Jesus Is...

So recently I've been challenged multiple times to define who Jesus is to me. I've never taken the time to sit down and define who Jesus is to me and I was pretty appalled by that, after all He is my Lord! Therefore taking the time to articulate exactly who and what He is for me sounded pretty refreshing. So here goes:
Jesus is first and foremost my Lord. He is also my brother, my friend, and the love of my life. He is my all. He is my sanctuary. He is the one I can turn to when my world is falling apart. Jesus is someone who will never judge me. He is my life source. My encourager, my challenger, and my refresher. He helps me face each day new and cleansed. Jesus is everything and more. He fills the deepest desires of my heart, no matter how complex or difficult to understand. He knows what I need when even I don't. He can calm my fears, answer the questions that plague my soul, satisfy my thirst for knowledge, and call me to let these things drive me closer to Him. He is perfect, everlasting, all-knowing. He is a part of my soul that I could not live without. He completes me. He makes me better. He calls me higher. Jesus reminds me that I am apart of something bigger. He tells me each day that I am stronger than I've ever imagined, believed, or dreamt. However, He also reminds me that I am small, insignificant, and weak. He reminds me that I am nothing. I am a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Jesus tells me to look at the ocean, the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, and the animals that roam the earth and realize the amount and magnitude of life that exists and see that I am apart of all of it. I am not the ruler of it, but simply an inhabitant. But then he puts his arm around my shoulders and says, "But it is for you, all for you. Despite, how small and fragile you are, I have created this for you. I have loved you despite who you are." Jesus is everything I need.

and finally, Jesus is the vine. He refines me and prunes me to be more like him and become more fruitful. He challenges me and adores me. I am the branch. I am alive for His glory and His purpose. I will live only if I remain in Him. He is my life source. I have started to wear this necklace (a gift from my mommy and brother). It is a tree branch (see picture, hopefully you can see it). It is a reminder that I am apart of something that is pure and alive. Everyday. It is my world. My true desire is to remain in the vine and in its protection and love. 

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5

year 1, semester 2- we made it!

Happy first day of classes, everyone!!

~haley grace

act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly

At camp this year I had time to think about my hopes and dreams for 2015 as well as reflecting on 2014. Often, I struggle with the whole concept of new years resolutions, probably because if I fall short on them it can be very discouraging Also, I don't think we're limited to one day a year to set goals for our lives and make changes in the way we live. God gives us that opportunity every day! The chance to change and grow is a gift we get every time we wake up!
So instead of setting "resolutions", I like to think of a theme for my new year. This year I want to grow in simply remaining in God. I want to grow in being content and secure in Him alone. Some words I have thought of to grow in are: strong in You, secure in You, happy in You. I have realized that in order to grow and persevere in my own faith I have to be in God and in Him alone. I am excited to see what this year will bring and the ways in which I will grow. This year is going to bring my first anniversary with God and coming into that I want to be strong and on fire for God. I want to be confident in who I am before God coming into my first year celebration with Christ.
To help in this "theme" I have decided to read the book Secure in Heart (and I'm so excited!). I have also picked two theme scriptures:

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

&

"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

I want to be consistent in God and consistent in growth. I am excited to look to this new year and look to who I am capable being in Christ.

This morning I got to go to breakfast and have a quiet time with my sweet friend, Eunique. It was such a refreshing time of vulnerability and laughter (see picture hehe).

all my new year love,

~haley grace

there's no place I'd rather be {than here in Your love}

This new years I got to spend at one of the most special places on earth, the swamp. I decided to volunteer as a worker with two of my best friends, kalyn and bailey. delaney also came with us but she was a counselor. it was so wonderful to get away from the craziness of life and be still in such a beautiful place. waking up every morning and getting to go and have my quiet time and see so many other people doing the same thing was so cool. It has been a while since I've gotten to spend an extended period of time with so many like-minded people. People who wanted to please God and dedicate this year to him. However, I can't pretend that this adventure was all perfect. Some of our tasks consisted of everything from mopping the bathroom floors at 2 in the morning on new years eve (or day I guess?) to being on dish duty after every meal. It certainly taught me a lot about humility that's for sure.

they had a fancy dinner for new years and these are pictures of me and my best friends in the entire world. 

the title to this blog is the lyrics to one of my favorite worship songs of all time that I learned at camp which is so fitting because in so many ways there is no place I would rather be than at the swamp.