America the Bountiful

As I woke up this morning, knowing that it was time to leave Mexico... I couldn't help but feel heavy. There was so much that I had left to do, and so much more that I wanted to learn. You cannot squeeze it all out in one week. It was hard enough to say goodbye to one of my best friends.

Right now, I sit in reflection... Reflection on where God has brought me in the past few years and where He is taking me. Who ever thought that three years ago, when I helped found a Christian sorority, I would be here right now finishing a mission trip in Mexico, leading worship, and graduating from COLLEGE... Patience is my strength right now. I think one of the greatest lessons I learned here is that I AM BLESSED. No maybe I'm not as blessed as the next American, but in this world I am truly blessed and have so much left to give!! 

I am so thankful for the people that God has put in my life. Especially, Caroline Burns - I know this is a blog shout-out, and those are supposedly uncool, but for her, it's worth it!! I would not be where I am today without her help and encouragement. She challenged me to pursue God in bigger ways than I could have ever imagined on my own. She's made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry, and made me ultimately happy. She is a blessing from the Lord, and I knew the moment I met her that God ordained for us to be great friends. From sand at the foot of my bed to skating in the stadium to jumping in the back of a minivan with her cousin and a large mattress after getting my car towed to stripping down to nothing in the FSU stadium parking lot to SEC Saturdays to cappuccino fudge blitz ice cream to diet coke with lime to chocolate chip pancakes to an undying love for the beach and for surfing to Pace, FL and the death of Monte to a surprise party that I didn't want to go to ("If I lay here!!") to Lindsey Soulis' birthday barrage in the Estates parking lot to creating a Christian sorority to mission tripping in Mexico and getting to see her to never-ending stress to undying love to unending friendship. Hey can we start a nonprofit together in some country?? OK, awesome... Meet you there. Thank you Caroline... Jesus Christ truly shines in your life.

On the plane ride back, I decided to write a song. It was my first time writing lyrics before writing music. A challenging feat, but rewarding nonetheless. You can check out the song on my music MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/kristenrupert

"Carry You Home"

By: Kristen Rupert

V1: The earth is stirring

The clouds rebirthing

The colors flatter the sky

The mist is clearing

The dew revealing

The sun is blazing on high

C: Where do you come from

And where do you go?

Anew day is dawning

To carry you home

Just open your heart, yeah

Open your eyes

And follow the glorious light

To carry you home

V2: The mountains will fall

The waves they will call

The sound will bring you glory

The ocean's churning

The world keeps turning

The brightness will finally appear

B: Nations will come to your light

And kings to the brightness

**The song is based from Isaiah 60:3, which became my life verse after last year's trip to Mexico. It says, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." I love the idea of a new day, a new hope, and a new life. We can have that in Jesus Christ, even if we are in the poorest conditions in Mexico. Light will shine into the darkness. We are a light unto the world... never let it fade.**

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kristen