The Pinckney Street Girls

Very recently, I moved downtown into a super adorable house with two wonderful women. My roomates and I moved to our location with a purpose. We want to spread the gospel to the community. The vision is sometimes intimidating and lingers with the temptation of impatience. But I am confident God is at work. I believe by simply loving our neighbors, relationships will develope through which Christ will reveal himself.
Some relationships have already begun within our first month in our new neighborhood. I absolutely adore when the children come knocking on our door for various reasons whether asking for snacks, asking us to join them at the park, or just to chat if only for a few moments. They are each a joy and to love them tickles me pink.

Here's to the neighborhood of Pinckney...

"New Kicks On The Block"

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

My friends and I joined a local sports club. Of the sports offered, we chose to partake in kickball. My friends were creative in brainstorming team names; we went with the name New Kicks On The Block. =) Awesome, right?!

The sports club is a not a Christ centered organization. All the more reason my friends and I wanted to join. What a great outreach opportunity to share the gospel. This sports league has been such a joy since the beginning. Our team has been improving so much each week. Although we rarely win, it's such a super fun time of fellowship. There is definitely progress in the building of relationships with others in the league. Our biggest weakness, in my opinion, is getting others from our community to come spectate and join in the fellowship.

I was most encouraged recently when a couple from the league, N & E, invited me to a game night. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to work. :/ However, I was tickled pink that they thought to invite me. :) And through this invitation I learned N & E enjoy board games. So now I know to invite them to join my friends and I at our game nights. It's another opportunity to invest in them and build a relationship with them. This was just total encouragement to me that the Lord is at work with in the sports club. And when others in the league are drawn to us, they might not yet realize it but it's really Christ in us that they see and are drawn to.

Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1

Anthem

Yeah :) This is totally my life anthem right now. Rock on!

 

Take Heart!

Take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I moved to South Carolina with expectations for myself and I have yet to meet any of them. When I examined my life to see I have not completed anything I set out to do, I became really discouraged. My thought(s): I'm failing. -The lie the world was feeding me. :(

I wanted to please God; not disappoint him, which I felt I was doing by not yet meeting my expectations.

I took my angst to God. I was encouraged by Scripture; in addition to family and friends, as I shared my concerns with them.

My expectations are not God's expectations, just like his ways are not my ways. God's ways & his expectations are better, although I hardly ever realize it until after the fact. God rarely ever does things the way we would expect (He's full of surprises that way). :)

When everything we do is done with the intentionality to glorify God, He is pleased!

So what! I'm not where the world says I should be.

I am where God wants me! ;) I am doing my best to be obey him, please him and glorify him.

I might reach my goals eventually. And if I don't, God's has something better in mind. He has purposefully thought it all out- Although, I do wish he'd share it with me sometimes but I guess that's what makes my journey an adventure. =D Besides I like surprises anyway. Without the mystery there's lack in surprise.

So, bring it on!

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. -Hebrews 12:11

Set out with perserverance & and endurance.

Less of me, More of others

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. -Philippians 2:3-4

I have been so bummed by my inability to keep up on blog updates lately. Its not that I am super busy, although I have been a busy bee, but that I have limited Internet access making it difficult to make time to get to the library to post updates. This is a real bummer for me because I have been having so many blog worthy experiences and life altering lessons that I so much want to share with the blogging world.

I have been wrestling with trying to decide what I should fast or give up for lent. I have come to the decision that for this lent season it is not necessarily going to be about what I will give up or not do but what I will take on and do more.

I am going to make an effort to blog once everyday for the next ~40 days. In addition to trying to do more things for others whether it be holding a door for somebody, letting somebody go ahead of me in line, helping my aunt and uncle around the house, cooking a meal for somebody whom might be having a tough or busy week, or praying for others. These are just a few ideas. It's not how small or big the deed or even the quantity of the deeds, but that I will be thinking less about myself and more about others.

Expectations 2012

I don't have high expectations for this new year. Last year was quite a roller coaster of events and emotions. So this year, I'm keeping it simple with only 3 goals:

1. Get a job. I'm so over the part-time jobs that are suited for high schoolers and college students, like working in the mall(s) and frozen yogurt joints. I'm ready for a full time grown up job that pays me enough to afford living on my own (rent, loans, and all other costs).
2. Get an apartment. I am so thankful & grateful for my family who has gone above and beyond to support me amongst all the craziness of last year, including moving to South Carolina. However I am so ready to be a big girl and live on my own in my own home.
3. Study and pass my certification exam (American College of Sports Medicine: Health Fitness Specialist). I have 8 weeks to study & demonstrate that I did in fact earn my college degree. That I didn't accrue all of this debt in student loans for nothing.

This year is a me year. I am merely focusing on me this year. It may sound selfish, but if ever there is a time in life to be selfish its the college/post college years also known as the early twenties. Once you marry, have children or involve yourself in other such commitments the focus becomes less on you and more on your commitments. Therefore, I am focusing the year on me; simply exploring life and the pleasures it has to offer.

Cheers to 2012!

there is a time for everything

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under the heavens.

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

This summer has been a summer of change(s).

I graduated from the university. My boyfriend and I split. I moved to South Carolina. I'm working at a new bbw location (with hopes of finding a full time job soon *crossing fingers*). And I'm searching for my first home of my own (*again, crossing fingers*).

Many changes have taken place as I have begun a new chapter in my life. Some of these changes have been difficult and even painful while others have been exciting and empowering. However, all of these changes have challenged me and pushed me to grow, often in ways I didn't imagine or expect.

After all the tears and heartache; laughs and smiles, I wouldn't do anything differently. It hasn't been easy and it won't always be easy. But there are two things I know for certain:

1) The LORD is with me, always. I may be a lamb among wolves, but the lion is patting by my side.

2) God did not say "With Christ all things are easy" or "I can do all things with ease through Christ who strengthens me." God did say "With Christ all things are possible and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The path head is not easy, but it is possible.

And so I walk in confindence with the my God now, and through the changes to come.

let love be genuine

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own site. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, "if you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21
(Marks of the True Christian)

beloved

Those who were not my people I will call "my people,"

and her who was not beloved I will call "beloved."

And in the very place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," there they will be called "sons of the living God."

Romans 9:25-26

put not your trust in princes

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
Blessed is he whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever.

Psalm 146

majestic

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

-Psalm 8:3-4

joy in the morning

I will extol you O Lord for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

Oh Lord my God I cried to you for help and you have healed me.

Your anger is for but a moment and your favor for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning.


"I shall never be moved." By your favor O Lord you made my mountain stand strong.

You have turned my mourning into dancing and clothed me with gladness.

Glory and praise to you God for I will not be silent. I will give thanks to you forever!

-Psalm 30

a simple pleasure : live today

Live today! Live fully each moment of today. Trust God to let you work through this moment and the next. He will give you all you need. Don't skip over the painful or confusing moment - even it has its important and rightful place in the day.

Silence & Solitude...disciplines of Jesus

Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives. - Thomas Berry

I just watch a 10 minute clip by Rob Bell titled Noise. It's about silence and how often we are not. (conviction!)

I am also currently reading a book titled Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. It's basically about how people, specifically children, do not spend enough time outdoors with nature but rather too much time indoors with electronics. (again, conviction!)

Louv goes as far as to label this, lack of outdoor experience and exploration, "nature-deficit disorder (NDD)," which is not a legit medical diagnosis or anything of that sort. Although I think there is much truth to this NDD. He argues that encouraging children to interact with nature could very well be good therapy for depression, obesity, and ADD.

...................................

the ah-ha moment...

While the sun decided make an appearance this afternoon and the gray storm clouds disappeared for a bit, I decided to take advantage of this break in the rainy weather by taking a study break and go for a run. I quickly changed into running shorts, grabbed my keys, sunglasses, and iPod and hit the pavement. As I approached the turning point on the towpath, my playlist came to an end and my music stopped. I ran the last lap without my music...it was nice. Then, just as I began to turn around and switch my music back on, everything I just read in Last Child in the Woods and Noise hit me like a brick wall!! Even I, someone who enjoys being outdoors as much as the next person, could not even detach myself from my noisy environment. Upon this realization, I was inclined to turn off my iPod and walk the rest of my route on the towpath taking in my surroundings and reflecting on the revelation the just occurred to me.

It was pure awesome-ness!

[NOOMA Noise. Rob Bell. 2005]

good tunes (tracey chapman and kina)

mary elizabeth & elizabeth mary

my friend Mary posts on facebook:

So I always was told Mary meant sea of bitterness but in Hebrew it's really sea of strength or strong waters which makes more Sense to me since Mary gave birth to the living water. Also, Elizabeth means God's promise which is also cool since she was John the baptists mom and John made the way for Gods promise, living water. All in all, I think Mary Elizabeth is a pretty cool name ! Thanks ma :)



I found this really cool since my name is Elizabeth Mary :)

The Mystery of Marriage

What moment in a man's life can compare with that of the wedding night, when a beautiful women takes off all her clothes and lies next to him in bed, and that women is his wife? What can equal the surprise of finding out that the one thing above all others which mankind has been most [creative] in dragging through the dirt turns out in fact to be the most innocent thing in the world?  Is there any other activity at all which an adult man and women may engage in together (apart from worship) that is actually more childlike, more clean and pure, more natural and wholesome and unequivocally right than is the act of making love? For if worship is the deepest available form of communion with God...then surely sex is the deepest communion that is possible between human beings.

The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason

I will wait for you...

P4CM Official Poet Janette...ikz shares a beautiful piece during Lyricist Lounge 4 on "Waiting". Check out www.P4CM.com for more poems and the date of the next Lyricist Lounge.

swept away

I want to be swept off my feet...

I want to be showered with hugs and kisses,

love notes and, every once in awhile, flowers.

...flowers drawn and colored on loose leaf paper will do, if that's all we can afford.

I want to be admired by you...

I want to catch you sneaking glances at me and when you think I'm not looking.

I want you to hold me extra close in the midst of a hug just to smell the scent of me.

I want to be surprised by you...

I want you to stop by where ever I am just to say "Hi" or "I love you."

I want to be swept off my feet...

I want to be adored by you...

I want you to roll your eyes at my girly quirks,
followed by a "that's why I love you" look.

I want you to find me irresistible...
I want you to scheme ways to get next to me.
I want to feel your caress when you're near.

...I want to be swept off my feet...by you.

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. 

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. 

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.