Holidays.

Never in my life have I been so very excited for the Holidays. For Christmas, presents, and just the meaning of the season, and it being spent with my family. I am so excited this year. I can not wait. I am just oh so very excited. Today has been spent watching Hallmark Christmas movies all day. (never got out of my pajamas) Lazy day, yes I think so. I never have time for this, so I will take advantage of this while I have the chance. I miss my BCF family already, but im sure this break will fly by. Speaking of flying. This girl got a ticket to fly down south to see her best friend aka roommate leaving January 8th! I am so beyond excited. It has been so long since I have blogged. That the newest exciting news issssss..... (drum roll) I GOT A JOB WITH CENTRI KID OVER THE SUMMER!!! I am so beyond excited. The Lord sure is blessing me thats for sure. Also being content with life, has become wayyyy easier here lately. I have had so much bravery to stand up for what I believe, not let anyone run over me, and to not care what other people think of me. God made me just the way I am. There is no reason to be jealous of anyone, or to care what anyone thinks of me. This is a little quote from something I came across the other day, "While a woman is waiting to find the man of her dreams, she should not fall into a slump of misery. Her heart should be enlivened and she should grow deeper in her relationship with God. If she happens to fall in love with a man, oh how lucky that man will be to find a woman who is so devoted to living her life for the Lord. If she does not, that's fine too, because her relationship with God is enough for her and provides the eternal fulfillment that no human relationship can." Touched me in so many ways. I worry to much about the future. I need to live in the present, be thankful, and realize the time will come when I will be so lost in my love for the Lord that a man will seek Him to find me. 

Both of these videos are so true. & touched my life in many ways. So as I sit here with family, enjoying my time off in the midst of the holidays I truly realize how blessed I am.


& oh did I happen to mention that I FINISHED MY FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE!! 1 DOWN 7 TO GO!! 18 NEXT SEMESTER!!

God is jealous for our affections. Colossians 3.

Colossians 3. Wow. Never really sat down and read it. Deeply. Well today in Chapel during music we read this. It spoke so heavily to me. So very deep to me. So I went back and read, read, read, & re-read it. Time & time again. It spoke to me differently every time. This is just a few of the powerful verses that really spoke to me very heavily, "⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator"  Wow. Thats life changing for me. These last few days have been very rough for me. I'm just trying to take time to let everything sink in and realize what God wants from me not what I want. His will is far better than I could ever imagine, even though right now it may not seem like it. Yes, yes I know life is not always a smooth ride. But sometimes it seems like way more than I can handle. Like right now. But clearly God will never give me more than I can handle. So I am just taking it day by day. Knowing deep down that everything will work for the good of Gods will. In His time not mine. So thankful for all the wonderful people here at BCF that know just how to brighten this girls day, all the time. 

                                                                      Beautiful friendship :)

Back to reality. Blessings. Eyes being opened.

Who ever came up with a week off for Thanksgiving, then go back to school, then finals, then out for 6 weeks is sorry to say this but an idiot! As harsh as that may sound this stinks. Blah. I do not want to go back to both jobs and school. BUT I am a very blessed girl, and will not dwell on the bad. I will take it and run with it. I fully believe God has me the elementary school for a reason! Even though im not exactly sure on the reason yet I will figure it out sooner or later. Here recently I have started writing in this journal for my future husband. I love it. It gets so much off my chest, knowing I can connect with him somehow even though im not sure who he is yet. One day this journal will be a veryyy precious, sweet, and loving gift. The best gift that could be given. I start off every post with Hey Husband. P.s. I cant wait to say that one day. But in the mean time I am focused on becoming the woman of God that I need to be in a relationship. Also trying to become patient, and content with where God has me right now. Im here for a reason and need to become content with where God has me. I am not saying I do not like BCF, not saying that at all! Just saying I miss home so much. Leaving is so hard. I usually cry all the way back to BCF. & especially after being home a week! BUT I will enjoy it, I will make the best of the opportunity God has provided for me to have 2 jobs, and a to be receiving a Christian education. So blessed. On my way back to the college I heard the song "How He Loves Us" by David Crowder Band. Wow. Have you sat down and really listened to the lyrics of that song? If not, please do. Those words are so powerful & can change a life! Can any of us completely grasp and fathom how much He loves us? Its such a huge concept to fully take in. I cant even begin to explain all the thoughts that come to mind every time I hear that song. It blesses me & shows me a full new meaning every time. Yesterday the huge Florida vs. Florida State game took place. & wow. Never seen so much crap on FB. If the Gospel & word of God was spoken as much as football was talked about yesterday, this world would be such a better place. It really got me yesterday. Usually I just overlook/overread it. But yesterday I couldnt, for some odd reason. Well seeing as how I should be doing the homework that I procrastinated all of Thanksgiving break doing, ill get off and do it, hmmm later ;)

                                                               Such a Beautiful song!

Holidays. Life.

Whew. 2011 already over? The year I waited for, for so long. The year I graduated high school. Everyone said I would miss high school, yeah right. Just miss living under my parents roof! With Thanksgiving already coming and gone. Now Christmas approaching rather quickly, where does the time go? Oh wait I know, slips right out from under our feet. I am so Thankful & blessed beyond measure. Its hard to even explain how much the Lord has blessed me with this year. & with the Thankful season still in the air let me list a few:

1. BCF; being given a wonderful Christian Education

2. Not one but TWO wonderful jobs!

3. My family. A wonderful family who supports my decisions.

4. A wonderful friend/mentor Lauren Crews.

5. A car that gets me from point A to point B (even though it is tore up most of the time)'

6. Mexican food; my 2nd love

7. My father the Lord Jesus Christ. Dont even know where to begin on that topic.

Thats just a few of the MANY things! The list could go on & on & on. I am thankful for so very much in my life. I am one blessed girl, thats for sure! :)

 It was a wonderful Saturday for a photo shoot in Gracevegas ;)

Blessings in disguise.

Its been a while since I have actually had time to sit down and blog. I miss it. But between being sick, college, work, and spending time with a certain someone I never have down time. But being sick today, and Taylor being out of town gives me time to sit down and do what I enjoy. I have recently been trying to update my blog, but im still in the learning process. So expect some changes soon. The good Lord has been blessing me like crazy here lately. I get so home sick sometimes. And at those times when I begin to believe im not supposed to be at BCF anymore the Lord throws some stuff in my face to prove to me that I am supposed to be here. The other day I was complaining about my financial situation, then 20 minutes later I have a new job! He has put an amazing guy in my life. And I could not of asked for anything better. There have been some verses that God has just thrown out there to me lately 1 John 4:18-19 & Song of Solomon 3:4 have stuck out to me lately. I am so excited to see what the good Lord has in store for my future. 

                                                       Yes, this is what we do during class (:

                                                                 Biggest Hugest Blessing (:

My roommate loves me (:

College full swing, Work. Life.

Whoa. Its been so long since I have had the chance to blog. I have been so busy. Between classes kicking in full swing, work,spending my daily time with the Lord, and amazing people God has put into my life; I have time for nothing. Here lately God has put some amazing people in my life. He has blessed with me with a wonderful man. Who my whole family meet this weekend, and loved him. He is a great guy(: The friendships im making here at BCF are insanely awesome. The girls here are awesome, and these memories and friendships will last a lifetime. Oh college, the joys of procrastination, yes me. I literally just started a paper and finished a paper tonight, that I knew about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Yes procrastination, I know you, love you and hate you at the same time. Haha. Oh how I wish I was sleeping right now, but my roommate and a friend are wedding talking, so im stuck awake. :/

God blesses me beyond measure when I least expect it :)

My new project, everyday when I do my devotion I write the main passage on a index card and am making a collage on my wall(:

Hurry fast, off to class I go.

Weekend. Getting Sick. :/

This week was crazy. Between class, getting ready for my new job, spending time with my friends & some amazing people. I am just now slowing down. I am soooooooo homesick right about now. I cant wait to go home the 9-11th of Sep, to help with my home churches d-now! Soooooo excited missing home and my youth group terribely. I can hardly wait. The good Lord is continuly working in my life. 

"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God present yourselves a living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable, which is your spiritual act of worship. And do not be conformed any longer to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2. These verses touch me so much. Im trying to stay in God's will with everything that I am doing in life. How can you do it without staying in the word, & praying? Impossible. So doing everything, enjoying life, overdoing it, is getting me sick :( Between my sinuses, allergies, and everything combined im feeling pretty crummy. So yes prayers would be great right about now.

Me and Heather. This girl makes my stay at BCF much better :)

Whoa. Slow down life.

Its been so long. Life is going crazy GREAT! So much going on with school, got a new job, and just life. I got a job working at Graceville Elementary School. Yayy!! My passion. God is certainly showing up and showing up in my life. The Lord is so great. He is placing AMAZING people in my life. Classes are going good. Cant say great (who thinks going to school/college is great)? If you do, sorry! God is soo great. Romans 12:2 has really been hitting me hard here lately. I am so on fire, but yes, im not perfect, noone is, so there is still some things in my life that i need to get rid of. Its not going to be easy but I MUST do it. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and perfect and acceptable will of God" AMAZING PASSAGE!! :) I am making so many new friends here! They are all such an encouragement. At times I feel so overwhelmed, like I just have to go home, and cant stay no longer. Thats when God literally shows up and gives me soooo much strength.

Me and my friend Heather playing pool in the student center.

Whew. College fun!

It has been a day. Class, break, lunch, class, got sick from greasy chicken at lunch. Took a veryyyy long nap. Very much needed, until now. I cant fall asleep and I have class tomorrow Ahh! This calls for benadryl :) What a fun night this has been. Crazy times in Napier, memories in the making here at BCF! I am making many, many, many friends. Just when I think I cant do this whole college thing, that im missing home to much, the good Lord gave me strength to start enjoying myself here. Crazy times, crazy videos, crazy pictures, sliding down the hall in very slippery socks, and talking with people outside, why yes maybe I did take part in these activites tonight but I loved every minute of it! Well my benadryl is kicking in! Bye!

Left: mean girl harrasing me :( Right: Girl harrasing me (I got her back) :)

Hahaha poor girls :)

God's test. Busy life.

Not even a week into college, im exhausted, & just want everything to slow down. Im home sick. Even though I am only an hour away! I dont have the gas and junk to be going home :( I will admit, at first I did have second thoughts about my college choice. But God has put me here for a reason. & I may not be 100% sure what that reason is right now, but im going to stick it out. Im sure things will get easier as time goes by, or atleast I can only hope they do. My body is worn slap out! But thank God tomorrow I dont have class until 11:30 so this girl is sleeping till 10. :) God has been revealing so much to me lately. I tend to find it hard when having a busy day, like everyday here lately, to actually sit down and have my quiet time with God. I wish that I could be so disciplined to do it. But im forcing myself everyday. And its not something that should have to be forced! So needless to say my new challenge is to wake up every morning, not mad cause im tired, but yet happy that the good Lord woke me up another day and is giving me another chance at life. So I will do my quiet time!! Off to class. :(

My sweet baby sister, that I miss terribly!

First day of College. The Lord working in my life.

Its been a few days. Been so busy. Between starting college, new job, moving away from home, & making new friends. Whew. Im exhausted. But the good Lord is continuing to show up, & show off in my life. Today was my first official day as a full time college student. It went very well. Im oh so excited to find out what the Lord is going to start revealing himself, & the blessings he is going to bestow upon me. Here lately he has been laying on my heart about idols. Anything I put before my God is an idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6MvZLDBFpU . My new favorite song. It explains everything that has been laid on my hear lately exactly! The Lord is opening my eyes to sooooo much the last few days! Going to play some volleyball! :)

Last few days at home, with some of the youth.

Lock-in. Dad and brother down.

Whew what a long night it was! I ended up leaving an hour early. The joys of having to get up today and go to work :( My last day at this job though! Yayyy!! Last night/this morning at the lock in we were watching soul surfer & my phone lights up, its my father & brother. They came to see me at 1 this morning! Made my night/morning! :) I got a new do yesterday, I put a perm in my hair! I love it, just dont like the 48 hours without washing it and stuff! I feel icky! Lol. At the lock in some some of the leaders did a skit called banana pudding, most hilarious thing I have ever witnessed in my life! So hilarious. What a joy it was to watch the youth group have so much fun. The message was powerful. It touched some lifes, I just know it did. Some people may have been there for someone else, or just to get out of the house, or because you felt you had to. But you heard the word spoken, I can only hope you listened & will apply it to your life! There was so much truth in it!

What an old picture, This was our youth group this time last year! Galations 2:20

Orientation. Craziness.

Longggggg day!! Orientation was boring, long, & had to take a stupid 4 hour test :/ So yes my brain if fried, & I feel like I cant answer another stupid question for quite some time. Lol. Im all done with everything, until Monday when classes start for good! Ahhh, nervous, scared, & excited! So many mixed feelings. Ask me why and I couldnt tell you! Baha. Im just ready to get a schedule going, & for things to settle down! I go home this weekend, lock in with the youth tomorrow night, then work saturday, & sunday. (last 2 days at my job). I got a job at Winn Dixie so much closer to BCF. Thank you Jesus for answered prayers! You never fail me! Only thing I need now, is books, & some unexpected money! But the good Lord will provide, he ALWAYS does! Faith Kayla Faith!! All God's timing not yours!! Am I only the person who doesnt have patience, & wants things now & not when God wants to provide them to me? I sure hope im not. Cause im really trying to get better with patience, its getting better slowly but surely!! GREAT NEWS, I get to sleep in tomorrow, a LITTLE BIT! So yeah im getting off, getting a shower, and going ahead and heading to bed!!

Oh, the only thing about high school I will miss, good friends & old memories! (even though there will be more made here at BCF!!) :)

New life. New friend.

Wow. What an amazing crazy day? Yes I have had two in a row. I moved to BCF today. For good. Woke up, took forever to finally get up and going, went to watch the Basfod kids (love them), picked up my paycheck, meet my roommate in Marianna, she followed, got here, unloaded, went took care of some things, went to Chipley to meet her parents for dinner & more dorm shopping, & now still unpacking! Whew, sooo exhausted. Wishing I could get a shower & go to bed.  Meet my roommate and wierd, we are just alike! Baha. Im oh so excited for my first day tomorrow, but so nervous as well. Im growing up, & kinda sorta dont want to. Im all moved in. Except, I have wayyyy to many clothes. So I need more hangers & drawer space. Lol. Or maybe I should do what I dont want to & go through things & start giving things away. Naw, ill keep everything for now. Between the both of us, we are slammed in here like sardines (sarcasticly). Im so excited though!! I have a full day starting at 7 a.m. tomorrow :/ To early for this girl, so its off to bed I go.

Picture me & my mom took before I moved out for the summer! I love her oh so very much!

New job. Friends. Family.

Whew. What a hectic, glorious, & blessed day this has been. Errands ran with my Sheebs, cute little gifts made for my friend Lauren, mexican, a telephone call that I had a job interview. Rush home. Get ready. Go to Dothan for interview. I GOT A NEW JOB! Thank the Lord for answered prayers. Btw this was supposed to be my last rest day before school started. (didnt happen). But everything happens for a reason as im learning here lately. When I sit back & let God do the work, all this stuff just falls into place by itsself! How amazing is our God? Ahh cant even be explained. Tomorrow I move to BCF for good. Oh, how im going to miss my youth group, friends, & family. Good thing I wont be so far away! (: & im coming back home for this weekend. Found out today that the two of the most important men of my life are coming down to pay me a visit. Eeeekkk! My brother & father! Oh what a joyous weekend it will be! So when its all said & done, maybe I had a hectic non-stop day, maybe im just so exhausted, but the good Lord knew what he was doing!

Mexican= my all time love!

Especially with good friends!

My life

Hi. Im Kayla. New to this blogging thing. Well, new to many things going on in life right now. Im full swing with life, family, school, & job searching! I start BCF (the baptist college of florida) full time next monday. Majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in missions! First semester in college, im excited, nervous, ready for it all to be over with, & most of all ready to be able to sit back and relax! My family is my life. I have 10 siblings (not all same mom same dad). I have the best friends/mentors a girl could ask for Jesus Christ, & Lauren Crews. Without them both I would be....... (lost). The theme of my blog is LIFE IN THE BACKGROUND! My favorite Lecrae song. Im learning to sit back & let God take the steering wheel of my life. Its not about what Kayla wants, its about what God has in store for my future, & all his timing!

Two of the most important men in my life, on one of the most important days of my life!

I am my mothers daughter!

This is a test

Testing. Testing. Testing.