LU: Year One

The shelves are growing bare as I pack my Rubbermaid tubs and suitcases full of picture frames and clothes and books.

All but one of my finals have been taken, my classes finished & assignments complete. Thank you’s have been given to my professors. Books returned to the bookstore.

I’ve already said goodbye to friends who left before me. My dad has already taken the majority of my stuff home.

I didn’t think I’d be sad about the semester ending, about the school year coming to a close.

But Liberty, you’ve surprised me this year.

This year…

I can’t even begin to put into words all that this year has been.

It’s been hard, no doubt. Really, really hard. I’ve missed home and my church and my friends and my family. I’ve struggled through assignments and gotten really bad grades. I’ve cried on the phone with my mom. I’ve been sick away from home- which is basically the worst…ever. I’ve struggled spiritually in ways I didn’t think I would, especially at Liberty. I’ve dealt with friendship drama. God has said no to so many things. Yes, it’s been difficult.

But, my gosh. It’s been so rewarding.

I’ve made more friends than I ever thought I would.

I’ve had professors who not only taught me with excellence, but cared about me and my life.

I’ve stayed up until 3am laughing with friends and talking about anything and everything.

I’ve spent Sunday nights with a leadership team of ten girls who are crazy for Jesus.

I’ve had the best spiritual and life mentors a girl could ask for in my RA’s and SLC’s.

I’ve cried happy tears when my dad surprised me by coming for lunch when I was having one of those hard days.

I’ve laughed…and laughed…and laughed some more with girls who have become like family to me.

I’ve spent time with my family, and it’s been extra sweet and meaningful now that I’m not with them all the time.

I’ve studied and made up for those bad grades, and more than that, I’ve learned SO much.

I’ve taken English classes where God has reminded me just how much I love literature and history and seeing how the two connect. Education classes that made me thrilled to teach and have my own classroom one day. Geography classes where we had fun learning about the world. Communications classes where God took a class that I was dreading and gave me so many great friendships and times of immense fun.

And yes, I’ve struggled spiritually.

But I’ve also grown by leaps and bounds in ways that I still don’t even fully comprehend.

I’ve learned to trust my Jesus through the up’s and down’s of daily life. To lean into Him when I really can’t make it one more breath without Him. To believe in who He is and know Him personally, not just know about Him. To let Him heal me, even when it hurts at first. To believe that He will keep His promises because He is faithful…even when I am faithless. To see and trust that He will bring me out of the desert and onto the mountaintop where I can see His grace in my every step…because I’ve seen and felt Him do it before.

Tears sit in my eyes tonight as I write this, because I simply cannot believe this year – my freshman year of college – is over. It went by in an instant, a beautiful, challenging, incredible, unforgettable instant.

So thank you…

To my professors for teaching me and guiding me in the Lord and in every subject you’ve taught.

To my people back home (my friends, my church, you know who you are) for supporting me and encouraging me and sending me endless letters (which made me smile so very often).

To my family: my mom and dad, brothers and sister, grandparents and aunts and uncles, for sending me texts (and pound cake!!) and calling and checking in on your favorite granddaughter ;) your love, visits, and support means more than you’ll ever know. Seriously.

To every single one of my friends at Liberty for being the best…ever. For making me laugh, for cheering me up when I’m sad, for being my family away from home. For being there. You’ve helped me fill this year with some of my very favorite memories…I can’t wait to make more.

To Liberty University for being so much more than I ever thought it would be. This time here (and over the next three years) has been and will be incredible. And I wouldn’t want to be any where else experiencing this chapter in my life.

And to my Jesus, for pulling me back to Him every time I stray even just a little bit and for keeping me in tune with Him every step of the way.

As I close out freshman year and head home for a summer with some of my favorite people, I am so so so thankful. And I cannot wait to see what sophomore year has in store.

If it’s anything like this year, then I know I’m in for a fantastic ride.

~Bailey

When God Says No (Part 2)

I won’t lie. This semester hasn’t been easy.

I knew it would be hard. Paige’s birthday was in February, less than three weeks after we started classes.

I went home a week after and sat with my mom and cried…sobbed. This grief still hits in unexpected places and times.

I knew I was taking 18 credit hours and I knew it would be an insane amount of work. And boy, I’ve never been more right about something in my whole life. There have been points where I felt like I was drowning in math and English and education.

But what I didn’t know was that those comparisons from last semester would come back up to the surface. That my relationship with Christ would be in a very dry season. That things weren’t going to go the way I had planned.

Because, really, when does life go like we want it to?

But, friends, let me tell you…that is a beautiful thing.

The fact that life doesn’t go like we want it to…that is beautiful.

Because that means that life always always always goes just like our Jesus wants it to.

Yes, that’s coming from the girl who has had a really hard semester.

It’s also coming from the girl who has had the support of amazing friends. Who has found reconciliation in relationships. Who has been blessed over and over again by the God she serves…the God who is always good.

My goal and desire for next school year was to be an RA. I knew there was a crazy small chance of this actually happening since Liberty is very strict and picky on who they put in charge of their residence halls (and I’m grateful for that!).

But still, when I got that rejection email there was something in me that wondered: am I just not good enough?

God started laying on my heart the position just under the RA’s which is called SLC…I wrote a post about my passion for SLC in this post not very long ago.

But what I didn’t know was that I was going to go through interviews and paperwork and more interviews only to get an email that read, “this note serves to inform you that you have not been selected to be an SLC for the 2016-2017 school year.”

My heart sank and I wondered why…why…why had God placed such a passion in my heart and determination in my mind only to get rejected again? Why wasn’t I good enough? What had I done wrong?

I was crushed. I didn’t realize how badly I wanted this position until it was out of my reach.

But, of course, God was working…just like he always is. He kept breathing his promises and his grace and love into my disappointment. He kept telling me this, “You know I still want you to be serving next year. Now, my Bailey, what’s that going to look like?”

Prayer group leader.

I hadn’t wanted to do it again next year. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVED being a prayer group leader this year. But it wasn’t what I had dreamed of for next year until God kept whispering it into my head and into my heart.

And when my RA Caitlin mentioned that she’d be moving buildings (to one I was looking at anyway) and needed prayer group leaders…

Well, I knew that was my place for next year.

So on Wednesday when Caitlin walked in my room and officially offered me the prayer and life group leader position for her hall next year, I knew.

I knew that this was God’s plan A.

No matter what I had wanted or envisioned for next year…no matter if this felt like my plan B or C…this was God’s plan A, his plan all along for my life and my sophomore year at college.

God has said no to so many things this semester.

He’s said no to easy classes.

He’s said no to RA.

He’s said no to SLC.

He’s said no what I wanted for my life.

But on the flip side…

He’s said yes to having an amazing RA again next year, one that I’ve grown to love and become great friends with.

He’s said yes to learning and soaking up more knowledge and wisdom by the day.

He’s said yes to interview practice…and even learning to be rejected.

He’s said yes to beautiful friendships…to beautiful sunsets and conversations and people here at this school.

He’s said yes to prayer and life group leader for next year.

He’s said yes to giving me a fabulous roommate for next year.

He’s said yes to allowing me to go to Tanzania this summer with my family.

He’s said yes to always being there for me.

He’s said yes to always being good to me.

He’s said yes to doing what is best for me…

He’s said yes to doing his plan A. To making sure that His plan always plays out, that His desires for my life are fulfilled.

Maybe I’m crazy.

Maybe I’ve just really fallen in love with my Jesus.

Maybe I’m fully learning to trust Him.

But if I have to take a few no’s in order to have Him say yes to so many incredible things…then I am totally okay with that.

Because I know as a daughter of the King, when He says no to one thing, He is giving me an even better yes.

So this semester has been hard.

But I wouldn’t trade it for the world because my Jesus is saying “Yes!” in so many more ways than I could have ever imagined.

And whether you can see it or not, He’s doing that same thing for you, too.

Trust Him to give you the very best yes in every hard spot, in the midst of every no and every rejection.

Because that yes from your Father will be so sweet and beautiful…and you’ll know it’s exactly where He wants you to be. And that is the best place to be.

~Bailey

To focus on heavenly things

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Why didn't I get an A on this paper like ____?

Why doesn't my hair/outfit/make up look as good as her's?

Why does she have a cute relationship with a boy who loves Jesus and I don't?

Why does my life seem so stressful and hers look so Pinterest-y perfect?

Why do I stutter giving presentations when no one else does?

Why didn't I make it for RA and she/he did?

Why does her relationship with the Lord look so much better than mine?

Why do I struggle with this and she/he doesn't?

Why do I...

Why don't I...

Why does she...

Comparison is the thief of joy.

~~~~~~

Tonight I sat in a time of devotion with seven other girls on my hall as my RA shared what the Lord has been laying on her heart, about keeping her mind focused on heavenly things.

So often in this crazy mess we call life, our day to day activities frustrate us and bring us to tears and our thoughts worry and fear and and question and wander so very far away from Jesus.

We think things about people, about classes, about homework, about our jobs and every.little.detail. that we come across that are *to put it simply* ugly. If our thoughts were written out in ink, so often they would be thick and black and chunky and clumpy and no one would want to look at them or claim them or admit that they, too, think those same things.

Those thoughts, those negative emotions our minds-my mind- are so often fixed on are not heavenly things. They are not eternal things.

Because when you think about it, this life is so short.

The days may drag by slowly, but when I look back, I can't help but think, "Where did the last eighteen years go?"

And I can't help but wonder, "What have I been thinking and saying and doing? Does it reflect heavenly things? Or does it reflect...me...and my own selfish gain?"

Because if we are not living for Christ, this life means nothing. He is all that matters and all that will ever matter.

So are we fixing our minds on heavenly things?

~~~~~~

My mom told me over and over again, my best friends remind me so often that comparison is the thief of joy.

What good will it do, anyway?

None.

And I know that.

But when someone's outfit is adorable...or that couple looks so cute on Instagram...or when you know someone didn't study and they still got an A on that test you slaved over...

Comparison is the natural human reaction. But it is still sinful. 

Just because it's natural doesn't make it any less wrong.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Comparison does not fall under that category...that category and idea of "thinking on heavenly things."

When Philippians 4:8-9 says, "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things," this does not include comparison.

This does not include envy over an outfit or a relationship or a haircut or a grade.

This includes thankfulness. And peace. And comfort. And rest in our Jesus who has given us all that we need, who gives us more than enough grace for each and every day because he is always good. 

And if He is always good, then there is always enough grace, always enough joy, always enough peace and rest and assurance that I have all I need in Him and Him alone...

There is always enough of Jesus to cover my shortcomings, to whisper to me in the darkest and most secretive places of my heart that He sees me as righteous. That I am His and I am loved and it doesn't matter what the world thinks or even what I think...because I am a daughter of the King, a daughter of the God who breathed the stars and still knows every hair on my head.

Because He is enough and I am His, there is no need for comparison.

There is only a need for heavenly thoughts, for fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2). 


And as I begin this week of midterms and tests and interviews, I'm leaning hard into my Jesus who is strong in my weaknesses. I'm resting in His love and His plan. I'm casting aside thoughts of this world and thoughts of comparison. And with my whole head and my heart I'm going to do everything I can to focus on my Jesus.

I'm going to set my mind on "things that are above, not on things that are on this earth" (Col. 3:2).

It's gonna be hard. The enemy is going to fight me.

But my God is enough, and with Him by my side, I can face any battle, any comparison, any fearful thought...and I can come out victorious and full of joy.


~Bailey

The Time is Now.

Last Thursday night I saw Cinderella. And it was such an amazing movie.

This afternoon I saw Insurgent. It was a really good movie.

But tonight I had the opportunity to hear from missionaries to the Middle East, Neil and Lindsey Broere. Along with personal testimonies, they shared a documentary film on their time in the Middle East.

And that was better than any movie I could ever watch.

Because when I left that theater today I wasn’t satisfied. We never are!

But when I was sitting in our church, listening to what God is doing in the lives of believers in the Middle East…the Holy Spirit was moving in me and showing me once again how incredibly powerful He is.

Cinderella had a wonderful, blue eyed Prince with a British accent.

Insurgent had really cool special effects.

But hearing men and women who used to be muslim, used to live in darkness say things like, “I heard you were true Christians and when I saw you- I saw the difference” my heart rejoiced in the salvation so many of them have found and the incredibly powerful testimonies from countless people.

On the other hand…I ached knowing that these hundreds of thousands of people in refugee camps live in darkness day after day without knowing the hope and light of Jesus Christ…

As one of the local pastors said, “They are starving…”

They are starving for hope. These women are starving for love and to be freed from the shame that they live in day after day. They are starving for a personal relationship with the God who loves them…and who they know so little of.

I loved what Neil said in the video (I’m quoting it as closely as possible), “What happens when laid down believes battle and face the darkness in the Middle East?”

And likewise, all over the world.

We are called to live fully surrendered lives.

It makes NO sense for Neil and Lindsey, who is pregnant with their fourth child, to move to the Middle East as missionaries. It’s not safe. It doesn’t follow the American dream.

But how much greater our God is than any of those things.

Like the line of my favorite Rend Collective song says, “I do not need safety as much as I need you. You’re dangerous but Lord you’re beautiful.”

Tonight I was reminded of my own calling. The calling He has placed on my life for so long that I have only become more sure of with each passing year.

Someday I will go somewhere else. Someday I will not live in America. I will live somewhere else to share His hope and His light with people who do not know Him.

But right now…right now He is calling me to do things, too. Like they said in the documentary, “The time is NOW.”

Right now I can shine for Him in this very place that I am in. I don’t have to look to the future to know when I can be used for Him. I can be used for Him right here, right now…in every moment and opportunity He blesses me with.


I ask you to visit Neil and Lindsey’s website and take a look further into the heart of what they will be doing in the future and what God is doing in the Middle East right now. This family is so amazing and God is doing such mighty things through them. I am so thankful for the example of godly surrender they set for me and so many others.

I love their heart for these people and their heart for the Lord.

Visit their website: http://ironkiteinternational.com/.

There you can find them on facebook, instagram and twitter.

I encourage you to do this and be amazed at how great our God is!

May we ever remember that He is always moving, even if darkness is all that we can see…He is always there, shining His light, preparing His bride to come to Him.

And just knowing that He allows us to be part of His plan, showing people His love and His hope...it's the greatest privilege.

~Bailey

My Library

This is one of those posts I've been meaning to sit down and write for a while.

It's one of those that as an author you feel kind of obligated to do.

So many people ask me, What's your favorite book? or What are you reading? 

Well! I'm here to answer that question.

If you were to ask me what my favorite book is, I would automatically say Little Women. It's a classic and I absolutely love everything about it. It's also the book that made me fall in love with reading in the first place.

Others include Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë...

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones (she writes Christian fiction and they are absolutely fantastic)...

The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry...

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (this one is absolutely amazing. It's a book that will change you forever.)...

And I think Divergent by Veronica Roth would also make the list.

What am I reading right now?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm only about 75 pages in but I'm loving it. I also look forward to watching the movie (it has Emma Stone in it and she's one of my favorite actresses) after I finish the book!

I have SO many books I'm wanting to read and are sitting on my shelf waiting for me but my schedule has been jam packed lately so we'll see when I get to those!

From now on, I'll make sure to keep you updated on what I'm reading as I'm always reading SOMETHING!

If you haven't read any of these, I strongly suggest them to you.

Joanne Harris says it best, "Some books you read. Some books you enjoy. But some books just swallow you up heart and soul."

These are the books that have "swallowed me up heart and soul" and I hope they do the same to you as well!

~Bailey

P.S. Aren't all of these covers SO lovely?!