My Baby is All Grown Up....

I was just reading my baby sister's blog, and wanted to share it. "Cailee D" is starting her FRESHMAN year at ACU...she started Welcome Week today!!

I read this tonight, and teared up...for many reasons.

1. My baby is all grown up. I was talking about her just today with some teachers, and couldn't get over the fact she was in COLLEGE!! Her statement below "I was ready to fly" yep...that made me cry! My baby sister has become such a faithful, graceful, beautiful woman of God. She is incredible!

2. Oh, how I miss that stage of life! I am so thankful for where I am...for my husband, my children, my job...but oh, how I wish I could go back in some ways. Never again will I be in a place surrounded by so many Christians, daily encouraged by so many (friends and professors) in my walk with Christ, with a 30 minute break to gather and worship our Father. Why do I love ACU?? How could you not??

3. This song. I couldn't help but sing along as I read the words...and how true it is. No matter what stage of life you are in...what true words!! I am so thankful to serve a God who calms our fears, holds us steady.

Here are her words...

"In Christ Alone" a song I have heard and sung before but has more meaning to me now than ever before! First let me start by saying...how great is our God! I cannot believe I am sitting in a dorm room right now about to start college! Yes, I knew it would come, but that isn't the shocker...I am happy...at this point I expected to be a complete wreck and ready to go home to safety. Yet, God has such an amazing way of working things out! I have a terrific roommate who just seems made for me! We get along wonderfully and she is such a sweet, sweet girl. plus we have TONS in common and I can already see a wonderful friendship blooming! AND I have met a ton of great people who have been a blast to hang out with! If you know me, you know I get nervous very easily, and often! Pulling up in the parking lot with my sister Cassie, I thought I was crazy for doing this, but one step into the hallway God took me in His hands (as he often does) and I was safe! All my butterflies and all my nausea vanished and I was ready to fly!

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is the my light, my strength, my song,

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm,

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when striving cease,

My comforter, my all-in-all,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

I couldn't put it in better words, that is exactly how I feel! For someone who has been in a "spiritual rut" for a while, it is so amazing to actually feels his arms around me and to know I am where he wants me...I can feel my heart stirring, he is working on me and my only hope is that I can have a open heart to him! I can feel a new beginning and only two days in! How amazing is our God? I just can't wrap my thoughts around why...why he has blessed me with all of this, I know I have done nothing to deserve his love and mercy, but he gives it to me so freely!

I am in Christ alone...I don't have my mom here, or my friends and family...right now I only have God and his protection! Sorry if this has been cheezy but my heart feels like it is bursting with joy and surprise at this whole situation! I am loving ACU so far, and hope it gets even better!