Siempre Asombrada

     At the beginning of the semester, I was at the coffee shop on campus, waiting for my friend and teaching assistant for our EN 101 class to meet me. When she came, she said, "Close your eyes," "Okay," I responded. I closed my eyes and opened my hands to receive a gift bag. When I opened my eyes, I found two books inside.     When I found that they were written in Spanish, I got excited because it had been such a long time since I had read a book in Spanish. And they are small books, so how hard could it be to read and finish them? But, when she explained to me that they were books from a close friend, I was even more excited. I felt loved because my friend, Juliana, and her husband wanted to give me these books that meant a lot to them. And that meant a lot to me.  Reading in the park! If you would like to read it, it is available on Kindle!          I started reading the book, "Historias para almas sensibles," m...

  "Sometimes I'm fragile, s ometimes I go to extremes. S ometimes I can't get past my insecurities.  Even on my best day, I'd say I'm still incomplete.  Thank God I got just what I need: t he Savior saving me. "  ~"Saving Me" by Riley Clemmons  Whoa. This line from Riley Clemmons' song is stuck with me today. Lately, I've been stuck on these "sometimes" things. But, I have found that it takes me a while to get to the "Thank God" part. I have been dwelling on my changing emotions and insecurities, reminding me of how I'm broken, but today I am rejoicing that the Lord delights in me despite my brokenness. He fulfilled what I need and is glad to call me His.   This past Friday, I had the opportunity to see TobyMac and other worship artists in concert. During the intermission part, there was a message about why we should "treasure people above stuff". I was intrigued in the beginning of the talk, because I've...

 On Sundays, I try not to do any homework, lesson planning, or studying. That means that my Fridays and Saturday are boring and busy as I try to get as much work done as I can. But it is worth it because then on the last day of the weekend, I can focus on Jesus and the peace He brings.  I really never know what my Sundays will be filled with. In the past 7-ish months, my boyfriend, Josiah, and I have been taking ballroom dance lessons every Sunday, which is always interesting. Some weeks, I am back at home for church at Double Oak and a family lunch to eat some good food and fun times. When I'm not at home, I'm headed to Grace Church with Josiah for Sunday School and the morning service.   It is always so refreshing to praise the Lord alongside other my brothers and sisters in Christ. It is there where I find rest. When I breathe in God's love. And I breathe out all of my doubts. I breathe in the Lord's faithfulness to me. I breathe out my worries. I sing His name in...

 I'm thankful for my family. As wild as our times together can be, I'm still reminded of the blessing my family is to me.  I've already begun a new semester, but when I think about my break, I think about my family. It really was such a sweet time to spend together.  A bit blurry... but that shot of Auggie's tongue?? Impressive!  One thing that was so special to me was spending time with my brother, Luke. You might know that he just had a birthday, so you may think this is turning into a birthday post, but that is not true. I would write about how amazing he is on any day. Even though he talks way too much about how he is taller than me and claims that he is a better driver than me, I love being his sister. I love being his sister because I get to be a witness to all the things he learns and the ways he grows. I get to hear his awesome narrations of whatever Brandon Sanderson book he is currently reading. He listens to me as I complain about school and all the readin...

 Asombrada. Asombro. Amazed. In awe.   These are the words that come to my mind when I look back through the pages of the chapter that is 2022. But it doesn't end there. I'm not simply amazed, left to ponder the reason behind the wonder and glory. No. I am amazed by the One who orchestrates my days to strengthen me and remind me of who He is. I am blown away by the Lord's impeccable timing. I am in awe of my God, who gives me sweet friends who encourage me through the hard times. I am astounded that my Father stands with me in the storms and still calls me lovely when I fall short of who He calls me to be.   As I am constantly amazed, I realize that Jesus Christ really is all I need. These things that amaze me are the proof. So, why do I feel so small and insecure when I scroll through Instagram, comparing my life to those around me? Because I lose focus of the truth. I don't need those comparisons. This is why I have decided to stop using Instagram and start bl...