Last Day of November

EEK!
Yesterday we had our first real snow of the season~ thick, wet, beautiful white, snow.
It was a pain to drive in. But I appreciated the beauty of it from my warm inside view.

I find it hard to believe that tomorrow is the start of December. The year has gone by so fast! Yet, time is a funny thing, for the beginning of the year seems like ages ago. The days of my DVD school, easy job at work (before team leader status), and worrying about what degree I would pursue seem like a distant memory.
So maybe I am still worrying about my degree, but the other things still hold true.

I know that I am a different person than what I was in January. More mature, more skilled, more aware of my helplessness and sinful nature, more stressed, more excited about the future (though I have a better idea as to how difficult it may be). God has been good to me this year; He has grown me in my walk with Him, my relationships with others, and my view of self. He has held my hand through trials (the death of Grandpa, the worry of college, the fright of a missions trip to NYC), uplifted me in rejoicing (graduating high school, being promoted at work, starting college and succeeding in classes, sharing the Gospel), and been my constant companion during everything in between.

This next month is going to be crazy- college finals, Holiday hours at jcp, more future worries, etc. But I have the confidence and proof that my God will be there to carry me through it all, I just need to remember that He is standing with arms open, ready to answer my cry. And not forget the lessons I "learned" earlier this year about doing all on my own.

Philippians 4:19 ~But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Genesis 28:15 ~And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

1 Peter 5:7 ~Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

Luke 12:6-7 ~Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ~Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Christmas Decorations~ in Home and Heart

A few weeks ago I decorated my place for Christmas. Without buying a single new item, I redid every flat surface in Christmas cheeriness~ which wasn't that hard, considering the extensive collection I have already amassed XD. Here are some Instagramed Pictures of my labor:

But, preparing my room for Christmas was not the only thing that needed prepared. The last few weeks have been a crazy roller coaster ride for my heart and mind. This week I was able to spend extra time searching the Scriptures and praying for wisdom and direction. With my working in retail (and being responsible for a team of not-so-motivated group of people. . .), I can already catch myself focusing on just the retail side of the season. I so easily forget the true reason of Christmas: God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to be the propitiation for my sin, that I may confess my sins and be counted righteous through Christ's covering of me (John 3:16, 1 John 4:10, Romans 3:25, 1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 2:24). Christ came with the purpose of living to die, counting the cross as joy, knowing that only through the shedding of His perfect blood would I ever be able to draw near to Him (Hebrews 12:2, Romans 5:9, Ephesians 2:13, Colossians 1:14). May I seek to honor Him in all I do and say this season and always: "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1Corinthians 6:20), "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." (1 Corinthians 7:23).

Merry {early} Christmas!!

The Next Step

*Sigh*
It seems like I have been learning things the hard way the last two weeks. I was quite frustrated with life (eventually asking my mom if she would drive out west with me, live out of my car, and just go antique shopping: she didn't like my idea very much!), and just wanted to get away. But my 13 credit hours at Ivy and 20-ish hours of work at jcp have not made escaping possible. I love the text my mom sent me (though I was somewhat angry with her when she sent it): "Yeah that's life, kid. Focus on Jesus".

Hmmm. Maybe I haven't been doing much of that lately.

This should change. Starting today.

Costume Parties, Changes, November- Oh my!

I had a pretty amazingly fun weekend. I went to dinner/costume shopping with a friend, then enjoyed a hoot of a time at PBF with the college crew. Most everyone dressed up in costumes (sadly, I did not get pictures), and afterwards, we all went bowling. It was a hilariously good time.
I worked Saturday, and was able to be more of the Team Leader that I am supposed to be (working with an amazing team of people!).
Sunday service was good as always, Women of Character class was insightful, and fellowship was nice. I had lunch with my friend followed by attending an antique show. It was his "introduction" to antiquing, but he seemed to not mind it too much. I had fun walking through with him, seeing things through his first-timer eyes. We stopped and asked the antiquers questions about their trade and goods, gaining valuable information. We walked and talked around the mall afterwards, then headed to another costume party. This one was fun too :). I was able to spend some time chatting with a senior gal who had also been homeschooled (she was such a good example of a godly young woman, and was wonderful in conversation!). We played a few mixer-type games (myself failing, but having fun :), then headed home.

Unfortunately, you can't view my awesome boots, but it is a pretty good shot of my pirate gettup :)

I am going through some life changes right now, trying to balance everything, but continually dropping something by mistake. It seems like I cannot learn to simply rely on God~ I suppose it is a lifelong lesson. Prayers for wisdom would be appreciated!!!

One last note: tomorrow starts November. GAH!!!! That means that Black Friday is a few short weeks away. And I work in retail. It also means that Christmas is next month (and a day, but what's the difference?). Dear Lord, I plead for patience and peace for the next few weeks!

Hopefully I shall update with more verses soon!!! Thank you for checking in : )

HIS not mine

This card sits on my desk to serve as a constant reminder that life is not about me, that I can't control it, and that if I will draw near to God, He will draw night unto me. I am trying to strive towards a closer relationship with my Savior, amidst all this chaos and craziness of my life. He is my Anchor, my Rock, my Strength, the One Whom I trust, my Shelter, and my Peace.
I love this passage of Scripture- such a powerful picture of our God!

Psalms 18:1-19
 1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
 8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
 11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
 12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
 14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.


What a mighty, awesome, powerful, loving, protective, strong God I serve! May I seek to follow You in every action, word, and thought.

*Sigh* On the Right Track... Again

Yesterday was a happy morning. Friday was a happy day. Wednesday was amazing because I was able to discuss and fellowship with a very wise, godly mentor, and work through all the difficulties I had gone through the last few weeks. One of her suggestions was to study scriptures that would combat the need for control/power/pride. I will soon post my list of verses on here. So keep checking back : )

Today is the Lord's day, and I am blessed that I don't have to work at jcp this afternoon. I plan to spend some more time on my verse list, as well as prepare for my Bible study on Tuesday. Extra time with my Savior will be happening today. So that makes today a happy day.

God is good and in control. And I am just beginning to realize how much meaning this statement holds.

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." ~James 4:6-10

Roller Coaster Ride

Ecstatically high                             /           Depressingly low
Enthusiastic                                   /            Lethargic
Jumping-up-and-down-happy       /            Crying on my mom's shoulder
Relaxing on my only day "off"       /           Pounding out hours of schoolwork
Thanking and praising my Savior  /           Begging for the reason "why"
Thinking that things can't be better /          Feeling that things couldn't get worse


Yep, I am definitely enjoying this college life. Lord, give me wisdom in my life and walk with You. And a little emotional balance would be nice.
Your daughter,
AnW