The Calm

I wouldn't say I'm in a funk, but I guess I kind of am. It seems like everything is going on around me and there isn't anything major hitting me (which is great). The Lord has given me relief this semester from direct storms for quite sometime, which I am beyond grateful for...but the other day I found myself thinking "God where's the trial?" And that's a dangerous question. It's not like I'm testing God, which it can sound like that being written down but I'm almost confused at the relief. God has allowed me to live very prosperously the past few months and I have been counting my blessings left and right.

 I have been falling more in love with Him in different ways than I have in the past and my relationship with Him has been one where He responds to me directly in prayer...God knows the desires of my hearts and I'm struggling in different ways than I have before...nothing terrible, just different. He keeps on telling me like a loving Father, "I know Bethany. Be patient my daughter." It's difficult sometimes to be patient. I want to rush into things or for just things to happen but I have to remain true in the truths that I have owned about God's faithfulness and directing my steps. It seems as soon as I claim being content God tests my heart on it...in those moments He gently reminds me of His character and His love.

There is a season for everything.

Right now I am finding my contentment in where I am at and I am grateful for the calm...even though sometimes it keeps me up at night. Strange how things can be haha. My resting is in Him and Him alone.

I apologize if all of this doesn't make sense, my mind isn't always the best at communicating.

It matters

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and  slow to become angry."

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

My steps are directed

Recently I have come to the conclusion that God literally just places in me in situations. Most of the time I have no idea why I do what I do...it could be my interests, a sudden urge to get up out of my chair and walk somewhere, or just doing what I'm doing...not really asking for anything, but the opportunity is open. I don't always get the full plan He has, but it's okay because He does.

And He has been confirming His complete faithfulness to me so many ways these past few weeks. I am humbled by his grace and the opportunity I am allowed to participate in. With my new job I have had the privilege of being able to interview and meet some well-known speakers which seems kind of surreal. Even more surreal than that though, today I got a phone call from the government school inviting me to a reception with Michele Bachmann after convo Wed with a limited guest list and then to a reception for the Attorney General of VA. I didn't really know how to react because I feel very undeserving. I am not the best or most rehearsed in politics. I care on a daily basis about the things closest to my heart--my family, best friends, academics, making people's days and being an encouragement, and having fun and sweet conversations.

I don't really belong sometimes in the world I've been in, but for some reason God is arranging the details, making the plans for me and giving me a phone call and placement. I don't expect my life to change on Wed or anything of the sorts, nor even to meet Bachmann, but the experience is priceless and just another way that God is showing Himself faithful to me as I stay faithful to the call He has on my life. Of this I'm sure, I'm glad that I have no idea what the future holds, because I'm pretty sure I'd be scared out of my mind. I like the moment by moment direction. I need that.

May I never take His direction on my life foregranted nor forget How good He really is.

Weekend!

This weekend has been awesome.

Actually, this whole week has been pretty sweet. Despite the busy busy time it's been with all the different responsibilities I have had, I have also been extremely blessed to participate in all that I have had. God keeps on showing Himself faithful time and time again in the little things and big things of my life. I can't thank Him enough. I think one of the coolest moments I had this week was the opportunity to sit down with my pastor Johnnie Moore here at Liberty. Since this place is so big it's rare that you can get some one-on-one time with the upper guys. But with my new job I had to interview him so I had that time. After we did the interview with him I was able to talk to him and thank him for being my pastor and speaking truth in my life. It was a pretty sweet moment and I thank God for providing me that.

One way I've been overwhelming blessed in has been my friendships! This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to spend some quality time with my dear friend Emily Ladnier. We have been friends since 7th grade  and she is part of the reason I'm here at Liberty. Since the move I wasn't able to spend my summer nights I cherish with her this past summer, but I am so pumped that we had the chance to go to the same school so we can spend time with one another. I honestly feel so uplifted when I'm hanging out with her. We enjoyed our night of salsa dancing, sleeping in, great Christ-centered conversation over breakfast, and spontaneous fun. I am grateful for the time I had with her this weekend.

Every time I sit down and thank God for things in my life I tend to get overwhelmed with awe on how He has given me such amazing people to know--those whose  hearts are passionate for Him- always pushing me forward to Him. I am in walking distance of such beautiful people inside and out. Two of best friends lives across the hall from me, I have an incredible roommate, and great friends in a small radius--Philemon 1:7

The rest of the weekend I spent footballin it up!!! What What! It started early in the day  with tailgating with the broskies and then in the stadium. One thing I love about this place is the sense of community--and this was no different. It  It was great to see the bonds form between people on the hall and with the bros and all gather together to cheer on the football team--HOMERUN!! Yeah, that's basically my knowledge of football, but I cheered hard, wore red, surprisingly stayed the whole time (it's typical to leave early) and saw an amazing fireworks show at the end of the game. At football games, or any big event, I have trouble sitting still. But really, I am always moving around to talk to different people--checkin in to see how everyone's doing, cheer hard, maybe even practice the same jokes on the different friend groups...at least I'm honest.

The time on the mountain has been nice this weekend...now today shall be spent sharpening my mind, getting down to business with my homework. But don't worry--I will end the night with my all-time favorite sport- BROOMBALL!!! Couldn't be more psyched.

Thank you Lord for a blessed past 7 days. You are too good to me.

Begin again

Year three at the good ol'LU and it has been off to a fantastic start!! Junior  year has been the year of familiarity and of change. It's familiar in the sense that I am now an upperclassman- I know the ropes that are before me- how to get around campus, where to eat, how to budget time for classes, friends etc. I am established in my major with my profs and higher ups. I understand leadership (cause I'm one of the leaders)... I know Lynchburg well and I go around campus constantly seeing familiar faces--for this I'm grateful for, I missed this back in NOVA.

Some changes include I live on a new dorm in a different part of campus called the hill. Yes, it's an actual hill with a ton of steps, so it's a grand time haha. But I actually enjoy the third floor. It's homey :)

It's the same in the sense that I have quite a few friends from both my previous halls on my dorm. It's different because every hall has their own dynamics. We have an awesome bro dorm, which is great. It's also different living so close to them and having such fantastic leadership from them and unity.

One of the biggest changes so far is my new job here at Liberty. Over the summer I randomly put an application in for a job as a writer for the news stories that go on the website. I forgot about it and assumed I wouldn't get it...well I got a call last week, interviewed, got offered the job and started working effective immediately. So now I get paid for all the events I go. Not gonna lie, I have very little experience as a writer, yet alone a journalist. I kind of feel like I just put on a hat I didn't know existed and I'm supposed to wear it like it's my job...because IT IS my job.

I get paid for going to convo (because I'm writing a story on it). I get paid for attending random events like the one I wrote about in my first article. It's a pretty sweet hook up. The down side is I have to be in the office at 8 every morning and leave close to 5 (with classes in between). The upside is I don't have to work nights anymore...So yes, I finally turned in my Chick-fil-A days. Thursday was my last shift....my pleasure.

With the new changes and shaping of the beginning of the semester I am still adjusting to life here on the mountain. The sheer familiarity can be deceiving. I may have unrealistic expectations and can't count on certain things or people. I have to be flexible to the new, which God is constantly teaching me.

Over the summer since I was in a new town I started becoming a homebody. I felt like my endurance isn't as great anymore, at least sometimes. I feel like I'm only focusing on people on my hall (which isn't bad) but not spending as much time with good friends who are in a different part of campus or moved off.

I've also tried to lessen my attachment to my cellphone. This is good and bad. Good because I don't want my life to be run by technology....bad because I miss things.

Sometimes it's just the little things that can make or break a day. I need to remember to give myself grace and find my own niche again like every year. Not be run by the familiarity, ignoring the new, nor get anxious about the new responsibilities and forget the past.

It's the beginning of the semester highs and lows...in it all, to be God be the glory.

Happy Birthday Celia!!!

Celia Jimenez. Words can't describe the blessing that you are in my life. I met you and your husband when God placed you guys in my life during a very pivotal time in my in my junior year of high school. Your personality and mine clicked automatically and from the very beginning I respected both of you so much. Despite the past experiences surrounding having youth pastors at Calvary, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was truly being shepherded my pastors. You challenged me in so many ways to push me to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him in every good work. You told me the truth and held me to a higher standard, never backing down. You did all of this in the love and Christ-like compassion. When I couldn't hold my own head up to see into my future, you gave me a glimpse of what I could do and encouraged me to do it. You opened up your home to me and welcomed me into your life. And to this very day, I am still reaping the blessings of the time of high school. I know that you are always there for me in the hardest parts of my life and the most joyous and are only a phone call away....or even a drive if I needed to stay the night at your house. While we aren't physically close in the same location, the relationship that we have is merely one where we can pick-up where we left off. You and your family are my spiritual family and when I think of you I can truly say,  "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Thank you for giving me the example of examples. "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." Thank you for being that person to me. I love you SO much and am incredibly blessed and honored to know you. I have the highest respect for you. 

Have an awesome fantastic happy birthday!!!!! Enjoy the cake!!! :)

Now that's a wrap

I just finished my last shift at Nordstrom Cafe (for everyone not familiar with this, it's a restaurant inside of the ritzy store Nordstrom). I landed this job and walked into the day I arrived here in Northern VA (or NOVA--that's what all the cool kids call it).

This summer has definitely been a summer of change. I arrived home to Charlotte on the  brink of my parents deciding to take the move to nova to seek job opportunity. I was challenged with the idea to stay in Charlotte. I had everything lined up-- the potential for my dream job I've always wanted since I was in sixth grade- to intern at Calvary's youth group and a part time work at Chick-fil-A, the job I've had loved since I was 16. The only problem was I don't have a car...Lorraine, may she rest in peace. So after exhausting my options, praying and seeking the Lord, and discussing it with friends and family I decided that moving up here with my family was the best option. A dear friend of mine told me sometimes the most practical options is God's way. If He doesn't open the doors for yes, continue on. So that's what I did. I packed up my Charlotte home with my family and drove up to NOVA and started at Nordstrom cafe with out even unpacking the boxes yet.


This job was a completely different experience. Only working at Chick-fil-A I was trained in high quality service. I know the whole nine yards--my pleasure, we are here to serve others, having managers that truly cared about our well being and loved us. My job was not really a job at CFA, it was a family and it was fun. But because of this environment I was trained in  how to work really well. My first day at Nordstrom I had a five minute overview of the register and worked it the whole day by myself asking a few questions (not knowing Nordstrom had a cafe I clearly knew nothing of the menu). Apparently this wasn't a common thing for most new trainees and I was told multiple times by managers and co-workers I was different....different for a variety of reasons. And I soon realized it wasn't only because of my training. Working at CFA I was in a Christian environment. Nordstrom was clearly not a Christian place. I was not accustomed to managers venting under their breath cursing out customers that made them frustrated, having a ton of different cultures bringing a ton of different religions (let's just say we have to inform every customer of the dishes that have bacon in them...because it's unclean and tonight being Ramadan I had three coworkers eating in the back as soon as it hit 815 pm). I realized that God put me in this place to be a light. I was able to share my faith with some of my coworkers and really just love them. It was such a unique and awesome opportunity.
I had my fair share of culture shock in general this summer. Let's just say nothing nothing nothing nothing compares to NOVA traffic. I got stuck in traffic on my regular 20 minute commute for THREE hours. I left work at 4 and got home after 7. I was traumatized. haha. But really. Traffic is an inevitable evil in this neck of the woods.


But also in this neck of the woods is one of the most exciting cities- DC! I like to say I was a professional tourist this summer. I had a friend doing an internship this summer here and her and I did every touristy thing including riding Segways on the national mall. I also did the double decker tour bus tour with my grandma who visited. WIN! I had so much fun the days and nights I went out. There is literally just so much to do and so much going on.


I was able to get plugged into a dynamic church- Mclean Bible. I can't quite say I experienced the community of Calvary, simply because life is just different here. I don't have the friendships built or the same church environment. But I made some good friends at the Tuesday night Bible study and was exponentially blessed by the fact that literally every other kid was connected to Liberty...so I wasn't a complete stranger. God worked out some pretty sweet friendships at LU that carried here.

There were many summer days and nights that went by I really wished I was in Charlotte or wanted to be somewhere else. That's a part of change and moving. I am stoked that I get to go back to Liberty and am anticipating familiarity and returning to my friends there. But yet, I know this year is unpredictable and I have no idea what God has in store for me. Last year my best friend said this year is a different kind of year. That was weighty for the events that took place. Well this year, I can't say it's a different kind of year, but it definitely will be a new year full of new exciting things, challenges, sleepless nights, stress, fun, and friendships and relationships.

To God be the glory. Greater things are yet to come.