Don't Be a Strangled Grape!

 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."

-Romans 8:2

...Christ has set us free! 

Today I will abide in this truth. 

There is nothing like the feeling of letting go and opening my heart completely and saying.. "God I do trust you.. take my circumstances, take my life, and make it yours."

While this can be one of the hardest things to do when I so badly want to be in control.. I find that no matter what.. God works.. and that always turns out to be the best thing!!!! 

2 Corinthians 1:20 says.. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God."

So no matter what I feel like or no matter how I see things on this earth.. when I give God my life.. His answer is ALWAYS yes. 

...If I am abiding in His word and truly living in this.. it will be right no matter what. (Even if I originally thought I had a better plan) living in God's word shows me that He is right all along and that is the absolute greatest place to be. 

He is for us!!!

Sometimes answers to prayers don't come right away.. but oh man, that does not mean that Our Father does't hear. Perseverance and patience in the waiting process can be hard, but Our God does hear.. and He will answer in His time.

These truths came to life for me this week in a few different ways and how stinking cool it is. 

AHHHH! And this week, I found out that I am doing my first half marathon EVER. So so so excited! I never win drawings or raffles.. but I won a free admission to the BCS Marathon on December 11th! How neat is that?! Whoop!
I feel very motivated right now!
Also, Thanksgiving feels like it is coming so soon and I am so excited! Can't wait to be together with you family!, and Trevor and I get to come to the game and that just adds so much happiness to it all! 
Little brother Chet is a football rockstar, playing in his first ever playoff game this weekend! Oh yeah! This is us last weekend, isn't he just amazing?!

P.s- I love this cold weather, it feels like Christmas! Time for White Chocolate Peppermint Mochas, Elf, Fires, Cuddles, Jackets, Cold Runs, andddd lotsa more cold weather things!


Love you so much friends and family!
-Kelley

Words

"Never Once"
(Lyrics by Matt Redman)
http://youtu.be/n1bXG4WIesA

The first time I heard this song at Breakaway a few weeks ago, I feel in love. I think the image of standing on a mountaintop captured my attention first off, then came the beautiful words of "Looking just how far we’ve come- Knowing that for every step- You were with us" 

WOW 

He is with us! Forever and always. As I glance back on my 19 years of life, I see already how far God has brought me in this short time. Oh man, He has definitely grown me so much.. but even neater than this.. is that He will continue to move and grow me each and every day. And that is a promise! A glorious promise! 

 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."  -John 15:1-5 (NLT)

Our Father is the gardener- he grows us by taking away the burdens which so heavily we cling to and makes us stronger in Him! His, promise is that when we remain in Him.. He will ALWAYS remain in us.. shaping us, pruning us, and growing us. 


The song continues to say.. "Scars and struggles on the way.." 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. -James 1:12

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. -1 Peter 5:7 

As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. -Psalm 119:143

"..But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful"


...Gods word is our guide to life. He so clearly tells us that He cares for us, He loves us, he will never leave us.. on our part.. we were made to cling to Him tightly. To trust. To abide in this trust and carry it even into the toughest times in life.
Hard? Yes..
Impossible? No.. 
He is with you, He is with me, He is with us!


I find it so amazing that just in reading these four verses above, I see so much truth. When I let go and abide in these words, letting God be my peace and comfort, these words are LIFE. 


HOW NEAT is THAT?!
http://youtu.be/Hm3JodBR-vs


In my life, I have found that I seem to just have trouble trusting that God has my life in His hands. I have been making some big decisions before actually bringing my heart and prayers to God. And.. this will get (has been getting) me focused on self more and more. It's a struggle but I confess this and realize it; now am going to work hard at trusting and living in this truth which I read and which I know God is calling me to. 
He is calling me to trust in His love. To jump in His hands and let Him drive. 
So, here we go!


Love Yall,
Kelley

Our Father is Faithful

Watch/listen to this song, if you would like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYuWOx2pp38&feature=related

Romans 12:12 

“Be joyful through Hope, Patient in Trials, and Faithful in Prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need, and practice hospitality.” 

Hey friends/fams, :) Love yall.

Wow, life life life. It is a busy beautiful thing. 

How are you doing? Sometimes this question feels way over asked.. but have you really considered how you are doing lately? 

I sat down last Friday, and for a moment.. thought about how I was doing. And man let me tell you, the Lord had things for me to consider. 

This moment for me.. really turned into an intimate time with my Saviour. He brought me a clear, clean mind.. a true true true time of peace. He allowed me to be still. And I share this with you today.. because if you are feeling like chaos is abounding in your days.. life is fast paced and sometimes you just feel like crying/punching a wall.. or that people are so very expectant of you.. maybe this is the Lord calling to you to surrender your sweet time to Him and intimately connect. 

Isaiah 30:18 says.. “So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so he can show you His love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help.” 

...And to me.. this verse today in my reflection is SO powerful. The context of this verse is a time when the Tribe of Judah was in a rebellious state.. following idols and taking advantage of the Lord’s precious love. I encourage you to read all of chapter 30. It still applies so much to us.. today. In my life.. I am just like these people of so many years ago. My idols daily compete for my attention.. and if my heart is not set heavenward- they often win. But through my rebellion.. the Lord ever more so LONGS for my attention and love to gaze back on HIS quiet grace and spirit. Wow. Grace. I am so undeserving... but HE is so deserving and wants to wash me anew daily. If only I could be perfect and give my Lord what He deserves. But He knows I cannot be.. that is why we today.. have the Bible and Holy Spirit. He still longs for us. He still has a plan for us. I love you and desire this connection with God in your life for you if you feel Him calling you in this way. Let me know if I can be praying for you. Prayer WORKS. God is good.

*Also, let’s continue to come together in prayer for these fires that bring so much hurt and damage to families across Texas and other states. I know yesterday was such a tragic day for so many people in this. And for families in East Africa whose lands are thirsty- causing the people to starve and cry out for help.. while many of their officials take advantage and are not leading them as Christ desires.. I cannot even imagine what they are experiencing and yet my heart hurts. The song I posted at the beginning of the video is a great one to listen and pray through with our droughts and desperations. 

(...Entering part of blog where I update my life.. mainly for Grandparents... and whoever is interested)  :)

I am super glad to be back in College Station.. but also super sad to be away from family. After being in CO for the summer, I only got a few weeks with them.. and that is tough. But God is good and Mom and Chet got to come see me yesterday :) SO thankful for that. Mom leaves for Moldova with a group from church to work with this seminary.. http://www.moldova.ministryhome.org/ on the 16th. And I might not be able to see her before she leave again. If you would, add this to your prayer list. For safety and hearts, and whatever God might have in store. 

Also, so thankful to connect with my Life Group at New Life again! These people are such a blessing and I am super excited for our year together.. at church we will be going through Exodus this semester. Never have done a study on this book before, so excited!  I am so grateful for the reconnection with many of my friends in this past week as well. I have missed coffee and wisdom and laughs from them this summer. Ahhhh, so good. Thanks friends for being you. Tori and Nina, miss yall like crazycrazy!!!

Hmm, I am loving my Psyc classes.. I ended up taking three this semester.. they should be interesting. And I am in a Yoga class too with some beautiful friends Taylor and Lindsay.. this might possibly be my favorite class of the year! Haha! 

And I absolutely adore my roommates. I know the Lord put us together for a reason. They are beautiful and encouraging in ways I can’t even begin to describe. THANKFUL! As we were trying to come up with and decide on a name for our house.. we read through Proverbs 31 (The Ultimate Woman chapter) and there discovered.. THE VINEYARD :) Verse’s 16 and 17 say “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” As we live and work together in our Vineyard.. we will strive to live as women of God together in this season of life. I love it! 

Also going on.. the Tri team has our first meeting tonight! I am hoping to at least get one good race in this semester. And, I am going to Arkansas this weekend and cannot wait! :)

This year I have also created a list of goals that I will do my best to chase after with my life. One set of goals is for this year in particular.. and one is for when I graduate. Excited all the more to see what God does with this. 

Well.. I love you. And know that Jesus does so so so much, 

Kel

Biblegateway is awesome and has an encouraging verse each day.. check it out brothas and sistas: http://www.biblegateway.com/

The Vineyard Girls: