Lovers Day

As Valentins Day came back around this year, it played out much differently than ever before.
Typically, many hours of moping and self pity would have been brought to a conclusion by the annual family trip out for a quick dinner. I always wanted to tack a big 'lame' sticker across my forehead and crawl in a corner. 
Not so this year.
Something was very different. No moping or sad songs for me. 
As I have begun to turn my eyes towards Christ and towards my Abba Father for love and fulfillment, I have found the deepest, most fulfilling love that I had never known. 
I stood in Food Lion having to play the role of 'promotions girl' for the day. Ironic. A seven hour shift later, I had reached the conclusion that no amount of flowers that will one day wilt, chocolate that will (if you are like me) be soon gone, or sappy cards will complete a person. Yes, they might give you 'that feeling,' for a moment, but in the end, they will only leave a person wanting.
Don't get me wrong, there is not a thing in the world wrong with making Valentine's Day something of a celebration with those items, so long as you keep in mind that the ultimate gift and picture of love is something far more simple.


It is a picture of the cross.
A cross where a man died for you. 
Knowing that you would cheat on Him, leave Him in the dust, ignore His calls, et cetera, et cetera. 
Talk about a broken relationship.
So what does He do? He dies. Gives all that He has, so that one day you might come back to Him and realize that He was all that you are looking for and more.
Makes the flowers and cards look slightly less glamorous huh?


So however you spent this last 'lovers' day, keep in mind, you are loved with a steadfast love, not tainted by human sin. 
There is a man waiting to court you, open your eyes dear one, His name is Jesus.


I wrote this as something of a love letter of gratitude to my Valentine.


My Valentine...

He reminds me daily that I am His and He is mine.
He laid His life down for me.
He sees beauty within.
He whispers 'I love you' when I need to hear it most.
He wrote arguably the longest love letter in all of history.

In fact, my Valentine IS love in essence and He desires your heart as well

The Joy of Thanksgiving

"O Lord, who lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness."


Better late than never, right?


While I do not make New Year's Resolutions, I do try to collect my thoughts around the start of a New Year, add to ongoing spiritual goals, and think on areas I would like to improve. Being intentional about blogging fell under the latter of those categories this year. 


Therefore, I am trying to catch up on a few major 'blog worthy' events that I missed over the past couple months...Thanksgiving definitely being one of which.


This year, my whole family was able to congregate at my family's new home in Concord. As always, the simplicity of being surrounded by those I love spurned the most gratitude in my heart. Well, that and Christ's love for me. 


Here are a few photos from the Webb family gathering:

 Will Pill 

 All the girl cousins =]

 Courtney and I

 Teaching the boys the ever so fun...Ninja!

 Precious little Abby

 Grandma and I

Merry CHRISTmas.

I wish you a very, super, amazingly 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

......

......

......

 The Media has been waging a ‘War on Christmas’ for what appears to be decades now, in order to obliterate any religious connotation still remnant in the American version of a holiday meant to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The theory behind the ‘War’ is that there are legions of anti-Christian or hyper-politically-correct people who are out to remove references to Christmas, specifically Christ, from the public square. However, the ‘War on Christmas’ may now be moving a step farther, even away from ‘Happy Holidays.’ At a Christmas celebration at the White House, Michelle Obama praised Americans for attempting to make strides in accepting all Americans at this time of year, but claims that “we still have a long way to go.” The First Lady claims that “Happy Holidays” can seem cruel and insensitive to many, because it neglects those who are indeed not happy or holy during the season. In order to include these ‘unholy’ and ‘unhappy’ people during this time of year, Mrs. Obama has requested that people are greeted with the saying, ‘Ambivalent Particular Days.’ She went on to explain the meaning of her phrase – “ambivalent” being for those who may not feel happy, and “particular days” for the non-religious, while still recognizing the day as being out of the ordinary. As the cartoon portrays, America has moved a long way from being a ‘Nation of Believers’ to a nation focused on how to be most politically correct at all times. Interestingly, according to a recent Rumussen Reports survey, 69% of Americans still prefer to be greeted with “Merry Christmas” on store signs during this season instead of “Happy Holidays,” which only 24% say they support. In order not to defend a wide customer base, stores are sticking to the most politically correct greetings, which for now stands as “Happy Holidays,”  but if people choose to follow the trend of the First Lady, “Ambivalent Particular Days” may be coloring the storefronts next year.

It is far beyond sad that this nation, founded on Biblical principles, has strayed so far that we are now resorting to greeting people with “Ambivalent Particular Days.” The demise of this nation is absolutely unpredictable, because just as it appears to have reached the absolute worst, another wave of Liberal-Democratic-Politically Correct-Militant frenzy takes wave and the slippery downward slope continues. I can remember a time not terribly long ago that signs pleading, “God Bless This Nation,” covered every magazine, storefront, et cetera, after one of the worst tragedies ever to wreak havoc on this nation took place. Well, after a couple years of ‘recovery’ and an ultra-liberal government, and we have a nation that would love nothing more than to ever hear the name of Christ mentioned again. I refuse to give up hope though, because while this nation is far gone and the government appears to be running full speed away from the foundational truths of this nation, God is bigger than it all. Therefore, this Christmas season, I will do my part, even if that simply means greeting every person I come in contact with a very Merry Christmas.

Independence Day

With a year of AP U.S. History under my belt, and test results still pending, Independence Day held a little more meaning than just simply fireworks and cookouts this year. I've actually found that to be the case with many things now that I have spent an unruly amount of time attempting to learn the ins and outs of American History. 

I believe my friends and I have fallen into what I consider a really fun tradition. This is the second year in a row we headed out for fireworks at the Harrisburg Park. The music selection never fails to be...entertaining, every type of food your heart could possibly desire can definitely be found, and if you're a people watcher like me...there's certainly not a dull moment. All in all, I consider it a great way to celebrate the 4th!

My Chapel Hill Bound Buddy!

Miss Kaylaaa Hampton :)

These two...will have their own television show one day!

The Bible Study girls & I hanging out during our 4 hour wait for the fireworks!

So glad to have Miss. Hannah back in America :)

Some of the gang.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!