numero uno
Alright. Here goes nothing!
I love to write. I have always found that I am able to convey my thoughts better on paper than speaking them aloud. I am able to backtrack, plan, and organize my thoughts; completely free to illustrate whatever I want. I have always had an affinity for words and the power that they hold, and I think that that is the reason my mind is riddled with endless narration. There is always something to say. And luckily for you, I love to talk.
At this very moment, I am 18 years, 9 months, and 29 days old (what?!). I am a Freshman at Baylor University, which means the next four years (at least) are going to be spent cultivating a life here in Waco. And so far, the past 6 months have been the best of my entire life!!!!! Jesus has suffused my life- every aspect of it- with an abundance of JOY and His faithfulness has become more prevalent in my life than ever. Who am I to be worthy of a life this good? Who am I that He is mindful of me? And yet, He is.
Gratitude. A word that barely grazes the surface of the plethora of emotions I am feeling.
In the past six months, I have learned more about myself- and Jesus- than I ever had known. I learned just how much one is able to miss their parents (hi mom and dad, i miss you), how to fit multiple bags of sweet potato fries in a mini fridge, that I shouldn’t leave my phone on top of my car, how much I love being alone and in my own company, just how much worship means to me in developing an intimate relationship with the Lord, how my love language is most definitely quality time, how much I love HBCWaco, how my voice will only last through 3 “Enchanted” replays before my vocal chords give out, and how just how hard I love others.
Within my time here at Baylor, I have already been so blessed with relationships I can only attribute to divine intervention. These are relationships I have prayed for my entire life, filled with love that I am just learning to understand. And as I look each of them in the face, I see Jesus more and more. Abbie’s kindness. Charlie’s selflessness. Daniel’s constant joy. Ally’s genuine spirit. Kylie’s patience. Kate’s free-spirit. Anne Barrett’s ability to listen. Jeremy’s self-discipline. Morgan’s peacefulness. Juliana’s intentionality. Charlotte’s humor. Emi’s friendliness. Linnea’s consistency. Joya’s loving nature. Each of them pushes me equally towards the Lord. And oh how I have prayed for them. I have become friends with my ceiling with how much I’ve thanked the Lord for them. Again, who am I to be worthy? I’ve fallen in love with each of their souls, unconditionally and irrevocably.
With the little life that I have, I’ve begun to love documenting it by taking pictures and small clips of my favorite people. Looking back at those small moments, I am able to see how the Lord has answered my prayers. The community I am able to surround myself with here in Waco is the primary reason I have been able to make a home here. Although I do miss the people that have formed me into the person I am today, I am grateful for the ways the Lord has been revealing His goodness to me everyday. Each small blessing is a testament of the Lord’s faithfulness. Whether that be walking to class in the rain, hammocking with friends, spontaneous dance parties, family dinners on Sunday nights, small breakfast meetings, or notes from sweet friends, I've learned to be more present in the little, fleeting moments. Moments that I can look back on and see Jesus within. Before I came to Baylor, I was so terrified of not finding a home here. The leap of faith that I took required me to take refuge in the Lord and rest in his perfect peace. It required me to be still, and know… and thirst for more of Jesus.
Psalm 42:1-2 states “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
More and more, I find myself thirsting for the living water that God offers. I thirst for His heart and character. I strive for His delights to become my own. And as I walk into my second semester, I pray that His goodness will continue and that His face will be revealed in the hearts of those I cherish most. After all, it is the little things.
And now, you’re all caught up with where I am in my life, and just about all the characters that you will read about. I think that you will love them just as much as I do.
Until next time,
Liberty
