dear lionel richie...let's dance on the ceiling, please?

life is far too beautiful to not be thankful
here are some of my reasons for believing this:

• it's rainy...and i get to wear my rain boots with a dress and tights. (and feel like a 5-year old that gets to play in the rain)
• i am eating oatmeal with peanut butter and bananas for lunch
• i am reminiscing about the apple dumplings my darling friends steve and liz made at my place last night....oh my goodness.
• i actually stayed awake through the entirety of avatar last night....can't say the same for steve
• my boyfriend sends me good morning texts referring to me as "sweetpea"....and as much as i'm not a fan of pet names...i love it when he calls me that
• it's the start of a glorious new week with so much possibility
• eleanor and i just sat and watched sesame street clips on youtube for nearly a half hour
• 'elvis' - the cat. is sleeping with his head propped up on my pile of books on our dining room table....far too adorable to be annoyed
• i ran into one of my dearest friends, meredith, on the way to class.
• i witnessed a boy dancing around the stop sign (think 'singing in the rain') on my way back home
• i get to spend sunday with my family...and my heart is oh so excited...

i could go on....but you may get annoyed...
and i'm pretty sure you get the point.
God has blessed me with another day to live in the freedom of His grace.
how are you living out your freedom?

p.s. i love you...lots.

and then the sun rose again...

something you should know about me....
these past few days i have been ridiculously stressed out.
the devil got a foothold...and took advantage of it.
i hate being stressed out...
when i'm stressed out i'm not joyful...and i fail to encourage like i should.
today i feel redeemed.
God woke me up again today...and of course the sun was shining.
He's doing a work in my heart...of course He is.
today i feel loved. and i'm trying to live it.
How has God been woo-ing you today?
.....

on another note i can't get this song out of my head.
Brett Dennen's: Blessed
I welcome the sun,
the clouds and rain,
the wind that sweeps the sky clean
and lets the sun shine again.
this is the most magnificent life has ever been.
here is heaven and earth
and the brilliant sky in between.

blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive.
blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

I dwell in the darkness
I let in the light
I sleep in the afternoon
and become the noise in the night
I trespass in temptation
suffered in sacrifice
but I awake each day with a new sunrise

blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive
blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

you are a treasure.

check out this blog....you will smile.

today is...

• beautiful.
• a perfect day to eat frozen blueberries from my favorite blue teacup.
• a day that makes me yearn for the ease of summer.
• a day for friends
• a day for telling those around you that you love them.
• a perfect day for breakfasts of french toast shared with friends.
• a new day...
• a day for smiles..

i woke up this morning with a crush.
although this day is windy, a bit chilly and looking like rain i think i realized i'm falling in love with munie.
muncie in the spring that is...
i love the simplicity of days like this.
i love waking up and feeling like this is where God wants me.
i love the community here that i can depend on.
i love text messages telling me of how much he cares for me.
i hope that your day is filled with hope and smiles.
because i love you...and guess what... HE does too.

today i am inspired by...

Enjoy! Cupcakes

please check out this family business' website.
it's possibly the most charming cupcakery i've come across yet.
there is a ridiculous amount of flavors, with a menu that changes every week.
i hope to have an opportunity to own a business like this someday....
mmmmmmmmmm.....

little notes on a strange day.

today i just don't feel quite up to par.
it may be the rush to finish things this morning...silly procrastination.
or this funny feeling in my stomach...
or the fact that my junior year is so close to being over...
any number of things really.
but i need to get my focus back on the blessings in my life...

dear God,
today is absolutely beautiful. the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, windows are open with fresh air streaming through. you woo us all in such outstanding ways. thank you for so elaborately caring for the hearts of your children.

dear house church,
family dinner was outstanding last night. i am in love with my family here in muncie. you guys do not even know how much you make me smile.

dear rebekah brown,
i am so looking forward to seeing you on this most glorious of easter weekends. my heart is yearning for its best friend...let's cuddle?

dear david,
you are much more patient than i deserve. thanks for putting up with my funks, and for helping me bake ... you make my heart dance a little jig.

dearest VT friends,
my heart is yearning for you. last weekend was perfect. laughing with you was exactly the rest my soul needed. i look forward to our next encounters......you remind me of who i truly am. thank you for loving me with the love of Christ.

dear oatmeal,
you go so swimmingly with the granola i made yesterday. good job at settling my upset stomach. once again...you have prevailed as the greatest food ever invented.

dear green dress,
you make me feel like a princess when i feel under the weather. i will wear you today and dream of what adventures i will go on with you this summer in virginia beach.