Cookie Day

Today was cookie day in the Agora. It shouldn't be any big surprise. Every Wednesday is cookie day. It's amazing how my entire day begins to look up with the prospects of millions of cookies of at least 7 different varieties sitting in the cafeteria, waiting to be devoured. 

Needless to say, after turning in a 5 page paper in political science today, rewarding myself with a heaping mound of delicious rainbow cookies was perfect. 

Go make yourself some cookies. Enjoy!

To Do List

Valentine's Day

Yep. It's that one day (or "was", rather). This one day that seems to leave women in either complete bliss and happiness or chocolate-eating cynicism and sulking. Why? Why do we females have to be so bipolar when it comes to this one day of cupid-flying and heart-drawing festivities?
Well. Let me tell you.
Face it. It's no secret that girls are wired to be emotional, romance-craving individuals. God created us with hearts that are eager to be seen as lovely and captivating. And so, for those of us out there with a man on our arms, Valentine's is a day to celebrate and bask in the glory of being loved and captivating to someone. For those of us still on the opposite side of the scales, let me remind you why being single is still a blessing and why Valentine's doesn't have to be miserable.

1. God loves you. He is the ultimate pursuer of your heart and He's good at it. Really good. Not only that, but His love fulfills that longing to be romanced your heart 39432784932742385923 times better than anything a man on this earth could ever dream of doing.

2. Chocolate is good. Eat lots of it with your girlfriends. For example, you could watch The Bachelor and eat a dozen home-made cookies. I speak from experience. It's magical.

3. Write an encouraging note to a girlfriend. I can't tell you how absolutely wonderful this made my day. Four of my dearest friends showered me with encouragement and love today in hand-written notes that landed in my mailbox, and I'm telling you- I was all smiles all day. The joyous tears that come when you know you're loved is priceless. Not only was this the love of my friends, but this was how Christ romanced me today. ...It may sound corny, but seriously- I've never experienced so much love in one day. "Bursting at the seams" is an understatement.

4. No pressure. Without a man on the arm, there's no pressure to look good or smell good or any of that jazz. Just grab your best friends and laugh. (and for those relationship-goers out there, isn't that what dating is like anyways?)

Why the sulking, single ladies? There is absolutely no reason. Celebrate the love of Christ that is rich and freeing and alive within us. He is an amazingly gracious God who seeks to have us delight in Him. So, do that. In every way you can think of, show someone how great God is. Write a note, spend some quality time, laugh, offer encouragement. Who says Valentine's is for lovers? ...Let's make it a day that celebrates all kinds of love. Holy-love, best-friend-love, mom-and-dad-love, sibling-love, boyfriend-love.

Home Sweet Home

This past weekend I had the luxury to visit home. As we're rounding the corner to turn onto my street on Friday afternoon, my mother said "Before we get home, there's a few things you should know." Uncertainty flooded my mind, but before I could question where the conversation was headed, she continued. "The dog has been shaved and the couch is gone."
As I'm sure you can imagine, I was both surprised and perplexed. Why would our small little poodle have no hair in the dead of winter, and why on earth would our couch have gone MIA? The explanations were dull. (Secretly I was hoping for an exciting story behind the oddities, but, sadly, we're still just an ordinary family). The couch was being recovered and the dog had visited a new groomer who thought it'd be in Charlie's (that's our pooch) best interest to shave and start afresh.

So. Here's our buzz-cut breed. 

(...I'm realizing now that this photo doesn't quite do the damage justice. Just trust me on this one.)

Also, a big surprise when I got home (a good surprise, here): My mom and sister had ventured down to the merchandise market in Atlanta a couple weeks ago, and brought me back a cute little luggage set for my travels in Europe this summer! How cute! 

Hope you're having a blessed week!

New Discoveries.

To my future husband: I think I found your blog.

It's February

It's February. You know what that means: doilies, sweetheart candies, and love. Shockingly, I'm not one of those "I hate Valentine's because I'm single" kiddos, instead, I love to celebrate and be reminded of the amazing friends and family I'm blessed with. Furthermore (as if that wasn't enough), I'm being loved and pursued by the God of the universe; He finds me more captivating than I will ever be able to imagine. ...Talk about romantic. Jesus has stolen my heart for sure.

"He is jealous for me,

He loves like a hurricane, and I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. 

When all of a sudden, 

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are, 

And how great Your affections are for me.

Oh how He loves us."

-David Crowder Band