ramblings. random thoughts and [thank]s.

i'm thinking out loud.

Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving [thank]s to God the Father through him."

1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Give [thank]s in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Psalm 108:3
"I will give [thank]s to you, O LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations."

my heart today was in a sincere state of [thank]s. my life is rich because of good that has been given to me. the enemy would love for us to take our eyes off of the 99% good and focus on the 1% bad to keep us down. I am blessed beyond measure...really. sometimes, the joys of life are really in the simple small day to day things. you just have to look for them. i don't want to ever take these blessings for granted.

Here are some of the things I'm grateful for and some of "my favorite things and times" in my life right now. Lord, [thank]s for the blessings you've given me.
Im [thank]ful for the family I have, the country I live in. I live near one of the greatest cities in america. Jesus is Lord of my life and the savior of my soul, and i'd be so lost if it were not for Him. All of my needs are met and beyond. I have some of the greatest friends anyone could ask for. They are faithful and true...good listeners...and best of all, we have so much fun when we're together and we laugh until our sides can't handle it anymore. i had a great lunch with my friends devin, ashleigh, and gabe today...we chowed down on the patio at the BBQ pit. i sat down with one of my dearest friends, bethany and got to have a good talk with her today about silly things in life, but things that are "so important" to us right now:) two people-everyone knows-jon brooks and alex grace elia. my moments with my mom are amazing and precious to me now...when we sit out on the porch and drink coffee early in the morning when im visiting home. the key to this time is that she doesn't like coffee herself, but she makes me a cup (and i note, it's always the "best cup i've ever had") that's key to me...she doesn't like it, but she makes it for me. we have good talks. my brother and sister are two of my best friends. we have a bond that we share that no one else will ever be able to share with us. taylor and i laugh our heads off, while trey and i sit back and appreciate all the small things together (and can get so passionate about nothing, haha). my dad calls me fifty times a day, but i am grateful that he cares so much. he asks me the same question over and over, but i just love him for that. my nanny and papaw called me today just to tell me they love me. my mimi called too, telling me she was cooking my favorite meal for when i come home. i know that life will not always be this way, so i should stop, breathe in and enjoy each moment. each person is a gift to me and plays a unique role. becca henderson is one of the greatest people and friends i've ever had. we've been connected at the hip for 8 years now and she is the queen and founder of "come on girls, let's get pretty" (one of the leading tv shows on the air today). i go to one of the greatest churches in the nation. creekwood church is active and alive and is growing everyday. it's healthy and the vision, (steered by pastor stephen) is pure and unstoppable. thelisa nutt is a mentor, a close friend to me...one of my heroes. i get to spend time with her alot, which adds so much joy to my life. the Lord has used her so much in my life with words of hope and wisdom. jen and i went and ate at blue goose (best chips and queso ever) this week and had some great time together and talked about the things of God and what He is doing in our lives. super refreshing and encouraging. i could go on and on and on.

here are some random shots that make my heart happy and [thank]ful.

some great quotes to live by.

mother theresa was a remarkable human being. i always love reading her quotes. i posted a few...maybe you'll enjoy them to.

"spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you
without leaving happier."

"it is a kingly act to assist the fallen"

"kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are
truly endless."

"if you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

"being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think
that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person
who has nothing to eat."

"be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired."

it's the most wonderful time of the year.

smells of cinnamon rolls and coffee woke me up this morning. the windows were frosted because the temperature was so cold outside. this hotel has been amazing. my job allows me the opportunity to get to travel to some of my favorite states, and that's a blessing (i love the south). ive been to tennessee three times in the past month, and i absolutely love this state. staying at the gaylord opryland this time around has been a treat, indeed. from what i hear, people travel from all over the united states to visit the hotel during the holiday season. while i was on the phone with trey (my bro) tonight, i told him i felt like i was "smack dab" in the middle of the northpole. haha, it's been awesome. this is short and sweet because i have to get some rest. tomorrow holds a full day's work and travel, flying out tomorrow after the convention is over. my arrival time for dallas is set at 9:00, so hopefully all will go smoothly and as planned. here are some pics from my stay here in nashville, aka my north pole experience.

taking off.

the weather changes so much i cant keep up with it. yesterday at this time, i had on flip flops, a tshirt, and linen pants. today, a peacoat, scarf, jeans...but STILL the good ole faithful flip flops.

im sitting here in the memphis airport waiting on my flight. my mind's been stirring today like crazy. last night was a mile marker of a night for me. God is speaking some new things into my heart and life. i really believe a new season is coming into bloom...new things, new perspectives, new people. it's exciting, but anytime there is change, there is usually challenge. the one common denominator i find in all these lessons/seasons that God has been teaching me is people and the love God wants to display to them.

people watching is my game, seriously. i really do believe i have a staring problem...people have actually told me that. today, i saw the sweetest little lady...so pretty. i guess she was maybe five or ten years older than me. she was standing directly behind me waiting in line for some good memphis bbq. the atmosphere at the airport was the usual "hussle and bussle" atmosphere....people running over each other to catch their flight. a guy kind of nudged her from behind, and it was at this time, i realized she walked with a severe limp. i noticed some scars on her body...i watched her for a bit-her spirit was kind. she smiled at me as i walked off with my tray. i immediately started to wonder what her story was. "i wonder where she's from...where she's going...what happened to her..."

after i sat down, i couldn't help but think of people in general...we all walk with some sort of "limp" i guess. some are more visible than others, but we've all been there...hurt, wounded. some of us limp because of decisions we ourselves have made, while others of us struggle with a limp that someone else has caused. no matter what the case. let's all love each other...take time to notice the limp of your brother or sister. we've all been there. we all need love. proverbs says, "what a man desires is unfailing love" (Proverbs 19:22)


Luke 7:47
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

in the morning.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul. psalm 143:8

i just wanted to take a quick minute to challenge myself...and any of you (if you are like me) who go through days where you seem like you're running on "e"...emotionally, spiritually, physically, intellectually, relationally...whatever the case may be.

sometimes, we start our days, and we carry empty cups around in pursuit of anything and anyone to fill it, even if it is just a little bit. substance put inside this cup can take many forms, whether through approval of others, affirmation, control, success, etc, we still are left feeling more empty than we did when we started.
the remedy for this dilemma is Christ's true, steadfast, unfailing love. Proverbs 19:22 tells us that what a man truly desires is unfailing love.

tomorrow is a new day. it holds new opportunities...let Jesus pour His unfailing love into your cup. you need it...someone else needs it. this is the one and only remedy for a lost and hurting world.

Jesus, may we all see ourselves like you see us...not as we are, but what we can be. pour your unfailing love out on me and on my friends who are reading this.