isaiah 61.

image via 100 Layer Cake.

 ¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

 ⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
   and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
   that have been devastated for generations.
⁵ Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
   foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
⁶ And you will be called priests of the LORD,
   you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
   and in their riches you will boast.

 ⁷ Instead of your shame
   you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
   you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
   and everlasting joy will be yours. 

This passage has been so influential and comforting to me over the past year.  It reminds me that God can take any situation and replace the ashes with a crown of beauty! I am His princess!

Romans 5.

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." -Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)


This passage really spoke to me this morning as I was doing my reading.  It is so true and a testament to the past year of my life.  He loves us more than we can imagine!!

2012 {resolutions}

I'm so grateful to be starting a whole new year.  2011 was a long, difficult year for me; it was probably the hardest year of my life thus far.  But, as I've learned, during the pruning stages in life comes new hope for regrowth and strength.  I've already started to see the fruit of the struggles of 2011.  I'm hopeful for a fresh new year of new beginnings, new relationships, and just happiness.  I know everyone makes resolutions, but for me, these are more like 16 things I want to do in 2012.  16 things I would like to see myself accomplish.

1.  Get my thyroid checked.
It's a simple blood test, and I've put it off long enough.  I'm always tired, and I'm tired of it!

2.  Read my bible daily/complete the bible reading plan.

The first half of Year Team I didn't do so hot on this side of things.  I am making a commitment to doing it every day.  I want to know my Lord and Savior on a personal level.  I want to put Him first in all that I do.

3.  Visit New Orleans.

 Made a promise to V. that I am going to keep!

4.  Do a cleanse.
Excited about this one.  I'll post info for sure.

5.  Exercise daily, even if I can only do a few crunches or plies.

6.  Be a better friend.

7./8.  Decide what I want to go to school for and apply for graduate school.

I need to get moving.

9.  Move to New York.

10. Be a wiser money-manager.

11.  Start to sew again.

12. Make pillow cases for the pillows in my bedroom.

 Love this fabric.  Except for my pillows.

13./14.  Read/complete 48 Days to the Work You Love.

15.  Read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

16.  Go to a Virginia Tech game at Lane Stadium.

I've never been and need to go!

(images via my pinterest.)

 What are your resolutions? Do you even make resolutions?  If you do, do you keep them?

I'm back again!

Sorry I've been away for a while - I've been super busy with work, personal stuff, etc!  I promise to be better about letting you know in the future when there will be lulls in posting.  Not that there should be many.  But it does happen at times! :)

Anyway, this past weekend, I attended a retreat out at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island for this discipleship training/learning thing I'm doing called Year Team.  (Learn more about Year Team here.)  It was so beautiful out there - just take a look at this pic!

(and this photo snapped from my iphone certainly doesn't do St. Christopher any justice.)

Being out there brought back a lot of memories, though.  I was super nervous about even going back there.  It was an emotional weekend, but also a very inspiring one - and I feel like the Lord taught me a lot.  I think specifically being at camp, though difficult, was important to really learn what the Lord wanted me to.  I'm so thankful - God is so good.  I'm excited for what the next nine months in Year Team will bring.