I am the very last.

"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." 1 Peter 4:9-10

service. something that I am constantly being convicted of. But it's not just about serving. It's serving with a joyful heart. gosh that's something that I struggle with.

One night in Africa this past summer, me and one other girl were asked to make the sandwiches for all the girls in our villa while they had to watch a video. no big deal right? well each girl is required to make 9 sandwiches a night. so adding it all up, that was 81 sandwiches for us to make. you better believe it took us the entire time everybody was gone to make them. we even packaged them up neatly and wrote their names on each bag so they would know the next morning which bag belonged to which girl.

When all the girls came home we were so excited to share with them that we had finished and cleaned up and everything! I hate to say that nobody cared, but honestly nobody cared. not one girl said thank you. not one girl even blinked an eye to all the work we put in to making their sandwiches. I mean they asked us to do it and therefore they expected us to do it. So if it was expected then what's the big deal?

Let me tell you, there was grumbling. I did this great deed that took all night and not the slightest appreciation was given.

um.. can we talk about selfish? yeah I'm a little ashamed of my behavior.


I had forgotten what it means to serve. It's not about the thanks at the end or the applause or the pat on the backs. It's not about what you get from it or being recognized for the good you did. It's about God. It's about representing Christ as we walk daily. All praise should go to Him.

"whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11


This year our theme for Africa is JOY. While yes it does mean letting the joy of the Lord be our strength, it's also an acronym. It stands for Jesus, Others, You. Delight in Jesus first. Serve others second. and third. and fourth. and fifth. and on and on. Don't ever stop serving others. If you're serving the Lord like you're supposed to joy will be there.

So be last. Put yourself at the back of the line. Sit out a game or two. Let somebody else have your turn. Clean up after your roommates. Go the extra 5 minutes to drop a friend off across town. Just stop centering life around yourself because there is no joy in that. There is no life in that. There is nothing in that.

Thank You Jesus for being a servant first so that we have the absolute perfect example of what it looks like.

To You be the glory and dominion forever and ever. amen.

life is beautiful.

oh my goodness. On Friday I graduate from Texas A&M University. Seriously? I don't know how I managed to get here, but somehow I have.

Just reflecting back on my time these past 4 years, my heart is overflowing with joy and love. The Lord has blessed me beyond words. So if can't capture that feeling right now it's because it's too big.

I started out driving myself to fish camp with my mom right behind me. They separated us before I got to say goodbye. My loving mother found me in the chaos to calm my nerves and give me a hug. She made sure my journey to A&M began right.

At fish camp God intentionally placed incredible people in my life. It was there that life long friendships were formed. It was there that I realized I was about to embark on a great adventure.

Freshmen year I was searching for my identity. God was working in me, but I didn't quite see it for myself yet. I joined ASC on what felt like a whim, but now I know that was part of the plan all along.

Sophomore year I moved in with my best friends and we've been together ever since. I joined more organizations and continued looking for something to give me worth. The Lord was tugging on my heart to go to Africa. Honestly at this point He had been for at least a year. Finally, I heard Him.

Summer of 2008. I went to Africa. Forever I am changed.

Junior year was full of blessings. I became a leader in ASC and had the GREATEST wil group a girl could have. My group of friends were encouraging and inspiring. Africa had stolen my heart and I knew I was never getting it back.

Summer of 2009. I went back to Africa. It was different and hard. I jumped off a bridge. Forever I am changed.

Senior year was indescribable. My friendships were rooted in Christ. I was filled up abundantly. I've never learned more in my life than from the things I endured this year. I became Discipleship chair in ASC and fell in love with the most amazing women of Christ. Watching them grow and love the Lord pushed me to do the same. If I could describe this year in one word it would be love. Maybe I didn't see it all the time, but it was there.

now. I'm leaving College Station in a week. I'm moving to Dallas and working with Family Legacy. I have no money, but I'm trusting that God knows what He is doing. The money will come.

July. I'm going back to Africa. I can't wait to see more change.





God is closing this book of my life and handing me another. I know He has already written it and it's going to be better than I can imagine. I mean, He did such a great job on all the past ones, doesn't that give us great hope!? I know it does for me. I want to look back on this time of my life and be joyful. I want to remember the blessings He gave me and praise His name. I don't want to look back and say those were the best years of my life. I'm constantly looking forward. I'm constantly realizing that life is beautiful (phrase credit to April Gary, love you.)


Because, well, it is. Life is beautiful. If you don't see it now, wait for it. You'll see it soon. Take every opportunity as it's given. If you're going home to live with your parents again for the first time in four years, praise Jesus! You get to be surrounded by the ones who love you. If you're traveling across country or across the world, praise Jesus! You get to do God's work to the unreached and forgotten. If you're starting a new job in a new city, praise Jesus! What a great way to find new community. If you're getting married, praise Jesus! He's given you somebody to share life with.


rejoice in the life He has given you because, my friends, it's absolutely, without a doubt, beautiful.



"And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17