What Now?

I’ve been praying a lot about my blog here. At first, I knew that God really wanted me to have an outlet to show Him through this really tough last semester of undergraduate college. I am incredibly overwhelmed at the responses. People would text me saying that they were going through the same struggles. Some people thanked me for being real. Some people asked me questions that led to awesome conversations about Jesus. I am so thankful that God used it and continues to do so.

I have had multiply people ask me to continue to write. I didn’t think there was a need for it. I felt as though it was only appropriate for that season of life. However after praying about it for a couple of days, I think God is leading me to continue to write. I’m still praying through all the details for what it will look like, but I’m excited for what God is doing in and around me.

This is a crazy transitional period in my life. So much has changed already in my life that I know God is at work and now that I’m not at my institution I feel as though I can write more freely.

Thank you to family, friends, and my church for the support during the past few months. Thank you to my constant readers of my blog. You know who you are. I love you guys. God is good. Always.

Grace.
Alyssa Nicole Arellano

Day 3: Decisions

I find it so wonderful that God is so big and that I am so small.

Nothing can thwart His plans including even me. I think often times I make things a lot more complicated than I need to. Sometimes trusting God is the only thing that I can do and that’s okay. Trusting God and depending on Him is the best place to be. God knows. I must continue to rest in that truth. He also loves us and wants what is best for us.

Three days away from graduation.. This is it. The Lord is good. Always.

A

Day 7: ONE WEEK

Last day of undergraduate classes = Complete.

What a roller coaster the last four years have been! What great grace and love that has sustained me from semester to semester. It’s been quite the journey and growing experience.

I’ve learned that my way was nothing compared to God’s good way. He had ordained for things that I would have never expected. I really am excited about the future.

This time next week I’ll have had walked across the stage of FMA to receive my diploma holder. Ha!

I’m excited.

A

Day 9: Surreal

I just submitted my last paper of my undergraduate career.

I finished my last session of counseling today with Lynn.

I had my last day of internship today.

I pick up my regalia tomorrow.

We are in single digits until Commencement 2014.

Wow… This really is it. I cannot believe where I was several months ago compared to where I am now. God in His goodness broke me and kept me all at the same time. He has made disaster look so beautiful. He has reminded me that he has redeemed me for His own.

I was chosen to give my submitted testimony during Commencement this year. I’m excited to share the healing that I’ve experienced this semester. It’s so incredibly overwhelming to read through my blogpost and see what all God has done and is doing in my life. We serve such an amazing God. He loves us as His own. He cherishes us. He disciplines us. He pursues us. He’s everything we could ever need or want.

No matter what God is good.

A.

Day 11: Time to Begin

This. Is. It.

Last week of undergrad classes. WHAT.

I cannot believe how senior year just flew by. Through Grace, this week I will figure out what the rest of this year will look like, get fitted for my regalia, and have accomplished four years worth of undergrad classes. Oh, the stories that I will have to tell for many years of classes, teachers, and experiences. God is so good to have directed me the way He has over the last four years. I am thankful that He never gave up on me even when I was so incredibly stubborn on what I wanted out of life. God broke me of me and opened up doors after. My life is forever changed because of this semester. I’m thankful for each semester but especially this one.

I can’t wait to see what God has in store. One day at a time, of course.

Grace.
A

Day 12: Time

It’s about that time. As the days dwindle down, I want to make the best of the last two weeks. I want to minister grace to others during the next couple of days of my college career. I can’t believe we are already here. It feels like just yesterday I was checking in for freshman year. That was crazy! Now, we are weeks away from Commencement.

I want to stand firm the next few days. Help me to lean on the One gives all things.

A

Day 15: Overwhelmed

I was brought to tears multiple times today because of God’s goodness in my life and the lives around me.

Imagine how good God is in your life right now. Now, imagine ten times the amount of that goodness. Something I realized today was that God’s goodness reaches far deeper into our lives than we will ever realize. His goodness surpasses all of our expectations.

I am coming to the end of my undergraduate career and can’t help but feel so blessed and loved by my almighty Father.

He has placed me where He wants me when He wants with whom He wants me.

I can rest forever in Him.

Aly.

Day 30: ONE MONTH

First off, I am SO thankful for the opportunity to help a young woman understand the Gospel for herself. How humbling that God gave me the ability to speak truth and knowledge that she needed to hear. I am still overwhelmed that I have another sister in Christ.

Second of all, today could not have been better. Between internship in the morning, Greer in the afternoon, counseling with Lynn, and Grace Group at the Gomers – my day was filled with God’s people and amazing memories.

Lastly, I am excited about life. Content in this moment and in this process because through Christ anything is possible. How often does my faithlessness become obvious? My God is so grand and amazing and yet at times I expect so little. He is a God of wonder and awe. He is perfect in who He is and what He does. Salvation has made it possible to have such a grand relationship with the King of Kings. Hearing and speaking the gospel today made me really hear the Gospel again for myself. What a God to have died for a person like me!

What a cost! What a love!
We stand FORGIVEN at the CROSS!

Thank you, Sovereign Lord, for the past month. I thank you for allowing me to cling to Your Cross and Your strength. I give this next month to you for you to use in however you please. I want so badly to trust you more and more. Thank you for finishing it. Thank you for the freedom I find only in You.

a.

Day 42: The Dense Fog

Well, tonight concluded the very last Bible Conference week I’ll ever have to attend. Because my brother is 6 years older than me, this year was my eighth Bib Con to attend. This week was packed full of preaching and internship for me.

I’ve been stretched physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If there is one theme that I felt that God was making obvious to me throughout the week, it is to let God be in charge. To relinquish. To abandon. To let go. All things that are extremely difficult for driven control freaks.

Here are several other quotations throughout the week that reminded me to Let Go and Let God:

God wants for us to rest.
Whatever it takes to glorify God should be my mindset.
Life is a dash between dates.
I have been fighting the good fight.
Sanctification is a warfare.
Right aim. Wrong target.

More than ever, I feel like I’m in a dense fog called life right now. I honestly don’t know what the next step of life entails. I don’t know what or where for a lot. However, I’m letting go. I’m losing control. I’m enjoying this process of having nothing in order to realize everything. By FAITH, Abraham and Noah OBEYED. By FAITH, Alyssa Nicole Arellano must OBEY.

I am SO thankful for my Heavenly Father pointing me back to him and the Finished Work of Christ. I am also so thankful for the individuals that have been placed in my life to show me the love of the Father through their actions and words. You know who you are. The gym dates, the coffee dates, the service dates (even when you’ve graduated already), and the many prayer sessions – thank you. I have been blessed with friends, family, counselors, and mentors during this awesome growing experience. Thank you for investing time and effort in me. I love you all.

I’m ready. I’m willing. I’m His alone.

-A

Day 46: Dear Mom & Dad

Dear Mom & Dad,

I hate saying goodbye. If the airport walls could speak they wouldn’t, they would cry since all I do at airports is shed tears. Unfortunately, I’ve come to realize that goodbyes are inevitable and so is the sadness that follows.

I am so thankful for you. I could never express how grateful I am to you. You sacrificed time and money to come see me this weekend. Thank you for that. Thank you for the hugs, talks, and times off campus. Thank you for the prayers even when they are 1,000 miles away. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for always being a phone call away. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for pointing me to Christ when I needed it the most.

If I can be half the people that the both of you are, I would be happy. So many people at work, church, and our family look to the both of you for wisdom and prayers! You’ve taught me to serve and lead in such a quiet manner. You’ve taught me the importance of church and prayer. You’ve taught me stewardship. You’ve taught me perseverance. You’ve taught me through your examples what a Grace-filled person looks like. I know you’re not perfect. I know you’re growing just like I am but thank you for being real as you grow.

I’m overwhelmed at all you have done for me, Andrew, and Laura in the past 22 (+) years. I cannot wait till Baby A can join the pack and give and take love from you both.

A. A. Milne said it best through Winnie the Pooh (my childhood favorite character):

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

I love you.
Lys