New Year. 2013 Style.

I wrote this a few days ago, and have decided to share it with ya'll. Here are my thoughts about the past two years and how God has worked in my life. He's so amazing, and the journey continues...

"2011 was the year I fell in love with opera, fell back in love with God, and fell in love with a new man. I had many ups and downs, and they both were extreme for me. At age 17 I had to grow up quite rapidly. My 18th birthday was spent away from family, this was part of the down of the year. 

2012 has been my year of growth. Where in 2011 I discovered my passions, in 2012 I tested them. I flew around the country trying to find my new home. There were times when I had no idea of the future at all, and I had to completely trust God. I gave Him my everything, all my dreams, and one day I said "God, I need an email from Houston today." Within the hour I was accepted to the University of Houston, and had been given a music scholarship from Moores School of Music. 

The past two years have taught me a lot about faith, passion, love, and hope. 2012 has truly been a year of hope for me. I hoped I would get into college, I hoped for my relationship to strengthen, and I hoped to stay strong on my own. 

2013 is here. Beyond this upcoming school semester, I have no idea what this year will hold. I have 3 and 1/2 years left to finish my double major, so school looks like my focus. But where does God want me? What does He want my focus to be on? Where will He take me? What does 2013 look like? 

Healing.

Wisdom. 

Love. 

Strength. 

I'm gonna shine for His glory. 2013 is now." 

 May YOUR 2013 be blessed! 

I'm gonna start this year with gratitude. What are you thankful for? 

xoxo, 

alexandra anne <3 

Puddles

*Drip. Drop.* The rain has left remnants of its visit. Deep lakes are disturbing my regular path. Our group tiptoes around the puddles, so as not to get wet.

But the child in me wants to JUMP right in and SPLASH a rainfall of my own.

Society says no...


The crowd is quiet in a hall, not daring to speak up against a wrong. I long to scream at the top of my lungs.

The crowd says no...


This *isn't* what God calls us to be! We are supposed to be loud for Him! He doesn't call us to be a bunch of indifferent lemmings.... why do we follow society's standards? Why do we not speak our hearts, and only say what the crowd has taught us?

"Shout, and sing for joy!" -Isaiah 12:6

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..." -Colossians 3:23

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."- Romans 12:2


Let's live these words this week, and SHOUT for our Lord! :)

in Him,
alexandra anne 

SMACK!

Sometimes we get a big head. We think we're "all that" and truly worthy of praise and attention.
Then life comes and hits us in the face. SMACK.


Conviction. 


Guilt. 


Weakness.... 

I feel like I'm a three year old pulling my hair out, kicking and screaming.

"I don't wanna! I don't wanna!"

"But...why???"

Grace. 

"My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Suddenly...peace sets in. His power is made in our weakness. Wow!

"But....I can't do this on my own...Help?"

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." -Hebrews 12:1

I don't want to be held down; He says to throw off everything that hinders! (I'm reminded of a song that goes "and it's hard to dance with the devil on your back, so shake him off!")
Let us run with perseverance.
I want to run for God.
How about you?