The Post Grad Life: Transition

It’s now officially been over a month since I walked across a stage, received my diploma, and graduated from Liberty University. What a month it has been! So many changes have occurred in these past few weeks that I feel like I’m about to go crazy, but God continues to bless me with each and every “change” that occurs!

In the course of time since I graduated the following has occurred:

• My team from Liberty and I flew to New York City, presented our PR campaign to Ogilvy and Mather, and won the National Collegiate Effie Competition-all glory to Him!  
• My family bought a new house and is moving. Packing. Lots of packing.
•  I packed up to move to Boone, NC for an amazing internship at Samaritan’s Purse.
• A pretty special and amazing guy has walked into my life out of nowhere (God really surprised me on that note...)
• The Lord opened two very significant doors for my next step after my internship is over!

      All of that to say, a lot of change. I started as a Social Media Intern for Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse at the beginning of this month.  My first week at Samaritan’s Purse was a bit overwhelming. I felt like I met 100 new people and took in mass amounts of information. But through it all, I feel so blessed.

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God has specifically placed me here. I know this because the entire process of getting here was full of God-ordained moments and steps. Samaritan’s Purse is an incredible organization, full of people that love Jesus and are dedicated to serving Him. We start each day off with devotions and a time of prayer for all the international staff. We focus on Him before we start our work. I’m still getting used to my work, but I love Operation Christmas Child and the chance to proclaim Jesus through social media each and every day!

I also have the immense blessing of being able to stay with a host family during the summer. Ryan and Jen Smith, along with their two precious little girls have opened their home and welcomed me into their family. Amari (3) and Brooklyn (6) are like the little sisters I never had. They are adorable and wonderful in every way and I absolutely LOVE that they are a part of my summer. Jen has been my ever listening ear already (which can take some time for those of you who really know me) and I love getting to learn from her and Ryan. They have been to so many places overseas (they were missionaries before Ryan started at SP) and have mentored so many young people. The wisdom and knowledge that I get to soak in every day is incredible.  I love it.  I feel as though I have been living here for months already!

Beyond that, the people I have met are phenomenal. The interns have gone hiking and gone roaming with wild ponies on a mountainside. Now that was an experience! These other college graduates and soon-to-be graduates inspire me with their different stories, experiences, and passion for the Lord. It’s been awesome to get to know each of them a little better the longer we are here.

I am blessed, because I get to spend my summer being an agent of love for Christ through social media! Here’s to many more weeks of learning, meeting more new people whose names I will forget, adventuring, spending time with my host family, and soaking in more of Jesus!

Now that’s a beautiful life.

My First Job.

If you are anything like me, this word might bring a sweeping range of emotions up. Fear. Terror. Excitement. A sense of finally being an “adult”. Freedom. Joy. A new beginning.

For those of us that are seniors and will be graduating in a few short months, we often ask ourselves questions like these:

Have I learned enough?

Do I measure up with everyone else out there applying for jobs?

What is this awkward place between “degree” and you need “3-5 years experience”?

Where do I go to get said experience?

What if I don’t get a job right after college?

…and the line of questions usually ends up somewhere in this area….

I’m not going to find a job and then I’m going to have to move back in with my parents and be a bum! (insert hand slapping forehead in despair here)

We also come to dread the following questions that everyone asks. And I mean EVERYONE. From your loving family to the well-meaning little old lady in your church, to the coffee guy!

They say things like this:

So what are your plans for after graduation? What places are you applying to?

And inevitably..Are you dating anyone? (and if you are) Are you getting married? The dread and disillusionment set in as you explain some kind of answer for both questions. You know the standard answer to please people, at least one that will make them think you have it all together.

Whew. That’s exhausting. I know from personal experience. I heard this song a few weeks ago and it has reminded me of something else. 

It has reminded me of who my God is.

“Lift My Life Up”-By Unspoken 

You brought me this far so why would I question You now

You have provided so why would I start to doubt

I’ve never been stranded, abandoned or left here to fight alone

So I’m giving You control

I lift my life, lift my life up

I give it all in surrender

I lift my heart, lift my heart up

You can have it forever

All my dreams, all my plans

Lord I leave it in Your hands

I lift my life, lift my life up

Have Your way in me

Have Your way in me

(Listen to the full song here)

The Lord has brought me this far. He has been faithful and always will be. He has a plan for my life, even when I have no idea what the next few months may hold. He has never left me alone or abandoned me.

Give it up. Let Jesus have it all, because I promise that in time He will show you the next step and His plans will far surpass what you have been dreaming for yourself. I consciously choose to give Him my life. I want what You have for me Jesus. Take my life, my feeble self-made plans, and my wandering heart. 

I can rest easy knowing that my next step, wherever I am, is to continue following my Savior, spreading His Gospel message, and glorifying Him in all that I do. It’s all in His hands.

Surrender. Now that’s a beautiful life.

Oh and class of 2014? Believe in yourself, and take hold of His Gospel. Because He is just that.