summer!

This much anticipated season has kicked off fabulously with a great week at RUF's Summer Conference filled with wisdom, laughter, and lasting memories.

SMU RUF crew 

Next on the calendar this week is seeing my sweet little brother graduate high school. May I now just say, "WOW!" And although cliche, I'm so stinkin' proud of this guy!

It was only yesterday that he was the family Jedi Knight

And on June 9 I'm headed to this great city to work as a Congressional Intern for 8 weeks. So. Excited. It feels like my first real-world adventure, maybe be because it is.  

No matter where I am this summer or what is going on, I hope each day I can do the following things: 

-Read the Word 

-Go on a walk/ run (or somewhere in between) 

-Enjoy a good cup of coffee

-Write a letter to the Lord 

-Text or call someone I love just because

-Have a good conversation

I have every bit of hope that summer 2012 will bring great growth and good things! 

the mouth speaks

Nate is coming to SMU!

Dear little brudder--

I'm overjoyed with your decision to attend SMU next fall. This place is extremely near and dear to my heart, I cannot wait to share it with one of the most important people in my life.  

The next four years ahead are sure to hold countless fun experiences, difficult challenges, immense growth, the best friends of your life, and unforgettable memories. I cannot wait to see your love develop for SMU traditions: Harvard Red and Yale Blue, Peruna the Pony, Mustang football, the Boulevard, singing The Varsity, and the Mustang Band. And I think you'll be surprised with just how great Texas is. You might be thinking that it's big and overrated, but I've actually found it to be quite awesome.

I am beyond proud of you, not only for making this exciting decision, but for the person you have grown to be. It's with much anticipation that I wait to see how the Lord continues to grow you as you embark on this new journey at SMU. He brought you to this point, and He'll carry you through just as faithfully. 

Love you so much, baby mustang! 

I can't wait for you to be here in August!!

the longing soul

"Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things."  

Psalm 107:4-9

In Him

"My hope lives not because I am a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died.  My trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, He is my righteousness.  My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel or know but in what Christ is, in what He has done and is now doing for me."

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Bridging the Great Divide

My dear friend and mentor Erin shared this article on her blog (one of my favorites, the inspiration for my own) this week and I thought it was so good I had to share it on mine!

This is one of the best articles on singleness, marriage, and community I've ever read. Check it out!

Bridging the Great Divide  

Faithfulness

"What I must do first of all is be faithful. If I believe that the first commandment is to love God with my whole heart, mind, and soul, then I should at least be able to spend on hour a day with nobody else but God. The question as to whether it is helpful, useful, practical, or fruitful is completely irrelevant, since the only reason to love is love itself. Everything else is secondary."

-Henri J.M. Nouwen

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

being different

today Jesus whispered these comforting words in my ear... 

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10 

a peaceful heart

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:6

What a great reminder that a centered heart on the Lord, emptied and cleansed for his filling, instills so much peace.  And a peaceful heart brings so much life to the body!

           

Library books

Happy National Library Week!! I love spending an afternoon in a public library, takes me back to summer adventures with my little brother Nate at our neighborhood Lexington Public Library-- hours passed as we roamed the stacks and cozied up in bean bags with our most favorite reads.  We'd check out too many to count. 

Nooks, kindles, iPads... they don't come anywhere close to a good paperback or hardback book.  I love their stained pages, the old and musty smell, and the list of stamped dates on the front index card displaying the book's history.  Nothing beats 'em.

Treasure

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has caused us to be born again to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

1 Peter 1

my sister, Susan

I can't get sweet Susan out of my mind since spending the most wonderful Easter weekend with her in Houston a week ago.  She is the hostess with the mostest, knows me inside and out, and is one of my favorite people to be with and talk to.  God could not have blessed me with a better friend, mentor, and confidant... the older sister I never had.  I miss her so much!    

Hot pink

I just love a pop of hot pink... 

Pink flats

Pink necklace

Pink wall 

Pink blazer

 Pink rainboots

Pink garland (... and I'm usually anti-carnations!)

Pink door

Pink pants

Most images found from my new favorite style blog: http://gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com/

Jack Rogers

My most favorite sandal of all time, an absolute summer favorite. Which color should debut next in my closet?