top 10 in 2011

2011 has been a good year...

(in no particular order)

1. spending the summer in virginia beach.
2. getting to spend an extra week with my dad....even though the circumstances were sad.
3. lily. this little girl has taught me more about prayer, friendship, sacrifice, and love than i'll probably ever realize.
4. a skating rink birthday party. i can't think of a better way to bring in 28.
5. experiencing relational conflict in a way that will hopefully lead to improved character.
6. coffee. lots of coffee.
7. new music. gungor. mumford and sons. avett brothers. josh garrels.
8. shingles. sleep study. dislocated shoulder. and other sickness.
9. kitchen aide mixer. yay for baking!
10. a renewed vision for my life.

...but i think 2012 is going to be even better.

thankful.

i have a lot to be thankful for.
a loving family.
amazing friends.
the best puppy.
my job.
the ability and freedom to be generous.
two roommates that i really enjoy coming home to.
the most incredible church family.
a future with endless possiblities.

a psalm. for giving grateful praise.

 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

music is beautiful.

Sooo....it's been awhile since I've posted. Yes, there are a lot of things going on here....but most things don't seem that important or require too much energy to write about.

So instead here's what I've currently been listening to. You should check it out.

Josh Garrels- Farther Along

Gungor- You Have Me

The Civil Wars- Barton Hollow

Enjoy.

precious Lily.

I'm writing with a heavy heart today. My very close and dear friends Carl and Carolyn Frost welcomed baby Lily into their family on July 12, 2011. This past Monday Lily became very sick and has been down at Riley hospital for the last 60 hours. She has been diagnosed with Group B Streptococcus Meningitis.

I had the chance to go down there yesterday and pray with them, cry with them, and just be there. Carl is one of the pastors at the church I attend in Muncie. I've known Carl since I was a freshman at BSU and had the privilege of being one of Carolyn's bridesmaids in their wedding 5 years ago. They have another little adorable boy, Lincoln, who is 2.5 years old.

I am asking that you pray for them. Pray for Carl and Carolyn. Pray for Lily. Pray for Lincoln. Pray for our community in Muncie as we learn how to best love and serve them during this time.

You can follow their story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilyfrost

Thanks for being a beautiful part of my story and joining with me as we lift this special family up in prayer. 

tomorrow.

tomorrow.
i can't believe i'll be back in muncie tomorrow.
i've made some good friends this summer.
some will be back in muncie with me.
others won't.
i've grown.
i've loved.
i've rested.
my character has been challenged.
i've discovered more of who I am.
i'm still learning.
growing.
and discovering.
for all of this i'm thankful.

beach life.

 

forgiveness.

what does forgiveness look like? 

Forgiveness will be hard work, but it’s worth it. Sit and pray for the person you’ve been hating. Sit and imagine them with a good life, them coming to realize that what they did was wrong, maybe not to you, but to somebody—perhaps to God. Then be willing to love them in your heart. Want the best for them. Hope for the best for them. Stop praying for God to destroy them and pray for God to bless them. Pray for God to open up their hearts so they can receive the love that will stop them from hurting others. This is the only way I know how to forgive.

But the greatest thing about forgiveness is it will allow you to love again. It will allow you to love and be loved. And believe me, it’s worth it. Forgiveness is tough, for sure, but love is infinitely more valuable than the pain of forgiveness costs. No matter what you have to go through to forgive, you’re getting a steal of a deal to be able to love and be loved again. Pay the price and I promise you’ll be happy you did.

whoa. the amount of freedom that is available through forgiveness is awesome. pray for me. pray that i will be able to experience the freedom that comes from being able to love and be loved again.