Grace

     Every Wednesday this semester I have gone to a family's house here in Knoxville and have gotten to know some very dear and precious people to my life now. The story of how I met this family is confusing and crazy, but that crazy story is proof that the Lord constantly knows what He's doing. My now sister-in-law, Amber, went over to this family's house while she was in college at MTSU. I say now sister-in-law because in Murfreesboro is where her and my brother James met at the time while they were in school. This family's now oldest, Hannah, was the flower girl in my brother's wedding. That was May 12th five years ago. Five years ago at that wedding I was in 8th grade and I might have said two words to this family. Five years ago if you would have told me I was going to be a Tennessee Volunteer living in Knoxville, I would have laughed at you. Five years ago I had no idea that family would be living here and what a blessing that family would be in my life. Today, I know that is God's grace.

     This is a picture of the precious kiddos that now hold a special place in my heart and I love so dearly. They make your heart happy and make you laugh in the deep down ways. Grace is the one of the words that has summed up my semester. Grace is something that is so overlooked by so many, but it something that is so powerful. Rachel texted me one day in December and randomly said "I want to learn about grace." My thought when I got that text was okay cool. Grace is grace. Christ gives grace. I was really wrong. Grace is oodles more than that. Grace lets you rest in knowing you are saved. This semester it is something I have had to walk through and really learn, at times it was messy, but I have learned that messy is beautiful. That in the mess is where grace abounds. Learning to not only give grace, but to receive grace for yourself in knowing that the mess in you is beautiful.

    This is Julie someone who feels like she hasn't done much, but has poured so much into us. Truth in knowing that some days are hard, but that it's okay to feel those emotions. Showing us that we can do it, that Christ in us is enough. But more than anything teaching us and showing us what grace is and looks like. I keep saying "us" because my best friend (in the pictures too, hi!) has joined me along the way on Wednesdays and other days in between, each of us have learned different things obviously, but regardless it's been something we have learned a lot about together. So while there is so much more to grace, this story, and what's to come next. In this moment I am thankful that Amber crossed paths with this family years ago in Murfreesboro and that they would move to Knoxville where I woud end up at school, I'm thankful that Rachel texted me saying she wanted to learn about grace, I'm thankful that  it's the most ordinary things that change everything, I'm thankful that I know freedom in Christ like I never have before all because now I know that grace is alive and breathing in me. I'm thankful that God knew the whole time what He was doing, because I sure had no idea! 

    Seventeen days from now I will be heading to Texas for part of the Summer to serve at a camp called PineCove. I am so ridiculously excited, but at the same time thinking what the heck am I doing! I've never even been to Texas before here! I know there are so many reasons though and I can't wait to find out! My reason for making a blog in the first place was for this summer so I could attempt at keeping people updated while I'm away, we will see how that plays out but hopeful thinking!

     So in all of that the good days, the hard days, and the laughter or tears in between know there is an inner strength, that there is hope, and even more than that there is unending grace. My hope is that you too would open your hands and receive the grace all around. However that looks for you whether its in a red bird, laughter, sunshine, or maybe even a Dr.Pepper. Enjoy it. :]