A new semester...:)

Another semester has come and gone. It's hard to believe that around this time last year I was managing culture shock... NO TREES!!... no mountains... five lanes of traffic?? who would have thought?!:) It's been quite an adventure thus far being here in Texas in comparison to the good 'ol stat of North Carolina:) ( sweet carolina girls). As usual I have grown so much with all the things God has shown me. Showing me that even as a seminary student I am just as tempted by the things of this world as someone out of seminary, in fact I feel like I'm even more tempted by Satan by him knowing how I want to make a difference in the world by telling others about Jesus Christ,my Lord and Savior! He has been there for me through thick and thin, good times and bad. I've always had someone to disappoint me, my mom, or dad, my best friend, the list could go on and on but with Christ He's always been by my side. The words that come to my mind when I think about the Lord, Jesus Christ is comforter, protector, almighty father, prince of PEACE, loving, just, faithful! Not knowing from one day to the next what tomorrow brings can be tough but knowing Christ knew me before I was ever born as the scripture says and how he even knows the number of hairs on my head, wow!, my first thought is why? who cares?.. but guess waht.. He does! haha. Knowing he knows my future keeps me sane. I know though if I knew all the things God has planned for me, I'd flip out and probably be so overwhelmed I'd give myself a heart attack! haha. I'm such a fickle person. Last semester I dabbled in youth ministry which don't get me wrong was awesome but now curently I'm really interested in inner city missions!! I attend church each week where homeless people come and are fed soul food in more than one way:). Preaching is first, then lunch is provided. Beautiful Feet ministry is the name of the minstry. www.thefeet.org and there is another site you can check out too:) http://www.baptiststandard.com/1998/4_22/pages/soulfood.html .... the people here have blessed me more than I think I ever could them. Getting back to the basics of life is such a reviving experience. These people aren't worried about debt. They are worried about living from one day to the next. This got me thinking about that Tim McGraw song, "Live like you were dying". With that said, maybe this is why I stay busy so much cramming every second of every hour into something for me to do, however I am getting better at taking time out to actually rest, a new hobby I've found to enjoy more and more as I get older;). Speaking of working, I'm getting off work now and soon to be on my way "home" ( my dorm room) to rest. Take care and I pray God blesses you today and every day. Remember to take time out to read his word, if you don't then it's tough to hear what he has to say although it's not impossible it's still harder;). Much love:)

I'm growing closer in love:)......

Today I spent the afternoon with the Holy Spirit, like a "date". I had such a blast! We first went to get myself an ever addicting Boba Tea from Moonstone and then went off for a trip to the Water Gardens. As I listened to music on my ipod ( Your grace still amazes me-Matt Boswell, The more I seek you-Kari Jobe, Grace Flows Down, and so on and so on)... I found joy in being alone with Holy Spirit/Jesus. Feeling the warmth of the sunshine on my back as I tranced myself into the constant flowing waters streaming down into a pit, I felt romanced by Him. I read Hebrews (picking up where I last left off) and just having such a love just being with my Heavenly father. I felt such a peace.

The song, " The more I seek you" has made a powerful mark in my heart and life over the past few days. It is a new song to me and just the words of it take me to a place with the Holy Spirit I've never quite felt before. The words amplify my heart and how I long to feel with Christ. This past weekend, I helped co-lead in a Disciple Now retreat and it seems to never fail that I think I learn more than the students I teach do. Brandon Cook spoke Saturday night (he was the guest speaker) and one of the things he used in his sermon was on love. I knew exactly what his parallel was going to be with the activity but still went a long with it. It was amazing to me to see that the teenagers answers were just like mine as a young adult. Some of the answers to what love was to them were: spending time with someone, feeling yourself thinking about this person often, serving them, etc. etc. I could relate to each one of these characterstics more than once and each time I related it to my own life, I realized how temporary and honestly in the end meaningless it all was IN COMPARISON to my relationship with Christ.

I asked myself, how many times do I yearn to spend time with Christ? How often do I jump at the chance to serve him like I do with other guys I take an interest in? Only in the end to feel disappointment and that extra part of me longing for more knowing even if the person I tried so hard to get to persue me actually ever did, thinking to myself, "would it still be enough?". It wasn't until having such an intimate time with the Holy Spirit today did I feel just how much He yearns to spend time with me. He loves seeing me happy even when it's over the smallest things like dogs swimming in water or squirrels running so fast away from me in fear that I may grab the pecan or nut straight out of their mouth. He loves spending time with me and is always thinking about me. He loves it when I ask him for advice and am willing to put His needs before my own selflessly.

For the first time today, I truly felt romanced by Him and a feeling of satisfaction I've never known before. It was quite amazing. It makes me only want to yearn to be with him more and talk with Him more. I am so thankful to have Him in my life especially at the hardest of times. I've recently had to give up a part of me that has been rather difficult but at the same time refreshing knowing no matter what happens in my life whether it goes my way or not, I am going to be okay. God loves me so much that he takes things away from me at times only to show me something even better. Can it be painful?, definitely! Is it worth it? definitely! I'm finally understanding the verse, Pslam 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord". This delight doesn't mean you/I will always be happy (delight) but that we will be delighted knowing the Lord's desires are better than our own and that you/I can rest knowing His way is so much better than our feeble, imperfect ideas/plans.

I hope that through you reading this long blog, the Holy Spirit spoke to your heart telling you that He wants that same relationship with you. He says to us, "I will never leave you or forsake you"(Deuteronomy 31:8). How awesome it is to know that he is always with you/I.

As spontaneous as I am, I'm so glad to know I can always count on Him to go with me wherever I go even if no one else (physically) will.

(By the way... the pics in this blog were taken at the Water Gardens:))

Prayers and Meditations

Prayers and Meditation:

-housing situation
-roommate situation
-my aunt dorothy (in hospital)
-time management (not doing so hot)
-my cousin ( joining the army)
-budgeting
-friendships
-michelle's brother ( in marine's)
-Soldiers
-Finals approaching
-Youth Ministry Lab
-Friends- Gabby, Katrina, Rafa, Adam, Mandi, Courtney.>they've all got stuff going on, but don't we all....

Thanks for lifting these up as you read them.

Grace and Peace to You,
Heather

Almost Extinct

I can't believe it's been SOOO long since I've blogged. I guess it just goes to show either 1) how busy I've been or 2) how many different websites I can surf and how many different email accounts I have to check on a daily basis. I almost wish at times that life were just a little more simple back in the "good ol days".. I've never really understood why so many people see the "good ol days" as so good whenever the present days aren't always so hot. I guess the other phrase that comes to my mind is " dont' know what you got til it's gone"... which by the way is a great 80's song:).
So, another summer has past by and well my days become a little wiser yet some days "not so much". Have you ever wondered why you can be so smart one day and so dumb the next? I feel that way a lot more lately. I think I'm slowly gaining momentum with the smarter days though, haha.
Right now, I'm in Panera Bread, on my laptop in a room full of people whom I've never seen before in my life. All of which have their own lives, their own problems and their own "smart" days. However, I'm sure they each have had their share of "dumb" ones too.
I'm not really sure what this blog is suppose to tell you that I'm sure you don't already know but just typing out my thoughts as I guess you are "suppose" to with one of these things.
As for now, I'm going to get to my studies that I've been pushing to the side since I've been here in Panera so I can understand all of the material I need to for my test. so, ... ta ta for now.

-Heather Brooke

.............................yeah....................

Tomorrow is the last day of finals and the first day of a good night's sleep or at least that is the plan! I am flyin home thursday ( Lord willing!-stand by ticket) and then will be officially graduating from Gardner-Webb University:). I'm looking forward to the summer months ahead and times to get closer to God and finally get to enjoy a little more of Texas without all of the papers so often due.

I can't wait to get back to the Carolina's to see my family and my friends. I am startin to miss them all a little more than before. Who knows what my life will be like in five years! I sometimes see it far away from my family but then there are times where I see them pretty close to me as well, I'm just a little closer to the big city:)haha. Only God knows what tomorrow brings so I'm not going to worry about it.

I pulled an allnighter studyin and workin on papers last night so off to bed soon. Goodnight!

-Heather

Just Catchin' Up..

It's been quite awhile since I last blogged so lots to catch up on. I know I won't remember it all so I'm not even going to try. I will start ( and end ) with what I remember:).

I went home with Bradley for Easter weekend to meet his family. It was alot of fun:). I was a little apprehensive at first just because the thought of "meeting the fam" but it turned out to be a great decision in the end.

Midterms and final projects ( and now finals) have been not only in my mind but everyone else around me so it has been a challenge to not feel the stress coming in all directions at times but God is still God and is seeing me through.

A week or so ago my friend, Katrina and I went to Downtown and planned to watch TMNT but instead we cancelled that idea and went towards Sundance Square. Much to our surprise and advantage, Tracy Byrd and Charlie Daniel's Band was playing for FREE:). We had a blast!!

Just a few days ago, Bradley and Brandon had a cookout at their apartment. I must admit they both surprised me with their cooking. It was great:). Afterwards, Charis and I went to the Water Gardens in Downtown Fort Worth and then headed over to check out the Arts Festival all at the last minute. I love living life that way:). Never a dull moment haha.

Oh, and I almost forgot, I started my new job working with Sorenson Video Relay Service. It has been quite a challenge but also a wonderful opportunity and experience. Daily God reminds me of how much I have still to learn and to be patient and humble with it all. It is difficult, I must admit but I am getting there, slowly but surely.

In only a matter of weeks, will be me graduating from my undergraduate school ( officially), Yes I am doing it a little backwards, but it is because my school back in NC is so small they just postpone the december graduates until then.

Well, guess that is about it for now. Just a quick catch up. Goodnight!

Just a recap of the week so far...

This week has been better than most.

I have actually been more awake at 6:30am than usual ( to get ready for the day). This may not sound like a big deal to most but for me God definitely has interveined ( spelling?) with my motivation.

I recieved an ebay package in the mail. That is always nice.

God also reminded me in the midst of my busy agenda to just look around (on campus) and remember His beauty. So what'd I do?!... I headed to the small waterfall on campus and admired the fish. Did you know there are four small "baby" fish in there. Bet ya didn't! haha.

Oh! and my roomie, Rachel brought home a carton of "Chunky Monkey" Ben and Jerry's icecream, .. JUST FOR ME:). She knows the key to my heart:) haha... FOOD!

Overall, the week has been pretty great... there are other great things I didn't mention too just because there were lots... so .... yeah! God is good:)... ALL the time!:)

God Bless!-
Heather