17.18.19

Because I have been doing this "30 day challenge" for like 50 years now. I'm combining a few days. I know I could just get back to normal blogging, but I want to finish what I set out to do. So I'm gonna do it in the best way I see fit. By combing a few days, sorta, put a move of things. Ya know what I am saying? So here are days 17. 18. and 19. All in one.


17. Something you are looking forward to.
Bryan Game Date with my man. And the rest of the Ghetto boys.


18. Something you regret.
That time I died my hair brown. oh, so bad.


19. Something you miss.
NASOTA. Being in Shows. Being apart of a cast.

A house is not a home

Day 16:
My Dream Home.


- fueled by love
- constantly growing in grace
- founded in the Word of God
- sustained by togetherness
- filled with little footsteps
- consumed by mercy
- surrounded by laughter
- delighted in by the Lord
- always inviting
- a sanctuary of peace
- home for the hopeless
- containing a family

I could really care less what it looks like. And I assume that many of my homes will be in different places across the globe. I hope and pray that I do not become attached to a building. To four walls that have little significance to what makes the family inside. What I want, dream for, more than any other attribute of my "home" is place where Jesus is worshiped as King and Lord. And where, after walking in the door, the love of my Jesus is seen.

walls don't make that.

Restore, oh my Soul.

I had the intention of writing a blog post that was not in regards to this "30 Day" challenge. But I go to see what today's post would be about and low-and-behold, it's supposed to be a Bible Verse. Figures. I try to be rebellious, and the path that was planned out, fits right in.

The past week I have really been convicted of my prayer life. At Covenant, we have to go to chapel 3 times a week. I often fall into the trap of simply going to chapel because it is required, not really looking to get anything in particular out of it. But, boy, has the Lord worked in spite of my lackadaisical attitude.

On Friday, Chaplin Messner spoke on Nehemiah 9. The entire chapter. And he read the whole chapter out loud to us. I sat listening to the words of Scripture and realized that it was a prayer. Messner went on to challenge us to daily be aware of 2 important things:

1. That our God, is a great, big, MIGHTY God. Who is personal, powerful, present and loving. That our God, has not forsaken us. That our God, loves us infinitely.
and
2. That we [I] am one great sinner. And that this mighty God, loves me in spite of all that sin.

That just seems basic Sunday School 101. And it is, but in light of Nehemiah 9, it appeared ever so beautiful to me. This passage is about the people of Israel confessing their sins, these are the chosen people of God mind you. And while they are confessing, they are praising the Lord's name. Every sin they confess is followed by something mighty that the Lord has done and how he has BLESSED them.

Whoa, slow down. Hello, Gospel in the Old Testament. Love it and needed it.

I needed that reminder of the Gospel, of how much the Lord loves ME and of how desperately I need him. But it didn't stop there. Today in Chapel, Messner spoke on Psalm 80 and reminded us again that the Lord is restoring his people to himself daily. That even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death [Psalm 23] we shall fear no evil. That even as we suffer, even as we feel as if life could not get better-- the Lord is restoring us. He is making his face shine upon us BECAUSE HE LOVES US. Because, just as he provided manna and water for the Israelites in the the desert, so is he providing for us daily. That even as we suffer, his love never changes. And that most of all-- he knows and understands our pain. He had to turn his face away from his Son for us. So that we maybe his heirs, just like the people of Israel.

seriously. this stuff is so precious. This Holy Word of God, is daily revealing more and more about my Lord who loves me. I am so thankful to be at Covenant, to have to go to chapel and for professors, faculty and staff like Chaplin Messner who are dedicated to presenting truth to us students. And most of all, I am thankful that my God speaks to my weak and broken heart, even when I am seeking his truth.

What a mighty God we serve. Hallelujah.
Day 15: A Bible Verse.
Nehemiah 9
Psalm 80

photograph. moments. love.

Day 14: A picture you Love.

I feel like I already did this. But here it is.
I love these women.
And I am so blessed to get to live with them.

game plan

13: My Goals.

• to graduate from college
• to travel the world.
  
• to have a garden
• to get all A's at least one semester in college. sheesh.
  
• to get married.
• to finish this dumb challenge.
  
• to successfully drive a manual car.
  
• to get a job- that I love, and make an impact on the world.
  
• to change the world. which is dramatic, but seriously. whatever I do, in whatever job, in whatever country- I want to do something that makes a difference and changes lives. Even if the life is mine.
  

I believe, I believe, I believe

Day 12:
I believe in a young girl.
A girl who was engaged to be married to a decent carpenter.
This girl was just like any other girl, except that she was devoted to the God of Israel. The holy God, who had promised to redeem the world.

And I believe, that one night, an Angel visited this young girl. Told her to not be afraid, that she had found favor with her God. And he was going to use her to bring his holy, perfect son into the world. The son that would one day, redeem the world.

I believe that the man this girl was engaged too, almost broke things off, but being an upstanding sort of guy, stayed with her. And promised to be with her. To take care of her. And to protect this holy baby who was going to redeem the world.

I believe that this couple traveled miles to take part of a census, ended up in Bethlehem without a place to stay-- and a baby on the way. So this young, faithful couple landed in a stable and laid their newborn baby- the Savior of the world, in the manger. And there he was visited by shepherds and angels celebrating the coming King.

And I believe that the story did not end there. That 33 years later, this little baby grew up into the man who performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead and died on the cross blameless for all the accusations placed on him. Only to rise for the grave 3 days later.

I believe that Jesus is indeed the Savior of the World.
I believe that he redeemed me.

So little time, yet so much to watch

Day 11: TV Shows I dig.

Fact: I don't have a TV at school. One, Covenant has suck-o cable reception (aka virtually non-existent) and there is just no time for TV watching. School is hard, and takes up a ton of time, and I have better things to do. Well, sorta. There are still those few shows that I can't let go of or always go back to...

1. Dawson's Creek:
I am Joey. at least according to my mom. I just have a few better morals. But seriously. Dawson loves Joey. Pacey loves Joey. Jack loved Joey. I am not convinced Jen didn't possibly love Joey. Who can get enough of the continuous love triangles of high school... and then college. Oh it is quality. And, BONUS, Matty loves Dawson's.

2. Gilmore Girls:
my mom and I, are Lorelai and Rory. But with better morals.... hm. A trend I see is forming. And the drama of Paris, Dean and Jess. Whew. Slow down, I love it.

3. Criminal Minds:
this show is every reason I wanted to be a forensic scientist when I was in middle school, and why I sometimes consider working as a Sociologist for the BAU. There is something poetic about studying crimes, victims, the hurt, the pain, and seeking out the evil- so as to stop it. There is a taste of redemption in jobs like that. Justice is the backbone and compassion the heart for why those jobs exist. Watching this show proves to me that evil is real, but that I serve a God who is so good. (and Shemar Moore doesn't hurt either.)

4. How I Met Your Mother:
never seen this? shame on you. Go watch it RIGHT NOW. But don't start at season 6.. go to number 1 and watch it all the way through. It is well worth the 3 weeks you think you loose by watching it every spare moment.

5. House Hunters International:
I dream of being on this show one day. But really I just dream of house hunting internationally one day.

Those are at least my top 5 favorites or at least a few go-to shows when I don't know what else to watch. If you really wanna know TV, talk to my sister Nichole. She knows it and she loves it. And it is her birthday today. Therefore, I dedicate this sentimental piece, to her.
Happy 17th Birthday, Little One!