A little bit of blog love

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

My car is stuffed and I'm heading back to Michigan today!!!!! The rest of my week is quite busy so I'll be MIA from the blogosphere. However, during my absence let me throw out some reading suggestions from blogs that have been quite encouraging to me recently :)


I'm forever indebted to Annie for introducing me to the world of blogging. She got on my case when I wasn't consistent and has helped me with every reincarnation of my blog (I think I'm on number 3 right now). Her blog has always been an example for me. Not only in the design but also in the way she pours out her hearts in the posts. Her vulnerability and writing style teach me every time I read a post. When I grow up I want to be a blogger like her :)
Check out her collection of posts about how God called her to Spain. (Fair warning: I cried a couple times)

Erin's heart for encouraging young women is inspiring to me. She has a desire to "inspire women to love God, chase dreams and pursue purity". How amazing, right? When I read her posts I am encouraged by her honesty. God has consistently used her blog in my life to convict and challenge me in my faith. She's also one of the sweetest people I've met via blogging. I don't think I've ever gotten a reply/comment from her that doesn't make me smile. 
You should definitely read this post about pursuing purity, as a Disney princess fanatic it particularly caught my eye :)

I don't even know where to start with Samantha. We found each other through a series co-hosted by the two lovely ladies above with two other bloggers. Since then our friendship has grown via blog comments and numerous emails. As a fellow teaching nerd we have loads to talk about. As is true of all of the girls in this post it is her lovely heart that has grabbed me. She has a heart for the nations and is thinking about teaching overseas one day. It is such an encouragement to have her in my life...she's a gem.
Find out why she wants to be a teacher in this post...the dress she's wearing in the picture makes her look very teacher-like :)

Katie is another blogging friend with a passion for the nations. Her love story is amazing. Her posts are wonderful. Most of all, the encouraging comments/replies I receive in my inbox from her light up my day. She's also a fellow traveler and her collection of travel photos are exquisite. I'm most excited to see how God works in her life as she continues her journey with Empowering Lives International.
Learn how she got there in her series about her heart for Africa... {part 1} {part 2} {part 3}.

Whitney doesn't have a blog button...yet :) She's one of my dearest friends from college. I met her freshman year and we became acquaintances. Thankfully, God brought us back together junior year to become close friends. Recently, she's been through quite a trial and her strength and courage throughout the whole ordeal has been awe-inspiring. This blog is quite new and I can't wait to see how God uses her in this new season of life. 
My favorite post so far is about a topic close to my heart...striving for excellence in everything you do.
That should keep you busy until I get back ;)

Battling Loneliness and Finding Community

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

*I haven't been on Blogger in a couple days so this a belated 4th of July post*

I've been struggling with loneliness lately. 

Not for romantic reasons but just plain friendship reasons. 

The majority of my friends are scattered around the globe as they have just graduated or are on summer break from school. I'm currently the only college student in a Mexican church. All of my jobs, save one, require me to work alone or with small children. I miss hanging out with people who are in the same stage of life as me. I miss processing life with other young women. Lucky for me I have some dear friends; Dawn, Whitney and Annie who have been up for texting and calling. However, I was longing to see people face to face.

Lucky for me Elizabeth and Gabby came to the rescue :) Elizabeth invited me out for breakfast on Monday and subsequently invited me to hang out with them on the 4th of July. It's amazing how much my stress and loneliness level decreased after one evening with these ladies. I praise God that He brought these young women in my life.

However, through this I became convicted of my lack of dependence on Jesus to soothe my loneliness. I've talked about Jesus being all that I need but in this area of my life I struggle. I forget that Jesus knew exactly what it was like to be lonely and isolated, the epitome of this being on the Cross. I have the ability to lay my loneliness at His feet and He will comfort me. He chose me and redeemed me. This allows me to live in Christ and stand before my God healed and whole. Thank you Jesus.

Now for a couple pictures:

The fireworks :)

Elizabeth, Gabby and I ready for 3-D Fireworks!

P.S. I planning on writing the post about the Bible study I did here soon!

Have a blessed weekend!