A mosquito bit my face!

Hello all! I hope your Sunday was a beautiful one :)

Mac picked me up for church this morning (car is still dunzo), and we worked Echo Sunday School before third service. I got back-sassed a bit this morning by some middle schoolers, but by the time the morning was said and done they were close to silent. Why they choose to be silent during group discussion, I don't know. But what can you do? Anyways, Micah spoke this morning, and that is always a treat :) He talked about the fruits of the Spirit, and challenged us to consider if we were indeed bearing fruit, if our fruit was flourishing in abundance, and if our fruit was of good quality. Twas a thought-provoking call for self-analysis!

After service, I had lunch with Mac, Jim, and Christian at good ole Regency :) We enjoyed some nom noms before going to work on a little project Jim orchestrated as a means to help and surprise some dear friends :)

What's gonna work? TEEEEAM Work!

I won't go into more detail or post a completed picture, in the off chance they should stumble upon this post!

Upon coming home, I finished the project I mentioned last night! (I will post a picture of that completed task later this week.) Then, it was off to padre's for dinner and hangout. However, I could only procrastinate packing for so long.... Yes, tomorrow I leave for Roanoke for work. I will be there until Thursday, and I needed to assemble both casual and business attire. I was finally able to assemble outfits that got the "Jennifer seal of approval" (which I always trust), and now I am ready to rock and roll come morning!

I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog while I'm gone. If not, see you all Thursday or Friday!

Friday to Saturday

Well, yesterday at work I found out the my car's transmission is having issues :/ So, instead of driving myself to Roanoke for the Bar Exam this week, I will hitching a ride with one of my co-workers. Really, I don't mind that part at all! However, I am super afraid of what's going to happen while my car's in the shop during that time. Namely, the price tag of that repair scares me... But alas, we shall see. Anywho, I spent my evening cooking myself dinner, watching The Dark Knight, and falling asleep on the sofa before getting myself actually into my bed.

As for today, Kelly and I went to see a few of our friends in a production of Fiddler on the Roof :) Our friends did splendidly! They are such a talented bunch, it really is kind of amazing. That, and even dressed in 1905 tradition Jewish attire, they're still completely gorgeous and can totally pull it off. After our departure from the show, Kelly and I went to Bobalicious and treated ourselves to some Thai tea boba drinks :) YUMMM! It's been a while since I had boba, and to enjoy it with a friend as dear as Kelly just made it all better :)

My return home meant getting dinner for Jenn and I, watching Batman Begins (and later the Dark Knight, again), and working on a little something-something for a lovely someone!

I had to recruit Jenn to help me :)

Teehee :) I cannot elaborate in case she stumbles across from this, but I will later!

Goodnight my loves!

Thank you, madre!

Today, my mom really spoiled me.

First, I came home to hot dogs for dinner. I know to most that doesn't sound too great, but I came home yesterday craving them. So, since I wasn't having dinner with her last night, my mom made them tonight for me :) It may be a small gesture, but it made me feel loved.

After dinner, madre took me out shopping for business attire (namely blazers and pants). Well, in the short time we were at Goodwill, we found the equivalent of six suits for just $87! Not only did I get to spend some quality time with momma, but I am now officially ready to distribute the Bar Exam! I could not have done all of that without her! Her opinion and assistance was BEYOND appreciated!

Thirdly, my mom remembered the craft endeavors I wished to fulfill this summer, and she brought me home this:

Yes, I now have a window to turn into a large picture frame! YAY! It;s going to look great in my room this year :)

I may be 20, but my mom still loves to help me out :) I'm thankful for that (and SO much more), even if I don't express it enough.

Goodnight loves!

Hmm...

Let me start by saying that youth group was wonderful tonight :) I got to lead prayer time tonight, and aside from my voice embarrassingly cracking under nerves, I think I did alright. One of my girls came up to me and said, "Thank you for the prayer! I'm not used to seeing you so serious and spiritual like that! You're always goofing off!" Hey now! Hahaha. I do goof off a lot, it's true. But hey, any that weren't sure can officially verify that I can be serious too :) I just couldn't help but laugh at that. Also, Shane's talk was good! It was about being thankful for friends:

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor."
{Galatians 6:1-6}

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
{Proverbs 18:24}

So, considering that Joni, Nikki, and John were not there to run the show, I'd say we did pretty darn well! Huzzah! A group of us went to Don pedro's afterwards, and boy did it ever remind me of our El Chap's days! I miss those.... Tonight was quite fun though :) Talking, laughing, throwing around sarcasm; I love it! Yay for youth leader bonding :)

**Abrupt shift in mood!**

Now, on a wayyyy different note with a not-so-cheery tone.... I saw this article pop up on my news feed when I got home, and it was in response to this article from a site called Skinny Gossip. In regards to the first linked article, I thank the author for their response. The ridiculousness of the hate article needed to be addressed. As for the Skinny Gossip post itself.... Let me just say, I have not been so appalled in a very long time; and I pray to God that my youth group girls never have to lay their eyes on this slander. As if it isn't hard enough to love the way you are in our society, we have forums like Skinny Girl that tear women down if they don't fit the site's definition of "thin." It's outrageous. And all I could think about when I saw it was that these girls agreeing with the e-bashing need a dose of Jesus     a dose of Truth. God made each of us, calling us a beautiful creation. In His eyes we are beautiful, and we are to see each other as such. That is the Truth, and all girls should know that.

"Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
{John 7:24}

"So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them."
{Genesis 1:27}

All beautiful you are, my darling;
    there is no flaw in you."
{Song of Solomon 4:7}


"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well."
{Psalm 139:14}

Honesty and black shoes.

Happy new shoes day to me! My TOMS came in...

...and Candice finally had a chance to take me out to find my birthday present :)

Yay for new shoes! I'm going to get plenty of use out of them, that's for sure.

In other news, let's look at the "Christian girl meme."

Now, I know it's funny, and the "modest is hottest" phrase has always been a bit cheesy in my opinion. However, I put this image on here because I think that phrase really does hold true for me (as it pertains to my own self-confidence). I feel significantly more attractive and confident if I am fully clothed and I know that everything that needs to be covered, is. I don't jump up and down at the opportunity to wear a bathing suite, and I'm becoming less and less of a fan of tight-fitting clothing. Put my in jeans and a nice v-neck t-shirt for the rest of my life, and I think I'd be okay; that, or a nice dress that is a length suitable for someone of my height and stature. My point is, I feel the best about myself when I am being modest. In that, I don't need to worry about the nooks and crannies and can instead just enjoy what I'm doing and focus on that. So thank you, Christian girl meme. I hope that there are guys out there that genuinely agree with Mr. Gosling up there. It sure would be a comfort, huh?!

Goodnight loves!

Nefarious.

Learn more about what you can do to help abolish Human Trafficking.

 (Source: Prevention Project)

(Photo cred: Heather via Instagram)

I am so glad that RVA was blessed with a screening of this film tonight. Hundreds came out, and so many were undoubtedly touched     a righteous fire being kindled inside of them. We are called to be abolitionists, to stand for the broken and defenseless. Jesus can and will save our enslaved brothers and sisters, but we must be His hands and feet! Therefore, go forth and raise awareness. Advocacy is key; it brings an end to the silence.

"Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
    uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute."
{Psalm 82:3}

Wedding weekend :)

Well, since my last post, here is what I've been up to:

Hannah came in Thursday evening, and her, Stephanie, Heather, and myself all got together for a sushi and sweet frog date :) Twas wonderful to be with three such lovely individuals for the evening! And I also love how fond my sorority sisters are of Heather and vise versa; that makes me exceptionally happy :)

Friday morning, before hitting the road, Hannah and I partook in Chick-fil-a's Cow Appreciation Day!

 First we got breakfast :)

Than we got free sweet tea!

We quickly changed out of our cow ensembles and got our hair and make-up in order before driving down to the Outer Banks. Why the trip to OBX? Well, my beautiful Big had her wedding :) Yes, as of July 13, 2012, my darling Big is Mrs. Wells :)

 Kari, Nicole, Hannah, and I :)

 It's official!

Big/Little photo!

It was a beautiful beach wedding, and it was fun having three of my other sisters there to experience it with :) We stayed in the reception house for the night, had breakfast together Saturday morning, and Hannah and I went to the beach for a bit before coming back to RVA. Since we were starving my that time, we enjoyed a hefty Red Robin dinner before watching Step Up and calling it a night!

This morning, Hannah and I had a Panera breakfast, after which she headed home and I drove to church. The youth choir led worship, and it definitely made my morning! Those kids (who really aren't kids at all) are some of my favorite people in the entire world. Their presence in our church and in my life is one of THE biggest blessings I have ever been graced with. Truly, their passion and charisma radiate!

Follow up church with a group lunch at Panera, a little bit of  social networking, dinner with padre and Jenn (who is home as of Friday evening!), and some baking at Kelly's, and you have my Sunday :) It was a lovely day indeed! I am going to bed a happy girl :) Goodnight all!

I think I have an obsession

with Britain's Got Talent. No joke, I could watch videos of it ALL day. And yes, I did say Britain's Got Talent. America's Got Talent is okay to, but in the case of these competitions... I think Britain might have more talent. Haha! Sorry 'bout it, Murica! (Although there are, of course, some exceptions.)

Please just look at some of these.

(They were the 2010 winners.)

(Their appearance at the 2011 competition, here.)

Jonathan was SO timid and insecure at the audition, but just LISTEN to him and Charlotte in the finals!

And these two, who are SO cute, please just note their progress from audition to finals!

(Semi-finals. I think this one's my fave!)

(Finals.)

And this is a random video I stumbled across that is the Ukraine equivalent. These kids are adorable (and talented)!!!

1822: July 10, 2012

This post will serve as my reflection on Jamal's sermon on the topic of the Gospel. I tried taking notes on my Bible app, and it malfunctioned (saving nothing). Thus, here we are:


"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

{Romans 8:1-5}

Yes, it is possible to be a good person and also be a non-Christian. However, non-Christians and Christians alike are sinners; each of us possesses a sinful nature. The difference between believers and non is that Christians have accepted Christ in their hearts as their Savior, and He has set us free from sin. The bondage that sin placed on us was taken on by Jesus and through fulfillment of the law we were set free. We are free to live without the weight of sin through Christ's salvation     His sacrifice on our behalf. Those who have not embraced the gift of Christ, however, lack access to that freedom. Therefore, they remain a slave to sin     bearing the guilt and shame of wrongdoings by means of their own human strength. Jesus came and died so that such burdens would be alleviated from our lives, and that we may enter into a relationship with Him that abounds in grace, mercy, and love. The key to obtaining this     the key to the Gospel     is faith. Our faith in Christ and in the Gospel compels us to walk righteously on the life path that God has set before us. We do not embody an upstanding demeanor for self-satisfaction or egocentrism. Rather, we live in accordance with the Gospel so that we may testify on behalf of our Lord in and throughout the world.

Be thankful for your testimony.

Your struggles, hardships, obstacles... all of it. Every event from your life have shaped and molded you into who you are now. In creating you, God did not simply end His work and deem you a finished product. Rather, He is continually guiding you down the path He has laid before you; with each step He is growing you in faith, strength, and maturity. Yes, we are all created in God's image. And yes, He continues to create "who we are" into "who He wants us to be" through our life happenings and endeavors. Our testimony is the story of God's work and the power of His presence in our lives     past, present, and future. Find the joy in all you have experienced and overcome; see the benefits that have reaped from even the darkest of days. He was there through everything, He is there through anything, and He will be there through all things.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
{Jeremiah 29:11}


"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
{2 Corinthians 3:18}


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
{Romans 8:28}


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths straight."

{Proverbs 3:5-6}

Missing Matt.

Tonight, my dad and I ate at O'Charley's. My brother used to work there, and the booth my dad I were sitting at was right in front of this:

After Matt died, the staff ordered this jersey to hang-up in remembrance of him. It's a Buccaneers jersey, since Tampa Bay was his favorite football team, and his last name goes across the back. The number, 23, represents how old Matt was when he died... The closer I get to that age, the more saddened I become. In just three short years, I will be as old as he was then. And in just four years, I will have reached an age that my brother never got to see. Forever and always, I will remember him like this:

And as I grow older, I can only wonder how great our similarities may have become, and how close we could have grown over time. I wish I could have seen him this past June 17th... It would have been his 30th birthday. I kind of look like him, you know. I was looking at that close-up picture above, and I couldn't help but think that, these days, people would have seen our familial resemblance.

I love and miss my brother a great deal... To any and all who have an older brother, never take him for granted. I wish Matt could have been here during my crazy high school years when big brother would have been so comforting. And even now, in my college age, life advice from him would have meant so much. But I am comforted by knowing that big brother can always watch over me now, even if I can't see him or talk to him<3

Goodnight all.

Aside from watching movies...

(which, by the way, I watched The Parent Trap, Sweet Home Alabama, Cheaper By the Dozen 2, and Charlie's Angels), I haven't done much today.... At all. BUT(!), I did decide pull my guitar out of the garage and see how badly I could make a fool out of myself. Here, you can see the results:

"Ode to Joy."

"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," also re-learned by ear.

"God Bless Ye Merry Gentlemen." I had sheet music for this one, though I only really used it for the latter half. And yes, I know it's Christmas music, haha. But I used to have this thing memorized once upon a time! And aside from the blurp at the end... I'm fairly satisfied.

I'm certainly not a musician! But hey, maybe an "E" for effort? Haha. If not, that's okay :)

P.S.- This is the online guitar tuner I used! It works pretty well :)
P.P.S.- Thank you, Taylor, for inspiring this endeavor     though I will never be as talented as you are ;)

Oh! I also made sweet tea today :) I am so happy to have a pitcher at my disposal! Goodnight all!

This evening was prime :)

Getting pho with the bestie, and having a movie night at Elizabeth's just like we used to :)

Nights like these are what make me love Summer. I don't need much     just a little love from my friends :)

And isn't it a wonder I have any? Haha.

Goodnight all!

Shine.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
{Matthew 5:14-16}

Happy birthday 'Murrica!

Happy 4th of July to all :) Today wasn't too eventful, but it was lovely just the same :) I made sure that Laila got into the spirit of today as well:

She's cute, huh?

After picking up my car, watching some Olympic trials, and taking a nap, I was off to padre's for some dinner and hangout time. His girlfriend and her three daughters were there as well, but it wasn't terribly awkward. He made us steak and baked potatoes, and for dessert we had brownies :) It was just dad and I for dessert, and we ended up watching this documentary about the 1992 Olympic basketball team called, "The Dream Team." It was actually very good, and it re-instilled me with that love I have for the Olympics and the people who represent us in the games. Seeing the way people stand together, united for a common purpose... I feel that pride as an American that is part of what we celebrate on this day annually. No, we aren't celebrating our sports and athletic teams, but we celebrate our status as a nation, one united under God. Despite differences or discrepancies, we all share that nationality :)

Then, on the way to Nikki and John's house, I started thinking about one of my favorite patriotic songs, "God Bless the USA." First and foremost I reflected on the fact that God has set us all free by the blood of His son, Jesus. It is because of Him that we have salvation. Then I thought about the line in this song that says, "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that life to me." I am able to worship God freely and serve the Lord openly because of men and women who have defended the freedom we fought for as Americans. So yes, I am proud to be an American :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day :) I know I loved being able to spend quality time with my dad and fellow youth leaders whom I love so dearly :) Happy birthday, America!

Thing is a new creation!

A few bullets on today:

• I'm dog-sitting Laila (Candice's dog) until Thursday! Woop :)
• I don't have work tomorrow (technically today), since it's the 4th.
• I got to see Heather, Jolyn, and Elsbeth's new apartment!
• I like it a lot, and I hope to be spending more time there :)
• Also, Jolyn and Shelly are crazy flirtatious with one another ;)

1822 tonight was a baptism service :) Seven wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ dedicated themselves to a rebirth that washes them of their former lives and makes them alive and renewed in Jesus by the washing of His Holy Spirit :) Praise God for that! We were set up in the back of the parking lot, and our baptees were baptized in the bed of a pick-up truck! It was so cool :)

Jolyn:

Zach:

Elsbeth:

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ² By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead^(F)through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
{Romans 6:1-4}

What followed was a celebration cook-out! A few of our wonderful pastors grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers for us :) And can we please check out my Senior Pastor right now?

No shame! Haha!

Oh, how I do love Hershey :) I love him a lot, actually! And this picture really does make me smile :)

Twas a wonderful evening indeed     filled with celebration and fellowship :) Goodnight all!

Mom and Dad.

My mind has been thinking a lot recently about my parents, and how much I really should appreciate them. (I'm not saying that I don't appreciate them currently, but they could always be shown more gratitude and love.) I was thinking one day about how much I love my youth kids     how much they mean to me and how I would do anything for them. My mind then wandered to the future, and I just could not even fathom how much, then, I would adore my own child. And then I stopped, and realized that this is how my mom must view me... And as all of the moments I've sassed or yelled at her vaguely flooded my head, I realize just how hurt and upset that must feel... To have someone you love so much essentially turn their back on you. It was a humbling moment, really.

And with my dad, well let's just say that sometimes just getting his hugs can make a world of difference in my day. He doesn't belittle or judge me when I come to him, 20 years old, crying over the things that stress me out. Sometimes when certain things come on television, and they show a broken father-daughter relationship, I can sense the way he focuses on it, and I realize how hard it must have been for him to go from seeing his three daughters every day, to seeing us roughly three times a week for dinner. My time with my dad is something I definitely took for granted in the past, and I want to make sure that never happens again. Regardless of circumstances, I need/have needed my dad in my life, and I don't know what I would do without him. He loves me, supports me, comforts me, encourages me, and gives me guidance. I love him with all of my heart; I am definitely his daughter.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."
{Exodus 20:12}

And Purple Neptune goes into the shop...

AGAIN. Yes, I don't even have the car for a whole year and it has to go in the shop for the second time. I'm telling you, I would love to have a decent stint of time where my car is actually stable. I'm afraid these repairs might drain the account I'm using to save for rent... I'm praying that isn't the case!

Also, on that note, I'm going to try really hard to not let this consume my mind. I have a horrid habit of letting money-related issues consume me, and to an extent it's becoming a sort of idol in my life. It's not that I worship money or anything quite so drastic, but I do let the stressors of financial burden interfere with my ability to focus on or even just spend time with God.

"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not create for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the waters below."
{Exodus 20:3-4}

(I just typed that from memory; it was one of my verses last Summer. Hopefully I got it right!) I mention that not to bloviate, but just to prove to myself that I know my fixation with money is not okay. Scripture tells me that it's not, and I know that scripture! Thus, I have no excuses. I need to trust and truly have faith. He will carry me through my struggles and worries without fail!

Recap and Olympians :)

Friday (June 29th)

• Work.
• No Man's Land screening at church!
• I cannot believe it's been two-and-a-half years since I was in GCN... Crazy!
• Momentary hangout on Preston's front porch.
• Storm= Brief shelter seekage at Geoff's!

Saturday (June 30th)

• Grocery shopping.
• I got, and found out that I like, almond milk! Huzzah!
• Watched the U.S. Olympic trials for Men's Gymnastics :)
• After the storm died down... Kathryn's birthday party!

Today, Sunday (July 1st)

• Church!
• Micah is back! I didn't realize how much I missed his preaching!
• Lunch hangout at Chipotle.
• Nap time.
• Dinner and chillage with padre :)
• Watched U.S. Olympic trials for Women's Gymnastics with Juliana and Kailey :)

Okay y'all, so most of you may not know this, but I love watching Olympic Gymnastics. I don't like to miss a single moment of anything when it's on, and I probably take it more seriously than I should. Haha. But, I am SO happy with our U.S. team going to London this year! Here are our guys!

 Jonathan Horton,  John Orozco, Sam Mikulak, Jake Dalton, and Danell Leyva!

(Orozco being my personal favorite!)

And our girls! (This I am extremely excited about!)

Gabrielle Douglas, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, and Kyla Ross!

(Gabby Douglas being my new favorite, I believe!)

(But I definitely do love Maroney's intensity!)

The replacement/alternate gymnasts for the U.S. team are Sarah Finnegan, Anna Li, and Elizabeth Price for the women. And for the men, we have Chris Brooks, Steven Legendre and Alexander Naddour. Here's everyone together!

(Photo sources 1 and 2)

Y'all, I am seeing GOLD in our future! Eeeeep! And I also just want to take a moment to say how excited I am that Sarah Finnegan is an alternate! That little girl is an excellent gymnast, and I love her as a beamer! Just take a look, and please note the low-level spin on the mount. It's phenomenal!

And I'll stop my rant now :) Goodnight all!