Philippians 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content."


As I began thinking about it, there are quite a few things that I am not content with in my life. I would love to have a job, a house, be with my friends, etc.


The words in Philippians 4:11 show us that contentment is not something that just occurs naturally. It is natural for man to be discontent, and to complain. If we want contentment, we have to foster it. Paul says, "...I have learned...to be content." Which basically seems like he didn't know contentment at one time. He had to continually work at it. When he could finally say "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.", he was and old man stuck in prison! Contentment is something we have to gradually work at.


So, although i'm honestly not the most content person right now, I am working on it. It's crazy to think about how blessed I am, and so sad to think that most of the time I take my blessings for granted.  Hopefully one day I can say what Paul said and really be content! I'm just thankful that God continues to be merciful!


xo,
gal

undeserved blessings

This past weekend I had the huge privilege of going back to visit with my South Texas Children's Home (STCH) kids and to help with a Disciple Now for the STCH teenagers. I didn't realize how much I have missed everyone! I really do feel like they are part of my family! I had a wonderful time with the teenagers all weekend! God even used me to help lead a girl to Christ! Her name is Shania (I called her Sha-nay-nay)! Please pray for her if you think about it...she needs a lot of discipleship and encouragement, so pray that she is surrounded with people that will lift her up and help her in the right direction.

As most of you know, the little boy (along with many other kids) that stole my heart this summer was O'dell. He's the little 2 year old with the curly hair wearing my sunglasses in that picture to the right! I had not seen him at all since the summer (so it had been about 6 months). I was bracing myself for the fact that since he was so young, he would not remember me. Much to my surprise, he did!! As soon as I saw him, he ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug I've ever gotten from him, and he said "Da-yee!!!"  (which is how he says "Galilee"). It totally made my weekend...and week....and month..and probably my life. Haha. I love him so much and  am so glad I got to hang out with him for a little while.

God has been being so wonderful to me (As usual). He has been giving me small jobs to help provide me with a little bit of money, he's allowed me to help other people due to my open schedule, and he has placed so many people in my life that are so encouraging about my job hunt!  I know he has a job all lined up for me! I can't wait to hear about it :)

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Jeremiah 31:3

Snap back to reality...

...oh, there goes gravity...
Thank you, eminem. You know, sometimes I love eminem. I really do.

 But for real...i'm snapping back to reality. College, Graduation, Christmas, frequent dates with caleb, and all that fun is over. Things to look forward to now:
1. Finding a job.
2. Living out of boxes/bags.

I can't wait to see the job that God is going to give me! I know it's going to be great! Living out of boxes is just a little irritating...or a lot irritating. I have no idea where anything is. ever :)

Trying to cherish my time though!

Precious memories (how they linger? ha)

{haha. ok ok, i went to far with the video and everything, but you know i love me some willie!}

Wow, lots has gone on since the last time I blogged! Here's an update on my wonderful life:

I finished off my last week of college, and it was super fun! Lots of activities and memories made :) And I got all "A"s my last semester! Woohoo!

{i finally finished my etbu t-shirt quilt!! I did it all myself! I was so excited!!}

{i dressed up like a present....for no reason. ha. thanks, lyss:) }

{senior friends at a fun dinner!}

{girl friends at dinner!}

Ok now for the BIG news...I graduated!!! I am officially an alum of East Texas Baptist University!! It feels wonderful! The depressed feelings might hit me a little later, but right now I'm very excited!

{happy day!}

{Caleb's family threw me a graduation party! They're so sweet!}

{They also bought me a Keurig coffee maker!! So exciting!}

{my parents bought me a gorgeous pink sapphire ring!! I love it!!}

{My gorgeous sisters and best friends!}

{my ENTIRE family got to be there! I felt special!}

{Sorry this is a pretty terrible pic...it's kinda hard to get 12 people situated!}

{finally got a picture by the ETBU sign}

Now on to why college was so wonderful for me! Besides great professors and my sweet job and lots of wonderful friends, ETBU wouldn't have been close to the same or near as much fun if it weren't for my best friend and boyfriend of 3 1/2 years, Caleb.

I am SO blessed to have found such a godly, hilarious, intelligent and encouraging man. I think I took for granted that we got to be together all the time because we went to the same college.

He came down to my town for new years...and he left today.

It's so weird that we're not going to be in the same town anymore. We're not even going to be relatively close...we'll actually be about 8 hours away. I'm sad. Real sad. Hopefully there will be multiple roadtrips this semester!

Let's hear it for long-distance relationships!!! Woohoo!

Enjoying the journey,

Galilee

Dear Brandon Rhyder,

I would like to freeze-frame time as well. Please help.
 
{don't mind the weird video...just listen}

I can't believe tomorrow starts my last week of college. I'm unbelievably sad. I'm not ready to leave! Can't stop anything now though.
However, I have a feeling this is going to be the best week of college yet :)

Sunday night we had ILOP (International Lobby of Pancakes!) I had the best time ever :)

 {i made a flower pancake}

 {Me, my boss, and my co-worker Sarah}

 {school spirit pancakes!}

{my name pancakes!! this was a little difficult to flip!}

Can't wait to see what monday brings!!

Baking blessings!

My day was officially made! There's nothing better than getting a package in the mail! Especially when it has a Vera Bradley apron in it!! I am so very thankful for my sweet friend, Jane! She just helped make this time in my life a little better! Maybe graduation isn't so bad after all! :)

it's christmas time, pretty baby...

Well, like every MWF at 9:00 am, I am quite possibly in the most boring class of all time. Hence, I am on the internet. I feel kinda bad about it, but...I think I would feel worse if I fell asleep during his class, so...I'm just pretending like I'm taking notes :)

This is my last week of class! I can't believe 3 1/2 years have gone by so fast. Seems like just yesterday I was learning my way around campus. Ok, well maybe not that extreme, but...I really can't believe in just two short weeks I'll be a graduate....a COLLEGE graduate. Exciting, don't get me wrong :) P.S. if anyone is interested in finding me a job, I won't be mad! 

It's christmas time in Marshall! It's super gorgeous here! Lights everywhere! Just last Thursday we had "Christmas In the Quad". A fun Christmas tradition at ETBU! I love Christmas. I love hot cocoa. I love thinking about the night Jesus was born and how sweet Mary must have been feeling. I love the idea of Santa (I mean, c'mon, he's a chubby sweet ol' man that hands out presents! What's not to like?!!). I love christmas lights. I love wearing my peacoat. I love that there is so much Christmas cheer! It's very seldom that you will find a person who doesn't like Christmas...it's just magical! 

{borrowed tigerline's pom poms}

{christmas friends!}