Love is in the air!

It's almost the best month of the year!

I dare you.

Tell someone that they are loved today.

It doesn't need to be February 14th.

Love.

Everyday.

One day.

I really hope,

to be published.

One day.

Forward.

I feel like I've spent a lot of time on my knees lately.

I believed that God was asking me to wait

--and in certain areas I believe He still is,

There are times when we're supposed to be still,

but waiting doesn't (always) mean remaining dormant.

"There are times when it takes strength simply to sit still,

but there are also times when we are to move forward with a confident step."

God is asking me to have faith.

I don't want to spend life standing still, waiting.

I want to be brave. I want to be daring.

I want each day to take quivering steps of faith that lead me into God's will.

"No longer was it their duty to wait, but to rise up from bended knees and "go forward" with heroic faith."

What is it for you? What's your action? The step that requires heroic faith?

Don't let fear or past failures paralyze you.

Hebrews 12:12 "So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen you weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

Rest.

And in the quiet I can hear Him say....

Come, and rest in My love.

Because My love never fails.

He knows.

Do you ever hear or read something that makes you remember, and wonder why you ever forgot, that God knows?

That has been me over and over again this week.

Probably from my English major past,

I love finding themes--especially in this story called life.

Here are some themes that God has been teaching me:

1. Love others. This has been SO big lately as I have been going through a lot of stressful/hurtful/painful things lately. The only successful way I have found of keeping from being miserable is to love others first---and to think about myself last.

2. Sorrow isn't a bad thing. Yesterday was one of the worst days so far. I cried at the smallest things. And when I opened my devotional book, and this was the first sentence, "Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart" -Ecclesiastes 7:3. I believe with my whole heart that God can teach us things through sorrow. "Blessed is sorrow, for it reveals God's comfort." In sorrow I can learn how to better comfort others as I am comforted myself by the one who knows.

Okay, God didn't teach me this last one, but it applies to me right now.

3. This song has reminded me that dreams are just dreams. And a friend reminded me that it's all about perspective, it's all in how you look at the situation. Do what you can, be honest and truthful, humble, and vulnerable. But then, take a deep breath, and begin taking steps to moving on. Because it's your life, and God has big plans for you, trust Him that there are bigger and better things in front of you.

O Lord, you have examined my heart

and know everything about me.

You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.

You see me when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

You know what I'm going to say ever before I say it, Lord.

Psalm 139:1-4

To show my gratitude.

Jordan Cristine, it was such an honor to be mentioned in your adorable blog, and then given a "blogging award" by you. You have a beautiful family and a way with words that brings me back to your blog, "A Day in the Life," over and over. You were a role model for me growing up, and I hope to be as talented at motherhood as you are someday. I appreciate the amount of honesty and spontaneity you bring to your blog.

As part of the deal, I will now go about mentioning 7

things about myself...

1. I started blogging November 2009 when I was studying abroad in Ireland. I wanted a creative way to share with family and friends the amazing things I was discovering in the Irish culture, and blogging was it.

2. One of my favorite things to do is work out. My friends and I recently started Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred." Level 2 kicked my butt the other night! Running outside and discovering new routes is my absolute favorite way to burn those calories (I have a really bad sweet tooth). And right now I have the "Registration" to a 1/2 marathon bookmarked on my computer! Hmmm.

3. I'm a terrible cook. Seriously, I just don't have a knack for it! I have no idea how you go about canning anything, and I feel good about myself if I can just manage to chop an onion (which I've only done twice, ever). I do love baking though. I could definitely go for a red velvet cupcake right about now...

4. I love the Meyer's Briggs test. I could spend hours just reading about the different personality types. It's just so interesting! My favorite thing to do is to find out my friends personality types and learn new things about what make them the way they are. I love how different God made each and every one of us. I'm an INFP, by the way.

5. I've dated 6 boys in my life, but only been truly in love once.

6. In another life I would have gone to Cosmetology school instead of college. I love styling, cutting, and coloring. You always get a second chance with hair--it always comes back.

7. Lastly, I'm just a single girl going to a Christian college studying Children and Family Ministry who struggles everyday to be more and more like Christ. I've just started to really see the beauty that can be found in brokenness, which if you look, you can notice in every single person you encounter.

And my "Blogging Awards" go to:

1. Today's Letters. This married couple makes me hope for a bond like theirs someday.

2. GLB. This is a dear friend of mine who I spent time with in Ireland. I appreciate how genuine she is.

3. Until Only Love Remains. Once you get a glimpse of this girl's heart, you will literally fall in love with her. She has the most joy of anyone I know.

4. Oh, hello friend. I love Danni's story, and her blog really makes me feel like a friend of hers.

5. Sweet {almost} nothings. I've followed this friend from the start, I have loved watching her growth as a writer and as a person.

Oh, and I almost forgot, to those of you I awarded:

If you want to participate...

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3.Award 5 other bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

This means you.

Aw, thanks Dee.

Craft-y

Look at this framed earring holder I made with some friends this weekend!

I was needing somewhere to better organize my earrings, and this was so easy.

All you need is:

A picture frame (with the glass and picture removed)

Some Activ-wire mesh. (About $6 at Hobby Lobby)

Some matching fabric.

Ribbon to hang it up with.

A hot-glue gun.

And, if you're lucky,

Some beautiful, fun friends. :)

Try again.

(image via Audrey Hepburn Complex)

It's been a year and a half,

but I'm going to start taking lessons and playing the piano again.

This takes a lot more courage than anyone else knows.

There's been a lot of fear standing between me and the keys, there still is.

Memories haunt me whenever I walk past the practice rooms

or hear a certain song.

But the regret of never trying again scares me more.

The Key.

Is there some problem in your life to solve,

Some passage seeming full of mystery?

God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.

He keeps the key.

Is there some door closed by the Father's hand

Which widely opened you had hoped to see?

Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door

He keeps the key.

Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,

Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?

God will make clear His purpose by and by.

He keeps the key.

Have patience with your God, your patient God,

All wise, all knowing, no longer lingerer He,

And of the door of all your future life

He keeps the key.

Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,

To know EVERY door He keeps the key.

That at last when just He sees is best,

Will give it to the.

-Anonymous

A Simple Resolution.

I narrowed it down to one.

One resolution::

Trust.

I want to stop fearing.

I want to stop living in worry.

I want to stop stressing.

I want to stop looking backwards.

I want to rest, relax, and trust.

Choose trust and live.

Step 1 to this resolution looked like a bubble bath with candles.

Looked like shutting off the lights and turning on music.

Looked like breathing deep and telling God my fears.

It looked like sifting through the messages that have been thrown at me recently.

I don't want a "New Year. New You."

I don't want a new, better version of myself.

Not starting on the outside.

Not with weights and excercise and health foods.

Not with a new wardrobe or a new hairstyle.

No, I want God to make over my heart.

I want the peace and joy and understanding that comes from Him.

It might be painful...but I think I'm ready.