WOW!

It's been almost a week since I last posted something. This week has been crazy, but good! It was the last week of classes! Thank goodness! I only have 3 more finals standing between me and summer now!

This year has been a crazy one for sure. I've had to deal with a lot of stuff going on. But, as I think that this semester is almost over, it's kinda bittersweet. I won't see some of these people again until school starts! :(

We had the last gathering of The Well Wednesday. I will most definitely always remember that. I remember last year's last Well service. We were singing "With Everything" by Hillsong. It was super intense! This year, however, we were singing "With Everything" and the fire/emergency alarm was going off and there was basically a tornado going on outside. We didn't even realize what was going on until after the song. Everyone was singing at the top of their lungs and the band was playing. The people did see them going off thought i was Aimee taking pictures or just part of the stage. Haha. It was crazy good!

The only bad part about Wednesday was that because of the storms we had to leave like right after the service. Normally, we all hang out and chit chat for awhile, but not this past Wednesday. We had to grab our Dunkin' Donuts and bust it out of there. I didn't really think about it at the time, but that was probably the last time of the year that I would some of those people. :(

Yesterday, I went to Coalition for the last time. Thursday before work I had made the kids cupcakes. 48 in all! It was so sad to leave, even though yesterday was absolutely crazy. The kids were going nuts after they ate the cupcakes, which didn't make any sense because they were sugar-free! I had to make them sugar-free so one little boy who is diabetic could eat one. I love those kids so much. They are so precious!

Last night was Jam for Japan! Talk about fun!!!! Jeff Fyke, Heather and Kelcie, Ricky Hilton, Down South Disciples, and Curtis performed! It was an excellent night of fellowship and worship! I won a free Curtis t-shirt! I was pumped! If you don't know who Down South Disciples are, go check them out. They're Christian rappers and their lyrics are legit! "Satan got hit with an ugly stick, and it's called the CROSS!!" Oh and while you're at it, check out the Curtis band!!! AHHHHH!!! Love them!! I think we raised $700 for Japan and $100 for the East Tennessee Red Cross to help those affected by recent storms through the area!

We all ended the night at Mid City. So much fun! Keely and I shared the bacon cheddar fries. I'm proud to say we finished them.....ALL!!! Haha. It was a great time to hang out with everyone before some people go home!

 I am moving back up in July! WOOHOO!!! I am so excited and ready! I found out this week my Papaw is giving Sarah and I a bunch of furniture so that's fantastic!

Oh, glorious day!

This weekend started off horrible. I decided not to go this weekend, mostly because my dad had to work and I needed to work as much as I could. Little did I realize that this would be the hardest/best weekends in a while.

Friday wasn't so bad.....I went to class, went to work, and came home to do some homework. But, I was so bored! Everyone went home this weekend. I had no one to hang out with or anything. I was forced to do homework. I switched with someone Saturday, so I could get some more hours. I worked a 8 hour shift! Woohoo! I was kinda excited. That just means more money for the apartment! Haha.

Speaking of work....I really like the people I work with. Saturday we were super slow, so we were just talking and hanging out. It was nice. Afterwards, Jessica and I went to Cookout in our awesome Zaxby's attire to get milkshakes. We had a plan of staying just 10 minutes. Well, we looked at the clock and it was midnight....oops.

Sunday started off awful which is crazy. It's the day we celebrate Christ conquering the grave! You think I would've been jumping for joy? It was my first Easter away from my family. My family doesn't really do anything for Easter. We never really have. We usually just go to church and come home. But, the fact I wasn't there really hurt. Not to mention, I had plans after church and they were ruined. I was devastated. I even thought about driving home after church and just leaving later tonight. Crazy, right?

Well, anyway. I hate I was in a bad mood at church. I couldn't really get into it. I just kept thinking about how I wasn't home. I almost didn't even go. I thought I was going to be sitting by myself. Luckily, Ioana and Michael were there. So, I wasn't by myself. I'm pretty sure they could tell I was upset. I went home after church, still super upset, and Ioana called me and invited me to go over to Michael's to eat lunch and paint eggs. I was so happy!

Ioana is Romanian by the way. So, she decided to show Michael and I some Romanian traditions on Easter. We had to have deviled eggs along with our lunch of grilled chicken, roasted corn, bread, and potatoes. YUM! I had no problem with the deviled eggs. I love them. But, she made them weird. I was so uneasy about eating them. THEY WERE SOOOO GOOD!! Apparently, deviled eggs are essential to a good Easter dinner in Romania. Then, we painted (literally) eggs. I had never painted eggs before, but it was super fun! Mine had little flowers on it. Super cute! Apparently, another tradition in Romania is to play a game with your eggs. You try to crack the other person's egg and if you do you are the Egg King. Well, mine was disqualified before we even started. I dropped mine while painting it. Of course. Needless to say, Michael's won, mohawk and all.

I came home, and Titantic was on. What a perfect way to end the day! I love that movie! Did I do any of my other homework or study? Of course not. But, hey! It is the LAST week of classes! Finally!

Basically, what started as a bad day, ended up to be one of the best days in awhile. This was definitely an Easter to remember! Thank you Jesus for conquering the grave! :)

It's Friday....

It’s Friday,

Jesus is praying.

Peter’s a sleeping.

Judas is betraying.

But Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday,

Pilate’s struggling.

The council is conspiring.

The crowd is vilifying.

They don’t even know

That Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday,

The disciples are running

Like sheep without a shepherd.

Mary’s crying.

Peter is denying.

But they don’t know

That Sunday’s a comin’!

It’s Friday,

The Romans beat my Jesus.

They robe Him in scarlet.

They crown him with thorns

But they don’t know

That Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday,

See Jesus walking to Calvary.

His blood dripping.

His body stumbling.

And His spirit’s burdened.

But you see, it’s only Friday

Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday,

The world’s winning.

People are sinning.

And evil’s grinning.

It’s Friday,

The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands

To the cross.

They nail my Savior’s feet

To the cross.

And then they raise Him up,

Next to criminals.

It’s Friday,

But let me tell you something,

Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday,

The disciples are questioning

What has happened to their King.

And the Pharisees are celebrating

That their scheming

Has been achieved.

But they don’t know

It’s only Friday

Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday

He’s hanging on the cross

Feeling forsaken by His Father,

Left alone and dying.

Can nobody save Him?

Ooooh

It’s Friday

But Sunday’s comin’!

It’s Friday

The earth trembles.

The sky grows dark.

My King yields His spirit.

It’s Friday

Hope is lost.

Death has won.

Sin has conquered,

and Satan’s just a laughing.

It’s Friday.

Jesus is buried.

A soldier stands guard,

And a rock is rolled into place.

But it’s Friday.

It is only Friday

Sunday is a comin’!

I may go crazy....

I live in Buc Ridge, apartments on campus through housing. Well, you would think for the amount of money I pay by semester they would be pretty quiet, right? WRONG. Like right now, for example, I am hearing my upstairs neighbors run a marathon. For real, guys? It's almost 11 at night calm it down. I guess that's better than hearing my downstairs music in my room at 2 in the morning. Basically, I'm ready to move out. I can honestly say that I have never been so ready for a semester to be over before. I don't know if it's because it's almost time for me to move into my new apartment which is off campus or what, but I am ready for summer. 

The countdown begins... 

I only have 3 tests, a presentation, two papers, and 3 finals left till I'm home sweet home. Thinking about all I have to get done this week and next is enough to send anyone into a mental institution. Next week is "dead week" which is also known as "hey, we're going to cram everything and anything into this week and make everything due this week!" So, this may or may not be my last blog for awhile. 

Just to put things into perspective for ya....I went to Barns and Noble Saturday for 4 and half hours working on homework. Today, I was there for 3 hours studying. I don't know what it is about Barns and ?noble, but when I am there, I am in the zone. I can get so much done. When I'm in the library, I fall asleep. When I'm in my apartment, I get distracted. Barns and Noble is just my study place. No joke. I do feel bad though. Every time I go, I never buy anything. I'm pretty sure the people that work there know me as "the girl who just comes here to study and never buys anything." Haha. 

On the plus side, I am finally starting Crazy Love. So far it's amazing. I went to the VA yesterday and sat under a tree and read for like 2 hours. It was so nice to just relax and read. I'm on chapter 4. I love it, so far!

Trust.....

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"

Proverbs 3:5

Wow. Ok. Do you ever have those moments when you feel like God kinda slaps you in the face? Not literally, but you know what I mean? Like, he says, "HEY! LOOK!" And, all of a sudden you're like WOW! Well, that most definitely happened last night at The Well. 

Some of you know I have a A LOT of financial struggles right now. Well, I have tried everything in my power to fix it. I have been to the bank. I have been to the financial aid office. I have basically been everywhere. No joke. Last night at The Well, the message was about Jesus' entry to Jerusalem just a couple of days before the cross. God is a magnificent planner. Jesus' entry was extremely planned. 

For example, Jesus entered on a donkey. Luke 19:29. It had been prophesied that the Messiah was going to ride a donkey in Zachariah 9:9. Just think about this donkey for a moment. Luke 19 tells us that it had never been ridden before. Now, it was going to carry Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus, the man who was carrying all of your and mine sins on his shoulders. WOW! Next,  Jesus entered the city on Lamb Selection Day which was the families would pick out a lamb to sacrifice for the Passover. John 1:29 tells us that John called Jesus the Lamb of God. Final point, Jesus entered from the East. It had been prophesied that the Messiah would come from the East. DOUBLE WOW! 

Now, the people in the city thought that Jesus was coming to save them from the Romans, not save them eternally. Could you imagine how Jesus felt? Here He was, coming to save His people completely and they were too worried about what was going on in the city and not what He was actually doing. The scriptures actually says Jesus wept over the city. 

This got me thinking.....if Jesus wept over the people not getting the big picture of why He was there, He probably is sadden when I don't see the picture and doubt or get frustrated or worry about things that don't go my way. I have the hardest time trusting God with the simplest things, especially here recently. I honestly feel like that is one thing God is really teaching me right now to just trust in Him. I feel like He's telling me, "Stacie, I've got this. I love you. I'm not going to let anything go wrong. Trust me with it." And, I'm basically telling Him, "No. I got this," which totally breaks His heart. 

So this is my challenge to you and especially myself. Trust God with everything. He sees the big picture. Not us. Thank goodness. It's going to be rough. It's not going to be easy, but He will take care of us! 

 "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:14

Sidenote: If you are going to be on ETSU's campus tomorrow night, come to the amphitheater for The Well's Concert of Worship! It's going to be an amazing night!  

Technology....

I find it hilarious that my dad calls me about the simplest things Like right now, I am trying to explain to him how to open an e-mail with an attachment. Something so simple, right? Apparently not.

I love him, but come on....this is literally a 30 minute conversation about how to open a file. Oh my geeze. Isn't it crazy how something that we think is so simple can be so difficult to someone else?!

Anyways! Yesterday at church, we had two missionaries come from Mexico and talk about the boy's home that they have started there. I was interested. As some of you know, I feel like God is really calling me to have a career in medical missions. I e-mailed the lady right after I got home to talk to her about possibly interning with them next summer! I feel like this is a major door God has opened for me! I'm excited to see what God has in store for me coming up. Like I mentioned, this will be next summer simply because of funds and stuff, but I definitely think it may be a possibility that I will be going to Mexico for the summer of 2012!

www.shmius.org   <--- Check this out!

Oh goodness....

Basically, this week has been horrible. Have you ever just been in one of those moods all week and you just can't get over it? Like nothing seems to go your way? You fall, you run out of gas, you realize you did a paper wrong, you don't a paycheck like you thought you would......something along those lines? Well, that's been this week. Luckily, tomorrow is Friday and even though I have to work all weekend, I'm so happy this week will be over.

Out of all the bad stuff this week though, there has been some good. Like, I think I have a solution to my financial problems with all this extra nursing stuff I have to get. I'm really liking my job so far. Day Without Shoes went good. We have a Toms Club on campus! Guess who's a new member?! And, The Well Wednesday night was absolutely amazing!

You know those moments when you're worshiping and you just get completely lost? Well, I most definitely had one Wednesday. I couldn't even begin to tell you all the songs we sung. I was so into them. It was amazing. I definitely needed it. I've noticed that regardless of how my week is going, Wednesdays are always my good days of the week. :) My absolute favorite days of the week for sure!

YOU make beautiful things out of dust....

Last night was The Well's annual fundraising ban was Splendor much like the ministry team retreat at the beginning of the year. The key verse was Isaiah 61:3 "......They will be oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."

At the banquet, there was a video that had been made with interviews from some of us. It was so encouraging to see some of friends on the video being so transparent and real with the people there about some of the things they have went through and where Christ has brought them. Then, my faced popped up on the screen. It said "Being lukewarm and striving for acceptance from the world.....Now, I know I am strong in Jesus and strive for Him!" I would've never thought last year that I would be saying that. As some of you know, I became a Christian at a very young age basically because that's what everyone else was doing. I never knew what it meant to really have a relationship with Jesus. I would go to church and everything but I would live my own life. I thought going to church was just something I was supposed to do. In high school, I started to going to my old church back home and I remember recommitting my life. I still was completely living my own life though. I never really understood what was the big deal. I just knew I was going to Heaven. I was content with that.

When I came to ETSU, I went down the wrong path my first semester and some of my second semester....parties, clubbing, etc. I figured I'm in college, I'm away from home for the first time.....I'm going to live it up. I would still go to bible studies on Mondays and go to The Well on Wednesdays, but again I would just go because my friends were going or something. I never cared about anything else.

February 2010 was when I hit rock bottom. My grandmother passed away. Then, a week later my stepfather passed away. I was so angry. I was depressed. I lost faith. I would not go anywhere. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to quit. I thought there was no point in trying so hard anymore. I didn't understand why this happened to my family. It was one obstacle after another. I thought my family would never be happy again. I stopped hanging out with friends and going to The Well and bible study.  Luckily, God has placed some amazing friends in my life that were encouraging me and showing me Christ's love through their actions. They would push me to go with them.

I gave in one Wednesday and went with them. That particular Wednesday was about lukewarmness. I never really understood what it meant. I knew I wasn't lukewarm, but it turns out I was the definition of lukewarm. That night I officially really recommitted my life to Jesus and decided that from now I wouldn't strive after worldly things and acceptance from people I would strive after Jesus!

I have lost some friends. I have faced trials. But, I know that God is in control. He sees the whole picture, not me. I still struggle, by no means am I perfect. But, God is teaching me daily to just trust and rely on Him and not my own ways.

So, anyway. Last night's main song was "Beautiful Things" by Gungor. If you haven't heard this song, check it out. The simple truths in it are amazing and so encouraging. I think it definitely describes each person that talked or was on the slideshow or the video last night. God is making us beautiful through Him. He is making us new. We were dust. But, He makes us into something beautiful. While I look back on my life before Christ, I realize now just how hard He was pulling at me through friends, mentors, everything. It's amazing! So, I just want to say in closing thoughts.....God can make anything new. He strives toward you. Trust in Him. He is more satisfying than anything else, I know from experience!

"All around, Hope is springing up from this old ground.

Out of chaos life is being found in You.

You make beautiful things.

You make beautiful things out of the dust.

You make beautiful things.

You make beautiful things out of us!"