Incorruptible.

I wonder what hobbies I'll take up as I'm growing older (ohkay, I am only twenty, but still). My dad watches birds, excuse me--Chickadees-- outside the window of our computer room. And I quote, "Holy smokes! Gotta pull out one of my books to identify this bird ", bird map in hand. I think I get my love of nature from him. I'm not an avid bird watcher quite yet, but.. time will tell. Either way, I love that he appreciates the creation.

Mom is in her room chatting up a storm. I'm waiting on her so we can finish buying a few last minute Christmas gifts. This year I attempted to be crafty and create gifts for a few people, and I must say, it's way more rewarding, and relaxing. Unless you try to crochet and fail miserably (whoops). Teaching me some serious patience and perseverance--yes, I'm still referring to crocheting, haha. Gosh. For some reason I thought it'd be a really genius idea to take up multiple new hobbies at once. All of which I had no previous gifts or special talents to make me think I'd somehow succeed. 1) Guitar -- it's coming along. slowly, but surely, 2) Crocheting-- think I already addressed this... :(, and 3) Piano -- I took lessons in 3rd grade, does that count as previous experience? Honestly, I think it's just that I suddenly have free time, so I feel like I should make the most of it. My family thinks I'm going crazy. Either that, or turning into a Grandma. Hm.

I cannot believe it's almost Christmas again. This year feels different, though. Less focused on the stress of it all, and more focused on... (yes I'm saying it) The reason for the Season. It's been sweet to see my family grow in just one years time. So much to give thanks for, but still so many aspects to be persistent in praying about. It's simple to just not pray for things that are going well in life, but those things are so much more apt to be corrupted; should be praying all the more for them, huh?

" Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible." Ephesians 6:24

Incorrupt love.

I'd never heard it mentioned like that..

in⋅cor⋅rupt⋅i⋅ble

  [in-kuh-ruhp-tuh-buhl]

that cannot be perverted or bribed

that will not dissolve, disintegrate, decay, etc. Synonyms: 1. upright, righteous, unbribable. .....Just something to chew on :) Not many things on this earth are incorruptible, huh? That time again, Pieces of Joy ! - Relaxation - Time with my sister - A trip to Washington, DC with Jacob and Em to visit his family - Going to the mall and managing to find peace among the...uh,...crazy shoppers - Pretzels at the mall, mm! - Baking christmas cookies and watching Kirk ruin every cookie he attempted to decorate - Having time to read - ...and write :) - Arts and crafts - trying to play guitar and sing at the same time--much harder than it looks - Taking pictures - Sitting in jamies allllllll daaaay looonnggggg - Watching movies:) oh dang, mom's ready to go.. I'll finish pieces of joy soon :D his love!

one year!

It's official. I've had this blog now for over one year! Grant-it I have been slacking major on updating, I'm pumped to have one year of my life recorded for all the social media butterflies to see. That's actually kind of strange and creepy..maybe I should rethink this whole blogger deal.. nah:)

Gosh, the week has been absolutely nuts! Went from a (sort of) relaxing Thanksgiving break to this extreme of studying and being super busy. It's so funny to look back on previous years of Finals week throughout my college experience. I thought I was busy then, hahah.. It's been somewhat enjoyable getting to work on Public Relations-related projects, though. I really like my major:) Nerd alert, huh?

Times like these that remind you, or..not even remind--they straight up show you-- that I simply cannot even possibly manage to do all of this on my own, or even dwell in the stress of it all. You learn he provides rest, and him alone. All you can do is pray, and laugh a little at the ridiculousness of college.

Been skimming through Jeremiah this week; talks a lot about God's wrath. Those people were

in a constant state of restlessness without God on their side. I remember feeling a lot like them

before knowing Him. It's exhausting. It's like Finals week every day of your life, and you feel like no one understands you or even wants to be a part of your mess.

God does.

How sweet is that?

"Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret

places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord"

Jeremiah 23:23-24

hm.

man I'm almost nervous about this pieces of joy posting. It's been too long. Too much thankfulness to be listed ...seriously.

Here goes nothing...

Joys:)

-thanksgiving with friends/family....and by family, I mean the Gridleys

-Running the half in 2:03 without training (last year 2:11 with) and almost dying/passing out..hahah..

-Deciding it was a good idea to run 13.1 miles with turf toe

-Going to Anna Maria the beginning of the break and sitting on the beach

-Falling out of a tree...are you suprised?

-Writing on my blog when I should tooooootally be studying

-Having moved OUT of the Green House and into the sweet new APT

-Having HEAT, AC, WASHER/DRYER, DISHWASHER!!!!!!! THIS PLACE IS THE RITZ!

-Learning to just love with no strings attached (hey, nsync)

-Sitting in the libe study rooms with Jules, Katie Mac, and Ashtyn as they worked for over 17 hours STRAIGHT on some Exercise science project

-Being surprisingly productive, and realizing I've been spelling 'surprised' without the 'r' for quite some time now..

-Jacob encouraging (okay, forcing) me not to stop running during the half, AND staying with me the entire time when he could have ran it way faster. He's way nice:)

-The picture taken of me during the half that my brother so graciously posted on my wall..It's hideous. Or did I mean to say hilarious?

-Having christmas lights hanging from my ceiling! I LOVE THIS ROOM SO MUCH.

-Christmas parties!

-...I would say cold weather is a joy, but let's be honest.. I really, really dislike coldness.

-Oh, Twilight..the movie. Mm.

-Short hair!...ish

-Talking to my mom for a really long time today. And realizing how hard it must be to be...well, a mom. Parents need our prayers too ;)

-John Mayer's new CD, Battle Studies.

-My sister is a joy.

- Picking out a new bicycle so I can start biking! For real. And give my mom back her comfort bike. I will miss you, comfy seat.

-Driving to Atlanta to see a Drive-in Movie, haha, like Grease. Except we brought lots of gummy worms and chex mix:)

-Finished a journal and got to start a new one:) I do love notebooks.

-Thinking it's about time to retire the Hello Kitty blanket. Sad, sad day.

-Looking forward to seeing old friends over the break!

-Learning to just not make a back-up plan, but to just pray and trust the He has my best in mind, and will do things as he sees best fit. My ways are way ...more dumb.

-Wondering how I am such a Grandma and I'm still only twenty... Gosh, I'm only twenty.

- Oh yeah, Jenna, her dad, and my dad all ran the half as well! hahah.. so funny. Thanksgiving

dinner was a little slow to say the least

shew. I cannot write anymore. There's no way. It's 11:24 PM...way past my bedtime, haha, but seriously..

ps. IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS! yessss!

his love! (way sweeter than my own)