Fast Forward

Where did the time go? One minute I was moving into my apartment and now I am sitting at home on Thanksgiving break...

I guess some big updates for those of you who might read this: I am staying in school an extra year, there is a possibility I could be going to Costa Rica for this summer for a biology course at my university, and possibly Alasksa do to research with the lab I currently do undergraduate research in. There's a lot going on in my life academically and I am really trying to consider every opportunity that comes my way. Another thing I'm really excited for is a relief trip with my university that I am going on over Christmas break to the Gulf Coast for rebuilding! I think it's a great way to spend a break and I can't wait to meet people and help them with anything down there. We'll be gone for a week, and then it's back to school.

I don't really have any pensive thoughts to give but I do want to share this song that reminded me of my relationship with Jesus, and how incredibly in love He is with each and every one of us. Everytime we chose other things, we reject His love, we reject the one who has been infatuated with us even before we came into being. I think it is so mind-blowing how God formed us and made us, and He wants a relationship with us...a relationship of love and our acknowledgement of His unending pursuit for our hearts to become His.

"My Love Hasn't Grown Cold"

BETHANY DILLON

You shake your head

What is so hard to believe?

When you are in your bed

I sing over you the sweetest things

~

Because oh, my love does not tire

I'm awake when the moon is full

And I know the times when you feel lost

And you just aren't sure

~

Lo and behold

My love hasn't grown cold

For you

~

You could steal away in the middle of the night

And hide in the light of day

While you cloak yourself in the darkest lies

~

But oh my love, it swims in the deepest oceans of fear

And as soon as you lower your head

I am here

~

Lo and behold

My love hasn't grown cold

For you

~

If only you could see

How heaven stills when you speak

I know all your days

And I have wrapped you in mystery

~

And oh, my love for you

Is as wide as the galaxies

Just hold out your hand and close your eyes

And come be with me

~

Lo and behold

My love hasn't grown cold

For you

~

I just want to hold out my hand. Close my eyes. And be with You.

Just a quicky

I'm moving into my new apartment Saturday!!! I'm so excited but the preparations are killing me. Packing up my life for a move takes a while. School starts in a little over a week and I couldn't be more excited to get back into the routine of things.

Just wanted to give a little news about what's going on these days...I must return to the boxes!

Time Flies

I'm sorry I have been so negligent of this tool to keep in touch with you. I have left you hanging while I was in Spain travelling around and having fun. It was so weird how simply you live over in Europe that I was doing just that...living instead of spending hours on computers and cell phones. I do hope that I can begin to fill you in of my experiences as I start to write in this blog again.

I just returned from Colorado last week from Crooked Creek Ranch, a YoungLife camp in Fraser, CO. We drove a bus all the way from Greensboro, NC to Colorado and it took us two days. On the way, we stopped in St. Louis, MO to watch the 4th of July Fireworks from beneath the arch. Camp was so great. We ended up being in the same exact cabin as last year, Phantom! God was so present up in the Rockies, whether it was in the muddy obstacle course where the girls had to protect their leaders (Me, Whitney and Taylor), or in Western Night. Ken "Tank" Tankerson was a great speaker who related to everyone on such a great level. I wouldn't trade that week for anything.

Returning to Raleigh is strange. It took me forever to unpack from Spain, let alone from college in May. I had piles and piles of things in my room stacked up from when I left the dorms that laid there while I was in Spain and in Colorado. It's been different trying to adjust and plan for next semester, moving into a new apartment. Lately, I've been reading about Personal Finance and Budgeting (For Complete Idiots) and have been trying to organize my life financially and materially for my move in August. I am excited to be out on my own and have a room of my own at school and live with two of my good friends. Growing up is coming fast, I turn 20 in a week. Although I am thankful for my "safety net" my family provides, it is a bit scary to realize that this summer has almost come to a close and I soon will enter my junior year of college.

To see a work in progress, pictures of my whirlwind summer, please visit this link and enjoy! And again, sorry for the wait for the update...

Rachel's Pictures

I'm glad to be back! :)