thought for the day

"Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not."

-C.S. Lewis

life. lily. delicious.

the weather is absolutely beautiful today. so that's nice.

Lily came for a visit, and she's just sitting letting me hold her and being so calm.
I made rice krispies today for tomorrow's social work bake sale.. and they turned out to be delicious! they didn't have any normal rice krispies, so I got jumbo. I used a ton of butter and too many marshmallows... so much better :)

I've had south africa on my heart all day. I woke up this morning so wide awake after my full nine hours of sleep, so I went to starbucks after class for some time with the Lord. I've been reading through Psalm, and this was today's chapter. 

Psalm 67:

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.

2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.

5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.

7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

I read this verse with a different perspective today. verse 2 says "that your ways may be known on earth" directly after talking about how the Lord blesses us and shines His face upon us. So often I've wondered why I am so blessed, why am I able to see God's face and not others? But this is such an answer to that question... SO THAT God's name can be known. So that the nations and all peoples may praise God when they see the good things he has done in our life. We are to be the voice that carries the good news because we can't help but keep it to ourselves.

This was so neat to think about in answering the question why am I going to South Africa? I have been praying about this trip for nearly a year and a half, and I was so eager to make sure that missions is a part of my life now, where I am, and that I wasn't letting my excuse for not going be that I wasn't at Shades any more (which practically makes missions your comfort zone because of how often they provide opportunities). I wanted to go out of obedience, and because I couldn't get South Africa out of my mind or off of my heart. Then when Melanie moved there I became even more concerned for the need she described in the hearts of the people. I must go because God has blessed and changed my life and I want to share so that all the peoples, all the nations can be blessed by His life changing good news too!

What's not to share?????

wonderfer.

Me and Megan went to see John Mayer

You know its a good night when the sunset looks like this.

this is the man who stole my heart

me and Meg found some friends who were also lost on the way to FedEx

but don't worry we found John before the night was over.

JOHN. stinking. MAYER.

Ging came to spend the night! Yesterday we had a whole afternoon and evening of just shopping, running errands, getting things done. This morning we went shopping :) then after class we had lunch at Moe's and sent her home on the way. It was SO good to have a little piece of home with me here. I loved it. And I get to go home one week from today for spring break!


Yesterday was Surwic's birthday and mom cooked a home cooked meal for us, you would have thought she cooked a five course meal.... we had fried chicken, mashed potatoes (real not instant), green beans, bread, cookies and.... drum roll.... MILO'S from home :)


The weather is getting beautiful, and I'm praying that the sunshine won't go away... We laid out on the quad today and it was perfect, a little taste of spring. 


Tonight I'm going with Megan to see JOHN MAYER!!!! My favorite. Ever. And I can't wait for him :) We're driving to Memphis is about... ten minutes :)


Life's great.

feels like home...

This weekend First Love was in town, so I got to see old friends and familiar faces. It was so weird feeling like my worlds were colliding, but I still loved the comfort of home all the way in Jackson. 
http://web.me.com/bhamartsguy/FirstLove/Made_To_View/Pages/First_Love_2010_-_Day_3.html#19


This Thursday mom is coming to stay! And I canNOT wait. I love all the little pieces of home that are coming to me, its so fun to have that here after I start missing Birmingham. Spring break will be here soon but for now this is  the next best thing!


Life is good :) staying busy and trying to pretend like I understand Biology.. fail.

Passion

I haven't even heard the new Passion cd yet, but I just keep hearing such good things about it and I love half of the songs on there, so I am just in full support. Get Awakening today! I'll let you know how it is later ;)

south. africa.

South Africa. May 30 until July 2. AHHHHH!!!!
Today Jeremy booked tickets so we can fly from Atlanta to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Cape Town.
I am so excited to see how this journey will come through. I have been praying about South Africa for a year and a half now, just wondering how or when the Lord would open up the doors to lead me there. I have been praying for the people of South Africa just hoping that I would have the chance to share my life with them. And its so exciting now that there are actual days, actual times that I will be spending there. I know the Lord has been just leading me through this process, teaching me patience and showing me that He will indeed provide, and take care of all the things that I don't have answers for.
God is so good!

so much to do

I got to go home this weekend! It was the perfect weekend to be home after a week of not feeling well and being exhausted. I loved getting to be home, take a deep breath, and relax. I got so much time with my mom and dad, which was wonderful and encouraging. I got great food (steak, chinese AND mexican all in one weekend). I got to watch tv and be a bum, wear sweat pants an entire day, and got my groceries bought for me to take back to school. It was lovely. 


I also got to catch up with friends, which I am missing more and more these days. Allison came over for a while which was fun to get all the latest information I've been missing out on :) I saw Meredith at church since she was home for GIC--the other great part of the weekend. I am always so encouraged to see how God is moving in our church and around the world through the missionaries we have been able to work with. I loved getting to see familiar faces like Jay Watson and John Thomas who I get to work with this summer. It was such a good time to be home.


But back to school means back to the hectic, crazy schedule that college is. That doesn't mean you can't have some fun along the way though, right?


Team 4 intramural basketball is where its at:

We started off the week with thug life on Monday, and had our season finale with nerd night on Tuesday. Nothing like a little intimidation factor.

I love the fun our friends have just being crazy. We may not be very good, but we sure have a good time doing it. Favorite play of the night: TEAM VIENNA (in honor of the Bachelor, the play consists of Autumn dribbling up the middle while the other four girls run around in a circle like the sausage). Gotta love it. Rho beta!