"In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (344)
   It is so amazing to think about how incredible God is. Everything He created has such beauty and meaning behind it. When looking at nature or even the birds in the sky it is a simple reminder of how awesome God is. Last Sunday I got the opportunity to go to the Green Belt Hiking trail with my friend. It was so peaceful and so calm. It is in those moments where I can feel the presence of God the most. Being surrounded by His masterpiece is such a great thing. Going on that trail allowed me to clear my mind and really get focused on what I needed to do for the upcoming week. While walking a song came to my mind that says "when the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm. Father you are King over the flood. I will be still and know you are God." This is one of my favorite Gospel songs and really what I needed to hear in that moment. During the week I am so busy with class and just trying to get stuff done that sometimes I forget to just be still and "Spending time with God is the key to our strength and our success in all areas of life. Be sure you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him." (Joyce Meyer)

spend some time with God. This is something that I will try to make more of an effort to do during this semester. Or, instead of looking at twitter and Instagram taking the time to read my Bible and learn more about God. Going to a Christian based school my entire life I always took for granted Bible Class that we had every single day during the week. Now that I don't have that, I never realized how much of an impact it had on my everyday life. Spending quality time with God can make my life a lot easier and I hope to do that more this semester!!

"Out of the fertile ground he caused to grow/ All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste;/ And all amid them stood the Tree of Life,/ High eminent, blooming Ambrosial Fruit of vegetable Gold;"(364)
   In the Bible, the Tree of Life is one of the most iconic symbols. The story of Adam and Eve is a story that makes kids learn in Sunday school growing up. It teaches a very valuable lesson that most kids and even adults struggle with. The Tree of Life is also referred to as the Tree of Good and Evil. God told Adam and Eve they could eat from any tree in the whole garden EXCEPT that tree specifically. So, of course Satan comes to tempt Eve and encourages her to eat from the tree anyway even though God told me specifically not to. Later Eve encourages Adam to do the same and they both wind up getting punished by God. This story can relate to our lives in many ways. When growing up there was usually a jar full of cookies or some type of treat in the house. My mom would always tell me I could have one AFTER I ate my dinner. This was always so hard to do, because who doesn't love eating dessert before dinner. The

temptation was always strong and sometimes I gave in and got my brother to do it with me. Temptation is everywhere and Satan is always lurking to find way to get us to eat from the tree of Good and Evil or steal a cookie from the cookie jar. 

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:13-18) In life, temptation is everywhere but with God on our side there is nothing we cannot overcome!