Life Update

Hey hey!!!
Long time no see, I know, I know. Life gets in the way a bit too often for this girl to think about updating anywhere!

Life Update: I graduated my first year of DCLS in June! I know I updated in late May about what life looked like then, but I will be the first to tell you my life has turned completely around since then! 

Grad was absolutely incredible and more than I could have ever expected. I was actually awarded Student of the Year, which completed and wrapped up my year so perfectly. Graduation was full of hugs, tears, laughter, but mostly an insane amount of love. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to my first year. 

I was able to return home for the summer which was SO nice. I have to give it up for my parents here, because they’re the greatest and allowed me to work crazy amounts this summer and still loved me when I was cranky and sleep deprived. I was able to work my tail off to save a decent amount for returning to Los Angeles (where I am currently residing!) and overall, this summer taught me a lot about relying on God for strength. Not only were the 4:30 AM alarms difficult, but it was also not the easiest transition in the world. I had been surrounded by incredible friends and community for the past nine months and to go home to family, it was a weird transition. Not that my returning home to my sweet family is bad!! They are incredible and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Change is just hard, transition is hard, and I had to learn to rely on God instead of my own hands.

And here we are; September, and I have once again arrived in Los Angeles! I am beginning my second year in DCLS. This means the same program guidelines as last year (community, outreach, and transformation), just an added dose of higher responsibility and the privilege of pouring into the first year girls. 

I walked into this second year completely confident. I had ample amounts of high praises and compliments that I never guessed that this would actually be…. difficult. It sounds silly, I know. But even just a week in, I have been challenged in so many ways. I have learned to be mindful of my words- because they have the power to affect others, positively and negatively. I have learned the importance of being kind and open in any situation. I have learned that community is powerful and effective and that I have influence. Most of all, I have learned that quitting will get you nowhere. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“Therefore, we DO NOT GIVE UP. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 

We don’t give up here. God did not create me to be a quitter. Even though I say the wrong thing sometimes, even though I can’t remember everyone’s names for the life of me, and even though grace isn’t ALWAYS my immediate reaction, I am being renewed for His Kingdom daily. 

These tough battles? The weight of these mistakes? It doesn’t even begin to compare to the glory that is coming. 

Don’t focus what you can see- the trials in front of you, the worldly distractions, the darkness clouding your vision.

Focus on the unseen- the healing, victory, breakthrough, glory, love, and memories to come. 



I PROMISE I will be more intentional with this blog this year!!! Call me out if I’m not!!! You will be hearing from this sweet girl soon. 

Kisses from Los Angeles!!!

Ry 



#HesDoingANewThing

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