So Long September!

September has been a whirlwind but absolutely wonderful! I have had the opportunity to be with some of my closest friends and family on a weekly basis this month! The first week of September I worked a lot, even on Labor Day! I am just thankful that I love my job! The second week of September I was able to spend time with my college roommates on two different occasions. We have such a great time when we get together! It's awesome. We never run out of things to talk about, and we always keep each other laughing! Since I have been working so much, it makes it nice to have something so refreshing to look forward to. Also, I signed up to play softball this month too. However, I don't think it is meant to be. The first week I was supposed to play, I got in a car wreck. Thank goodness that it wasn't major, and no one was hurt. But my car did have to go to the shop for two weeks. Five thousand dollars later, my car was fixed! Thank You Lord for great insurance and a low deductible. The second week I was supposed to play softball, I got a sinus infection. No fun! I went into work for a few hours and ended up going to the doctor. Thank You Lord for Z-PAKS! The third, fourth, and fifth week I was supposed to play softball, it rained! Oh well, maybe another time! Last weekend, I finally made it back to Waco! I think it was the high-light of the month! My whole family was together. So many of my good friends were there. I didn't even get to see all of them, but it made me feel happy just to know we were all there! I went to the bookstore, and bought more Baylor gear! I tailgated with my sister, the newest KOT sweetheart! I am so proud of her. I had countless people come up to me and tell me what an amazing person she is. I love when other people see what the Lord is doing in Mere's life. It brings me so much joy as a sister. We went to the Baylor football game, and I actually had to stand in line for thirty minutes to get in. I was shocked and so excited! Next time, I won't stand around and talk so long in Touchdown Alley. Unfortunately, we all know how the game turned out, but this week we destroyed the demons! Ha! Hopefully, next week we will keep it up! GO BEARS! I was able to worship with my friends at Antioch on Sunday morning. I saw so many of the ones I love and had such a sweet time of fellowship. It always feels like home in Waco, and I love it. I miss my once fifth and sixth grade girls that have grown up to be high-school girls! I can't believe it. They are all more beautiful than ever, inside and out. I was able to see Jordan Mathews for a few minutes. She made me a "Justice Jar." It's adorable, pink with flowers. More importantly, it's a way to help their family with the financial costs of adoption. Their journey with God in this process and their obedience to Him has been so neat to be a small part of, and I am blessed to be able to contribute. I can't wait to meet sweet Justice! Finally, this last weekend in September, I had the privilege of seeing one of my dearest friends, Kati. She drove in on Friday night, and we had the best time. I went and picked up dinner at Charleston's and we stayed up talking all night. Well, all night being midnight! Ha! We are getting so old! Kati just graduated from Baylor with her Master's in Speech Pathology. She and her husband Tim are living in Wylie, TX and love it. I miss them very much. Yesterday, I worked until 8:30pm! I received a phone call from a friend of mine I haven't seen in forever, and she was in town. So, Lauren came to my apartment and we visited until midnight! I love that the Lord has given me such precious friends that love Him and love me. My heart is full! Needless to say, this morning I was moving slow. I woke up with an overwhelming need to just be still and know that He is God. Sometimes, I need to just take a few hours to reflect on His goodness, on who He is, on what He is doing and has done in my life! This afternoon will be busy again! I am going to a Southern Living Party hosted by Regan Haggerty - of course! She is the party queen! I can't wait to see her and shop a little. Then, my parents are coming in town, and we have more stuff to do for the house! I think the song that keeps coming to mind this month is "So Good To Me" by Cory Asbury. This song is such a great reminder of His truth and all that we have in Him! Thank You for being so good to me Jesus! Truly, those who look to You lack no good thing. Thank You for Your love, joy, peace, and righteousness in the Holy Spirit! Praise You!

Dreams!

"You taste the tears
You're lost in sorrow
You see your yesterdays
I see tomorrow

You see the darkness
I see the spark
You know your failures
But I know your heart

The dreams I dream for you
Are deeper than the ones you're clinging to
More precious than the finest things you knew
And truer than the treasures you pursue
Let the old dreams die
Like stars that fade from view
Then take the cup I offer
And drink deeply of
The dreams I dream for you

You see your shame
But I see your glory
You've read one page
I know the story

I hold a vision
That you'll become
As you grow into the truth
As you learn to walk in love

Let the old dreams die
Like stars that fade from view
Then take the cup I offer
And drink deeply of
The dreams I dream for you"

-Avalon

I Simply Come!

Lord,

I simply come. It's all I can do. I love meeting with You. Help me to show up every morning and all throughout the day. Thank You for every opportunity You give me to experience You. It makes all of life worth living. Nothing compares to relationship with You. You are what I am after! Forgive me when I find myself looking at other things as if they might be better or bring more satisfaction. You alone, Lord, are worthy!

"Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." Psalm 127:1

Well, this is just one of the many gifts God has given me recently. I am so fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to build a home. I don't feel old enough, wise enough, or strong enough to be doing all that I am at this point in my life. However, I know the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is everything I am not. He continues to make a way for me when there seems to be no way, and I am grateful. I am not sure how the Lord wants to use this home in my life, but I pray that He would be high and lifted up in this place He has so graciously given me for this time. Please be in prayer with me for how He wants to use this gift in my life. I am asking my friends, His body, to join me in laying the foundation of a Godly home. Without Him, I can do nothing. Apart from Him, I am nothing. My hearts desire is to abide. This is a very special, faith-building time in my life. One day at work, God laid on my heart the words..."Firm Foundation." Now the Lord is laying on my heart to ask those of you who want to be apart of this journey with me, to send me a Scripture that you will commit to praying over this new home God has given me. It will be a testimony of His faithfulness, another opportunity for me to share of His goodness. At first, I was going to send an e-mail to a few friends asking that they take the time to come out to the house and write on the foundation. A few of you have had the opportunity to do so, but I think the Lord might have more promises for how He wants to use this home than I could possibly dream up or imagine. I would like to compile whatever I receive and place it on my coffee table as a reminder for me and also a testimony for all to see! This way I will never forget the meaning of why God has given me this home. It won't be for my own comfort, although it will be comfortable. It's not mine. It is His for me to share. So, I thought..."Why not share now?" If God stirs your heart, please be apart!

Zephaniah 3:17!

"The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Lord Jesus,

Thank You that you exult over me with singing! Thank You for giving me the faith to believe in my dry, weary places. Thank You that You are always near. Thank You for holding me. Thank You for Your faithful songs that never stop. You are more than enough. Truly, there is freedom in surrender. I know that I am safe in Your arms.

"When I waited so long, when my tears were my song

With my hope nearly gone, You held me God
To believe in the face of the dry, weary place
When You felt far away, You held me God

Oh, there is freedom in surrender, oh I know it

Your songs have never stopped
You've been singing, always singing over me
Your words are still enough
And You're singing, always singing over me

The chaos in the cause teaching me to see Lord
The beauty in the storm so I believe
When I see through Your eyes, through the testing of time

Every cloud silver lined 'cause You're with me

Oh, there is freedom in surrender, oh I know it

Your songs have never stopped
You've been singing, always singing over me
Your words are still enough
And You're singing

Give me faith
Give me strength enough to wait
To stand in faith
And listen for, listen for Your melody

Your songs have never stopped
Your songs have never stopped

Your songs have never stopped
You've been singing, always singing over me
Your words are still enough
And You're singing, always singing over me

Your songs have never stopped
You've been singing, always singing over me
Your words are still enough
And You're singing, always singing over me
Always singing over me, always singing over me
Always singing over me"

-Kari Jobe