Newest Additions!

Here's to the newest additions!

2 Vintage Suitcases I picked up at a garage sale for 4 bucks! (For a photoshoot project) One's this awesome avacado green with a sweet satin, deep buttoned interior and the other is a brown leather oldie, probably from the 1940s!

1 Beautiful Planner from Target! I looooooooooove planners! I'm definitly a list and plan-things-out type of person. I've already written ALOT in there! :)

Just thought I'd share my excitement with the world.

Obedience vs. Performance

In our relationships with God, the line between obedience and performance can be a blurry one; but it's important to grasp because obedience leads to life...performance leads to death.

Obedience is seeking God with your whole heart.
Performance is having a quiet time because you feel guilty if you don't.

Obedience is inviting guests into your home for dinner.
Performance is feeling anxious that every detail is perfect.

Obedience is wanting to do your best.
Performance is wanting to be better than everyone else.

Obedience is saying yes to everything God asks you to do.
Performance is following a list of man made requirements.

Obedience springs from fear of God.
Performance springs from fear of failure.

All of these things are SO relevant to my life right now. I deal with the obedience/performance battle all the time. When I remember these things though, it's easier for me to be at peace and let the gentle hands of an all powerful God shape me into what I am to be.

A Heart of Repentance

I've been so reminded of the faithfulness and strength found in the Lord. I have been in a place where I've tried to do things on my own...and it's all been in vain. I haven't gotten anywhere at all. But yesterday, I felt the Lord calling my heart to be with him at lunch. Surrendering to Him changed the rest of my day completely and it was wonderful! Not like my day was perfect, but my heart was at peace.

Then as I was driving later, the Lord put the word "repentance" on my heart. It's a word that has been on my heart a lot. When we struggle and struggle with the same sins over and over again, we begin to wonder what's going on. Why are we still struggling if we are Christians? I think the answer lies in repentance. We may be sorry for what we've done, but are we repentant? The Lord simply said to me yesterday, "I've called you to have a heart of repentance right now. That means you do things My way. Not for your own happiness. You don't have to struggle between how you feel about the situation and what I say about it anymore...it's only about what I say. When you do these things, everything else will be taken care of." It may seem weird, but I feel like this truth has totally set me free! :) I'm excited to embrace this truth. Thank you Jesus.

Father, this moment I am choosing the way of truth. I want to set my heart on your words. Help me choose the way of truth the rest of my days. Let it be so.

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Last night, I had the craziest series of dreams. I'm not even sure how to describe how real but random they were. All I know is that at one point, I was suddenly called on to sing "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" for a random choir performance. When I woke up, it was like my mind would not stop singing that song. I just simply couldn't think of anything else. It was pretty neat. :) So today, the message of that song has just really been on my mind and I love it! Here are the lyrics:

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do...

God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with it's regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

We give thanks to you O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near. Psalm 75:1

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you ALL DAY LONG. Psalm 25:5

Today is Saturday, July 14, which means it's the beginning of my really long title campaign, just like Sufjan Stevens does in all his CD tracks.

I love this blog so much! It's a little sad because it's taking away from time with my REAL journal...poor guy. I'm also diggin' the new layout. That's right, I said diggin'.

It's been so nice having Megan back in town for a few days. Last night and this morning we went DRESS SHOPPING! And I got a super cute one! I can't wait to wear it. :)

July is going by really fast...but I'm actually really excited about school starting again. It means I'll get to see people more and start ballet!

Well, apparantly I don't have that much to say again. But that's ok. I want to encourage you all to praise the Lord. He is good. He is good. He is good.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Eph 1:3-6

Go to the Library! Make your dreams come true! And buy a mac!

Man, the last bit of yesterday was so good. As soon as I got off work, I randomly stopped by the library and got two exciting books! First, "French Women Don't Get Fat" which I've heard great things about and have been dying to read; and second, "The Ballet Companion." I've never read a hardcore ballet book before and this one is like a textbook! It is SO informative...I've danced for years and never knew some of the stuff they have in there! Anyway, I've already read a third of it which is impressive considering it's huge. Today I'm planning on devoting a significant amount of time to "French Women..." Yay! The library is great. I walked out being so excited that I had new reads and it was totally FREE! Can you tell I'm excited? :)

I'm also really excited because this whole photography thing seems to be going well...really well. It's fun to be at the very tippy edge of pursuing it. I got to talk to my aunt yesterday who is a photographer and she was so encouraging and helpful! I'm trying to get an internship lined up shortly and am saving for the equipment I need. Haha, it is all so crazy expensive! I'm actually thinking of buying a macBook Pro...but not just because of photography (although it will be amazing for it!). I've always wanted one, my compy is gettin up in age, and a laptop would be really nice.

In all reality, the mac thing probably won't happen, but that's what's fun right now- checking out what is possible. And, call me crazy, but I really like trying to fit things into a tight budget...it's a challenge or something.

I also had a lovely late night of tweaking photos, watching Remember the Titans, and just generally rattling around in my clean house last night til Meg got home at 4 AM. She's home from Switzerland! I'm so glad!!