Lately In My Life....

Lately in my life there has been either a lot going on, or big changes!!!
My family made the trip over to Jacksonville, to my aunts house, on Wednesday the 14th. Where GG and Popa Don, along with Kristy and the girls came down too. It was great seeing everyone and enjoying great times with cousins about my age! Played lots of pool... swam at their neighborhood waterpark, and went off the big slide like little kids about 20 times each time we were there... drove the golfcart everywhere, inculuding Walmart... played our own game of tennis... watched movies in the theater room.... And we did so much more in the 5 days we were there!
Tuesday the 20th, Popa Don, GG, Kel, Josh and myself all piled up in their car to head to VA! I must say that was the fastest trip I have ever taken!!! And I have taken a lot of roadtrips... from VA to Pcola a few times each year... and many more trips!
We had a great time while we were there! Did lots of shopping and saw many good friends! We had a great time spending time at GG and Popa Don's! They even gave us a beach party Sunday night so we could get together with close friends! Played Mafia most of the time... and I must say I have a new strategy. Mwahahaha!
On Tuesday the 27th, we were heading back home. But the night before GG called Kelly, and all the flights from Richmond to Atlanta were full. I was pretty upset, because I was ready to see my parents and Mark the next day. Mark kept telling me I had to come home. Well, we still got up at 4am, and headed to the airport. There were 2 seats left, and we decided to send Kel and Josh on. As I was saying my goodbyes, I was thinking that I might not be able to come home till next week. Because this was the best day of this week to leave Richmond to Atlanta. As GG was writing down the numbers to give Kel and Josh, she felt God was saying no. Well, the gate dude was sooooooo sweet and nice!!! He told us he could get us from Richmond to Orlando... then from Orlando to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Pcola. That is just what we did! On the plane to Orlando we were in business class (aka first class). That was really cool! The other two we were in coach. They were all relaxing to me, but the landing in Atlanta was a lil rough.
When we arrived at Pensacola, we saw our peeps!!! Mom was there with Diego, Lili and Sabrina... Mark and Sean... and Stacy and the girls were also there! It was great seeing everyone... lots of hugs!!! haha Mark and I got a great picture!!! (my profile picture! haha)
When we got home... Mark and I went to Starbucks where I thought we would be talking about our trips. After a while, he asked me if I would want to be in a relationship with him. I was speachless!!! I must say, I was hoping it would happen, but I was not expecting for few months. So when he asked me the day I got back from VA, I was so surprised!!!! I now have a boyfriend!!!! =D These are exciting times!!! I now know why he said I had to be home! =)
He is everything I ever wanted... and God has really blessed me!!!
God has been so kind to me this summer. Blessing me left and right. From opening my eyes to things I had never seen before to Mark. Even my relationship with my parents has grown! He is a great God!!! And I am very thankful for the gifts He has given me!!! My prayer is, I will glorify Him in all I do!

♫Grace Unmeasured♫

 Mom, GG, Popa Don and myself all went to the Sovereign Grace church in Jacksonville this past weekend while we were visiting the Elliott's. This was one of the songs they did, and God really spoke to me thru it. I was so overwhelmed I almost started crying... and all week it's been stuck in my head! It was one of my favorites we did at Kingsway, and I have not heard it since we moved away! What a great song, and how true it is!!! His grace is amazing!!!!

 

♫Grace unmeasured, vast and free
That knew me from eternity
That called me out before my birth
To bring You glory on this earth
Grace amazing, pure and deep
That saw me in my misery
That took my curse and owned my blame
So I could bear Your righteous name

Grace (grace, grace) paid for my sins
And brought me to life
Grace (grace, grace) clothes me with power
To do what is right
Grace (grace, grace) will lead me to heaven
Where I’ll see Your face
And never cease
To thank You for Your grace

Grace abounding, strong and true
That makes me long to be like You
That turns me from my selfish pride
To love the cross on which You died
Grace unending all my days
You’ll give me strength to run this race
And when my years on earth are through
The praise will all belong to You

 Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Worship God Live

Boy Meets Girl... First Post!

At the moment I have started to read "Boy Meets Girl" by Josh Harris. Very good!!! It's about how to handle a God glorifying relationship. Josh Harris calls it Courtship.
Most people freak-out when you tell them you don't really date, but rather Court. You normally get the response, "Isn't that what they did in the 1800's?" I'm not a big fan of the name either. Think about it! It does sound kinda funny to stay your in a courtship! haha I like how Matthew (the youth pastor at Kingsway) called it "dating with a purpose". That's exactly what it is!
One part in the book really stood out to me, I even underlined it! haha Chapter 4 is called "Tell Me How, Tell Me Who, Tell Me When!", and he is pretty much talking about that!
He says in a paragraph;
"Our mindset is: "God, tell me who, tell me how, tell me when -- and then I'll trust you." What God wants us to see is that if He did this, our trust wouldn't be real. We want a definitive answer so we won't feel vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him. But guess what? We are vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him."
This was very eye opening to me! I never thought that was not trusting God!!!!

Please Pray For Me!

I'm feeling a little stressed out! I know I'm needed to trust God with it... but it's hard! One thing that's on my mind is VA. I'm not worried about going to VA without my parents. Because I stayed here in Florida without them a few times. But it's the fly back home. I'm a little worried about my siblings. haha I guess it's my older sister/motherly instincts. Please pray! Knowing we will be changing in Atlanta... kinda stresses me out!
Also, a few other things I've been dealing with... I'm needing prayer for too. If you think about me, pray that God would give me peace with what He has given me, and that I will have the strength to trust in Him in this area!
I keep listening to "I Have a Shelter", and one verse I love! It says;
♫I have a shelter in the storm.When troubles pour upon me. Though fears are rising like a flood. My soul can rest securely. O Jesus, I will hide in You. My place of peace and solace. No trial is deeper than Your love. That comforts all my sorrows♫

He is good!