Hi friends! It has been a very long time since I’ve posted here, but I am back! I hope all is well with you and that life is treating you well.
This year was genuinely one of the most difficult and stressful years of my life academically, relationally, and emotionally (I feel like I said that last year; I hope this isn’t a trend). This season felt incredibly busy at times, like there were simply not enough hours in a day to get everything I needed to get done, done. I struggled to find moments of peace and take time to rest, which led to burnout and being overwhelmed.
But this year was also beautiful. In the midst of the trials, I saw the Lord show up in incredible ways. I saw His hand move in and around me.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
School
I officially started the dietetics major this year, which has been a crazy whirlwind. Dietetics is one of those majors where you dabble in a lot of everything. It can be hectic, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I was able to take a food principles class where we learned how to cook several meals from a scientific perspective, a quantity foods course where we learned how to cook in a professional kitchen and had labs in the dining halls, and even a professional development class that stressed me out gave me the knowledge and tools needed to be successful in the field of dietetics. I also had a food policy class (so interesting) and a macronutrient/metabolism class.
Outside of those dietetics classes, I faced the one and only organic chemistry. It was a lot. I had to buy a study program, go to office hours, and spend countless days, nights, and weekends solidifying the concepts. That class was a beast, but I made it through by the grace of God.
In the midst of the academic pressure, I found myself having to actively seek moments of peace and intentionally make time to spend with the Lord. There were times when I felt that I just didn’t have time–but it was a choice. You have to choose spiritual discipline, and what the Lord has taught me is that He enjoys the pockets, the simple moments we spend with Him. So whether it was listening to worship music, praying on my walk to class, or reading the verse of the day on the Bible app–I tried to be intentional with how I spent my time. And honestly, those moments are what kept me sane and gave me peace in the chaos of my day.
Faith
This year, my faith was tested. I feel like freshman year, my faith was defined. I grew as an individual, and I experienced a lot of spiritual growth. And this year felt like a season of trials–a testing of my faith.
Without getting too much into it, there were struggles with people and lots of “adulting” that I didn’t want to have to deal with. What I learned from this is that people will always disappoint you. And that’s not in a condescending or negative way at all. It’s just that we all think, react, and live our lives differently. I think of it as a spectrum between morally right and wrong; each person has a different shade of gray in the middle. So I can’t get mad when someone does something frustrating because we simply view the world differently. I’m sure there are things I do that confuse other people too. You just can’t let them steal your peace.
This perspective helps us realize that we are not in control. I cannot control someone’s actions. I can be kind and show grace, but I also learned that there is a line. Jesus calls us to love our neighbor and those that wrong us, but there is also a time for guarding our hearts and protecting our peace. So yes, I will stretch myself to be cordial and kind, but I will also establish boundaries to prevent myself from experiencing too much hurt.
God also taught me what the fullness of surrender was. I was dealing with a stressful situation that had dragged on for 4-5 months. If you know me, you know I really don’t like drama and that I am a fixer. I want to find solutions quickly and practically. And sure, I said I was surrendered and told God I was surrendered to His will, but my actions weren’t reflecting that at all. I was still stressed and worried and allowed that to consume my thoughts. I kept trying to fix the situation. It wasn’t until I not only said I was surrendered but also let my actions reflect that heart posture that I truly felt at peace. When I finally got to that place, I saw God start to move mountains. That’s not to say He wasn’t working in the background the entire time. My worry blinded me from witnessing what God was doing. Don’t let your worry be louder than your faith.
Outside of all of that, God is doing a beautiful thing in my generation. I had the honor of leading a freshmen small group this year, and it was amazing to watch each of them grow in their faith this year. Also, if you’re familiar with Asbury’s revival, it isn’t just happening there. There is a new wind, excitement, and a fire in my generation. I noticed a distinct shift at my school with the start of the new year. Worship services were lasting hours longer than usual, conversations were deeper, and more and more hearts had been turned to the Lord. We are truly living in an exciting time.
Other Updates
This semester I had the awesome opportunity to work for the UGA Olympic Sports Nutrition team. I have learned so much about the sports nutrition world and its fast-paced nature. This job has been such a blessing this year.
I also started another Instagram account! It’s called “Yeah, That’s Good with AnnaLisa,” and I will be focusing on food, recipes, nutrition, and my journey to become a registered dietitian. It would mean so much to me if you gave it a follow!
And finally, my summer plans! This summer, I am interning at my church with the student ministry. I’ve already started and can tell that it is going to be a huge blessing to serve the Lord and these students this summer. I am also spending a couple of weeks at a culinary camp teaching kids to cook, which I am really looking forward to.
I am anticipating a very busy but rewarding summer!
Before I end this post, I wanted to leave you with a reflection I wrote on this year. Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you all have a great day!
Year 2 I have few pictures of the fun memories living my best life with my favorite people I have few pictures of events or silly nights I have pictures of food, but that’s to be expected when it comes to me But no pictures of people, nothing to document what I did In all honesty, this year wasn’t filled with anything of significance. Why? Well, this semester was crazy Most days felt like eat, sleep, study on an endless loop But many more days were spent seeking joy in the mundane when school could easily consume me I treasured silly chats with my best friends I was surrounded by girls that allowed me to be free and fully me I was challenged I learned to speak boldly in truth and love I learned to give myself grace and to find rest in the Lord I learned to surrender beyond just a phrase—I learned to surrender my heart and mind fully to the Lord’s will I saw revival, genuinely deep and powerful spiritual revival in the people around me and in my city—God is on the move in our generation and it is so palpable and incredible to be part of this moment I learned that my God is faithful in so many ways, and He has a sense of humor too. So as we all reflect on this year of college coming to a close, remember where you started, remember what God brought you through, and cherish the gentle moments of simplicity that made each day worthwhile Thank you, Jesus.
