Someone's answering those knocked on doors...

Well, an entire summer break has passed and the Lord has done so incredibly much. Last time we spoke I was knocking on every door within my reach. Some of the doors opened wide and others stayed tightly shut and I think a few were even sealed. No matter it is what God has it.

I didn't end up in Belize this summer. This summer I became the prayer warrior for Belize. However, me not going to Belize opened up so many more opportunities here in little Murrieta. I kept my job working off and on for the summer at My Learning Studio. It has been a frustrating summer as money wasn't too consistent. I also was able to work on my photography! Here's my little plug: check out the Facebook fan page and become a fan! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kansas-Marie-Photography/116654181657?ref=ts

I have been able to do a paid internship with a local photographer doing weddings and then doing a few senior portraits and just fun shoots with friends. I know that this is a gift that God will use in some amazing ways...I'm hoping on the mission field.

I became involved in my church's college group which has been a weekly source of encouragement and amazing fellowship. It was awesome how it worked out because honestly, I did not want to be involved in THRIVE. I felt that it was meant for the junior college group who is here all the time. However, Jesus knocked down my pride and got me plugged into a great group that I will even try to commute to on Tuesdays! It also has been great to go to a study with Andrew again. I enjoy that aspect of our relationship, spending time with Jesus together.

So remember from the last post the whole roommate situation? Well the Lord was amazing and gave me some roommates that I am so excited to meet. I think we will get along great and I officially meet them in just a few days! The former roommates and I did hang out a lot over summer but as the school year draws closer they have started to pull back. At first I was pretty upset about this. I mean they claimed to be so upset about the roommate situation and that we were going to stay close friends and hang out all the time. As the year has gotten closer to beginning they have begun hanging out by themselves and lying to me when they do. This hurt at first and I definitely shed a few tears over it. But then I realized...God is in control and there is no reason to be upset about it. It is nothing that I can change or "fix". I am learning that if there is nothing I can do about it to just let it be and accept it the way it is. I am so excited to meet my roommates and make some amazing memories with them!

A goal this summer has been to shape up. I had let myself gain a lot of weight and had eaten pretty unealthy post-gallbladder surgery. I started a month ago working out every morning and eating healthier. I am now 10 pounds lighter and counting! God is so good and helping me realize the reasons why I want to lose weight. It truly is because I want to be able to do whatever He asks of me...and about a month ago if it included hiking well I wouldn't be able to! It's been a ton of fun and yoga is seriously a new obsession.

School starts in 5 days and I am super excited! I am already getting back into the school mode and excited for all my classes coming up. I have a few requests:

-finances: please keep my money situation in prayer. with a lack of work this summer and the cost of everything i am in definite needs of funds. pray i can be also more diligent with my money and trusting that God will give me the perfect amount

-roommates: that we will get along great. their names are stephanie and melissa and i am excited to meet them. pray that we will bond and have respect for each other

-getting involved: i would love to get involved more on campus and make more friends. coming in as a mid-year transfer was hard for me to make friends last year. pray that i will make connections.

-job: i love my job but pray that the Lord will open up a few on campus opportunities...i would love to not have a commute!

-Andrew: especially this last week it has been hard realizing that i will not be seeing him everyday anymore. this is hard on me more than it is on him. pray that we can keep our relationship strong and in God's will.

-family: i love them but pray we can learn our boundaries with each other as i try to gain a little bit more independence

-schoolwork: that i will know when to stop goofing off and to be diligent in all my classes.

Thanks so much for reading!