Walking around a college campus, the phrase you will most often hear is "I have so much going on! I am so stressed and afraid that I'll fail all my classes!" Unfortunately, this phrase gets repeated all too often even at a Christian campus, and I'll admit–I'm guilty of it too! However, today was a different story for me. For some reason I woke up for my 8 AM full of joy and excitement (mind you, I'm never joyful for my 8 AM).  I had my cup of coffee, did my devo, listened to some Bryan and Katie Torwalt, and was on my way, but today was different. Today, I actually got a taste of what I've been praying for. Lately, I've been convicted about my prayer. I would pray for things, not see them happen, and as a result, not pray as much (because obviously, it wasn't working). However, God was there and showed Himself even when I wasn't looking for Him (because He does that...). Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek Me and you will find me when you seek Me with all your heart." I have been trying to find God without seeking Him. I've been praying for more joy, but would let the little stuff bother me and steal my joy and wondering when God was going to give me joy. But today it really hit me how blessed I am! I have a supportive and wonderful family that raised me with the knowledge of God and showed me how to love Him. I have an amazing and incredibly patient fiancé who points me to Christ daily and loves me for who I am, and I have incredible and loving friends who aren't afraid to call me out on things I'm struggling with in love and encourage me to be a better Christian. I get to attend a school where I can grow in my faith and every professor points the class back to Christ. So this isn't a post to brag about how good my life is, it is to be a reminder for anyone who reads this that your life is better than you think. No matter how bad it can be, there's always something to be grateful for, there's always some blessing (no matter how small or insignificant you think it is). So now I'm going to get off my soapbox and go back to my coffee and get my worship on. :) If you made it this far, thanks for reading! I hope you got some encouragement out of this today! Happy Thursday!

I went to Alaska this past summer with my family and found out that Alaska is my happy place. I mean, it doesn't get better than mountains and beaches right there in one place... :) 

This view will never get old. These are my mountains. :) 

I saw this cactus on a walk I was taking, and I thought, "That's a pretty cactus!" so... I took a picture of it, and then turn to walk away and... stepped on it. In flip flops. Nice, Katrina... ;)

I'm dreaming for summer adventures in the mountains... 

"...But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, ever quit."

-Psalms 86 

"But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do that lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

-1 Corinthians 13:13

Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. What a goal! This year, more than others (I don't know why), I've been asked the question: "What do you want to be known for when your time on earth is over? What do you want people to say about you?" I guess I never really had a solid answer. I said the Christian-y things: "For loving Jesus and loving others" all the while focusing on homework to do, lunch to eat, and friends to talk to. I have never really sat down and pondered that question. And I think it's important to do so. As Christians, we are called to do so. If we don't focus on why we're here and strive for what is to come in the next life, we're wasting our lives and wasting time. 

So? Our goal? 

Trust steadily in God. In the mountains and the valleys. When your car is stuck in the snow and you're wondering if you're going to make it to class on time. Trust him with your life. Every part.

Hope unswervingly. Un-swerve-ingly. Without straying from the course. Hope for the impossible and the insane: the miracles. Sounds kind of like a child-like hope... :) 

And love. Extravagantly. Not looking for the faults in others or in the circumstance, but finding joy instead. And that is a choice! Sometimes easier than others, but always a choice. We have a choice to love like Jesus. To love "tenderly and kindly" and "never ever quit".

So I know that this doesn't really have anything to do with the picture, but I liked the picture and wanted to post it anyway. ;)

Just a dose of serenity for your day... :) 

hope fills my soul, the love that

you've shown brings refreshing like the rain

and peace floods my heart, i know

nothing apart, apart from your goodness, God

you are glorious and you are holy

the heavens shout that you are worthy

your love frees my soul and fear

has no hold for you have broken the chains

and now joy fills my life, your Spirit

your life, i'm undone by the kindness of Christ

-"Glorious" Jesus Culture