lead me on.

so i think the realization of the next step in my journey is finally hitting me. i'm leaving all of the familiarity of athens and my job with campus outreach...and heading into the unknown - a new place, new job(s), new friends...new life. after watching so many friends over the past few years move away from the comfort and consistency of college - close companions and roommates, accountability, a set schedule, late nights, free summers - and into the "real world"...i know that it's not easy. it's not easy to fight for community. it's not easy to keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. it's not easy to stay true to your faith and live with conviction. it's not easy to watch the people close to you move to other sides of the country (or world). but i know it won't be easy...and i'm still excited.

i'm excited because i think we were created to desire change...to crave seasons..."periods of time". think about the weather - when march comes around we are just dieing to shed those layers and roll down the car windows and soak up the sun (and pollen!? yuck). but come september, we are sick of the heat and anxiously await the cool fall breeze and starbucks to bring out the pumpkin spice latte. then comes december, and we want to bust out the scarves and mittens, cuddle up by the fire, and play christmas music 24/7. just long enough to last us to march...before we are craving warm sunshine again. we work well with seasons of weather...and seasons of life.

i've been fortunate enough to have the "college season" for an extended period of time - i'm wrapping up my 7th year in athens!! i love living at coffee shops, going to every football game (and not having to fight traffic into/out of athens), staying up late watching movies...but i also crave the next season. it's like i've been living in summer a few months too long - you love it when you're there...but when it's 85 degrees in november, you desire the cold.

so, i am in that weird part in-between seasons right now for a few weeks...you know, you have to wear a jacket in the morning, but by the afternoon you're burning-up. i'm wrapping up my season of living in athens, of doing college ministry, of being a short car ride to atlanta to see my family and friends. and i'm approaching my new season of living in nashville, of creating a new community for myself, of learning how to do life in the city.

"scary and exciting" - that's what i keep telling people when they ask about my big move. yes, it's scary because it's a change. but that same change also makes it exciting. and above all, i can rest in the peace of knowing that the whole time, no matter where i go, no matter what i do, no matter who i'm with...God will LEAD ME.

"for You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name's sake You LEAD ME and GUIDE ME." psalm 31:3

lead on, Lord...i'm ready.

LEAD ME ON, LEAD ME ON. TO A PLACE WHERE THE RIVER RUNS INTO YOUR KEEPING.
LEAD ME ON, LEAD ME ON. THE AWAITED DELIVERANCE COMFORTS THE SEEKING. LEAD ON.
-BETHANY DILLON

easter.

[i'm so grateful for songs that reflect what my heart feels today...]

everyone needs compassion. love that's never failing,
let mercy fall on me.
everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior,
the hope of nations.
SAVIOR, HE CAN MOVE THE MOUNTAINS.
MY GOD IS MIGHTY TO SAVE. HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE.
FOREVER, AUTHOR OF SALVATION,
HE ROSE AND CONQUERED THE GRAVE. JESUS CONQUERED THE GRAVE.
so take me as You find me, all my fears and failures,
fill my life again.
i give my life to follow, everything i believe in,
now i surrender.
__________________________________________

in Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
this cornerstone, this solid ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
what heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
my comforter, my all in all,
here in the love of Christ i stand.

in Christ alone who took on flesh,
fullness of God in helpless babe.
this gift of love, this righteousness,
scorned by the ones He came to save.
'til on that cross as Jesus died
the wrath of God was satisfied.
for every sin on Him was laid
here in the death of Christ i live.

there in the ground His body lay,
light of the world by darkness slain.
then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He rose again.
and as He stands in victory
sin's curse has lost its grip on me.
for i am His and He is mine,
bought with the precious blood of Christ.

no guilt in life, no fear in death,
this is the power of Christ in me.
from life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
no power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from His hand.
'til He returns and calls me home,
here in the power of Christ i'll stand.

[WOW.]

marisa...a barista?

nobody who knows me would deny the fact that i'm slightly obsessed with coffeeshops (let alone all of the amazing beverages they offer)...and i've always thought it would be fun to work at one...but a reality? it looks like it.
i have an interview at one coffee shop in nashville when i go up for my closing in a few weeks...but there are SO many amazing ones.
i mean, the discount would be GREAT, right? :)
i think God is going to take me through many seasons of jobs in the months to come...i'm excited for this journey...