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