He quiets me with His love.

This week I achieved something that I did not even gain over Christmas break, soulful rest.  It was this amazing feel of not being stressed out in any sense of the word and actually having a relaxed spirit.  I could feel it as I poured my morning coffee, or when I was sitting in class, or when I decided to take a nap just because I could.  I never thought I would be the person to say that people with no plans are better off.  I never thought I would find myself living in complete peace without a schedule.  It is amazing and I cannot believe how much the Lord is doing in me in so little time.


So, just for the sake of example and because it brings me joy to remember this past week, here is how it was laid out.


Monday - I woke up at 845 in time to pour a cup of to go coffee and grab a seat in morning chapel.  We had some incredible worship and played some of my favorite songs.  The message was also great.  After chapel, I came back to my apartment and spent the morning lazily finishing A.W. Tozer's The Root of Righteousness and getting ready for my first class at 1.  I had enough time to grab a sub sandwich before class and then enjoyed learning about Hebrew Poetics. At 2:45, I entered my second Bible class, Church History Since the Reformation and also enjoyed the lecture.  At 4, I tested out another Bible class, 1 and 2 Samuel, but decided that I would take Kickboxing instead since I had already sat through 3 hours of lectures.  I finished my night by relaxing and playing board games with my roommates.


Tuesday- I slept in :) I then had another morning of lazy reading and coffee until my 1 pm Astronomy lecture which was quite interesting and intriguing.  The lecture lasted for 3 hours, until 4.  I spent the rest of the evening at home with my roommates watching a movie and reading.


Wednesday- This was my busy day.  I spent 9-12 playing with a 2 year old at my new job.  We played outside, played with play dough, had snacks, etc.  I then had my Hebrew Poetics class at 1, Church History at 245, and an AWESOME workout in my kickboxing class at 545.  I then had to shower, eat dinner ( I experimented and made my first tuna melt!), and make it to my 730 Astronomy Lab.  We were able to look at the moon and learn about the phases of Venus.


Thursday- I slept in again :) I then decided to grab some lunch and head to the grocery store to stock my fridge. Afterward, I grabbed a Clif Bar and an iced coffee and headed to my 420 Intercultural Communication class.  This class was and is incredible.  We will be learning more about cultures and the way we communicate based on our class, ethnicity, etc.  It is really interesting.  The class lasted for 3 hours.  I then came home, made some healthy style nachos, and played board games with my roommates.  We later joined the rest of our court for desserts at our RA's house.


Friday-  This morning I had chapel and then began training for my 10k this summer.  The weather was a beautiful 85 degrees, so I decided to go for a swim and take a nap afterward.  I then borrowed a bike from a friend and rode to the coffee shop to grab a boba smoothie and read for a while.  Back home, I took another nap and then made dinner and decorated my empty desk wall.  I decided to make a book list, goals list, and a prayer board.  Now, I am about to grab some iced coffee, chocolate, and read before bed.




I am writing all of this out because this has been the best week for college for me thus far and I have learned more about God and myself this week than any other.  The stresses of money and a job are slowly fading as I am realizing God has called me to something of Him; rest.  No, not being lazy all the time (I really needed this week, but obviously it is not always going to be bike rides, naps, and pool time), but being relaxed and restful in my spirit.  So many weeks of college I have felt anxiety ALL THE TIME.  I don't even sleep well because of all that I have on my plate.  And the worst part was, I would map my days out by the hour as if that was fun.  There was no room for a spontaneous run, or a good talk with a friend; I always had somewhere I had to be or something I needed to be doing.

I added some pictures to show the little organizing I have done this year.  I thought a prayer board would be a good reminder of who or what I need to be praying for.  I also framed my goals because that way they don't get lost and I can remember them. ( I stole the idea from another blog site)  Usually, my goal list would be at least 20 long, but I feel this year it is important to be realistic and also intentional.  What and who does God really want me to do and be and how do my goals match those?  My goals are these 5:


1. Run a 10k - It's hard for me to run and it pushes me to constantly be uncomfortable and do something I may not want to do


2. Obtain all A's. - I am only taking 14 units and I want to POUR myself out into my classes.  I want to gain everything I can from them and really do my best.  Last semester I slacked, so I just make sure to sit up front in every class this semester.


3. Read all the book list books - I also hung a book list to keep track of what I want to read and what I have read.  Leaders are readers....


4. Trust God more frequently and intentionally - This is hard because it means putting myself in circumstances where I have to need Him.  I am trying to learn how to really trust God in a culture where we are self sufficient


5. Love people - Intentionally, realistically, and passionately like Christ.

I know this is going to be a great year.  I am getting married, moving, and who knows what else! I am excited to be a more spontaneous person and RELAX. Seriously, people don't know what they are missing when they choose to live in anxiety.

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.                       

Zephaniah 3:17