Finally an update...with pictures!!

I have slacked big time with my updates. I have not been able to give time to updating my blog as I should be doing, so I'm going to give you a recap using pictures. I think it's just more fun to see what I have been doing anyways. I don't have every event covered but I have been trying to capture many different things. One thing I can say is that it is been so rich and full of friends, laughter, smiles, and fun! Enjoy! :) 

OCTOBER FUN!

Spent a fun weekend at home in October with my mom

Jordan came with me to meet some more family members!

Raylee turned 10 years old October 11 

so I had a yogurt date with this sweet niece of mine!

My friend Erin got married October 26th so 

I took a fun trip to Arkansas to celebrate & 

see some of my precious friends!

One of my best friends Stephanie! Loved getting time with her!

During my layover in Atlanta, my dear friend 

Sarah came to airport to spend 2 hours with me!

 It was the best surprise to a great weekend!

Jordan and I got to attend a Golf Tournament during October. It was beautiful!

Our Fall Picture! 

Huge Pumpkin at the hotel where the golf tournament was held

NOVEMBER!!

I got to return to Waco for Baylor Homecoming! 

I had a blast seeing my old roommates & lots of friends!

Sic'em Bears!

My cousin, Katie, is a Chi Omega Baylor!

I also got to see one of my old small group girls and now a sweet friend.

Jordan and I walked around Baylor

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we went paddle boarding on the comal river!

During November, New Braunfels has a huge event called Wurstfest! It is a week long German festival. Mom came down to experience it. We had a blast eating lots of food and listening to some great music!

Jordan and I at Wurstfest listening to the Alex Meixnex Band..he was by far the best Accordion-polka-rocker I've heard!

It's Thanksgiving week, which is still hard for me to believe that it's already here! This time last year I was on the other side of the world. It's amazing where God can bring you in a year! Can't wait to see where I'm at a year from now! :) My mom is coming down to New Braunfels to spend Thanksgiving with my sister's family and I. We are all looking forward to the break from school! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! There is sure a lot to be Thankful for this year!

an abundant life!

...one that is completely and utterly full of some many things. where your cup is not just half full, but spilling over more and more

the word abundant--abundantly--abundance have been a common theme lately. it's a great description of my heart being abundantly full, satisfied, and overwhelmed with God's goodness through this season.

 ~ a-bun-dant ~ 

to be in great quanitity, more than adequate; to overflow; 

well or richly supplied; in plenty; 

overflowing fullness...abundance of the heart

Colossians 2:6-7

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

John 10:10
"I [Jesus] have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly."

Psalm 36:5-9

"Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountians; Your judgements are a great deep; O Lord, You preserve man and beast. 

How precious is Your loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house and you give them drink from the river of your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light."

>a few words from AW Tozer's, The Pursuit of God...

"God made us for Himself -- to glorify God and enjoy Him forever -- to see Him and live with Him and draw our life from His smile -- He moves us to return [to Him]."

"He waits to show Himself in ravishing fullness to the humble of soul and the pure in heart.."


Lord, my cup runeth over with gratitude, love, and thankfulness for the gifts you have given! Amen and Amen, and Amen again!

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. 
I say it again—rejoice! 

 Let everyone see that you are 
considerate in all you do." 

Phil 4:4-5 NLT

the sweetness of a new season has refreshed my heart and soul. i am so undeserving of the many blessings the Lord has graciously given. He has moved and stirred my affections for Him in more ways than i imagined. and it's not because of what He has done for me or the blessings He has given. my affections are stirred because of who He is to me. He has shown Himself as my Father, my Shepherd, my Joy, my source of life, my Protector, my Leader, my Refuge, my Hope, my Strength, my Guide, my every step, One in whom i can fully Trust...and so much more!

sometimes change can be difficult for me. it can pull, pry, refine, shape, draw up anxiety or frustrate me. it's natural and normal to feel that way. but this time it's different...yes, i did just get back from uganda 7 weeks ago. yes i did just pack up and move to new braunfels, texas 2 weeks into arriving in the states. yes, i did just start a new job and i've been running 100miles an hour since. yes, life is crazy to say the least but i have had such a blast! i can't believe how much fun i have had thus far. :)

i absolutely love what i get to do. being on campus as a librarian as well as being on the court and coaching a sport i love. it's a dream job really. in addition to work, i have been spoiled with the friendships i have made so far. at times it's hard for me meeting new people but God has blessed my socks off.  i have loved and thoroughly enjoy being around them! and at the end of the day...i stand in awe. not at the tangible things God has done. but the unseen things -- the way He comforts my spirit-- the way He knows my heart -- the way he establishes conversations that are challenging and uplifting -- the way He takes care of a weary soul like mine. He knows what i need. so i rest in that. i rest in the fact that my security is found in Him. i rest in His sweetness and in His love. and i embrace this season with open arms and refreshed soul!

~thank you Jesus for leading me and showing yourself more beautifully than ever!

"Do not be anxious about anything, 
but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, 
present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, 
which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts 
and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Phil 4:6-7 NIV

from uganda to new braunfels

wow. i have blinked and a whole month has somehow passed by. what a whirlwind my life has been over the passed 4 weeks. what a gracious God i serve and how privileged to be where i am right now...

as i write this, i am sitting in bed on the eve of the first day of school for new braunfels christian academy. i still can't believe i am here. i still can't believe that i am in new braunfels living with my sister's family. and i still can't believe how God ordained all of this before time, but especially when i was still in africa.  it is by the grace of God and His sweet mercies that i here doing what i'm doing.

to make a very long story short...after a crazy turn of events, i was offered the position of being the varsity volleyball coach at new braunfels christian academy...while i was still in uganda. crazy huh!? after much prayer, i accepted the offer. before all of this came about though, i was already making the transition home after spending 3 months in uganda, but i didn't know exactly what i would be doing. however, the Lord had it all mapped out even before getting back onto the US soil. (it blows me away every time i think back on it)

the fam at greenie peek, nm

i arrived back in the states july 23 and spent the first week with most of my family in red river, nm. it was so refreshing to be back with them and to have that time together. the next week i spent in cleburne seeing people, spending time with family, unpacking and then re-packing (story of my life!). i headed south august 5. my coaching duties started the next day and that was just the beginning!! :)

i am 3 weeks in, with a few games under my belt. tomorrow starts another new season because on top of coaching volleyball, i am also working in the high school library. so yes, i am the new (and improved, i might add) librarian! haha...we will see! it still takes a lot for me to say that, but i'm trying to embrace it on a daily basis. :) anyways..all that to say, i will be with kids all the time which i am pumped about! that is where my heart is and i can't wait to see what God opens up being in that position. 

but beyond getting to do what i love, i have also been so blessed beyond measure with the friendships and community here. before i knew i was coming back when i did, i began praying for friendships like the ones i have now! i am so grateful to share life with these precious friends! my cup is full and overflowing with praise to the Lord for what He has does thus far! i can't wait to see what this year holds and how He will reveal Himself to me more and more! 

ready or not..here we go! 

(ps..to all my friends who i have been playing phone tag with or haven't had a chance to talk to, i apologize. it really has been a hectic 3 weeks but i am wanting to carve out time to chat! much love to you all!)