God Gave Me You

As I sat here thinking about how my life will change again in the next month and a half I was reminded of Blake Shelton's song God Gave Me You. Which led me to the letter of the day, F for Friends.

When I was leaving at the end of the summer for college I really wasn't ready because I was having to say goodbye to my family and new friends that I had grown so close to like Ernest. I wasn't ready to leave the city I had known for the past 18 years of my life but I knew that it was just the next step in my life.

When I first came to Baylor I was so excited because I already knew three friends there: Mary, Audrey and Margie. These girls have been with me through everything that's been going on this year as I've transitioned to college life and words can't express how much I miss Mary and how much I will miss Audrey and Margie when I leave for Trinity.

Then I met Miss Vanessa. Words again can't explain how much I love this girl. We gripe and complain about things together and go to happy hour at sonic together and I wouldn't trade her friendship for the world.

And last but not least there is my gorgeous roommate Ashley! We joke with each other and like all the same TV shows. It's great! Even though we get on each other's nerves sometimes we always love hanging out and joking around together.

All of these friends were placed in my life for the ups and downs and I know no matter what they will always be there for me. So never take your friends or family fore-granted. And as always, Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly.

Love,
Alicia
Micah 6:8

Temporary Home

Miranda Lambert's song, House That Built Me, related closely to the last portion of my senior year. The song talks about how she knows that she can never go back to the house she grew up in with all the memories that were made in it. This is very similar to me. Last April I found out I would be moving to Houston when I graduated high school because my dad's company was transferring his job there. However, family circumstances arose and today we still live in San Antonio. However, here very soon the move will take place.

It's definitely a weird feeling being at Baylor University and knowing that in a few short months I'll be going "home" on breaks to Houston and not back to San Antonio. On the one hand it's that time in my life to branch out and spread my wings but it's also nice to know that no matter what I can always go back to San Antonio on breaks.

I've made so many friends in SA that I don't want to lose. Friends that mean more to me than words can express and leaving them just seems impossible. But then I remember Carrie Underwood's song, Temporary Home.

It' reminds me that earth is our temporary home and that are real home is in Heaven with God. So in the end, where I live here on earth is not really important compared to my home that is waiting for me in Heaven. That thought makes this move a little easier to bear and gives me comfort that in the end God will place me where He wants me, I just have to trust in Him. So remember, trust in God continually; He will never leave you. And of course, Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly.

Love,
Alicia

Nothing Is Impossible

So it's official. I just finished my first week of classes for my freshman year at Baylor University. It's definitely been an interesting week. I walked into my first college class ever this past Monday at 8am. It was English 1302 and I had no idea what to expect. I obviously knew that the classes would be totally different and there would be higher expectations of me. But, I had no clue what I was about to get into.

This past week of school has been crazy busy. I've seriously spent almost all of my time studying..and it's only the first week. But that's when I got the idea for today's word: Perseverance.

It seemed like I had a never ending pile of homework this week and I feel the same way about all the homework I have to do this weekend. But that's when I remembered what God says about getting overwhelmed and persevering through the hard times.

James 1:12: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." Right now, my work load seems as if it will never get finished. But I know, that with God all things are possible and He will never give me more than I can handle.


So when you get overwhelmed with work, or school, or social events, or whatever it might be, always remember that God will never give you anything that you can't handle. But you can only handle it if you trust and believe in Him. He will help you accomplish everything you have to do and will guide you through the hard times. 


Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly


Love Always,
Alicia 
Micah 6:8

Because These Things Will Change

Let me start off by saying that I'm a huge country girly girl, and that's where I got the title for today's entry. I love swing dancing, and wearing cowboy boots, and dressing up for things! But, I also love country music and the title of this blog entry is a lyric from Taylor Swift's song, Change. In life, things change all the time. Sometimes, we want the change to happen, and other times we don't want the change to happen. So today's word is: Change.

College life is just that: change. Everything changes. You sometimes move away from your family, you change cities, the homework load changes, your social life changes, and you no longer have your mom to do you laundry or go pick up things you need from the store for you. You're on your own. 

Coming to Baylor has been a big change for me. I went to a relatively small private high school and now coming to a University where one of my classes has more students in it then my graduating class from high school did is a huge adjustment. The homework load is ten times the amount I had in high school and professors expect so much more out of you. It's intimidating and sometimes scary.

Change can be a scary thing. Moving away, leaving behind old friends, having to make new friends, living on your own and people having higher expectations of you is definitely a scary thing. But it all goes back to yesterday's entry about leaving your comfort zone. Change is just that: leaving what you were used to and comfortable doing and moving on to something unfamiliar and outside your comfort zone.

Change can be a positive thing: and that's what God has been showing me this last week since I've moved to Baylor. God took me outside my comfort zone and changed my surroundings to help me grow in my relationship with Him and strengthen me. Relying in God as your foundation while you are going through a change is a crucial part. So today: rely in God when He changes things in your life. Trust in Him, because He has a perfect will for each of our lives. Because just like Taylor Swift's song says, "These things will change."

Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Love always,

Alicia

Micah 6:8

The Joys of Being A Freshman

Freshman year. What can I say? I was so used to being on top last year in high school and now I'm a little freshman all over again. Today, I've been at Baylor exactly one week. In some ways it doesn't feel that long and in other ways it feels like it's been forever. College can be overwhelming and stressful but I've already made some great friends and I can't wait to see what God has in store for me at Baylor.

I titled this blog Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly. I chose this title because it comes from my life verse which is found in Micah 6:8.
      "He has shown you O man what is good and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

In this blog I will choose a different word for each post to focus on. Today's word is Comfort.

You see, God likes to take us out of our comfort zones. That's when we truly grow as individuals and that's when we truly turn to God for help. When we come out of our comfort zones, we begin to fully trust God for everything.

Coming to Baylor was a huge step outside my comfort zone. I'm a huge family girl and love being close to all my family. Now, I'm three hours away, and at first I had a hard time with it. I'm three hours away from my family and all the friends that I left back home. But once I got to Baylor, I started trusting in God more and realizing that He was taking me out of my comfort zone so I could continue to grow in Him.

So today: step outside your comfort zone. Stepping outside your comfort zone allows God to work in your life in more ways than you could ever imagine. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the first steps in following God's will for your life.

And remember, Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly

Love always,
Alicia
Micah 6:8