Since the day I visited Valdosta I had the desire of becoming of a Residence Assistance, it may of been the push of my father to save money, but I knew I wanted to be in that position one day. My boyfriend at the time, his sister, was one at Brenau University and loved it. So during the tour of the campus two years ago, I remember asking a current RA about all the ins and outs of the job, what he kept reiterating is that it was not for everyone and your heart needed to be it, but I had no idea what he was truly saying until much later. So last year when the RA class was offered in the Spring and I was already taking eighteen credits I decided maybe it was not time yet to be an RA. I know now that was the right decision cause in the past year I got the experience of living off campus and I got to feel like an adult in the sense that I needed, but also got to be a front desk worker in the halls. God knew exactly what he was doing from the beginning, he knew how much endless love and time I would devote to the residents and RAs from my job . No longer was it about just being an RA, but more about how I could truly make a difference in the residences lives and be that support system they needed. The one thing holding me back from really diving in was being required to take a three hour course without knowing if you were getting the job or not because my schedule is pretty filled already, well God took that wall down by now making the class required once you are already hired. So as December rolled around I realized God has opened every door for me to follow his calling, so I applied and had faith that I was following what he wanted.I went through the interview process with a very opened mind and remembered to show my heart for the residents every step of the way because I never knew how much I loved people until I got the opportunity to really work with them. I felt so good about all of it that the day I picked up my letter of intent I was not nervous really for the first time in my life.

As most people would say to no surprise I got the job, but not only that after such a stressful week with school I appreciated it so much more than I would've if my life was all together. I say all of this to prove that it took several years for God to equip my heart for this position and I could've easily gotten it last year, but being a front desk worker gave a glimpse of why I truly desired to be one and made me appreciate getting the job more than I ever would've last year. For example, if I applied last year all I would have really wanted to just live in is the non community style bathrooms because that's all I have ever been exposed to living in. Well this year applying I know it is more about the residents and building those bonds, than having my own bathroom. So bring on the shower shoes and caddies if that is what the good Lord desires then I will be filled with joy. I just honestly want to be that "cool mom" as I described in my interview , for my residents I want them to know they can come to me about every detail in their lives, but also I want to be very accepting and not pushy of my beliefs as a normal mom would.I pray for every one of my future residents, I hope they know how much I love them already wherever they may be at in their lives, I can't wait till their path crosses mine.

Another example of trusting in God's timing is I have always wanted to travel the world and this summer I get the opportunity to serve at the Houston Missions Center in Texas and several times I could have gone on numerous missions, but they all fell through. I realize it was now cause my heart was not in the right place spiritually to pour into people. You can't expect to love on his kingdom if you haven't let him take control of your life.This is a huge step outside of my comfort zone and I have never been further than Mississippi for a few days, let alone gone away from my family for an entire summer.Every time someone says Texas is awesome, I get so many mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement. I am excited to see where God is taking me because I know he already has the best summer ever planned for me. He has every little detail planned out from this trip even though I am focused on just making it through the semester of school, he has already picked out who I am going to influence each day. God is just so awesome when it comes to the unknown of the future because he's up there in heaven laughing probably thinking oh Hope you just wait!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

So the past couple weeks have been filled with a lot of God's timing falling into place because with going to Houston this summer I was worried about how I would pay for housing in the fall and how my family would take it. God knew what he was doing months ago when I found out about Houston that I would get this job to provide for housing and be rewarded for falling his calling. Now school is kicking my butt for the second semester and my hope is that I will soon realize why, but unfortunately I realize it is all in his timing to find out or maybe never to find out, but it all works out in the end to glorify him. As long as I keep putting the time into to study he knows my efforts to glorify him and eventually hopefully the grades will show it.

So if you are desiring a relationship, or that ideal job, or just where to go with your life in the next couple months I promise God will give you the reasons to never stop being patience. He will put a man or woman in your life that you have spent years praying for,you may even tremble to talk to them sometimes because you can see God's work through all of it. He will provide you with a job that glorifies him and your strengths. Most days I do not know what to do next, but you know he knows what path your taking just be willing to listen and follow.

Let the Lord take the reigns of your life because without him, all we create are meaningless messes that give us joy in the moment and are never long lasting.