Snow in Texas and other surprises- January and February Updates

 Hello again friends and family! I have been looking forward to updating you on ministry and my life! Who knew the start of the year would already end up so eventful! I do pray that you are all safe after this crazy winter storm! If you all need anything, including financial help, please reach out!

Back in January, I remember feeling super excited about having the semester start back up and getting to see our students in person again! And even though things have looked different- like not having winter camp and starting school a week later (SMU took away their spring break and so started a week later) I have seen God at work in some really cool ways in the lives of our students. We have had several new students start attending our core groups at both TWU Dallas and SMU and gotten involved in FOJ studies. We also have started to invite students who have been stepping up and shown interest in leadership to our leader meetings and a leader retreat scheduled for this upcoming weekend! Despite circumstances not being ideal, I have seen that no obstacle is too big for God to overcome. And often, I think that He delights in working despite difficult circumstances because it is evident that it is not our efforts that produce the fruit- but by His faithfulness and Spirit working the hearts of His people. 

As the semester continues, I know there will continue to be challenges. But I have seen God's faithfulness before and I know that He will continue to be faithful, including in the lives of our students and in shaping our ministry to reflect Christ's love to our campuses.

I also wanted to share a bit of how God has been working personally in my heart recently.

The first two weeks of school were busy ones. My weeks were over 60 hours and while I was excited and energized, I quickly found myself feeling those same feelings of burn out that are unfortunately all too familiar. It was God's timing that just the following week, Albert and I had planned a trip to Colorado to ski. During that week of our trip (and ironically the following snow week we had here in Texas) there was time to reflect and be still enough for the Spirit to speak to my heart. And during that time, God talked to me about how much I associate my worth with what I do and how that often makes it hard for me to be content with just "being." God also talked to me about how I am pretty bad about asking for help and have a mindset that I can and must figure out a way to do it all on my own. In that process, I feel pressure to do it all, fight feelings of being overwhelmed and tired and also feelings of resentment towards others in them not doing enough to help (even though I never asked for help and just assume they should be able to conveniently read my mind). While I am not close to having all this figured out and fixed, I am encouraged by the fact that is teaching me and guiding me by His Spirit, even if it is uncomfortable. I am reminded of the Hebrews 12:6 that says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." God is continuing to teach me, but that just means that I am His child, just as a parent lovingly teaches their child. 

I would love to hear what God has been teaching you lately and what things the Spirit has been revealing to your heart! Feel free to comment below or message me privately! 

There is so much more I would like to share, but in summary, God is moving and alive! I pray you are experiencing that life in your own life in a powerful way! 

I love you all so much and am so grateful for your continued support- including taking the time to read this blog all the way through! Thank you!!!

Check out some photo updates!