I can't help but smile...

In two days I will be graduating from Middle Tennessee State University. How awesomely crazy. During the past couple of weeks, as I studied for finals, worked on countless projects, or during my quiet times I found myself looking back on this past year and couldn't help but smile.

Let me fill you in a little...

God brought me to Northside Baptist Church, a place where I am growing spiritually with a group of people who I now call my church family. God formed amazing friendships. Feb 8, 2011 I surrendered my life to Christ. March 13, 2011 I got Baptized and became a member of NBC. God gave me the opportunity to go on my first mission trip to Jamaica. I finished college and graduate Dec 17, 2011. 

(And that's just a brief summary.)

I am blessed. God is so incredibly good and his timing is perfectly, perfect. 

This year has been so amazing as well as an enormous learning experience. 

I'm pretty book smart and (used to be) "obsessed" with studying. I aced all my tests because I studied and knew all the answers. Well, with the Bible, it's a different scenario. I don't and won't know all the answers. And I'm learning that that is okay. Discipling, sharing the Gospel and your testimony, so important. Something that comes very hard to me but I want so badly to be obedient to God's commands. Becoming a confident and Godly woman. Falling in love with the Lord. Surrendering, not parts, but my whole life. My desires, passions, relationships, friendships, everything is His. Reading the Bible. My prayer life. Focusing, honoring, praising, and glorifying the Lord. All of this is a learning experience that I desire more of each day. 

I'm so excited to see where God leads me after graduation. I hope someday (soon) I am sharing the Gospel to the unreached. 

This morning I was reminded of the song Oh, how He loves. A beautiful song about His all consuming love for us. Whenever I doubt Him or don't understand Him, I am reminded that He is not purposely hurting me, His ways are so much more better and greater than we can imagine. We have to be obedient in the bad and good times and trust in His ways. Something I'm still learning and am continually reminded of His genuine, everlasting love. As I look back at this year and what God has done and is doing, I can't help but smile...