Two Very Special Friends...

These two are very special to me, and I can't hide it, so I've decided to dedicate a blog to them...it's the least I can do. Over the past few years, I've gotten so close to Jason and Rachel and they've blessed my life in more ways than one. Last Thursday I got a call from these two, which I thought was just another update call and discussion about all the things that have been happening in our lives while I've been away. And it was indeed just that, but their update was some of the most exciting news I've ever heard!! If you have not yet heard, please stop reading this and go read Jason & Rachel's blog FIRST. This blog isn't to tell you about that, (although I am so very excited!) however it is to lift them up and thank them for being such amazing friends to me. They've both filled my life with so much love and laughter. I've enjoyed every minute of the many laughs and random adventures and excursions we've experienced together. I wouldn't trade them for the world!

Jason--you've spoke countless words of wisdom and I've taken each and every one of them to heart. You've challenged me in your sermons and our private conversations. You've found amazing ways to encourage me through your uplifting words and by putting a smile on my face with your many silly jokes. I absolutely love your spontaneity, especially when I'm included :). I love that we can watch and re-watch Jim Gaffigan videos countless times, and still laugh the same. You mean so much to me.

Rachel--I love so much about you. You've been one amazing sister, mother, and friend. You challenge me and help me through the roughest times, and I really need that. You're a big part of the reason why I'm at Houghton, and you've helped me make some of the hardest decisions, and do the things I typically don't want to do. Thank you for that. I love that we are running buddies, and that we can share that together. Thanks for the delicious meals you've made for me, and for laughing with me constantly.

When it comes down to it...I adore you both SO much!

Please take some time to comment about Jason and/or Rachel to tell of something that you love about them or a funny story that you share with them. This blog is about the Fullen's, after all! So please share :)

I love you Jason and Rachel with all my heart!! And I am so excited for you both as you start this new journey!!

Without Love, I Am Nothing

If I have language ever so perfectly and speak like an expert, but I do not have love that comes from the heart, I am nothing.

If I speak up in class, do homework diligently and have diplomas to speak of my great knowledge, but I do not touch the understanding of love, I am nothing

If I surrender all things and go out to serve others every day, giving of all I have: my money, my time, my efforts, but I do not do it in love, I am nothing.

If I can heal sickness and diseases, but wound hearts and hurt feelings of those around me, I am nothing.

If I write letters and books and publish articles that make known to all the world, but fail to describe and proclaim the word of the cross in love, I am nothing.


Today my devotional journal challenged me to rewrite 1 Corinthians 13 and it was convicting...I wanted to share it. This past week has been rough and draining, to say the least, but I am continuing to learn and grow, no doubt. I'm learning to love with a godly love. I'm being stretched, challenged, and moved. I hope that my response is ever so pleasing to Jesus.


"[Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:5-7

Taking Each Day As It Comes...

I have officially completed my first week of college. Crazy, I know. I have a lot of work, laughs, papers, memories, experiences, friends and challenges ahead of me, that's for sure. My schedule is nice...definitely different from high school in a lot of ways. As weird as it is, I like having down time between my classes, although that doesn't always happen. I have this fantastic amount of time in the mornings to spend with God, and I love it. Like I said before, I find myself becoming so engulfed and thirsty for my time with God because that is one thing that definitely hasn't changed in this crazy season of "new" everything. There are plenty of things I've found myself worrying about, but I have worked to not "worry" so much. One of those worries is my Western Civ class. I have a very hard professor and I was becoming overwhelmed with all the work, and falling behind (even though I wasn't...). Not to mention, I'm horrible at history to begin with, so that added to the fears a little. The other day I got really stressed out and I realized that before I got into reading and doing all that I had to do, it was best and necessary for me to take some time for God and do my daily devotion. As I started reading my book and all the verses that went along with it...guess what God had waiting for me?! ...A lesson for my worrying. Go figure, right? This is a portion of the devotional that made my mouth open in shock(although I should've expected God to teach me such things...).

"Perhaps this is why Psalm 90:12 encourages us to "number our days." The verse goes on to promise that when we do that we get wiser, I take it to mean we gain wisdom when we lengthen our view of life. Does something seem terribly important to you today? extremely, vitally serious? Almost to the point of distractoin? Number your days. Get a little perspective. Realize that it won't be long before you will look back on that uptight, high-powered, super-charged issue with a whole new outlook. To be quite candid with you, you may laugh out loud in the future at something you're eating your heart out over today. Don't sweat the small stuff. Nobody bats one thousand. ...So when the smoke clears, try smiling instead of crying." -Charles Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life

This was pretty neat, needless to say. It really helped me cut down on my worrying. And I realized that as long as I'm trying and doing what I can and LEARNING all for God's glory...where could I possibly go wrong? Anyway, I keep coming back to this when I worry...and it helps. But prayer in this area is definitely appreciated and needed. Another thing I'm praying for is finding girls that will challenge me spiritually. That is needed, and I know it will come as long as I trust God in that. I am making really good friends with my RA, Jordan, and the RA of the floor above me. They are both sweethearts and definitely very centered and focused in their walk with Christ. That is encouraging! I am also very excited because I might be leading a weekly bible study for our floor. My RA was talking about doing one, but was also very overwhelmed and worried that she wouldn't be able to do it because she has a very busy schedule herself. It was like a very wide-open opportunity that I knew God was throwing out there just for me :) so I told Jordan that I would love to help, or take-up leading it. So that is something else in the works.

Two more things: I am running for class historian! AHH! I am giving my speech tomorrow and I'm very nervous (although I do not know why). I am running against two guys and neither one of them seems to be taking it too seriously...or maybe they're just acting that way to throw me off...I don't really know. I am super excited though, because I really want to do this. It's a four-year position and it pays too! Plus I love taking pictures, and scrapbooking, and writing...so it seems perfect! I'll update on how that goes later too. The second, and last thing I wanted to update on was church! I went to this cute little church off a dirt road, with Kaylie Sauter today. It was SO different from what I'm used to, but a refreshing different. Very small, but true theology, thus far. I really liked it. I'll put a couple pics up of that.

Anyway, it's getting late and I'm very tired. I hope all is well at home! I miss you guys...but thanks for reading and catching up with me! Tomorrow starts my second week and I need my rest. Thanks for all your prayers. Love you guys!


Amy and I before church -- roommies!

the church

cute kids playing on the tire swing :)

inside the church

the dirt road we traveled to get there...