2 Samuel 13

I think we should all take a minute and close our eyes, and picture ourselves on a beach somewhere... With snowpocalypse number two on the way, it only seems fitting to imagine ourselves in a warmer climate. I dont think I can say I enjoyed walking to class this morning in 19 degree weather, with a windchill of negative something. Winter is bitter. And I am bitter it's winter.

Speaking of being anywhere but here, the new drew holcomb and the neighbors cd came out today!!! GO BUY IT NOW ON ITUNES. Dont you worry, I already have my favorite. "Anywhere but Here." Perfect for the current circumstances.

Today, I really contemplated the idea of God placing certain people in our lives for specific reasons. I feel like no one is in our life by accident. There are no accidents with God. Even the everyday people we encounter.. God planned you to cross paths at some point. Every person was put in your life by the Creator of the universe. Recently, I have been thinking about the certain people in my life, and where God is going with this/them. After young life last night, it really made me ponder the relationships I have with people. For instance, my best friend, I truly believe the only reason we are best friends and have been so special to each other for so long, is because we help each other grow. We are constantly pushing each other to be better for the Lord. I want all of my relationships to be like that! If anything I want to be introducing them to the Lord altogether! It's kind of interesting to sit and think of all the relationships you have with people, whether it be boyfriends or just friends, and wonder why god has placed them there. in your life. at that specific moment.



Just recently, God has revealed himself to me about a certain relationship I have here at college. I was brought to tears at how evident it is that, the only reason we are friends, is because we have SO much in common. But mainly, we have the Lord. I am not going to go into detail, but just believe me when I say the Lord is majestic. He works in beautiful, mysterious ways, but all for his glory. And He truly does put people in our lives for a reason. And I am so blessed to be embarking my college career with such a Godly and sweet girl. We are going to be pushing each other to be better for the Lord. And I cant wait.

Now I can,
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

hello blog world!

I am finally conforming to the hype that is "blogging." The only reason I decided to even do this is because of a blog I recently stumbled upon: kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com. It will change your life. And blogging is a good way for whoever cares to keep up with my life and what God is doing in it. The past few days I've been confined to my 8x8 dorm room,(thank you snow days), and have had nothing better to do than browse/creep the internet. I honestly dont expect or believe anyone to read any of this. I just think sometimes its refreshing to get your thoughts out, even if no one else is seeing them. Oh, and please dont judge me! haha I promise I'm not as lame as I probably am making myself out to be!

So I am currently watching the Greenbay Packers celebrate their superbowl win, while listening to "Forever Reign" by Shane and Shane. The past few days I've really been struggling with the idea of how America, and Americans have their priorities all wrong. Especially after reading katie's blog. I feel we've truly lost what matters in this world. Whether you are a follower of Christ or not, things have got to change. My roommate,(holla ellie webb!!), just read me a statistic about the cost of a 30 second commercial during the superbowl, being the equivialent of the cost it takes to save 167,222 families in Africa from malaria.

Its rather disgusting how much we can help, and we choose not to. And by 'we' I mean myself as well.

The Lord has called us to love. Not ourselves, but one another. So lets do it! Lets love! I hope anyone that is reading this will go about their day tomorrow with love. Love from Jesus. The only love there is. Whether that means smiling at someone you see during your day, or by holding the door open for someone. LOVE.

I'll close with a quote from Katie's blog.. I wish I had the heart of some of the children she describes.

"it is pouring. it is freezing. the power has been off for days and the water lines are down. yet i stand in the middle of 25 children praising and thanking the Lord. our usual outside worship has been taken indoors due to the storm, so instead of praying together, the children are praying in their individual rooms. i am in the primary boys room which is home to our boys ages 6-10. i have never seen anyone so alive with love for their Maker. some stand with their hands in the air. others, like me, so overwhelmed with awe, have fallen to their knees on the cold, cement floor. the beautiful sound of 26 voices lifted in prayer drowns out the beating of the rain on the tin roof. God is so in this moment, i feel so full of His love, that my heart threatens to burst. this is not something i can explain to you. this is not something words can ever capture. this feeling is bigger. the splendor of God in this room takes my breath away. we all pray out loud and our voices mix into one, all different word, but the same message: thank you. THANK YOU."

Sleep pretty, bloggers!