Wednesday

"it's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky. behind me and before me is God and i have no fears."

tuesday

friends are wonderful things. i'm currently sitting around the dining room table with a few of mine. we’re having one of our “study nights” which usually consists of everything but studying. tonight, our adventures and experiences have included: eating instant coffee, snapping our fingers repeatedly, listening [but not watching] to the movie big fish, drinking cider straight from the bottle, stealing the screwtape letters audiobook, taking our heart rates [mine was 56], eating cookie dough and stove-cooked popcorn, watching footage of mt. st. helens exploding, and partaking in the cinnamon challenge [both colleen and mark attempted to eat a tablespoon of cinnamon in exchange for twenty of broderick’s dollars. sadly, it was an epic failure. the ending result for both contestants was a cloud of cinnamon dust expelled from the mouth, followed by excessive amounts of puking.]. what a grand night.

saturday

i think that GOD is calling me into the mission field. not necessarily an international mission field. but i think that my main purpose in life is to serve him. permanently. as a career. i’m not sure what that will be. but i am willing. and my prayer is this:

“FATHER, give me the strength to be everything i’m called to be.”

friday

all things work together for good.

sunday

we, the human species, were created for one purpose: to glorify GOD. we have many “sub-purposes” in life, but our ultimate reason for living is to give honor and praise to HIM. HE has created a perfect plan for each of our lives that, if followed, will allow us to fulfill our purpose most efficiently. so, on that note, when seeking GOD’s direction for my life i need to remember that, first and foremost, my plans should strive towards GOD’s purpose. 

note: focusing on myself will never reveal GOD’s plans for my life.

saturday

“so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of GOD.” 

[2 corinthians 10:31]

thursday

 “there are two types of people..those who say to GOD, ‘thy will be done’ and those to whom GOD says ‘alright then, have it your way’.”

-          c.s. lewis

if i could have it any way, this is how it would go: i live a great life, have the perfect family, live in a cute house, am a stay-at-home mom, love JESUS.  american dream-style.

and this is me handing all of my dreams and desires and plans over to GOD. because i don’t want to be the person to whom GOD says, “alright, have it your way.”

as i allow GOD to direct my life and seek out HIS will, i’m trying to learn how i’m supposed to know what HIS will is. so far, i’ve come up with these: the desires that GOD has placed in our hearts are there for a reason. the wisdom and advice of those who are more spiritually mature (pastor, parents, etc.) should be taken seriously. the BIBLE gives us a ton of direction and guidance. prayer is a must. GOD will give peace of mind when we are considering the right option.

friday

i'm sorry for passing judgement instead of extending love.

saturday

what is there in indiana? if you would’ve asked me this question two years ago, my reply would’ve been something along the lines of “uhhhh…corn?”  but ask me this question today and i shall tell you that it is much more than corn or a flat, boring landscape. initially drawn to this midwest state in pursuit of a boy,  i now realize that the entire purpose of our relationship was to get me here.  SIDETRACK: GOD sure knows me well.  i can’t think of many other ways that HE could’ve convinced me into moving here.  i mean, i love the excitement and adventure of packing up and heading to a new place with new people and new experiences. in fact i think that [if i could] i would just move every year. it wouldn’t take much convincing if GOD was guiding me to hawai'i or california or some other exciting state/country. but indiana? the indiana that is blanketed in snow and sub-freezing temperatures all winter?  the indiana that has only its farmland and the indy 500 to boast of?  i hate cold weather and i’m not into racecars.  but yet HE’s opened so many doors since my arrival here, provided me with awesome friends, and set challenges in my path that have resulted in my faith growing.

friday

pouring rain. glass of wine. thick book. glasses. big, warm blanket. heaven?