Easter!

I have done such a poor job of keeping up with this over the past few days. As soon as I got back to school on Sunday night, end of the semester stressed kicked in full force! I had such a wonderful Easter Break, especially Easter Sunday, that I was not ready to come back to Chapel-Hill and face exams!

Sunday was such beautiful day to spend time with family and celebrate the Risen Lord! The sunrise service at the cross was the perfect way to start the day. My Uncle gave his testimony and it was such a wonderful and sweet reminder that God has every season planned in our life for a specific reason! After the service we came home to see what the Easter Bunny had brought and Daddy cooked the same Sunday breakfast we have had every Sunday morning since I was a little girl: cinnamon rolls...yum! After a beautiful Easter cantata at church , we went to Meme's for one of the best Sunday lunches I have ever had! The homemade twice baked potatoes were definitely the highlight of my meal. :) Even though all of the grandchildren that were there are "too old" for Easter egg hunts, we still had one and I was oh so excited! As much fun as it was, some things never change and Ben (of course!) got wayyyy more eggs than me....

Unfortunately we weren't able to get our traditional family Easter picture in the front yard but we were able to get a couple of family pictures!

 Can't believe how grown my "little" sister is!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with their families and that we would hold the beauty of the risen Savior close to our hearts all year long!

PS- Wanted to share a verse with you that I read this morning! It has reminded me today that I should never have doubt about anything because God's power and willingness is far greater than I could ever comprehend!

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind"

James 1:6

Happy Wednesday everyone!

birthdays and picnics...oh my!

I have enjoyed being home for the past couple of days so much that I honestly don't want to go back to school tomorrow! The past couple of days have reminded me of summer time which will make it even hard to go back and gear up for exams...knowing I will be done in two weeks is motivating, however. :)

Yesterday, I went to Smithfield to celebrate with my friend Mallory, her family, and our friend Shea for Mal's birthday! I love being around her family. They are such sweet, funny, and kind people...just like Mallory. They fixed an amazing dinner of salad, pasta, fruit and party rolls (props to Mal :).  For dessert, the birthday girl herself baked a pound cake with brown sugar butter cream icing...it was amazing! After dinner, Mallory's sweet friend from high school Elizabeth came over and we all had so much fun looking at their old photos from elementary, middle, and high school.  It was so much fun to look back into Mallory's life before I knew her! Even though I didn't know her during those times, I feel like I have known her ( and all the other friends God has blessed me with at Carolina) all of my life and I am so grateful for her friendship...Happy Birfffday, Mal!

Shea, Mal (Birthday Girl!), Me, and Mal's Sister, Copeland

Tonight, Jocelyn and I were going to meet Mallory and some other people to watch one of our friends play in his band but it got canceled so me and Jocelyn went on a little adventure! While we were driving through Fuquay we saw these little costume characters advertising for something, but I don't really know what haha. Jocelyn said, "let's stop and take a picture!" Because you never see stuff like this in Fuquay,  we turned around, parked the car and got a couple of pictures.  It was so random we just had to stop...it was like DisneyWorld had come to Fuquay, but not really...

Just like Disney World!..uh-huh..

Since it was such a beautiful day, we knew we wanted to eat dinner somewhere outside. We contemplated going to eat somewhere on Gleenwood but came up with a better idea...a picnic! Because no picnic is complete without a red and white checked table cloth and picnic basket, we did some searching at Wal-Mart and bought one of each! We decided this investment was well-worth it because we hope to have many picnics with our friends in the future. :) We made our way to Char-Grill to order our picnic fixins...steak juniors, french fries, and Dr.Peppers/Pepsis..yum! After we put all of our food in the basket we headed towards what Jocelyn said was the perfect picnic spot, Lake Johnson.  Well, when we got there it was starting to get a little dark, we couldn't find a good picnic spot, and we felt quite out of place and fat because everyone was either hiking or running and we were toting our cheesburgers!  We then decided our next best option was the WRAL Azalea Gardens..perfect, I had been wanting to go here all spring!  Well once we got there it really was starting to get dark so we were forced to have our picnic under an area light! haha I have to say I have never had a picnic when it was dark out but somehow we managed and it was quite hilarious!

 Char-Grill Picnic!

Like I said, between the Cupcake Bite with Olivia, seeing my family, Mallory's birthday, and the picnic with Jocelyn, I have to remind myself that it's not quite summer yet! I am so thankful for the time I have been able to spend with all of my sweet friends and family and I especially look forward to celebrating our Risen Lord with my family tomorrow! There will be a a Sunrise Easter Service at the cross at 6:30. (all are welcome!)I am so excited because I have never been to a sunrise service and I think it will be very special! After that, we will eat breakfast and go to Wake Chapel's Easter service. I haven't been to my home church in about six weeks so it will be so nice to see everyone! After church we will go to Meme's for a delecious lunch (which I have heard will included twice baked potatoes...yay!) and hopefully the traditional Easter egg hunt! Between the blessings of worship, wonderful family, and good food, my prayer is that my thoughts would constantly be directed on the Savior and the sacrifice He made so that I may live. I can't even comprehend the pain and suffering He endured so that I could live in fellowship and love with His father. I pray that God would show me each day how stained I am and how perfect He is. Happy Easter everyone, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!"

On a side note... one of my favorite songs..Click here to listen!

Good Eatin'!

I don't have much time to blog but I wanted to share a couple of quick things about my day...

1) Mama and I went to Dunn today to take supplies to Tornado victims. (After getting a little lost and ending up on Jackson St instead of Jackson rode..haha) There is a community center set up on a road right behind the Brass Lantern steak house taking donations.  The American Red Cross has also set up a shelter in this same location.  The man who helped us unpack the car stressed the need for paper products, non-perishable food items, sheets, pillows, blankets, etc.  Fortunately they have had a surplus of donated clothing and do not need anymore for the time being.  After we left the community center, Mama and I crossed the bridge over 95 to be stunned by the damage.  We saw a mobile home park that looked like it had been bull dozed, uprooted tress everywhere, and trash carts that had been strewn in a ditch probably a mile or two from the houses they belonged to.  We were both speechless. Please continue to pray for these families!


2) For lunch, Mama took me to a neat little place called Broad Street Deli. I had never been there before and it was such a treat! It has a really quaint atmosphere and I hope to go back very soon. My lunch was amazing...summer salad with cranberries, apples, feta, chicken, pecans, and poppy-seed dressing...YUM! It was also so much fun to go on a lunch date with my beautiful Mama!

Broad Street Deli...Try it, you'll love it!

3)  I got to spend a couple of fun hours with Olivia this afternoon! We went to the new Cupcake Bite in Fuquay! You have to check this places out if you have never been... This is only the second or third time I have been there but I do believe the place gets yummier and cuter every time I go. Olivia's cupcake was sort of like a chocolate chip muffin with brown sugar butter cream and mine was a strawberry cake with butter cream and graham cracker crust on top...amazing! Having tired the cupcakes at Sugarland in Chapel Hill, The Cupcake Shoppe in Raleigh and here, I  think Cupcake Bite gets my vote! (Mallory, I know you're shocked!) I am not a fan of very rich desserts and their cupcakes are light and delicious. It was so much fun to catch up with Olivia! 

 How cute is this place?!

 Our cupcakes!

4) I must say, I really did some good eating today! Granny-Bird cooked supper for all of the family tonight and although I love the mystery meat in Lenoir, it was pretty amazing. ;) We had salad, roast, chicken pastry, black eyed peas, baked cinnamon apples, biscuits and strawberry pie for dessert...all my favorites! It was honestly one of the best meals I have had in a very long time.  While the food was amazing, It was so exciting to get to be with all of my mom's side of the family for the first time in over a month...I am so thankful for all of them!

Here's my favorite verse from a devotion I did today! I feel like verse 7 is so popular that verse 6 is often forgotten. I hope to apply both to my life!

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." -- 1 Peter 5:6-7

home again, home again, jiggity, jig!

So so excited to be home with my family for a couple days over Easter break! While my parents have come up to visit me at Carolina, this is the first time I have been home since spring break. Even though I love being on the hill there really is no place like home! These are just ten reasons why I love being home: (Of course seeing my family is number one!)

1) Going for a run on the farm and getting to see this...

 

2) Taking a REAL shower with no flip-flops...

3) Having a fully stocked refrigerator (this is quite dangerous!)...

4) Papa coming over to see me...

5) Eating supper with the Naylors...

6) Receiving a Hello Kitty Easter Egg from Mrs. Wendy...

7) Getting to see my puppy Roxy...

8) Smelling my house...you know when you've been gone for a long time and have become unimmune to what your house smells like and when you come home and walk in the house in it smells like a fresh dryer sheet?! (Please tell me I am not crazy and y'all know what I am talking about!)...

9) Realizing how fast my "little sister" is growing and what a beautiful lady (inside and out) she is...

10) Sleeping in my own bed!

I am so thankful for these couple of days I have to spend time with family before I get ready to go back and finish the semester! I hope that I will be able to be productive in the schoolwork I need to do while I am here so I can enjoy as much time as possible with mi familia!

 

Baseball and a "Bible Study" :)

Today was the first time I have ever been to a Carolina baseball game!  Even though I don't know much about baseball, it was so much fun to just sit in the sun talking to Morgan, her brother Drew, Daniela and Taylor. I definitely hope to go to more games next year!

After the game, I had such a fun "Bible study" with my Bible Study.  :) Somehow we all got to talking about a bunch of different things and before we knew it we had been laughing and watching YouTube videos for an hour and a half!  While we didn't get to our study in James, it was wonderful to be able to unwind from our busy schedules and fellowship with each other! Here is one of the videos we watched, courtesy of Lauren, while we were together...it's so cute! Watch This!

After Bible study I went to what's called Tuesday Nigh Worship.  Let me just set the scene...when you walk into TNW at Chapel of the Cross, the lights are dimmed.  We are led in acoustic worship songs.  You can sit, stand, sing, be silent, pray...whatever you choose...it's awesome....a place to just talk to God and worship Him freely!  As we sang "Blessed be the Name," one verse really stood out to me...

"You give and take away, you give and take away...my heart will choose to say, Lord blessed be your name."

While this has always been my favorite part of the song, I was especially encouraged by it tonight.  While it is sometimes frustrating to have things taken and withheld, I received a peace from the knowledge that God always does these things because He is always looking out for my best interest and sees the bigger picture! Then I realized, what has God really taken or withheld for me if He took on my sin and gave His life for the many many things I would do wrong?! Because he has shown me  the greatest definition of love, anything I "lose" I really should consider gain!

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."-- John 13:15

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" --Philippians 3:8

PS- I have been listening to this song all week! It's such a great reminder of God's unfailing love! Check it out: "Your Love Never Fails"

I may be more suprised than you are...

Why yes, I am at Duke!

 Although my family may disown me, I stepped foot on  Duke University for the first time in my life! (I may be more suprised than you are :) Because it was one of the last times this semester my discipleship leader and I would meet, she was so so sweet to surprise me with a trip to the Duke Gardens. I do believe this is my new favorite place... I have never seen such beautiful gardens! The tulips were my favorite!

 

Photo credit goes to the beautiful Grace. (I had my camera but of course forgot the memory card!)

After we spent some time walking around in the gardens, Grace and I decided to explore the campus.  I was so surprised by how different their campus was.   All of the buildings were very Gothic and even the students looked different! It really is a neat campus, I felt like I was in a little European village!  One of my favorite parts of the day was getting to go inside the famous Duke Chapel.  The architecture and structure was so beautiful that Grace and I contemplated booking our weddings their until we remembered we were Carolina Girls! (How could we forget?!)

Never thought I would have this picture!

I had such a fun afternoon treading new ground and spending time with Grace! As we were making our way back to the car (and possibly got just a little bit lost ;), I couldn't help but tell her the influence she has had on my relationship with the Lord.  All of the time, love, prayers, and wisdom she has shown me over the past semester has been a walking example of what it means to have sweet fellowship with Jesus.  I told her that she has been a big part of something my spiritual life has been needing for a long time coming. God has used Grace to give me a stronger love and desire for Him... I am so grateful!  Because Grace has always been so open and honest with me, I have always felt like I can tell her exactly what's going on without trying to pretend my relationship with the Lord is "just dandy" like I have wrongfully done many times in the past.  Being honest with her has allowed me to become more honest with myself and therefore I have come to realize God really takes me as I am and I don't have to pretend that everything's going perfect...besides, He knows anyways!

Because this discipleship has brought me closer to the Lord and blessed me with such a special friendship with Grace, I definitely encourage accountability/discipleship relationship with those who are older and wiser in the Lord! I am so grateful that God is using this friendship to show me who I am in Him and who I need to become in Him!

Meet the lovely Grace!

"I thank my God every time I remember you."-- Philippians 4:3

"...an ever-present help in trouble."

I can't even begin to express how blessed I feel to know all my family and friends were protected from the deadly tornadoes that struck North Carolina yesterday.  Having spent much of my afternoon yesterday and today watching news coverage on the twisters, I am both shocked and heartbroken.  From the account of the two children that died in Raleigh to the lady in Bertie County who lost three of her relatives, I can't even begin to imagine the heartbreak.

I was sitting in my dorm room this afternoon just wishing I had my car on campus so I could go help these people and praying that God would present an opportunity for me to do so sometime soon.  Even when I posted about mine and Ben's experience yesterday, I had no clue just how catastrophic the twisters really were. 

I feel like there is no better time than now to shed Christ's love on these hurting people.  My Dad has always told me there are many times in life when you have to meet people's physical needs before you meet their spiritual needs.  At a time when many of our fellow North Carolinians have unfortunately lost loved ones and their basic needs, I feel so compelled to find some way to help meet the physical needs of those who were affected. God is the perfect comforter during this time and it is my prayers that He would use His people to spread a message of hope, friendship, and compassion that would be a reflection of who Jesus is.

I did just a little bit of research on organizations that are currently taking donations, looking for volunteers, and providing relief efforts.  Both Baptists on Mission and Samaritan's Purse are gospel centered organizations that are providing direct aid in the areas affected by Saturday's tornadoes. These links will take you directly to information about helping and donating! The sites didn't mention anything about providing aid in Harnett County and being from there I was wondering if anyone knew of another site that I could post with information about helping and donating in the Dunn area.

I am really  praying God would give me the opportunity to help in this time of trouble when I go home over Easter Break. I am so thankful that although He is control of all things and doesn't need my help, He is gracious enough to use me.   If any of you know of any other ways to help or have any ideas about getting involved, please leave a comment! (you don't even have to sign up for an account!) It is my prayer that we can exchange all this information with one another so that as many people as possible can get involved and spread the sweet name of Jesus! Also..if you know of anyone who was affected and needs prayers requests, please also leave a comment so prayers can be lifted up!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea"

Psalm 46:1-2

"You Drive...I'll Pray"

Just a little background, Ben, you know Ben my awesome cousin, came up to Carolina for the weekend.  We had already decided we were going to go to Cameron Village this afternoon to eat lunch.While we had heard about the possibility of dangerous weather today, it was only a little overcast when we left the hill and we said we would keep ourselves updated with the weather conditions.

So everything was going just fine.  When we got to Cameron Village it was a little overcast but nothing we didn't expect.  We had a yummy lunch at Cafe Carolina (I got a pastry, of course! and half of mine.) and when we came out it had begun to rain but we still weren't too concerned.  Ben dropped me off to pick up some shoes at a store, and when I came out the bottom really fell out! While it was a pretty intense rain, we decided to drive back to Carolina because we had no clue how bad it would become...


We also didn't know that when Ben's parents called us and told us to take shelter that a tornado had just touched down in downtown Raleigh...just a few streets over from where we were at the time! At the time we didn't realize why they were so persistent about us waiting to drive back, but now we know...Sorry for the scare Uncle Hal and Aunt Joni! No wonder you were worried about us....

 Taken In the Millbrook area- close to where we were...clueless.

Once we decided to jump back on 40 and head back to UNC, we realized this storm was no joke.  We never saw a funnel cloud, but we experienced the scariest rain storm I have ever been through.  If drivers weren't pulled over on the side of the road, they had their blinkers on and were driving like Miss. Daisey...rightfully so, of course!  As soon as we got on 40 we thought about exiting because of how quickly the rain had intensified but we couldn't even see the exit! I am usually carefree in situations like this, especially when someone else is "driving" but when we couldn't see the road or the exits, I became a tad bit frightened and said to Ben, "You drive, I'll pray!"  That's exactly what we did...props to Ben on his smooth and cautious driving skills. All those years playing Jeff Gordon and you being Brooke Gordon when we were little really paid off. The scariness continued and we almost pulled over but right after we decided not to, God answered those prayers and the rain began to taper off!  The closer we got to Chapel Hill, the ran began to stop and the sun began to shine. Once we were finally back, there was not a cloud in the sky! Instead of the rain and storms we had seen, Chapel Hill looked like this...

 

Despite our obliviousness, I was reminded that there is never a dull moment when I am with Ben, I need to add WRAL weather alerts to my phone, and God is always with us through the storms...both the literal and figurative.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Isaiah 43:2

You make all things work together for my good...

Today was one of those "makes your heart feel warm and fuzzy" kind of days here on The Hill.  The skies were a perfect shade of the blue, the sun was shining, flowers were budding, the quad was full of "layer-outers" (definitely not a word), everyone was wearing their flip flops, and best of all I didn't have classes! It has been such a wonderful and blessed day that I just have to share it with you as I reflect on how good God is and how perfect His plan is for our lives!

Since I didn't have classes I woke up around 7 to get some reading done before I met my wonderful friend Allie for breakfast at 9. Even though we went to the dinning hall, it was so much fun because I usually grab a quick breakfast in my room before class. Both Allie and I share a strong love for eating so we get especially excited over the cherry pastries they were serving!  This just made my day because 1) pastries are my favorite snack and 2) they tasted just like the cherry turnovers from Arby's I always ate when I was little! I had such a great time catching up with Allie on her week. She is one of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever met. I can always see a glimpse of God's gentleness when I spend time with her!

After spending some time figuring at what classes I will be taking at Wake Tech this summer, I got to have lunch with two very special people, Shea and Jonathan! I hadn't seen either one of them much this week so it was a lot of fun to catch up and laugh with them.  After spending some time laughing, we got into a conversation about how much God has shown us since coming to college.  During  the conversation we began to talk about how mind blowing it is that when Jesus died on the cross for us, His separation from God was much more painful than the physical pain of crucifixion.  I am so thankful for the time we got to spend together and talk about our Savior!

As we were coming down the escalator from the dining hall my day got even better when some people handed us FREE sunglasses...even better, I got a PINK pair! (future college students: be prepared to get lots of free stuff!) As if the free fiasco couldn't get any better, we realized there was FREE tie-dying in the pit! I got so excited because believe it or not I have never tie-dyed a shirt before today.  It was much fun but unfortunately my hands are now stained with you guessed it, PINK! Morgan and I tried to wash it out but unfortunately unsuccessful but we have heard Windex works so I may try that later..hmmm.

After all that excitement I was hit with the sad reality that I should work on homework.  As sad as this was, I studied on the rocking-chairs (thanks Allie for telling me about them :) outside of the student stores.  Soon after, Shea joined me and we had such a wonderful time rocking, talking, and enjoying the beautiful day!  Shea's love and passion for the Lord is so so evident and I am always encouraged by spending time with someone who loves God so much!

After going to my recitation, I met up with the amazing Morgan for a quick work out. We had so much fun laughing, talking, and catching up. Let me tell you, that girl is a soccer champ and she is in shape! I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to spend that time with her. She is truly one of the most beautiful people on the inside and out that I have ever met!

As I was sat and enjoyed the beautiful day on the rocking chairs with Shea, I couldn't help but think about all the things God has done in the past year to lead me to a four year (hopefully ;) life at Carolina.  I remember just a little over a year ago when I was so scared that I would make the wrong decision about where I would go to school in fear of going against His will. (ooo..He has always shown me so much about His will and I want to share that with you sometime too!)  I have told many people that I have never been so sure that I was where God wanted me to be.  Sure a beautiful Spring day at Carolina helps, but it is the people and circumstances He has blessed me with that give me this peace.  While I still currently majoring in "undecided" and I often worry about my future, I know that I shouldn't.  God loves me like a father loves His child and He knows what is best for me..He's got this!  More than ever before, I have found my security in this verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I hope  the Lord has blessed you with a "son-y" day as well!

There are a million places I could begin, but I think I will start here....

Until coming to college, I never realized how lacking (for a lack of better terms) my relationship with the Lord was.  I always attempted to make quiet time with Him but seemed to fail over and over again. (and still do)  In high school I had tried to participate in as many Christian activities as possible because this was  a lifestyle I wanted to live and be known by. Having met so many passionate Christians from the very day I moved in at UNC, God has used many of his passionate sons and daughters to show me what it means to have an even more intimate and personal relationship with Him than I could have ever imagined!

Throughout first semester, God began to show me the areas of my life that needed some heavy duty renovation! Most importantly, I knew I needed to spend more time with Him to build that intimacy with Him  I was so desperately longing for and needing.  I was so frustrated that I wasn't passionate about spending as much time possible with The One who loves me more than anyone and gave His own life for me.  While I continued to desire a more personal relationship with my Creator, I continued to live in this "rut..."  I  neglected my quiet time and prayer life and many Sundays I chose to do homework instead of going to church.I don't know why but I was so afraid to try somewhere new when I had gone to the same church my entire life. 


Second semester was a turning point...

God has been so gracious in many many ways.  I had decided over Christmas break that once the semester started I really wanted to try a church I had visited once called The Summit.  One of my good friends was already going there and she was so gracious to give me a ride every Sunday.  Ever since the first Sunday I attended God has continued to use each message to draw me closer to Him.  In each sermon He has shown me how much I fall short but how gracious, loving, protective, merciful, and forgiving He is. For the first time in my life I have been struck by the reality that when I sing songs about the sinner, the beggar, and the lost, I am all these things a part from Christ!


It didn't just stop there...

When my Bible Study leaders asked if any of us were interested in being discipled at the beginning of the semester, I knew this was something that would be healthy as I desired to learn more about the Lord. Because I love and look up to each leader in the same way, I was so nervous to have to "pick" who I wanted to be discipled by.  No need to be nervous because God had already "picked" one of the leaders  for me when we both approached each other about starting this relationship. I have been so blessed by this relationship.  I can always be completely honest with her about how my day is going, how my quiet time is going, and what I need prayer for.  While she is only two years older than me, she has that sweet and intimate relationship with the Lord that I want so badly.  Through reading a book together called, Crazy Love by Francis Chann (buy it right now if you've never read it!) I have caught glimpses of what it looks like to live a fully surrendered life to Christ. It scares me to think of living a half-hearted life for Christ because I know that's not living for Christ at all. She also encouraged me to read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot. I can't even begin to tell you how much God has used this book to change my heart about things. (I highly recommend it for both girls and guys!)

I don't even like to read and I can't put either one of these books down!

These are just two ways God has drawn me closer to Him.  No, I do not spend near as much time with Him as I should but He has given me a strong desire to live all my life for Him and not just parts of it.  It's so beautiful that He has all the answers to these questions and will make them known when I seek Him...Ahhh,There are so many specific things He has shown me that I definitely want to share with y'all in some posts to follow.  Bottom line, I will never be able to fathom how great our God is but I can taste it and see it and I want to experience it more and more each day!