the story that saved my life.

The thing that saved my life and one of the women who helped me along the way

This week at Village we were challenged to share our "story". The best story ever told is the story of one's relationship and journey with Christ. I dedicate this {abbreviated} story of my salvation to a few of the women God used to save me (Not to say that there aren't other amazing women in my life that have all played an important role in my journey.)  

I will love you forever. 

Picture this:

I was 14 and a little lost. What 14 year old isn't? I had moved just a year earlier to a new place and was still discovering who my friends might be. Somewhere along the way I started growing close to a group of girls, but two of particular importance for this story-Katie C. and Stacia H. These two women were the first of a long line of women who saved my life.

Both women were incredibly involved in their churches and their faith showed through their grace and kindness they showed everyone. No two 14 year old girls exemplified joy and kindness better than Katie and Stacia. I began to notice that there was something different about them and when Stacia’s mom was diagnosed with lymphoma I saw God’s grace in action for the first time. Stacia had every reason to become angry and bitter and confused, but I could see that she only grew closer to this being she called “God”. I began to wonder why. I asked Katie to take me to church with her and that is where it began.

My freshman year in high school, at 15 years old, I accepted Christ as my savior. I too became involved in church and fell in love with Jesus. I participated in every service project I could, I grew to love the adults in my youth group as well. It is because of Clay N. and Steve S. that I want to be a mentor to high school aged students.

In September of my senior year in high school I was baptized after a summer mission project in Mexico that brought me so much joy.

Then I left for college and for the first time I was really in charge of my own life, and as many college freshmen do, I found myself enchanted by the world of parties and alcohol. That is, until I completely fell apart at a party and was taken home by Rachel C. and that night my life was saved again. From there I got involved in CRU and finally a church because of Rachel and Melissa P. These women were used by Christ to completely revolutionize my life. For the first time I understood that faith is to be Christ-centered not service-centered. Off to New Orleans I went for a week with Melissa-another trip that changed my life. Too beautiful for words.

Fast-forward to the fall of my final year as an undergraduate. I had recently been dumped by the only serious boyfriend I had ever been with and feeling embarrassingly sorry for myself. Walking back from CRU with Hannah B. whining, “why is this happening to me?” when finally she sat me down-in the middle of a field, mind you-and said to me “Lo, I think that maybe part of it is that you’re too focused on how others can make you feel better. You are really you-centered right now, and I think you need to be others-centered.” Whoa. Hard to hear. But yet again-life saved.

I spent the rest of that year learning how to be like Christ. How to love others above myself. How to pray for others and trust in Christ for myself. It was truly the best year for me and Christ. Thank you Hannah for that reality check. Jesus took ahold of my heart and showed me so much about love, faith, friendship, and grace.

That is the story of how God used 5 amazing women to save my life: Katie, Stacia, Rachel, Melissa, and Hannah. 

The End.

Epilogue: Roughly a year after Hannah sat me down on that field and gave me the dose of truth I desperately needed it seemed as though the relationship I fortified with Christ had begun to unravel. Vet school is just a completely different test of faith. It is not the sheltered, beautiful CRU community. People don’t just get coffee and reveal their souls to each other. People don’t just let you into their lives. Enter: Allyssa H., yet another woman who is still helping to save my life. She has been so supportive and so crucial in my spiritual growth in the madness of vet school. I can’t say that I’ve had that “A-ha!” moment as far as my faith goes yet, but I do know that while our relationship is being tested and I haven’t quite figured it out yet, He is with me in every single moment, saving me.

mmm, mmm, healthy!

Eating greek yogurt makes me feel healthy.

as does eating pomegranate. and avocado.

Yum!

reese's perfection

Reese's Cheesecake Brownies?!

heaven!

Here's how to get your own tray of heaven:

Preheat Oven 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray

1. Buy your favorite 19.5 oz. brownie box mix and prepare as directed.  I used an 18 oz. mix and it worked, but I think the 19.5 oz is better-so read your box carefully! Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat 1 8 oz. package of softened cream cheese (I used low-fat and it was still super yummy!) until fluffy!
3. Add: One 14 oz can of condensed milk, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and beat until smooth.
4. Mix in a 12 oz package of reese's pieces (as much as you want, I did not use the whole bag)
5. Spoon the mixture over the brownie batter and spread evenly
6. Bake for 40 minutes or until cheesecake layer is set. Refrigerate for 30 minutes

7. In a microwavable bowl melt one 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips (guittard is the best!) and 3 tablespoons of whipping cream
8. Microwave for 1 minute on high-stir and if not melted microwave in small increments (don't burn the chocolate!)
9. Stir until smooth. Spread over cheesecake layer.
10. Chop up and sprinkle 12 reese's pb cups over top (or more if you like!)
11. Let cool for 30 mins, the refrigerate for 30 mins.
12. ENJOY! And share...these suckers are RICH!!

Store covered in the fridge :)

{you're welcome}

the budget crisis.

...and I don't mean the national budget crisis. I am not nearly economically savvy enough to keep up to date with that mess.

First off, Happy New Year! And a late Merry Christmas!

I have some pictures and updates and a recipe I'd like to share with you from my break...but not at this exact moment.

Budget Crisis:

i am broke.

we already knew that, but tonight my mom and I made a budget for me this semester and guess what?

i am broker than i originally thought.

[[[STRESSFUL!!]]]

Tonight's reading from the Bible was Job 1-5.

{perfection}

For those of you who don't know Job very well, he was this "perfect" man, blameless before God, who was rich and blessed and healthy (etc, etc), and Satan figured "Of course he's blameless...he's got the whole world at is feet!" And in response God said "Okay, I'll let you take away everything he's got! But I know my son, and he will not lose faith."

So Satan took everything away. But God placed one condition on this situation, that Satan was not to harm Job. See, even in this God was still in control.

Here's a little blurb from my Bible about the situation that I loved:

"God is IN CHARGE: When the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, satan appeared with them. His purpose was to question Job's loyalty to God and ask if he could test Job's faith. However, God proved he is truly in charge by limiting the trials Job would endure. {Next is the important part} You may be in the middle of a test of faith and find yourself wondering, "Where's God in this? Who's in control?" Rest assured that he is in charge of the situation. Though it may seem that evil is dictating your current circumstances, every trial comes with God's permission for the purpose of building your faith."

How sweet is that?

So while I am very nervous about living on a true budget for the first time in my life, I am also excited to grow closer to my maker, my King.

God bless.

another one bites the dust.

It's official...I'm halfway through my "in-class" portion of vet school.

weirddddd.

It feels sort of amazing to just sleep, veg, and clean and not feel guilty about it.

going home tomorrow! <3

before i die

In light of heading into what is likely to be the worst finals week of my life this is all I have for now:

good luck on finals my fellow vet students

ugly sweaters and christmas crafts.

I was fortunate enough to host my first party of vet school this weekend.

and it was a theme I always wanted to attend before so that's a bonus!

Here's the group shot of 2014ers

And the epic 2015ers

In other news, I got some of my crafts done or partially done this weekend.

This is the only one that is totally finished:

and i LOVE it :)

Happy Sunday!