Happy Day

I would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you Jesus" for all of the small, wonderful details he adds to my life. I think it is so important to remind yourself each morning of the blessings He has so lovingly bestowed upon each of us...so here is my short list for the day:

1. AUTUMN! Each year, I get so excited when the seasons change! I always tell people that I love the "in between seasons" best, and I really really do! There is something so familiar and comforting about the fall...I always know it will bring with it some of my very favorite things like pumpkin spice ANYTHING, great wool jackets, and let's not forget, FOOTBALL!

2. Opportunities and options GALORE! I am so blessed to have the greatest job I could ever ask for during my last semester at Auburn. Working with Special Events fills my days with joy, fellowship with amazing women, and beautiful beautiful flowers! We just finished creating the arrangements for an event at the President's home tonight, and it was just wonderful. Flowers = therapy for me, and I truly enjoyed getting my hands dirty this morning while styling some gorgeous fall arrangements.

I am also so fortunate to have the opportunity to interview with some wonderful companies over the next month, from Dallas to Charlotte to New York! I cannot wait to meet with each of them and discover the career path that God has intended for my life.

3. Friends who are ever so faithful and a family who unconditionally loves, strengthens, and supports me. I am constantly surrounded by my betters, each person teaching me new lessons in their very own way. I have become a combination of the personalities who have shaped me, and I thank God for the inspiration and encouragement they each bring to my heart.

I am truly, truly blessed.

Trust Fall.

Trust in the Lord. Something so very simple, yet often impossible to grasp and hold on to. How often do we put our trust in Jesus, only to revoke it minutes later? Our moments of faith are so easily washed away by the waves of doubt and uncertainty, leaving us feeling desperate and distraught over and over again. 

If we are truly honest with ourselves, trusting God as provider is often one of the hardest things to do. Instead, we sit and worry, allowing fear of the future immobilize us and leave us searching for answers. But this is not the way the Christian walk was meant to be! In these moment, I am often reminded of the words to one of my very favorite hymns:

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,  

Just to take Him at His word; 

Just to rest upon His promise,  

Just to know “Thus said the Lord.” 

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! 

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh for grace to trust Him more! 

Beautiful. How many times in my own life has he proved Himself capable to guide me and protect me? Our God is GOOD. Through and through, he is 100% GOOD. And he never changes. Never Ever Ever. We can take him at his word and rest comfortably in his promises. What a blessed assurance! Each day I trust Him, I find myself longing to lose more and more of myself into His will. I long for the grace to trust Him more! He has provided everything I have needed in the past few months, and I am so grateful to have a father who knows what is best for his child. I know He has been telling me to stop searching and listen to His small still voice of wisdom. Thanks Jesus for the peace and direction and blessings upon blessings you so lovingly provide when I finally do :)

And what a blessing this beautiful fall weather has been! When I walked out of my front door this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the crispness and chill of a new autumn day! I am so looking forward to going home Thursday to grab some of my fun fall clothes before heading out on our trip to Knoxville this weekend! 

Drastic Measures.

Instead of pretty fall dresses and cute blazers, I have decided that this would probably be a more appropriate uniform for the semester. Points for creativity, right. . .???

"Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head"

This past week in Auburn we have found ourselves in the middle of monsoon season...and I am happy to report that  "Singing in the Rain" has been my theme song. The rain has brought so much joy this week, so comforting and invigorating at the same time! The little girl in me has loved the fun and sense of freedom that you get from just letting loose and splashing about in a rainstorm. 

Thursday I set out for one of my runs, and although the clouds looked somewhat threatening, I decided to just go for it. Well, little did I know that 2 miles into my run I would get caught a mile away from home in one of the biggest downpours of the week! I seriously considered seeking shelter under a nearby awning to avoid getting soaked, but as I continued to move forward, I ended up having one of the greatest runs of my life. Completely drenched, hair soaked, shoes full of puddles... big huge smile on my face. It felt so great to forget all of my cares, not worry at all about what I looked like, and just continue to put one foot in front of the other. 

Thank you Jesus for the small things.

One and Only.

Lord, let this be the attitude of my heart. Take everything else away from me and leave my heart with Jesus. 

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,
When I am alone, 
When I am alone,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die,
When I come to die,
When I come to die,
Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, 
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
You can have all this world, 
You can have all this world, 
Just give me Jesus.

Day Two: 2.5 miles

On the road again. . .

Well I have decided it is time. . .

Beginning last summer, Toney and I made it our goal to complete a half marathon. We got off to a great start, but slowly life and all its little details got in the way...ie, she got engaged/married and I ventured off to New York. And although I had many plans to continue running while in the Big Apple, long work days and exhaustion turned my grand ideas into something more like delusions of grandeur. Instead of jogging through Central Park each day, trudging the 40 blocks home became enough of  a workout for my little blistered feet. 

But now, I am putting all of that behind me and setting out to pursue a new goal. I am beginning training this week to run a half marathon within 6 months and a full marathon within a year. IT WILL HAPPEN. 

I hope to grow not only physically through this, but also spiritually. This goal is a lofty one, and I hope to depend fully on Christ to complete this work. I would love to hear your thoughts and advice as I begin this process. I am searching for a verse to pray over as I run each day and would appreciate any ideas from all of you! I will make sure to keep everyone posted as to my progress!

Day 1: 2 miles

Today, I Choose. . .

JOY.

over and over again.