Update: What Jesus is doing in my life!

Hi blog friends! How are the each of you doing? I have really been enjoying graduate school, and I am thankful for how much of a blessing that the entire program has been. It has been such an out of body experience teaching a classroom with my own students, it honestly doesn't feel real a lot of the time! Thankfully it is, and thankfully I have been blessed with a group of students who I truly enjoy spending several hours with throughout the week. 
The first couple of weeks of my teaching experience were pretty crazy. I was a nervous wreck, and I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully one of my best friends Julia who blogs over at Living Through His Lens is in her second year of graduate school, and has been a huge help in giving me advice as a new teacher. I remember the first day of teaching, just a few weeks ago. I prayed to the Lord right as I was about to walk into my classroom: "Lord, give me the wisdom and the strength to do this right now, because I really have no idea what to expect as soon as I walk through the door in front of me." & guess what? The Lord provided that day and everyday forward! He has guided me throughout my entire teaching process, and demonstrated His love for me in many different ways. 
I still can't believe that I am already in week four of my Fall term as a graduate student, and I often find myself asking God how it is possible for time to flying by so quickly. There have been several moments lately in the past couple of weeks where the Lord has made it clear to me that I am exactly where He wants me to be. I felt this overwhelming sense of peace that filled my soul with joy and comfort, and I knew that it was the Lord speaking into my heart. There is no better feeling than living out God's will for our lives, my friends.
A picture that I posted on my Instagram account the other day. I love to encourage others in my walk with Jesus! Click here to follow me on Instagram :)

On a random side note, there also have been many trials going on in my life lately. I have made mistakes as a new teacher, and also as a graduate student. I am certainly NOT perfect. This gal desperately needs Jesus! Whenever I slip up and make a mistake, it's very tempting to condemn myself and ask myself things like "why couldn't I just get it right the first time God?!," but I know that Jesus wouldn't want me to talk that way to myself. Jesus looks past my sin and my mistakes, and sees me for the woman I can become through Him. As long as I keep seeking Him above everything else, failure will never get the final say in my life and through my walk with Jesus.
Trials are unavoidable my friends. We can choose to allow our trials either to lead us closer to Jesus, or distant us from Him. I know that God has intricately placed the specific trials that I am experiencing in my life right now for a reason, and I have to trust that He is working all things together for my good. Instead of becoming overwhelmed by my trials and feeling sorry for myself, instead I will choose to rejoice through them. God will work out His plans for my life, because He is sovereign and He is GOOD.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4
I love you guys! What has God been doing in the each of your lives lately? Which different trials is the Lord guiding you through right now? Don't give up, God is with you and great things are in store for you future! That is a promise. 
Love always, Jess