Be patient, trust God.

The sermon at church yesterday was about being patient and trusting the LORD in everything because He knows what's best for us...it was exactly what I needed to hear!  I'm working on waiting patiently for a future husband because I know He has the perfect one in mind for me.  I just need to pray and seek God as He continues to heal me from past hurts and relationships, and know that He is preparing me to be a great wife someday! :)  I have always tried to make things work on my own in the relationship department and never really invited Him into that part of my life.  So, what better time than now to completely surrender that to Him?!

God has been teaching me some pretty awesome things the past few weeks and I am so excited to see what He has in store for me as I enter this new season of life.  It will be much different without volleyball--especially since I have been playing it year-round for the past 12 years of my life!!  I have decided to take up a few new hobbies to occupy my free time...painting, photography, guitar, etc.  I guess we will see how that goes.  This is going to be a pretty big year for me with finishing up classes, going to Costa Rica, coming home for part of the summer, then moving everything out to Colorado before student teaching next fall.  After that, I will hopefully get a teaching job and start supporting myself!  It's crazy to think that's where I'll be one year from now!!

encouragement

"Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD...in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today."

--Exodus 32:29

My prayer:

Father God, I dedicate myself to you today.  LORD, help me to seek You always.  Lead me in Your ways and reveal Your will to me.  God, I want to pursue You and bring You glory in all that I do.

Amen.

my new home

I really feel like God is calling me to stay in Colorado after I graduate.  I had always planned on moving back home, but after going home at Thanksgiving I began thinking He might have different plans for me.

I have been so blessed by the people God has brought into my life out here.  Kelly is definitely one of my best friends out here and I honestly don't know what I'd do without her.  We have stuck together from the beginning since we were both newbies last year on the volleyball team.  This year, I could not have asked for a better group of girls to share my senior volleyball season with.  We all love each other so much and it is so evident both on and off the court.  My coaches are wonderful.  They are always there to push me and challenge me to become a better player and person.  My athletic director is so supportive and he takes such good care of me.  My trainers are so amazing!!  They invest so much time into all the athletes and I really appreciate that--I just love them!  My academic advisor has always been there to help me out in any way possible.  My professors really care about me as a person first and foremost, and are always willing to work with me.  I absolutely love my church.  I am constantly being challenged to grow in my walk with the Lord.  There are so many people and families at my church who have taken me in and I am so thankful for them.  The Taylor family is one of those.  They have been so welcoming and they treat me as if I am one of their daughters--I love Lindsay and Courtney to death!  They are like my sisters out here.  Lindsay and I have become especially close lately and I can't wait to see where God takes our friendship!  I have never really had a core group of close girl friends and I have been blessed, blessed, blessed by the amazing young women God has brought into my life out here!!

I truly believe that when you step out in faith, God will bless you.  I took a HUGE step of faith when I transferred out here.  Then I found a church and began working with the youth group.  Now I'm a member.  I know God has awesome plans for my life and I pray that He can use me in these and many more ways to bless others and show them the love of Christ.  

Now it's your turn--take a step of faith and see where He will lead you!

I love you all so much.

Cassie