and it says

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them; if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfullness."

 

As I finished my devos I checked my e-mail and I received a message from a lady whom I haven't really talked to in a while and all it read was, "You should start a women's ministry blog." Ha! It was so neat to see how the Lord works! His ways are so awesome. I'm constantly in awe of Him. Sure, there are days like I said where the enemy attacks, and I'll feel so unworthy to write anything. But my purpose isn't to get people laughing, or to entertain...my goal is Jesus Christ and His truth! My goal is for women to see their divine and holy calling that has been placed upon them by our incredible heavenly Father before the beginning of time. It is that women would realize their unique purpose that they would realize they are called to holiness and NOT happines. That they should be yearning to conform into the image of Christ RATHER than conform to this world (Rom. 12:2). I want to encourage them and exhort the women the beautiful advantages of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3), the blessedness of giving it all up in order to pursue Christ (Mark 14:3-9), the importance of a devoted life rather than a busy life (Luke 10:38-42).

My hearts deepest desire and biggest passion is not to scold, dumb down, or make women feel inferior than me. Ladies: I'm learning just like you! I am no pro, in fact, I fail all the time and my precious Savior is so gracious in chastening me when He needs to. But I am here to share in struggles, encourage through testimonies, minister to you through my own life experiences, and share in the journey of walking in Christ as a single, married, widowed, divorced, broken, suffering, needy, lost, helpless, satisfied, blessed, joyful woman! Whatever you may be going through, my prayer is that my words wouldn't bring ME any glory, but that it would ultimately point you to the cross of Christ.

So pray with me. I'm unsure where the Lord desires me to start with my writings. I figured I'd share my hearts desire with you ladies. Praying we would learn together, grow in His Word together, and becoming women of holines, women who say goodbye to this world's desires and embrace the beauty and liberty we have in Jesus, to walk worthy of His calling, to grow in His love, to pursue those things which are holy and acceptable, and to walk steadfastly in His truth for all our days. The days are short, and we have one purpose in this life: to live, walk, breathe, grow, eat, sleep, and be more like Jesus daily!

 

1 Peter 1:13-16

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fuly upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct; because it is written, 'Be holy for I the LORD am holy.'"