Oh, Come let us adore Him --*Merry Christmas!--

So...today was CHRISTMAS!....what a wonderful day :) It's so easy for me to get so wrapped up in all of the crazyy-ness that the season brings. I went to wal mart yesterday (Christmas eve) and I think the whole population of Savannah was there.

Last night I went to church with my family, which was amazing. I love going to a traditional church every now and then. The sermon made me think about the role that Mary and Joseph played in the birth of Jesus...Anyways, until this Christmas, I never really thought about it, but their role keeps getting brought up. I've been on this whole "obedience" kick lately....Just trying to live by obedience in a world where it is so incredibly hard to hear the voice of God clearly...or for me it is atleast. Anyways, I was just thinking: You know, what if Mary wouldn't have been obedient when He told her that she was carrying Jesus? I know times were different back then, but if I were engaged, I would be pretty mad if if MY plans were changed, and I found out I was pregnant..that kinda changes things. But Mary was content and eager to please God.

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."- Luke 1: 46-55

Anyways, I was like, "wow, I wish I were more like that." Mary, who was a lot younger than I am, was obedient. She was at peace, and she was content in fulfilling God's new covenant with His people...which ended up being the best Christmas gift we could ever imagine....a savior to provide grace, truth, and everlasting life to all who will believe in Him.

I woke up this morning,and my family and I opened presents. I guess the older I get, the less exciting it is because there really aren't many surprises. I pretty much know everything that I'm getting. But it's cool to watch everyone else open their gifts. I'm so thankful for all that I got...a new camera, rain jacket, some new jeans from gap (p.s. gap has the best skinny jeans...especially if you have a big butt like me.....for real.) I gotsome clothes, a new iTrip (which is awesome because now I wont have to wear my headphones when i drive), some other stuff...and my grandparents gave me some money...so now my deposits for my trips to Mexico & Peru have been taken care of...go God! I really am so blessed to get to wake up and spend time with my family (that I take for granted) and to get cool new things.

Usually on Christmas morning I go running around my neighborhood, and then I go to the marina to just be still and thank God for all that He has given me...Today it was raining, so I didn't go running, but I did get to go down there for a little while. Being near the water is so great. It's so peaceful. How can anyone wake up to that and not believe?

My family went to Colonels Island (somewhere between Savannah and Brunswick) to my aunt and uncle's house...We usually go there every year, either on thanksgiving or christmas...I LOVE going there. I would love to live there one day if it werent't in the middle of nowhere. Richmond Hill is like the closest place of civilization for them, and that's like 30 min away...Anyways, I drove my grandparents so that they wouldn't have to drive in the dark on the way back. My grandfather is 85, and he had a stroke several summers ago. It really set him back. It makes me sad. This year I haven't really thought about it much, but last year it made me really sad to see how it changed him. He had to go through a lot of rehab and physical therapy. He used to be such an active, nice, peaceful man, but it's sad now because he can barely walk and he can be grumpy. I've spent a lot of time with them this past week and my grandmother has really shown me what being a servant is all about. She's 76, and she is still going very strong. She looks like she's 50. She takes such good care of my grandfather. He tells her what to do, and he is so grumpy sometimes, but she is so sweet to him. It doesn't even really phase her. He really is a nice man, and he would do anything for anybody, but he's just getting old, and he gets tired often. I decided that I want to be like my grandmother in that aspect.

We went to the island, and I got to hang out with my cousins all day and play with their presents. They're out of their awkward stage, and they are so cool and funny to hang out with. I wish my other aunt uncle and 2 cousins could have been there too, but they were in South carolina. There are six grandchildren, and I'm the only girl. I love it...I can tell that I'm the favorite. Anyways,

They kicked my butt at the wii and we jumped on the trampoline for a really long time. I want a trampoline really really bad. My cousin, Will, who is 8, said the blessing before we ate. I love kids....you never know what they're going to say. Will is really smart, and I think he may be a preacher one day. I expected him to say some blessing he learned in school or something, but he began just talking to God..straight from his 8-year old heart. He thanked God for giving us Jesus, and giving us a reason to celebrate Christmas. He thanked Jesus for dying on the cross for us, and then he thanked him for being "a really nice, sophisticated man." He thanked him for being "smart and for being so active in his community." He would have kept going, but I bursted out laughing, so I guess that ruined it. I just didn't really expect that...Anyways, you had to be there. It made my day. Itwas great to hang out with my family.

Te night ended with me getting to watch SNL christmas and home alone. I ate so much today. Diet definitely starts tomorrow...for real.

Thank you Jesus for all that you have provided for my family, friends, and me. I really just don't understand it, but I am thankful :) Thank you for giving us the best Christmas gift of all, and for humbling yourself and coming into a world that rejected you, and for dying for us, so that we could have the choice to believe in you, and to accept your grace, truth, and future for our lives. Thank you for changing my heart and giving me life full of abundance.

***"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH." - John 1:14***

****"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."--Isaiah 9:6***

sorry this was probably kinda boring/corny since it was about my day...next time it won't be like that, i promise. I know my grammar and spelling isn't the best either. Truth is, I really am smart, and I know proper grammar and spelling....I just don't realy take the time to worry about it on here. Oh well, maybe I should. Merry Christmas! I love you!

Randomness....

Random things that you may not know...

*I like chocolate more than I should...

*I got saved on June 16, 2006, and I would probably be dead right now if it werent for God's grace, Him changing my heart, and some pretty awesome people hadnt told me about the hope and future I could have through Him. And And then I got baptized on July 21, 2006 at the Mann center in the lake.

*I'll talk to anyone or anything that is in front of me. I love meeting people and talking to people.

*I have the best friends in the entire world. you should be jealous. God has really provided for me, and I'm so blessed to have a very diverse group of friends.

*As soon as I begin to think I have it all together, God's like "BBAAAAMMM no you dont"

*I'm really self conscious.

*I never thought I would say this, but I kinda like Statesboro, and I kinda don't want to leave.

*I have a tattoo on my right foot. I got it done at Resurrection Ink in Savannah, right when I came to college. It actually didnt hurt too bad. I got my nose pierced on that same day though, and that hurt so bad it almost made me pass out.The verse is NOT Philippians 4:13 like some people think. Instead, it is Philippians 3:13-14, which is where Paul states:"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

*I wish I was a rockstar, and I sometimes randomly burst out into song or dance. It's really weird.

*If I had to think of a song that described by life it would be "Stop and Listen" by Bethany Dillon...or "Soul Survivor" by Akon....not really.

*Sometimes I think i suck at life, but God shows me different.

*I want to travel. I've been to Mexico, Honduras a couple times, Jamaica, Peru, and several trips in the US to places like New Orleans and St. Louis....but I want more.

*The most profound thing that God has ever revealed to me was when I was in Lima, Peru. It would take me all day to type all of it...but basically I saw some pretty intense crazy stuff there. On one hand, there is a sadness and a sense of desparity among the people there. They need so much love. On the other hand, there are people who are sooo content with God alone. They have absolutely nothing, yet they are content because they are desperate for God. Long story short, I learned that I wanted to be desperate for God...i mean really desperate...and when I pray, I want to pray knowing that HE WILL answer

*I'm a really awkward person, and I do and say really awkward things sometimes.*I'm reading a really good book right now. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. I'm about halfway done, and it is really kicking my butt.

*I never go anywhere without my ipod. I love all different kinds of music.

*I love to run and workout....mostly run though. My favorite way to worship God is to go for a really really long run with my ipod. I get really burdened by things, so I'll just go running.

*I won for my division in a triathalon last september, but then i realized i signed up for the wrong division...but i got a medal.*I'm going to run a half marathon on tybee in february.

*I tried P90X, but it made me gain weight and look weird so i quit

*My favorite book in the bible is Habakkuk. You can find his book towards the end of the old testament, between the book of Nahum and Zephaniah. Basically, Habakkuk was in Judah, and he was dishearted (is that a word?) by the injustice in Israel and in the world and all the evil that is in it. He is wrestling with God because He doesn't see God at work. God tells him that He is still in control and to wait on Him and be patient and Habakkuk wll be amazed at what God is doingin the midst of the suffering. It's all about undying faith, not losing sight of your dreams, and knowing that it's all going to work out in God's timing...anyways, you should read it to see what happens..its only 3 chjapters....there's a lot more to it, but I just thought that was worth sharing.

*I wish I knew more Spanish. I am learning by reading my old spanish book and listening to hillsong united en espanol. I sing it really loud in my car.

*Coconut lime verbana from bath and body works makes me happy.

*I love my church, Connection Church. Its really cool to be a part of something where they are making people feel welcomed, and there are people of all different backgrounds being obedient to God and trying to do things different in order to reach people in Statesboro that need hope and love. I've met so many really cool adults, and i love talking to all of them on sunday.

*It's easy for me to get overburdened with other peoples' problems. I struggle with all the need in the world and feeling like I can't do anything about it.*I really am at a place where I am learning new things everyday.

*My friends say that guys are intimidated by me.

*I sometimes think people think I'm obnoxious. I'm sorry if Ive ever been obnoxious to you.

*I want to live a life on the go, and I want to have a dangerous, exciting carreer on the mission field. what what

*The library is a social gathering for me.*I have a celebrity crush on Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Blake Mycoskie (TOMS). They're both a little old for me though.

* I have seen Dave Matthews Band 5 times in my life....Raleigh, Atlanta, twice in West palm beach, and Charleston.

*I got kicked out of a Widespread Panic concert the day before my 18th birthday. Its a complicated story.

*I LOVE my snuggie! it keeps me warm, and Im thankful for Colleen for buying me a zebra one for my birthday

*I hate the cold weather...i mean i really hate it...I wish it could be hot and sunny all the time. I like it better when i can relax at the beach/pool/boat and be tan.

*I'm not settling anymore.

*I'm so blessed, and I don't know what I ever did to deserve everything. for real. just think about it.

*I love children. They are so innocent. A long time ago, kids used to scare me, but I am loving them more and more everyday. I wish i were a kid again.

*People make fun of me because I compare everything to a podcast that i heard...i love podcasts....

*Wal Mart has the best clothes...i promise..go look for yourselves in the junior section.

*I'm hypocycemic, and I used to pass out a lot, but not so much now. The last time was in New Orleans on a mission trip. It happened right when we got there and it was really awkward how it happened...

*Last year I killed 2 deer in one month...with my car...one did a lot of damage though and then as soon as i got it fixed another one tried to mess with me, but he didnt damage my car.

*I used to dye my hair dark dark brown during the winter time when i was in high school.

*You've probably heard this verse before, but my life is a true example of Romans 8:28 (and we know that in ALL tihngs God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called accoring to His purpose) . I got so mad at God because I thought my life was headed in one direction, and then it took a complete turn....But He is constantly making our bad situations into good ones. gotta believe it.

*I have a negative heart and mind when I dont start my day out by letting God be the center of my life and then being focused on Him during the day...I can say some really mean things sometimes. Im sorry if Ive ever offended you.

*I had a rough end of the summer and beginning of this past semester. I was really struggling with who I was, and I was mad at God. I decided that I didn't care anymore and that I wanted to do things my way, and I even made some bad decisions. Well, around the middle of September, after about a month of that, God showed me that my life had great worth, and ever since then I've had so much joy in my life. it just shows that the whole prodigal story never ends. God is constantly pursuing us.

I'm Giving In.....

So, I've always wanted to start a blog. I'm jealous of my friends that have them, even though I never read them unless they tell me to or if it's on their facebook status. I think that you should think I'm cool for starting a Blog, not lame.

I love Jesus, and I love talking about what all He is doing in my life. I'm at a place in my life where I am learning so much, and I'm reading and studying some cool stuff, and it excites me, so I'm always wanting to tell people about it...I used to write facebook notes sometimes, but I think those are lame. So, after much debate, I was like, ok I'll just start a blog since I like reading my friends blogs anyways when they tell me to or when they put it on their facebook status. I love sharing about things that I read or hear, so don't worry, it won't all be my words. I'm going to be honest with you, I'm kinda weird...and I say weird things sometimes, but that's me!

I'm not the best writer, so you will have to bare with me. I know that my life is going to be completely "on the go" after I graduate. I'm not going to know what will come next, and I think for once that doesn't stress me out..I'm just learning as I go. My heart is kinda all over the place. Everything I do, I'm like "ahhh I want to do that!" I'm waiting on some clear direction.I truly believe that if we can put aside our differences and come together then God can accomplish what HE wants to in this world and make it a better place. I want to see lives changed, as mine was an is continuing to...and I try to not let my selfishness get in the way of that. I struggle with finding a balance in that, and being too hard on myself when I do put myself before others. I also know that I can do and say some really mean things when I lose my focus on who I really am..and thats not good...but I hope that the Lord shines through my imperfections because I have a lot of them.

I am so blessed to have everything that I could ever need in life. But I also think that's a dangerous place to be in. I want to be more dependent on God. It's hard for me to be dependent on God while living in America. When I'm completely dependent on God, cool stuff happens. For the past couple of years I have seen myself living overseas, but I've finally seen the need in my own backyard. They need hope and love. If I had to pick three areas that I'm most interested in it would be:
1)human trafficking, which is taking away the innocence of 27 million people in the world RIGHT NOW, mostly innocent children
2)addiction.
3)children.
So do you know any opportunities for after I graduate? If you do, and if you could hook me up then I would love you forever

I have the best friends and family in the world. God always provides, and they have brought me so much happiness. I'm surrounded by some incredible people. I have a great church family too....one that is open to being obedient to God in order to change lives, and being open to doing different things in order to help those who need hope, love, and help in Statesboro...and it's cool to be around families that I can look up to and learn life toghether...if that makes sense.

If I tell you anymore then I won't have anything to write about in this journal blog thingy...You may not even read this blog, but maybe it will encourage you? and I hope it does. and He says to make known among the nations what He has done. (psalm 105) So I think that makes this blog justifiable.