God Gave Me You

 

My new favorite song - "God Gave Me You" 

Listen free on itunes! 

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
& I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I could baby, never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.

Davey's Home!

  

  

  

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!" 

I'm one proud and happy sister! Davey has been back in the states for the last couple of weeks, and I finally got to see him when he was headed back to Texas and made a stop in Chicago. We had a great time, just catching up, and hanging out! He's still stationed in Texas and will be working there until he gets deployed again. He shouldn't be shipped out for at least a year, but when that year is up he'll most likely be headed to Afghanistan. I hope and pray that things get better before then...as this makes me extremely nervous! So please say a lil'prayer for him! 

GO USA!!!

Last night the USA Men's Hockey team defeated Canada 5-3! It was one of the best games I've ever seen! Ryan Miller, the goalie, was my hero! He was a saving machine! 

Like that moment last night, there have been dozens of great moments that we've caught live! Shaun White winning his second consecutive Gold on the half pipe, Lindsey Vonn taking Gold for the downhill, and Bode Miller took home a Gold for the men's combined race. USA leads in the medal count, I hope they can keep it up!

As I sit there watching all of the history being made, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be that passionate about something...these athletes devote their lives to training for this one event that happens every four years, and as we've also witnessed can be over in just seconds...with the wrong footing, the wrong landing, or a missed goal. What is it that motivates them? What gives them that drive? Is it merely just the thought of being able to say "I'm the best in the world at what I do?"  

The training, discipline,  and dedication that it must take for an Olympic athlete is something I can't even begin to comprehend. It definitely makes me want to try more winter sports! I know I'll be one big bruise, but I'd love to try and snowboard! Jason and I would love to try curling, and we also agree that in another life I should have been a hockey player...now isn't that a funny picture :)

Un-Christian

 

"Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like “hypocritical,” “insensitive,” and “judgmental,” young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of . . . unChristian." - David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons

I have yet to read this book, but it's now at the top of my list! Last night I attended Elements (a gathering put together by my church to get people together to get connected and create community) and one of the author's, Gabe Lyons, was in attendance and spoke to the group about his book and the research that he used to create it. I went into this with an open mind and an open heart and came away with new perspective and many more questions...

The biggest question I had to ask myself while listening to him speak was "what do I look like as Christian?" I couldn't quite answer it as quickly as I would have liked. After his introduction he asked us what we think these un-christian people think about the Christan faith...and the answers that people responded with were in majority all negative. Hypocritical, judgmental, sheltered are just a few of the words that were thrown out to the group. I admit my heart sank a little. I am a believer, and am choosing to believe that if there are believers out there that fit these stereotypes that I can help change peoples opinions. 

In an effort not to ramble on, I will skip to the part where he spoke of the next book they are putting together and it will be called "The Next Christians." He began to explain what kinds of questions they were asking, and what the feedback was showing and the most optimistic point he shared was that with all of the bad things that are happening in America and throughout the world, that instead of people backing away and not getting involved with anything, they seemed to be engaging in these trying situations and creating solutions. With that statement I asked myself another question "how can I help, and stand out as a Christian in my community?"

Needless to say I left the gathering very stimulated! As I sit here writing this my head is spinning just thinking about what kind of answers I'll find to the questions I'm asking myself. To be continued...

For more information: 

http://www.qideas.org/books/ 

http://www.unchristian.com/book.asp

Scripture and Potatoes...

 

"A discipline won’t bring you closer to God. Only God can bring you closer to Himself. What the discipline is meant to do is to help you get yourself, and your ego, out of the way so you are open to His grace.  ~James Kushiner

With Ash Wednesday here, Lent has begun! After our bible study in small group last night, the girls and I were talking about what kind of commitment we wanted to make in place of giving something up as people normally do. I thought that was an inspired idea! I decided on my drive home that I would wholeheartedly commit to devoting time with God by reading and learning more about scripture. I am very excited to learn more about God's word! 

A decided to share this decision of commitment with Jason, and he asked why I had decided against giving something up...my response to him was that this is a time when we're supposed to be growing closer to God, not just giving up brownies or Xbox! Right?! He understood where I was coming from (with a laugh of course) but then reminded me that it's really not about what we're giving up, it's about remembering what Jesus did for us every time we have to confront or resist the thing we've chosen. (Thank you Jason!) So, with that I decided to make a second commitment, and that's where the potato comes in. I have decided to give up everything potato! Some of you might be laughing, but also those of you that are laughing know how much I am obsessed with this vegetable! Be it fries (waffle, curly, boardwalk, skinny, crinkled, or seasoned) baked, mashed, hash browns, tater tots...I am helpless before them!! So it was perfect! I'm bound and determined to stay on course and with everyone around me holding me accountable, I know I'll be successful! 

Let the Easter countdown begin! 

Appreciation

 

Beauty inspires me...to live beautifully! 

It's the small things that catch my eye. The silent moments when I can feel God all around me...and I say a prayer not to take these precious moments for granted. To really look, listen, and appreciate what's in front of me. Appreciate the people, the music, the conversation, the pain, and the joy. No amount of planning or calculating can give me what He gives me. He gives me beauty, and with beauty comes inspiration. With inspiration comes living...not just getting from day to day, but filling each day with purpose. I admit many times finding the purpose in each day is difficult, but I have faith that it's there and that's the most beautiful thing of all.

A happy heart day it was

 

Like most people out there I too believe that Valentine's day was created by Hallmark! The only thing I really love about it is that it's a chance to get Jason another cute card! (You guys know I'm love giving good cards!) This year was no exception! The day started off with brunch at Flat Top Grill and we were able to meet up with Jenn, as it was her birthday the previous day! Shopping on Halsted followed and then Jason and I just spent the day together being lazy! For dinner Jason made reservations at this place downtown called BIN 36, and we did some wine tasting, sampled all different kinds of cheese with the wine, and then were served a wonderful three course meal with even more wine! (I'm glad I don't have a headache today!) During the whole ordeal they were showing the movie called "An Affair to Remember" with Cary Grant. Neither of us had ever seen it before and liked it, but it was pretty darn cheesy to say the least.

The day was pretty perfect and my Valentine spoiled me! He and I both agree that we shouldn't need one day to celebrate each other and the relationship we have. We need to continue to spend time together, talking, laughing, listening, understanding, and loving each other! At the end of the day, that's really what love is all about right?! 

The foundation of the Hallmark holiday...

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 : 4-8

Celebrate good times...come on!

 

Jordan.Sara.Courtney Birthday Diva's

Last Friday night was a filled with a plethora of shenanigans! Drinks were flowing, people were laughing, and Emily, oh Emily was a'dancin'! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate!!! The rest of weekend was a wonderful one...I was able to rest all day Saturday and even venture out to IHop! (All you can eat pancakes can fix just about anything!)

On Sunday, February 7th, Jason and I attended church in the morning, and the service was amazing, but the best part was at the very end as the band, Patchwork, played my favorite song called "Inside Out." I've had numerous spiritual and incredibly emotional experiences with this song and that day was no exception. When the congregation sang in unison this touching song, I lost it. There I am, squeezing all the life out of Jason's hand, weeping like a baby...the happiest tears possible. It was as if I God himself was standing right beside me, singing me my very own unique "Happy Birthday"...what a great start to the day! 

Soon after we ventured downtown, had an amazing lunch, stopped @ Sweet Mandy B's for the cupcakes I couldn't stop talking about all week, and headed to Jason's to prepare for the Superbowl. On my birthday I was overwhelmed by the love I was shown by so many. What a lucky girl I am, thank you all!!!!

...profound insight found in the most unlikely of places...

Fellow "Bachelor" fans, I'm sure you were watching on Monday night, which means you'll remember when Jake (our very attractive, and extremely emotional bachelor) said something I found to be incredibly insightful. I won't go into the details of the situation as not to bore those of you who are silly enough NOT to watch the show, but someone was trying to make a huge decision between keeping a job, or finding love....

His response: "Life is about trying to minimize your regrets" 

I don't know about you, but I think this is right on! The wheels started turning and of course I began to take inventory of the things in my life that I might regret. Of course there are things that I wish I hadn't said, or may have said differently. I would tell the people in my life how much I care about them even more than I do now. I would be sure I was running toward something instead of running away. I wouldn't hold any grudges. I would pray more! As these are things I try to do now on an every day basis, I can honestly say there isn't really one major thing I regret. I am where I am because of the decisions I've made and the journey I've taken. I'm happy, content, and have a positive outlook for the days ahead.

This came from a very unlikely source, but it made me think, and most of all made me appreciate the things I know I take for granted! Thanks Jake!!! 

...paint yourself happy

Last night, I got the best birthday present EVER! Jason decided he wanted to surprise me and give me his gift early...and he got me a gift certificate to the Lillstreet Art Center to take an art class of my choice!!! It was such an unexpected and special gift as he knows that this is something I've wanted to do for such a long time, and never wanted to spend the money! I'm not going to lie, I cried happy tears! (I'm sure none of you are surprised by this! haha) I was reminded in this moment just how lucky I am to have someone like Jason in my life. He knows me better than I know myself at times, and he takes such good care of me. He knows that this is something that makes me really happy and encourages me to be creative whenever the opportunity presents itself. I think I'm most happy when I'm able to express myself creatively, so that makes this the perfect gift! So, I'm checking out all the classes they have to offer and I'm going to sign on up! My first reaction is to take a painting class, but pottery sounds awesome too! To be continued....

strength finder

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

This is a shout out to my fellow renegade girls (a.k.a. my small group!) Last night was full of laughter, great conversation, emotional insight, and accountability! Each of us so different, yet all hold special places in our hearts to want to make a difference, love without abandon, and are all ambitiously seeking our relationships with God. I love that you are all the mirrors I so desperately needed to look into last night and am better for it:) 

Here's to you!