3 Freaking Years Later.

There's a date on the inside cover of my Bible, "November 8, 2009." In all honesty I don't really remember why I wrote it down, I'd never done that before, but in hindsight I'm pretty darn glad I did.

Carly and I at Rockbridge in 2009

Three years ago a life saving friend, Carly, invited me to our high school's YoungLife fall weekend at Rockbridge literally days before the bus left. I was in a bit of a tough and friendless spot so I jumped on the idea of hanging out with some new girls for the weekend. That weekend was this same weekend three long years ago. And that weekend I sat in the club room and heard God described in a way I'd never heard before, heard about a God that I WANTED to love and be in a relationship with, so I did. Three years later thanks to lots of encouragement from the awesome people that surround me and hard work I'm proud to say that I've stuck with that relationship.

The neatest part about this particular anniversary is the opportunity I have next weekend. My YoungLife here at Tech is heading to Rockbridge on Friday to serve as the work crew for a Fall Weekend, my old high school's fall weekend none the less. Getting to return to the place where Christ changed my life, with some of the people who were there with me then, and serve other high schooler who are just like I was as they explore entering a relationship with Christ is just about one of the most exciting things I can think about doing. And this is only coincidence of timing is only the work of God, and I can't wait to see how he using all of this perfect timing to further his kingdom (:

November 8, 2009 was the start of the weekend that changed the path of my life forever, and I will be forever glad of the reminder I gave myself in my brand new Bible that weekend.

xoxo,
Abby

Ask. Listen. Yield.

Welcome to America. Where if it isn't fast and you aren't first the world might as well end. Yup, not a fan. My bible study has taken a few weeks to hang out with the amazing Beth Moore (via a DVD, meeting her in person would be totally awesome though!) and working through James chapter 3 - a pretty awesome book that I recommend taking a gander at. Thanks to Beth we've been learning about "The Good Life" and what that actually like with and through Christ.

The main aspect that stood out to me is that the good life is one with a track record of yielding. Holy heck what does that even mean?! Yield signs are a pretty sucky traffic sign (who actually yields at them...?) so that automatically makes me think this is gonna not be awesome. But then of course Beth Moore defined "yield." It's not to give up or give in but to give OVER to Christ.

So what does that mean? That means that our motivation for yielding is not the fear from the world will live in, but from the wisdom we have gained from above. James 3:17 says "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." In a sentence that is the essence of the wisdom we receive from our relationship with Christ.

Alright, so if you're anything like me you know what wisdom is supposed to look like, but how to actually attain it is a little fuzzy...well that's when we rejoice that God provided us with the Bible. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." Just ask! God's pretty great about that.

Once we have attained this awesome Godly wisdom we will be able to yield to the world around us. To be aware of those God brings into our path that need us to put them first and share His love with.

Ask for some wisdom, be aware, and employ some Godly yielding.

xoxo,
Abby

Election Day.

I am a 19 year old extremely uninformed voters who, in all honesty, debated not even voting tomorrow. Why? You might ask...1. It takes time and effort to get to my polling place and 2. I didn't feel like I would be able to make a good decision on who to vote for...the President is kind of a big deal! Basically I came to the realization that I was being a HUGE brat about the whole situation!! Dang.

I made the mistake of complaining about the "hassle" of voting while sitting between the most political kid I know and a future Marine officer...let me just tell you never to do that. After a short berating I realized how stupid not voting was. Thousands upon thousands of people; men, women, soldiers, civilians have all gone through hell through out history just so that weird little 19 year old me could drive to a church on Prices Fork Road to send in my vote. Dangggg. It's really intense when you think about how much work has gone into that short drive tomorrow.

So tonight I took some time, looked up platforms, and got as educated as one can the night before and election, and got stoked to be able to vote for the President for the first time. Cause it is a very big and awesome deal.

Take the time tomorrow to go out and have your voice heard!

xoxo,
Abby