betta expect it

Walked outside this morning expecting the norm chilly weather that was supposed to head in by the end of this week, dressed in my big West Virginia Mountaineers sweatshirt and jeans, and lone behold-- beaaaautiful weather :) perfect, really. I might even say I'm a little toasty in this winter-inspired get-up. 

Sitting in Atkinson Hall right now. It's only..8:44 AM. Funny how there's so many less people on campus at this hour; come 9:30...10, this hall will be jammin.

So as I sit here people watching, or rather, procrastinating from doing this midterm essay, a podcast is playing in the backround. I just recently began downloading podcasts of sermons, but it's a really sweet way to start, end, or get ya through the day. Or atleast for me it is.

This podcast (Expect Good Things) is talking about expectation in our lives. And how instead of really enjoying life, being aggressive, and not dwelling on our failures, our future, our fears, we should live in faith. Live knowing God will turn around any situation we're put in. 

"Don't go around expecting the worst".

Sounds so simple, but Lord knows I do exactly that. It's almost as if it's an easier let down when you just prepare yourself for the worst. I wonder if I can even consider that I'm living when I treat life like I don't have this  rock and foundation under my feet, every second of every day.

Some other scripture mentioned in the Podcast that I really liked:

Psalm 30:5 "God's favor is not for a season, it's for a lifetime. It doesn't come and go."

Deut. 28  " if we obey god's commands and keep him first place,  his blessings will chase us down and overtake us"

That's a pretty great visual. That they will actually chase us down.  Almost a little humbling that He actually has to CHASE me down.  I fill my life with so many distractions, I know He would literally have to chase me to get my attention.. hello, wakeup call.

just a few things to keep in mind. don't be hard on yourself, expect that good things will happen no matter the sitch....uation :)

--Speaking of good things, Mom  and my precious sis are coming down to visit today, and they're  bringing Jenna and Mrs. Katie with them. I'm so pumped. Maaaajor blessing:).

Well, off to Law class, and then cheer practice. We're performing our routine this Saturday at the homecoming game. This team's got heart. I like it

:)

hislove,

kel.

unfamiliar much?

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths… I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16 

 

Running. This is something I really, really enjoy--  I love to run with other people just as much as I love running on my own. Jules and I run the same route whenever we go together. The exact same path, and that is no exaggeration. We start by going left out of our cute Green houses' driveway, then venture towards downtown. We cross the street at the same spots, trudge up the same HUGE hill by The Grove Apartments, and chat about the same cute houses we'd love to go inside and explore one day along the way.

 

When Jules and I trained for the half marathon last semester, we ran this same route so many times it became  a blur before long. Even when I would run on my own, I could not bring myself to turn right out of our driveway rather than the norm left. So what's the deal? "It's just a little turn," I'd tell myself, swinging left and setting my watch as I headed downtown at that very same moment. 

 

So, this past Saturday morning I went on the what's now become a rare occasion, a run on my lonesome. A time when I used to love just taking in God's glory through nature; alone time to just chat it up with Him and really dwell on whatever it is that was heavy on my heart. I was almost scared to run on my own this past weekend, afraid to trust him with my deepest thoughts. 

 

Naturally, I started out left out the driveway, downtown came and went, passing the antique stores (and my favorite SCOOPS:) But as I managed to survive the giant hill later in the run through just talking to Him, I became aware of my inability, actually-- no, He can give me the ability, but my stubborness and refusal to trust God completely; to allow whatever insecurities I had about myself, and about veering off my usual running path to just rest in Him. He's in total control, totally. And he's going to lead me down unfamiliar paths, but where this is where my heart plays into his plan. We have to find strength through faith and ultimately trusting that he will light the way, he knows what is best, and he is with us.

 

And so, as my body recooped from the giant hill, I would usually keep on keepin' on straight down the sidewalk. But I found myself  running at a right angle. Actually, a 90 degree angle.. I was turning right for the first time...ever. It was great, too! The scenery was atleast ten times prettier, and I felt a closeness I hadn't felt while running in a long time. Almost like He was proud of me or something. Whatever it was, I managed to trust him, even if I had tripped and fallen down this new path, I was confident in that somehow he'd bring good out of it because I'm constantly being tested, and he's teaching me every step (literally) of the way.

 

So in life, let's trust that God knows. Be confident and secure in that he already has our lives planned out; each and every detail. And live peacefully because he's going to bring wisdom, strength, and truth out of every situation we're placed in. Even if it is uncomfortable and unfamiliar. He'll won't forsake us along the way..He's with us, always. So, Just trust, ya hear? :)

 

his love,kel.

 

mm,rain.

"You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing.” Isaiah 42:20 (NIV)

Gosh I love the rain. It's especially great on this little tin roof we've got (on one part of the house..haha)
...But Isn't it odd how about a year ago we were so desperate for this rain-- don't lie, I know you also found yourselves actually playing with the thought of performing a Rain Dance-- who's to blame us? It sure seemed to be our last hope.

It has been raining since, eh.. six or so, and after a few 'clinks' on the roof, I was done with it; wishing it away without a second thought, without a single, minute urge to give thanks.

But isn't that how life is? -- We pray and pray for that tangible 'something' for weeks on end, for relationships, worries, struggles, -- anything to save us from whatever our current malfunction. And God answers, he provides, just as he promises-- but not always on our time, and not necessarily the answer we would like to hear. He doesn't manage to simply squeeze in his blessings to fit our schedules, and he sure doesn't make the answers to our prayers clear as day. Besides, he's GOD, he doesn't have to do what we want; he doesn't have to give us the time of day in the first place-- but he does:) because he is a God of love. And mercy. And grace.

So, I sat on this couch in the corner and saw the rain, even heard it. But here I was not even acknoweledging, I payed zero attention what-so-ever to God's total blessing at that very moment. He was, and still is :), providing just as he promised. But not on my watch, huh?

How often is it that we see(and hear) friends, but don't even give thanks for their subtle encouragement? Or even give thanks for their contagious laughter?

How often do we go weeks completely bombarded with school work, but on days of rest, we manage to fill it with reasons, excuses to do the complete opposite?

How often do we speak on the phone with our moms and dads, making up an excuse for why we're too busy to talk, when only days ago we longed to be home, or prayed for God to provide that someone to talk to?

all in all, God answers. He always provides us with what we ask. Perhaps not that very second in time, but he atleast tries.
So, will we really see the little things in life to be his beautiful works,
even if they aren't happening when we expect? Will we really listen even if it's not what we wanted to hear and when we want to hear it?

yes, let's:)


hislove.

To Lure or Endure?

My reasoning behind having a blog-- I feel like there should be a good one..surely. All I can seem to muster is how writing is great, really. But the chance to log each and ever word, now that's somethin. So why not swallow my pride, and give it a go?
;)

I suppose I really want to start out this entry with an explanation behind the title of my blog- Luring. Let's dissects the word, shall we?

Lure–noun
1.anything that attracts, tempts, entices, or allures.

Fortunately enough, it's not named this because I want you to be 'lured' to me, haha, as entertaining as that might be.. but the aspects of life-- they're luring, no? ..maybe I should have picked a different title. :) Either way, life is complicated- big surprise, but love endures--always.
Endures, sounds like a word to better describe this blog...mm, lemme check that out.

Endure- verb
1.To carry on through, despite hardships; undergo.

ah,yes. Endure it is:)

With the frantically lazy schedule that comes with being a college student, to carry on through life's ups and downs about sums it up. Gosh, but to carry on through without hope-- that's something I cannot seem to grasp. In my life now, more than ever, love is my hope. And God is love, so ultimately God is my hope--I place my hope, my faith in him. But that's not the case for so many students, especially in college-- a no brainer fact to most of you, I'm sure.
So, what keeps you going? To what cross do you cling?.. What thing of this world brings you joy?..not what makes you happy.. joy and happiness are night and day. What fills your soul with warmth, with what or whom can you be completely satisfied in its' presence?
For me, its God.
And though it's taken years for my eyes to be pried open--I'm being healed from Satan's choice to blind me. A choice I had to be willing to give to my God. But he waited patiently, as only true love does.
:)
life will test ya-- your faith will test ya, but he remains the same. always always always.
doesn't that just blow your mind?

Only two days left of class:) then it's home for thanksgiving-- a holiday I feel has been taken for granted every year of my life, but this year-- it's got to be different, it's just gotta. I've always claimed to be thankful in so many ways, but my lack of showing it sorta definitely contradicted whatever thanks I attempted to give.
So, I am thankful forrrr..
my God and his love- the gift to give, and the blessing of receiving
kindness
patience
struggles
family--
my crazy cute mother
humble father
loyal brother
selfless sister
my beautiful friends
laughter
quirky strangers
awkward moments
the sky:)
honesty
children
smiles
words
melodies
photographs:)
...gosh, just a ton. but this year, i long to actually prove it. no more cranky hissy fits or excuses for bad moods-- just love. and tons of it:)

My roommate, Taylor, and I went to a nursing home here in Milledgeville. Absolutely crazy to think one day that will be us. Wrinkly, radiant old women rollin' down the hallways waving to every stranger that walks by. Mm, but we'll be that much close to coming home home:)
I guess that would be another thing to be thankful for,huh? The essence of youth. Yeah, I'd say so. We take it for granted like nobody's business filling our lives with depression, eating disorders, addictions, etc. at such a young age. Gosh, enjoy being young.. love it, cherish it, treasure life for goodness sake:)) but that's another subject for another time!

Well, time to take a quick nap like the old woman at heart I am! haha. Jules and I are going running later to finish up training for the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving morning. ah! so thankful for legs, that's for sure.

his love,
kel:)