in him is the fullness of all things

I am a happy, happy girl this evening. I've gone back and forth about this quite a bit but I am pretty sure that it is safe to say that Easter is my favorite holiday. I was processing today about what I love so much about Easter and it think it's this: there is no muss, no fuss. There isn't a huge emphasis on food, or presents, or the other things that can divert our focus away from where it is supposed to be. It is a time that we can come together and celebrate the risen King. Christmas is great because it's a time to meditate on the incarnation of Christ. But really, if Jesus had only been born and then died, there would be no reason to celebrate him because many, many  men before him and after him have lived and died. Jesus died. But then he rose again. The reality of the resurrection of Christ is truly the foundation upon which our faith is built upon. We don't simply worship a good man who lived a good life and died a horrible death on our behalf. We worship a...

Today ought to go down in history as the first day that I have ever consumed a monster energy drink. I procrastinated the entire day when I should have been studying and lo and behold, I didn't really start studying until 7:00...whoops! So I decided to try a monster drink because I knew that I would need to be up early...long story short, it is 1 in the morning and I am just now beginning to get a little sleepy. Moral of the story: Monster energy drinks are probably all kinds of bad for you...but do they get the job done? indeed. I recorded this video yesterday but didn't get around to uploading it until today. Enjoy! xoxo

the first aid kit. // via // So I am legit in the think of finals BUT I want to start this new thing where I share music with you guys! So for my first Music Monday, check out The First Aid Kit, Grace Potter, Brandi Carlile, and Valeri Lopez! Let me know what you think. Blessings!  

Happy Monday! At least I am trying to make it be. You know when it's just one of those days? Those days where everything around you seems to be trying to suck the joy out of your soul? Today is one of those days. I think a large part of it can be attributed to the female-induced technical difficulties that my body is experiencing today (thanks Eve). But somehow, some way, I will choose joy and I encourage you to do the same. 16  Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly  we are being renewed  day by day.   17  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.   18  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,  since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2.Cor.4.16-18. via

I've never been to Alaska But I can tell you this I've been to Lincoln Nebraska And well, you know it ain't worth... I'm comin home.

here is the full excerpt that i read from. February 4 I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land. (Isaiah 58:14) One of the first rules of aerodynamics is that flying into the wind quickly   increases altitude. The wings of the airplane create more lift by flying against   the wind. How was this lesson learned? It was learned by watching birds fly.   If a bird is simply flying for pleasure, it flies with the wind. But if it senses   danger, it turns into the wind to gain altitude, and flies up toward the sun. The sufferings of life are God's winds. Sometimes they blow against us and   are very strong. They are His hurricanes, taking our lives to higher levels,   toward His heavens. Do you remember a summer day when the heat and humidity were so oppressive,   you could hardly breathe? But a dark cloud appeared on the horizon, growing   larger and larger, until it suddenly brought a rich blessing to your world. ...

It's crazy how being in the presence of God changes everything. Worship has this unreal ability to shift our perspective. We go from setting our eyes on things that are fleeting--fear, hardship, stress, anxiety--to setting them on the One who never changes. All those things suddenly seem so small and insignificant in the light of who our God is. This has been a very trying last couple of months. While I was so blessed  with the opportunity to go back home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have found that going home always seems to make returning here that much more difficult. This term has been INCREDIBLY difficult and I find myself questioning why I am here all the time . I know that is probably not the best thing but I think that most of it has to do with the fact that being here is keeping my from being at home with my friends and family. And also...there was a boy. And things didn't work out. And God has been gracious in allowing my heart to heal and by allowing me to ...