"Grace gave what truth demanded "

I'm not very good at posting on here. Part of me thinks that I want to be better at it, usually when I read the well updated blogs of people like Alli and Vanessa. But I just don't really think I ever will. I don't know why.

I just read The Grace and Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn in the past few hours(not a great feat, it's a small book). After an overwhelming day, sitting by a fire, drinking vanilla soy hot cocoa, eating fresh peanut butter cookies and learning about the glories of our Savior is very refreshing! Our church is diving deeply into how Grace and Truth work together. And how Grace is just as important as truth! Alcorn says "Neither is sufficient." "Grace and Truth meet at the Cross."
I am so refreshed and amazed by the beauty of truth and grace working in sync with each other in my life. Just today, I was overwhelmed by my sinfulness and my inability to change. Then I was reminded of the Grace that flows freely, releasing me from the need to perform and changing my heart and giving me the strength and desire to change! It blows me mind how Christ is 100% truth and 100% grace. That he would sit with prostitutes and thieves, not to accept their sin, but to show love, to show grace and in that speak the truth of the power of sin and the danger of hell! I'm now learning that the TRUTH of our depravity before the throne of the Holy God does not stand alone, but it causes us to rejoice in the GRACE freely given to us that we may now approach the throne without blemish!
I am so thankful for my Mom and Sam who both specifically spoke the truth with grace to me today! The way they cared for me today was such an example of bringing these two powerful words together! Grace and Truth!

I am also aware of God's faithfulness to give me grace to be at school again. I'm so thankful for good professors and easy classes and the peace that comes with knowing that this is where God has called me to be in this season. And am sure that He will continue to provide clarity as to what I should pursue as time goes on.

So, 2009 is shaping up to be a pretty good year so far. The first month has started things off pretty swell, particularly in the visit from Ang, Alli and Steven and celebrating Sam's birthday at Magic Kingdom! :) Now if only I could have some warm weather, than I would be truly happy. (just kidding really, I can be content and rejoice even when I'm FREEZING!)

I'm going to continue to distract myself while my family watches The Office. It's rare that my family catches it while its on TV and Sam is so kind to always wait for me to watch it later (though he has to choice because he's at work tonight). So now I'm waiting for him so we can watch it together. (Sweet...I know)
Oooh and speaking of The Office, I officially own Season 4 on Dvd, which means I can study and practice my Office Trivia and be even more prepared to outdo Emily in vast Office Knowledge and Quotes!

I made a funny Obama comment that I thought was pretty clever and true the other night (until someone else brilliantly thought of the same thing at CG the other night...). But as I'm writing this I'm feeling convicted of what I read today from Al Mohler's blog http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3113
I'm learning respect and pray for the man that God has appointed as leader of this country!

Reflecting on the year

2008 has come and gone. What the heck, so quickly?

Last night Sam and I were talking about everything that has happened in this past year. And looking back, it was a pretty intense year. Lots of exciting things, lots of big changes, lots of opportunities to grow. I began the year as a young new "adult" all officially able to play the lotto and such. (I think this year of my life has been filled with more changes than most.)Here are some highlights (well, and a few...low lights, I guess you'd call them)

• I bough my very own car in January. And thank the Lord it has served me pretty well this past year.
• went back to school (dual enrolling) after taking a semester off for my "home making internship"
  
• Took a senior trip to Busch Gardens with *most* of the class of '08
  
• Finding out that Jenny and Dad were expecting a baby!
• Preparing like crazy for New Attitude, Graduation and Quint's birth!
• Taking a road trip to New Attitude! (and praying that I wouldn't miss Quint coming!)
• After NA going right into Graduation mode and GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL! (hoping Quint wouldn't be born during Graduation)
  
• (Wondering when the heck Quint was going to be born...)And then finally the birth of my new baby brother Quint McGregor Santos!
• Watching my Golden Retriever Gabe get sick and having to put him down. ;(
  
• Dad and Jenny's wedding!
  
• Dad, Jenny and Quint moving to California. :(
• Road trip across FL (well, St Pete and Miami) with Khrysten!
  
• Starting my first full time semester in college.
  
• Finding out that I'm allergic to Dairy. *unfortunate*
  
• Sam and I starting our Courtship!!!
• Going to see Cold play! (On my list of things to do before I die...haha)
  
• Going on my first date with Sam. (Last week. ;))
  
• Turning 19. :)
  

This year was wonderful to be sure, it had some very hard times, and some exceptionally wonderful times! A crazy year of the crazy transition into "adulthood", from celebrating birthdays to seeing friends start courtships, some engaged, and then beginning a courtship myself! Through it all I am amazed at the faithfulness and sovereignty of God in every area of my life. At the beginning of 2008, I like every other year, carried worries and concerns, only to see how God provided, protected and changed me through this year! It makes me excited and so overwhelmingly aware of His sustaining Grace as I enter a new year! No matter the challenges that are ahead, God has been faithful, He will be again, His loving compassion, it knows no end! All I have need of, His hand will provide, He's always been faithful to me!