Birds and Blessings

First of all, I just realized there is a completely unplanned "B" theme going on in this blog. Woops!  

                                                                         Abbey!

                                                                       Tatyana!

                                                            Melissa!

Blessed. I am undoubtedly blessed. Over the past few years I have undergone many changes that have ultimately led to blessings. One of the biggest alterations occured when I went off to college to attend Liberty University ("the world's most exciting university"). I was completely immersed in my major, Athletic Training and had the privilege to meet many wonderful people who continue to encourage me today. Although Liberty was neat, my heart ached because my best friend and boyfriend was not enjoying a bit of this exciting change with me. The longing to share my joy with my best friend grew into sadness that overshadowed the happiness I found. I must say if it wasn't for my lovely friends Melissa, Tatyana, and Abbey, I would have been LONG gone before the end of my first semester! So, thank YOU! 

All that being said, I decided I wanted to change majors from athletic training to exercise science and in doing so, I would also transfer colleges from Liberty University to Old Dominion University. This was a very beneficial move both financially and truly spiritually. While I did make up some other excuses, I genuinely believe this series of events helped me grow in Christ tremendously.Although I was met with many criticisms, I wrestled over what truly drove my decisions and came up with the following: 
1. Andrew needed my support in person just as much as I needed his.
2. I knew marriage was in the future for us and my continuing education at Liberty would have been tremendously expensive
3. I was not challenged enough spiritually at Liberty (though it was a wonderful growing experience for me)
4. Athletic Training would be a small portion of a dream that had to be sacrificed in order to later grow a healthy marriage and family 

As for the "birds" portion of this post. This verse, "26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" means worlds to me. It seems whenever my discouragement and worries overwhelm me, I see a bird! I can distinctly remember occasions at both Liberty and ODU when birds have just sort of appeared when I felt desperate. This verse immediately pops into my head and reverts my thinking from ME to GOD. The God of the universe Who takes care of the "less valuable" birds and truly BLESSES me.