Frustrations, Finals, Hunger Games, Spring Break

By the title of this post, I'm hoping all of you have gathered that I'm a Ms. Scatterbrains at the moment.

Within the last week, I have been under terrible stress, been studying and taking final exams, going to a midnight premiere of a little known movie called the Hunger Games, and have packed and come home for Spring Break.

Looking back at my week, it's hard to imagine I have done as many things as I have. 

--I have been a busy girl--

Thankfully, the Lord has been very faithful to get me through it. Not only did He help me get through finals alive, but He helped me successfully navigate my exams--even when my mind was very much preoccupied.

Thank you Jesus!

As I have been back at home, it has been such a blessing to be around my family and friends. Since going off to college, I have gathered a new and profound appreciation for my family. 

I could not be more blessed.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have always been thankful for my family, but there is something about leaving home that makes the recognition of that blessing much more potent and real. 

For those of you who have family members that you are precious to you, and you know that they will always be there for to support you----go give them a hug or call them right now, and tell them how much you appreciate them.

Never take the blessing they are for granted.

For those of  you who cannot say that about your family, I encourage you with this:

The Lord is reaching out to you. He wants to cradle you in His arms. He wants to be that love, that family for you--

Trust me, He has enough love to fulfill all of your needs forever. 

Allow Him to envelope you with His love and faithfulness, and allow yourself to take part in His never departing joy. 

All of our family and friends will fail us at some point, and it is wrong for us to try and push them into a Role that they were never met to fill.

Only God can truly satisfy all of our needs. 

He is willing to do this. 

He desires to do this for us.

Take a first step of trust.

Let God fill the hole He made for Himself to fill in your life...

I promise....You will NEVER regret it.

Happy Spring Breaking!

Go See The Hunger Games (trailer below)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1187553561/

You have Strength Enough for this...

So today was certainly a day for accomplishments...

Well, really it's more a day of one BIG accomplishment.

Today, I conquered the Shamrock run in downtown Portland.

For those of you who do not know, the Shamrock run has three races that are happening, simultaneously. The options are a 5K, 8K, or 15K. 

Guess which one I ran....

the 15K!!!

(That's a total of 9.3 miles....)

Never in my life would I have thought I would accomplish (let alone attempt) a feat such as this. But today I ventured the impossible, and by the Lord's grace, I crossed the finish line victorious.

This experience has forever change my life, and this is why...

Several months ago, some of the beautiful women I live with came up with the idea that our house should get a team of girls together to participate in the Shamrock Run. This was my initial reaction:

"That's such a great idea! I know this will be a wonderful way to get some of the girls involved. I should encourage anyone who is interested to participate."

Little did I know, the Lord had other plans for me with this run other than just encouraging the other women. he wanted me to run it too. As I began to think about this overwhelming possibility, I thought to myself, "well, I could probably run the 5K, and if I feel like I really want to push myself, I could run the 8K....that should be good, right?"

Wrong.

The Lord began putting this race on my heart. He began giving me motivation and interest to challenge myself. At first I was hesitant. I started to talk back to God with things like, "But Lord, you didn't make me a runner." and "9 miles! God, you know I could never run THAT far!" And you know what His response was?

"Holly, I made your body. I formed your talents and skills. In your strengths, you must practice giving glory to Me, and in your weaknesses you must believe I am able to show My glory through that. You can do all things through My Son, Jesus, who strengthens you. If you want to be a runner, have faith, and I can help you become one. Step out onto the sea of uncertainty with faith, and allow Me to show you what you are capable to do with My strength."

That is a lot to swallow. But I obeyed (for once), and signed up for the 15K.

After that, there was no turning back.

Did I mention this run took place primarily on the Terwilliger Curves?
Yeah, I thought not.

The training was difficult at times, but the Lord was truly faithful to cover me in those days that were so hard and when I was unmotivated. 

As I continued training, I came to the realization that God made me a runner, not because I was naturally good at it, but because running is something that requires me to fully rely on His strength to do.

Isn't that a humbling thought.

Anyway, today was the day of the race, and the Lord continued to show me His grace, just like he did during my training.

The point of this post is not to brag about my accomplishments (sorry if it came off that way), but the point was to encourage all of you that as you learn to lean on God, because He is always faithful to hold you up. 

You can accomplish anything...

did you catch that?

ANYTHING through His strength and mercy.

Well, I hope someone found this helpful or encouraging.

Happy Belated St. Patty's Day Everyone!

The Start of Something New

Hello World!

I never, in a million years, would have thought that I would have myself a blog. 

Yet, here I am.

Who would have thought?

Anyway, for my first blog post, I just want to share my heart behind starting this blog. 

This is a place that I am going to share my feelings, frustrations, passions, and pursuits--both my good and my bad days/weeks/months (depending on how good I am at consistently posting). 

As I join the world of blogging, my hope is to be an encouragement to whoever reads them. This does not mean that I will give some schpeel about how you shouldn't worry because, " you're gonna get through this!" every time I post something. Well, I may end up doing that, but if you don't find encouragement in anything else I say, you can be encouraged by the fact that other people have struggles, hard days, or feel confused and alone too. You are NOT alone!!

My goal with this blog is to be honest with you all, as well as myself. 

"The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem."

I may not have struggled with substance abuse, but we all have something we need healing for, whether that is heartache, being overworked, depression, bad eating habits, you fill in the blank_________.

My point is, I'm gonna lay myself out there through this blog, and feel free to take it or leave it.

Just know that what you're gonna get from this blog is plain and simple, and frankly just a whole lot a' Holly.

Peace and Blessings to you all!

Yep. You guessed it. I'm the weirdo in the middle. Aren't you happy you just read my blog ;)