Revelations!!

So the world was supposed to end yesterday... or so a guy in California claimed to KNOW. 

Yesterday, I was at the movies thinking, "I hope the rapture isn't really today, I have stuff to do." Oh my God, how selfish was I? Later last night around 9pm (Central time) while playing Apples to Apples, I was having a sweet conversation with some friends about Revelation and how only the Spirit knows the time. My friend Scott revealed a different perspective that I hadn't even thought about... he said that even though this guy made false prophecy towards God's perfect plan, think of how many people seriously got right with Him, and now they have a chance to build the most important relationship.

How blessed am I to know my name is written in the Book of Life!! And why was I not as passionate for bringing as many as I can with me? 

The Word amazes me! The bible was written and inspired by God thousands of years ago and translated into over 2,400 languages and into ultimately more translated versions; PLUS it is a living book!! It is completely relevant in our lives. Mind blown! 

Habakkuk 2:3 actually says, "The Revelation waits an appointed time; it describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." 

The cool thing about a revelation is that it does not just mean Revelation, as in The End, it also means reveal. That the Lord is revealing things!! Anyone who believes in the Father and knows the Son is a member of the chosen people. Ephesians 2:19, "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household!" We are anointed through Him. 

Amazing right? Not only does He desire a relationship with you, but He also choices you to be apart of His family and the body of believers. That's a big deal! Living everyday to the fullest just got a lot more real! 

Continue to "Look and be utterly amazed!!" Habakkuk 1:5

Fellowship

I am a bad secret keeper, I’ll admit it, but I just love to be ‘in the know.’ A few weeks ago my dad asked me when I would be coming home next, to which I replied, “On the 15^th for your retirement party.” He said, “Party??” (In such a way that I was sure I had ruined the surprise!!) When I tried to change the subject quickly, he laughed and said he was just kidding, that he had known about the party. Oy I felt so bad for a minute…Well, this weekend I was out and about, up in the Oklahoma Panhandle and out in West Texas, but have finally made it back to Lubbock!! So many awesome events from this weekend, it was incredible!! 

I actually love whenever I schedule things and plan, and then things don’t go the way I planned. I literally do! It reminds me that I am not in control and that His plans are better!! 

Saturday, when I got to Goodwell I got to get away from the world and talk with friends from last summer and started to realize how blessed I am that these precious girls are in my life!! 

Whitney, me, and Genna

I know that the Lord does His work in His time, and have seen many times in my life when He talked directly to me through a friend or through a conversation with an acquaintance.  On Saturday night after all these new adventures, I was driving a friend home from dinner when we started talking about community and friendships. It was so encouraging to hear the heart of a Christian brother, who I had only met on one other occasion, be so open. It was defiantly reassuring toward something that had been on my heart.

Psalms 33:10-11 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

Me, Alison, Selene, Katie, Kaitlyn

Sunday afternoon, I made it back down to Andrews for the party that WAS NOT a surprise and also got to hang out with my best friend Alison. Even though we’re in different places and don’t get to talk too much, whenever we do catch up it always feels like she was apart of everything.  I have been sweetly blessed with not only amazing friends but also with awesome connections that make my heart glad!

Habakkuk 1:5 Look… and be amazed.

Since starting this project, I have been finding more and more things that amaze me! Thank you Lord for good friends and fellowship!! 

Songs About Rain!!

This is not about the Gary Allan song, but I will admit that early this morning when I work up during a Lubbock thunderstorm and watched rain streaking my window, I was singing Songs About Rain in my head.

Coming home from the movies last night, I rolled down the windows and let the cool spring air in and thought I smelled rain, but I didn't dare say it out loud incase it passed us up, like is has done basically all year. Warm in my bed, I woke up around 5 am to the sounds and lights from the storm. What beautiful sounds!! I used to live in Central Texas and didn't know to appreciate rain but after living in West Texas more than half of my life, I can honestly say it's my favorite type of weather. One of things I wonder about is how did God create rain? Did he say, "Let there be rain to water My earth," and then there was or was it like what my Granny used to tell me "Angels are washing their clothes, that's why it's raining." I don't know... but I'll ask Him one day. Something as simple and complex as rain blows my mind.

This week since the semester is over, I have been getting prepared for the summer. Two separate conversations have left me feeling beyond encouraged about what He has done throughout my Sophomore year and about the future. I have really been amazed by how the power of words can strengthen us.

One of my favorite chapters is 1 Thessalonians 5. It gives me peace to be told what to do and how to live in such a short letter. 5:11 says, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing." We NEEDED rain and it came... we are CALLED to encourage each other in numerous verses and whenever we are obedient, He is glorified. As I see it, a segue into how rain and encouragement tie together would be to watch and be amazed at the blessings in your world!!
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look and be utterly amazed!!" 

Chicken Soup in the springtime!!

My number one favorite book series of all time is Chicken Soup for the Soul. They are easy to read and don't require too much time... because every story is different. I love that there is a book under nearly every topic imaginable!! The name "Chicken Soup for the Soul" comes from the wives tale that chicken soup cures every illness, therefore it was good for the body. The inspirational stories in this series are meant to be good for the soul and I completely believe they are.

A few weeks ago after a trip to Barnes and Nobel, I was telling some friends at the Wesley Foundation how excited I was to have a couple of new releases to read in May. I won't name names, but the kitchen intern who is dating the girl whose name ends with an ā, laughed and said Chicken Soup books are so outdated and only for people under the age of 12 or over the age of 50. I beg to differ!! I absolutely love every book in the series. If you have never read one, I would recommend that you do asap!!

The ones I last bought were A Book of Miracles for myself, Chicken Soup for the Grandmother's Soul to send my Grandmother for Mother's Day, and Chicken Soup for the Nascar Fan to give my dad for Father's Day. In the book of miracles, there are 101 true stories of healing, faith, divine intervention, and answered prayers...right at my interests, I know!! It is so encouraging to read these sweet stories of how the Lord worked mightily in someone's life, and to be reaffirmed that our God is ALWAYS working and should ALWAYS get the glory!! In our triumphs, failures, and especially when we are in our weakest, He is always bigger and will work things for his good. Romans 8:28 says so.

It amazes me when His plans fall into place, and Christ is revealed. "Look at the nations and be utterly amazed! For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told!" Habakkuk 1:5
That's how amazed we should be when we see those everyday miracles... speechless.

Momma's Day!!

Laura Carter is a Saint. This statement is not just my opinion but is also completely factual. My parents are my favorite people in the world and have set awesome examples in my life. My Mom is a real special lady and for as long as I’ve known her she has been one of my greatest role models.

She gives the best advice and listens when I just need to vent; my senior year of high school, she never missed a basketball game even though I averaged 1 minute, less than 30 seconds of playing time a game. She has always been a shoulder to cry on and one to give me a “there, there.” She reminds me to claim joy and helps me to see the sweet side of things. Honestly, I want to be a mother like her… in a couple of years that is...

As a woman of God, I see Him in other strong Christian women in my life and am beyond amazed of his sweet sweet traits! Lord thank you for your amazing plans, for the amazing people you place in our lives, and for knowing us before our Momma’s knew us!!
Psalms 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Today, I hope you were able to call the woman who raised you, thank her, and let her know how much you appreciate her. If not, maybe you were able to just spend time with friends and be glad for them. My Mamacita amazes me!! Sweet Jesus, thank you for her spirit!

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and be utterly amazed!!” 

I know I bugged her growing up, just like Stewie..

Mom, Mom, Mom...

Finals week!!

This week is enough to drive a person crazy!! But no worries for me, I was already headed down that way...

But since this is finals week, all of my friends have been sucked into either the library or in the case of my roommates have glazed over eyes. I wish I were more into studying and had a better mind of focusing....but I don't. Tomorrow I have two finals that I wish I were better prepared for but I find myself becoming more and more distracted. In my eyes, there has got to be more to life than worrying about finals. As much as my Momma hates it, I know there is more to life than tests and I'm not too worried about grades. I hope to have some real life skills by the time I graduate, which needs to be sooner than later.

Oy vey, I know I need to be more prepared but I can't shake this feeling of apathy. I'm more ready for the summertime than I am for questions over things I can't possibly cram into my mind in one night.

But all is well!! Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and be utterly amazed!!" Please do just that until finals are over and things are right in the world!!

Time Out!!

Oh dear. I have started to realize how fast time goes and how quickly life moves on. This entire year, God has been working and showing crazy things to me!! I am in a season of renewal and rejuvenation which has been incredible. I have felt so blessed to know that He is with me and has been revealing beautiful things to me.

Throughout the last year, God has been showing me the glory of his timing. It blows my mind that I have been in college for 2 years now and that He continues to change my world everyday!!

The Lord has been breaking my heart for others and their testimonies. I have started another blog/website about the lack of coincidences and how everything is truly a miracle but have felt like I have hit a brick wall in it. 

I know that I’m a procrastinator so I had wanted to get it launched before school was out or before the end of April, but guess what? It’s already May!! Again, He is showing me how His timing works. However disheartened I get when my plans don’t work out, I get more and more amazed by the ways He is working things out for His glory; it’s much better!! 

Psalm 46:10  “Be still, and know that I Am God; I will be exalted among the nations,” 

Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and be utterly amazed…”

So I have taken a time out to let God’s timing work over mine and just BE AMAZED.