I did restorative and strength yoga for the first time today. I love it.

I also was blessed by the presence of some awesome people this evening...dinner and a movie...couldn't have been better, besides the fact that the four of us had to split up into pairs of two in the theatre because there were no seats left. I hope my last eight days in S.C are spent making more great memories with my family and friends. I'm going to miss them more than words can explain. I love them so much.

I'm really excited to start my new Bible Study by Beth Moore in the morning. It's on the Fruits of the Spirit. I really hope I stick to waking up in the morning at giving God what He deserves...being FIRST in my day, and spending quiet time with Him every morning, instead of at night when all I used to give Him was my left overs. Self discipline and time management are my two biggest struggles. I'm really going to try to stick with this with dedication, no matter what.

"I've worried about life and
If it's arriving right on time
I guess if you don't jump
You'll never know if you can fly"

We bow our hearts
We bend our knees
Oh Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes
From evil things
Oh Lord we cast down our idols

So give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh give us clean hands
and give us pure hearts
Let us not lift our souls to another
Oh God let this be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob
Oh God let us be
a generation that seeks
Who seeks Your face, Oh God of Jacob

I pray for the faith of a child, just like Colton in Heaven Is For Real.

I finished reading it earlier and it seriously touched my heart. It is such a beautiful story in every way. I don't know how anyone can have doubts after reading it. I definitely recommend it.

http://heavenisforreal.net/

and the little girl Akiane's artwork is mentioned in the book...

so phenomenal. It's breathtaking. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmm-0-Rdxo8

"Dress us up in the blood of a son, who opened up his veins so that we would overcome, Hell and the grave in the power of His love, after three dark days he showed us how it's done...and He still does" -John Mark McMillan :)

Such an amazing artist...his lyrics are so meaningful.

NOTE TO SELF #6: You will never be satisfied if you try to live up to the world's standards! Find true JOY in the Lord and He will provide all that you need!

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

NOTE TO SELF #5: You're beautiful - embrace who you are. Write it on your mirror so that each morning when you wake up, you'll be reminded that you are made in His image and God thinks you are far more than beautiful. Isn't that all that matters, anyway?

NOTE TO SELF #4: Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Stay strong and always remember that life goes on.

NOTE TO SELF #3: If someone lets you go easily, they aren't worth holding on to.

You Alone Can Rescue!

While Paul was stuck, he wrote such beautiful words that definitely reflect the state of his heart, not his position. In Phillipians 1:13-14, Paul says "For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guards, knows that I am chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.". This passage opens my eyes to many things about my life. I have been in a tough season recently - I felt overwhelmed, spiritually drained, and tired of the world. I felt hurt by people, temporarily lost hope in myself and God, letting the joy I have in Him slowly diminish. Although I'm sure this happens to everyone, it actually happened to me and it sort of hurts to reflect on. Here Paul is, in CHAINS for Jesus Christ, in a very tough season, yet he is THANKFUL for his imprisonment because it led others to Christ. It led others to be bold in their faith. So often I forget to be thankful. I forget to share the incomprehensible love of God and my faith with people. I forget to be happy where I am at - where God has perfectly placed me, and simply rejoice. I forget to dance in the rain. Today's message at church was about David's greatest fall in 2 Samuel. He slowly began to violate God's Word and over time this led to him committing adultery with Bathsheba. When you think you are on sold ground, think again: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12). A couple of months ago I thought I was standing firm in my faith ; gradually I focused on my relationship with my boyfriend moreso than my relationship with God, I stopped reading daily, I began to be lazy and careless, I sometimes talked back to my parents, I gossiped with friends (no longer being the influencer in a positive way), I stopped serving in the church a lot, and I prayed less. All of this took a huge toll on my spiritual life. Ultimately, this led to me falling. I slipped away from the intimacy I had with my Father and let the world consume me. I forgot to humble myself and I became prideful. Its a shame to admit, but who do I think I am? A week and a few days ago I really sat down and thought about everything...where I am with God, who I am, and what sin has let me to the place I am at now. Thank God, literally, for an eye opener. I'm just so thankful for a God so merciful and forgiving; I'm so undeserving. It is a BIG time of transition in my life. Leaving home, the ones I have grown with and that I love so dearly and moving to Alabama for college. I have learned not to be worried or to fear the future, but to fear God alone. In Proverbs 20:24, it says "A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?". I have no idea where I'm going or what will happen. I am completely okay with that. Right now I feel as if God is filling me up and strengthening me for something great, or at least I hope so. I will just continue to cling to His Word and unfailing love and ask for guidance, because I'm so lost without Him. I know that wherever I am led, that is where I am meant to be, and everything happens for a reason!

Things that I am thankful for today:

• Waking up surrounded by my family in NY at my grandparents lake house
• The refreshing feeling after slashing water on my face
• Sitting next to a man who appreciates other cultures and talked to me about Spain, then wished me luck this year in college
• A woman letting me use her cell phone because I left my charger in S.C, and my phone died
• Two safe flights. I wasn't fortunate enough to sit next to someone with a turban. Just kidding
• A book full of wisdom
• Laughing with my mom
• Napping during a thunderstorm
• Coming home to a clean house and a lit candle in my bedroom
• Inspirational quotes on values.com
• Text messages that make me smile
• Having an super awesome best friend
• Neon pink toe nail polish
• Fresh fruit & tea
• Planking
• Having the chance to give good advice
• Being humbled and having my patience tested
• Realizing today that I really want to professionally help people with their problems the rest of my life...I think
• Knowing that I will lay my head down tonight, reminded myself how blessed I am and how thankful I should be to the Lord every day

NOTE TO SELF #2: Remember to "Blossom where you are planted.", no matter where that ends up being.

NOTE TO SELF #1: As much as you want the best for someone, you can never change anyone. They have to want it themselves because change comes from WITHIN.