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.

...My Beloved...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5o_C86EhW8

You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

Under my mercy come and wait
Till we are standing face to face
I see no stain on you my child

You're beautiful to me
So beautiful to me

I sing over you my song of peace
Cast all your care down at my feet
Come and find your rest in me

I'll breathe my life inside of you
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings
And hide you in the shadow of my strength

I'll take you to my quiet waters
I'll restore your soul
Come rest in me and be made whole

You're my beloved, you're my bride
To sing over you is my delight
Come away with me my love

I just realized today

how much you can TRULY impact another person, or even many, many people.

I think of others often...but until someone tells you how you have affected them, sometimes it's hard to notice that you make a difference in their lives.

I'm just very thankful for the Lord today and His presence and what He has placed on my heart.

I'm also thankful for the words of wisdom from Billy Hornsby...what a beautiful man that I wish I had the chance to meet. I'm also so very thankful for my family as well as the people placed so perfectly in my life. I just feel like there is so much within me that I've been holding back recently; that needs to change. I'm going to give my all, especially to God.

This evening I did something that I really needed to simply do...Spend time reflecting on who I am as an individual...my morals, goals, who I am in Christ. It's crazy to think of how fast time flies by and how everything changes so quickly. I'm so thankful that the Lord has crafted me into who I am. I cannot believe that I am about to go off to college, leave what and who I have known for so long. The craziest part is that right now when I think about it, I'm content. I'm okay with something outside of my comfort zone. I believe that great things are in store for me in my future and that being so far away from what I've known for so long will help me grow in so many ways. I'm not scared or really even afraid at all because I have faith. I know I'll miss a lot of things -- amazing people and the beautiful relationships I have created with many, the home and family that has shown me tender love & care, helping mold me into the young woman I am, being surrounded by community, love, and South Carolina in general. I'm ready to spread my wings...for change...to make a difference. I'm ready for so much more that the future has to bring. It excites me.
I was on this website (www.values.com, check it out) earlier and my mind began to wonder off & think about all sorts of different things. I stumbled upon this quote...“We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.”

Marian Wright EdelmanLately, I have honestly been entirely too caught up with just the bore of life...the everyday motions and plainly being tired of it all. I needed to reflect on life, who I am, and most importantly, God and where He is leading me. This quote made me think about my purpose. I have put aside many important things lately, mainly because of laziness that I forget to focus. I forget to remind myself of the big picture. I am to plant seeds so that others will prosper, to be a light so that others will see, to leave a path so that others may follow, to make the slightest impact that will eventually make a big difference...somehow. Right now I'm just so thankful, so blessed. Sometimes, it truly is the little things that mean the most.
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” ~Emerson

free to shine

I catch a glimpse of Your perfect holiness

casting down upon me

in gleams of light from the sky.

I spread my arms and feel Your warmth,

my heart dances with joy

as you hold it in your hands.

Your light rests within me,

It surrounds me;

You show me what true Love is.

I can spread my wings.

You set me free,

and so I can fly,

faithfully.