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. :)

out with normal.

Normally, I blog here only when I have something to say well. Tonight, I'm here to say, "Out with normal." Sometimes there are things I'd like to say, and I'd like not to worry about necessarily saying them "well."

So, here begins my first time saying a few things outside of my own standards.

Since am I so partial to making lists in nearly every area of my life, why should I let bloggerland be any different?

Things to say:

1. This week was most ridiculous. Nearly every day was exhausting, to the point of deep discouragement and heart break in a couple of cases.

2. I complained a LOT this week. (Anyone know exactly how much a 'lot' is? I often wonder.)

3. This morning, I ventured out quite early to pick up a few things at Walgreen's. (For the record, 8:30 is quite early on a Saturday.) On my way home, bored with the usual radio station, and too lazy to plug in my iPod for the 4 minute drive, I landed on a new frequency. I have no idea what the station was, who was speaking, or to whom he was speaking. I do know this though: I needed to hear the 2 minutes that I heard. The reminder I received: God is good. Even in the midst of the Apostle Paul's most dire situations, he continually gave God the glory. He didn't spend much time complaining in his epistles. He may explain his current situation, but even at that, he quickly gets to his purpose for the folks he addresses. And his overwhelming purpose was to glorify His Creator.

4. Lesson for the week: Sometimes life stinks. Always God is good.

And that's all she's writing tonight, folks. Enjoy your weekend.

today's a day.

there are days that i am so preoccupied with myself and the things of this world that i forget my purpose, my passion, and my pursuit. let's be real: those days are more often than not. i frequently get bogged down with my checklist at work, that i so easily (or not so easily on some days, depending on the tasks given) breeze through and then document on my timesheet. i get caught up in "doing" ministry and i forget why i do it. and what i'm doing, for that matter.

today's a day that i'm heavy though. i'm heavy with the weight of the world. the realization that i carry the hope of the world in my heart, that is sinking in thickly today. i believe it was probably prompted by a compelling group discussion i participated in yesterday evening. nevertheless, i'm glad to be heavy. it's been a while since i've wrestled with things outside of my own concern. how selfish am i? disgusting.

anyway, today is just one of those days that i don't feel like being productive in the sense that the world requires. i want to be productive for the kingdom and nothing else. i want to just sit and share with someone who doesn't know Truth. i want to listen and absorb weight as it drips off the heart and tongue of someone who's been heavy with grief and loneliness for far too long.

today, i just want to love by being. that's all.

so i thought i would share.

prepare me to love. open my heart to your desires and your ways. empty me of my needs and my wants and fill me with yours. give me eyes to see hearts heavy with bondage and give me courage to shine light in dark places.

on love: an outstanding conclusion of sorts.

Love cannot be earned.
It simply cannot be so.
It is not a right, a duty, or a responsibility.
It is not a game, a prize, an accolade, approval, or even acknowledgment.

Love is a gift.

It is unwarranted and incomprehensible.
It doesn't make sense, fit into a box, or rhyme a certain way.
It's not convenient or pretty.
Love isn't easily defined or even remotely measurable.

Love is a free gift.

Free.
Gift.

And it is completely unending.
It knows no boundaries or landscapes.
No mountain can surpass it;
no valley can contain it.
It is a constant, steady stream, a mighty flow.
Love cannot be reversed or filtered.

Love is a gift.

There are no apologies for love;
no expectations and certainly no exceptions.

It is inerrant and inescapable;
unrelenting and unreserved.

Love is a gift.

Love never fails.
God is love.