18 days until graduation, and the Lord is still hard at work...

Hey everyone!

Man, I can hardly even begin to tell the depth of what God has been doing even since I last checked in with you all... To say the least, I am awestruck. Honestly, He may now be doing some of the most significant work that He has this entire year because He's going deep in me to revisit, strengthen and reinforce what has already been awakened inside of me. And SO MUCH of it is about my identity... It's really a trip to look back on this year because coming into it, I totally thought I knew who I was but in reality, I was walking in a mere fraction of who the Lord has created and called me to be! :) God has really been testing my heart and character lately... He has been bringing back into my view things that I thought were complete works but that actually need a WHOLE LOT more work before they are brought to completion in me! Behavior has a powerful way of displaying what has really been accomplished in my heart, and when I leave this place, I (and everyone else, for that matter) am going to see who I really became this year!

One of the things that just leaves me in awe and wonder is something one of our pastors said to day... "You cannot become a Heidi Baker or a Bill Johnson without being tested by the Lord because He loves you too much to let you stay the same." It is out of His LOVE for me that He refines my character in the fire because if He didn't do that, I would NEVER be able to withstand the weight of the radical call He has placed on my life! I am just wrecked with gratitude that He's revealing my weaknesses now. More, Lord! Whatever it takes to become more like You!

Haha, do you know that nothing can hold you back, if you're seeking after the Lord with all you have? Nothing. If you are earnestly, passionately pursuing Him, NOTHING can stop you. No lie is strong enough to overshadow His promises for your life. No mistake you ever make will annul the covenant of love He has made to you. No obstacle or detour will be able to keep you from the paths that lead to the fullness of your destiny. No weapon formed against you, no snare prepared to entangle you, no trap laid to cause you to stumble will EVER be able to take you down because the mighty hand of your Father is upon you, His favor and the strength of His Spirit are always with you, and He will work ALL THINGS to your good because you love Him and are called according to His purposes!

Nothing, nothing will keep us from fullfilling the dreams that we dream with Him ;). Doesn't that just make you so excited?? I'm excited! Yay Jesus!

I love you all! I need to do some homework and then hit the sack!

Be strengthened, stirred up, and encouraged by His love,

Melissa