Good evening, everybody!

I'm playing catch up here, so please forgive me for not updating sooner.

College is going well, but after having the work load for three classes I don't foresee myself going full time. I work 20 hours a week at my job and do homework for 5-6 hours a day Monday - Friday. Plus, I have another class starting in November. I've also continued attending a Wednesday night youth group (as a small group leader) and a college age Bible study on Thursday nights.

As of two weeks ago, I decided I wanted to visit Korea and Japan for a month. The best part is I already have a travel buddy, Jen, who attends the same youth group and college as me!

The whole idea of this trip is really strange because I never planned on leaving the country after our 2 week trip to Australia in March/April this year, but my heart suddenly started aching for Asia. I keep wondering if the Lord has something He wants me to do while I'm over there. I have no idea what He's thinking.

Now I have added learning Korean and Japanese in the next two years in between school and work. I have a lot of budgeting and saving to do, but I feel like I'll be able to do it. :)

The Lord has given me so many new opportunities to meet new people too! He is so good.

Have a blessed night, you beautiful people!

Blessings,

~Twyla

Typically, when I drive to work in the morning, I roll down my window (since my car lacks air conditioning) and blare my radio so I can hear it. At 7:15 AM, the last thing I want to do is think, and doing this is relaxing for me. This morning however, I kept my window up, turned off my radio, and prayed.

I couldn't even remember the last time I had a silent car, so the quite was refreshing as I spoke to the Lord. As I prayed, I found realizing how often I don't understand God's creation. Sure, He made the Earth, grass, trees, ect. but as I pondered further I kept coming to this state of awe. As I drove past perfect rows of corn and scattered farms, I was thinking how amazing God created everything around me. Just stop and think for a second about everything around you. Everything. It's crazy, isn't it? With all of Creation around me, I can't even fathom the idea that this world just appeared in a "big bang." 

Try to notice the little things that aren't really little things this week. You'd be surprised at the revelation of it all. :)

Enjoy my tree picture!

Blessings,

~Twyla

Due to the busy-ness of my summer I was unable to update my blog as regularly. I do hope to be more consistent this school year.

So today's post theme is about new beginnings. This year has been full of change, so I've had to learn a lot about flexibility and acceptance. I'm still learning a vast amount as God directs my life in directions I never anticipated.

This summer I worked my "last" year on camp staff at a local Cub Scout camp. I say last in quotes since many other members have said the same and come back anyways. It was the most unique summer I've worked in the 7 years (including volunteer years) that I've been there. I grew so close to everyone on staff and one of my fellow members, Jared, summed up the experience well by saying, "Why would I miss an opportunity to spend time with my extended family?" He's right. We're all one big, diverse family at camp. It's an experience that has help shape who I am today and I'm so thankful to the Lord for that opportunity. My season at camp has ended. It makes me really sad, but I know the Lord will take me to more great places in the future.

Two days after my summer job ended, I was let go from my office job. (I took a leave of absence during the summer, but I'm under the same employer at both jobs.) I can't say I didn't see it coming, but it was hard nonetheless. I worked there for the past 5 1/2 years and I became so close the the three ladies I worked that I consider them my "office aunts". They've nurtured me over the years as I learned how to drive, graduate from high school, pick up more responsibilities, and make decisions on my own. The Lord was looking out for me though. A new job opportunity had come on the horizon two days prior to being let go, and I was hired a week after being unemployed. I begin my new office job tomorrow!

After taking a year off of high school, I am finally ready for college. I've begun a new chapter in my life, like many of my peers, and I look forward to what the Lord will show me in this coming school year. After much prayer, I plan on attending the local community college in pursue of an Administrative Assistant diploma. I'm attending school part-time for the first semester to dip my toes in the water. It also works well with my new job schedule. So lately I've been busy taking care of all the loose ends before the semester starts on August 27th. :)

I can see God working in my life and it's such an incredible thing for me! I truly praise Him for His great works. It hasn't always been pleasant or comfortable, but coming out of that tunnel in the end is really refreshing. 

So, that's what is up with me. I hope you see God's blessings in your life every day and that you learn to walk by faith. Proverbs 16:9, "In his hear man plans his course, but God directs his steps."

In times of struggle, I hope you cling to Him. He is our rock! :) (Pslam 18:2). Please enjoy the typography I did on one of my photos! 

Blessings,

~Twyla

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you feel like the world was out to get you? I have. In fact, it happened to me all last week, but you know what? The Lord saw me and my fellow camp staff members through it. The feeling of overcoming the problems of the week outshone the negativity that happened.

It's hard to realize what lesson the Lord is teaching me when I'm in the problem itself, but when I finally come to the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm often elated to look back and think, "I did it. I persevered and the Lord has shown me endurance." :) He truly is a wonderful God.

I hope that if you're struggling through difficulties this week be it patience, depression, anger, forgiveness, work, ect. I pray that you too would focus on the Lord and know that from your trials you will learn many things. Including lessons you didn't intend to learn. ;)

Have an incredible week everybody!

Blessings,

~Twyla

I was just praying to God and telling Him about how poorly I've done in seeking out Him these last few weeks and how I've felt like a lukewarm Christian. :( He was listening, because I was suddenly compelled to read the next devotion in my copy of "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. (I understand this is not to be treated like the Bible, but it certainly told me what I needed to hear.) The first sentence was like a reality slap and I truly praise God for accepting and forgiving me of all my faults. Here's the devotion:

May 9 (I don't mind reading it out of order;) -

"Don't be so hard on yourself. I can bring good even out of your mistakes. Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret. This is a waste of of time and energy, leading only to frustration. Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me. Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good and bad into lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you will continue to live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride. Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses. Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me. I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes. Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do."

She then provides two Scriptures references to tie into it:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7

I hope you too would be encouraged. :)

God bless you all! Have a good night.

~Twyla

Last week I had been praying before bed like usual.

"Dear Lord, thank you for the wonderful day I had and the blessings you've given me..."

Then all of a sudden I interrupted my own prayer and breathed, "God, I love you. I love you." It dawned on me with sickening realization that I rarely expressed my love towards the Lord verbally. Every night I tell my family I love them and "I'll see ya tomorrow", but unintentionally excluded my Heavenly Father. When I finally said it last week I was overtaken with emotion and my heart swelled. I truly have an amazing God. :'3

On another note, I saw a photo on Tumblr that struck a chord with me. It said, "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?" Pretty shocking when you recall the previous night's prayer, isn't it?

Have a hugely blessed day! Laugh lots!

Blessings,

~Twyla

I just finished watching "The Passion of the Christ". The last time I watched it, it had just come out on video back in 2004--I was only eight years old. I remember crying when my family watched it, and I knew Jesus had died for our sins, but it wasn't until I watched it tonight that I fully understood, visually, what He had gone through for my sins--everyone's sins.

My heart ached for His suffering and tears streamed down my cheeks, a tissue box readily at hand. I was upset at the people who harassed Him, betrayed Him, lied about Him, crucified Him. Yet, He bore it all. He prayed for them as He hung up on the cross, He begged the Lord to forgive them. He loved them despite their unjust action. John 13:34 says, "A new commandment I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another." Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus says, "You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and too often we take it for granted. He loved us so much that He died a gruesome criminal's death in order to save us. 

I watched that movie for a reason: to remind myself of what the Lord endured to give me freedom and to remember what true love looks like. How I treasure what He's done.

Blessings,

~Twyla