12.13.2011

miles to go.

At 4am I awoke to a warm hand on my back. I sleepily opened my eyes and saw my roommate with earnestness in her eyes. I sat up slightly as she wrapped her arms around me. I feebly hugged her back as tightly as I could. As tightly as I could so she would feel that I meant it. She whispered that she loved me and that she'd miss me. I wasn't use to this sort of affection from her, but it was special. She grabbed her bags and left. That quick and it was over.


What a sad thing for me. As she walked out the door, all I could feel was sadness and disappointment in myself. I had an opportunity and I feel like I ruined it. My roommate was such a blessing to me. When she left there were so many unspoken words between us. They were tangible in the still morning air. 


There are so many things I would have done differently concerning her if I could repeat this semester. I feel like I lost my chance. She's transferred to a different school. 


It's times like these when I feel my brokenness so intensely. I'm stunned by my depravity. All I can do is lay at the foot of the cross and ask for forgiveness as I've done so many times before. Why was I so selfish with my time? Why didn't I invest in her as much as I could've? She was right there. For 4 months she was right there.


The fog surrounded me as I walked outside early this morning. The clouds hung low and pressed down on my shoulders. Everything held a grey misty heaviness. From within myself and all around I felt yearning. Yearning for something more. For the glory of God to break through and complete all His creation. Starting with me.




"We can hear creation groan
It's crying out for God
Every night when stars come out
I hear creations song

It sings, Oh Lord
We sing, Oh Lord
You are light and you are love
You are flesh and you are blood

Jehova"


9.24.2011

crooked still

"Oh when shall I see Jesus and reign with Him above
and from the flowing fountain drink everlasting love

Oh had I wings I would fly away and be at rest
and I'd praise God in His bright abode

Whene'er you meet with troubles and trials on your way
cast all your cares on Jesus and don't forget to pray

Oh had I wings I would fly away and be at rest
and I'd praise God in His bright abode

Gird on the gospel, armor of faith and hope and love
and when the combat's ended He'll carry you above

Oh had I wings I would fly away and be at rest
and I'd praise god in His bright abode

Oh, do not be discouraged for Jesus is your friend
and if you lack for knowledge He'll not refuse to lend

Oh had I wings I would fly away and be at rest
and I'd praise God in His bright abode"


-Crooked Still's "Ecstasy". Really, you should listen to it. It'll make ya smile.

9.21.2011

prayers

my prayer this morning:


"I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
     I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
     for I rejoice in the Lord."
psalm 104:33-34


"and when my time is used and done
when I see that final settin' sun
I'll leave everything I've ever known
and that house above, it will be my home."
marc scibillia 




have the best day everyone.

9.12.2011

and live alone by mercy.

it's amazing what a batch of warm chocolate chip cookies and a good dose of prayer with new friends can do for a heavy heart.


God is so good.



"From depths of woe I raise to Thee
The voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me
And hear my supplication;
If Thou iniquities dost mark,
Our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O who shall stand before Thee?

To wash away the crimson stain,
Grace, grace alone availeth;
Our works, alas! are all in vain;
In much the best life faileth:
No man can glory in Thy sight,
All must alike confess Thy might,
And live alone by mercy.

Therefore my trust is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His Word
Upholds my fainting spirit:
His promised mercy is my fort,
My comfort, and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.

What though I wait the livelong night,
And till the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might;
It doubteth not nor feareth:
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;
And wait till God appeareth.

Though great our sins and sore our woes,
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our utmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He,
Who will at last His Israel free.
From all their sin and sorrow."


9.10.2011

one big slumber party.

College really is just one big slumber party that never ever ends. That's the best description I can come up with for this place. Would you like to see what my college-self looks like?
Here you go:



this is my college-self. don't I look all grown?
I really do like it here. It's real nice. And people like me here! Crazy, huh?


So tonight, me and Anneke just left a jam session because we were sleepy and didn't feel too good and while we were in the lobby of Maple (our dorm) someone said "Waffle House" and on a whim, Anneke and I jumped in my car and headed to Waffle House. Not exactly sure what to expect, we just knew that we were hungry. Once we got there (by the way, it's a tragedy that there isn't a Waffle House close to Belmont) we ordered. Identically. Water, hashbrowns, and a chocolate chip waffle. There weren't many people in this Waffle House, which was nice-ish. AND THEN. Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" came on the juke box and what do we do? But of course, we grab our spoons and start belting it out at the top of our lungs. Glorious. Right? We didn't hold back. Once we got to the end of the song, all of Waffle House exploded in applause. We were speechless! AND THEN. A man gets up to pay and says, "hey, don't worry about your meal. I'm covering it because you made me happy" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?  The man paid for both of our meals! Tip and all! What a classy guy! He was so so so kind to us! AND THEN. We decide to put one more song on the juke, none other than "Mr. Postman", the old mo-town song. We did not sing or even sit this time, but rather, we got up and were dancing old 60s and 70s dance moves all around the Waffle House. We brought back some classic dance moves. AND THEN. We got back in my car and listened to Ben Folds all the way home to Belmont too loudly. 


I don't think I can come up with a better night to end a great day. Did I mention I rode 8 miles on my bike today? It was great. And so were my pals that came with me. We had a blast. Everything about today was spectacular. Except for now, when I'm about to try to write a paper. Wait.. well.. no. I don't really want to. I probably won't. I think I'll just hang around. 


That was today. And it was great. Just one big slumber party all the time.
Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me so so so much. 




And how was your day?



9.06.2011

there will be noise, there will be glad.

Fall.... Mm hmm. It's here. Whether it technically is or not. It's here in Nashville. It has arrived. There's no way to deny it. I feel it in every squish of my rain boots... I see it on the face of every slow moving hooded student... I watch it fly and dissipate in men's cigar smoke.. And I definitely taste it in this cinnamon,vanilla, mocha thing from Bongo Java - just a hop skip and a jump from my school of choice. Belmont. And Belmont was a good idea, guys.

I'm sitting here reading CS Lewis, thinking about fall, and feeling very content. There seems to be something very poetic about today - my self proclaimed start of fall. I could tell you more about that, but I think I'll show you what good ole Clive Staples just said:

"all our merely natural activities will be accepted, if they are offered to God, even the humblest, and all of them, even the noblest, will be sinful if they are not. Christianity does not simply replace our natural life and substitute a new one; it is rather a new organization which exploits, to its own supernatural ends, these natural materials."

YEAH. Happy Fall, pals. How was your day?

8.27.2011

i have to tell you something right now.

I've met some incredible people here at the Mont. Like this one whom I will now tell you a story about:

She just told me that she loved a boy and she told him. And he didn't reciprocate. Because he loved someone else. And then she helped him with loving this other person who was her good friend. And it made her love him more, but she doesn't even feel bad about it. She says she likes getting to help him love someone else even though he doesn't love her. She says that Jesus did that for her. She says it's like a massage train.

8.19.2011

good gravy.

This Belmont place, it's real great and all, but you know, it's also real scary.
and overwhelming.

Did I mention it's how scary and overwhelming it is?

8.15.2011

content to fill a little space

Father, I know that all my life 
Is portioned out for me, 
The changes that are sure to come 
I do not fear to see; 
I ask Thee for a present mind 
Intent on pleasing Thee. 

I would not have the restless will 
That hurries to and fro, 
Seeking for some great thing to do 
Or secret thing to know; 
I would be treated as a child, 
And guided where I go. 

I ask Thee for daily strength, 
To none that ask denied, 
A mind to blend with outward life 
While keeping at Thy side; 
Content to fill a little space, 
If Thou be glorified. 

In service which Thy will appoints 
There are no bonds for me; 
For my inmost heart is taught the truth 
That makes Thy children free. 
And a life of self renouncing love 
Is one of liberty.




Give her a listen here. Zack O (he's such a champ!) rewrote this lovely little hymn. It is my prayer. It is my cry for this new adventure of mine.


 right here's a little picture of Zack O and I just getting the job done.




.....I miss camp.....



8.11.2011

i can't exactly think of a title for this right now.

This has been the longest summer of my entire life.

It's had every element of a good story in it. 

Like, all those things in them movies you watch.

But seriously. It really has.

I should make my own movie about it.

And it's not even over yet!

I wonder what curveballs are awaiting me in my last week of summer.

I need you to listen to this.

Can you guess who this is? (hint. it's the same guy who sings the song I suggested for you to listen to. You'll never know who this is if you don't click that link and make you day so much better. In fact, it'll be lovely. There goes another hint)
"I wish you flowers, sunshine, and smiles..
I wish you truckloads of cheer
and many happy years..
I wish you freedom to do the things you love
Wanna wish you blessings and kindness from above
Wanna wish you sunlight through the clouds
I hope you laugh out loud...
I wish you well."
-from the same guy in the picture and the link I left for you. You're welcome.

My hope is that you read this and then immediately call/text/email me something good. Can you do that for me? No exceptions. I'm talking to YOU.

8.09.2011

in fields of green, by quiet streams.

Remember those things I told you I was going to do in that last post? None of that ended up happening. I hate to sound morbid, but my grandfather passed away that night. So I came running as fast as I could over to Forest, MS and I've been here ever since.

He was a good one. Better than you know.
I had the pleasure of seeing him the day before I moved to Nashville, which was just a week before he died.
The last thing he said to me was, "I love you, little lady".

I loved him lots and lots.

We called him Pock. And his favorite passage of the bible ever was Psalm 23. Every time he saw it printed anywhere he tore it out and kept it.

You know what I did? I played House of God, Forever by Jon Foreman (which is basically just Psalm 23) at his funeral. Zack O played with me because he's a real pal. And it was super. I'll bet he heard me.

Anyways. That's all.

Abagooday, friends.

8.04.2011

lightly.

This post isn't actually going to say anything of value. Which, I think, is good sometimes.


If you noticed, I changed that picture behind the title of my blog. It used to be a picture of Mississippi cotton fields, but now, it's Tennessee mountains. Get it?


I've been listening to a lot of old school Coldplay lately. I'm real big with words, and they've got some darn good ones. They're just soooo unbelievably GOOD! Songs like "Shiver" and "The Scientist" and "Clocks" and "Don't Panic"... they're all winners. I love them. If you listen to them, your day will become exponentially better, I'm sure of it.



I hung out with my good pal from Twin Lakes Peter Davis and his wonderful family all of yesterday. It was a blast. Those people are wonderful. We went all over. Even to an observatory! It was groovy.

And Caty Roommate is coming! She's going to come either tomorrow evening or Saturday morning and hang out with me. And we're going to the Decemberists concert Saturday night! I'm so excited! The Decemberists have been one of my favorite bands since I was 13 years old when I got their Picaresque album. Since then I have gotten all their music and learned every word to all their songs. I just really like them a lot. And now I get to see them in person! It's gonna be great! And with Caty Roommate at my side!

After that, on Sunday morning, Caty and I are traveling back to Athens, her hometown, because she wants to show me around. I just think that's so nice. I'm real excited!

I can't wait for people I know to be in Nashville. I get lonely here sometimes. I miss my friends a whole lot. More than you'd think. They're good folks. I move in to the dorms 2 weeks from tomorrow. Wowzers. It's time.

God is so good.

Check out these pictures:
Casey and I narrating an impromptu skit on a rainy camp day

One of the infamous girls' nights where I was a judge for our beauty pageant. Every girls' night I had a different identity and asked interview questions according to my identity. This night, I was Princess Buttercup and I had a lisp. I also remember embarrassing Kevin a whole lot this night by giving him credit for a question that was super creepy. I'm with our wonderful MC Queen Mallory, Helga (or Theresa), and Joanna.

Queen Mallory the Third was my roommate - and she's amazing.

 I was part of the Friday night skits where I let the raven down to provide Elijah with food. Almost every week I messed it up somehow.















The amazing Inkheart skit. There's me and Kevin as Jack and Jill and Jonathan as Captain Hook. Amazing picture, right? We look so tiny!


Anyways, back to organizing my college stuff. This was a good break though.


"We live in a beautiful world. Yeah we do, yeah we do." - thanks, Coldplay.

7.31.2011

a kingdom direction

Alright, seriously, I'm going to stop talking about this. I promise. This'll be the last time.

.. I hope.

So! If you've been keeping up you know how anxious and sad yet still a little hopeful and excited I have been about this whole moving to Nashville business. Now, I'm going to tell you about what God's just shown me today.

Time out. Happy Sabbath, everyone! I hope your day was delightful.

Okay, back in action. Today, I had the pleasure of visiting new churches. This morning I went with my family and Zack & Kristen (who are amazing and I'm so sad that they're gone) to West End Community Church and heard a great sermon with some rock concert music. But tonight! I went to City Church and it. was. amazing. I went all by myself so I was a little nervous but the second I got there they were so welcoming and nice! A girl took me under her wing immediately and invited me to sit with her! How classy! I was even asked to dinner with some folks. People are kind here and I like it.

The best part of the day was the sermon from the assistant pastor Tom Darnell. Wowzers. There are no words to describe how enthralled I was. You know when you're really nervous and down about something and then you hear a sermon that you directly identify with? That's what happened tonight. I love how God soothes my doubts and calms my fears so entirely and clearly. Here's what he preached about:


[6] And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. [7] And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. [8] So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. [9] And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” [10] And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
(Acts 16:6-10 ESV)



Okay, but really? I read that and thought, "Hmm... what in the world is He going to say through this? This seems a little bit like gobbledy-gook to me. I don't see this going anywhere specific." Boy, was I wrong.


So, Paul and Timothy set off, thinking they're doing God's will in the direction they're headed. But then God's like, "Woah, hold up now guys, the direction of your travels was right for a little bit, now I want you to go this way." So off they go towards a different town and once again they're stopped and God turns them to another completely different direction towards Macedonia! (Fun fact, Macedonia is now present day Europe so God was sending them to be the first to proclaim the Gospel in Europe. Cool, huh?) Why'd God do that? No idea. But He's sovereign. The cool part about this passage that I identified with a little is the attitude of Paul and Timothy. I know it doesn't say right there, but I can imagine what they were thinking. They may have been a little confused and frustrated, but they were tenderhearted towards God's will and followed Him. They trusted in His sovereignty. Do you see how this applies to me? God has uniquely directed my path for the advancement of His kingdom. He is divinely leading me.


More and more I'm learning that to be in the body of Christ is to proclaim His gospel in every situation in every place. I'm suddenly reminded of one of my favorite passages of scripture that I shall share with you.


[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV)

I'll close with a bit from a song we sang at the end of the service:
"God's compassion is my story
It is my boasting all the day
Mercy free and never failing
Moves my will, directs my way."





boom. roasted.


Have a great rest of the day, friends!

7.28.2011

to be surprised.

I've never blogged via my iPad before. I figured now would be a good time to try it out.

Lately, it's pretty unbelievable the amount that I miss people. I mean, I knew I was going go have some trouble after camp. But I never ever expected it to be this bad. I planned and planned for this. I put some pretty exciting things right after camp so I could ease into this new life of mine. For instance, right this second I'm in LA with the two most loving and incredible people in the entire world, my dear dear cousins Rick and Beth. They make me so happy all the time. However, I am amazed at how I can be so happy, and yet, so sad. I've never ever experienced this, and I don't like it one bit.


Beth and I at the Getty Villa.


Now I know what you're going to say. I've heard an incredible amount of advice on my leaving and starting over about what to do and how to handle it. Seriously, I've heard it lots. But I just can't help being sad.

You might can only barely tell, but there's me with my arms full of newly bought records.


My sinful nature pulls me into wanting control over every aspect of my life. And I really know I shouldn't have that control, and even if I did, it would be terrible. But I still crave it. I wish I could orchestrate my own life.... I hate admitting these things because I feel so terrible about it.

Pause. There's a little man on Rick and Beth's porch right outside. I don't know what to do about this exactly. I think I'll just ignore him unless he tries to talk to me or does something scary.

Anyways, change of venue. Now I'm back in Brandon. Sitting in my room which now has nothing in it. It seems lonely without all my books and record player and clothes. It seems very white. And it's raining outside. And Horse Feathers is playing. And I spilt a lot of super glue on my hands so my skin feels scaly and I can't stop picking at it. I don't reallymeven remember where I was going with that post, so I will divulge elsewhere:

I'm tired of goodbyes. I've had weeks of goodbyes now, and I just don't know what to do with them anymore. I've run out of words to say. Today is my last day in Mississippi. And tomorrow I make the long trek to Nashville. I've worried and cried and stressed about it so now, I really can't do those things anymore. Words of Sondre Lerche delivered loosely via the amazing Kevin Ford bring me to what I feel now. And I will share it with you:

"I'm not gonna lie
Saying everyone's gonna be alright
And fine until we die
But what else can you do
But hope and pray and save
And we'll get by
Be prepared to be surprised"

Tomorrow, I'm spending my last few moments in Jackson with my brother Joseph Craven, who isn't exactly my brother but close enough. I love him a lot! I thank God for him every day.

Aaaand now (finally!), I'm excited about this Nashville thang. I've always liked adventures, and this will be my biggest yet! I'm prepared to be surprised.

Whatever happens, I'm so thankful for the people God's put in my Mississippi life and I look forward to serving Him in Tennessee, armed with faith and winged by prayer.

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,


Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.


Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.


Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends may shun me;
Show Thy face, and all is bright.


Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;


With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee Abba, Father!
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,
All must work for good to me.


Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to Thy breast;


Life with trials hard may press me,
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.


Take, my soul, thy full salvation;
Rise o'er sin and fear and care;


Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
What a Father's smile is thine,
What a Savior died to win thee;
Child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?


Haste, then, on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith and winged by prayer;


Heaven's eternal day's before thee,
God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close the earthly mission,
Swift shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope soon change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.




(it feels like this post is all over the place. i apologize. i'll admit i've been a little all over the place as well)

7.19.2011

uprooted

I never know what to say when I first start writing, even though I always feel words swimming in this noggin of mine. I haven't written since the end of staff training week at Twin Lakes. So much has changed in just a couple months. 

I was so ready for Belmont. I was on the edge of my seat. I was poised ready to jump. And now.... I'm struggling with forward motion (WOAH. Relient K quote just came out of nowhere! Love it!) I just don't understand. The minute I begin forming roots of strong community among true believers, I am uprooted. And I don't understand it one bit. Such strong friendships have been made in the past year or so. Ones that I've never had before. And now that I have them, I'm leaving. What in the world could He be doing?

(I have such a hard time writing anything because my honesty scares me. It's like I never completely realize how sinful I am until I write down my thoughts. I read what I've written and just stare at the words in unbelief. What interesting mediums He uses to convict me). 

That was a tangent. Back on track now. 

There is pain, though, in transitions, in switching worlds and lives. There is much more seeking to do. He is mighty, mighty, mighty… Oh so much bigger than my feeble thoughts and plans. He is showing me how to wait and trust and live in His will instead of my own. There is so very much of a plan that I'm refusing to see. I always comes back to this same idea. I just haven't gotten it yet. Here we are again.
And yet, 
"God is my shepherd. I won't be wanting, I won't be wanting...."                                 (thanks for that Mr. Foreman)
And now, I will make joy my abiding confidante as I bask in the light of God's faithfulness. As I stare into the night sky, I'm reminded that the same God that holds those stars in place is the same one that loves me and will carry out the good work He began in me, regardless of my selfish desires to stay in comfort and familiarity.

Did any of that make sense at all?

it's kind of a hobby of mine to go on nationalgeographic.com and look at pretty pictures like this one.




5.28.2011

fire and rain.

I haven't written anything in a long time. And it's not because I don't know what to write. I've got novels waiting to be written in this head of mine. It's just because I have no time to write. And still don't. But I just wanted to say something. ANYTHING, rather, to make sure you didn't forget about me.


Twin Lakes is great. Really great. I love every second of it. I love being activities director. And I love every single staff member. I'm blown away by their hearts for God. I learn so much from them daily.


Being home makes me miss certain things. Or people, actually. Once I leave Twin Lakes and I'm back at home I start thinking thinking thinking about people from JA that I'll probably never see again. And I get sad.


But then I think about Twin Lakes and I'm happy again. What a fickle heart.


And now! LAUNDRY.


p.s. my Belmont room assignment is Maple Hall room 414 with Caty Cowsert and she's incredible. I love her a whole lot. Holla! 

4.30.2011

the heart beats in its cage.

It's time for me to surrender an idea of mine to Christ. It's obvious it's not His will, and I've been holding onto it anyway. I knew from the beginning it wasn't His will. But my dadgum sinful nature held onto it because I like to put myself in front of Christ. And now it haunts my thoughts with possibilities. I'm going to get rid of it. Rip it away quick like a bandaid. But it's going to bleed a little. Metaphorically, of course.


Thank goodness for Jesus who saves me daily from myself. His plans are always better anyway. I've just gotta hold on.
and trust.


He must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30





4.25.2011

the infinite yes.













"In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation." 
-Charles Spurgeon


















happy monday.
love love love you all.

4.14.2011

i'll get back to you someday soon, you'll see.

I've started writing this with absolutely no idea what to write about... So I'm going to ramble, like I usually do, but probably in a less organized fashion.


I've got this inkling that God's up to something. He's certainly got plans for me and I feel like I'm on the very brink of them. I feel like any moment he's going to push me over the edge into this scary, great new... I can't think of the word.... abyss thing. I just know something different is on the way. I see Him blessing me in so many new ways and I can't keep up! His mercies truly are new everyday, in case you were wondering. 


As I approach my last 18 days of high school, it's my duty to look back. What I see most of all is... well... I'll describe it. Imagine a puzzle. And there's just one piece missing. And you've got just one piece left in your hand. But it's the wrong piece. It goes to a completely different puzzle. So you try to push it and squeeze it and stretch it to make it fit.... but alas. It was never supposed to fit anyway. I think I'm that awkward puzzle piece. At JA, I've never been happy. Don't get me wrong, JA is a good school and all, I guess, but I just never fit in. When I look back at my years at JA and all I can think about is the groups of friends I was trying to fit into. All that pushing and squeezing and stretching to fit into someone else's group was exhausting. And it lead to many tears and broken hearts. So now, I'm excited to get into Belmont. The people I've already met there I can tell are going to be my great friends forever. I spent very few hours with a couple of Belmontites and something just clicked immediately. I felt at home. And that's really not a feeling I experience often. I just had something to say all the time. And we talked and talked and talked. We shared so many similarities. I fully believe in this CS Lewis quote, 

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one”

Those moments happened often. And they were beautiful. I thank God for those a lot.


And I realized that every plan I make, despite my incredibly good intentions, is torn to pieces in the midst of God's plans. I'm learning to trust! And it's fun! But also, really hard!


I really could keep going. I still want to talk about all the new friends that great God has brought to me recently. But I'm driving (all by myself!) to Atlanta tomorrow, so I should probably hit the hay.


love you guys.
take it easy.






p.s. dadgum Joseph Craven got me obsessed with this song. enjoy.