Happy Friday!

1. Birthdays are a whole month long. and the only days I really like for it to be about me. 

2. My favorite birthday memory was this past year. I was totally bummed because I wanted to be off of crutches by then, but my friends were the best. I had a week long of birthday things every day and celebrations lasted for 3 weeks. Nothing in particular, but I got to spend time with so many people that I love so much.

3. A birthday tradition I (or my family) have is (oddly enough, identical to Lindsey's)... I got a birthday girl every year from my grandma until I was 18. And somehow I got two 18s.

4. If I had one birthday meal to eat for the rest of my birthdays hence forward, I would choose pizza. good pizza. I know that I'm not supposed to give such a childish answer because I am 21 years old and an adult and all, but it's just the truth. I love pizza.

5. My birthday is on March 14th.

6. If I could take a birthday trip I would go to Paris and/or Spain. I have an itch to go to the Eastern hemisphere these days. probably because I've never been.

7. The best gift I've ever received for my birthday was probably really great but I don't like to have to pick just one.

As I Wait For You

We are always waiting on something. We are insatiable. We always want more- the next best thing. So many times I find myself frivolously thanking God for bringing whatever I was waiting on and jumping right to the next thing that I am so convinced that I need so badly. The amount of time I spend thanking, praising, and worshipping Him for His amazing faithfulness should far outweigh the amount of time I spend pleading for what I need want.

When does the waiting game start? I remember being so eager for middle school. So young, and so ready for something bigger and better. Then it was high school. Waiting for my first boyfriend. Waiting for the pain to pass after my first broken heart. Waiting to hear from God in seasons of silence. Waiting for college. Waiting to find friends. Waiting for yet another broken heart to heal (why didn't I learn the first time?). Waiting to figure out who I am in Christ. Waiting to find the man I'm going to marry. Waiting to know what I'm supposed to do for the rest of my life. Waiting on a ring. Waiting on a wedding. Waiting on the future. Waiting to know what the future holds.

Does it ever end? Why do we give waiting such a negative connotation? Who says waiting has to be a bad thing? Though I didn't cherish those times in the moment, it is during those different seasons of waiting that the Lord has taught me the most. He drew me closer when I was pulling away. He pursued me when I was running. He rejoiced over me with singing when I desperately needed to hear from Him. He captured my tears when I cried. He was relentless in His pursuit of me. He heard my cries and comforted me. When all I could do was wait. What precious times those turned out to be- times of communing with the Lord.

Today as I sat in Starbucks thinking and daydreaming and planning my future, I became anxious. I was so quickly reminded that God has not given me a spirit of timidity and fear but of power, love, and self-discipline, all of which lead to confidence in the knowledge that He can and will work in marvelous and miraculous ways like He always has. How exciting! Waiting doesn't have to be a bad thing. Waiting has been redefined.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26

"when I can't feel You, I have learned to reach out just the same. when I can't hear You I know You still hear every word I pray. and I want You more than I want to live another day. as I wait for You, maybe I'm made more faithful." -Brooke Fraser, Faithful

Life As Of Late

{1} I am obsessed with Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest. It challenges me every day and it's awesome.

{2} Y'all know how much I love music. And I have a new love. The Museum. While they repeatedly take my boyfriend away from me (because he works for them), I do not hold it against them and absolutely love their new CD. You should all go buy it. :) No, really. Do it. I promise you won't regret it. Do it now.

{3} My family went to St. Simon's last week for vacation. Cosbie came down after we got there and we got to spend some time with Coach, Jessica, and the boys. It was an awesome week... and I didn't take any pictures. I have no idea who I even am. Please don't kill me, Linds.

{4} School starts in 2 weeks. I'm sorry, what? so not ready for that. but it is my last semester of classes. ever. the only things standing between me and graduation are 1 semester of classes and my student teaching... and all the work that goes along with both.

{5} I got a letter from Catharine, the little Kenyan girl I sponsor through Compassion, this weekend. I love her so much. I am so humbled every time she tells me that she prays for me. She has nothing and yet she is so grateful for me and prays for me. She amazes me. I also love that she is not a very good student, like me. She gets ok grades, but hates school. A girl after my own heart. And she always asks me about the wild animals in America. She really likes animals.

{6} Yesterday was Noonday's first Sunday without a pastor. I was apprehensive about the situation in general, but excited because Shad was preaching (and I seriously think he's the greatest youth pastor ever). I may be slightly biased because I think he's that awesome, but he brought the Word for sure. His message was entitled "What Now?" (the question we're all asking) He challenged us to do 2 things: love God and love people. It is such a simple concept that isn't always so easy. It felt like our church was waking up again yesterday and I am so excited to see what God is going to do with us during this season.