Journal Reflection

My latest journal - yes I know it's a little cheesey next to the flowers.

I am a journaler or at least I am think I am in comparison to the average Joe. I just finished another journal and for the first time actually went back and reflected on what I wrote. I wanted to share with you some of my highlights from the past couple months!

Here's a glimpse into what an actual page looks like - never know what your gonna get!

What God taught me, told me, and showed me.

- I have value

- I have potential

- I am worthy

- I am BEAUTIFUL - in many ways.

God has shown me that is He is FAITHFUL (Isaiah 25:1) even when I am not. Few examples:

Gave me sorority women who are hungry to know more about God

Has put people in my life that I can learn from (especially w/ hearing from God)

Blessed me with friends I don't deserve

Renewed my passion for life and how He wants to use me

Here are some good questions that I have continued to ponder on...

* What am I called to despite my hopes and fears?

* 5 years from now what do I want to do with my life and am I taking steps to get there now?

* What kind of leader do I want to be following?

* Despite circumstances how I can be who God has called me to be?

Chicken Scratch (also known as my handwriting).

It's amazing I can even understand what I wrote!

Yikes! Hope I don't get sent away for this page.

Here's my next journal - ain't it pretty?!

Thanks to my mom, who always buys me a new journal,

I always have another one ready to write in!

Sorority Ladies

Sorority Bible Study Ladies!

This past semester I got the opportunity to lead a group of Sorority women! I loved getting to meet with these women each week - took me back to the good ole days!

A year ago I prayed that God would give me women who are hungry for more of God

and that's exactly what I got with each one of them!

Here's a peek into what He's been up to - starting with the lady on the left!

Lindsey - A spunky ball of fun who does great accents! God's been showing her some big things this semester and she hasn't backed down to the challenge of what He's asking!

Ashley - Not even a year old believer and she's already stepping out and making disciples on her dorm floor!

Tracy - A natural leader who will be leading her own group of Greek ladies next year - she's always up for the next challenge!

Me - :)

Marisa - A sweet and honest woman whose not afraid to be real! She's been experiencing the power of true believers in her life and is growing daily in knowing Jesus!

Sarah - It's been SO FUN watching her take steps of faith in walking with God, even when it means going against what everyone else is doing. I know God is SO proud of her!

We were also missing Kristen, Paulina, and Katie from the picture,

but the same is true for them - God's at work!

It's been an absolute to joy to meet with them and

can't wait to see how

God will continue to use them to e

xpand His Kingdom in the Greek system!

Books on my night stand...

Here's a little peak into what's on my night stand these days...

This weekend I read this book and 23 Minutes in Hell (below). It was a great way to head into Easter Sunday.

This book did an excellent job of giving me a glimpse into Heaven and a renewed excitement for what awaits me someday!

Great reminder of the HOPE & PROMISE we have that goes beyond this life!

I can't even begin to describe the differences between these two books. The detail of what this guy describes Hell being like is unimaginable. Again I was even more thankful for my salvation in Jesus Christ knowing that He has saved me from Hell.

There were moments in this book where I had to stop and try to let it all sink in and let my stomach settle for a moment. It's hard to fathom how wonderful Heaven will be but for me it's even harder to imagine how awful and terrible Hell will be for those who don't choose to follow Jesus in this life. Probably because I just don't want to.

One of my favorite lines from this book - "Hell is void of everything good, because everything good comes from God and God is no where to be found."

A lot of people are pretty skeptical of Bill Johnson (author) and I understand why, but as I have read his books and listen to his podcasts I usually like what I hear. And Bill (more than a lot of people) challenge and encourage me and get me excited to get after the Kingdom of God!

I am in the middle of this book and am really loving the challenge to think differently about what I am filling my mind with and reality of the Holy Spirit's power in my life!

So I started this book awhile back and have gotten a little distracted with other books.

BUT from what I remember it was GREAT and I am excited to get back into it.

The just of the book - Being THANKFUL in the everyday!

I am going through this book with some other people here in Iowa City and am enjoying reading about what the Bible has to say about Prophecy!

Some topics include : prophets vs. prophecy, foretelling vs. forthtelling, word of knowledge and gift of prophecy, Old Testament and New Testament Prophecy.

Maybe more to come on this in the future!

Finally the last book that I have been sifting through!

I am loving reading this book as it highlights two commom themes throughout the Bible which include:

Covenant - the way in which the Bible describes and defines relationship

Kingdom - the way in which the Bible describes and defines responsibility

Excited to dig more into this one!

AND I would love hear any good books that you are reading lately that I need to put on my list!