LOVE .... 1 Corinthians 13

What is love?

I say "love" many times a day (possibly too much) and it seems we (Americans) have attached multiple meanings to the word love. I've said "I love you" to so many people in my life. I've tagged the word love onto so many things like to say I love a book, and outfit, an idea, a place, ...etc. the list goes on and on.

I've spoken of love so much, so many times in my life- yet I'm not sure I really know what love is. As I look back on my life thus far, I kind of, sort of, think I wish I would have used the word love more carefully and maybe even a little less.

Is it fair to tell someone I love them when I'm not sure I even know what love is? Or is it better to have loved too much than not at all?

I don't have any answers right now and I can't say I will.
But for now, I'm trying to say "like" more and be more careful about what and when I say "love".

1 Corinthians 13

"1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Romantic??

I wanted to share this interesting statistic I read today:
Nearly 40% of women report that their boyfriends or husbands are "not very often" or "never" romantic, yet 75% of men claim that they are romantic consistently.

Thinking isn't doing. Though one might THINK he is romantic, it doesn't necessarily mean he IS romantic.

Gentlemen, here are a few hints to clue you in on some romance:
1. Chivalry is not a thing of the past- step it up with the manners and treat us like ladies and not sex objects.
2. You're never done wooing, whether you're in a new dating relationship or you've been married 20 years.
3. Be creative- put some time and thought into it, we'll absolutely adore you for it no matter how uncreative you think you might be.
4. It's the little things/small gestures that are special to us.

if you could live anywhere in the world, money not an obstacle, where would you be?

I would like to live somewhere tropical like Hawaii or Bahamas or in Europe like Romania, or Italy.

What's on your mind?

Catch Up

Wow, wow, wow! What a week this has been. As of Saturday, my big sister, Ashley, is married and I have a brother-in-law. So much has happened this past week and I feel there is so much blogging to catch up on. I'm caught up reading all of the blogs I follow, now as for my own blog...
Here's the update and the main highlights of this past week:

As for my 2010 To Do List:
I have significantly surpassed my summer reading goal as I had only intended or planned on reading 7 books, and I have already read at least 10. So now, I want to see if I can read the last 6 on my summer reading list.

Today my boyfriend is going to visit me and keep me company (and maybe even help me) while I "thoroughly clean" my room and get rid of a bunch of unnecessary junk and clothes I don't wear.

I finally received my new D-SLR camera, so I can practice my photography skills. I've read the manual and I've got most of it figured out, so let the photography begin!

I wrote a bucket list, though I am sure as the months and years come to pass and I change and grow, my list will also change and grow (with some things getting crossed off once they have been completed and some more things being added). Here are a few things from my bucket list: Swim with dolphins (& sharks), Ride a motorcycle, Learn to surf, Skydive, and See an Opera.

Stretching everyday is still a working progress in which I feel there is much room for improvement.

I was doing quite well making time to spend with God until this past weekend. I still spent time with him, but not as much as I would have liked. I am currently reading the book of Jeremiah in my daily time with God.

Now, As for the Highlights of this past week:

Monday: I had a cute date with my boyfriend, Daniel.

Wednesday: My sister and her fiance, Bobby (now, husband) arrived at my apartment. The three of us went to the movie theatre to see Toy Story 3. Later, I went to the Dusty for my first time ever- I definitely enjoyed it!

Thursday: Went to Quaker Steak & Lube for dinner then came back to the apartment for beer pong (except we played with water-haha!)

Friday: Wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and then went to Munsons for drinks with some family (which, as always, was loads of fun)!

Saturday (The Big Day): The bridal party arrived at my apartment to get ready. Wedding at 4:30, Reception at 6:30; after party at Munsons (however, I was so tired, I didn't attend the after party. Instead, I went home and went to bed).

Sunday: I was so very tired from Saturday's festivities I could barely stay awake during church service. After church, I went to Daniel's parents' house for lunch with him and his family. Dan and I cuddled while he watched the World Cup and I read the manual to my new camera and took a nap. It was wonderful.

Now you are all caught up on my life.
As for you, I pray where ever you are, whatever is happening in your life that you are well and you find rest and relaxation.

Troubles

"My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of my enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger." Psalm 55:2-3

Have you ever had one of those people in your life whom your almost certain they're an evil spawn of Satan put here on earth just to spite you? I do and they say she's my twin sister (Dear Lord, please forgive me), although I would like to argue the possibility of being switched at birth- for realz!
My sister was being her Oscar-the-grouch-self and as usual she said some mean and hurtful words to me today. I often have these moody encounters with her, and her cruelness irks me to no end. Today, I was not just going to sit there and let her disrespect me. I am learning and trying really hard to better handle persecution and do the whole "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all" kind of thing (Matthew 5:11-12, easier said than done). This is a very difficult task, especially if you know my sister.
I struggled to bite my tongue to keep from swearing like a sailor to her. I knew nothing would come of swearing. As calmly as I could, I told her what I had to say (without swearing). After saying what I had to say, I fought back my tears as I focused on trying to keep my mouth shut while she continued talking disrespectfully to me.
My sister finally left the apartment to go to work- No sooner did the apartment door shut and I was crying. I did everything I could to not cry in front of my sister because that is exactly what she wanted, and I certainly was not going to give her the satisfaction. The only thing I knew to do in this moment, besides crying, was to turn to God. I prayed for healing of the heart, both mine and my sisters. My heart needed healing because my sister had shattered it with hurtful words; I knew my sister needed healing because something was obviously breaking her heart for her to be so malicious.
Soon, I was able to brush the whole situation off my shoulders and get on with the day; I also began to feel better. And now I can surely say, I'm over the whole sad situation-I'm over it-and I'm moving on.
I was quite proud of myself: I didn't swear, I didn't say anything when I didn't have anything nice to say, and I turned to God in the midst of my trouble(s). I learned a few things from the whole ordeal and my sensitive heart has grown a bit stronger too.

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:17-18

You are the Lord's greatest love. He cares for you. God wants to walk with you and be with you. He wants you to turn to him and lean on him in the midst of your troubles, he is there.

To Do...

I've thought about my resolutions and here is what I've come up with (in no particular order):

1. Complete and submit peace corps application

2. Try harder to land a summer job

3. Me and God time
     * at least 10 minutes, everyday

4. Stretch everyday

5. Thoroughly clean room
     *Rid of unnecessary junk and what not

6. Complete summer reading list
     Pocket History of the Church
     Invitation to Theology
     The Drama of Scripture
     Your Money Counts
     Soul Surfer
     This I Believe
     Deadline
     1,003 Great Things About Being a Woman
     Kiss the Bride
     Blind Dates
     North Carolina
     Virginia Hearts
     Ohio
     Wisconsin Wedding
     Virginia Weddings
     Under the Overpass

7. Say "No."

8. Learn to manage finances
     *Spend less $
     *Save more $

9. Fix car, or sell it and buy a new one

10. Practice photography

11. Write a bucket list

12. Listen more, talk less

Ever Wonder....

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary? Why are some people still so bad at it, then?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word or Excel and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this... ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well. Is it more important to see the non-frozen cold food?

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.
24. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
25. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
28. Sometimes I'll look at a clock 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
29. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'll bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
30. My check engine light has been on for over a year now and nothing's happened. I'm starting to think that my car is just an attention whore.

31. I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?
32. Sometimes I pretend not to remember details about people because having a good memory apparently equates to creepiness...
33. My GPS says "Estimated Arrival Time." I see "Time to Beat."
34. Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart," all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart."
35. My keyboard needs a removable crumb tray like my toaster.
36. What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

37. I wish it were appropriate to say to a complete stranger, "Excuse me, would you like me to show you how to discipline your child?"

38. What would happen if you put a popcorn bag in the microwave with "this side up" facing down?

39. Why do regular Oreos still exist? Double-Stuffed Oreos should just be called Oreos, and regular Oreos should be called Diet Oreos.

Thoughts from Zach G., a high school acquaintance.

Resolution(s)

Okay, so I'm not huge on new year resolutions. If you don't make 'em, you can't break 'em. And let's face it just about everybody breaks their new year resolutions, at least most of the people I know do- that is if they even attempted to make any resolutions.

However, my cousin made a list of goals/things to do in the year 2010. I was unaware of this until tonight, when I discovered that she too had a blog and was blogging about her goals and progress towards her goals.
First let me say wow! My cousin is beyond AmAzInG! I am really, really impressed with her, as well as inspired and encouraged- and well I could go on and on about my fabulous cousins whom I love so stinking much!
Anyway, reading my cousins blog totally makes me feel empowered. Like, when I read about all of these amazing things she wants to do and then I see her doing them and being so happy, I don't see any reason (what so ever) why I cannot do that same thing.

Many people talk about turning dreams into goals, accomplishing their goals, and essentially achieving their dreams (or something like that), right?
Well, that is exactly what I am going to do. I am totally motivated and I really believe I can do this.

I am going to start by spending some time tonight (and tomorrow) reflecting on my life: where I've been, where I am currently, and where I want to be.
Tomorrow I will write my list and Saturday I will post it here on my blog.

Pray for me - xo
Thank you, to one of my many fave cousins!