Seeking Him

Hello lovely people! After listening to one of the most spiritually challenging messages last night at Overflow (the college ministry here in Wilmington), I wanted to share some of my thoughts on this ministry that I have come to love... and maybe in another post, after I've pondered it a little more, I'll share my thoughts on the message that really stirred my heart. 

To begin, let me give you a little background on where I was spiritually when I came to college a little over a year and a half ago. I came from the most loving church in the history of churches - probably definitely a little biased in that regard. I started attending my home church, Jennies Branch, when I was 15 and instantly felt like I belonged. Over the course of the three years that followed, I was heartbroken if I ever had to miss a Sunday or a Wednesday at church. I learned so much about God in the three years I consistently went to JBBC. What I didn't realize at the time was how much it would change once I went away to college. I didn't realize that when you're on your own in a big world, you can start to feel very small. I didn't realize just how much I depended on my youth group and youth leaders from home to guide me in my walk with the Lord. That is the one thing I would tell upcoming, Christian college students to be prepared for: once you're in college, your walk with Jesus becomes completely your own and you choose how much you're going to invest in it. 

Cue PC3 Overflow. I heard so many great things about the college ministry in Wilmington before I ever came to UNCW. I decided in my second week of college that I would give it a try... well, let's just say I only tried once. I was so overwhelmed coming from a small, southern baptist church walking into one of the biggest churches I'd ever seen in the midst of a thousand college students. I was so out of my element and could not get past the picture of how church was "supposed" to be in my head. So, I opted out of going for basically an entire year, which ultimately meant I excluded myself from worshiping and learning with other believers for far too long. To say my first year of college was a struggle would be an understatement, and looking back on it now, I know that the reason has a lot to do with stepping away from church. 

Before this year started, I promised myself I would give Overflow a try again, but this time with an open heart and with the picture of how church was supposed to be wiped clean. And man... the Lord has blessed me so much. My walk with Christ has changed so drastically in the past five months, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm really getting to know God because I desire to. I credit a lot of that to Overflow because of the way it impacts my life. I have never felt as free to worship the Lord as I do when I'm standing in a room with a thousand other college students who love Him like I do. While we are all in different places in our relationships with God, we come together to praise Him for all that He is doing in this season in our lives. I've seen so many souls saved and lives changed in the time I've been a part of this ministry, and I pray the Lord keeps moving among us. 

In the past five months, I've learned more about who Jesus is and how much He loves me than I could have ever hoped to learn. I am not perfect, but my desire to seek God because I want to, not because someone is telling me to, has changed my life. In the book of Jeremiah, there is a verse that says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Before this year, I was not seeking the Lord with all my heart. Oh, but what a difference seeking Him with all your heart can make because He is faithful to His promises. I have a long way to go in my relationship with Jesus, but I'm going to keep working at it and seeking Him until He calls me home or comes back and gets me! 

God is the one true King, y'all, and He is awesome! If you don't know Him, seek Him with your whole heart! I promise you'll find Him! If you do know Him and wish you had some people to learn more about Him with, come check out Overflow on Tuesday nights at 7 in Wilmington. We sing praises to the One who is truly worthy and really dissect the Word and figure out how it applies to this crazy college life! I've been so blessed, and I can't thank God enough!

I'm so glad you took the time to read this, and I hope you feel encouraged!

Until next time!

First Day of Class

Hey readers! Just wanted to give a quick update about my college adventures. I started the second semester of my sophomore year today (is this real life?). There is always a part of me that gets super nervous about the first day of school, but today was different for me. I knew that I only had Communication classes today, and it made me feel at ease. I think that is a good indicator that I'm in the right major. I felt super comfortable in my two classes today, and I have a good feeling I'm going to like my two other classes tomorrow. I'm sure there will come a point in this semester where I'll say, "I'm actually going to drop out this time" (because it always happens - sassy, college girl probs), but I think that feeling won't be as overwhelming this time around. Today I also got to spend time with my beautiful small group friends. I seriously love being around them because they are all so encouraging. Tonight we just spent time hearing about each other's breaks and playing fish bowl, but even in those casual moments with them I still feel so close to God. I'm so glad I found a group of friends to love me through these four years of overwhelming college life, and I'm glad I ended this first day back with them. 

I feel so fortunate for this opportunity. I know I take it for granted sometimes, but I do realize every day how blessed I am to be here doing what I love. I love to learn. I love COM Studies. I love Spanish. I love Wilmington. This is such a sweet season in my life. I've made such wonderful friends and memories in the past year and a half here, and I know my college years are ones that I will always remember. I'm going to try my best to write as often as possible. Last year went by so fast, and I don't remember a lot of what happened. This is going to be an exciting year for me, and I want some words to remember it by. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. 

Before I wrap this up, I want to give a BIG birthday shout out to my sweet friend, Abbey! Even though we just met this year, I feel like I have known you for my whole life. We clicked instantly, and I know our friendship is going to continue to grow over these next two and a half years. You are so sweet and so encouraging, and I'm blessed to know you! I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow because you deserve it!!! I love you SO big! 

That's all I have for tonight, friends. Until next time!

-Morgan

Hello 2015!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm having a hard time believing the year 2014 even happened because it went by so fast. It felt like every time I blinked, another month had passed. I would like to use that as my excuse for why I gave up on blogging after March, but honestly I just forgot. College life will do that to ya. However, I'm making it a goal (not a resolution) to document my life more in words and pictures this year, and I think this blog is a great place to start. 

I thought a good first post would be to do a recap of the big moments of my seemingly nonexistent 2014 (just following in suit with my other favorite bloggers out there). 

First

At the beginning of the year, I checked an item off my bucket list: Find One Tree Hill filming sights. Living in Wilmington would not be right if I didn't search out the houses and sights from my all-time favorite TV show. Luckily, I had some equally obsessed friends who went along for the ride, and it was an awesome day! There are still a lot more places that I have to see, but that was a great start.

Second

At the end of January, I gained a roommate and a best friend all in one little package. While I knew Brittany for a few months before she became a roomie, I didn't know the depth of our friendship until I was coming home every day to her long stories and overwhelming generosity. Brittany made 326-19 feel like home, and my college life (and just life in general) would not be the same without her. 

Third

I finished my first year of college - PRAISE! I grew as a student and a person so much in my first year. I learned a lot about myself and about the world, and I am so thankful for this opportunity God has placed in front of me. There were definitely times that I wanted to give up, but I got through it, and I'm that much closer to getting my B.A. in Communication Studies!

Fourth

In May, I found out that my best friend since sixth grade was expecting a little baby! A few weeks after Cynthia told me she was pregnant, she found out she was having a girl!!! And as if all of that didn't already have me overjoyed, Cynthia and Daniel asked me to be sweet Sophia's godmother! After much anticipation, Sophia Lorraine Cox made her arrival into the world on November 13th at a perfect 6 lbs 11 oz. I am absolutely smitten with this precious little girl, and I can't wait to watch her grow. 

Fifth

As if one baby isn't enough to make this girl the happiest in the world, in June my sister Courtney told me (in typical, perfect Courtney-fashion) that she was also pregnant!!! This season of my life has been so sweet, especially with Court. I spent a lot of this past semester focusing on Courtney's pregnancy, i.e calling/texting every day, making solo road trips to VA, dying to find out the gender, planning/attending baby showers, going to ultrasounds. In about a month, give or take, I will have my first little niece who I already love so much. I can't wait to spoil that sweet girl rotten.

Sixth

I celebrated my third anniversary with my handsome boyfriend in August, and although we've only have three anniversary dates (obvi), this past one was probably my favorite. It was super spontaneous, and I enjoyed just spending time with Al. 2014 was an awesome year for our relationship, and we got to do a lot of things we had never done before, including taking our first solo vacation & road trip! I'm so thankful for my man and the endless ways he spoils me!

 

Seventh

In the way of church activities, I had a busy and fun year! I got to co-lead Vacation Bible School at my home church with three of the greatest people. It was one of the most difficult and thrilling experiences of my Christian life so far because it was literally just us four young adults leading a room full of middle and high school students. I also fell in love with the college ministry in Wilmington called Overflow, as well as spent more time getting to know and love my small group girls. And finally, I attended an Apologetics Conference in Charlotte with some people from my home church, and I learned so much about the Word and about who God is. The Lord is always so good to me.

Eighth

In 2014, I got to spend a lot of time with family. I don't know if this has always occurred and I haven't appreciated it as much, or if it was only this year that I got to see my family a lot, but either way I am thankful for it. I spent a lot of time with my Nana while she has been in a nursing home. I was able to see my cousins on my mom's side quite often, as well as one of my cousins on my dad's side. I spent a lot of time with my parents and my sisters. I ended the year with my dad's folks, and I'm incredibly grateful for a year filled with family.

I am so thankful for an incredible year, even though it seemed like a vapor! I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 holds for me! The Lord has awesome plans, and He is true to His promises! 

Thanks for reading!