You make me new,
You are making me new.

The Horizon

On the Horizon of summer I feel adventure flowing through my veins and God living inside my heart. I do not know what the future of these next two months holds but I do know that my God is faithful and He will use me according to His purpose and plan. How exciting!!!

I am so excited. Tomorrow I will be starting my journey, meeting fresh faces, and standing up for loving Jesus. How beautiful and wonderful! In Ecclesiastes Solomon writes how there is a time for everything under the sun, this is my time. God brought me this far to help me to keep going. This is the summer He knew He wanted me at JAX. I do not have a reason why but I have learned you don't always need a reason.

Truly. The life I live is extraordinary. I am thankful and I trust you Lord with my heart and my life. Guide me this summer, allow me to be vulnerable, and help me to be encouraged and encourage others.

I love you Lord. Watch over me in JAX.
Love, Brittany

Josh Wilson - Before The Morning

Josh Wilson - Before The Morning Lyrics

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you?

If there's a God who loves you where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see

And all those things are happening to bring a better ending

Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing?

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends

And you know where you're going

You just don't know how you'll get there so say a prayer

And hold on 'cause there's good for those who love God

But life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time

But you'll see the bigger picture

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still have a reason to sing?

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

Yeah, yeah, before the morning

Yeah, yeah

Once you feel the weight of glory

All your pain will fade to memory

Once you feel the weight of glory

All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory, yeah

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still got a reason to sing?

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would you dare, would you dare to believe

That you still got a reason to sing?

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Come on, you gotta wait for the light

Press on and just fight the good fight

'Cause the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the hurt before the healing

Oh, the pain that you've been feeling

It's just the dark before the morning

Yeah, yeah, before the morning

Yeah, yeah, before the morning

The Signs

God, You keep giving me all these signs of Your presence and peace. It truly is unreal and it just makes me WANT to know You better. Tonight when mom shared with me that Grandma had been having dreams of her mother coming to pick her up a couple days before she died it just clarified the image I had received after hearing about Grandma's death and the way she went to Heaven after hearing that song.

I have told so many people that I just see this beautiful image of Grandma's mother out reaching her hand and taking her home. I never understood why I thought that but I did. God truly works in the most mysterious ways and the signs ARE there.

I still look in my baby book, just to verify the dates. They are always the same--February 23rd and November 5th. And every time I reflect on this significance I cry. There are 365 days in a year. What are the odds. It was not by random chance. God knew He had to get through to me somehow. I really do feel like God has a big purpose for my life.

I am finding such joy in sharing my story. Yes, it is still difficult but at the same time I have learned that crying is perfectly okay. I want to share. I want others to be encouraged by me.

The signs are there. I see them. I know God, You are real. Thank You for loving me, ALWAYS.

Tell Grandma, and everyone else hi!

Someday.
Love, Brittany

I remember.

When I feel alone,
I remember God is with me.
When I feel unloved,
I remember no one can ever love me more than God.
When I need a friend,
I remember God is always ready to listen.
When I don't understand,
I remember God doesn't always want us too.
When I see the bad,
I remember God is using it for my good.
When I wish my circumstances were different,
I remember God knows what He is doing.
When I wake up in the morning,
I remember to thank God for another day.
When I go to sleep,
I remember to pray.
When I am confused,
I remember to look to God for guidance.
When I am hurt,
I remember God will always fix my brokenness.
When I want to cry,
I remember that God comforts me.
When I laugh,
I remember to acknowledge the joy of life.
When life gets too busy,
I remember to spend time alone with God.
When I want to be in control of my life,
I remember that that's not possible without God's say.
When I feel defeated,
I remember God brings trials to bring triumphs.
When I want to give up,
I remember God never gives up.
When I don't know what to do,
I remember to pray.

I remember that God is in control of my life. He will provide, give me the desires of my heart, and use my life to glorify Him. I will trust Him always.

"And we know that ALL things work together for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Love,
Brittany

Coffee Shop Dreams

As I write to you while sitting in Panera it is a slow realization that I am enjoying being completely by myself in this place, spending time with God and thinking. Two things that in the midst of my chaotic life I know that I don't spend enough time doing.

Just being.

Lately, I have felt my heart have such joy and zeal for life. Such hope in a future unknown. It is scary but it is exciting. I love all the new people I am meeting and can't wait to see how they influence me in the years to come.

As I sit here I am of course people watching. There are so many people in this weird world we live in and sometimes I just wish I could meet them all. Silly dream to have I know. But I do hope that I can find a way to leave a legacy on the few that I will get to encounter in my lifetime.

The verse that I want to focus on today is "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 ---While life is constantly changing around me, God, You stay consistent and the same. The stability that I need to get me through changing seasons.

Thank You.
Love,

Brittany

Changing Seasons

I feel like I have been avoiding writing this entry. Not because I don't want too, or that it hasn't constantly been on my heart, but I think because sometimes it's surreal for me to face reality. Here I find myself again, changing seasons.

As doors close, friendships end, love is lost, and life is forcing change on me; I find myself almost sickly satisfied. I am a person who thrives on adventure but enjoys having stability. It's always been a love/hate relationship. I remember my last day of high school, naturally me being the emotional being I am, cried. I cried because it was over. It was like a perfect relationship that had to end for no reason. The life, person, and everything I had worked for the past 4 years I had to leave. What would be my identity? Well here I am again, only 4 years later and a lot more life experiences under my belt. Yet, I can't help but recognize the season changing.

I can not decide if I am happy or sad that this season is over for me. College has been full of good and bad. A lot of lessons learned and overall I am thankful for how God has shown me things throughout these years. I am thankful for the people He has blessed me with that He knew would be part of my story.

My story.

I suddenly just smiled. My story is still not finished. This is just a chapter and I think I feel sickly satisfied to be able to turn the page, this time with God's help. He definitely had to work for my heart but it is His!!! His love is the best. Yesterday I randomly opened my Bible like I love to do because God is always speaking to me.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, the I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

I JUST LOVE THIS. Seriously, it may be one of my life verses. When I reflect on everything my heart has been through to reach this point I just kinda laugh and say really God?! But I know it was the only way He would fully get my attention. I am still weak and everyday I get a little bit stronger. I still make mistakes and I know I am not perfect. But the beauty in all that is admitting it too others.

I want to share my story. I want to be vulnerable and expose my weaknesses. I want to keep on loving God every day and following His word and will for my life. I want to forgive and learn to love like God. I want others to see the Holy Spirit in me.

I have a long ways to go, but I have come a long ways.
Thank you God for a beautiful day. As I watch this season change I honestly can't wait to trust You and see what You have in store for me in my next season. A season where I hold Your hand.

Love,
Brittany