And that's how you know

It's love:

Song of Songs 2:10

Hosea 2:19-20

Isaiah 62:5

Picture perfect promises delivered by Love.

Hummus makes for happiness.

My room has a map in it. It covers a large portion of one wall. Pushpins are lovingly shoved into continents and countries I long to see. Ever since Alaska, the course of those pins has taken a drastic change. No longer is Europe the dominating terrain but Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. I have always longed to travel, but once my heart began discovering the expanse of Love, that longing was transformed into a desire to see the poor, desolate nations and recognize them as beautiful and desirable.

I am lacking in listening in so many regards, but as I begin to catch little snippets from my Savior, my heart aches for community and the ability to Love others better. I am hungry to explore and see, but I also feel as if I have something incredibly beautiful right in front of me. For years, I desperately desired to attend Pepperdine for the prestige. But that desire has been transformed into a passion for a campus and an area/people in need of Love.

As I trekked to the cafeteria yesterday evening, I coyly avoided my normal route and opted for an ocean view. As I gazed out over an expanse of stormy seas and cloud-laden sky, I wondered how I could have ever desired to look into the eyes of another, when, my Father allows me to see His beauty in the depths of the ocean. My arms instinctively wrapped themselves around me to keep the chill and anticipation of rain at bay. And as I held myself for warmth, my Father enveloped me with the knowledge of His Love and desire for my heart, plans, and passions. I know I always say this but He really is just so good-no one else can give me such peace, joy, or smiles!

The end.

Supa Soaker.

I have decided that resilience is a miracle and an extension of God's grace.

I am stepping into a new season of my life at the moment, and I can honestly say I am incredibly stoked to see what He is going to teach me, where He is going to lead me, and how I am going to encounter Him more.

Being back in Modesto for a few months has me incredibly excited. I am going to miss my Pepperdine family something fierce, but I am stoked to love up on the central valley and start attending Reality Stockton.

Work at Redwood starts June 20th. I have my anxieties...but a beautiful dose of Glory is putting my heart and mind in a better place about it all.

I will be deciding over the next few days if I will live in London for fall semester or not. My only barrier really seems to be myself(minus the financial aid aspect). For a girl who craves adventure and travel, I sure have seemed to develop a bit of hindering fear. I am wrestling with this opportunity, the fact that I am actually being blessed with the thought of it all, and wondering how God could possibly use me there when I was so sure Malibu was it for me. Weekends in Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain sure sound nice though. Not to mention the week long field trip to Greece, Germany, and some exploration of Italy right before Christmas. My Northface, moleskine, and TOMS are already itching to be carried across Europe for that four month period.

On other notes: Please go see How to Train Your Dragon. It was epic.

Worship time was just joyful this week. God speaks lyrically. These songs were introduced to my heart:

Cielo- Phil Wickham

Carried to the Table- Leeland

Speak to Me- Evan Wickham

Light up the World- Desperation Band

My Brightness- Charlie Hall

Check em out!

I have been loved through Hosea, Obadiah, and Amos lately.

1 & 2 Timothy answered my prayerful questions on the tension of doctrine.

Isaiah 40: God's glory? Most definitely.

Where is the Love?

I love my new yellow linen TOMS.

I love Pepperdine.

I love knowing that my heart is being pursued by the painter of sunsets, the singer of all songs, and the creator of the stars.

When inadequacy, negative self-image, control issues, and tears threaten to ruin joy, I know I can look to my Daddy.

He pursues me as the beautiful bride of Christ amidst the ugliness I feel and the brokenness I identify with.

There is the love.

He is life. He is Love.

My Silver Lining.

Last week Pepperdine's chapter of I(nternational)J(ustice)M(ission) hosted Anti-Human Trafficking Week.

I may be biased, but IJM is basically the best thing out there.

We handed out price tags for students to wear symbolizing that they were taking a stand against human slavery, hosted speakers, screened an anti-human trafficking movie, and hosted a Rock Opera about human trafficking written by one of Pepperdine's own.

Praise God for last week!

Abolition!

Pepperdine has some passionate people :)

Besides this being one of the biggest things on my heart, that is not the point of this post.

As part of Abolition Week, Anne Bissell, a sex trafficking victim, came to speak at Pepperdine.

Her story and recovery completely ripped me apart.

I have heard it said by multiple pastors in a wonderful city about 9 hours north of here, that your passion is what moves you to tears. When you hear a certain subject matter and it moves you to tears...well...that's passion. And it is not just the death and resurrection...because as the bride of Christ, we should all be moved to tears by His sacrifice.

Well, for me, it is sexual slavery/rape/sexual exploitation. I will break down every time. Guaranteed.

I really do not know how to convey what I want to say.

But you know what, Anne Bissell does...

Check out her organization, The Silver Braid, at

www.thesilverbraid.org

Stand up. Support. And fight.