some people just make you happy

If there is one thing that I learned this year, it is the fact that some people are put in your life on purpose, by divine intention alone. It is not any of our doing. There is no amount of kindness or charisma that draws people to one another. It is seriously the Lord’s doing, and His alone.

This year, the Lord has blessed me with the most amazing community. A community of people that I have prayed my entire life for. People that stretch me. People that challenge me. People that I study with, as well as worship alongside. People who invest in who I am, whether that be academically, emotionally, socially, or spiritually. People that pray with me and over me. People that I am able to go to when I need help, or advice, or simply a well deserved fit of laughter. I have the people for it. 

When I look at the community that I have now, it is not the people that I began the year with; however, the Lord intricately wove so many invisible strings together to create the community I have today. 

Placing a couple of dorm rooms right above and below one another turned into an inseparable group of penland girls. Juliana, Morgan, Emi, Linnea, Ellie, Joya, Abbie, Charlotte, and I. 9 of us who gather for each other's birthdays, dinner parties, movie nights, study dates, and dance parties. 

Ally, Kylie, and AB became people who I both worship and pray alongside. They invest in me and challenge me in ways that I never thought possible. They have taught me what fellowship and joy look like. Whether that be talking until midnight about the ways the Lord speaks to us or icing gingerbread houses while in hysterics, they have taught me what true friendship looks like. 

My roommates: Liz, Abbie, and Anna, are constants in my life. People who are capable of making me double over in laughter. People who console me, people who allow me to process my feelings out loud (for hours), and people who deal with my snorting laughter while they process theirs. Cheers! To many more birthday set ups in the middle of the night, edamame dinners, feral cats in our driveway, and singing into kitchen utensils. 

Lauren: a person who loves me unconditionally. The woman who disciples me. The woman who challenges me, prays over me, and asks me the hard questions. She is so representative of the Lord’s love and His character. The fact that I only met her this year is mind boggling. After almost a year of bi-weekly meetings, her mentorship in my life has been a catalyst for my spiritual growth. (I am eternally grateful for Lauren Daniels). 

MY CG!!!!! Girls that I brag on. People who challenge me every week with their insight and wisdom. I learn just as much from them as I do from Tina. A place that fosters both vulnerability and truth. A place where sin is confessed and hands are layed. A place where the power of prayer is believed in and fellowship is created. A place where we laugh and also read scripture. A place where a Hannah McCrory quotebook exists. 

Christina. My Tina! A woman I want to be like when I am older. And to think, I have only known her for nine months? Madness! She is truly the most loving and intentional person I have ever met. She exudes the character of the Lord in all that she does. She pushes me in ways that I have never been pushed before. She is a leader and a light in every situation. Her wisdom is something the Lord rewards her with, by her efforts to know Him fully. I learn so much from her. I have never asked Tina to disciple me, but she does every day in the way she represents Christ to me. 

My job!! A Baylor Tour Guide. A group of people I never thought I would find community in. A place that surprised me and surpassed all of my expectations. It started off as a job I knew I needed, conveniently located on campus. Yet, it has turned into a place where there is a daily opportunity to share the Gospel on every tour I give. An opportunity to reflect the Lord’s character that is so deeply ingrained in every aspect of Baylor. People that make me laugh harder than ever and people who will certainly be in my wedding one day. An office of student workers that adopted me into their workplace family. 

I've learned, this year more than ever, that some people have strings that have always been tied to you. Whether that be having the same stuffed animal growing up, the same middle name, the same Intro to Astronomy class, or the same interests; there are just some people the Lord intended to be there. People who teach me the importance of dying to self on a daily basis. People whose names you wait to appear on your screen. People the Lord knows you need. Paths cross according to the Lord’s plan and the Lord’s timing. There are strings that you can't force to happen and people you have to wait for. However, the ways strings have been tied this year is something that I am infinitely grateful for. 

Each person, both in Frisco and in Waco, has been so intentionally woven into my life. Showing me what it looks like to be fully known and fully loved. They are an imprint of the character of the Lord; where I am truly known and loved. Each person showing me daily what it looks like to be loved with the pride of a Father, in the light of His Son. All of whom push me in aiming towards a greater consecration, purity, and joy of the Lord daily.

And ya know, some people just make you happy. Like really really happy. 

revolving disk:

orange blood - mt. joy

what love is - zimmer90

use somebody - kings of leon 

invisible string - taylor swift

renegade - big red machine ft. taylor swift

high tops - del water gap 

next to you - john vincent iii

the archer - adam melchor 

sparks - coldplay

white teeth - ryan beatty

big jet plane - angus & julia stone

paralyzer - finger eleven 

my hero - foo fighters

booster seat - spacey jane