Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidnece is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has not worries in a year of drought

it never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Surrender (Marc James)

I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within

I lay it all down for the sake of you my King

I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights

I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life

And I surrender all to you, all to you

And I surrender all to you, all to you

I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross

And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss

For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name

To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain

An Answered Prayer

I have been praying so much for so long for God to break my heart for what breaks his and reveal to me what is "my calling." Today my prayers just might have been answered. While I am still not sure what breaks my heart (amongst what does break my heart), I think I have potentially discovered my calling. I was in a meeting today with one of my professors about studying abroad and that's when it hit me...this is what I want to do. I want to help American students travel and study abroad, and help students from other nations travel and study in America, in addition to maybe being able to travel abroad myself every once in a blue moon.

I lift my eyes to the hills-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

The Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Letters to God

Dear God,          (11.20.10)
My mom tells me that her husband and my older brother (in addition to his girlfriend) are interested in seeking a church! Now, if my twin sister could just get on board the Jesus boat, that would be probably one of the greatest things yet as well as a miracle. Although, I suppose praying on her behalf would help which I haven't done much of lately.
God, I'm trying to learn to "bloom where I am planted." I've been learning good (&encouraging) stuff lately. You see, I kind of feel a bit lost sometimes, not knowing what my future or even tomorrow holds in store for me. And I know I am not suppose to worry about that because you will care, protect, and provide for me as you always have. But I am human and so I tend to worry sometimes. (Please forgive me Lord).
In spite of that, you worked through my friend, Tricia L., teaching me that although I feel I am in a lost spot, I am really not. I am where I am suppose to be; where you want me. It is easy for me to lose sight of this truth, but I do; I pray for you please help me to not forget this truth.
I feel like much of my indecisiveness is from not knowing "my calling" or for what my heart breaks. Although, I often wonder if knowing that now will make a difference. I feel you will reveal such things to me in your time. I'm just a little impatient. Or, maybe deep down inside my heart has been broken and I might actually know what my calling is but I am just too blind to see it I guess.
I am not sure of this or anything really, but my prayer is that you break my heart for what breaks yours (in your time of course). Until then, I will do my best to be patient.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear God,          (11.20.10)
I am so confused with just about everything. At the moment, my relationship with my boyfriend is on my mind. Are we meant for each other? I feel that we are because we are so compatible and our relationship seems to be nearly "perfect." But I sometimes wonder if we still want the same things in life. I know: so many questions and so much worry. Just follow my heart, soul, and mind taking everything one day at a time.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear God,          (11.21.10)
Today in church, Pastor Taylor had us write a letter to ourselves when we were sixteen sharing knowledge we have now that we wished we knew then. What would we tell ourselves. At first, I wasn't going to do it because I forgot my note pad. But then Denise (sitting next to me) offered me some paper, and so I did it. And I am glad I did. It was a great exercise. It also helped me gain some perspective. It was one of those moments when you need to listen to your own advise. Anyway, I was glad I did it.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear God,          (11.21.10)
Having the apartment to myself this weekend really made me wonder about my desire to be independent and if I really want to enter into the "real world" on my own or might I actually want a roommate(s). Hmmm.....I don't know, just a few things I'm wondering.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear God,          (11.21.10)
It's kind of ironic how I am so uncertain about so many things, there's so much I don't know, and so much I'm scared of and worry about. Yet just the thought of you and being certain of you, I have this exciting happy feeling inside of me. And it's almost as if my fears and uncertainties disappear. I like that knowing and truly trusting in you not only feels so good but is so good.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear Boyfriend,          (11.21.10)
I have so many mixed feelings about you. I love you, while at the same time I wonder "what is love?" "Is how I feel about/for you love?" Some days I am so certain of our relationship and a future life together, and other days I question if maybe our relationship is too perfect and too good to be true. Is this all a daydream, or could it be that God really was thinking of me when he made you.
 I don't have the answers to any of these curiosities, including how you may feel about me. However, I can promise you this: where ever our relationship goes from here it will be because it is the Lord's will, just as he intended our lives to be.
I promise I will do my best as we grow in our relationship with each other and Christ.
XO- Signed, Yours Truly

Dear God,           (11.22.10)
It's nearly 4am and I have yet to fall asleep. This has been happening a lot lately. I will admit tonight could be results of the coffee I had at 6pm on my way to work this evening. But what's the excuse for all the other nights? My internal clock is so messed up.
Lord, will you please help me find rest at night.
I might go crazy if this continues much longer.
Signed, Restless

from Mocking Bird

1. Never let anyone tell you that your dream is too far from reach.

2. Never let the bitterness of others influence your decisions to have the life you want.

3. Never allow the insecurities of others creep into your mind to let them overtake your own.

4. Never forget your dreams.

5. Never believe that one person, no matter how convincing they may be, has all the answers.

6. Never forget how lucky you are to have a passion- lots of people never find theirs.

7. Always know that what scares you is usually what will make you better.

8. Always remember what makes you happy.

(Amanda, Mocking Bird)

It's beginning to look a lot..like...Christmas?!

Every year, year after year, stores cheerfully deck the halls in preparation for the Christmas holidays.
What's the problem?? It's not even Thanksgiving yet!!
Stores are turning Christmas into a two month celebration. On my way to school the other day I discovered radio stations that are already playing holiday music 24/7. Stores already began displaying Christmas products and what not before it was even Halloween. Once Halloween was over, it hit the fan. I'm pretty sure Santa's elves threw up everywhere in the local mall. It seems like stores are prepping for Christmas earlier and earlier every year. Do not get me wrong: I think Jesus' birth is an event to be celebrated/recognized every day of the year. My main concern is that by gearing up for Christmas early, many people are overlooking another very important American holiday: Thanksgiving. Again, Don't get me wrong: recognizing and celebrating all that we have to be thankful for is something that should be done every day, not just one designated day a year. But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't embrace the day set aside for this celebration to be thankful.

However, as much as I don't care for the early start to Christmas advertising before Thanksgiving, every year I'm getting closer to the whole "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" concept. Don't worry I haven't gone to the dark side yet! Although, it's tempting more and more every year, just because....well, I mean what else can a girl do. Though, I am getting the feeling that many others are on the same page as me this year, agreeing that Christmas advertising and what not has begun waaay to early. So, ya never know, maybe we might see a change in how early we begin Christmas advertising.
But as for me, I will not be playing Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.

So, to all my readers: Happy November!!! I wish you all well and many blessings this wonderful autumn season :)

Jeremiah

I have loved you with an everlastin love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

a love blog

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." -- Robert Frost

"Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic." -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk- real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious.” -- Jack Kerouac, On the Road

"Sex without love is absolutely ridiculous. Sex follows love, it never precedes it." -- Sophia Loren

"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -- Albert Einstein

"Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work." -- Author Unknown

 

"There's a jukebox in my ear

Playing so loud I can hardly hear

It's tellin' a story about a boy like you

And each selection that I make

Tells me how my heart will break

For falling in love with a boy like you."

-- Boy Like You

Loretta Lynn

"Women wish to be loved without a why or a wherefore; not because they are pretty, or good, or well-bred, or graceful, or intelligent, but because they are themselves." -- Henri Frederic Amiel

Reading List

I have already begun a new reading list of books I want to read. The list contains five books thus far; I think I am going to challenge myself. I'd like to see how many I will read before spring semester.

Blue Like Jazz
Searching for God Knows What
A Million Miles in A Thousand Years
by Donald Miller

In addition to: Boundaries and Boundaries in Dating by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

a psalm

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom....Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:12,14 NIV

Lift my sights, Lord. Let me see today, and each duty in this day, as you see it.