ReCap.

It's crazy how much time has passed since I was last ranting about my life here. ...It feels like it's been years, but it was actually just a couple short weeks jam-packed with all sorts of happenings.

Countdown Re-Cap:

10. Visit to Columbia to see my beautiful sister and brother-in-law. Love them.
9. Last day of work at PBK. Undeniably sad.
8. Packing up and saying goodbye to my dear, beloved, non-UNC friends.
7. Move-(back)-in Day! Crazy, chaotic, hectic, and sweaty, but well worth it.
6. Hillsong United concert. Best. Night. Ever. (Third row seats, nbd)
5. Fall Fest! 600+ clubs crammed onto South Rd for the ultimate in free-give-aways.
4. Classes started. ...Boring, but interesting.
3. Class schedule change-a-roo. Always necessary and unavoidable.
2. Hoedown (hurricane) Throwdown. Cowboy boots, square dancing, and all things western.
1. Another year older. ...Starting off another year of school and a whole new decade of life.

A lot has happened, but I am so thrilled to be back at school with my fun friends, awesome ministries, beautiful campus, and (though I'll regret this in a week,) interesting classes. Praying that this next year to come is full of laughter, joy, and growth for His kingdom in immeasurable ways!

Follow

Follow from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

I Have Decided

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

No turning back, No turning back

Getting baptized this morning alongside 1,425 others?
Best. Decision. Ever.
Praise GOD!

This morning, I woke up and (on a "whim") headed to Elevation Church for their early service on my own. I had my entire day planned out (Elevation, Church at Charlotte, lunch, work, yadda yadda yadda), but little did I know, God had quite a different agenda.

The first worship song at Elevation started and my eyes were watering. ...I was already emotional from simply being in the presence of our Almighty Creator. Something was different. Then Steven Furtick started his sermon off by saying "You're getting baptized today. You came here dry, but you're leaving wet." I was afraid to admit it, but deep down I knew he was talking to me. I had been contemplating an adult baptism for the past year but I had always thought I'd do it in the fall so all my friends could be there, and so I could continue putting it off. As usual, God scrapped my plans and handed me His list, to which I had a few qualms.

"But I wanted to wait for Summit so my friends could be there."

"This is not about your friends. It's about you and Me."

"But what about my family? My mom will be so upset if she misses this"

"Leave your father and mother and Follow Me."

"Fine. If I can still get to work on time this afternoon, then I'm all yours... I'm all out of excuses."

An hour later, Steven Furtick counted to 3 and I was off, sobbing the entire walk past cheering volunteers to get changed. Waiting in line to jump in the water tank I couldn't have been more excited- I could hardly write my name on the baptism card because of how much I was shaking. ...and the blurriness of my eyes from all those silly tears. Praise the Lord for His grace to allow me such an opportunity and then give me the courage to obey!

On my turn, they called my name, my mom shouted from the crowd (Yes, Jesus was gracious enough to bring her to see!), and I was dunked... Under went my old self, and out of the water came a Rockstar. I'm a different woman that sits behind this computer right now, after reading David Platt's Radical and now this outward proclamation of my faith. I'm ready to live radically for Jesus, giving everything I have for Him, including my reputation, no matter the cost- He is worth everything, and He deserves nothing less!

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." 

Matthew 10:39