a few of my favorite things.

Near the top of my list, and in no particular order, are the following:

*A bedtime bowl of cereal. I know it's bad to eat before bed..I'm working on it.

*My iPhone 4. Yes, I just joined the club last week.

*A good read. My current projects: So Long, Insecurity (Beth Moore), Radical (David Platt), and Whispers from God (Bill Hybels). All are highly recommended.

*Good hair days. In all modesty, I was pleased with today's results.

I know, I'm behind a few years on the "MySpace" pics...

*Worship. Enough said.

*New music. Love comeandlive.com for great musical additions to my library.

*Loyal and godly friends. I don't know where I'd be without them.

*My sister and her beau. They're disgustingly adorable, and such dear friends to me.

Pretty presh, huh? :o)

*Well-written words. Sometimes I actually miss diagramming sentences. (HA.)

*A nighttime sky threatening snow. It currently rests at a midnight purple hugh. Absolutely stunning. Something about tonight got me thinking deeply. The haunting tones and quiet comfort remind me that there is something on the horizon, even when I don't see it or feel it; He's still working and moving. I love that reassurance. Mmm.

*Early morning workouts. There's nothing like getting my blood pumping first thing.

And on that note, I'm off to catch some zzz's so that I have the energy to bust a move first thing tomorrow. I have a very important appointment, and Jillian does not like to be kept waiting.

savoring saturday

As much as I thoroughly enjoy socializing and galavanting around, I so cherish Saturdays. Especially quiet Saturday mornings, which is exactly what today was. A luxury only select Saturdays can afford, I slept until I woke up (which was about 9am, if you were curious), then started my day with a little John Mark McMillan and some baking. On the menu: strawberry cake cookies, a personal fave for sure. Hopefully my small group girls enjoy them as much as I do. :)

The picture hardly does it justice, but this batter gets so fluffy I half expected it to float away!

The finished product. Yum-o.

Just a little sprinkle of powdered sugar on top and they're more than ready to enjoy.

Days like to today are so easy to fill up with unnecessary to-do lists and beckoning projects. Today, I made my list with extra care and checked off only the most essential bullets. I must say, I could savor a few more Saturdays tacked on to the end of this one. Admittedly, this weekend started off as quite a Debbie Downer. All of my pre-made plans fell through the cracks, but honestly, I think that's exactly what I needed, despite my initial disappointment. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to rest and breathe without the slightest weight of expectation or need from anyone. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to just be.

That said, I think I shall take full advantage of the next hour or so of my Saturday and savor it through being just a little more.

I hope you've been able to savor your Saturday. If not, why not start now? :)

Tuesday Tidbits.

Today was my first "Wear A Dress Tuesday." What's "Wear A Dress Today?" you ask. Check out the story here. I'd just like to say that I put much thought into my outfit this morning. Temperature and agenda both played a role in my contemplation, but neither could prohibit me from my determination: I would wear a dress today.

And I did. A purple sweater dress, in fact. Complete with gray lace-patterned leggings and tall black boots. A perfectly cozy outfit with a perfectly feminine feel.

Ideally, this is the point in the post that I would insert a cute photo of said dress. However, thanks to a little--ahem--mishap involving melted snow, tile floor, and tractionless boots, my tights are a little less than ideal. Yes, that's right: I bit it. Hardcore. Thankfully no one was around and I sustained no major injuries, except to my pride. (And, for the record, my backside, shoulder and ankle are particularly sore..but not enough for me to mention in a blog post. ;) )

I have to admit, had I been wearing slacks rather than a skirt, I don't think I would have bounced back as well as I did. Something about the extra flit and flare of dress puts a little extra kick in my step. And sometimes just enough kick to knock my feet out from under me, apparently.

All in all, today was a great Tuesday. Filled with meetings and planning and expectation of great things to come, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for this Type-A.

And on that note, I think I will wrap it up, before anything else can change my conclusion. Have a most wonderful evening!

a necessary truth.

Good morning, bloggerland!

This morning I've been studying for the discipleship group that I host on Monday nights. This week we're talking about Joshua and his leadership of the Israelites. I love in Joshua 24, when he gives his people a choice. He acknowledges that they have options and that they can freely choose who to follow. Yet regardless of their pressure or misleading, Joshua boldly declares that he will serve the Lord. I just love that. I know it's a simple concept, but it's not always so simply executed.

Sometimes I find myself easily getting distracted by and serving the world, rather than the Most High. But that's not my heart's desire. I want to serve God above and before all else. Period.

Why? Because He's worthy. End of story.

Check out our memory verse for this week:

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9

I love the language, "God is not slack..." I immediately think of the term "slacker" in our culture and so my brain automatically substituted such when I first read the verse. But how true is that? God is NOT a slacker. Despite the times I feel like He's not following through, He is continually working things out. My time or my desires just may be off. But not God.

I needed that reminder of a necessary truth today. How about you?

Here's my prayer today:

God, thank you that you are worthy. Thank you for demonstrating longsuffering toward me and continuing to pursue me, even when I'm stubborn and go my own way. Jesus, help me to serve you boldly, above and before all else. Help me to love you first and foremost. Be glorified in me today.

2010 recap

So, it's Thursday...I think. My days have been so mixed up this week! Chalk that up to the holidays and lack of structure probably. Anyway, regardless of the day, I'm at home, sick. Boo. Rather than fret though, I'm opting to soak up the much-needed rest...and perhaps catch up on blogging a bit too. I just wish I didn't feel ick.

As I've thought ahead through 2011 and tried to imagine all that it holds--and believe me, I'm dreaming BIG--I couldn't help but reminisce over 2010. To say the last 12 months were a roller coaster would not only be a painful cliche, but also a severe understatement. There was some heartache, excitement, stress, anticipation, disappointment, accomplishment, and a huge helping of faithfulness from the Lord. Wow, is He good. Seriously, I don't know how I would have gotten through this year withoutHim.

All in all, 2010 was a great year, definitely one worth remembering. I've been sifting through pics on my computer and enjoying some fun memories, so I thought I'd share just a few highlights...

Wacky-Tacky Runway: my first "big" girls' event

"An Evening of Enchantment": Prom for students with special needs

hosted by rbcstudents

Summer Missions: Memphis

My first mission trip to lead!

The fam, post zip-line in Cancun...such a fun trip!

Matching sister henna tattoos in Cancun

(You should've seen Dad's face...)

My dear friend, Brooke, got married.

What a stunning bride!

Halloween 2010: Indiana Jones, Dolly Parton, & Pink

Was there ever a better trio? Seriously, I think not!

I flew to the ATL to visit my newly married friends!

My 25th: A day full of surprises from rbcstudents!

What can I say...they're the best! :)

I will definitely cherish these memories and many more from 2010. As much as I am grateful all that the last 12 months offered, I can honestly say I will not miss them one bit. I am so thankful it's a new year! It's like opening a brand new journal, with empty pages ready to be filled with fresh ideas.

To 2010 I bid adeiu, while to 2011 I say...

BRING. IT. ON. :)

my first ramblings of 2011

Tonight I spent the better part of my evening (all of it, in reality) making over my blog. I'm still not finished, not to mention unsatisfied, but I've got to call it a night. I'm pooped. Before I turn in though, I'm determined to pound out a post. It's been entirely too long since I've posted, and, seeing as how this blog exists mainly (and let's face it--probably ONLY) for my own benefit and humor (ha), I feel strongly inclined to satisfy my desire to spew some meaningless insights out into the abyss of bloggerland. So, here goes.

Seeing as it's the new year (I know, I know, it's day 4 already; I'm slightly behind), resolutions and goals have been ever-present in my mind of late. I've been thinking about thinking about some resolutions, but I have yet to make it very far in the thinking process. I do have some things I'd like to change this year, I think, but I'm just not quite sure I'm ready to vocalize all of them yet. I will, however, go ahead and air one now.

Here begins my New Years resolutions for 2011:

1. In 2011, I resolve to be a more diligent and educated blogger. This will definitely require some discipline and creativity on my part, but I am determined!

More to come, but not tonight. My eyes are heavier than I'd prefer, and seeing as how tomorrow is Wednesday, I need to heed their threats.

So, that's all for now. But I'll be back...soon. :)