Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Twenty-three

Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

On the morning of my 23rd birthday (back in November), I woke up and immediately got to my knees. Face down, completely humbled before God and prayed a very simple prayer...
"God, please make this year the best yet."

It wasn't simply a request, I was pretty much begging for this to be my year...
The year I trust Him more completely; the year I become the woman He created me to be; the year I truly find myself beyond anything life may throw my way. My year.

Only a few days later my Mom wrote down a verse for me on a little note card.
It was Ephesians 3:20 and is my favorite verse.

It is my anthem for this year.
It shows up in my life repeatedly and without notice.
Most importantly, it reminds me to trust that I am of His design and purpose...
To just let go and watch His blessings for my life and the lives of His people pour out in ways I could never dream or imagine.

I am so completely overwhelmed with the greatness of what He can do with my life this year - and it's only February!

So here is my anthem for year twenty-three:

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20 KJV (emphasis own)

. . .

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." The Message Version

Thursday, February 17, 2011

OBSESSED


BRITNEY. Yeah, I'm pretty much her #1 fan. Britney can do no wrong...I mean, have you seen her live? To Die For.

So YES, I LOVE Hold It Against Me.

Watch it HERE!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Love is in the air (just not mine).


Picture courtesy of We Heart It.

So it's Valentines Day. My thirteen-year-old self would certainly be disappointed in my A. Forgetting it was even today until I checked Twitter this morning B. Really not caring at all C. My lack of a Valentine. It is so funny how excited we get over this silly holiday. Oh to go back to the days when I was most worried about receiving several "candy grams" during first period math class!

But, this year, my lack of a Valentine is actually refreshing! I'm making dinner for my family, took my dog on a walk around the lake earlier today and tonight I'll watch House with my Dad after consuming mass amounts of brownies and ice cream. Can't complain!

I can honestly say, at this point in my life the only person I am in Love with is my Creator. How absolutely beautiful is that? I know there will come a time when the right person comes along. I might know him, I might not, but right now my only love is for Him who can show me perfect love. What more could I ever need on this holiday?

I started reading this book today (part of an eight-week series I'm doing with the Life Group at my church) and this really stuck out:

"Nothing good ever comes easy. For sure, nothing of God's Kingdom comes without resistance from our personal kingdoms or the world's kingdom. Nothing of the Spirit of God comes without a good ol' fashioned bar fight from our flesh." -The Tangible Kingdom

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Friday, February 11, 2011

TIME

Photo courtasy of Unethical Kid

Time is such a funny thing. Something we worry about, try to slow down, speed up; something we can't control, yet can control...at least how we use it.

Time is something we never really think about, but should.

I received a book called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young from my Mom for Christmas this year. It is a "365-day journaling devotional" and is just wonderful. The passage from yesterday really HIT me:

"Trust Me enough to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day. Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe. Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor. You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion. Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.
Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go. Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom. To avoid doing meaning less works, stay in continual communication with Me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you."
Luke 10:41-42; Psalm 32:8

I have been "on the go" my entire life. Constantly filling my days with who knows what/who. Right now, I'm literally at a stand-still. emphasis on the STILL. My internship in Atlanta is amazing, I couldn't be happier...but of course I am looking ahead and constantly asking "whats next?"
I think I'm at a point where God is asking me to just STOP. Stop making plans, stop trying to create a perfect life (or the life I envision to be perfect). To just be at Peace and have faith in Him to use my time for the plan He has (which I'm sure is SO much cooler than mine!).

Apart from what I spend my days doing, I have really started to think about who I spend my time with. Moral of the story: STOP TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN and just be at peace.

Wishing I was at #NYFW

Photo courtesy of From Me To You. Gotta love a good stack! :)

This Georgia girl is seriously wishing to be at New York Fashion Week right now! But since I can't....I'm living vicariously through blogs and tweets and pictures. I came across this blogger who is definitely keeping this Southerner in the loop. LOVE.


Friday, February 4, 2011

Rainy Day Blues = Spring Shopping



On rainy days like today (flash flood and freezing rain warnings included), I dream of Spring and the warm weather of the months to come!

Im a big etsy.com fan and Devon Baer is one of my favorite sellers! Her beautiful tunics, belts and jewelry are a simple mix of Kate Spade, Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer with a hint of whimsy! LOVE

Find her designs at http://www.etsy.com/shop/dbaer?ref=seller_info and get ready for SPRING!!!!