Reminders

Sometimes I wonder why in the world God chose me of All people to be in a relationship that is/was predominantly long distance. The first "School year" that Evan and I have were together was long distance, then last summer we both worked at different camps. I was at Mundo he was at Rockmont. We were together for this past school year, which was great and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But then this summer he is back at Rockmont and I am home working and taking summer classes. I've asked my self everyday since Evan left this summer, why me lord, why can't I just have a relationship like all a lot of other couples have, where they dont really have long distance. They may not see each other for the span of a week or two at the longest. Sometimes it really gets to me how much Evan and I have spent 3/4 of our relationship apart. When I don't get a call or don't get to see him for weeks at a time, like I will this summer, It hits me hard. And why after weeks like this, of nothing but work, health issues, school, and on top of that Evan leaving for the summer, God chose us to be apart yet again. But then nights like tonight remind me why. A friend asked me how Evan and I keep God in the center of our relationship. I told her that we aren't perfect by any means and we sin just as much as everyone else does. But then I got to share with her how we started out with God not in the complete center of our relationship, and how it affected up both as individuals and as a couple. I told her that one weekend about a year and a few months into our relationship, we both felt like we needed to have a talk about our relationship and where is was going. That night we decided to ask God for forgiveness for not having him in the middle of us at all times, and for guidance in our relationship. We started talking more about God and our religious views more, doing devotions together, and praying together.
After a might of being able to share how God is working through our relationship, it reminded me that God hasn't "put me/us through" a long distance relationship for nothing.

God has BLESSED me someone who he is going to be happy that I got to share our story with others for the glory of God. God BLESSED me with someone who I can trust wont just leave me over the summer while he is gone and when I don't get to talk to him for a while. God blessed me with the strength to be away from my BEST FRIEND for almost our whole relationship, so I can bring glory to his name when people ask about our relationship.
God has CHOSEN me to be in a long distance relationship again for the summer, and one of those reason was tonight, to Share how has worked and is still working in our relationship, so we can share the word of God with others! I'm not saying that it is easy by any means to be apart, but it dose make it easier to know that I get to say "we're teenagers in a relationship, so yes we sin, just like you, But God is a forgiving and loving God," to people when they ask about my relationship. I don't know of many kids my age, that have relationships like that. I feel lucky to be able to say to people that I have a Godly man as my best friend, and who I just happen to be dating.

While I miss him more than anything right now, wish I got more time with him, or more phone calls, I know that God is using that to work through and in us for him, and not myself. I have to remind myself of that everyday.

Amanda:)

Filled

Its funny how some of the smallest things in life you can miss so much when they don't seem to be around very often anymore.

Good Conversations about meaningful or even random things

Communication

How I could I give butterflies just by calling or walking into the room

Laughter

Long hugs

A good kiss goodnight or just because

Little surprises that make my day

Walks that will seem to make any worry and stress go away

Day trips

Adventures to new places

Swinging

phone calls or text just to say goodnight or I love you and not much more.

But then I remember that I may want those things, but sometimes the only real thing I need to make those desires go away and not stress about them, is to be filled by Jesus and his love only and not just a want for those things from human love. He has the best conversations, the best hugs, the best laughter, and the best adventures for me. And not one person, can ever top any the wonderful things that he can do and has done for me. I just wish sometimes I could remember this more often!

God. Surprise. School. Home. Life. Church. Learn. Love. God

So its been quite a while since I have been on here and updated! In fact its been way to long! So here is an up date. It might be a long one!

Last semester flew by! I was so busy with my school work and getting involved in a church here in Greenville! I've absolutely loved moving to Greenville. There is just something about this city that I am drawn to. I can't put my finger on it, but I love it! People, Places, environment? I think its all of it combined. Last semester was my first here at North Greenville, and I must say, it was intense and very busy! I had 6, yes 6, general Ed classes. Needless to say I was reading and taking test and typing papers everyday for almost 5 months! It was a busy time, but I did learn a lot. Not only was (And still am) I busy with school, but I also got involved in a church here in Greenville. When I would come down to visit Evan last year, we would go to a church called Springwell church. He would help out in the youth on Wednesday nights during the week, while I was still at home for school. He started to get plugged into that church by playing his drums. So on Sunday's when I would come down we would go to church together. It was at Springwell, where I really felt God lead me to Greenville when I saw a worship artist perform one Sunday when I came to visit. Once I moved down here to Greenville, I started to go with Evan to youth services. I felt like this was where I was supposed to help out, even though I didn't know any of the kids. I'll explain more about this subject in a while! Throughout my first semester I was very busy and starting to get so wrapped up in school and "Helping" at the church, I was feeling like I was loosing why I came here in the first place, to answer a calling.

Now that I am in my second semester here at NGU, I'm starting to see why I was supposed to come here. The last month before we left for Christmas break I chose to change my major from art to Interdisciplinary Studies. It allows me to combine 2 majors I am interested in and pretty much have a double major with just one major! When I changed my major I chose to have Art and Media Ministry as my concentrations. When I was reading what my options were for my combinations, for some reason Media Ministry just really stuck out to me. When I read the description, it described some job examples you can have with the degree in media ministry. It was exactly what I had pictured and dreamed of doing. So I chose to have that as my secondary component, while art is still my primary.

With this major it requires me to take a sophomore intro class to the major. In this class we talk about the types of people who are considered "interdisciplinarians". I have to say, that I fit into this category perfectly. It describes my personality almost perfectly. It is a person who loves to ask questions, combine things, is a problem solver, right brained, creative in most areas, and has a heart to change the world, and help others by putting themselves last. I'm pretty much the text book definition of this type of person. Needless to say, I've chosen the correct major!

I wasn't really sure why God was calling me to combine art and media ministry at first. The past few weeks and especially today, I think I got my answer. Evan and I have been helping out a lot more in the youth at Springwell this semester. We have become small group leaders as well as part of the Tech team that runs slides, lights, and sound. Its quite a handful of stuff but we love it! I have been helping/teaching the middle and high school girls small group as well as doing design work, and running slides during the service.

To be honest, this is as involved in a church as I have ever been, in the sense of being a volunteer. I went to church almost every time there was an event at my home church, but wasn't as involved in the teaching or volunteering aspect as I am here. I've been seeing why its so much more important for me to be doing that here. The youth that we're helping really need Jesus. They need people to show and teach them about the one created, controls, and Loves them. Some of the youth have grown up in church, so have biblical knowledge while most don't, others haven't gone much of their lives, and others just go because their parents make them.

Its been a real eye opener for to work with them. It makes me realize that not every youth group is like the one I grew up in, close, smart and has a heart for jesus.

Recently, I started helping with the media side of the youth program. I figured I have done graphic design and just a little video editing to be able to help out and give some of my talents.

After helping for a few weeks with the Tech and Media, I was asked what I would think about being the new Media Director.

When I read that I just smiled. I knew right then, thats why God put me here. Even if it meant going into debt and coming to a school that I never had even heard of until dating Evan.

All the pieces were and still are fitting together a lot better now.

I saw Jarred Emerson paint and perform, was called to move and come to NGU, Change my major to one where people tell me all the time that I have no chance of getting a job with, Then leading a Small group 3 weeks after moving here, working in the media team, then being asked to be a Media Director, (which is what I've wanted to do all along), and most and best of all, getting to be Jesus (along with all the other leaders!) for kids who really need it.

I've always heard that sometimes God works in ways that you won't understand until you have to do something life changing in order to see the beautiful thing that he has planned. I just never really experienced it until now.

I'll be honest, through the past year with moving, having to take out way to many loans and going into debt, and having to adjust to a whole new environment, I questioned why I did what I did, and would ask my self and God, " Why am I here, and what am I doing with my life?"

In fact, the first semester I was here, thats what I asked myself almost everyday!

I haven't figured out everything as to why I God put me in Greenville and at NGU, but it's getting to be a lot more clear now!

I don't think words can explain the comfort that I felt today, when I read "What would you think about being the Media Director?" Its like this huge surprise that God had for me, and then just threw it at me today, and I love it!

I think these are my verses of the day!

Matthew 6:30-34 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.