how blessed.

first blog, not really sure if i'm ready for this!

let's get you all caught up to speed. my name is mabel jean nevel. i am a 19 year old college sophmore studying fashion design. i am super blessed to be going to school in kent, ohio. originally from the chicago area, i love [and know] good food! i am creative, fun-loving, and all my own; with a little dash of crazy. maybe a lot of crazy.
oh, and the most important thing: i love the Lord and am striving with all of my being to be a heart after His heart. [Colossians 3:2]

today, as i sit in the lounge on my dorm floor, i am watching the pouring rain and just thinking about how truly blessed i am. my family, my many friends, my school. even this couch i'm sitting on, the food i have waiting for me in my room, fireworks and rainbows. today is such an amazing day. there's really no explanation for this joy other than the fact that God has definitely placed this in my heart!

i don't know about you, but i always get asked that one question whenever i go back to school: "what did you do this summer?" this time, i really dont know how to answer it!

i spent this past summer in estes park, colorado. i have so many experiences to look back on. 94 college students dedicated themselves to being taught about how to be true leaders for Christ on their campuses. reaching out to international coworkers and making weekly trips to pearl street in boulder. persevering the climb of many mountains, including long's peak with an elevation of 14,259 feet. we sang praises so loud that no one could deny God's presence!

though i still find myself grieving now and again at the close of summer, i am so grateful to take this with me. truly i could never forget anything about this summer. every second was seemingly magical.  i find myself so truly blessed to experience every single moment of those three months.

taking only a quick break [6 days] to see family, i almost immediately left for school. when i arrived in kent, i found myself immediately at a birthday party, a leader's retreat, helping freshmen move in, and finally getting my stuff settled. so many things have happened already at kent state, welcome weekend 2012 was a success!

here at school, i find most of my time outside class going toward h2o. h2o church is an on-campus church for your journey; meaning that no matter where you are spiritually, h2o can be your home. i have definitely found my home with this community, as well as many, many others. it is filled with the friendliest, most welcoming people, amazing worship services, and so much more! many of my favorite memories are because of h2o (:

h2o was one of the only campus organizations that made it a priority to be at every major event offered for new students during welcome weekend and first week of classes. through h2o, i've met so many people in the past two weeks; people who are looking to continue their relationship with Christ in college and students who are a little skeptical and have a lot of questions. it's a great honor to be able to dive into these lives and really get to know these unique individuals. this week has been such a great reminder to remain hopeful for  my friends, peers, and even my family members who do not yet know Jesus. for He has a plan for them! [Acts 16:31]


i'm still sitting here in the lounge, first floor of centennial b. i love looking out the window and seeing what is happening. the rain has stopped and the sun is shining down on kent! through the storm, i will praise Him. because as i praise Him, His mercy and blessings fall on me!

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Luke 6:38