Sweat

It is hot. It must be summer time. Can I just say I feel like I have not sweat this much in my life. Ok, I know I have it's just been a while. I found some wifi again and because we are in the process of moving and still have no wifi, along with the fact that once again I find myself in a transitional and unusual summer, I haven't blogged very much.
      First I haven't really known what to blog about but I will do my best and don't worry, we are going blueberry picking tonight so I will try to post about that! In case you didn't know, blueberry picking in the summer is a quick, easy, and relatively cheap summer joy....and the season is now! It also helps that they taste delicious and there are some great recipes out there with those blue berries in them!
     I also get to spend two weeks with brother and sister-in-law out on the West Coast. I am so looking forward to it and know that God's timing is so perfect. He is answering prayers!!!
     So why have I been sweating? Well, I'm in SC and if you are in the South that means its hot! We also packed up a Uhaul and unpacked it from GA to SC over a period of about two days. That might also be why I found myself very tired. I can do the 3 hour drive like the back of my hand now I do believe. Nevertheless, we had the big strong help of Evan and Daddy to help unpack. Don't worry, I did my part too. We were so excited to finally have a sofa!!!! Air-mattresses are a great blessing but life gets even better when you add some furniture!
    Because this is a transitional summer, I once again find myself growing spiritually. Boy is God doing a work in all our lives! I have SO far to go but let me tell you I am so thankful for God's faithfulness! Even when you don't feel close to the Lord, if you are a child of the King, nothing will change that! You may not feel like holding your Daddy's hand, but He hasn't let go and will continue to lead you all the way. I am so thankful he has placed people in my life to encourage and help me! The other two messages I keep getting are 1. rejoice and 2. be wise with your money for the Kingdom.
   Philippians 4 has been popping up all over the place. I memorized it in 8th grade and now, eight years later, I find myself rehashing it....

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Boy am I guilty of over thinking and worrying. I read an article about worrying and how it's like we lift weights with it but we never put them down. SO often God says bring me your burdens. I know mine belong at the foot of the cross. To tie it in to the sweat, well let's just say worry makes you sweat. I'm sure that if we let the Lord wipe our brow, and take our weights at the cross, because His cross is enough, we might just find some cool water and a refreshing life. Father help us!!!

I am so thankful for God's faithfulness and that He who began a good work in me (and you) will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians yet again!) (My friend Annie has some great CD's with scripture put to music-check it out here by clicking on her name-and this is one of them! Born in a college dorm on a mac, her stuff is legit!)

Until next time, we should all try to sweat through the summer but let God take care of the worries of the day that cause sweat on our hearts.

To the Father who

will always be my Daddy
has a corny joke that will always get a chuckle
is a morning person like no one's business
loves me all the time
sang hymns with me at bed time
reads the Bible and prays
is the best teacher
is the Fixer of the yard and house
is a great cook
can still sit by my bed at 5am and read aloud the Bible in hopes that I'll fall asleep
has a faith that won't be shaken
cherishes his wife
loves to take pictures
stays up til 2:00am playing Mario, now it's a wii, before it was Nintendo
loves Legos and trains
has a wonderful son to carry his namesake and precious daughters and a wife

Thanks for letting us call you Daddy, all the time! We love you, Happy Father's Day!

Love It!

I just love kiddos. Check out this story and video.

Lil' bit o summertime!

I love summer! Little bit of ice cream, baseball, and spending it with friends and family!
Currently watching a USC baseball game and it's SO close I can't stand it...of course it's a rival game against Clemson! Over the past few weeks we've spent some time at the Riverwalk (it was kinda windy hence the crazy hair) and Sonic...milkshakes are half off after 8! Gotta love it!

Once again

Once again, I am on the search for WiFi as I am in a summer of transition...but that's ok! These things happen and pass :) I am lookin' forward to a time when I won't necessarily be living out of a suitcase and my permanent address will be relatively permanent. However, until then I am grateful for different places to call home and the adventurous ride along the way....
-
For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
      -Psalm 54:7

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.... But as for me, I trust in You.
    -Pslam 55:22 and part of 23

Romans 1:7, 16, 17

Sunday

So wonderful to worship the Lord this morning in song....





Attempted a recipe this afternoon with Evan for some German Mini pancakes and strawberry sauce....
check it out the idea here!
They weren't as sweet as we expected and Evan thought we should have left out the orange zest. We simply used pie filling for the topping. When the mini pancakes first came out of the oven they looked rather over sized and lopsided but they didn't turn out too bad in the end. They were edible and might make a good breakfast! We'll see what we come up with to bake/make/try next week. Had a few brave souls taste test and it was fun for a Sunday afternoon....

I just call ya mom

To the woman who had....

2 babies
watched them grow into two adults
sat through 4 graduations (hs and college!)
gave her son away to an incredable lady and received a wonderful daughter-in-law in return
attended countless rehearsals and games
spilled chocolate all down the freezer and just stopped to laugh
smiled and cried with her family
traveled the world
always loves a good mystery
created a beautiful home
loves the Lord
quietly and wisely speaks her mind
is usually up for a good Chic-flic
has great style and class
hates grocery shopping but loves to eat!
spent countless nights in prayer
always has open arms
knows best
stands by her man
can always find something in IKEA
always told me to have fun
who taught me that less is always more
who often said, "There'd be days like this."

Thank you for allowing me to call you mom....I love you momma and hope you have a VERY special day!!

PostGrad!

 Got to go to SC this week to celebrate Evan's graduation! He graduated from USC and I'm so proud of him!! It was a wonderful weekend full of family and friends. Checked out Radius church, enjoyed lots of tacos and cake, and watched Thor and Avengers. Also Avengers is definitely worth seeing!

Excerpts

I finally finished reading Max Lucado's Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God and it was wonderful! Wanted to share some quotes from the end...

Mark 15:7-the words 'and Peter' have a big meaning... "What a line. It's as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall-and it's as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. 'Be sure and tell Peter that he's not left out. Tell him that one failure doesn't make a flop.' Whew! No wonder they call it the gospel of second chance." p. 215-216

"It's not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance-much less someone who will give you a second chance very day. But in Jesus, Peter found both." p. 217

Now if that doesn't make for a good day, I don't know what will!

"The reassuring lesson is clear. God used (and uses!) people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars-he uses them all. And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love." p. 220

Happy May 2! It's summertime!

Graduation

Graduation. We finally did it and I can't believe it!

I was so blessed to meet and share my life with some amazing people for the past four years in Jackson, MS. We tried to get a group shot but I was looking for my parents

Thanks MD for taking the picture! Will miss you-such wonderful times of laughter and tears in Caldwell!! The good times rolled ;)

and the next time we lost two others SO thanks to Kimber's wonderful technological skills we managed to have a 'pic with everyone'. Annie might have one from pre-grad so we'll see :) But the next three pics-that's everyone! Love these ladies and excited to see where God takes all of us!

 I definitely fought the tears all day Saturday but I hope and pray I'll see so many of these people again!

On the Eve of my 22 birthday I still have unpacking to do....I'm always hit or miss with packing. Either I do it right away or it lingers for a while. Anyway, there are so many thoughts one has upon graduation. I could go on and on in detail but I'm afraid it's a feeling you only experience once and well you just can't explain it.

Overall, I can say I have grown up! It took until senior year Spring semester but we survived and the Lord led us all the way. Now is when it gets hard trusting, waiting, and having faith. But if He carried us through so magnificently before, there should be no doubt that He'll do it again!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."-John 10:10

Sappiness

Ok be forewarned, this might be rather sappy. Side not, blogger you really threw me off with your new posting format but alas I will try to figure you out!

So I have been thinking about love lately. I know its something every little girl dreams of. When you get tossed into the messiness of relationships, often every girl is ready to put up a white flag and quit. However, I certainly have learned my fair share of lessons in love and life. I don't begin to even come near to fully understanding it but I do know Christ's love for me! The depths of it, astounding, and something I will never be able to fully comprehend this side of Heaven!

I was going to post separately about how God's sovereignty is incredible but I think it goes along with His love. As a college graduate I am beginning to learn that life is all about change. Though I am in a transition stage, so many others are as well. Finding new jobs, picking a place to live, it will always come up in life. Perhaps it is just God reminding me, I am not God and I have no clue what 'the best' is for me. It's all about faith. God says here are all these great options, because I love you. Do you trust me to lead you to the best and uniquely catered one for you, because I love you? Patiently wait because I know you need to wait, I love you.

I have been blown away by God's expression of his love for me. Graduating from college is an emotional roller coaster ride, as is the rest of life but I don't think we would have it any other way. I get so humbled every time I bump into someone who asks how things are going and reminds me they are praying for me. Boy, I tell you what, knowing that my life is covered in prayer is a huge confidence booster and stress reliever! So reader, know your brothers and sisters in Christ are praying for you! I have talked to 8 people this week all of which reminded me of God's specific care for me. Reader, that goes for you too! I saw a quote a friend posted and think it sums up numerous conversations I've had this week....

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."-Corrie Ten Boom

With all that being said, in any relationship-family, friends, marriage, it is the most amazing experience when someone shows you the love of Christ. They look at you, they hear and see your faults and forgive you and love you. That is the Gospel in the flesh. Sappy? Far from it.

Now for the sappiness and all you dreamers out there....

 "..And then I'd like to hear you, I mean really hear you.
So.. would you mind if I eavesdropped on your thoughts, if I overheard your daydreams and made them all come true..?"

For the Ladies



For the Gents

Lasts

This past week has been full of 'lasts.' I canNOT believe I am nearing the end of my four years of college. Soooo much has happened in four years! I certainly have grown up though I'm thankful I think there will always be a little kid inside of me. I have shed many tears and seen a lot of people come and go while completing my time at Belhaven. There have been struggles and joys. I think Britt Nicole sums it up well in her song "You've been walking with me all this time."

In honor of all the lasts....here's a quick photo recap, enjoy!




Right after my last dance final evaluation possibly ever!!



Check it! Our last sign out at Casey!


We did it! On the way home from our last day student teaching! What a year!

So much is going on and I have lots to post about but for now...here's a sneak peak of one of many things happening this week!

Today I took my last dance final possibly ever, excitement level is up there with picking up my cap and gown! as momma said it has been a great journey...and a whole lot of sweat and tears!

He is risen!

O precious sight, my Savior stands
Dying for me with outstretched hands
O precious sight, I love to gaze
Remembering salvation's day
Remembering salvation's day

Though my eyes linger on this scene
May passing time and years not steal
The power with which it impacts me
The freshness of it's mystery
The freshness of it's mystery

May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross
May I see it like the first time
Standing as a sinner lost
Undone by mercy and left speechless
Watching wide eyed at the cost
May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross

Behold the God - Man crucified
The perfect sinless sacrifice
As blood ran down those nails and wood
History was split in two
Yes, History was split in two

Behold the empty wooden tree
His body gone, alive and free
We sing with everlasting joy
For sin and death have been destroyed
Yes sin and death have been destroyed

Vicky Beeching-The Wonder of the Cross

"By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life."-Psalm 42:8
Happy Easter Break!

Beauty

Palm Sunday, the continuation of a beautiful story. A difficult journey (marred by pain) but a glorious ending. Hallelujah!

Thanks Evan for sending this pic my way!

Full Day

It was a full Friday! We went to the Puppetry Jam/26th Annual Performing Arts Festival For Children at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum
I tried to take pictures but the lighting was a little tricky so here's the best I could do!
The kids got to hear some great story telling and even participate in a few of the acts! The learned "Oh! Susanna" from Sherman Lee Dillon. Then they moved on to enjoy some juggling, balloon creations, and silly jokes for Inky the Clown He was an amazing juggler and the kids really got a kick out of his bowling ball juggling act! He even had some magic tricks up his sleeve. One of my favorite quote was, "Sit criss cross banana split, or whatever you call it!"



The final stop was the dance and puppetry exhibit. We had another very talented story teller, Rosia Crisler, and then a dance crew teach some African.



And yes, you guessed it, they wanted the teachers to come on stage and learn the routine! Since I'm the student teacher, and the dancer....I had to go up there :). I survived and the kids were excited! The puppet crew after had a very unique presentation that followed. It was a very fun event and the kids really enjoyed it!



We finished the day watching The Lorax and making our oreo moons!

This is what we do in class....

Ok....we don't do all of this in class but we learned little sections from "Can't Touch This," "Newsies," and more! Thought you might enjoy a blast from the past....



It was quite humerous watching me try to find my inner tomboy as I learned the above piece. Fun nevertheless.

I also learned that steps like barrel rolls, flying squirrels, ariels, side jete's, backwards leaps, and more are rather challenging and if you can do them and make them look good well that's just cool!

Music

"You’ve given far beyond my need so I give
My deepest thanks to you for all I’ve watched you do
And for the things that I am yet to see
Still I’m confident to wait patiently

I cry out and you answer
I cry out and you answer

Father I know you listen when I pray
Father would you hear these simple words I say

I’m amazed at where we’ve been and what we’ve seen
I can’t imagine where I’d be without you here with me
With a faith beyond the things I could see
So many times I’ve watched your hand as it guides me"

-Jadon Lavik, Father

Coming through four years of college and looking on the other end, these words hold true all the more. I have seen the Lord guide and continue to trust Him as He directs. College sure is a roller coaster!

Sundays

The past two weeks, I have been to two different churches, both a blessing! Both pastors preached the same message. I figured I needed to tune in if I was hearing it two different times, two different places.

Guilt.

So many believers are stuck in guilt.

God calls His children to "refuse to massage the memories but ask him to redeem it!"-Pastor Chip Henderson, Pinelake Church

"Don't let anybody pin something on you that has already been nailed to the cross....The saddest thing is for a blood bought believer to be stuck in guilt."-Pastor Wheat, Highlands Presbyterian Church

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."-Colossians 2:13-14 that's the Gospel message tried and true!

A close friend told me once, "That's not part of our story now is it?" God looks at my past sins and doesn't see them anymore. They don't keep me from Him. They don't tie me down. He gives me a new story. He changes me.