paint

painting:
it has become one of my favorite things to do.
this is my third semester in painting here at school.
I have learned a lot, and it's been a lot of fun.

this semester, I have painted one painting so far.
my inspiration came from a drive home with my mother.
we saw the sun setting behind the trees.
it was so beautiful.
the colors in the sky were incredible with the outline of the trees against it.
so I decided to paint it.
this has been one of my favorite paintings I have ever done.

money

these past few days have been all about money, but in a good way.

yesterday I went to Trevor's house for a talk about money and budgets for life after college.
we used the Bible to have a biblical basis for money.
we went through planing a budget and how to make one work.
it was a nice practical approach to how life will probably look after college.

then this morning during my quiet time, I was reading Nehemiah 10.
it talks about tithing.
and giving to the church.
and following God's commands.
our money is not ours.
it all belongs to God.
so it's only right that we give it back to him.
but this isn't just money; it includes our time and activities.
when I was reading through the chapter, I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 9:7.
"...for God loves a cheerful giver."
I want to be a cheerful giver, giving of my time and money.


and then this morning at church, pastor Bret was talking about wisdom, which included finances.
we reflected on Luke 12:48, about who much is given, much is demanded.
because we live in America, we have "much" automatically.
so in our response to the "much" we are to live out God's vision.
which as a church, our vision is to reach those who are far from God, and help them experience Jesus.
we need to respond right to God's blessing.

invisible bridge

so I don't know how many of you have seen Indiana Jones, but we used to watch them all the time when I was a kid.
and this particular one came up today.
during senior "disorientation," a fun time with SCF seniors and leaders to get ready for the real world, we talked about how scary graduation is and life after college.
my friend Trevor compared this last semester as the challenges leading up to the actual graduation.
you know all the things that are to come: tests, homework, projects, etc.
but it pretty much looks like a cliff at the end.
you don't really know what to expect next.
it looks like you might just fall off and die.
not we all hope that doesn't happen, but it just feels that way.
but once you get there, you have to take a step in faith, just like Indiana Jones did.
if you've got God on your side, He's not going to let you fall or fail.
just put all your hope in Him and He will be with you always.
just one tiny little step can make a difference, you'll realize you aren't falling.

this is definitely something I have struggled with.
as posted before, I don't know what I'll be doing after graduation.
but when I put my trust in Jesus, everything makes sense.
even if it isn't plain and clear right at first, or for what seems like forever.

"many are the plans in the mind of a man,
   but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." proverbs 19:21

typical last first day

today marks an incredible day in my journey as a college student. it is my last first day of classes. just one semester left. eeeeeek!! somebody pinch me. it can't possibly be here already.

as expected, today was the typical "syllabus" day. nothing fancy, nothing over-the-top. just all my professors going through their expectations and requirements for the semester. as well as getting to know the students in their class. in one of my classes, my professor asked each of us what we want to be when we grow up. now, my last name starts with "W" so that means I had the longest time to think about what I wanted to say. as many of you know, I have really been struggling with what I want to do after college. after my summer abroad, I feel as though God is calling me into missions of some sort. though, I'm not quite sure where or for how long. so that's something I could be doing. considering I am a 'Visual Communications Design' major, I would really like to do something with art, specifically graphic design things and photography. I think working for a magazine, designing layouts would be awesome.

so the moral of the story is... I have no idea what to do after I graduate in May. maybe I'll move to NYC and get a job with a magazine. maybe I'll move to Ukraine and work as a missionary. maybe I'll move to Kansas City and do graphic design work for IHOP and being an intercessor. it doesn't matter what I do, as long as I am out there loving on people and sharing the good news of Christ with them.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

don't waste your life fearing what will come next. God has an awesome plan for everything that will happen. sometimes it feels like His plan is for you to fail, but that is so not true. I know I feel like that an awful lot, but I have to constantly remind myself that God is good, and awesome, and incredible, and always has my best interests in mind. some days it will feel like you are in the lowest valley, but God uses those valleys to bring you back up to the mountain top. just trust in Him. He knows what's up.

new year

well, happy new year.
welcome to the final year of our lives, haha.
really, I'm pretty excited for another year.
this may, not only do I turn 22, but I will be graduating college.
wow, I can't believe how time has flown by.
sometimes, I'm scared of life after college, and other times, I'm excited to be a real adult.
either way, I know that God has some awesome things in store for my life, especially in this new year.

now, I've never really been one to make "new years resolutions."
but I thought that today I would state a few things I would like to happen in 2012.
1. I'd like to grow closer and deeper in the knowledge of Christ.
2. I'd like to put forth a great effort in finishing my classes.
3. I'd like to make a trip to NYC to visit friends and family.
4. I'd like to take another trip to KC and spend more time in the IHOP prayer room.
5. I'd like to become more crafty, and spend time making things I enjoy.
6. I'd like to be successful in finding a post-graduation job, and start paying off student loans.
7. I'd like to continue putting my complete trust in Jesus.
8. Most importantly, I'd like to stay true to myself.

these things are not set in stone.
and if a few of them don't happen, the world will not end.
well maybe it will, it is 2012 you know.