A Year Later...Part 1

I've been wanting to start writing again for a while now, but every time I got close, I got overwhelmed by the amount of changes that have taken place since I last blogged. A year is a long time...and just about everything has changed. My life, my job, my location, my relationship status.. ;) I feel as though even I have changed; my plans, my dreams, it's funny how time does that. But somehow, even though everything I use to know feels as though it's slipping through my fingers, one thing remains unchanged, that is my God. He is still everything and that (even for a girl who isn't fond of change,) makes the changes a lot more peaceful.

To catch ya'll up on what my last year consisted of, here is a quick recap of the last 12 months...

March 2013:

The 2nd Vessels of Honor Program took place. God taught me a lot through both of my V.O.H. experiences. I'm very grateful that He gave me the opportunity to be apart of these young ladies' lives.

I visited Houston Texas with my friend Hannah Loo and her awesome family.

April, May, June, July 2013:

Once again God gave me the opportunity to work with young girls in TX, TN, CA, and IN at the home-school regional conferences throughout the summer. That was such a blessing! Some of my favorite life memories so far include having watched young girls ask Christ to be the Lord of their life while teaching in that program. :) I would be completely content if I could spend the rest of my life pointing young girls in the direction of the Lord.

 P.C.: Carleigh Watts

 P.C.: Jon Courville

June 2013:

I visited home to celebrate my 20th and my twin brothers 13th birthdays. 

July 2013:

Vacation with the family at Trout Lodge. :)

August 2013:

I had the undeserved privileged of traveling down to Florida to meet the Paine's grandma as her health was not doing well. I am so grateful that I was able to spend time with this family. :) Mrs Paine was a wonderful women of God, was so glad I was able to meet her before her passing.

September 2013:

I had been serving at a ministry in Chicago for a little over 3 years, and throughout 2013 I was seeking God on when His timing would be for me to move back to St Louis. He finally gave me the green light for the next chapter of my life, and I packed up and returned home. I am unable to explain how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve and most of all learn during those years, I do not regret a day of it. I was sad to leave, but so very excited about the direction my life was leading.

One of the greatest parts about serving in Chicago was meeting Thomas Paine. Which leads me to the biggest and perhaps greatest change of 2013. I began a relationship with him. I had a crush on Thomas since the moment I met him, and never did I think that God would allow Him to be so entangled in my life. However, three days after moving to Saint Louis, Thomas moved there as well. I have loved having him in my life and am looking forward to what God has planned for us in the future.

October 2013:

Chad and Erin Paines' wedding. <3 (My boyfriends brother and sister in law.)

 P.C.: Libby Zellon

P.C.: Asia Young

November 2013: 

Thanksgiving at the Paines! :) I love this family. They are super hospitable, every time I visit them, I hate leaving. 

 P.C.: Nate Paine

 December 2013:

Christmas at the Young's house!

Wow, this post has been long, I'll finish the rest of the year up in my next post. Thanks to anyone who read this far! I am sorry for taking such a long break from blogging. I'll do better in the future! :) 

In His Arms,

<3 D

It's the days...

It's the days that are the hardest...it's the days I feel the weakest...it's the days I realize it's never up to me.
It's the days I fall the farthest...it's the days that sting the strongest...it's the days I realize I'm not who I'm suppose to be.
It's on those days...
He is stronger...He is better...He is more than enough for me.
He is faithful...He's my redeemer...He's who He will always be.
It's on those days...
I will fall at the feet of my Lord, cause He is more than enough for me.
I will praise the name of  Jesus, cause He has sanctified me.

Happy Easter Everyone!

In His Arms,
<3 D
[Bond Slave to Jesus Christ]

Mexico

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Guadalajara Mexico for 9 days to attend a wedding! It was a great time to spend with friends. Here are some pictures from the trip. :)

May you all be blessed this Valentines Day!

In His Arms, 

<3 D

My God

My God does not abandon His own.

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
-Isaiah 43:2

My God is a Helper in time of need.

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
-Isaiah 41:10

My God is a Deliverer.

"Who hath delivered us from such a deadly peril and He will deliver us. On Him have we set our hope, that He may continue to deliver us."
-2 Corinthians 1:10

My God is a Savior.

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save..."
-Zephaniah 3:17

My God knows how to Love.

"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee."
-Jeremiah 31:3

My God is a Protector.

"The Lord your God which goeth before you, He shall fight for you..."
-Deuteronomy 1:30

My God is Big.

"Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth."
-Isaiah 40:26

My God is all you need.

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
-John 6:35

Be encouraged. He is everything.

In His Arms,
<3 D

Claiming Freedom

"You, my brothers, have been called to freedom..." ~ Galatians 5:13

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." ~Galatians 5:1

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us." ~2 Corinthians 1:8b-10


"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered by setting me free." ~Psalms 118:5

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." ~John 8:36

I am delivered. I am free. 

I will continually be delivered. I will live in freedom. 

In His Arms,

<3 D

Thanksgiving

    Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was able to go home for a few days to spend time with my family and friends. =) The days were spent, shooting riffles and arrows, "fishing", playing volleyball and Banana Peel, eating, talking, and just spending time together. I'm very grateful to my Tu-Tu for making the weekend possible. <3 Below are some pictures of my crazy-strange-fun family vacation. Can't wait to see ya'll over Christmas! 

Driving up to Trout Lodge on "Blood Alley" 

Watching the Mizzou-Texas A&M football game

My little sister and her boyfriend 

At Red Lobster, where my older sister works

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful that God gave me a family that can laugh at anything, ;)

(Including contents of pockets.) 

Grateful for Him and to Him.

In His Arms,

<3 D