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!

This Wednesday will likely not be as wonderful as next Wednesday. 

Thank you, final exams.

As an education major, I know that the results of a cumulative test usually has little do show for what I have actually gleaned from a semester-long class.  It's a blessing and a curse.

If you are a student, I feel your pain.

My sweet friend, Leah, encouraged me a few weeks ago to pray for motivation and focus--I have seen that He is faithful to give it! (Why have I never done this prior to this semester?)

I've seen this week so many of my limitations...which has been super humbling.  My mind is limited, my attention-span is limited, my time is limited, my self-control is limited, my love is limited.  I fall short constantly.

Here are a couple of the ways that the Lord has offered me grace despite my limitations:

Wonderful Scripture:
Galatians 3:11-14

In reading through Romans, my ESV notes led me to this passage.
I will always fall short of His perfect law, and the promise of Jesus' sufficient work.
Praise the Lord.

Wonderful Outing:

Bradley and I went hiking at Umpstead Park on Friday afternoon!

He attempted to cross the large body of rushing water...

While he was being uber adventurous, I sent this picture to Laura...and soon after this was sent, we saw a water moccasin in the water.  Lord, sometimes I loathe Your creation.

Wonderful Friends:

Saturday night the girls went to a thai restaurant--I was nervous, but it was delicious!

Wonderful Food:

Free donuts in the Bragaw Activity Room.
(It's called the BAR, but I thought that would prove eyebrow-raising if stated without explanation.)

I didn't eat just this one either...good thing I ran...this week.

This is just something wonderful for which I do not have photographic evidence:

My mommie and sister, Ashley, came to Raleigh Sunday afternoon to take my futon and most of my clothes. Aaaand they came to Summit's Night of Worship/CD release!
...which leads me to:

Wonderful Music:

The CD, "Jesus in My Place" is currently number THREE on the most popular Christian & Gospel albums on iTunes!!!

You can preview the album here!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!
This week is dead week--because I'll be dead by Friday.
Then next week I die again because final exams commence...gulp.

So I am happy classes are nearly over, but not ready to lock myself in the library for hours at a time.
No thank you.


 But tonight is small group and Bradley was extra sweet today...so let's focus on the good, shall we?

Wonderful Scripture:
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 12, particularly verses 14-21 were so impactful on my heart and life last week, so I've decided to read through Romans.

Wonderful Friend:

H and I so kindly sharing some dead week delirium...

Wonderful Picture:

Thanks Prof Knight...a baby with a mouth full of sand is super inspiring.

Wonderful Food:
Black coffee. My energy/life source. Poor life decisions.

Wonderful Outing:
Bradley and I went to dinner on Saturday night with two other couples that we met through the church (not Summit) softball team that he plays for.

Wonderful Pin:

It happens.

I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday and are much more optimistic than I!

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?

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?

Wonderful Wednesday!

I GET TO GO HOME TODAY!!!!!

After my last class today that dismisses at 2:45, Bradley and I are headed home for Easter!  I miss my family so much.  It feels like we're going on a vacation every time we pack up the car and head down I-40 East.

More on the wonderful-ness of this week, posted on Wednesday!

Wonderful Song:

Ben Rector, "Loving You is Easy"

Such a cute song, and then someone from the audience gave him the subject of "cats" on which to improv for the third verse.  Just watch.

Wonderful Scripture: 
Revelation 21:1-8

Wonderful Friend: 

I have a new roommate, Rebekah! We are both very thankful she is now living with me :) I found this sweet note on my desk on Tuesday, the afternoon of the day she moved in:

Wonderful Picture:

I found honeysuckles on campus last Thursday and enjoyed a snack:

Wonderful Pin:

but for real...I would not stop talking.

Wonderful Food:
Monday afternoon I walked to Cup-a-Jo to work and enjoyed black coffee, hummus on a wheat bagel (why hasn't this been a part of my life until now?), and silly conversation with the stranger that sat at the table with me.