A top secret mission

Last night, we celebrated brothers' appreciation. After a month of planning, preparing, and spamming with Facebook notifications, we finally got everything together. The theme was "secret agents" so we had so much fun making appropriate props and decorating the backyard of Nikki's house. For dinner, we made mac 'n cheese muffins {I made them before here}, onion rings, taquitos, and korean bbq. We had worship time, performances (ft. Christine & Nikki and Chang's dancers), top secret video, and games. It was incredibly fun decorating and planning...what a perfect way to end the last week of classes!

Thank you, guys for everything that you've done for us. Many of you have walked me home in the middle of the night, comforted me in times of complete sorrow and lifted me out of those times, walked to Bear Market with me because I was hungry, bought me food when I was hungry or sick, told me the truth about my haircut (Princess Nathan, this is for you), and carried pretty deep conversations with me.  Thank you for everything you all have done so far and in my mind, there is no doubt that we will grow unified even more in the next three years.

Rebirth: today is the day!

In the English dictionary, rebirth is defined as the process of being reincarnated or born again; the action of reappearing or starting to flourish or to increase after a decline; revival. When I think of baptism, I think of dying to my old self and shedding off my old ways. I think after six years of heavy inner struggle and battle, I'm finally ready to publicly declare my faith and the fact that I am His daughter. My identity is no longer found in my grades, future career and income, friendships, and relationships. All things, no matter how perfect they may seem at the moment, will change. God is forever the same in His constant and unwavering love, and I know all good things in my life was and is given by Him. Every good thing that comes out of my life is because of Him and FOR Him.

Whenever people say, "everything happens for a reason," I cannot help but think, "...because my God has a big plan for me and He has already written my life story." Only He knows all the little plans I had for myself. But everyday, He shows me something more - bigger and better. This entire semester, He's been shattering all the things on which I placed my identity to show me His ways: to seek Him first. Even worldly things that aren't "bad at all" become evil when I find my identity and worth in them because in reality, my worth is as His daughter. The more I lean on Him, the more I realize how sinful I was and am. I don't think I'll ever grasp the magnanimity of His love and grace, but I do know that it's exactly THAT love that has saved me and changed me. And everyday, I'm falling deeper in love with my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lover, my Rock.

Baptism does not cause regeneration and it's not a one time thing. So everyday, I will aim to die to myself and take up my cross daily to follow Him. (Luke 9:23-24) There are so many things that I'm still struggling with and so many things I must work on. Baptism is just my first baby step.

my beautiful family, all of whom are so fashionable :)

so happy! but so, so cold!

my friends make my heart soar.

half of my pledge sisters + pledge mom

livingwater ladies

the ten

happy baptism dinner!

A couple of my favorite lyrics (Love Came Down and Set a Fire):

"Love came down and rescued me

Love came down and set me free

I am Yours, I am forever Yours

Mountain high or valley low

I sing out, remind my soul

That I am Yours, I am forever Yours."

"No place I'd rather be

No place I'd rather be

No place I'd rather be

Than here in Your love, here in Your love

Set a fire down in my soul

That I can't contain that I can't control

I want more of You, God

I want more of You, God."

Life as of late, captured by my iPhone

a few things pictures :: ADX Preference Tea // sunflower from my lover // little girls selling lemonade on College Ave // my first banana rum scoop of Ici // history movie and nail polish fiesta // Valentine's card from the Livingwater brothers @ the banquet // freshmen retreat at prayer mountain

On a side note, freshmen retreat was an incredible blessing. I'm glad I decided to attend - I think this can go down in the books as a "life-changer." I don't think everything will be changed in a split second, but I know that things will get better in time and healing will take place. 

Love is in the air

...a couple days early!

Livingwater celebrated Valentine's Day with amazing food and company.

I learned to waltz and cha-cha with my ballroom dancer

What a great way to start off the weekend!

{the freshmen girls + photobombers in the back}