If we love one another...

Wow! I didn't know that the next time I would post would be so far away from the last time! So a lot has happened since then, such as coming back to Austin and the semester starting! But what I wanted to share is a new appreciation I have found for loving others.

While going over the material for the Bible Study I'm attending this semester over Colossians, we came across the topic of loving one another. It mentioned that from the time we first believe and receive the Lord, we spontaneously have love for one another and that this love is not our natural love, but the love coming out of our faith in the Lord.

So when we are living Christ today by faith, we are able to love others whom we may have never had the natural ability to love. This really impressed me because I've had my fair share of experiences of not being able to love others out of my natural ability. But, when I've turned to the Lord, and asked Him to be my source of love, somehow He was able to work in me.

A verse that I really like related to this is 1 John 4:12 "... if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."

Home Sweet Home

     I finally flew home yesterday for the first time this summer for a quick visit before classes start in the fall. And I have to admit, it is so good to be home! I never realized how much I miss my home and family here until I left for college and came back for the first time. I remember being overwhelmed by the fully stocked refrigerator and pantry, the openly available washer and dryer, my much missed soft bed, and the many other things that I used to take for granted merely because I never knew what it was like to be without them. But after living on my own and away from my family for a while, I began to see what it was like to live as a college student, shopping for my own groceries and doing my own laundry at a laundry mat. So when I go home now, I appreciate being there so much more! And I feel like my time with my family is more special and sweet. :) I guess distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

ahhh home... where there's actually snow :)

     Well, I am very excited to be home and am looking forward to my visit here. It will be a nice way to relax and rest before the beginning of the fall semester. So far, I plan to visit some family up in Connecticut for a few days, and maybe take a day trip to the beach when we come back. But I am mostly looking forward to spending time with the family and friends I have not seen in a while. Until next time. :)