Can I go back to retreat, please?

This weekend was so awesome :) I did love it so.

However, now I am stuck in the realm of reality where I actually have a test tomorrow...

It is going to SUCK! Really, really bad. Ugh, ugh, ugh! I'm sorry, that's all I've got for tonight. Peace out cubscouts; it's time to actually focus in the study lounge.... Eww.

Proverbs 12

Here, again, we see coupled proverbs. I’m just going to pull out a few that really stood out to me.

^"1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, 
   but whoever hates correction is stupid."

I never really considered the prospect of loving discipline. Most of the time it’s viewed as a hinderance, something that keeps us from doing something that we’d like to do. But I think spiritual discipline really is important, because it keeps us from going astray onto the path of the wicked. If we were not disciplined--if we did not accept the knowledge of God in our hearts-- then how devout could we really be? To ignore rebuke is foolish, for and advice from our Father is intended to further our hearts in our relationship with Him.

^"9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant 
   than pretend to be somebody and have no food."

I’m not quite sure what Solomon is specifically talking about in this verse, but I love the way it’s written. If you want to help a sister out, that would be awesome!

^"10 The righteous care for the needs of their animals, 
   but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."

God knows our hearts, our every thought and intention. Good deeds or acts are not enough, clearly, to put you in right standing with the Lord. He knows the nature of your heart, for He has searched it. Just look at that last verse. Even the kindest acts performed by the wicked are still cruel! Wrapping my mind around that... so intense!

^"15 The way of fools seems right to them, 
   but the wise listen to advice."

Those who are foolish do not realize that what they are doing is wrong, but the wise listen to the advice they are given. They accept wisdom that is not their own! Often we think that the wise have all of the answers, that they can do or say nothing wrong. But if a “wise man” were to also carry that mindset, then he would in fact be lacking wisdom. Our Father is constantly guiding our lives with words of correction and discernment; to accept these words and allow them to alter our lives is a sign of wisdom.

^"19 Truthful lips endure forever, 
   but a lying tongue lasts only a moment."

Speaking the truth in your life and the lives of others brings knowledge of our Father and eternal life for those who follow Him. I’m sure you all have heard the saying, “The truth speaks volumes.” Well, it does! It has a lasting impact, and the truth will never cease to endure. A lie, however, has short-term effects that are often harmful. No progression results from it, and the opportunity to make it right is fleeting.

^"25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, 
   but a kind word cheers it up."

This is just so true! I mean, everything in scripture is true. But this is something I think we all can relate to. Anxiety puts a major damper on your mood and well-being (to say the least), and a simple word of kindness can make us feel SO much better! It’s amazing how much a few choice words can impact a person.

^"28 In the way of righteousness there is life; 
   along that path is immortality."

Choose the path of righteousness. Choose life!

Proverbs 11

These couplets, for the most part, are super straight-forward. However, if someone wants to clarify verse 1 for me, that would be awesome!

Pride brings disgrace. Be humble instead, and receive wisdom. Uphold your integrity. Worldly earnings will do nothing for you on judgement day; they hold no eternal value. Be righteous in the eyes of the Lord. Keep straight down the path God has set for you. When the righteous cry out in times of crisis, our Father comes to our rescue. God’s knowledge acts as out shields against the slanderous words of the wicked.

 "¹¹ Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, 
   but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed."

I love that thought. Being able to build up a city by the power of God :) Do not gossip or lack judgement. Be kind to others and be generous. If you seek good, then you will find it, but keep in mind that the same applies to those who search for evil. Traveling down a righteous path will allow you to bear fruit in abundance.

Solomon really wants us to remember these things:
Be righteous! Seek it! Live it! Follow it’s path!
The things of this world mean nothing, ultimately. They reap no satisfaction.
The foolish will perish, and they seek the destruction righteous.

^"31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, 
   how much more the ungodly and the sinner!"

ToooooooMORROW!

Ahhhh! I am so excited for this retreat! SO STOKED!

Well, today was pretty good {though not very productive}. I had class, and then I went to lunch with the one... the only... HANNAH! I know I mentioned this yesterday, but I love her :) After she went to class, I went to the library for a bit. I wrote like a paragraph of my literature paper before I took a nap. Then, my trusty alarm woke me up so I could go meet Taylor :) I did my interview and all that jazz, and then we relocated to the library. I'm not gonna lie, I spent that time on facebook, haha. Then I had to run to catch the bus to health, after which I went to our mixer with the Jewish sorority. We made valentines in support of their philanthropy, and that was pretty cool :) Then, the lovely Taylor and I went to Dukes, where I ate and she did some stuff on her computer, haha. We had this random guy come up to us and he just started talking about what Taylor had in her packages, how sweet her mom was, and asking us about our majors and everything. Taylor and I weren't sure what he was getting at, but we felt like we had missed something, haha. Anyways, I had justice team tonight, and it was great. I now have this lovely list of all the scripture verses that directly mention justice {well, it may not be all of them, but you know}. Woop woop! And yeah, I just now finished this discussion board thing for my literature class....

Boo, literary theories! OH! Heather! I's sending in my payment for the Hands that Heal Aftercare Training tomorrow! I'm officially, legitimately going!

Well loves, it is 2:15, and I still have yet to shower. Fail. So I need to go do that and get some sleep. Good thing I don't have my 9:05 tomorrow! Until Sunday.... Goodbye loves!

Proverbs 10

This chapter is very straightforward, at least i think so. These proverbs are practical tidbits of wisdom for us. Be wise, and the Lord will find joy in you. Be diligent and hard working. Take the knowledge and rebuke from God and store it in your heart so that you may be wise. Live a life of righteousness so that you may be blessed with eternal life. Love others, and may your life be considered a blessing. Harbor discipline and discernment so that you do not lack judgement. Live joyously in the Lord's refuge. Make His teachings the source of your spoken word. And just remember...

"The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out." {v.31}

Can I just say, ouch?!

Things seem to be looking up!

I just mean in general. I'm starting to see hope in places where I was merely clouded with worry. Relationships here at school are growing stronger each day! I feel like I'm getting very close to certain people, and I absolutely love it! Also, I've been opening my heart so that God may be more accessible. Of course, God has always been there for me to call to and receive guidance. But only recently have I really called out to Him and allowed Him to speak understanding into me. It's great, I tell you :)

Today was pretty awesome in general, despite almost dozing off in classes and not knowing what the heck to write my literature paper on..... Anyways! I had a lovely lunch date with Steph today! I love her :) I love that she can listen and still probe important questions, and I love just how goofy we are together :) We even had a little mini dance sesh on the commons before we said our fairwells. Teehee! Then, I had a much-needed skype date with my beloved Heather, whom I love and miss very much! You really are great, Heather. I don't know what on earth I'd do without you :) I also got to talk to Elizabeth for a little while on the phone! I have missed our heart-to-hearts! And I cannot wait to tackle her with the biggest hug of her life! {Retreat: 2 days! Eeeep!} I got dinner with Paige and Kim, which was nice. I haven't seen Paige in a while, so I'm glad that we got to at least spend a little time together! Nevermind that I slipped on a puddle of water and kind of wiped out in the middle of Mrs. Green's.... Haha! Anyways, I went to Worldbeat tonight {as per usual} with Hannah and Brandi :) I LOVE THEM! Bahh, smiles all around :) On the walk back to my dorm I was sliding and twirling in the snow :) It was just one of those moods :) Since then, I've just been poking around on here and facebook. I think I might actually get to bed before 2:30 tonight! That will be the first time all week!

Also, I was listening to this song today, and I remembered why I loved it so much :)

This is another song that has made me smile today :)

{It makes me think of my friends Sarah's choreographic project from last year :) I do love and miss her!}

Oh! And Brandi, Hannah and I met these girls while we were in the sauna. They asked us what our majors were. When we told them Dietetics, Nursing, and Social Work, her response was, "Wow! You guys must really want to help people!" Ahhhh! I do! I do! I do!

Okay, I'm done now :) Goodnight, sweet loves!

Proverbs 9

Sorry this post is a little out of order!

{v. 1-6} Wisdom has prepared a place for us at her table. She is beckoning us into her home, her complete and perfect home. She wants us to receive what she has to offer. She offers us comfort, protection, and guidance through knowledge-- the teachings of God. To leave behind the simple and senseless ways of this world is to receive salvation and eternal life!

{v. 13-18} Folly, however, is also perched on her doorstop and attempting to lure people into her home. She prays upon the simple, the foolish, and those who lack judgement-- the weak. She wants the ensnared to partake in the stolen goods she has to offer, much like the forbidden fruit. Men who enter there are unaware that crossing the threshold puts them on a path leading to their grave.

{v. 7-9} When we are rebuked by our Father, we are not to ignore it or refuse it. Such is the nature of the mocker. We are called to take our Father's rebuke and constructively use it to further our knowledge and understanding of Him. Doing so will make us wiser, and we will be enriched by the Spirit.

{v. 10-12} Fear of the Lord will bring about wisdom. The Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with understanding. It is by God's grace and through acceptance of His teachings that we may live with Him forever. Those whose mock Him will dwell in eternal suffering.

P.S.- This is my 400th BLOG POST!

Man, I feel like this is such a milestone! And it's not even my blogaversary! Hahaha. Love you all!