Feel it in your Bones

God's been teaching me a lot about intercession recently. And so far at my time at Maryville College I can see why.

We have what's called an orientation group which is basically a small group for people to get to know each some people and get acclimated to the school.

One of the first days we met we went around and shared what we wanted out of college. It broke my heart to hear one guy say: "My whole life I've pretty much had a good direction. I came to college to get lost."

Today we were just playing around and saying what 3 things we would wish for and another guy said: "I would wish to know what Real Faith or what God is."

I know that those two men and the other people that God has blessed me with getting to know are so completely ordained by God and that He has big plans for me these four years and is molding not only the hearts of those on my campus, but also my own heart. My Jesus is using this difficult time to pull me into His arms and I love that. I'm beginning to understand how to lean on Him even when I'm hurting and really don't understand what's going on. I love Jesus so much more than I ever thought I could. It's crazy to see how much I've grown. Seriously, every time I think about it it blows my mind.

I don't know exactly what God has planned this year, but it's going to be big. I can feel it in my bones.

The Freshman 15

The Freshman 15

15 ways to glorify God and to take full advantage of my college career.

Via @WilkyWilkinson on Twitter

Dear Gilbert

Here is a list of things you must know about me before you ask my father/brothers for permission to court and/or take my hand in marriage:

• Once I get a car I will have one of those Forever Bluegrass stickers on the bumper.
• My favorite animal is a dragon.
• My favorite color is navy blue.
• I compare my life to absolutely every book that I read (whether it is applicable or not).
• I don't accept compliments very well, but I'm good at taking insults as compliments (no, you cannot insult me in hopes of complimenting me).
• You better like to travel and learn languages and adapt to different cultures...jus sayin.
• I hope you like to color with crayons and the fat washable markers.
• My dream job is to be Wendy from Peter Pan while she's in Never Never Land.
• I am NOT fan of the beach. However, I love waves, wind, and sticking my feet in sand.
• I love change.
• You better like to read....or else.

And of course there's all the other important stuff, but this is the goofy me that you need to be aware of before I scare you away.

Sincerely,

Allie

Winds of Change: A Piece of my Testimony

I need to move more often. My room hasn't been this clean since we moved into this house almost 5 years ago.

I've said it before, but I'm a creature of change. As much as it scares me and sometimes I don't want to do it. I need it, I thrive on it, and I get restless when I don't have it.

I'm not yet sure why God created me this way, but I'm so glad He did.

If I didn't have change so frequently, I wouldn't have so many ministry blessings, like my middle schoolers, or the title of Miss Tyner, or Maryville.

If I didn't have change I wouldn't have gotten to know the most amazing God so intimately.

It was the change from elementary school to middle school when I figured out that God is real.

It was in the transition from middle school to high school when I realized the importance and the joy that is reading the Bible daily.

It was the change of relationships all throughout high school that God showed me that He is my constant, and the only friend that I can't live without.

And it has been this year of change (2011) that I'm confidently coming into my identity in Christ and what that means for my past, present, and future. I'm learning how to live a life of righteousness and praise and what faith and grace truly mean.

I can't live without change. I never want to become complacent. I never want to feel "comfortable" because that's when I become ignorant, selfish, and lazy. And I hate that feeling whenever I look back at it.

I've always always dreamed of accomplishing something beyond great with my life. And I can't be a worthy vessel unless I am pliable surrendered to the constant molding of my Potter.

Bloom Where You're Planted

"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations."

-Isaiah 61:11 (ESV)

My purpose in life, the reason I'm here, is to be "righteousness and praise," as planted by "the Lord God."

The Great Gardner knows what He's doing. And if I refuse to grow into His tending, or if I choose to grow in spite of His tending, than I am no more productive than a weed among the roses.

Wanderlust, Gypsy Heart, Jet-setter, Or whatever you wanna call it...

This pic is thanks to a fellow tumblr.

I don't know about you but even if I didn't already, this picture would make me want to travel the world....and upon further inspection, I do believe that map is upside down. ;)

Happy Sunday.

Your Highness is Among the Lowest

This song reminds me of my friends at Church on the Street, and those working in the slums and Sandra's Home in India, and all of my friends here who are going off to college with hearts set on missions.

Mr. Good Intentions, too much I wanna do
My mouth just keeps a running, but I never follow through
I heard that true religion, is love with hands and feet
I wanna find my own way to reach a world in need
Yeah, I've been captured by the unimportant
Locked in, and now it's time to break free

Chorus
There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing You
So I gotta make a move
What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move

We don't need permission, to go outside of these doors
And dream some crazy dream no one else has dreamed before
To show love and compassion
Wherever we may be
To put faith into action, do more than just believe
We are hope to those who have been broken
We were made to make a difference

Chorus
There's more to life
Open my eyes
Someone is needing You
So I gotta make a move
What good are words
When this world hurts
Real faith will come through
When I make a move

Up Front Apology for a Moment of seemingly ADD

It's been a good while since I've really posted. That makes me nervous. Because I journal and post the most when I'm really tuned into God and what He is showing and teaching me. So when I don't...I realize that I'm not spending enough time with Him as I would like, as I need.

Anyway, I'm still learning from Him. I'm not going to give up just because I've gone nearly a month without spending the day with my Jesus. Nope, He's reminding me to Start Now (remember that post?) And He's still molding my heart into a heart full of passion for prayer and intercession.

And I'm feeling pretty ambivalent about school. Nervous and vaguely excited. Overall just trying not to think about it so that I don't stress/freak out...which is not healthy either. I don't know. I'm excited for IVCF (Intervarsity Christian Fellowship) and for the friends that I will make there, knowing that we will have stuff in common. I so badly can't wait for those God-fearing/loving relationships.

And I'm semi-excited about my classes, also nervous. It's going to be a lot of work and it's not like I can't do it. But it still makes me nervous. I guess because I've never had to try hard at all...like ever. I'm mainly afraid that I won't have the discipline that college requires as far as studying goes.

I'm really not thinking about my roommate. I just don't know what to expect and I'd rather not let my imagination get the best of me...again.

And I've been to busy to think about college anyway. I'm still working and packing and cleaning and being over all exhausted.

That's a major fear-factor too right now: I'm just always exhausted. And it's not like I don't try to get sleep or anything. I really don't want to enter college as a zombie and I don't want to become one once I get there either.

I realize that many if not all of these fears would subside quickly if only I gave them up to Jesus and talked to Him about it more. I am excited about college...I promise. But it's also daunting. Right now, I'm learning how to live with Open Hands.

Lord give me a burden for my kids. I don't want to question a career in education. It's what I was born to do. But I want to be able to do it well. Give me your heart for the kids.