Choosing JOY

Well, it's been a while since I've written on my handy-dandy blog-- but for good reason. Life has kept me insanely busy these past two months and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lemme just give you some snapshots of what I've been up to.

• I GOT MY WORK CREW ASSIGNMENT!!! That's right- I'll be working at Younglife's Windy Gap camp in Asheville, North Carolina from May 23- June 21!!!! Words cannot even express how dang excited I am. As of today, there are exactly 27 days until I leave! Less than a month!  I've been talking online to some of the people I'll be working with and I absolutely can't WAIT to meet them all and grow as a family and grow in Christ alongside them. All I feel is complete joy, and I know God is sending me exactly where I'm supposed to be. Eeek!!!

• I spent Spring Break in New Orleans with my longtime bff Emily. All we did was explore the city and eat gourmet food for a solid 5 days. Sounds perfect right? We also enjoyed carrying around a selfie-stick and being typical tourists. We visited the French Quarter (and Cafe du Monde every night for coffees and beignets), Commander's Palace Restaurant, Jackson Square, the National WWII Museum, Emeril's Restaurant, the "Before I Die" Wall (Before I Die I Want To... be President of the USA), did a college visit at Tulane, and toured three historic Plantation Homes. It was incredible, and beautiful, and so much fun. 

• Easter weekend flew by, and it was absolutely perfect. Bo (see: "Facing Fear Head On" and "Expect the Unexpected") came to town, and we had a blast seeing each other for the first time since September! He helped lead us to a victory at Friday Night Trivia, and I even got to try out the new zip-line across the Chattahoochee River with his family! It was nice to be above the water with them rather than drowning in it like last time :). This Easter season was a special one, and I am once again in complete awe of Jesus's love. Jesus died for ME, even though he knows that I can never repay him. I think this is the first Easter that I have truly understood his sacrifice for me, which definitely made this one to remember. 

• Tennis season is here, and is already almost over! I've had the absolute best time with my teammates, and I can't wait to see how far we get in the State Tournament. A few highlights from the season so far have been beating our in-town rival Columbus High, beating FPD (twice), and winning the Region Tournament. Tomorrow is the first round of state versus Christian Heritage and I am bursting with excitement!! Go Cougs!!!

• Last weekend was Prom, and it was absolutely perfect. The theme was "A Night in Neverland", and the decorations turned out beautifully. I had the absolute best time dancing the night away to the many sounds of Complete Desire. I couldn't have asked for a better date or group of friends to have spent it with.

So... there's my life these past two months. All I can say is that I am SO unbelievably thankful and blessed. I've been thinking a lot lately about how much has changed in my life this past year-- and the most important thing being that I have decided to choose happiness. I used to be such a negative person until I realized that I was the only one who could control how much joy there is in my life. I am SO glad I decided to make a change. 

xoxo,

Rachel

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4