Over the past several weeks I’ve been slightly obsessed with Brooke Fraser’s song C.S. Lewis Song especially the first verse….

"If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy, I can only conclude that I was not made for here."

The song is beautiful and speaks of a life better than we can even imagine on this earth. It's about our Forever Home and the hope we have for that. This has been on my mind so much lately and I have been praying for a want and need for Heaven and not this Earth.

I’m not going to lie… I haven’t always felt this way. I even said once “I want to go to heaven but I’d really like to live my life first…. Get married and have a family and then I will go.” Honestly, I think that’s normal for most Christians. We want the end goal to be Heaven but we are absolutely content with our worldly life as well.

To my excitement on Sunday the 8th I learned that we are starting a new series at my church called “Forever”. Matt stared the service with talking about what Forever should look like and then he used this quote by C.S. Lewis:

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” 

I seriously almost started balling… I’ve never felt God’s hand on my heart more than in that moment. To have something that you’ve been praying and singing to Him about so straight forward and in your face… yes. I was shocked. I'm so excited for every weekend because this series is so great! 

I’m going to leave you with the beautiful song that has touched my life so much recently… hope you all enjoy! 

Lucky Gal!

Woah, Nelly!!  This week has been one HECK of a week!!  I have no idea why but it’s been rough!

Almost every morning this week I wake up with HORRIBLE low back pain and I seriously loathe the idea of getting out of my super comfy bed. If you know me at all you know that I definitely LOVE my sleep but this week I think I’ve loved it a little more than normal? Maybe the Holidays are finally getting to me…? Hmmph.

I am mighty proud to say {Knock on wood and say a prayer} that I have NOT gotten sick at all this fall/winter. Everyone at work has been sniffling, coughing, sneezing and everything else that involves a cold/flu but I have been lucky! I think a LOT of it has to do with the amount of Vitamin C I’ve been taking every day…. that and the anti bacterial that I use almost every hour. What!?! I can’t help it… it smells like Warm Vanilla Sugar!!! Sue me.

Other than the super sleepy mornings and the busy days at work this week has been pretty great! I had some BFF time with Katie on Monday, Jocie on Thursday and I had a girls date night with Madison last tonight. WOW! Pretty good week with my fraaaands! Yes, I am a lucky girl!  

I also had my first day of "Bridesmaid duties" with Jocie today!! It was a lot of fun, we went to the Wedding Festival and she tried on her first of the many wedding dresses!! I absolutely loved it and she found one that she really liked! Very exciting day for my beautiful friend and I'm so thankful I got to be there to witness it!! 

Here are some highlights this week from that little, wonderful app called Instagram!

New Year, new journal for my quiet time. 

I think it’s so pretty and only a $1 at Michael’s!

{For those of you who don’t know, they have a dollar bin area and they restock it with wonderful things every Wednesday!

Stationary, notepads, pens, scrapbook junk, stamps, 

and so many other amazing things you MUST buy because it’s ONLY a dollar!!!

Yes…. You. Are. Welcome.}

Delightful Chicken Noodle Soup from Wednesday!

And my Happy Friday Morning bible verse, this definitely made me smile.

I’ve been seriously obsessed with this book called “The Hunger Games” all week…

Anyone heard of it?

And for me… I’m guessing my eyes were just as tired as my body this week since I had to wear my glasses almost every day.

Doesn’t happen often but this week was an exception!

Happy Weekending you lovely people!

Hello, 2012!

Happy New Year! 

I hope you all had a fabulous night of fun and hopefully got a peck or two! ;) 

I was lucky enough to spend the evening with my best ladies! 

We had a blast laughing and talking over some delicious food and drinks and we 

wrapped everything up around 12:30 so we could head home to bed. 

While I was going to sleep last night I couldn't help but thank God for all the many blessings I have in my life. A loving family. A handful of friends that will always have my back. A bible that is showing more signs daily of how important it has become to me. A life that I am proud to give over freely to my Heavenly Father every single day. Yes, I am a thankful gal.... 

My goals for this coming year in 2012 are very important to me. I hope and pray that a year from now I can look back at this post and realize I've accomplished every single one of them! 

• Continue to have a hunger and thirst for God's Word every day
• Go on a Mission Trip {Not sure where or when yet but I'm excited}
• Show my love and support for my two best friends as I have the honor of standing beside them on their very special day
• Make an effort to go to the gym 3-4 days a week
• Try to write on my blog at least 1-2 times a week

I'm ready for 2012 and I truly believe the BEST is yet to come!! 

Christmas in Pictures!

I love Christmas and one of my favorite parts is wrapping the gifts! 

Mom and I always try to coordinate our gift wrapping so it will look beautiful beneath the tree. 

This Christmas was such a happy Christmas. Last year was a little rough since I had just lost both of my Grandfathers. I know it will never be completely normal again but with this being the second Christmas without them it was better than the first. Here are some of the highlights from this year! :)

Mom and the sweet baby, Sadie Grace! 

This was her first Christmas and she didn't know what to think about it.... 

except for her dislike of Santa of course!! 

One of my most favorite kids... I don't understand why she insists on growing so much! 

Every time I see Joanna she seems more grown up than the last.

Oh Hunter, he is a wild man and he constantly makes me laugh....

clearly. 

My Aunt Teresa (also one of my most committed readers) and her sweater I 

bought for her! Gotta love Old Navy!  

My Dad and Brother fighting over who just got some cologne. 

....it wasn't my brother.

My fun, festive Christmas nails!!! 

Going to redo these babies tonight, something not so......

bold. ha! 

And drum roll of my two favorite gifts...... 

I literally screamed when I opened this!!! 

eeeeeeeek! 

and of course Mom tricked me into thinking I wasn't going to get this awesome book 

because she "didn't know which one I wanted" 

HA, no idea why I still believe her?!?

NOW I am ready for some New Years fun and I can't wait to have a night out with my girls since their men are both busy. I will gladly stand in and receive a kiss on the cheek at midnight! ;)

A new year...

Hello Monday, I mean Tuesday…. Seriously, that’s how I have felt all day. I was so bummed when I realized it was Tuesday for one reason. No Chicken Enchilada Soup!!!! So tragic, you know the stuff is amazingly good when you wish it were Monday.

However, it is Tuesday which means almost half the work week is gone! I love long Holiday weekends!!!

Back in November I started a new morning and evening devotional with an iPhone app and I sincerely love it! If you have an iPhone and want something simple and short to read on a daily basis check it out! The “Holy Bible” app has a ton of daily devotions to pick from.

I’m currently at on day 29 of my 366 day plan and each day seems better than the one before. Last night before I went to sleep I read from Luke 2:20.

“The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!” {The Message Version}

The devotion went along saying that we should copy the shepherds on a daily basis, praising with excitement that God did provide us with His Son for our salvation and how that praise is the sweetest music to Him. Then I read this and I absolutely LOVED it:

“It is not enough to hear about Jesus: mere hearing may tune the harp, but the fingers of living faith must create the music.”

I think that’s so beautiful… that by living my life for Christ it’s as if I am playing music for Him. My prayer for the New Year ahead is for my Lord to hear new songs from me daily. Always growing and not pressing repeat with a song I already know. I want to expand my horizons in every way so I can become closer to Him and His Kingdom.

I’m not sure what that will mean for my life but I have a feeling 2012 will be amazing & I’m so looking forward to it!!!