hey everyone,

sorry it's been so long. i've had a lot going on lately. i've got some sort of a nerve or disc problem or something with my back. we're trying to figure out what it is. i'm supposed to have an MRI soon. then, i've been going to "girl talk" life group on tuesdays, church on wednesdays, music lessons and and "closer" life group on thursdays, and on weekends i sometimes go with the refuge serve team on outreaches or something like that. that's on top of school and everything else in life. but i love my life. i'm learning so much from all of these life groups and classes. i'm learning to be thankful for my family and school and friends. i'm learning the importance of valuing my time and also the importance of enjoying it. of course, i'm no where near to doing that as much as i should, but i'm trying. another thing that i've been trying to work on is diligence. at closer, thursday, blake "flake" urbane spoke on diligence. it really motivated me to spend more time with God than i have been. blake said that it's better to do small things everyday rather than big things every once in a while. which is just the opposite of me. i'll miss a billion quiet times and then come back and do one, then miss again. i lean on refuge a lot, but that's not enough. you have to be personal. not just what God teaches you through the pastor, but what He teaches you personally. "Draw close to God and He will draw close to you." you have to get in the Word and spend time with God, then He will draw close. i pray that i get better at being diligent and managing my time. and i pray that i grow so close to God that i show His love to everyone i meet. see you guys later.

*vicTORIa*