Yesterday was an off day. All day. And all because Panera on the strip was closed. Apparently it is not good for me if my routine gets messed up. Chelcie and I were out of sorts from our 8:00 on because since January after that class we have walked to Panera to enjoy some coffee, a bagel, friendship, and time with Jesus. Needless to say, the real reason my day was off was because that time with Jesus was postponed until much later in the afternoon. Dumb on my part. That's something I need to make the time for even if it's not in my usual location!

The weather was weird too... trees down everywhere from the storm the night before. It took me 40 minutes to get to campus from my house- without traffic/trees in the road/lanes closed/lights out it usually takes about 7.

Today I am sitting in the library and only a few short minutes ago they made an announcement for everyone to go to the lowest level because a tornado had hit down in Farragut and was heading toward downtown. What? Tornadoes in Knoxville? Just yesterday my friends were convincing me that wasn't possible! Thankfully it went north of campus and everyone here is a-okay. Time to stop blogging and be productive. More later?

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Well... I've been blogging a lot lately, so I'd encourage you to look back at some of the songs I've posted between Friday and today. They're great reminders.
This post will probably be long, but I'm going to try and recap some of what I heard at church this morning, so bear with me!

Our pastor finished up a sermon series on the scarlet thread of redemption that runs throughout the Bible- from Genesis to Exodus (I actually just finished watching The Book of Eli after church this morning- I had NO idea what it was about when I picked it up last night- great movie that kind of parallels what I've been thinking/wondering/praying a lot about lately. How beautiful must Eli's [from this movie] feet be?! God is so good and works in such cool, unexpected ways).

Today Scott (pastor) emphasized the feet of Jesus.

The feet that walked to Jerusalem and entered the temple,

the feet that walked on water,

the feet that were washed by Mary Magdalen,

the feet that were nailed to the cross,

the feet that stood up and walked out of the borrowed tomb,

the feet that convinced the disciples that it was Him,

the feet that were the last thing seen of Jesus as He ascended,

the feet that will be the first thing seen of Him upon His return.

Jesus (and His feet) spread the good news while He was on Earth... but now it is our turn. In the time between when He left and when He is returning, it is our responsibility to carry this good news. Our turn to be the feet of Jesus. Our turn to advance His kingdom. Our turn to spread His word and His name. Let's carry His love throughout the world.

Romans 10:15
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Come quickly, Lord.

He is risen.

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine

Oh, glorious day

Amazing love, how can it be
That You my King should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true.
And it's my joy to honor You.

I'm forgiven because You were forsaken.
I'm accepted, You were condemned.
I'm alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again.

This song says it better than I could:

Thank you, Jesus.

Exciting things:

1. I only have two more days of class! Only one more Tuesday to make it through. And I thought I wouldn't survive. Well... guess I still might not survive once my parents see my grades. Have to do REALLY well on finals.

2. My hair is FINALLY growing out. This is BIG news.
3. Girls are signing up for Frontier like crazy this week.
4. Olivia's 8th birthday is coming up. Her party is tonight. I wasn't invited, but I'm going to show up anyway.
5. My small group is wonderful, and we are trying to figure out a way to continue meeting/studying the word together throughout the summer.
6. IT'S ALMOST SUMMER!!!! And a lot of my friends are staying here!
7. Matt will be home in less than two weeks!!

A small recap of last summer:






Gosh summer is my FAVORITE! I just wish I could go to Africa again this summer... but that will come in time. And I will be trying to live in the present right here in Knoxville this summer! :)
(How many times did I say "summer" in this post? Can you tell I LOVE it?!)

CAK YoungLifeee

My team was already amazing... and now it's even better! Because we have these new leaders:


How stinkin' cute are they?! They are SO cool. And obviously so good looking too!



Here's the whole gang! (minus Jess)
Gahhh I love this group of people with my whole heart.
We had team overnight on Friday night, and I cannot remember the last time I laughed that hard. Too bad I can't disclose the things we talked about... because they'd make you laugh too.
This picture is embarrassing but captures the essence of team overnight well:

Can we have team overnight every weekend?! We'll just have to train the new leaders to be able to stay up late like we do (well, excerpt Der) because apparently they were too exhausted to function the next day. Who am I kidding? So was I... I'm getting old.

Now I'll just leave you with some random picture of YoungLife at CAK:
(from Western night and Jersey night)


The girls in the above two picture hold a special, special place in my heart.
I cannot wait to spend 10 days with them in Colorado this summer! Let's hope that works out with summer school somehow. Trusting that the Lord will provide and take care of that situation.




Just some more pictures of my awesome team! Love them.

It's been a while...

and I have so much to say... however, I have no words right now. School has taken a lot out of me these past few weeks so I can hardly think. Surprising that I haven't blogged since I needed to be studying, I know... but don't worry- I still procrastinated in other ways (such as watching the masters).
I've had multiple people complain about my lack of blogging, and I'm not just saying that. Who knew people actually read it? I'll try to get back on track soon!
Tomorrow night we have Quest Graduation and then team overnight with the new leaders! I'm so stinking exciting- they are AWESOME!

This is how I feel about only having FOUR more days of class! And no more tests. Until finals. Summer, you are SO close.

Goodness gracious I love these girls!
(say a prayer for Nicole while she's at camp. can't wait for her to be back tomorrow!)

just one more month

A month from Tuesday, my best friend will be home from his semester in Italy... and I CANNOT WAIT. Goodness gracious I have missed him.

Gahhhh I cannot wait for more days like this:

(yes, I know this picture has made 897543467 appearances on my blog... I need more options!)

The One Who Saves

We have found our home
We have found our peace
We have found our rest
In the One who loves us
He will light the way
He will lead us home
As we offer all
To the One who saves us

Call on the name that is hope
Jesus, the Son of God
Lord over all, He is good
And His mercy endures always

His loves endures
Forever His love endures

Such a great reminder that we have hope in something that is forever. And that His mercy never fails.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (The Message)
God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.