God is so good and I am so blessed!

Sometimes it seems that all I do is complain- complain about school, about not being married, and anything else that I feel like I have the right to complain about. A few years ago when I was involved in CIT (Camper in Training) at the Wilds Christian Camp, I learned that every sin problem that I have is the fruit of what I believe. My complaining is showing that I do not believe that God is good to me. As much as I have tried to argue against that, my actions have proven otherwise. If I really believed that God was good, I would not be complaining like I do. 
When I am being honest with myself, this is an issue I have struggled with for a while. Complaining has always been second nature to me. I think that this is because I do not always view things in light of eternity like I ought to. I look at things in my life or in the lives of those close to me and wonder why bad things happen. It is in these moments that I should take a step back and look at the big picture. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins so that I don't have to pay the penalty for them! Wow! When I think about that, it makes the things and problems of this world seem very trivial and unimportant. Our lives are but a vapor when compared to eternity. All too often, I devote too much of my time to the here and now instead of looking at what really matters in life. When I take time to look at all that God has done for me, I have no reason at all to complain. My problem is that I always look at my problems instead of looking at my blessings.
I have a wonderful family. My parents raised me in a Christian home, and I should never take that for granted. I have a very tight-knit family. I love to be around them- all of them!!! I am marrying a wonderful, godly man. I so look forward to starting a family with him. He is always so loving to me and a leader for me as well. I am so excited about being a part of his family as well... they are so wonderful as well! I was so blessed to be able to go to Wake Christian Academy my whole pre-college life. I love that school and cannot thank all of my teachers, coaches, principals, friends, and others enough for my years there. I have been able to attend Piedmont Baptist College where the Word of God is preached, and I have learned soo much here! I have also made lifelong friends! This is just a few of the many ways that God has blessed my life. I am so thankful for such a loving God. HE IS GOOD! 

Paper Beads for Sale

I was inspired a while back by a friend that I know to start experimenting with paper beads. After a few months of doing so, I have finally decided to try and sell some of my stuff. I am going to use this blog for the purpose of showing the jewelry I make, as well as occasionally writing random things that I am learning.
I am going to add some pictures of some of the jewelry that I have available. The pictures are not great, so just bear with me until I can get pictures of them with a better camera. I make necklaces and bracelets. The necklaces are $4 and the bracelets are $3.

The bracelets can be double-stranded like the one pictured above or I can make the single-stranded ones.

Sorry about the quality of the picture. Like I said, I hope to get better pictures up soon. This is just an example of what the necklace would like. I can make long necklaces or shorter ones as to your preference. 

Closer view of the beads themselves. As I mentioned, the larger beads are made out of paper. I can do any color that you would like. These make for unique, inexpensive gifts.

Piedmont students- Just come by my room if you would like to look at some of the jewelry. You know where I'm at :)

Just as a quick update as to what is going on in my life. I am busy finishing out the semester at Piedmont and preparing for student teaching. I actually took the Praxis II today, so it is a big prayer request that I pass that. I am also trying to get stuff done for the wedding. It is only a little over 6 months away... craziness! On top of all that, I am playing my last year of basketball. God is good all the time!