Happenings as of Late

-I found some awesome new bands lately including, City and Colour, The Paper Kites, Radical Face, Young the Giant, and Freelance Whales.  

-I painted my nails a rose color yesterday.  Valentines day is only a couple weeks away...

-I have a guilty pleasure.  I am addicted to Pretty Little Liars.

-I have been reading Jesus Calling, my Bible, and sipping on some coffees from my cat mug every morning.  It's a pretty great way to start my day. 

-Even though I try to deny I'm a romantic, I'm a sucker for love stories and happily ever afters.

-I've played Quelf twice in the last week.  Funniest game of my life.

-I got to step up in leadership on my hall.  So excited!

I have no idea what my future may hold, but that makes me kinda excited!

-I went on a date all by myself to Farm Basket on Saturday.  Drank sweet tea, enjoyed the view, and finished Catching Fire.  It was fun.  Sometimes people look at me like I'm weird, but hey, I don't mind being alone.

-I talked to a cute boy today for about 30 seconds.  The conversation centered around yogurt.  Story of my life.  Gotta think of some more interesting topics for next time.  Of course my awesome roommate got super excited for my obvious progress.

-I want to go thrifting soon.  Anybody want to come with?

-I am taking a Cultural Anthropology class.  We've been giving short video presentations before class.  I haven't done mine yet, but it's going to be on Taiwan.  I'm kinda nervous...

-My brother gets here in 24 days.  I am ecstatic.

-I've been talking myself a lot more then normal.  

-That quote?  Awesome.  That man?  I would have married him too.  Good choice, Elisabeth.    

The Scatterbrained Student

Here's what I've been up to lately, in case you were wondering.

Just started knitting a scarf for one of my best friends. I love this color so much!  I just might have to make one for myself if I still have yarn left.

I have been thoroughly enjoying two of my favorite Christmas presents every morning.  Gotta start my day off right in the Word with my coffee or tea at hand.

Tried out a local restaurant.  It was absolutely delicious!  We went there for one of my dear friend's birthdays.  Great friends and good food.  What more could you ask for?

These are four of my dearest, most cherished friends.  They are such blessings in my life and have helped to stay sane through these crazy college years.  We've had so many great adventures and memories that I can't even count.  Praise God for uplifting and encouraging friends!

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and staying grounded in the love and Truth of Christ.  

(The last three pictures were taken by my friend Abbey.  She's amazing photographer!  If you want to check her out on facebook, click here.)

Mountain Women

Over the weekend me and three of my dearest friends went hiking.  

I absolutely love hiking and I hadn't been in over two years.  It was long overdue!  

We went to Peaks of Otter and hiked up Flat Top.  And we got to drive through some of the Blueridge Parkway on the ride up there.  So beautiful.  

The elevation at the top was 4,000 feet.  The view was breathtaking.  There are no words to describe the beauty of God's creation.  

Here are a few pictures from our adventure :)

Hope everybody had a wonderful and blessed Monday!

Inspiration

"for we walk by faith, not by sight."  

~2 Corinthians 5:7

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  

~Psalm 46:1

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.  For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.  "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  

~Romans 10:9-13

Also, take a listen to these songs.  You won't be sorry.

New Doxology - Gateway Worship
Our God is Love - Hillsong Live
I Am Set Free - All Sons & Daughters

"I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made my God, is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking."
~C.S. Lewis

"Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ."
~Sheila Walsh

"God replaces your fear with faith, your pain with purpose, and your obstacles with opportunities."  
~Unknown 

Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year, everybody!  Does anybody have any resolutions or goals for this year?  I don't yet, at least not written down.  

Last year (it's weird typing that) went by way too fast.  I did make some of the best friends I have ever had though.  They are all pretty fantastic.  

Before you go any farther, I warn you that this post might be very sporadic and random because I just had a hardcore workout and drank a cup of coffee right after, so I'm just a wee bit hyper.  

This year I had a very low key New Year, but it was great.  Me and one of my best friends, Abbey, had a spa/movie night before we watched the ball drop.  We whitened our teeth with activated charcoal (works wonders), did green mud facials, and watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for the first time.  Funny, but strange...

Last year was bittersweet.  So many memories packed into one year.  I really couldn't have asked for a better year.  I am one blessed girl that's for sure.  

I saw the Lord's faithfulness displayed more then I ever have before.  Some moments that stand out in particular, was when He broke me before Him.  Even though those moments were painful and heartbreaking at the moment, I now see that God used each and every one of those trials to bring glory to Him, grow me closer to Him, and reveal His character to me.  

I am hopeful for 2013.  I pray that I will allow the Lord's plan to play out in my life instead of my own this year. I pray that all of you have a wonderful year filled with opportunities to share Christ's love to those around us.  It is what we are called to do as Christ-followers after all.