Wonderful Wednesday!

FINALS ARE OVER AND I AM A JUNIOR!

This was the view for my last final.  

At home, in my parents' office, sipping coffee out of a mug (not a disposable cup), and chomping on an egg my mom boiled for me.

From the looks of it, you'd think I was tranquil. Ha. 

After five finals, a paper, and a portfolio...I am pooped.

But oh, so relived! 

My hearts breaks for people who are still arduously studying...

I am so thankful for this semester's final two weeks that I spent in misery with people I love.

BUT it is Wednesday and the start to my summer--so let's celebrate, shall we?

Wonderful Music:

This is a clip that I found on YouTube from the Summit's Night of Worship last Sunday.

This is one of our worship leaders leading us in "You Are" from their new CD "Jesus in My Place". 

(It's on iTunes!)

I own no rights to this music.

Wonderful Scripture:

Romans 1:21-25

This passage spoke to my prideful heart and graciously led me to repentance.  

Wonderful Food:

Coffee. Again.  

Boy am I glad to be home...where real food lives.

Wonderful Family:
Yesterday, after a day full of packing and studying, I drove straight to Trey's basketball game.

By the way...they won 73-36.  Booyah.

Wonderful Outing:

Bradley and I attended a conference, The Gospel Summit, our church put on for church leaders.  We desire to devote our lives to ministry, so we went.  

More to come on this event!

I heart Wednesdays.

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! 
My second year of college has been BY FAR the best--Jesus has become bigger, there has been greater challenge, deeper relationships, and more fun.  I want to savor this time in my life and use the resources and relationships I have to become more sanctified and sacrificial.

I am continually amazed at the people Jesus had given me with whom to share this life.

Wonderful Song:

I drove home and back alone this weekend, which was great (although I always prefer company) for my prayer life.  Highways, country music, and long prayers are wonderfully cohesive. I don't listen to country music any other time, but I heard this song multiple times and think it's super cute.

Wonderful Scripture:

Romans 12:19-21
On Monday, Bradley was telling me about this scripture--I have never studied this passage extensively, but I've heard and been confused by the phrase "...for by doing so you will heap burning coals on their head." He explained that by returning kindness for sin, people will be awakened to Jesus in you (because responding to hurt with grace is antithetical to the human nature).  Your Christlike character will "heaping burning coals on their head" and will provoke others to realize their need for the Gospel. 

Don't you love that?  The Spirit's power in me to give the forgiveness to others that God has given me, will make others awakened to the reality and Lordship of Jesus.

Wonderful Friend:

I got some one-on-one time with this chubster and his beautiful mom late last week :)

Wonderful Picture:

On Monday, I went to Bradley's softball game (he plays on one of his friend's church's softball team--it's a big deal in Smithfield, NC!). I met two sweet girls whose boyfriends play on the team, I connected with them, and the three couples are going to hang out Saturday night!

Wonderful Food:

NOODLES! I made them for the first time in my life this weekend!

Wonderful Outing:

Last night Bradley and I went to Summit's monthly EQUIP Leadership Forum! This one was a little different in that the men and women were separated. I was given a wealth of wisdom to glean from women in our church. The two sessions I attended were "The Whole Bible for the Whole Woman" by Lauren Ashford and "Women Discipling Women: Digging Deeper Wells."

Not Pictured:
Lots of time with my parents and my brother.  I took a video of Trey (who is 16 years old) singing and dancing with some scuba gear and my boots on his hands...but there's a little too much booty shaking. The vision is sufficient to disturb.

What is a small way that has God shown You love this week?

Why Babysitting is Going to Make Me a Better Mom.

Preface:  

I am not a mom yet. But I am terribly excited and nervous about stepping into that role.  As I prepare for marriage, and since life belongs to God, simultaneous preparation for motherhood is essential.

I babysat for a wonderful couple a few nights ago after (and before) talking with the wisest woman I know.

Their little man is active, cuddly, selfish, wild, and inquisitive--and is the by far the best I've seen at going to bed when I put him down.  A+, Turner's. 

See what I mean by inquisitive?  "What is that? What is that?" 

And I love that he definitively tells me it's not a bird he hears.

Though I am not his mother and do not get to spend time with him day in and day out, I do see glimpses of his innate sin and his God-given gifts. 

(i.e. His cuddling abilities are superb. When he's in my lap and I'm reading to him, he reaches one or both of his chubby arms up and rubs a few strands of my hair between his tiny fingers. Darn close to Heaven.)

He really is such a good toddler, but I am legitimately tired after he falls asleep, after only being with him for a few hours.  My fatigue coupled with Dave and Lauren's thankfulness for some time alone together makes me realize how vital it will be to rely on my church to spend time with my kids so my husband and I can spend time as a couple.

Being a first-born, Type-A, "perfectionist", I am prone to self-sufficiency. The notion of impossible independence and self-reliance are sins with which I wrestle.  I know the Gospel, and know that self-righteousness is antithetical to that message, but yet I still fear failing.  

(So perhaps giving grace to those who have knowledge but not yet behavior modification would be Christ-like?)

I do not want my children to see me being perfect.  I want them to see me as I am; as Jesus died for me--needy, dependent, and broken. 

I want my children to see the incredible blessing and vitality of being a part of a church body.  I want them to see that I am not fully capable of handling them every day.  I want them to witness young people who are following Jesus and seeking older, wise council.  I want them to see that marriage requires consistent, intentional commitment and work.  

I am grateful that I have been graciously given up-close examples of families who rely on Jesus.  I am grateful that babysitting makes me presuppose on my sinfulness as a mother and wife, and my continual need for the promise of Jesus. 

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday! 

I'm taking a break from writing this excruciating thesis paper for my History of the Middle Ages class to share with you some wonderfulness!  

Wonderful Song:

"The Church" - Elevation Worship
I love running to this song, mostly because of the charge it gives to the Church. Regardless on your thoughts (or mine) about Elevation Church, this song exhorts believers to preach the Gospel--and the Church needs to be exhorted more, no doubt.

Wonderful Scripture:

Exodus 8:18-19

How cool is that? Even the Egyptian magicians recognized God's superior and ultimate power.

Wonderful Friend:

My brother, Trey.
After I went to my family's Easter church service, my family and Bradley went to visit Nana and Papa Earl (my mom's parents) at Papa Earl's nursing home.
Trey partook in a self photo shoot with my phone
(unedited, in full glory):

So I joined him.
He is seriously awesome.

Wonderful Picture:

Gertie, Bradley's 15-year-old first love/dog. When we pulled into his driveway on Wednesday for Easter break, Gertie ran up to me.
A 15-year-old dog ran. Made my day.

Wonderful Pin:

Paint swatches as gift tags--seriously, how smart is this?