I am the Prodigal Son.

To listen click here

Though I should be asleep, because I have to be awake in a few hours, I decided I would rather write about the way Jesus spoke to me earlier today. This song, The Prodigal Son by Daniel Crawford, really moved me today. (For some reason it wouldn't let me attach the video, so just click the link if you'd like to listen.)

I know a lot of us have heard the parable of the prodigal son many times, but if you haven't it's a story from Luke 15, about a son who didn't want to wait for his father to die before he got his inheritance. So he asked his father if he could have it early and his father agreed. The son went off and blew all of his money, and then ended up with nothing at all. He wanted to go back home and be a servant for his father, realizing that even the servants had more than he had. When he arrived home his father was so happy to have his son back, so he threw a huge party for him. I remember one of the first times I actually sat down and read this story, I thought about how selfish the son was and how underserving he was when he returned home. I knew that parable was a representation of God's love, but it never really moved me this same way that it did today.

I came across this song on a random playlist on Spotify. I automatically loved it and of course I listened to it on repeat a few times, because that's what I do when I find a new song that I really like. The more I listened to it, the more it moved something in my heart. I started to feel like this song was written by God especially for me. I could feel so much love with each word in the song and it brought tears to my eyes, making me realize that I am that selfish child in the parable I've read so many times. Too often, I have asked God for something and once I felt content with what I had I stopped seeking after Him. I decided I was perfectly well-off on my own, I didn't need to continue to pray or grow in my relationship with Him. It never takes long for me to figure out how wrong I am, and when I do realize I am filled with shame and afraid to go back. But all along He is waiting for me to come back to Him. I am His child and as much as I might disappoint Him, God never wants me anywhere else but walking alongside of Him.

When the son returned home his father said:

"Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found." (Luke 15:22-24)

This is only a small representation of God's love for us. How amazing is that?

If your feeling like the prodigal son- lost and afraid to go home, I challenge you to say a simple prayer asking God if you can return to Him. I promise, He's already begun planning a celebration before you've said the first word.

You are loved by God, and will be forever loved by Him because YOU are HIS.


With Love,

As the Semester Ends

Allie, Winston, Catherine and me one day before our photography class! What great, Christ-loving friends I have made through this class.

As the busy school life filled with endless projects, tests and homework dwindles down and the excitement of winter break starts rising, I can look back on this past semester and I am overwhelmed with joy and content. In the past 5 months so many new friendships have formed. I can't even begin to explain how much God has blessed me and answered my prayers further than I could have imagined. So many memories have been made and I wish I had a picture of each one so maybe I could share my happiness with everyone else. 

Camille, Emily and I headed back to Baton Rouge after an AMAZING weekend in Waco, TX for World Mandate in September!

Over these passed few months I have realized how great and amazing God's love for me is. Everyday I've been able to wake up and feel a full but also hungry heart. Full, because I know I have all I need in Christ, but hungry because I will never stop wanting to know more of Him. I am able to look back on the journal I have kept over this past year and see the way I have grown in my relationship with Jesus. I love being able to read through and see how Jesus has walked with me the entire year. The more I sought after Him, the more evident He appeared in my life. 

A little over half a year ago, I started attending Antioch Community Church. I know without a doubt that God had a calling on my life to be apart of this church.  The people here are filled with the love of God and have a fire in them that drives them to be world changers. Every week during the semester, we all come together in groups called Life Group! We eat, dance, worship, laugh, pray and do life together. Life group is something that has changed my life in such an incredible way. I don't think I would have made most of my friendships and grown in my walk with Christ without Life Group and these incredible college students.

Faith and me before our Life Group Christmas party! 

The most phenomenal thing that happened this semester was when all of our college students raised up money to purchase my best friend Faith and her family a car. Faith's family was in need and our college students were so excited to give what they had to help. We presented the car to her at one of our monthly college services and she was so SO shocked! I remember being so nervous that day, praying that I wouldn't give the surprise away some how. Thankfully I didn't and we all got to see the joy on her face as she saw the car for the first time. I don't think there was a dry eye during this moment. If you would like to see a picture from this you can view my Instagram post on it here. 

Sara and I at Tsunami's in Baton Rouge celebrating her 21st birthday!

This past semester has been BEYOND perfect. Looking back only makes me more excited to keep moving forward to see what else God has in store.  I just want to post a few more pictures from this past semester before my very first blog post comes to an end. 

Bear, Sara and I at the mall at 4 AM for black friday. He was working... we were shopping.

Disney World with my family!

Life Group Halloween party with Bear, Faith & Alex!

Faces painted for Bear's Project with Alexis & Ali!

 Genn, Faith and I celebrating fiesta style for Amanda's 21st birthday!

Taking selfies at World Mandate with Michael, Brandon, TJ & Jonathan! 

This just about wraps it all up. I can't wait to write about all the adventures in life I'll get to experience and all of the new ways I am shown God's love and beauty.

With love,