smiles, giddiness and overflowing joy- all for the glory of God.

So lots has changed in the past couple of weeks- LOTS. My world has been turned upside down- in a good way, of course. A great way. S has come into my world and changed everything I thought was normal- and I’m happier, calmer, “chill”-er than I’ve been in….well, ever. (Yes, that’s a true statement.) What can I say? God is good- He is so good.

In that light, I found myself looking at past posts and thinking about what’s transpired in the past 6 weeks or so. I think it’s absolutely hysterical to look back at some of the things I’ve said and written on this darn blog. Take for example… the first day of December. I titled it “I’m in love…with my church.” Two things strike me about this. Number one, the fact that after that, I wrote “yeah, yeah, don’t go getting the wrong idea… I haven’t found ‘him’ yet.” My, my, did God have some plans in store for me…!!!!! 
         Number two…yes, I still really like MBCC and really, REALLY like Tim Kallam and his teaching. However… Brook Hills??? Y’all. David Platt is the senior pastor there and he is unbelievable!  S is convinced he is a modern-day prophet. I would have to agree. The man cuts down between 2.5 and 3 hours worth of material to barely get his sermon in in less than an hour. The man is amazing. He has a true gift, and the passion with which he speaks is right on. I say…BRING IT! Teach for another hour- bring a picnic and we’ll all camp out ’til we absolutely HAVE to go home. (Actually, they do have another service every quarter or so called “Secret Church” where it’s literally from 1800h- midnight. I can’t WAIT to hit that up!)

All of this to say, one of the questions people ask, especially of college students, young professionals and young couples is “where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?” I’ve always disliked that question because I never knew what I wanted to be “when I grew up”. NOW I dislike it for another reason- the longer I am on this earth and see what God is doing in my life and the lives of those around me and across the nation and across the world, I realize that I AM just a pawn on a chessboard. My life is not my own- when I confessed that I was a sinner, gave my life to God and said “do with it what YOU will…”, I turned over all plans to Him. Do what YOU want with it, Lord- it’s Yours anyway. My life is a gift- a GIFT. I do not deserve it, nor the love, mercy and grace I daily receive from You, so YOU do with it what YOU will. You weave your mightly plan, and I’ll just follow along. 

 Have you ever heard someone say “if you want to see God laugh, tell Him your plans?” In a strictly worldly sense, I think that’s totally right. Does that mean we shouldn’t make plans? Have goals and dreams and aspirations? Of course not. We have a responsibility to take care of the good things God gives us- our families, our cars, our homes, our relationships, the animals of the earth (of COURSE I’d bring that into this!). Since we live in a secular world, the bank account doesn’t CARE that we spent a week in Mexico building a house for a needy family who loves the Lord. Neither does the mortgae company, the bank that holds the car note, the college where you or your children attend classes, the flute teacher who teaches your children the notes faithfully each week…they don’t care. So we DO have a responsibility to take care of those financial matters, but they should not be ALL that we live for. More money, bigger car, nicer house, the designer clothes, the $500 handbags…and all for what? For what? To spend it on ourselves? To make ourselves look better? To whom? Our friends? Our coworkers? Our playgroups so that when we pull up in our brand new ______ and take our wallet out of our brand new _____, they’ll say “whoa…nice. They’ve got money. They’re cool.” WHO FLIPPIN’ CARES???!!! Is that what we want? To show God at the end of our life and say “here, God, look at all this nice stuff I have. Aren’t you proud??” (Dr. Platt told a story yesterday of an older couple who took early retirement  at 51 and 59 and live in a coastal town in Florida, spend their time cruising on their 30 foot troller and collecting shells. The world says “what a great way to live- that’s the American dream, the end-all-be-all way to live” whereas Jesus says “what have you done for ME?” Do you want your last act on earth to be looking our God in the eye, saying, “Look, God- look at our shells?????”) 
     (All that said, I am not a preacher, nor a divinity teacher, nor am I in The Word as much as I should be- I’m telling whoever’s listening what we touched on in church yesterday.)

Have you ever heard someone say “wow, what a coincidence. that’s weird…” No, my friends, that’s not weird. That’s God. That is the hand of God, weaving His plan throughout our lives. I want to be on the front lines, a willing and humble participant and servant, a PART of that plan on a daily basis. Here’s what I mean:
        God has brought S into my life- that is NOT coincidence. I don’t even remember when it was, but I gave that part of my life over to Jesus and basically said, “I can’t do it, I don’t wanna do it, it’s YOURS. You control it. When you think I’m ready for ‘him’, You just let me know. Bring him on. Until then…I’m just gonna chill here, thanks.” So…here’s a number of coincidences that will make you laugh. I mean, like, roar with laughter.
             a. S bought my car off of Craigslist. CRAIGSLIST! He’s the only one who showed any interest in it at all.
             b. I wasn’t even going to try to sell it but “something in me” told me to put it on there and list it anyway, “just to see if I got a bite”. 
             c. we kept looking at each other during the testing-out-the-car, driving and selling process saying “you look so familiar to me”…it was only after he wrote his name multiple times on the documents that I FINALLY saw him and said, “hey, do you happen to have a brother and sister in law named….” Yup. Nail on the head.
             d. “coincidentally”, I met his brother and sister in law while working at Fleet Feet. I took that job only after I left personal training to take the insurance job that I eventually left (2 months- cubicle, office, 8-5…NOT FOR ME!). Had the boss not asked me if I wanted the job, I wouldn’t have taken it, wouldn’t have quit, wouldn’t have needed another job, wouldn’t have found Fleet Feet, wouldn’t have met the family…you get the picture.)
            e. his best friends have lived in my apartment complex for 18 months now. I had no idea.
            f. he was over at a friend’s house many times during his childhood. who lived next to that friend’s house? OH, YES. That’s right. ME. 
            g. the shop manager at his daddy’s garage…was best friends with my brother growing up in school. they played soccer together and we had him over after the game so many times it’s hard to count. 
                 (Really, I didn’t make this up. I couldn’t have planned this stuff! I’m not that good!)

These are not coincidences, people! Even if you DO believe that they are, isn’t is just as easy to give God the glory for all these “strange” things as to say it’s just a weird coincidence? I believe so. So instead of saying how “strange” and “weird” this is, I look to the heavens and say “thank you GOD for big and small miracles, for making me a part of your infinitely mighty plan.”

Last thing for today- why are Bible pages the way they are? I’m not complaining- I LOVE them. I just wonder- are there any other pages like Bible pages?

OK. Officially…

… I have a boyfriend (said in the sing-song tone you think you hear!). he’s fantastic. beautiful, fantastic, loving family. such a sweet, sweet heart and spirit, but most importantly, a heart for God, which is paramount. it’s aaaaall good. call, text or Facebook me (what is this world coming to??!) for all the “gory” details . Or a double date, all you who are in town (or close!). you ALL will meet him one of these days. I thank God every day for him- what a love.

a few things I’ve been faced with lately (thanks, kid!):

a.) no, I don’t post pictures of me on here because as most of you know, I am struggling w/self-image (read: dropping unnecessary, unwanted weight). I know- ridiculous but true (not because I’m gorgeous but because self-image shouldn’t matter that much). we’re all made in the image and beauty of Christ, so…no matter! all that said, I’m working on getting some current pictures on here. (previous statement said w/a roll of the eyes and upturned lip)

b.) patience- such a virtue I used to have and am trying desperately to get back. in so many things lately, my patience is being tested. I know this is a weakness of mine, and I’m working on it. though, what is beyond God? nothing. so I will continue persevering, knowing He will see me through.

c.) I have been so convicted lately of my time alone with the Living Savior, of all our distractions that pull us away from Him and just how fast this world is moving. no, it is not our home…yes, we should take each day as it comes and not worry about the next…but it’s so hard! the age in which we live has become increasingly more demanding of our time and effort and attention to so many other things other than staying focused on Jesus, getting the Gospel out to as many people as possible and always, always abiding in Him. unbelievable if we think about it- job/career, kids, school, homework, dance recitals and soccer games (well, for some…!), vacations, the economy and our own personal finances, our state of government, getting enough sleep (and quality sleep, at that), getting to all these places on time without meeting up with (-insert your city’s name here-) Finest…then consider all the other relationships in our relative worlds to keep up with- our families (parents, siblings, husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, children), our friends (near and far- thankfully, technology has made this so much easier!), our church, our coworkers, our coaches and teachers…whew. it’s a wonder we even have the time to sleep. but no matter- God wants us our best- our firstfruits, but knows we will fail miserably (hence that whole GRACE-matter we talk about). so…we will keep continually looking toward Him, longing to be more like Him every day- 2 Corinthians 3:18 says “we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image…” I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t reflect the image of the Lord. I should pursue to reflect Him every day, in ALL that I do!

d.) I still have no idea what I want to be “when I grow up”. I can’t believe that in less than 6 months, I’ll be 30!! REALLY??! where did that time go? it’s not scary to be 30, it’s just scary how quickly that time passed. I remember my Daddy saying “before you can turn around good you’ll be 40.” man, alive was he ever right. I KNEW he was right, as he is most of the time, I just didn’t realize to what extent. all THAT said, the apartment locating business is great- I’m learning a LOT about how to take care of people, how to always provide excellent customer service even when I don’t want to, time management, organization (which I love!) and mulitasking (which I also love!). maybe there’s a future in real estate….who knows? gotta say, though…always planning for the future and the next appointment and the next day and the next week and the next month sure does make me lose track of today and that I will not get this day back. I’m certain this is one reason that time flies by so fast- we’re so busy concentrating on the next _______ that we forget about enjoying and taking care of today. 

happy Friday, everybody.  

Ch-ch-ch-changes…

So….haven’t talked to y’all in awhile! Things have been a bit crazy! 

First of all, happy new year to you all. I pray this year is filled with new adventures, great and wonderful possibilities, new people, new friendships and relationships and drawing closer to our Lord and Savior. 

My church….my church is fantastic. I hope you all love your home church like I love mine. I love having a church body that loves the Lord and wants to serve Him, that loves mission work and proclaiming His name at any point in time and whose mission is church growth by conversion rather than transfer. I LOVE my church- I am filled every time I darken those doors.  

My brother tore his ACL (good job, dude)- all 3 parts- the MCL, ACL and PCL. (Hey, when we do something, we do it all the way!) He had surgery just before Christmas so keep him in your prayers as he’s not only going through rehab, but on crutches and casts and mobilizers and such…all the while in his second semester of med school. He’s gonna be such a great doctor.

I’m reading a great book called CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan. If you want a great book that will rock your world and move you to ask some very deep questions about your faith and your relationship with the Living God, this one’s for you. AMAZING book. I’ll read it forever.

OH- and dating… I believe I’m back in the dating world again. I met a great guy (more details to come) and we’re “dating”- I think. There are so many terms for all this stuff, and I’m still wondering what to say and do. Are we hanging out? “Talking”? Seeing each other? Anybody know the term to use here?  :)