following grace

  something the Lord has just really been pressing on my heart lately, is my lack of patience and trust with Him. I am a planner at heart, I want all the plans in ink, color coated and set in stone from the start and im sure y'all have realized Jesus doesn't quite work that way.   He has really just been showing me over and over and over again, that His timing is so incredibly perfect. indeed it is so worth it to wait on Him and His timing. things always work better that way.   last night, as my bible study group from church had our "home" night. We all cozied up in the cutest of IKEA's furniture with big bowls of chili and chocolate to follow and we just straight up bragged on Jesus for 2 hours. and it was absolutely delightfully wonderful. just sharing my story with my sweet friends, and major events in my life that have led up to where I am now, all of them just point to one theme. His perfect timing. He is always...

as I sit here on a frozen Sunday night, I am completely floored by the goodness of our Father and the love that He has shown this week.   with each passing day, I stand more and more amazed by Him, and his ability to just pour love and grace over me and my life.   This week was good, so good, so rich in love and joy and so needed.   this year, as Valentines rolled around, I told myself I was going to ponder how thankful I am for all the love in my life, instead of joining the sulk party of single.   yet, pondering how different things were this year and how stressful the past few weeks have been I found myself overwhelmed and starting to feel kind of down.   after spending some time in prayer, and telling the Lord I needed a pick me up it was no surprise..    the very next day I found myself at the post office 3 times in 24 hours. and that was only the beginning I was completely overwhelmed wit...

Y'all the Lord has done amazing things in 2015 so far.   I hope and pray that each of you have sat at his feet and tasted of the joy that 2015 holds already.   I always have an urge to post, but sometimes I just don't really have the words to say.   Today's Friday, this week has been super crazy and life this semester consists of handwriting (thank you elementary education degree) endless emails daunting discussion board posts long hours of lectures never ending reading assignments homework galore leadership duties working 4 days a week and applying for a new leadership position including interviews and such. soaking up every moment spent with friends and trying to deny the odds that I will soon take on the nickname "hermit"   but y'all  there is so much joy in the chaos of life. Jesus works in the smallest of spots to provide such life and happiness such comfort, hope and peace even when the due dat...

As 6 weeks of non stop energy flowing chaos comes to a close actually pulling myself out of bed when my alarm goes off {way} too early becomes harder and harder.   But those days I fix up my huge afro, cure my bad breath, remove my incredibly comfy pj's {not always} and my feet hit the floor; the Lord works wonders.   Establishing time with him is something I struggle and fight over and over. Y'all I'm so mean when I don't sleep. surely Jesus understands. but he is so much greater than that. He wakes me up, feeds me, and provides joy and energy that I never would've found, even with a few extra minutes of sleep.   And maybe you're realizing this post has no intent meaning its just for me, because sometimes I just like to ramble. and remind myself of that kick in the butt when I realize how absolutely blind as a bat I am.   Jesus is no trickster, he knows what he's doing. there is no mistake in happenings in our life...

While this week wasn't the greatest, i enjoy looking back at the little things that put a smile on my face throughout it..   Like Breakfast with old friends or a nice warm bubble bath. Sunday school with my sweet momma. Spending time with family for mom's birthday after a long day. thousands upon thousands of jokes with my basketball buddy. a sweet soul bringing me tons of chocolate that i'd been craving all day. and sweet verses to remind me that im free indeed.   What were your things to spruce up your smile this week?   -Austyn

lately, God has been so so gracious.   cutting out turkeys for a thanksgiving craft for my kinders the other day, i was offered the job of my dreams. after being so prayerful recently and almost giving up, he supplied in abundance.   and today as i sat at my newly appointed desk answering phones as the school's new receptionist and reading books to sick babies, my mom called. What i thought was just a "hey how's your day going, do you need anything" turned out to be the news i've been waiting on for WEEKS. I had been accepted to my FIRST college! Hallelujah!   I serve a mighty God. He is always there, like a cushion just bouncing me right back up when i fall down through the cracks.   How precious he is to me. -Austyn

This weekend, after much protest we finally were able to have a Family day and a bonfire that night. As i bought all the S'mores stuff my smile was from ear to ear. i LOVE bonfires and smores. And it was so sweet to have a night with the family.   -Austyn :)

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 :)

Y'all it has just been CRAZY. Sometimes i lay in bed at night and just wonder how in the world i survived the day. Things are amazing, starting to feel normal and absolutely wonderful. But i often have moments where i just ask God what i did to become so blessed. there are times i miss Jville, my church there, friends, support system, school,etc. But then i think about the ABUNDANCE of love i have here. Spending my first birthday with family tommorow in YEARS. I mean seriously, some people would KILL for that oppurtunity. And me, i'm just savoring every second.   I've applied for two colleges and started to really sink in the fact that its my LAST year. HOLY cow. That's surreal. Talk about Mind boggling!   from our Sunday lunches at Grammy's after church. SO good to be back at a wonderful family of Faith. meeting cousins for a random Friday night dinner, just because we can and we live here. sitting in traffic every morning waiting on the ligh...

Fragile things are proven to be unbroken. Moving boxes are stacked to the roof. Cabinets are being emptied. School supplies are being organized. Schedules are being clarified. boxes unpacked. Hope is being given. goodwill finds are being found. good books are being read. and closets are being organized.   What a life!   -Austyn :)

instead of doing Project 365. Which i have epically failed at the past few weeks and hope to get back and running soon, i've decided to start journaling every week the little things that bring me joy.. like $1.00 to vaccuum my car out and make it smell like Cherrys. little peanuts who stare up at me as i eat my lunch. milkshakes while i plan my weeks ahead, and try to stay sane doing it. pumping gas, the smell and the result of a full tank. cute drivers who i wish really could tote me around. $2 movies and hours of entertainment. 5 new nail polishes in 24 hours. new clothes for the girl who NEVER shops! good bargains! $7 for good jeans, you just can't win better! little carseats in my car that make me feel like a momma. and Disney Pandora stations that make me smile at all hours. Happy Saturday! What brings you joy throughout the week? -Austyn :)