Ten Truths About the Last Year at College

    For those of you, like myself, who are entering their final year of college and preparing to graduate, these are hectic times. Between paperwork for transferring and for graduation, entrance exams for universities, or job hunting for after you receive your diploma, there is so much to think about!

     But even though I've had three previous years at this school, and I have a pretty consistent routine, I've noticed some minor things are starting to change. Here are some of the things I have noticed about this year that has been different so far from past years: 

We Stress (a little) Less About Being on Time:

    Not a whole lot, but now that we've got the school memorized and we know we can get from the Library to the Science building in three minutes, we don't have to stress. Of course this frees our minds up to stress about other things, but hey, at least we don't stress about time anymore!

We Start Putting Our Health before Grades:

    When at first we needed to keep our GPA up and our classes in order, now that we have all our ducks in a row and our graduation is more or less guaranteed, our health can be taken into account. Now we can make up for all those late nights, followed by early morning classes, and we can choose water over Starbucks. We have time to cook our own healthier food, instead of deep-fried fast food between lectures. Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is what we should be doing from the beginning (but I'll explore that in another series). 

We Value Sleep:

    When we were once willing to sacrifice our sleep for a test, now we find we can hit the snooze button once or twice before having to get up. Naps (beautiful naps) come back into the picture. Hallelujah! Even though falling asleep on our textbooks doesn't count as osmosis, we can always keep trying. 

We Drink Less Coffee:

     This may just be me but I've noticed I'm drinking less coffee this semester. Perhaps because I'm valuing my sleep and health more, I'm not certain. But when I used to drink two or three cups of java a day, now I'm getting by on just one. Don't get me wrong, I still love coffee, but my reasons for drinking it seem to have changed this year. 

We Pray More:

    Between meeting transfer requirements, completing all our courses before graduation, and passing entrance exams, we need a little more Divine intervention. Prayer should be integrated into our routine anyways, but I've found that I've been praying even more, as I'm rushing to complete everything on time. Interestingly enough, it works! Just saying ;) 

We Make More Time for Friends:

    Friends on campus, friends outside of school, friends in general; when that final semester comes rolling around we find ourselves climbing out of that hole we'd been studying in and seeking companionship. Now, although our schedule is crazy, we take a minute to take that phone call from our bestie, or meet for coffee, and talk about things other than school. Life no longer revolves around classes and homework; it's a liberating realization!

We Don't Worry about Time Management (We've got that Down Pat Now):

    Homework assignments, classes, work schedules all of it has become second nature, and we don't have to make a note or set a reminder for everything anymore. Whether we stay organized with online tools (thank you Evernote and Google!) or with an old-fashioned, spiral-bound daily planner, what was once a hectic adjustment is now relatively easy. 

We Have More Fun:

    Whether it's video games, sports, or some other extra curricular activity, we tend to have the chance to have more fun (or even make time for it). Fun should be a priority, but in this final year we have the opportunity to have more of it, seeing as, hey, we're almost to the finish line!    

We Start Thinking about Graduation:

    This is probably the biggest one seeing as our final year is geared towards the main goal of walking across the stage and accepting that diploma. But of course it's never that simple, as we have paperwork to fill out, caps and gowns to buy, and classes to complete. All the while keeping that final goal in mind, while we trudge through the required courses.   

We Begin Planning for the Future:

    Although, this has been something we've probably already been thinking about, now it's more of a reality than ever. The future is looming, and graduation draws closer and closer. We start to put that five year plan into motion and we're seeing the fruits of our labors. It's an exciting (albeit nerve wracking) time. It can also lead to stress, anxiety, insomnia or other more serious emotional struggles. This is why our health becomes important and those prayers need to be as frequent as possible.

    Nonetheless, These are just my observations from personal experience, this list may or may not apply to everybody. Are you in your final year and you can relate? Can you think of something to add to the list? If so, feel free to comment below! And as always, good luck with your studies and God bless!

5 Reasons to Stop Stressing

    With everyone going back to school now and classes starting I thought I would dedicate this post to all the students out there. No matter what grade you're in, or how old you are, if you're in school right now, then there is one thing that most likely can connect all of us.

Stress

     I'm not sure why, but for some reason school can be really stressful! Am I right? Between homework, assignment deadlines, tests, and grade point averages, it can be really overwhelming. On top of all that, it seems we constantly have someplace we have to go or something we have to do. Then life quickly becomes hectic, and we can tend to find ourselves burning out, and stress can come into our lives. When we're under pressure or overwhelmed, and it all just seems like too much.

    This is rather sad, because life is so very short. In hindsight, that assignment we're stressing over now might not be a big deal in a week or two, but still we let it steal our joy. It's the trivial things in this world that tend to do that to us. Now, I'm not, in any way, saying that schoolwork is trivial, or that getting a degree isn't important (after all, I'm going to be a teacher myself, so I value schoolwork very highly). But, I'm saying that nothing is going to stick with us, and we cannot learn, if we are too stressed.

     The above verse tells us we need to cast all our anxiety (stress) on him (God). Now, sometimes that is definitely easier said than done. But God never tells us to do anything without fully equipping us to do so in the first place. This has been a personal struggle of mine (I do tend to worry more than I should), so I decided to write up a list of five reasons to stop stressing, and decided to share them with you today! Here we go...

The Top 5 Reasons to Stop Stressing:

God has everything under control!

    This is important to remember that even when we feel like everything in our lives is falling out of place, God still has the power to make everything alright. He is the Alpha and Omega, and He is the One who can change things for the better. So when life seems unbearably chaotic, remember the One who truly is in control!

You are strong and capable!

    It says in Joshua 9:1 that you are strong and 2 Timothy 1:7 that you are capable and of a sound mind. This is scriptural proof that you can handle this! God promises never to give us more than what we can handle, and that we already have the strength to endure. So whatever is coming against you in your day-to-day life, remember these verses and know that you will survive this.

Tomorrow is a new day!

    Even if you got a bad grade on a test or assignment, or you made a mistake in class, or said something to someone you shouldn't have, take heart! Remember that tomorrow is always a new day and that God's unending Grace is renewed each and every morning. That means He will give you new opportunities to learn from mistakes, or improve on your previous actions. Things can always be put right.

If it's meant to be, it will be! 

    If you're waiting on something to happen in your life (a relationship, a test score, an acceptance letter or scholarship, ect.) know that if it's meant to be, it will be. No amount of stressing or worrying can speed up or change anything. So rest in the fact that God already knows the outcome of your situation, and that whatever happens is happening according to His will for you.

You have blessings in store for you! 

    There are blessings, vast amounts of them, just waiting in store for you. God says in 2 Corinthians 8:9 that He wants to bless you and that He plans on blessing you. So when times seem hard (whether financially or with personal or familial issues, ect.) you can go to Him and say: "Lord, I could really use one of those blessings about now!" because He is just waiting for you to do so.

***

     And of course, if all else fails, I invite you to refer back to some important advice from my  favorite Disney animated fish:

     


     So, in the coming weeks, as we settle into the new school year and begin working, as we go to proms and homecoming, extra curricular activities, and standardized tests, think about this list. And when you find those moments of peace, hold onto them and breathe easily. For anyone who may need it, I'll put some resources below for managing stress. Finally, to everyone out there who are studying hard; God bless your efforts!

Resources:

• Trust More and Stress Less: How to Change Your Thinking for a Healthier Mind and Body
• Living in God's Rest
• How to Deal with Stress - The Right Way
• Stop Stress with Praise

Top 5 Reasons to Start Loving Ourselves

     There is something important I've been thinking about for quite a few weeks now and that is the subject of love. Not necessarily the love of a husband or wife, or a boyfriend and girlfriend (although I've been thinking about that kind of love, too, but we'll explore that in a different post). Rather, I'm talking about the love of oneself.  

     Everyone in this world has a natural desire to be loved by someone, and to love someone in return. Humanity seems to be programmed with this need to be loved. No matter who we are, how old we may be, or our position in life; deep down we have that God-given need to feel loved. It is simply a part of what makes us human.

     

    However, it is a sad truth that although everyone wants to feel loved, not everyone actually, truly feels it. There are some who may even believe that they are unlovable, and to me that is the most tragic feeling of all. What do you think when you see yourself in the mirror? Do you like what you see? Do you love who you see? Ultimately, that feeling of much-needed love needs to start within us.

     This is important, because when we love ourselves, it opens the doors to many possibilities in our lives. What do I mean? Well, while I've been studying and thinking on this subject, I've put together what I believe to be the top five reasons why we should start loving ourselves. Let me explain:

     Loving ourselves is the first step in loving others. When we have that belief that, yes we are a good person and we deserve to be loved (because we do) that is when we can say: “Alright, I deserve love, and so do you.” We start to cherish ourselves, and in doing so we cherish and value others. But we cannot have strong bonds, relationships, and friendships with other people or loved ones without first having one with ourselves.   

     When we really, truly love ourselves we become our own biggest fan. So even if every other person in our lives is against us, if we believe in ourselves that becomes enough drive to keep us going. Our dreams and aspirations become attainable when we are on our own side, encouraging ourselves in our endeavors. You'd be surprised how empowering that can be!

     When we love ourselves and have a strong understanding of who we are as a person, it sets the stage for us to explore our individuality and to have a firm footing in the world. We no longer feel we have to compare ourselves to someone, or to live up to any certain forms of criticism because when we know who we are, we like ourselves the way we are already, and we don't need to change. 

  

    In loving who we are and being comfortable in our own skin, it can give us a sense of security. If we love ourselves as we already are, we no longer have to work to change ourselves to fit anyone else's standards. We have the security we need to be a strong individual. We can stand out from the crowd without any fear of rejection because, essentially, we have not rejected ourselves.  

     Finally, by loving ourselves we can shed light on the world we live in. Not only are we seeing ourselves from a different point of view, but we also start seeing everyone else through the lens of this new-found love. By loving ourselves we can improve our self-worth, value, and our self-esteem. It is not conceited to love or value ourselves; it is enriching, fulfilling, and can improve our quality of life as a whole.  

    Below I've listed some wonderful articles, books, and scriptures on how to go about loving yourself, receiving emotional healing, and the benefits of living a positive life. They are all really helpful, and I encourage you to check them out:

• Remember This the Next Time You Hate How You Look
• Loving God, Yourself & Others
• Get Over Yourself
• Beauty from Ashes
• Love Out Loud: 365 Devotions for Loving God, Loving Yourself and Loving Others

• Mark 12:31
• Deuteronomy 6:5
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
• Psalm 139:13-15
• Ephesians 2:10
• Deuteronomy 31:6
• 1 Samuel 16:7

     There are, of course, many other benefits to loving ourselves, and I may explore them more in the future. Nevertheless, I hope this article has been encouraging; if so feel free to comment below. As always, have a great weekend and God bless =)

Love Knows no Distance

DISCLAIMER: this post is going out to every long distance relationship couple who may be laying awake in bed at night thinking about their significant other. Who may be wondering: "Is it still worth it?" Who have either just said goodbye or are looking forward to the next time you'll see each other again.

Army, 

Military, 

Navy, 

Air Force, 

College students, 

High school sweethearts,

Any couple separated by miles or time zones...

    It is the most difficult thing to be in love with someone you can't be with in person every day of your life. It's hard to celebrate the holidays or birthdays, to be with family, to watch new movies or experience new things, and to always have that little part of your heart aching to be with that special someone. Maybe you're wondering:

• "What are they doing right now?"

• "When will we get to see each other again?"

• "Are they thinking of me, too?"

• Maybe some of you are even wondering: "Will they make it home safely?"

     If someone really, truly loves you, distance becomes a hindrance not a deal-breaker. It's hard (very hard) but it can make for a stronger relationship, and it's worth it in the end. It says in the Bible that love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres:

     And according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, to 'persevere' is to continue on "in spite of" difficulties. So if you truly love each other, you can overcome the distance.

   There are some good things that can come from distance, like stronger communication skills, love letters, and a deeper understanding of your love for one another. With technology, now, our loved ones may just be a text message or a video call away. So, although the days until you see each other again can feel like an eternity, at least technology can bring you a little closer.

    I would just like to encourage you, if you're in a long distance relationship right now, to stay strong and keep fighting because any love worth the miles is worth striving for together. Although it's never an easy thing to go through, it's important to remember that being separated is only for a season. After all, true love always finds a way!

Staying Positive

     In today's world, it can be hard to think positively. When we're trying to push through difficult times, and we keep hitting roadblocks, it can just get us down. We get discouraged, tired, or downhearted. That is when we are vulnerable, and the negative thoughts can sneak into our minds.

     But one of the many things that college has taught me, (among time-management skills, and that coffee can be one's best friend) is that you cannot accomplish anything without a positive attitude. Because our outlook on life can either help us or hinder us; it is much easier to combat the lies of the devil with a positive outlook.

   

    This situation we may be in does not have to cast negativity upon our lives. Even if everything feels like it is going wrong, there are still some blessings to be found. If you woke up this morning that, at least, is a blessing. We are going to have highs and lows in life, but they are temporary; it's important to remember that this is just a season.

    So, as we go into this upcoming weekend, let's take a moment to evaluate the way we've been thinking about things, and let's make an effort to start putting a positive spin on our thoughts.

#HappyWeekend y'all =)

You are Worthy

DISCLAIMER: This is dedicated to every person who has ever felt that you have no value. To every young woman who ever stood on a scale and criticized herself. To every young man who has been shot down, and now you're scared to try again. To every child being bullied, or pushed aside, and ignored.

Yes, you! Do you know what that means? 

    According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word worthy is defined as:

     So based on that definition, you are a good person, and you deserve to be respected, praised, and to be considered important! Furthermore, you are valuable, and worthy. 

    Now sometimes it can be difficult to feel like we do deserve something, or that we are worthy. Maybe we've been told our whole lives that we aren't good enough, or smart enough, or that we have no talent. Maybe we've been made to feel like a waste of space, that we cause too much trouble, that we could never amount to anything important. Not only does this break down the will and the spirit, but it hurts our self-esteem and hinders us when it comes to seeing what we are truly worth.     

    But according to the Bible, God does not see us this way. He sees us completely different than how the world may see us. It says:

    So based on these scriptures, not only are you worthy, you are created as God's handiwork, in His own image, and He knew you before you were even born! He chose YOU, out of everyone and everything He made; He chose you and HE LOVES YOU. If you ask me, that is something pretty special.  

Remember:

Good Things Happen; It Says So Here...

Darkness, shadows and rain does fall,
And bad things happen for no reason at all.
We ache, we cry, they take, we die,
And it leaves us often asking: "Why?"

Thankfully, life is not all pain.
You know, with every dawn there is the night,
And with every rainbow there is the rain,
With every storm there is the fright,
But not without a gain.

Bad things happen this we know,
But He will never let us go.
He dries our tears and quells our fears,
And all those storms? He makes them clear!
He will forever hold us near,
It says as so, right here:

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things,

God works for the good of those who love Him,

Who have been called according to His purpose.

©

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It's that Moment...

Right after a thunderstorm

When the grass and the leaves on the trees
Are still studded with raindrops,
The air has been washed clean and the clouds have parted,
Revealing damp blue skies.

It's that peace;

The feeling that the whole world has been renewed,

And you realize:

Everything is going to be just fine.

Hallelujah!

It's almost dusk, and yet it's a new day. It's just like how 
Christ can take a storm and bring forth a blessing.

How He can take your sins and wash you clean.
He can make you new and restore your peace,
No matter what you have weathered.
Even if you're standing in the dusk,
He can give you a new day!

That's pretty good news!

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Standing in the Storm

When the skies are dark and the winds are sharp
The rains are crashing down
When you don't know where to go
Or what to do
And your umbrella has turned inside out
You feel helpless and hopeless and have no way home
Standing in the storm you feel completely alone
It's hard to believe Someone is watching out for you
But He has heard your request
And He's standing with you out in the tempest
Protecting you, shielding you, His love is all aglow
Now the winds will blow
And the rains will pour
But they can't hurt you anymore!

Mark 4:39-40

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"

Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"  

P.S. If you're living in the Florida area like I am, you're probably feeling the strength of Tropical Storm Debby right now (which, as you've probably guessed, was my inspiration for today's post). Well this is for you: Father please keep all of those touched by the Tropical Storm safe and thank you for calming our storms.

Hope y'all stay safe and dry and warm.

©Love you guys! ©

Testing the Atmosphere

Original pastel artwork by: Megan Finsel

A positive outlook is like the breeze that fills a kite;

Even in the roughest weather, it can lift you high into the sky.

And you can find the dawn inside the night,

Above the clouds and into the stars you'll fly.

No matter what's going on in your life,

With a high-altitude thinking it can be crystal clear.

You'd be surprised how far you'll rise above your strife,

If you find just one reason to be positive, my dear,

 You can test the atmosphere!

You Need to Know...

You are wanted

You are loved

Unconditionally

From Heaven above

Even if you're incomplete

And torn apart 

Someone needs you

With all His heart
©

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

~ Ephesians 1:18 ~

And Today I Give You 10 Reasons...

So it’s been one of those weeks,

You know,

The type that leaves you feeling just absolutely drained?

Now we're on the brink of the weekend and today it’s dreary, rainy and overcast.

Blek!

    I don’t know about you,

                                but I’m tired of feeling beaten and worn out.

                                                                

 No more exhaustion,

                                                                                                      no more stress,

     and no more dreary moods! 

It’s time to look for that silver lining, cause I miss smiling.

    So today I’m posting a list of ten things – in no particular order – that'll make us smile (after all, a smile is the best cure for a bad mood). Let’s put on some favorite music (TobyMac, Britt Nicole and Taylor Swift anybody?) and get our happy on!

Here we go:

1 When your crush meets your eyes
from across the room

and you share that special smile
reserved for only the two of you

2 going to the beach with your friends

racing down to the water

and letting the cool froth
rush up over the tops of your feet

  

3 eating an ice cream cone
(pick your favorite flavor —I love mango)

that's melting over the edges
and getting your face and hands all sticky

 

4 driving with the top down

the wind in your hair

and your bare feet up on the hot dashboard

 

 

5 swinging in a hammock

on a cool breezy day

with a good book in your lap

and the sun shining down between the leaves

6 a family cook-out on the patio

basking in the summer twilight

With Nana’s baked beans, and sweet corn on the grill

  

7 laughing so hard with your friends

that it brings tears to your eyes

and makes your sides ache in that weird way

 

 

8 sitting on a blanket with your family

on the 4^th of July

watching as the night sky explodes with color  

 

 

 

9 dancing around my room

to my favorite song

while still in my pjs

and singing into a hairbrush

10 knowing that no matter what I’ve done Jesus forgives me and will take me back, despite my sins and my wrongdoings. He always understands me and accepts me just the way I am. He loves me.
That’s enough to make me

J

Ahh, I feel better. How about you?
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