First for some incredibly, adorable baby nephew time. The picture below was captured within the very few minutes when I met him, and as stated the wait was more than worth it. He is the best and I adore him.

Let me allow his cuteness to speak for itself...

Yes, practically a little man, right? I can't wait to kiss him again in a few weeks!

Whoa only a few weeks! Fall is winding down, December has quickly arrived and it's officially the holiday season. In part, I am sad because Fall in Tennessee is beautiful (ask Faith she witnessed it for herself). I enjoyed seeing the hundreds of leaves change colors on warm, breezy afternoons and sitting around the campfire collecting the smell of firewood on chilly nights. Now most trees are bare of their beauty and though the weather is strangely reminiscent of Florida's non-decisive climate, warm afternoons have long departed.

Something that is exciting for this time of year is that I have been able to celebrate the Christmas season with my roommates. Our house though not decked out with lighting from top to bottom (lets be real we are 20 something women in a big house). Our beautiful Christmas tree (my first ever) proudly stands before our front window for all the neighborhood to see.

Most people show sympathy for me when I tell them that I did not grow up celebrating the "traditional" Christmas. We did not decorate, exchange gifts, or cook a large dinner. For the past couple of years we have been attending a church service on Christmas Eve and going out to watch a movie on Christmas day. This is the most "traditional" we have been since I can remember. 

Not being wrapped up in gift giving and jingle bell ringing, has afforded me two great gifts. When I do share this season's traditions with others, I appreciate the smallest of things. Putting up a tree has not lost its excitement nor has sitting down to grand dinner or watching Christmas pageants  It has also given me a truer perspective on why we celebrate this holiday. 

Not to say that Christmas songs and sales are wrong, but as my roommate and I were discussing, knowing Christ drastically changes the feelings and truth that surround singing songs about His birth. Do you ever stop and really think about the implication that Christ's birth had? Whether the date was December 25, January 6, or during the middle of the summer, Christ birth meant the arrival of a King, a fulfillment of a prophecy that would change the world and bring hope to all nations. 

I was so in awe of God when hearing one line in the song "Joy to the World," 'He rules the world with truth and grace.' A king, not one that has come from this Earth, but God Himself made man came as a baby confined to the flesh and helplessness that comes with being so. And when his kingdom is established, how does he decide to rule? With TRUTH & GRACE! When have you ever heard of a high authority in our world ruling with truth? Barely ever, in America our political system is known to be riddled with deceit  And grace? Our world functions on the notion of people getting what they deserve (unless it is ourselves, of course). We have warped the idea of justice to fit into our own limited mental capacity, completely destroying true justice, God's.

"Let Earth Receive Her King." That is my prayer this holiday season. Not that those who long for gifts or a physical companion would receive those things, but that those who are lost, and do not know Christ, our true king, will come to know him.

Luke 2:10-11 "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"

-Love, Steph

Tune TONIGHT at 9pm EST to hear Will Reagan and crew perform songs from Endless Years, live from the Banks House


www.unitedpursuit.com/live

Album debuts TOMORROW!   -Faith  


PS: I'm seriously on a roll! lol

I know ...two blogs in a day!!!






Yesterday, I had to opportunity to have lunch with an older and wiser couple from church. I needed some council that I knew I couldn't get from my age group. After our lunch, I realized how important it is to surround yourself with at least two to three older and wiser adults in their faith. I mean, it is important to be in community with people your age. But let’s get real; most of those people are two to six years in their faith. We also need people who have been walking with Jesus for 15 to 30 years. They can give your valuable wisdom and guidance to help you overcome different struggles and trials in your life.


-Faith

It's about that time again when finals hit and I'm just over it all!

I'm burned out...

But it's my last EVER UNDERGRAD FINALS WEEK!!!

Now all I just need is some strength, dilegence, and knowledge to finish strong!

So if you ever wondered what to pray for me...pray that I finish strong!

Thanks!

-Faith

During my quiet time this week, I stumbled upon three awesome worship songs by William McDowell and I thought I would share.







I hit an amazing climax when I was seeking the Lord during these songs. The lyrics of these songs really connects with the verse

He must increase, but I must decrease.- John 3:30

He must increase in all aspects of our lives and we (our flesh) must decrease. Personally, as an ambitious, planning, and driven girl, I have to ALWAYS remind myself who is in charge and who is in control. I have to continuously surrounded everything to the Lord because at the end of the day...He is truly all that I want.


With Love,
Faith

Happy Thanksgiving--Weekend... I promise this post was written on Thursday! Cue my time to explain myself (probably poorly), I have had many things to share, but experienced technical difficulties posting blogs, so please bear with me as I post older thoughts and ponder on new ones!

If I ever have a daily thing to be thankful for, I would like it to be these verses--

Colossians 1:13-14 "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."

God is magnified, because there is no way I could have accomplished this great feat on my own!

My testimony used to go something like this... I was lost in the world, in its ideals of shallow companionship, empty fulfillment, and selfish idolatry. God has freed me from bondage to my hyperactive ever changing sensational feelings... Of course I would sprinkle in my personal details and accounts, but over the past two years, accounting what God has done for me has lost much of its verbiage.

In short, I was a sinner damned to spend eternity in Hell; unable to fulfill the Law nor pay the price for my sin. I was in dire need of a Savior, and Jesus Christ being my substitute bore my sins and has granted me eternal life.

The change in how I see my testimony is not due to a diminished view of what God has freed me from, but I am realizing the now more than ever the importance of God's salvation plan in its entirety including but not limited to my personal salvation.

Jesus' act on the cross changed history and eternity thereafter. So for the cross not simply being my point of conversion but continual strength I am so thankful!

Have a great weekend, Nashville, nephew, and picture updates will be given soon!

Love Steph!

"For the Sake of the World" is new worship song released from Bethel Live.  Listening to the lyrics, were so refreshing. In this fast pace life that I live, it is so easy for me to loose focus on what I am living for.

This song was a beautiful reminder of the ultimate reason of why I wake up everyday, of why I my heart is for the lost and less fortunate, why I am want to raise the voice for the voiceless. It's not only because they need someone to care but it's for the Glory of the Lord.

I pray that each day the Gospel will continue become the vision and the purpose of why I get up, instead of constantly thinking of the everyday things I have to do. I pray that I live with more purpose to glorify the Lord than myself.








With Love,
Faith

This past week the Lord has so wonderfully thrown a massive curve ball  of an academic trial in my life. I rather not go into details because it is a long story but needless to say I found my self in tears for two days due to injustice.

At the end of the first day, the Lord reminded me of the verse James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -James 1: 2-4

Originally, I was annoyed that the Lord put another trial in my life. I felt like I just couldn't get a break. But then the Holy Spirit brought attention to those verses. Trials come into your life because it produces spiritual maturity. Also, James starts out the verse by saying consider it JOY when many trials come to you.

These past few days, I have not experienced joy but instead devastation.  I felt as if the world was out to get me, but that is looking at my situation from a worldly mindset and not a heavenly mindset. If I believe God loves me then I must trust him in his sovereignty. I must trust that his ways are better for me. I need to stop looking at my situation without faith and thinking that it is hopeless but know that God will never leave me nor forsake me.

I basically need to grow up! 

Jesus ALWAYS provides for me! He has taken me out of some impossible situations and has provided so much favor on my life. Seriously, my life is a testimony of the power of Jesus.

Thus, reflecting and remembering his goodness is how the Lord provided peace to me.

Also, in the past four days, the Lord has reaffirmed me through songs, bible verses, messages, facebook status, blogs, and quotes that he is going to get me through this trial. I am simple blown away at how the Lord has truly given me peace and reassurance through all the different avenues of my life.

Even just as I was driving back in town with my friend, I told her I was still stuck on the beginning of James 1:2-4. Like how can I truly have joy in the midst of trials. Later this evening, I was reading an African blog I follow and BAM the answer:

There’s so much more to joy than just feeling at peace, or feeling happy even when things are sucky.

Joy is state of celebration, a celebration of what God has done.
So when I say, “Choose joy”, that literally means “choose to celebrate what God has done” instead of being sucked under by circumstances. And what has God done? Well, God has given us a gift of salvation through Jesus. God has given us a promise of an abundant life here on earth and an eternal life to come. God has given us the ultimate expression of love by leaving his son, Jesus, to be tortured and killed just so we can have the right to fellowship with him again. 

That’s what God has done. That’s what I’m celebrating today. My car’s impounded. My cash flow is stagnate. I’m thousands of dollars in debt and my eye sight is crappy.

And yet.
But still.
Choose joy.
-Afrolicious

I started to tear up after reading this blog post. Because Jesus really does loves me and he is going to get me through this trial. Plus, I didn't even know this blogger loved Jesus! It's truly amazing how God literally meets his children where they are at!

With Love,

Faith

Isaiah 7:9 "... If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

(Long Update warning) 

This may come as a surprise to some, seeing how I had no conclusive plan to move until 2 weeks prior to moving, but I am now writing from Nashville, Tennessee. What led me here has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, so buckle up and I hope you enjoy this shorten, less emotional recap of my journey.

As Faith explained in her previous blog, the last couple of months before graduation were difficult. Everyone constantly asked me what my big plan was? The problem was that I had no “big” plan, just a few ideas and passions that God had stirred in me throughout the year. I applied to an Americorps program in New York and didn't get it. Which was a bit disappointing because I had been researching that program for a year, but I knew if God planned for me to be somewhere else, that I would ultimately find the most peace and joy there. So fast forward a month later and I got accepted into a similar program in Nashville. I was so excited to finally see a plan for my future year, but the best, or hardest was yet to come. I now had 1 month to figure out a way to move to Nashville. This search went on until 2 weeks prior to the internship when I was very close to emailing the director with the news that I could not join the program. There were a lot of tears, questions, and frustration within that month, which equated to a lot of repenting on my part. God was so kind in reminding me to take my eyes of my own selfish ambition and to put my hope and trust in him. To sum it up, He asked me to have faith in him, making Hebrews’ definition of faith alive and real. 

Hebrews 1:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

I had no idea how I was going to be able to move and live in Nashville, but I had to learn to trust that God was going to do exactly according to his own plan. Once againg, He was faithful, providing me with means to travel to Nashville, a place to live, wonderful roommates, and a car to use. He worked out every single detail even the ones which I have never prayed for. I am so thankful that His thoughts are not mine nor are his ways (Isaiah 55:8) and that I can trust wherever God pleases to lead me, even when there are bumps on the road to get there.

So how am I liking Music City? I love it. I got personally welcomed to the city, in Starbucks, from a sweet old man who is a native to the city. Talk about Southern Hospitality. Here are four things I have been enjoying this past month and a half: 

• I have 3 awesome Godly women as roommates who have done everything to welcome me into our home (which I love by the way)

Two of my roommates (in the brown and green) and their friends, 

while watching Carmen the ballet in the park (it was not rated PG to say the least haha)

Our huge Florida room, which I ironically never had one of in Florida.

• I like running around my neighborhood, and looking at the houses which all have their own personality (sorry Florida, Nashville has you beat on this one)
• I love shopping at Trader Joe's and getting cheap staples and specialty health foods like their yummy Harvest Grain Blend
• I love being able to work with different people in the community though my different projects at work

Nashville is more of a melting pot than people often think.There is also a lot of people around the city from different parts of the U.S. & world. So no, everyone here does not have a country accent ;), which I personally love being the linguistics nerd I am. 

Side view of the full size replica of the Parthenon at a park 5 minutes from my house

Other things that are going on in my life—Applying to medical school a.k.a. my non-paying, money-sucking second job. It has taken a lot of the Lord’s grace to enjoy this long process and continue on with it, but I know that I need to be faithful, so I’m praying for more joy =].

BUT greatest update of all—I’m now an Aunt to a beautiful baby boy, Essien.

I love him so much, and can stare at his face all day. He is making it hard to not be in Miami, but I know the first moment I get to hold him that it will be much worth the wait.

So I hope to blog more frequently, and share more about my adventure in Nashville working, building community and learning more about this gracious Lord of ours. 

Love Steph

As a graduating senior from University of Florida, (Go Gators!) the question I'm asked at least once a day is "what are you doing after you graduate." The worst thing about this question is that most seniors do not know what they are doing. Unfortunately, I was also victim of not having an answer.  For me, the more they asked me the more I just wanted to make something up. The reality is that I was waiting on God.

Is waiting fun? Of course not!

What made matters worst is that I'm graduating in December. All my friends graduated earlier this May (including Steph), and then the rest graduated in Summer. It was bittersweet to celebrate with my friends, and to watch them get their acceptance while I still didn't know where I would be after I graduated. 

I prayed and prayed, and wish I would of started my last semester with an answer to this question but of course no! That is not how God works. His timing is perfect, and also not when our flesh wants an answer. Instead,  he make's sure that our flesh gets on His page.

Needless to say, three weeks ago, I had a terrible breaking point where I just was upset that God was making me wait so long. I was tired of people asking me questions I didn't know the answer to; and I just wanted move forward while I felt like God was making me stay in a stalemate! 

In the midst of my moment, I sought the the Lord. (I also must confess, prior to my breaking moment I wasn't giving enough time to God in prayer) I read verse on waiting and was convicted by a blog:

"Patience means to leave things up to God, expressing full confidence in Him. It is an act of worship!
We are not in control. God is. My world is not up to me.. therefore I give up my life to God! Patience says, “I turn it over to God and wait, just like He waited for me.”

Impatience is the fight to be in control. Trying to fix what we don’t have the ability to fix.
Anxiety and worry is me trying to take the control God has and contending with who’s in charge." -God's Grace Daily Inspiration

Immediately when I read this blog post, I was convicted of my continuous problem of trying to be in control.   I was humbled and repented to the Lord. God is good and to think I know better than Him is ridiculous!

I needed to stop swimming in my feelings of emotions and choose to trust in God! I read some more verses of God's promises to those who waited and from that night on I prayed for more of a submissive heart.

With Love,
Faith

On behalf of Stephanie and I, we are soo sorry for falling off the map! I can give you a million in one excuse why! But, to cut the long story short, we both had one of our busiest semester yet of undergrad earlier this year! As you can tell from this photo, Stephanie has graduated and is no longer with me in Gainesville #supersadface.

I graduate in three months!!!!!!

Since Steph and I are truly apart, we need this blog even more to keep in touch! We will try our best to write more! Hope you enjoy!

With Love,
Faith

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

By Phil Wickham

Song title: Beautiful

-Faith

You know what blew my mind when watching this video? How close Tanzania and Uganda are. Matter of fact it is estimated to take ~21 hours to drive from capital to capital (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania-Kampala, Uganda). The same invisible children who have been abducted, enslaved, trafficked, and forced to kill in this horrific war for the past 2 decades could have been the same precious faces I met in Tanzania. I stood in the same continent where these things are occurring.

We never feel the need to do something because 1, 2, even 10,000 child soldiers is just a number. We don't realize these children have names, families, and futures. Well here goes a voice. (Please watch and share)

http://vimeo.com/37119711

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,

for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9

Hi blog world. Happy 2012!

'Taps mic' Is there anybody out there? In my mind, I have this idea that this blog is purely a journal between Faith & I, and that despite it being publicized on the World Wide Web, no other person in their right mind reads this thing.

But if you do happen to venture on here every now and then, thank you. Especially given our rather sporadic posts. I hope reading this blog has brought glory to God and has encouraged you to set your eyes on Jesus. If there is anything I can pray for you for or encourage you with please let me know =]

I guess I can briefly update you on my life. Time is flying! I'm graduating in a couple months, leaving the place I have known for 4 years, to travel to a place unknown: Life Post Graduation. Sounds daunting. I'm actually nervous and excited all at the same time. Going to Passion 2012 was the PERFECT way to start my year. I love its mission verse: "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts" Isaiah 26:8 Note: Desire as in one thing not an additional thing

This has been my cry since Passion; Lord may the glory of your name be the only thing I want. I could write a book on what happened in those 4 days in Atlanta. Matter of fact, I'm still journaling about it. People ask me what I learned most from Passion; and my reaction goes a little something like this: my brain racks for some sophisticated phrase or lesson I learned, as I try to communicate how my heart changed, but the only thing that comes to mind is Jesus.

So as soon as I came back from Atlanta. Plop like a grand baby piano falling from the sky, Mr. Reality decides to set in and I realized I actually have to live the life God has called me to; dealing with relationships, overcoming fears, fighting sleepless nights, and conjuring up finales to end stories. Suddenly I was overwhelmed, forgetting the peace of God's presence that I had shared with 45,000 other college students. Believe it or not I do forget all His benefits from time to time unlike Psalm 103 tells us not to.

REST.

I need rest.

My soul, mind, body, spirit, you name it.

& I have a secret so good, I think it would make the headlines to all the latest talk shows. WE MUST LOOK TO JESUS TO FIND THIS REST. Okay, so maybe its not breaking news because the bible has revealed it to us, but open up your bible people and share its truth with others!

Once again we as humans [thankfully] fail. We can not even rest without God's assistance. This is because Jesus is rest. If you look at Hebrews 4 you can see that all who have believed the gospel which has made a way to enter's God's rest were granted such. & We know that it is only by the blood of Christ that our eyes are unveiled and we are able to believe His' acts on the cross. Therefore it is fitting for Him to say,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

When the Israelites were not in a time of rest, they were constantly in a battles many times because of the wrath of God. Like so we are not able to receive rest as children of wrath; sinners. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

So why do we try to earn rest. Sinners nor saints can earn such a thing, as both cannot earn grace. We cannot earn something we don't deserve. It is a gift! We are given rest, and abiding in Jesus will help us remember this reality.

It's like a time I was in Haiti. I had gotten up to eat breakfast without drinking anything. I then went downstairs to take a nap. An hour and a half later I rushed out of bed to join my mom upstairs. I sat on a kitchen stool and began to feel dizzy. I knew something was wrong so I tried to slow down my actions. I started to feel queasy and sweat began to accumulate on my forehead. This event seemed far too familiar. A long story short I had to sit in front of a fan, drinking water, with a terrified mother threatening to call the doctor until I began to feel better. This weird turn of events can easily happen to me if I don't stay hydrated, yet, I chose to take a nap and spend half of the day without drinking a sip of water, all while expecting to wake up from the nap refreshed.

Sound familiar? It's the same with Jesus, we cannot try to rest, without abiding in Him, and expect to get up refreshed.

Once again I learn Oh Lord, Without You I Can Do Nothing.

-Steph