The longer I do this, the more important it is to me that what you read here comes straight from Jesus, and not from Valencia. So, every week, I ask God to let me know what I need to talk about this week. My words may matter for a set period of time, but His words are timeless. That way, regardless of whether you read the blog right after I post it or years later, I believe that it'll still be relevant and true for your situation. This week, He gave me two words...right before we enter the new year: "there's more"....

To know me is to that I love the “hidden gems” of the Bible. I get stuck on the little things, and the things you don’t typically hear in a Sunday sermon. Lately, I’ve been stuck on the “hidden gem” known as Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus. Why? I honestly don’t know, maybe it’s because it’s the Christmas season (OMG CHRISTMAS IS IN 2 DAYS!!! Lol). Everybody talks about Jesus this time of year (which they should; reason for the season, I know), and everybody talks about Mary (rightfully so; the woman went through pain that I’d fall out just thinking about), but you rarely hear people shout about Joseph. To me, Joseph is just as necessary to the story as Mary & sweet baby Jesus. We could all learn a thing or two from Joseph. How? Sit, sweet suga, let’s chat for a bit…..

So it’s finals season in school. Easily the worst time of year for a law student because for students in my situation, it’s the season where your grade for the entire semester is decided….by 1 test (yep, just one). I have a little routine that I do on test days to help me to focus on what really matters (because I refuse to let a grade define the totality of who I am), and then I grab my bag, head to campus, take the test, and go back home to decompress. Now, the slightly helpful thing about my finals this semester is that 4 of 5 are open book & open note. So you can bring the book, and if you print every note you’ve taken this semester, you can bring that too! I had a summary or an outline prepped for each test. That outline would be right next to me just in case something slipped my mind (stick with me, I’m going somewhere lol).  A couple of days ago, I had my Torts final. The day was moving along as expected, until I got to campus, and realized that I’d left my outline….at home….

To know me is to know that I LOVE shoes. If you really know me, you know my brands (lol). Like, you know you have a super special place in my heart if I let you borrow my shoes (especially my heels). Because I love my shoes, I’m very strategic about them. I’m strategic about where I wear them. I’m strategic about when I put them on (yes, I’m the girl that walks up to the church in flats, & walks in the sanctuary in heels, no shame whatsoever lol). I don’t trust a pair of shoes until I try them on…and walk in them for a bit. Why? I’ve learned that shoes that are cute in the store at not always comfortable outside of the store. Also, I’ve seen one too many people fall because they wanted too look cute in a heel that was too high for them. They hadn’t tested them in private, so they fell…hard…in public. 

Psalms 42:11- Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

December is one of my favorite months. In my life, it’s basically a month long celebration (until law school finals came in lol). There’s Christmas, my birthday, I have a few weeks off to see my friends and family, New Years’ Eve, etc. However, one thing that I don’t like about December (outside of the fact that it’s so dang cold) is that it seems to be the month of…excuses…