Having Faith

I thought about starting off this blog by apologizing for my lengthy absence to the blog world, but I really have had nothing to say and being that this blog is a reflection of my thoughts when I wish to record them, I realized I have nothing to apologize for! Most of my life is on Facebook so if you're that curious then add me as a friend. :)

I was recently watching an episode of the Glass House which airs on ABC on Monday nights right after The Bachelorette. Let's not even go there... I'm ashamed to say I'm addicted! :) Anyways, on the Glass House there is a lady competing who is Mormon along with a homosexual man. Let's just say that the drama was pretty intense and you could just sense the uncomfortableness in the situation. The poor girl was attacked for her beliefs that homosexuality was not an okay way of life. She tried to explain her beliefs in the kindest way possible but he was having none of it and cut all ties of a possible friendship with her. I felt for the girl because as a Christian I know how it feels to try to explain what you believe and why you believe it without personally attacking the other person's views or way of life.  While I was thinking about it this morning I realized that this is something that so many Christians struggle with. You want to love the world yet hate the darkness but those that live in that darkness cannot comprehend the distinction between the two. That's where faith comes in. 

I don't always know why God's commandments are his commandments. He obviously has reasons for them and my faith is what keeps me following them. Because I know that when I don't follow Him, I suffer the consequences, and when I do follow His words, my life is more joyful and peaceful. I have seen him work over and over again for the past 22 years and there is a consistency in that He has always been there and He has always blessed me when I follow His laws and He has always been there to pick me up when I've failed to do so. He is never-changing. 

I know I'll never win a gay person for Christ by telling them that they need to control their sexual urges or that they shouldn't be allowed to marry someone of the same sex. The way you win people over is by sharing your story and how God has worked in your life. Nobody can argue with your story. It's the one thing they can't debate or contradict because it's not their story to tell. Each person that Jesus interacted with, He left them with a story. At times He told them to tell everyone and at other times He told them to keep silent. Kind of a hard thing to do! 

I just don't want to forget this and keep beating myself up over not having the perfect debate against gay marriage or abortion or whatever the controversial topic is because I never will. If debates and arguments solved problems and won people to Christ than I'd start doing my research. But they don't and I can rest in the fact that I don't have to stress over hoping I have the perfect answer at the perfect time in the perfect place. The only thing that I need is my story and the willingness to glorify Christ by sharing what He has done in me with others that also need to experience His constant, never-changing mercy and love. 

Into the Unknown

Well hello there! It has been quite a while since my last post but that is alright. I was just rereading some of the posts on my old blog, and it is nice to have a record of how life was at that moment in time. I forget a lot of things due to a horrible short term memory so I decided to post a little life update so that I can remember this time of my life in the future!


I'm not going to lie... right now I am a bit overwhelmed! It is my last semester of actual classes and then I get to student teach in the spring. I think I am just ready for student teaching because I am anxious to have a normal routine and daily schedule. The college life schedule is okay when you live on campus and are 5 feet from your dorm room but after we moved back near my parents I now have to commute EVERYWHERE and it is taking a toll on me! I tried to get my middle school certification with my elementary certification all in time for graduation but the third and final class completely wore me out! The first two were wonderful and did not require that much extra work, but my Methods class was virtually impossible with everything else going on in life. I was constantly behind (still am) and I ended up dropping it over fall break. While it was a relief, I was a little disappointed in myself for dropping it (first time EVER), but I had to be realistic and know that I can only handle so much. So now besides going from 17 to 13 credit hours I am studying for my Praxis exams that I will be taking in the next month. I am really focusing on the science and social studies portions because they are what I struggle with the most. Alex is helping me study and I love him for that because he is just so smart! And it is fun to spend that time together knowing that when I pass my tests I have him to thank. :)


I also applied to go on a 2 week trip to Belize with UofL's college of education in April/May. It was something that I heard about and was very last minute but come on, it is my last year of college and I won't have this opportunity to go so I decided just to go for it and see what happens. I should find out in the next week or so if I will be going. Either way I will be happy!


On another note, Alex and I love our new apartment. It is so spacious and I have tried to make it feel like home. It definitely does. Here are some pictures! We've worked so hard on it and it is nice to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Our bedroom

Kitchen/Dining Room

Master Bathroom

Office!

My Bathroom

I cannot even express in words how much we love our new apartment. I miss being in Old Louisville but we just needed a break and some peace and quiet after all we had to deal with last year!


Now in case you were wondering why this post is titled "Into the Unknown," it is simply because right now I have NO PLAN for what lies ahead in the future! That is so unlike me but it has just been fun "going with the flow" and embracing whatever life puts in front of us at the time being. I have no earthly idea what my life will be like next semester with student teaching or even what will be going on once I graduate on May 12th. Alex's job will require us to move (unless he randomly gets a new job or a store opens up for him in Louisville) and so I am not even thinking of applying for jobs in Jefferson County because we have no idea where we will be! I've always been a planner and part of this is killing me but I try not to think about it because I am just loving where we are at right now. AND I don't want to move considering we have our beautiful apartment that I am in LOVE with and I don't want to move AGAIN. Three summers spent moving is not what I call fun! But I will follow Alex wherever his job may lead him and I am excited to go where the Lord leads us. I would love to stay in Louisville though... just so ya know, God! :)


More updates soon!
:: Briana ::