You're the reason for...

Well, SURPRISE SURPRISE, I’ve done it again.  I’m an epic failure at updating my blog.

Since my last post in October – it’s been a whirlwind of emotion; highs, lows, struggles, happiness, sadness and everything in between, but I am so blessed.  Since October, the biggest events have been: two of my cousins became pregnant, two of my friends had babies, I went to Winter Camp, one of my cousins had a baby, three of my friends became pregnant, my best friend got married, birthday parties, graduations, more weddings, school, VBS, my pregnant cousins had their babies, new friendships and Summer Camp – and then everything in between.  LIFE has happened.  Sometimes when I go back and look over things that have gone on in the past few months, it’s amazing how much NEW life has been created.  Whether it being children born, marriages started, people starting their walks with God; NEW LIFE is everywhere.  I’m constantly in AWE of how AWESOME our God is.

My life is incredible.

(Also new life plans involve:  I have two semesters of school left at Auburn, graduate and then Lord willing, moving back to Birmingham and trying to go to Nursing School at UAB.)

I’m taking this Fall off of school (not by choice), but I’m hoping to take this time and reassess myself; get myself more together and spend more time focusing on my relationships – with God, my family and my friends.  I’m trying really hard at getting better about remembering to think about others more than I do.  I get so caught up in my own insanity sometimes that I forget to think about what is going on outside my day to day life.  It’s selfish, but it’s also not intentional.  I’m just trying to appreciate life and my blessings more, so I’m praying that in doing so, this will help my focus to be on others more.

"Every Good Thing" -The Afters

I heard that song not too long ago and I laughed and thought, “oh my word, this is so me.”  It’s kind of a joke at how busy I am, but it’s true.  I’m not one of those people who enjoys sitting around.  I can’t stand to be bored, and I’m constantly doing something, but I think that doing something needs to be more specific now.  I need to be doing things that mean something instead of frivolous things.  I need to do more to help others.

So camp was amazing this summer – as usual.  The theme this year was about letting the Lord Reign in us.  We had SO MANY incredible Bible studies, devotions, singings, talks, etc...it just does your heart GOOD!!!!  It really made me step back and think about how many times I don't let God reign in me like I should, and it truly helped me with my attitude on certain things.  (Although, I still have to work on my attitude.)

 2013 Seniors.  LOVE this group.

My AWESOME Senior girls.

My precious boys. :)

Every year I leave camp thinking that I have so much to work on.  I feel like I do a remotely good job for a while, staying on top of my "game" and doing what I need to be doing, but like most of us you start slowly but surely not doing as well as you probably should be.  It's a constant battle and struggle for me, but I'm DETERMINED that this year, I'm gonna do better.  I'm gonna be better.  There are so many people at camp who are a constant encouragement to me.  I have been SO blessed by continuing to be allowed to be a counselor and get the blessing of working with so many incredible people who encourage and strengthen me during that week, but not only during that week, but year round.  Those relationships are so special to me and I'm SO thankful for them.  Some of the best friends I've ever had, I've met at camp - either when I was a camper, or now as a counselor.  The friends I have at camp now, some are counselors, but even more awesome is that some are campers.  I wish I could convey how special that place and those people are, but I know that God knew what he was doing when He allowed me to become a part of it all.  I attribute a lot of who I am to camp.  I feel like it's given me a purpose and it's definitely changed my life in more ways than one and I'm just really thankful.

So, that's my personal update on life right now... 

now for my somewhat insightful something that I try to use this as a tool for...

Most of you who read this are my Facebook friends too, so you probably saw this quote that I posted the other day, but I'm gonna post it again on here:

"Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives. For better or worse."

So, this quote is from One Tree Hill, which if you know me well, then you know that this is my all-time favorite show ever.  There are so many good quotes that have come from that show for me personally, but this one has always stood out.  I think it's because I've always wanted to change someone's life the way so many people have changed mine.  Have you ever wondered "if I were to die right now, would it effect someone?"  Maybe that's morbid, or maybe that sounds "egotistical", but it's something that I've thought about.  I've thought about how I truly hope that right now in my life, the way I'm living it, that I'm being a good enough example people, a good enough friend to people that if I were to die, it would change their lives, that it would effect them.  This thought isn't a thought of "selfishness" the way it might sound to someone, it's a thought of "am I being enough to others?"  I want my life to mean something.  I want my walk with God to be an example.  I want to get to Heaven one day (Lord willing) and God to say "well done my good and faithful servant."  I think that for me, it's a good way to live.  I don't want to disappoint anyone, especially not God and my family.  I'm not living my life for me, I'm living it for God, to be an example for him.  Yes, I absolutely do things for myself.  I'm selfish at times, but I think we all are in some ways.  I guess, I just think that for me I do this to keep myself out of trouble, because if I'm being "enough" for others, then I'm doing what I should be doing.  I'm helping others and TRYING to be the best example I can be for them.  I will never be enough for God...and I live my life that way so that I never settle.  I talked to my senior girls at camp this summer about this a little.  I talked to them about their choices and how their choices make a difference and they matter.  They will absolutely effect that path that you end up on...for better or worse.

So, use this quote for inspiration if you need to...but make a difference - make the right choices.  Make choices for God, not for yourself.

  

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." -Matthew 7:13-14

Pray for me while I'm on my life journey - that I continue to make the right choices and be the best example for God that I can be.

Until next time - be a blessing to others.

In Him,

Erica

 "Over every thought,
Over every word,
May my life reflect,
The beauty of my Lord,
Cause you mean more to me,
than any earthly thing,
So won't you reign in me again
Lord Reign in me,
Reign in your power,
Over all my dreams,
In my darkest hour,
You are the Lord,
Of all I am,
So won't you reign in me again."