the beginning

Here we are! The first post of my first blog. Here are a few things to know before we officially start off:
I would not classify myself as a "blogger". Let there be grace :)
I cannot promise that I will post everyday, or even every week, but often enough to keep you entertained!
I want to fall in love with Jesus over and over again.
And so it begins...

I suppose a little background information would be nice for those of you who are yearning to know the point and purpose of this, my venture into the blog world. Well, I'm glad you asked...
As many of you know, or may not know, I attended Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington last year and had the greatest freshman year of college I could have asked for. I loved that city, the people I met and the experiences I had. And I still do! Unfortunately, it is a rather expensive school to attend. And while God provided all that I needed, and more, to have my Seattle adventure, I decided to return home to Fort Collins and attend community college for my sophomore year. This was partly in an effort to be a good steward of my finances, but mostly because I knew God was calling me back home. For what, you might ask?
I'll get to that. Not quite finished with my story yet...
Again, as some of you may know, I spent 4 weeks out on the waters of Lake Shasta in Northern California with Sonshine Ministries this summer. It was a time full of work, play, youth groups, new friends, sunshine and Jesus. But mostly Jesus. He stripped me to my core over those four weeks and He and I are still processing through all that He was revealing to me. What is it that Jesus taught me, you may again inquire? And why did He call me back to Fort Collins, though Seattle seemed to be my niche?
I have two words for you, friends ... the unknown.

I am currently reading through a book called Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton. She wrote this book with spiritual disciplines in mind, calling attention to the ways that such disciplines can transform our hearts. Her first point in the introduction is simply this:
"One of the most basic things to understand about spiritual transformation is that it is full of mystery. We can be open to it, but we can't accomplish it for ourselves."
A little later in the introduction, she gives us this little gem:
"The decision to give ourselves to the experience of spiritual transformation brings us to the edge of what we know and leaves us peering into the unknown."

So there we have it. This year, my 21st year, will be a year of spiritual transformation as I peer into the unknown. Join me if you like :)