Good morning.

It is a rainy and cold Thursday morning here in southern California. I was released from my morning class early, so I decided to go and have a date with Jesus and get some breakfast. This morning when I woke up, it was one of those "I am not really sure if I am even physically capable of getting out of bed" kind  of mornings. I finally got up enough strength to get up and get going.
It's freezing, I am tired, but the past 30 minutes have been absolutely incredible. I cracked open the good word and read the book of James. It was quite a humbling read. One of those moments where I have read this stuff quite a few times, but this morning it took on an entirely different meaning.  It talks about how persevering through trials produces endurance, faith without works is dead, God chose the poor to be rich in faith, and reminding us that when we draw near to God that He will draw near to us. whoa. Everything that I just listed is EXACTLY what my heart needed to hear today. I really can't think of anything else that I should have been reminded and encouraged by. I have found myself feeling so "hot and cold" about life. One day I will be joyful, confident, and ready to take on the world. While other days, I feel down, scared of the unknown, not sure what in the world I can do to make myself not feel as if I am a failure. I think this is affecting me so greatly because I am not usually like this.  I highly value consistency and I highly value being who God created YOU to be. 
But after my read this morning I am left with this: I should be encouraged by trials, because I am building endurance, I cannot worry if I am going to be making enough money in my future job, I need to be acting out my faith in every way that I can, and when I truly desire the Lord, He will draw near and truly desire me. 
I am excited to chew on this through out today.




And more of a life update: I got to visit my parents in LA and be an only child for a night. Mom and Dad had their annual NAMB meeting and this year it was in the heart of Los Angeles. The women did lots of shopping and I got to meet a lot of wonderful pastor's and their wives from around the country. So happy I got to have a little mini getaway! :)