Empowered.

A whole month has blown by since I last blogged, and when I look back on the past few days alone I am amazed at how much can happen within such a small time. Things have been transitioning fast it seems, but somehow not fast enough. But I am learning to be content in every situation, good or bad. Northeastern is coming along, I am still in the process of a few things but I have registered for classes there and really can't wait to start in January. Even more exciting, this past week Chris ( one of our really close friends, also one of the pastors at WestRidge) connected with the Christian club on campus and 2 days later was leading their bible studies and is starting a study called Transformations with them. There are thousands of lost people on this campus and to see God integrate us into the campus is so beautiful. People are going to come to know Jesus and walk with Him. I still do not have a place to live, so I am praying continually that God would show me His will and where He has me. I know He will provide and protect me through the whole process. Wedding plans are great, we are having a blast together. We are really enjoying the whole process and journey together. We are learning a lot about how relationships work the best when Jesus is the motive our hearts, and trying to make that a reality for us. Music at WestRidge is growing. Two weeks ago we had 2 people to play for Sunday, and this Sunday we had 6 (a full band). God is multiplying our resources and we are really starting to see the worship become an intimate time with God and with each other as worship as one body.

A few weeks ago Chad (the pastor at WestRidge) told us this analogy that really hit home for me. It has really shaped me the past few weeks. He said that someone who follows Jesus without the Holy Spirit is like buying a car without the engine, and then having to Fred Flintstone your way around. How ridiculous right? His point being that the Spirit inside of us is how we do anything. Human beings aren't hard wired to love unselfishly or embrace suffering or welcome inconvenience or forgive those who hurt us or think about themselves last, it just isn't anyone's first response (definitely not mine). These things come from the Holy Spirit, in us, empowering us to live and to follow Jesus everyday. I am learning to stop taking control and letting the Holy Spirit empower me to live in a way I never thought I could. When I fail over and over again I have to remember to stop Fred Flintstoning my way and to turn on the engine to empower me to go.

Nick and I go to Arizona for Thanksgiving. 8 days! Can't wait to see my beautiful family.