There are these nights

when I just wanna blog, but I'm never quite sure what to blog about. I mean, I usually have an idea but the words don't flow out very smoothly & that's a bit frustrating. It's cold, I'm sleepy, & I have a slight headache, but my hair is still wet.

There are a lot of "but"s in this post (ha-ha).
Reminds me of this!

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

--Ephesians 2:1-10, nasb (emphasis mine).

Still blows my mind.

Bah, forget coherence, I'm just gonna type.

There's so much to do... Sometimes I wonder if I'm making any progress at all, but then I start praying & realizing just how much is being done under His sovereignty & within His timing. Not to excuse my responsibilities or anything, because that's definitely important... I don't know, I'm really praying that I can be more selfless. & also, it's easy for me to focus on my shortcomings because that's what I'm used to-- all sorts of standards. Praise the Lord for Christ because His standard is certainly one that I could never meet. So yeah, I guess it's a past struggle that I'm still working on to this day. I'm pleasing God, not man, yeah? Yeah.

Man, my hair is still wet & I'm TIIIIRED. I'll just read for the remainder of the night.

By the way, these songs have been on repeat in my head.

[1] [2] & as a Valentine's Day bonus, [3].
(Uh hello, free music from Priscilla Ahn? Yes please.)

Oh, & [4] because it's ridiculously catchy. & Disney.
Pretty much a makes-me-wanna-dance kind of tune.

Think, think, think.

Things I tend to tell myself (as of late):

Dear... me,

• Why do you read so many interior design blogs?
• & wedding blogs?
• & fashion blogs?
• Do. Not. Covet.
• Hey, save your money.
• Why are you hungry all the time?
• Where are you storing all of this food?
• You are seriously hungry right now.
• Your room is actually clean. Too bad you don't know where anything is anymore.
• Kinda wanna study, but not really.
• Wow. Hermeneutics. o_o
• Don't forget to apply for graduation.
• Can we all just do ministry for the rest of our lives?
• You need to set aside more time for Bible reading.
• Why do you always have a bag of chips in your room?
• Think faster. You're losing opportunities.
• Singing is really fun.
• Too much complaining!!
  
• Are you being selfish right now?
  
• That was totally selfish.
• Have patience, have patience... Why is that song so catchy & always so relevant?!
• What's Micah doing right now?
• Stop taking naps.
• Use your time wisely.
• Why is the Gospel so awesome?
• You need to go to an ATM.
• Your hair. Just... please, get a trim.
• You should probably set up a dentist appointment soon.
• & an eye appointment.
• Where are those sunglasses?!
• Prayer is wonderful.
• DISCIPLINE.
• Take more pictures.
• Make more of an effort to see people.
• Why are kids so easy to talk to?
• Why are adults so... adult-ish?
• Grow up.
• You are definitely a work in progress.
• Ask better questions.
• Build some life skills! Like... cooking. Go grocery shopping tomorrow.
• What are you actually trying to say right now?/What's your point?
• Clean graphic design is sooo pretty. Target needs to stop producing hip notebooks.
• Your brain is cluttered. Clean that up, homie.

Sincerely,
me.

P.S. Everything should be for God's glory. Your thoughts are usually made evident through action so you should probably reevaluate this list. Is Christ your greatest Treasure?

P.P.S. :)

Just a reminder.

Have patience, have patience-- don't be in such a hurry.

When you get impatient, you only start to worry.
Remember, remember that God is patient too,

& think of all the times when others have to wait for you.

Haha, I only knew the first line of this tune so I looked it up... & that last line made me laugh. The Lord has totally been providing & graciously answering my prayers-- SUPER QUICKLY! I really should respond with more gratitude & praise instead of being anxious, impatient, & demanding. Sooo.. unattractive. I would naaaht want to be friends with myself. Well, okay that's really mean. Never mind.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:4-7, NASB. Always poppin' up!

UGH-- sin, get outta here! Gotta rejoice in the Lord. There are many things in this world that provide temporary joy :( Watch out! Hey, remember to rejoice in the Lord :) So wonderful to know that I can come to the Father for anything & everything. Lack of trust in God & His sovereignty is definitely not acceptable. (SIGH, but I know I've exemplified it in my anxiety, yuck!) It will all work out for my good & for His glory. Really. It will. Ohhhh Lord, be gracious, hahahahah. K bye!

2012 spring semester!

Gah, I'm so excited.
Sometimes I don't even know why.
Other times, there are too many reasons.
This time is a mix of both.
I just know that my God is absolutely amazing,
& certain while everything else remains uncertain.
That knowledge must settle in my heart, not just in my mind.

In Christ alone, my hope is found,

He is my Light, my Strength, my Song;

This Cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought & storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in all,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Happy friday! Oh, & new year.

(Sigh, I mean Thursday. Oh well, almost Friday!)

Hello 2012!

From me, RC, & ... my hippo pillow.
Hm, I don't have a name for it.

"It is better to read one verse worshipfully than multiple chapters dutifully."
--Rick Holland

Not sure if "worshipfully" is a word, but I can deal with that. Keeping this in mind as I read through my Bible. The year just started & it has already been so eventful! Very excited for what's to come, to just see God's sovereign plan unfold. By His grace, there will be a good amount of praying, trusting, reading, learning, encouraging, confronting, forgiving, disciplining, & a whole lot of loving! Love will definitely have to be present, especially during all the trials & testing... oh man, I have a feeling they're gonna come down hard..

EXCITING STUFF. :)

Everything for God's glory. Let's go!