following grace

Yesterday, was an AMAZING day. It was my first REAL college tour. After prayer forever, i feel like God has called me to this college, so when i saw that Open house was coming up, I registered and Yesterday was the day to go!! As we packed into a colesium FULL of thousands of students I just remember thinking, wow. How different College is. But i could get used to having my quiet time right here every day. and having dinner on the water. The campus is SO beautiful. we walked SO much i thought my legs would fall off. Our 1st tip of advice was: "Here at App, the freshman 15 doesn't exist" Rightly so. The college of Education was BRAND New and SO beautiful. We got a complete tour and i was amazed. And we even ran into my Aunt and cousin, Roomies? ;) We had lunch in the dining hall. We even got to chat with some Students and tour their rooms. Go Mountaineers! Love the mountain...

Tonight. As i sat to do my Calculus homework, and i just scrambled my brain for the answer. My phone went off. Of course, i sit down to do my homework, get focused and distractions begin. But this one was different. As i scurried to pick it up and see who would want to talk to me, i was amazed to see it was someone whom i never speak to. And when i do its only in regards to another person. Indeed it was about that other person. My eyes welled up with tears as i read the words.   A million questions rolled through my head. Why? How? Could i have prevented this?   How could someone i cared SO much about, be confronted and put in a situation i would've never even thought to wish upon them.   But as I began to become angered and infuriated that such a thing was done, I remembered.   God takes us, JUST as we are. Regardless of our past, our stupid choices, things we've done and things we've yet to do.   He provides peace and comfort and m...

Over the summer as i sat on the beach with my toes in the sand and read a book by David Platt. "Radical". As i read the pages the words touched me. Radical Christianity. To step out, give up everything we have and live for Christ. How awesome!   As i read from chapter to chapter there was a particular few sentences that JUMPED off the page at me. If i remember anything i remember word for word what that page said. "God has commanded us to go unto all the nations and PROCLAIM the gospel. Not to donate, or watch homecoming videos and smile at the cute pictures and go home to same."   Wow. How powerful. It was not a suggestion it was commanded. GO to all the nations, and proclaim MY word. I sat for months and prayed about it, my best friend went to Africa, how AWESOME but God said no. My mom went to India, what about there god. Nope. You stay here Austyn. Alright god, Kenya next summer? No.   I was at the point of tears, I wanted SO bad to just g...

My dear 8 year old sweetheart,   Wow. how are you almost 9. In the blink of an eye you are no longer the 4 year old i cuddle until the sun goes down, but the 8 year old i dont see until the sun goes down and you're done playing and ready for bed. you are changing so much, growing so tall and getting smarter by the day! you are super goofy. and charming. but oh so sweet, always encouraging me and helping me when i feel down. You are more precious than diamonds. Your jokes make me laugh until i can't berathe. Your keen eye for creativity just amazes me. You are always up for my photoshoots with a little bribing. ;) You my little 2nd grader are one of the most special people i've ever met. You are so proud of your background and your history. You talk about it often and love to tell people. You are always interested in learning more. And your intelligence BLOWS. MY. MIND. You are constantly doing things, we were told y...

A few nights ago me and Stephen were on Kitchen duty, and while we got WAY distracted.. well, thats beside the point..   We just decided to have a mini concert! While our playing wasn't music to my ears.. It was pretty sweet!   -Austyn :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!   Oh so blessed I am to have such a wonderful, loving, caring, kind, hilarious, entertaining, guiding Daddy.   He is always there to support me, make me laugh and make my day all the more better!   So thankful today that we have him with us to celebrate another year of Life!   I love you Daddy! <3   -Austyn :)

Today, was simply remarkable.   Oh how different it feels to be 17. the age you will be when you start your journey to forever in college. The age you will graduate. The age you will become on your own and an adult.   The Lord truly has tugged my heart lately. And today i am overwhelmingly blessed by his grace and mercy upon my life. Thank you lord for 17 beautiful years!     -Austyn :)