I'm going to seminary in the Fall!

For the past few semesters, I have truly felt the Lord calling me to student ministry and to learning more about what that could look like. I've been working at Brentwood Baptist in the student ministry learning tons of things, having tons of first-hand experiences and tons of chances to observe and work with students. In addition, as long as I can remember, I've liked going to school... I'm that weird kid that liked going to classes, because I loved learning about life and how I could better be prepared for what the Lord was calling me to do....
All this being said, a few months ago, I decided that seminary is where I was being called... Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas to be exact. I looked the school up and found out there was a scholarship opportunity available that was due December 18... so I rushed to get all of my essays done, my recommendations done, and all my paperwork turned in. Then the waiting game started. I was so nervous, and I didn't tell many people about it, because I didn't know for sure what would happen.
So... long story short, Monday I got my acceptance letter!!! Not only that, but I also got the scholarship I had applied for! I'm so excited to be going back to Texas for awhile. I mean, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Tennessee, and all of the people I've grown to know here. There are so many things about Nashville/ Brentwood that are so dear to my heart, and the thought about leaving all of this chokes me up all the time...
However, right now is a time to celebrate! As much as I want to be sad, I know the Lord has truly provided for me. I don't have to pay for tuition at all because of the scholarship. I still have connections in Texas, which are extremely helpful. I know for sure I am suppose to be there in August, because of how things are working out. I really don't think I could have asked for a more clear answer from the Lord about going to seminary. I'm excited to learn more about student ministry and what that looks like in my life. I truly am happy, excited, nervous, overwhelmed by everything right now... but I wouldn't want to have it any other way.
When I told my small group of 10th grade girls on Wednesday night about this, they circled around me, laid hands on me, and prayed for me. I was so worried about their reactions to everything, but they were just so sweet and loving to me... exactly what I needed. Seriously, the Lord has blessed me beyond measure and has made things happen that I never could have imagined. These verses speak right to where I am... To Him be the glory!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Unwritten

I had an epiphany as I was driving back to Tennessee a few weeks ago. For the longest time I had been feeling unhappy, unmotivated, and just as though there was no purpose for why I was doing a few things in life. I started looking toward the future, and I just wanted to get to something new... something different. Get to a new place in life, because I thought that some place new would provide the changes and purpose I was needing...
Being in Texas for about a week over Christmas truly helped me more than anyone could ever know. It was a different place... I didn't feel as though I had to live up to something... I could just be. I took time to think through why I was doing what I was doing with my life... found my passion and love for what I was doing... found the desire to keep at what I was doing, because I know this is where the Lord has called me.
Leaving was the hardest thing... As I was sobbing down the interstate, "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield came on. I love this song, but for some reason the words truly hit me at this moment...

"I am unwritten, Can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning/ The pen's in my hand / Ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you/ Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words /That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance /So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin/ No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in/ No one else, no one else/ Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken/ Live your life with arms wide open/
Today is where your book begins/ The rest is still unwritten
I break tradition/ Sometimes my tries/ Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We've been conditioned/ To not make mistakes/ But I can't live that way oh, oh"

This song talks about the importance of living our lives... of getting out there and feeling things... because "no one else can feel it for you!"... I've been given such incredible opportunities... opportunities to do the things I love, the things I'm passionate about. Why am I not making the most of every opportunity and truly living to the best of my ability? If the Lord has placed me somewhere, which He has, then I am here for a reason. No one else has the opportunitiy I have right now. No one. God has called me here... and yes, although I know some time soon, I could be called somewhere different, somewhere new... the Lord's timing will be right. If I'm not suppose to be there now, then why am I waiting to get there to live my life? I've been given such incredible opportunities, and I need to live them out to the fullest!

That's where I'm at now... There's so much going on... There will be more to come on this blog. I need to start writing more on here. It feels good to write it all out. Thanks for reading.