High Hopes

There's something about this summer.

I have some sort of odd appreciation for any kind of craft.

I've made jewelry, art, and now I'm whippin' out the big guns: here come clothes.

I'm (unrealistically) optimistic that my end result will resemble something like what my new friend Lex created out of a men's button up shirt. Already, it's been roughly three days, I've gone through two shirts, and countless questions for my mom and her sewing expertise, but I'm determined to finish this project. 

Needless to say, please wish me luck!

Sea Side

Beach week 2011. 

Me and Mom.

Good books.

Amazing view.

Long walks.

Afternoon naps.

Cold breeze.

Soft sand.

Total relaxation.

One Day at a Time

This morning hit me like a freight train. Up and at 'em at 8am was strangely more difficult than usual, but I obeyed my alarm clock and headed to my typical morning routine of YMCA, breakfast, shower, and time with Jesus. Today as I journaled I couldn't help but think of my future. My next summer, my career, my husband, my family, and even the nonsensical details that will weave their way into my next three years at Carolina.

I just prayed that God would have His way with my future (I'm far too indecisive to even think of what I want my life to look like in fifteen years). I just want my life to glorify You, I kept thinking. ...But then my good friend fear stepped in with all his "what if's", and my trust faltered. Looking too far into the future, worry and doubt flooded my mind and I realized that I, just like Peter, have enough courage and trust to attempt to step out of the boat, but as soon as reality sets in, I'm sinking.
Leave it to Jesus to put me straight already. Still thinking about all this, I popped open my devotional to July 15th.

"Do not worry about tomorrow!

This is not a suggestion, but a command. I divided time into days and nights, so that you would have manageable portions of life to handle. My grace is sufficient for you, but its sufficiency is for only one day at a time. When you worry about the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy frame. You stagger under this heavy load, which I never intended for you to carry.

Throw off this oppressive burden with one quick thrust of trust. Anxious thoughts meander about and crisscross in your brain, but trusting Me brings you directly into My Presence. As you thus affirm your faith, shackles of worry fall off instantly. Enjoy My Presence continually by trusting Me at all times. "

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; 

or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 6:25-26

Thankful

After watching Jaycee Lee Dugard's interview last night on TV, I can't stop looking at what I have and just thanking God. Even hearing her story still gives me chills. If you weren't fortunate to watch the interview last night, I suggest you find a friend who DVR-ed it and watch it. Bring a box of tissues.

Seriously though, I'm so thankful. For my home, my friends, my family, my education, my stocked pantry, my car, my job. Everything in my life is such a gift from God, and even when things seem to go wrong, it's easy to think of the less fortunate and realize how blessed we are.

I'm saying a prayer of thanks, but also praying for those stuck in captivity. Children, young women, and even men, I'm praying that those caught in the darkness of human trafficking will be rescued from this life. If it's today or tomorrow or next year, I'm staying hopeful that they will be saved by the only one who really matters and that they'll find hope. I know and trust that their rescue is possible, and I know that people at International Justice Mission are eagerly working for this purpose.

Craft Kick

With a down-sized work schedule and skin that the sun hates, I have had quite a lot of free time on my hands this summer. I finally decided to take advantage of all this extra time and be productive, so I started crafting and said adios to my bare bedroom walls.

To start, I made my own map art. After looking at different types on pinterest and thinking about the trip I made throughout Scandinavia three weeks ago, I was rather inspired. I just picked up some uber-cheap white frames with mats already made, and threw my maps behind them. I stacked two frames on top of one and other (sorry for the lack of picture, my camera isn't the best!), one with the map from Bergen, Norway, and the bottom (and close-up) is from Stockholm. They're easy to do, colorful, and a great way for me to be able to remember my trip!

And then for the real masterpiece, I washed & painted three canvases above my bed that each have part of Romans 12:12 on them. "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." I was ecstatic when I finally got then hung (evenly and centered...I won't tell you how many holes are actually in my wall behind them!)