Baptism 5/17/2015

Today Seth and I decided we would visit Freedom Church for the first time. Everyone we have talked to that attends this church talks about how awesome it is and since we are kind of trying to find something that blends both our worship styles this seemed perfect.
So we meet at my house and drive over, although it would have been much easier to sleep in on this rainy Sunday.
First time guests at Freedom Church are "VIP" so we got a close parking spot, were escorted inside, and then filled out an info card and they gave us a little bag with a cup and some info about the church.
One thing we thought was funny as we approached the sanctuary we noticed a table with ear plugs, so we knew this was going to be a loud exciting experience. And it was. They played really upbeat music and it was extremely loud and it kind of had the rock concert feel with the lights and I think I noticed smoke? But everyone was so into the worship, which I loved and it totally prepared us for the service.
We were told that there had been like 160 new salvations within the last short time and so this weekend was actually starting a new series on baptism and they were having a HUGE baptism event after the service.
Pastor JR Lee preached a great sermon on the importance of baptism after salvation and it was just one of those moments where God was speaking directly to my heart. I had been sprinkled as a baby, but I have been feeling for a while that I needed to really be baptised since it was my decision to follow Christ it also needed to be my decision to be baptised. Seth had also been baptised previously but he said he was really young and he felt like he needed to do this today,
 Anything I could have thought of for reasons to not take that step today, Pastor JR assured me that everything was taken care of. He said they had a change of clothes for everyone, they had hair dryers and make up, they even had feminine products.... He had been praying for me and for God to take away any hesitation for the last several weeks and he didn't even know me. It was just a really awesome experience where God said you are somewhere new, a little out of your comfort zone, and I am totally going to sideswipe you right now but you just need to obey m. And I'm so glad I did!
So needless to say I was pleasantly surprised with our first visit and Seth and I definitely intend on going back next week!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Well friends, it is 2015 and I am going to do the thing that no one cares about....

The past couple years I made resolutions, and I was going to write blogs about my resolutions at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year. Turns out, I am not a very regular blogger.... But I really want to write this down so I can finally delete the note I have on my phone.

Honestly I am not sure which resolution belonged to which year (2013 or 2014). My phone says I originally wrote the note February 26, 2013 but I know I added to it last year.

Here goes...

Start Running (check, although I should probably put this on my resolutions for 2015, oops)

Do at least two 5ks

Do the color run- (signed up for this 5k but ended up not doing it due to scheduling conflict)

Get HOPE scholarship back- (check! super happy about this one and still have it)

Cook a meal at least once a month (I know this should not have to be a resolution, again oops)

Try the 21 day challenge (didn't happen, not even sure what this is anymore???)

Be more Christlike (in my opinion I honestly think this was achieved, but I will always strive for this)

Work on relationship with my brother (definitely happy to report that this relationship has done a 180)

Start a blog... :)

Get engaged...... :( hopefully 2015 is our year, right Seth?)

Monthly challenges (yea no)

So overall I think I did pretty okay. I haven't thought much about what my resolutions for this year should be. And honestly I don't really like to think of them as resolutions, because everyone forgets about this around February 1. Instead I like to think of them as ways to improve myself or things I would like to achieve that year. This year I would definitely like to make health a priority, would love to gain some more independence ( I start a new job this weekend!), and may even try to cook/clean more frequently. We will see :)