3 years ago, I met someone who I never thought would change my life so much. He has allowed me to pursue my goals, help me with my problems, and also be a loyal friend. The guy looking like a creep in the photo is my boyfriend, and I'm so glad that I have met him! He is someone I could easily say is my best friend, and although we don't see each other a lot due to school and money, our trust and of course goofiness is what really holds us together! Sorta like Ron with bacon...or any other meat product. But Parks and Recreation pun aside, he is making me write this post as we speak otherwise my blog isn't awesome. So this is for you Kevin! I hope I see you again soon and good luck in college! Fo shizzle. Peace.
In moments like these, boating during a sunset, camping, or just flat out enjoying nature through your backyard, I'm always amazed in how all of this was created from God. Who knew that in just seven days the world will be created with all different creatures, settings, stories, and people. With nature, I am reminded of the beauty of the world and how strong God's love is. Without His love for us, He would have never sacrificed His one and only son to die for our sins. This always reminds me of the verse John 3:16. It's crazy to think that God loved something SO much that He would sacrifice something for it. Something that He knows, that no matter how hard you try, they won't love Him back. They will not love Him and follow Him, but God will always love them...no matter what! That's crazy! Yet...it's beautiful. God knows the state that I'm in. I'm struggling to strengthen my relationship with Him. I want to communicate with Him, understand, and follow His word! I need to stop worrying so much and just have God lead my life where it should be led! It's strange I know, but it's worth it! He has everything planned out for my life, so much better than I would have planned out for myself, but right now, He is trying to help me be strong! I know my life is going to be having greater things, but my relationship with Him is so weak right now, that I just feel empty inside. I have been Catholic for my whole life, but it wasn't until July.7.2010 that would change my views in how my relationship with Christ should be. It was the day my friend Gloria decided to take me to her church for a youth group kind of thing. It was a Christian church, so it had worship in the beginning which was a mini Christian concert kind of thing, and later a bible reading. The bible reading was from Genesis 12:1-4, and I know what you're thinking....HOW DO YOU REMEMBER THIS?! Well, I wrote it down in a journal! And I'm looking at it right now as I type this! Ha! I wrote down what the preacher had to say, but there was a list of three things that truly struck me.
- Get to a place where you can here God
Songs of worship or just simply praying!
- Get out of your comfort zone
In my first post I mentioned this, and if you haven't read that post..well now you know I'm an introvert! By getting out of my comfort zone, I'm able to hear God better and focus more in what He has to say to me! A lot of people are concerned that God isn't talking to them or something like that, but He is! God is always talking, but you aren't always listening.
- Do what He says
All Abram had was God's promise. It's hard for us to see God's promise unfolding in our lives, but that's because we are living in our daily routine.
So to sum all of this up, do what appreciates God, listen to Him, and step out of your daily routine to be with Him more! I have done these three steps the day after, and began doing them for a week and noticed how much my life has changed for the better. Now unfortunately I wasn't able to go back to that church because my mom wants me to go only to Catholic churches, but Catholic mass has never ever made me feel so close to God than that moment at youth. It made me reconsider a lot of things in how Catholics do the things that they do, and made me realize that even though I grew up as a Catholic, I never gained any strength or recognition that Christ is with me. I have been feeling this way for a very long time, and I believe now it's time to break the roots and take the plunge to only go to a Christian church instead. I have been to many youth meetings and attended a Christian church on Sunday mornings instead of a Catholic church and have never felt so welcomed and loved. It's like they are speaking directly to me. I loved going there, and craved for me. This is how a relationship should be. To the point where the message brings you to tears, where you stand up, raise your hands up and touch the Heavens. This is a change for me, and I know I'm set for greater things.
As my summer is approaching to an end, I can't help but feel excited and yet nervous for what college will bring to me. It's not the fact that I will be living away from home and finally be independent...okay maybe a little. But what really scares me is college itself. The tests, the homework, the awful essays, and oh yes, did I mention the tests? It wasn't until sophomore year in high school that I finally took school seriously. I'm not sure how this phenomenon finally clicked for me, but thank goodness it did. I was one of those few who actually needed to study in order to get a decent grade. I was always envious of those who could take the test without really studying and claim their glorious A, but for my success I needed to work hard for it. As a nursing major, I really need to work my butt off in order to get into the nursing program into my school, and hopefully into other schools as well. The time for slacking off and procrastinating is finally over, and as I hyperventilate into a paper bag at the thought of this, I really need to step out of my comfort zone. The only way I can become the successful student that I want to be is to branch out and kick my old self to the curb. No offense old self. I need to start asking questions in class, extend my study hours, and even go to the tutor center that my school provides. With this blog not only do I want to record the awesome events that I will encounter in Seattle and in my school, but to also remind myself I'm in this school for a greater purpose. I hope you have enjoyed reading my first post, and gained a little sense of who I am.
Sincerely,
Anna
