I just wanted to share some things I am thankful for on this lovely fall (wait, it's May?) afternoon:
one - This weather! Seriously, I am loving it. Fall is my very favorite season, so the fact that I'm getting some in May brings me a lot of joy.
two - Exams are OVER! I didn't have many, but it has been such a long week of studying, that I'm happy to have that stress out of the way.
three - Everything that God has done for me. All too often I get wrapped up in the stresses of life, when in reality, I am so very blessed that I shouldn't have any complaints whatsoever because He uses literally every stress I have for something good. He is GREAT.
four - Husband will be here Saturday!!
Life is good, and I am thankful :)
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
5.05.2011
4.13.2011
planning
I am officially in cram mode, seeing as the semester's end is quickly approacing. Just three weeks and I am done with semester two of three here at Georgia Tech. It is bittersweet. I wanted so badly to come to school that I was counting down to when I'd finally arrive for 18 months. And now I'm here, away from my husband, puppy, family, and friends, and it makes me ready to graduate and to be back home.
It always seems that people rush their lives away, and it's heartbreaking. I am guilty of it myself. We live in a time-oriented culture, and we all operate on schedules. We set alarms, we get to work and leave work at specific times, we have dinner reservations, small groups to get to, and the list goes on. This makes it hard to not be looking toward what there is to do next, and even harder to truly enjoy the current moment being lived.
Personally, I am a planner, and I will continue to plan, because I enjoy setting goals and acheiving them. But, I am trying hard to embrace and find blessings in my current situations, and I encourage everyone to do the same. I do not know if I will have tomorrow, but I do know that I can appreciate today.
It always seems that people rush their lives away, and it's heartbreaking. I am guilty of it myself. We live in a time-oriented culture, and we all operate on schedules. We set alarms, we get to work and leave work at specific times, we have dinner reservations, small groups to get to, and the list goes on. This makes it hard to not be looking toward what there is to do next, and even harder to truly enjoy the current moment being lived.
Personally, I am a planner, and I will continue to plan, because I enjoy setting goals and acheiving them. But, I am trying hard to embrace and find blessings in my current situations, and I encourage everyone to do the same. I do not know if I will have tomorrow, but I do know that I can appreciate today.
2.12.2011
great words in small verses
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
-1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard
You must know that Satan is lurking around every corner, every insecurity, every question. You must know that he is trying to intervene and destroy your relationship with God. You must be on the defensive to keep him from doing this.
Stand firm in the faith
Your best protection against Satan is your faith. Be filled with God's word and use it when Satan attacks. Trust in God and He will protect you.
Be courageous; Be strong
Even in your darkest hour, God is with you. Have courage and strength at all times knowing that God is in control and trusting that He knows exactly what is right for you.
Do everything in love
Let everything you do be inspired by God's love for you.
Happy Saturday :)
-1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard
You must know that Satan is lurking around every corner, every insecurity, every question. You must know that he is trying to intervene and destroy your relationship with God. You must be on the defensive to keep him from doing this.
Stand firm in the faith
Your best protection against Satan is your faith. Be filled with God's word and use it when Satan attacks. Trust in God and He will protect you.
Be courageous; Be strong
Even in your darkest hour, God is with you. Have courage and strength at all times knowing that God is in control and trusting that He knows exactly what is right for you.
Do everything in love
Let everything you do be inspired by God's love for you.
Happy Saturday :)
2.01.2011
being good isn't easy
"No one knows how bad they are until they have tried to be good" - CS Lewis
I read that quote just a few days before I read a devotional on a sleepless night, that said "God saw that His work was good (Genesis 1:25). Just as God felt good about His work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?"
Well, what am I doing that pleases me? I can think of many. But, what of these things are also pleasing God? It hurts to only be able to list a few.
Currently, things I am doing that are pleasing to me and God (from my point of view of course):
1 - Reading His word every morning
2 - Praying every morning
3 - Eating preservative free
That is it. Three things. And I can easily find faults with or improvements to be made to each. I am finding that the things that were so fulfilling and good in the beginning aren't feeling quite as fulfilling anymore. But, I should absolutely use this realization to my advantage, and dig deeper. Just when you think you have something "good" mastered, you can quickly see ways to make it better, if you allow yourself to. I know God loves me, and He is proud of my efforts. But there is a serious tug at my heart to be even better in these areas.
My three good activities made "more good"
1 - Dig deeper into reading. Read related passages. Read throughout the day rather than just during set times in my routine.
2 - Pray throughout the day. Be in constant communication with God. And be less distracted when I pray (don't be thinking about my massive to-do list that I may have).
3 - Pray when I struggle with eating no preservatives, wasn't that my objective in the first place?
So, being good can be one of the most difficult things a person might try to accomplish. And not just being good compared to those around, but being good in God's eyes alone. I know God loves me without me ever getting to a point that I actually deserve His love. But I want to try to be better and make His heart as happy as he makes mine.
So again, and again, and again, and again I pray: "God, please help me to show your love through my every word and action," because then, I will be good.
I read that quote just a few days before I read a devotional on a sleepless night, that said "God saw that His work was good (Genesis 1:25). Just as God felt good about His work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?"
Well, what am I doing that pleases me? I can think of many. But, what of these things are also pleasing God? It hurts to only be able to list a few.
Currently, things I am doing that are pleasing to me and God (from my point of view of course):
1 - Reading His word every morning
2 - Praying every morning
3 - Eating preservative free
That is it. Three things. And I can easily find faults with or improvements to be made to each. I am finding that the things that were so fulfilling and good in the beginning aren't feeling quite as fulfilling anymore. But, I should absolutely use this realization to my advantage, and dig deeper. Just when you think you have something "good" mastered, you can quickly see ways to make it better, if you allow yourself to. I know God loves me, and He is proud of my efforts. But there is a serious tug at my heart to be even better in these areas.
My three good activities made "more good"
1 - Dig deeper into reading. Read related passages. Read throughout the day rather than just during set times in my routine.
2 - Pray throughout the day. Be in constant communication with God. And be less distracted when I pray (don't be thinking about my massive to-do list that I may have).
3 - Pray when I struggle with eating no preservatives, wasn't that my objective in the first place?
So, being good can be one of the most difficult things a person might try to accomplish. And not just being good compared to those around, but being good in God's eyes alone. I know God loves me without me ever getting to a point that I actually deserve His love. But I want to try to be better and make His heart as happy as he makes mine.
So again, and again, and again, and again I pray: "God, please help me to show your love through my every word and action," because then, I will be good.
1.11.2011
life is flying
i am back in atlanta after a busy three weeks at home. i loved my time there, but as always, it went by so quickly. i enjoyed my time with the best husband ever, my time with my family and jared's (which is now also my family - love it), and the short amount of time i had with a few close friends (although i would have loved more). i'm hoping to tweak and organize some pictures from my break here shortly, and post them later.
at the moment, i am enjoying snow day number TWO! it is gloriously white outside. since i have no schoolwork to catch up on yet, i spent yesterday sledding with a few friends, and truly loved it. it was one of my best and most memorable days at georgia tech so far. but i am so sore today from the miles of walking through snow and the sledding down hills and walking back up them to sled again, that today i plan to relax and rest.
ah yes, 2011. i suppose that since it is a new year, it's time for some goal making:
start "eating green"
i am not participating in the full Daniel Fast as i did last year with my church, but i still am hoping to challenge myself so i rely more on God. my goal is to eliminate artificial preservatives, chemicals, and additives from my diet. this is so much more difficult than you would think, especially when life is busy and you need something quick and convenient. almost every canned good (which i LOVE to use) has some sort of preservative or chemical in it. so i started checking labels this sunday on my grocery trip, and i'm easing my way into eating green. i'm hoping for this to become a permanent change for me in my life, and to rely on God every step of the way in making this change.
show His love in all i do
i always fear i am just "going through the motions" in my reading and prayer. i want to truly learn from His word and apply it in my life. i also want to be in communication with Him more often. i want to live for God every minute and have His love shown through my every word and action.
survive grad school
i worked harder than i ever have in my life last semester, and i want to continue that discipline and determination this semester and next, so i can graduate with a good gpa in august :)
so here we go, 2011!
at the moment, i am enjoying snow day number TWO! it is gloriously white outside. since i have no schoolwork to catch up on yet, i spent yesterday sledding with a few friends, and truly loved it. it was one of my best and most memorable days at georgia tech so far. but i am so sore today from the miles of walking through snow and the sledding down hills and walking back up them to sled again, that today i plan to relax and rest.
ah yes, 2011. i suppose that since it is a new year, it's time for some goal making:
start "eating green"
i am not participating in the full Daniel Fast as i did last year with my church, but i still am hoping to challenge myself so i rely more on God. my goal is to eliminate artificial preservatives, chemicals, and additives from my diet. this is so much more difficult than you would think, especially when life is busy and you need something quick and convenient. almost every canned good (which i LOVE to use) has some sort of preservative or chemical in it. so i started checking labels this sunday on my grocery trip, and i'm easing my way into eating green. i'm hoping for this to become a permanent change for me in my life, and to rely on God every step of the way in making this change.
show His love in all i do
i always fear i am just "going through the motions" in my reading and prayer. i want to truly learn from His word and apply it in my life. i also want to be in communication with Him more often. i want to live for God every minute and have His love shown through my every word and action.
survive grad school
i worked harder than i ever have in my life last semester, and i want to continue that discipline and determination this semester and next, so i can graduate with a good gpa in august :)
so here we go, 2011!
9.30.2010
new game plan
oh my, what a crazy two weeks it's been. it's hard to really explain the stress i feel here. it's basically so much that i can do nothing but cry, even in class, to the point that God gives me a fire alarm in the middle of that class so i can make it through the rest of it (which by the way, i've never been more in need or more thankful for a fire alarm, He is so good).
so as of now, i have spent my entire time here at georgia tech working hard, and doing homework most of the time i have outside of class. sounds good, right? but even this isn't cutting it. so it's time for a new game plan.
GAME PLAN:
one - stay on top of my classes. rather than just doing whatever is due next, i will actually review my lectures i just attended, work the "exercises" teachers suggest, read the supplemental material (textbooks ahh!), and go see the teachers with questions, whether they like it or not. oh, and also do homework. clearly, this will require a lot of discipline and motivation. that's where number two comes in.
two - find some sort of creative outlet. i need something in my life besides school. i am finding that by the end of the week, i've worked so hard that i cannot bring myself to even open a notebook. i'm thinking of taking pictures again (i mean, i am in this beautiful city with all sorts of architecture), cooking, and possibly working on some little home projects from afar. i also am going to start making time to watch my television shows. that may seem silly, but it's something a few evenings a week that i can use to take a mental break.
so anyway, that's my game plan, and it starts tomorrow.
so as of now, i have spent my entire time here at georgia tech working hard, and doing homework most of the time i have outside of class. sounds good, right? but even this isn't cutting it. so it's time for a new game plan.
GAME PLAN:
one - stay on top of my classes. rather than just doing whatever is due next, i will actually review my lectures i just attended, work the "exercises" teachers suggest, read the supplemental material (textbooks ahh!), and go see the teachers with questions, whether they like it or not. oh, and also do homework. clearly, this will require a lot of discipline and motivation. that's where number two comes in.
two - find some sort of creative outlet. i need something in my life besides school. i am finding that by the end of the week, i've worked so hard that i cannot bring myself to even open a notebook. i'm thinking of taking pictures again (i mean, i am in this beautiful city with all sorts of architecture), cooking, and possibly working on some little home projects from afar. i also am going to start making time to watch my television shows. that may seem silly, but it's something a few evenings a week that i can use to take a mental break.
so anyway, that's my game plan, and it starts tomorrow.
9.12.2010
..overwhelming..demanding..intense..
i'd have to say that those three words best sum up georgia tech's grad school. if you aren't working continuously, you probably aren't going to get a whole lot of sleep most nights. you have to pace yourself here - get up early, work hard on homework and projects, study for hours, go to classes in between that hard work, don't forget to eat, add a little exercise in there to stay healthy and energized, and then try to get to bed at a reasonable hour. this past week didn't exactly work out that way, so i'm now down with a sinus infection from combination of lack of sleep and stress. i'm working through it though, and still staying motivated and disciplined. i'm trying to get a project done today that's due on tuesday, then start homeworks that are due thursday, then hopefully work ahead for the next week so i can enjoy my weekend home next weekend (which will be the first time i've seen my husband, family, and friends in a month YAY!).
i have found that starting my days reading the bible and praying have helped tremendously. i definitely have a more positive attitude and i'm more productive. but i'm afraid i am more just going through the motions of reading my set goal for the day, and praying through my list of prayers. i want to dig deeper. i want to know Him better. i want to (taken from psalm 63:1-8) earnestly seek Him, thirst for Him, belong to Him. i want to know and feel that His love is better than life, and i want to glorify Him. i want to praise Him as long as i live, and for my soul to cling to Him and to be satisfied by Him. i want to live for an audience of One - live for what God thinks of me, not how i compare to everyone else.
one of my goals for this week is to stay on top of my schoolwork and to be motivated and disciplined. my goal for my life is to live by His commandments and be overflowing with His love, so that others can see Him through me.
i have found that starting my days reading the bible and praying have helped tremendously. i definitely have a more positive attitude and i'm more productive. but i'm afraid i am more just going through the motions of reading my set goal for the day, and praying through my list of prayers. i want to dig deeper. i want to know Him better. i want to (taken from psalm 63:1-8) earnestly seek Him, thirst for Him, belong to Him. i want to know and feel that His love is better than life, and i want to glorify Him. i want to praise Him as long as i live, and for my soul to cling to Him and to be satisfied by Him. i want to live for an audience of One - live for what God thinks of me, not how i compare to everyone else.
one of my goals for this week is to stay on top of my schoolwork and to be motivated and disciplined. my goal for my life is to live by His commandments and be overflowing with His love, so that others can see Him through me.
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