A Little Milestone

Birthday Girl!!

Not only was yesterday the fabulous Meg Pittman Kelsey's birthday (happy birthday to our sweet meg!!), but yesterday also marked our 500th post on Long to Love!  I guess that's to be expected when you have a blog for over three years, but it's still a fun little milestone!

This morning I'm so thankful to the Lord for His vision and inspiration for this blog and also so thankful to each one of you for your encouragement, insight, edits, and even the occasional comments—it's a treat to share this journey with you! 

So for post #501, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites along the way:

God the Father, God the Protector, & God the Pursuer

When Things Don't Go Your Way

The Post Where I Attempt To Compare Faith and Julia Child

Make It Work

He Waits


Keep it Loose

Seeking Refuge

"Post-Irene" in Virginia Beach  via The Daily News

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

Deuteronomy 33:27

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Psalm 9:7

"The LORD is good, 

   a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."

Nahum 1:7

Friday Favorites!

Princess Susanna—I mean, could she be any cuter?  I love how you're never too young to know how fabulous it is to be a Princess! 

Well, it has been quite the week!  First an earthquake and now my family is gearing up for Irene.  My parents are evacuating to Charlottesville, which I'm sure has nothing to do with the fact that two of their favorite daughters currently live here!  Along with them comes their labradoodle Zoe, so we'll have not one, but two dogs living with us in the tree house for the weekend—should be interesting!  Hope everyone in Irene's way stays safe this weekend!

A few favorites before we all lose power:

Favorite new song, "Restless" by Audrey Assad, courtesy of Katherine Arnold Wolf from Hope Heals.






Favorite new Disney Movie:

 
Tangled.  Have ya'll see this?  It's adorable!  Netflix friends can stream it online this month!

Photo from instyle.com

And inspired by this post and this one on nail polish, I must share with you my absolute favorite nail polish color: Mademoiselle by Essie.  It has been my go to finger nail color for eight years.  It's the best!  It won In Style's "Best Neutral Nail Polish" award five times. 

What's something you've been loving this week? 

First Day of School Flashback

Image from Virginia.edu

Yesterday, here in Charlottesville, marked the first day of classes for undergrads.  While there's a part of me that's loving settling into our new life here post-college, it's hard not to get a tad nostalgic for my college years.  So in honor of classes starting across campuses everywhere, I thought I would share a little story from my very first day as a student at UVA.

Nine years ago, (yes, nine...isn't that crazy?!) I was a bright eyed, excited little college girl who thought all I needed were matching bedspreads, a fabulous photo collage, a few bows (yes, I wore bows), and some Herve Chapelier and Longchamp bags to be totally set for life.

On my first day of class, I marched up McCormick Road to Cabell Hall wearing my pre-selected first day outfit.  I was going for "cute and fun," without looking like I tried too hard.  As I walked up the hill, I remember having a little bounce in my step—I just couldn't wait for my new life as a smart, fabulous college girl to begin!

The first day of school had rained, so the ground was a little slick.  Equally challenging was the fact that the steps in Cabell, where the majority of classes were held, were like marble, so they were especially slippery.  Can you tell where this is going?  That's right...I walked into Cabell and as I took my first step down the stairs to lead me to my first class ever, I completely ate it, falling down an entire flight of stairs.

This alone was bad enough, but it was compounded by the fact that it was in between classes changing, so there were people EVERYWHERE.  I'm sure I even knocked a few people down as I plunged down to my destiny.  Instantly I worried I would be known as "that girl in Cabell who totally ate it."  Lucky for me, UVA is a big school.  It's so funny to think of now, but at the time I was mortified.  I arrived to my first class wet, muddy, frazzled, and a little bit sore.

As college continued, I often thought about that first day, partly because it was a hilarious story, but also because it was a little bit of foreshadowing for what was to come.

I arrived at college trying to so hard to give the impression that I was this cute girl who had her life totally put together.  Sometimes all it takes is a tumble down the stairs to realize that's not the case.  In my first two years of college, God worked on my hardened heart and taught me so much about being real with the friends God put in my life.  Slowly, I began to learn about letting down my walls and opening up.  It was, and still is, so hard for me to share what's really going on in my life...isn't it just easier to try hide behind our cute purses?

But throughout college, I learned that when we're willing to be vulnerable and share what we're facing with other Christians, all of a sudden, we're notice we're no longer alone.  We have people who can listen, pray, support, and encourage us.  And often, when we muster up the courage to share some of life's challenges with others, we see their walls begin to fall and as they open up, we discover we're not the only ones who don't have everything totally put together.  I mean, who really does?    

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

James 5:16 (NIV)

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

All Shook Up

Photo from the Associated Press

Like many of my fellow east coasters, yesterday we were shaking, rattling, and rolling when a little 5.8 earthquake decided to roll its way into Charlottesville...and Richmond, and Virginia Beach, and DC, and NY, and even all the way down to Georgia, up to Canada, and over to Kentucky.

At first I thought something in our basement was about to explode, but when I realized it was an earthquake, my Saved By The Bell training kicked in, and I got down by my desk, while sweet little Neely hid in the corner.  Some children were educated from Sesame Street, I had Saved By the Bell—all I really needed to learn, I learned from Zack, Kelly, Slater, Lisa, Screech, Jessie, and Mr. Belding.   

Thankfully, as far as I can tell, damage is minimal and everyone is safe.  All we had were some crooked pictures and a bottle of lemon juice that fell from the cabinet into our sink.

It does make you think a little bit—about what we rely on, trust in, and put our hope in.  I mean, I can't say I've ever doubted the ground I walk on, but to think that the earth could shake so much that it's felt from Canada to Georgia is pretty crazy.

Here on earth there are few guarantees—our lives or surroundings could change at any minute, but no matter what, there is One on which we can hope and rely on.  Whether it's the ground, families, jobs, health, or circumstances that are shaking, no matter how bad things may become, His love for us will never, ever stop.  

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.  

Isaiah 54:10   

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure.

Psalm 16:8-9

All Our Hearts

Holy Trinity Brompton via Wikipedia

I just love God...some days, I wake up and worry about not having enough time to blog, or often times, I worry about having absolutely nothing to say (I know...shocker!).  But usually on those days, something always comes through—someone randomly emails me a guest post, I log in to see Meg has already posted, or at the very last minute, or I get an email from someone that says, "blog idea?"  I love the faithfulness of God—it's really not me—and on the days I don't even have words to put together, He delivers them to my inbox.  All I have to do is copy and paste!    

Today that email was from my mom via Nicky Gumbel, pastor of Holy Trinity Brompton in London   

Last week we talked a little bit about heating things up a bit and giving God all of our hearts, referencing 2 Chronicles 16:9 which says, ""The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."  

Yesterday, Nicky's "Read Through The Bible in One Year" talked about exactly that:

"To be ‘fully committed’ with ‘all our hearts’ means 100 per cent commitment.  It means doing what the Lord calls us to do.  It also means rooting out anything that is bad – ruthlessly tearing down the high places and getting rid of the other gods in the midst of our own lives.

The Lord is looking for those whose ‘hearts are fully committed’ to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  The psalmist prayed, ‘Give me an undivided heart’ (Psalm 86:11).  The expression ‘all your heart’ appears many times throughout the Bible.  For example, we are to:

-Seek the Lord with all our hearts (Psalm 119:2,10; Jeremiah 29:13; 2 Chronicles 15:15)

-Obey the Lord with all our hearts (Psalm 119:34,69; 1 Chronicles 29:19) 

-Love the Lord with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Matthew 22:36–38)

-Return to the Lord with all our hearts (1 Samuel 7:3; Jeremiah 24:7; Joel 2:12)

-Trust in the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5)

-Praise and extol the Lord with all our hearts (Psalm 56:12; 111:1; 138:1)

-Turn to the Lord with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 30:10)

-Call on the Lord with all our hearts (Psalm 119:145)

-Serve the Lord with all our hearts (Joshua 22:5; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Romans 1:9)

-Walk faithfully before him with all our hearts (1 Kings 2:3)

-Rejoice with all our hearts (Zephaniah 3:14)

-Work for the Lord with all our hearts (Nehemiah 4:6; Colossians 3:23)

-Follow the Lord with all our hearts (Numbers 32:12) and we are to observe his commands with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 8:6)

God doesn't want some of us, He wants all of us—including our hearts.  Let's not just lift up some, but let's be women willing and ready to lift up ALL!  

Improving Our Sight

Nantucket via Pinterest

One of my dear friends has incredible vision—not just the 20/20 kind, but spiritual vision—her eyes are always tuned into seeing how, what, and where God may be speaking to her.  What's amazing is the more she becomes aware of God in her life, she finds even more ways that He goes out of His way to encourage her or show her His truth.  Whether it's giving her the same Bible verse through three different vehicles in a week, a message meant just for her via someone's license plate, or even someone who had no idea of her specific prayers, speaking the same words she wrote in her prayer journal just days before.

When your eyes are actively looking for where and how God will show up, it's amazing just how many times he does!

As her friend, it's incredibly encouraging to be along for the ride.  Seeing the countless ways she sees God on a daily basis, is encouraging me to sharpen my eyes and look to see where and how God shows up in my life.  

One recent example of this was when I was driving from Charlottesville to Norfolk last Thursday feeling the burden of longing to be in two places at the same time.  I was praying and I simply said, "God, I don't know if I can do this..."  Seconds later, I looked up and right in front of me was a huge Mack Truck that said on the back, "The Lord is My Strength."  At that moment I felt the Lord whisper to me, "I've got this.  You are not alone.  Let Me be your strength."  

Ya'll, I can't tell you how excited I was!  So much so, that I pulled up right next to the trucker, smiled and gave him a big "thumbs up"...how cool am I?!?  He just smiled and waved.  

It meant so much to me that at a pretty low point of my week, my eyes would be directed to see a little encouragement that I so desperately needed.  I felt incredibly loved and perfectly cared for.  

Fast forward to this morning and I read in my Jesus Calling book, "When you start to feel afraid, affirm your trust in Me...Trust Me, and don't be afraid; for I am your Strength, Song, and Salvation."  

The Lord is my strength!    

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped.

Psalm 28:7 (Amplified)

  

Friday Favorites!

Favorite Image from Pinterest.  How fun is this room?!

Happy Friday!  I hope you've had the most wonderful week!  Here at Long to Love, we're always trying to think of fun ways to give the blog a little spice. Yesterday, I had the idea of expanding the Friday links into a broader feature on recent favorites.  So welcome to the first edition of Friday Favorites!

When Bernie and I first started dating, I wanted to know all of his favorite things--food, movies, music, cities--but he's much more open and diplomatic than I am and doesn't like limiting his options to one or two things.  He likes it all!  It took a while for me to adjust, but now I simply say something like, "What are three movies that you like a lot?"  It seems to work a bit better than limiting him to favorites.

I, on the other hand, adore having a few favorite things and I get really excited about sharing them with other people.  If I find a new bargain site, I want the world to know!  I also love learning about other people's favorite things, so I'm hoping we can use this to have some more guests posts too!  Did you know that guest posts are one of my absolute  favorites?  So, without further ado, here are a few favorites from this week:

Verse: 

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  

Psalm 25:5 (NLT)

Links:  

Great post from Amy Julia Becker on planning for the present.  Also, Amy Julia has a new book coming out!  More on A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Names Penny here.    

Also, I'm not an expectant mom, but for those of you in the baby market,  this post on what to register for was very informative.  

Recipe:

The Pioneer Woman has never, ever led me astray, so when I made this macaroni and cheese on Sunday, I was NOT disappointed!  

Have a recent favorite?  We'd love to hear it!

Have a great weekend!

A Living Trust

A Living Trust

(Not the tool for conveying your assets without probate.)

Elizabeth's post yesterday about a Trusting Love was poignant and encouraging. The past couple weeks, God has been reminding me and urging me to trust him. I know that trusting in the Lord this upcoming year will be absolutely necessary to my sanity and growth as I finish law school, study for the bar exam, look for a job and possibly leave Miami. I am conscious of that fact and am actively praying for the ability to trust, yet often find myself with my fist clenched in a desire to maintain (the illusion of) control.

As Elizabeth expressed yesterday, if we love our God, we will trust Him. But we can also trust our God because he loves us deeply. Trust and love do go hand in hand.

Trust and love must be expressed in order to have meaning. Faith is dead without works (James 2:20). God showed his love for us by sending his Son to die (Romans 5:8). And a proclaimed trust means little without acknowledging Him in all of our ways (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I love the verses Elizabeth shared yesterday about God's promised response to my trust in Him. But it starts with giving my heart, keeping my eyes on his ways, and knowing my Lord's name. Practically, that means spending time in prayer, fellowship and scripture, surrendering all my anxieties, and meditating on his words and sovereignty.

Rather than let the worry of not performing well in my classes or at an interview consume me, I pray for peace and to be reminded of God's love and will for my life. I recently heard the intro to the Beth Moore 'Psalms of Ascent' study and she said something that impacted me. She said that being nervous about a speaking engagement is really her pride- because she expects to perform at a certain level. Beth was reminded by a friend that she may be good, but she's not that good that she can mess up God's plan. What a great reminder!

I love reciting Colossians 3:23 about working as if for the Lord, not for men. Maybe because I can control how hard I work. But what about trusting that, after the work is complete, the Lord is in control, not men? I often miss that step in the progression. Meaning, I often miss out on resting in God's love.

A triplet of verses that has become a theme for me recently is Psalm 32:8-10:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

No mincing words here. Don't be a mule, or its synonym. Trust in Him.

These verses are another great reminder of the concurrence of trust and love. As we continue to pray the "Long to Love Prayer," trusting God should be at the forefront of our minds and in the center of our hearts.

Trusting Love

Believe it or not, I'm a total control freak.  I love being able to have things exactly how I want them.  It's with great joy that I set my thermostat, cruise control, alarm, and DVR knowing that they will work exactly as I've told them too.  76 degrees?  You got it!  68 mph?  No problem!  6:45 wake-up call?  Sure thing!  So You Think You Can Dance at 8:00?  Easy!   


One HUGE problem with my incessant need for control, is that it makes it that much more difficult to trust in One.  I feel helpless and weak letting go, surrendering, and truly trusting that the One who formed me, knows me, and guides me, truly has the perfect plan for me.  And so, we wrestle.

Me, with questions, doubts, and fears, "God, I'm not so sure I can let this go..."

God, with constant reassurance, "Trust me, trust me, trust me."

No matter how many times I hear it, when it comes to letting go, it's hard for me to simply trust in Truth. 

This morning, as I've been doing a little wrestling, I had a little revelation...nope, it's not that lukewarm coffee is gross...today, I've been thinking about love and what kind of qualities you posess when you truly love a person.  A big part of loving someone?  Being able to trust them. 

I deeply love my sweet husband and because I love him, it's easy to trust him.  Trust him that he will protect me, be faithful to me, look out for my best interests, care for me--I could go on and on.  Rising into marriage isn't something to be taken lightly, but it was easy for me to stand in front of our family and friends and make vows to him because I love him and trust him completely.

So, if trust is an important part of love, how can I pray, talk, and write about loving God, when my fists are clenched tightly and I refuse to let go of a certain level of control to the One that I so deeply long to love?  It's a conditional, limited love. 

"God, I love you enough to trust you here and here, but I can't say I love you enough to completely trust you with this."

The funniest part about this whole little battle I'm facing, is that there are like a billion reasons why I should leap into trusting Him.  The scriptures are more than clear that God is our advocate, He has purposeful plans for us, and He is looking out for our best interests.  When we trust Him, He does not disappoint.

My (daughter), give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways...There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Proverbs 23:26, 18

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."

Psalm 9:10

 

Lord, I do believe in You!  Help me to overcome my fears and doubts!  I want to love you so deeply and wholly that I can freely and confidently trust you with every single detail of my life.  Thank you for the faithful, amazing ways that you love, lead, and provide for me!    

 

Back to Basics

First things first: today, August 16th, 2011 marks the 21st birthday of my favorite youngest sister, Abigail!!  I wrote a little bit about just how much I love Abby here, but seriously, there aren't enough blog posts in the world for me to begin to fully cover just how amazing this girl is.  She is kind, serving, generous, hilarious, zealous, faithful, and SO, SO, SO much fun!!  Happy, happy birthday Abby!!!!  I love you!    

Back to the blog...

I'm always wary of posting any kind of challenge on Long To Love, because I never want it to seem like our faith needs to be based off of a certain "to-do list", or worse, I never want to appear like I'm already doing these things and you should do them too...

A little example from yesterday: on the day I was aiming to "crank up the heat" with my faith, I elected to forgo a window of time I had set aside for reading my devotional and praying to watch "Bachelor Pad" because I was intrigued by how Jake and Vienna were going to handle facing each other once again after their horrific breakup and fight on national TV.  These are important issues, you know!

Thankfully, I may have gone to bed feeling like I failed, but this morning is a new day and God, in His tender mercy, freely gives us more grace. 

I may not have gotten my devotions in as I'd hoped, but I did spend a lot of time throughout the day thinking through what it means to move from lukewarm to hot in our faith.  Where does that start, and how do I begin?  While walking our dog, Neely, I felt a little whisper to my heart that said, "It starts the same way your blog began...by loving Me."

For those of you who may be new to Long to Love, when we originally began the blog, the main purpose was to bring women together for six months to pray each day for hearts that were completely head over heels in love with our God.  Specifically, to pray every day to love the Lord more than we pray to breathe our next breath.  

This prayer has been so impactful to my faith over the past three years, but I'll be honest with you, I've let it slip.  Yesterday, it was so good to be reminded of just how much God wants my heart, but in terms of a fully devoted heart, I have a ways to go.  

 

I'm not really a planner...it's hard for me to stay organized, keep up with my to-do list, or even schedule things beyond tomorrow, but one prayer a day, I hope I can handle.  Here's the original prayer from way back when, I'd love for you to pray it with me! 


Lord, for six months, may I seek to learn what it means to love you.  I want to love your word, your voice, your presence, your laws, your discipline, your power—I want to love and cherish every part of who you are.  Lord, may I wait expectantly as you begin to transform my life by my willingness to wholeheartedly seek to love you with an unabandoned love. 

 

Hot, Hot, Hot

Image from Starbucks.com

I love coffee.  You can read more about my affection here, but basically, I just adore it.  It's comforting, awakening, consistent, and a year-round beverage that all can enjoy.  What's particularly nice in the summertime is iced coffee, or even a whipped, icy, frappy coffee, if that's your thing. 

Recently, I was enjoying a delicious iced coffee in the 100 degree summer heat, and was struck by how coffee is delicious when cold OR hot, but it is absolutely disgusting when it's lukewarm.  Several times, I have picked up a cup that's at room temperature, and it's all I can do not to spit it out. 

As soon as I had this huge revelation ("lukewarm coffee is gross"...I'm deep, what can I say?!),  my mind jumped to the book of Revelation when it says in chapter 3 where Jesus says, "since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!"  Or as the New King James Version so delicately puts it, "because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."  How's that for a nice Monday morning verse?  

The notes in my Bible, which I just adore, elaborate on this verse and say, "cold springs are refreshing; hot mineral springs are medicinal; lukewarm is nauseating."   


I am very simple person, so somehow when I could weave this verse into a coffee analogy, it suddenly gave me a deeper level of understanding.  Who wants to drink lukewarm coffee?  Not me!  And similarly, when it comes to our faith, God's not looking for people who are half in and half out, He wants all of us.  He doesn't want us to be tepid and wishy-washy, He wants hearts that burn and yearn only for Him.  He doesn't like lukewarm either. 

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."    

God is searching for hearts that are all in.  Are you in??  Let's crank up the heat!!    

"God - you're my God! I can't get enough of you!"

Psalm 63:1 (The Message) 

Linking Up

Happy Friday!!  I don't have many links today, but I do have one piece of advice: Stop what you're doing and go see "The Help."  Now.

Last night, I, along with 300 other women, crowded our movie theater to see the long anticipated release.  Not since Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 have I experienced a movie alongside so many women.  Together, with our mothers, sisters, daughters, besties, and the occasional male counterpart who was dragged along, we laughed, we cried, and left encouraged and challenged to step out, take risks, and use our voice.

I'm not always keen on book-to-movie adaptations, but, in my opinion, this was one of the best ones I've seen in a while.

Now for the link...I was beyond encouraged to read this article on author Kathryn Stockett's perseverance.  Did you know she was rejected 60 times before finally landing an agent for The Help?  How's that for not giving up?

Also, here's a great post written by Proverbs 31's Renee Swoope: Beat Up or Build Up?

Have a great weekend!!     



  

One Little Slice

Image from TheCookingDish.com

One of my favorite things to do with Bernie is cook.  We both love to come up with menus, play around with different flavors, and create something spectacular.  Lots of times, little parables come up that are used to teach me or remind me about God's truth and His promises. 

Sunday night when we cooked dinner for my parents and Bernie pulled out half of a red onion that, at first glance, appeared to be weak, flavorless, and past it's prime.  We thought this little onion was a goner and of no use to us.  BUT....with one little cut of the knife, we trimmed away the dried up edge and what stood before us was a new and transformed onion ready for service!  Gone was its colorless, wan appearance and once again, we had a fragrant, vibrant red onion—an essential component to any good salsa!  With just one little slice, we were back in business.

I don't know about you, but sometimes it's easy for me to feel like this onion—tired, worn out, and used up, without a thing to offer anyone.  But God.  (my two favorite words!) 

He, and only He, can take our dried up, weary souls and revive them.  He can take our wandering hearts and make us new creations.  He can prune our fruitless branches and enable us to bear fruit. 

So faithful and loving is He that even if we appear to be "expired" on the outside and lacking purpose, God can transform us and fill us with purpose once again!            
  

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."

John 15:1 (NLT)

"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
      for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
     Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

Forever-Overflowing-Love-Grace

This week as I prepare for the new transition of Bernie starting school, my heart is torn between feeling excited about another new chapter, but also holding tightly to this short, but significant season God has gifted us in Virginia Beach.  Have I mentioned I hate change?  I know it can be fun and exciting, but you see, I have this thing about being fearful and anxious of the unknown.

Fear...it can be a nasty little monster that rears it's ugly head at the most inopportune times. 

But God.

Over my vacation, I had the joy of reading a lot. One book I'm still slowly inching my way through is Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts and I just can't seem to stop talking about it.  In one chapter she addresses fear and recalls a tender Truth the Lord whispered to her heart that has been both comforting and reassuring to me:

"All fear is but the notion that God's love ends.  Did you think I end, that My bread warehouses are limited, that I will not be enough?  But I am infinite, child.  What can end in Me?  Can life end in Me?  Can happiness?  Or peace?  Or anything you need?  Doesn't your Father always give you what you need?  I am the Bread of Life and My bread for you will never end.  Fear thinks God is finite and fear believes that there is not going to be enough...In Me, blessings never end because My love for you never ends.  If My goodness toward you end, I will cease to exist, child.  As long as there is a God in heaven, there is grace on earth and I am the spilling God of the uncontainable, forever-overflowing-love-grace." 

Seasons Series

I am incredibly encouraged by the "My Season" posts. It is evident that each of those beautiful women is trusting in the Lord exactly where she is in life. One section of scripture that came to mind as I read of the challenges and joys of each season was Jeremiah 29:11-14.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord...

The Lord declares a powerful promise. As we call upon him and seek him honestly, we will find Him. And to find our Lord is fulfillment and joy- wherever and however we may find ourselves at a particular moment.

I can't wait to see how God works in the lives of Josie, Sarah, Abby, Ansley, Jodie and Elizabeth. How exciting that God is preparing each of us in the present for a glorious hope and future!

My Season: Elizabeth Williams

Photo by Eric Kelley

Happy Monday! Thanks again to ALL who participated in the blog last week!  I hope you guys enjoyed it.  Before we totally move on from the "season series,"  I thought I'd share my answers as well...



Name:  Elizabeth Williams
Age:  27
City:  Virginia Beach, VA, but come Friday, I officially transition to Charlottesville

Current Season: Not sure what to put...you know that classic Britney Spears song "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman?"  That's kind of how I feel sometimes; too old to cling to my college days, but too young to join the ranks of Jennifer Garner in 13 Going On 30 as "Thrity, Flirty, and Thriving..."

Besides being a professional mover, my current season is a working girl and as of next Monday, wife to a full-time student.

1.  What is one thing things you can't live without? 

Manicures, Pedicures & Mascara...I know that's three, sorry!


2.  The current book(s) by your bedside table are...  

One Thousand Gifts.

Also, just finished The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by The Pioneer Woman thanks to Anna Kate's fabulous recommendation, and it's a fun, easy read.  A classic, pure, and honest love story. 


3.  Your number one song played on iTunes is...  

You Never Let Go by David Crowder


4.  Fill in the blanks:  If I didn't have __________, I would be _____________.  

If I didn't have such a love and appreciation for good food, I would be sad, but skinnier. 


5.  What do you like best about your current season? 
Here's where the selfishness shines...I love that it's just me and Bernie.  I know it won't always be that way, but I'm trying to savor every minute where it's just the two of us.

6.  What is one difficulty or burden you've experienced/are facing in your current season?   

The uncertainty of my life is both a blessing and a curse.  I love that, with a few exceptions, we're not really tied down to anything--no house, no kids, etc.  BUT so many times, I would love to feel settled and like the next 5-10 years are planned out.


7.  Tell us one way you've seen or experienced God during the past year.   

I have seen God go out of His way to so sweetly and specifically care and provide for me.


8.  What is one name of God you have come to appreciate lately?
 Provider--it kind of goes with my answer above, but I'm just blown away with how God faithfully and dearly provides for His children. 

9.  What's one Bible verse that has been a lifeline for you recently?  

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; DWELL in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”

Psalm 37:3 (NKJV)

10.  Where do you go to be encouraged or inspired?  

Friends, worship music, journaling, running/walking.


11.  Do you have any advice for other women who are in, or may be entering your season soon?   

Live in your "now."  Whatever season you're in, embrace it.  Don't look back and don't long to jump forward too soon.  Be present in the day and moment God has given you. 

My Season: Jodie Berndt

Sadly, today brings a close to our "Season Series" on Long to Love.  But before we shut it down, we have the treat of hearing from one of my friends and a woman I greatly admire, Jodie Berndt.  Not only is Jodie a fabulous wife to one and mother to four, but she's also the author of several books, including Praying the Scriptures for Your Children and Praying the Scriptures for Your Teenagers.  AND, she taught our Changing Seasons Friendship Study this summer that I mentioned several times.  You can watch her in action here and here.  Here's Jodie...

Name:  Jodie Berndt
Age:  48
City:  Virginia Beach, VA
Current Season: Tired Mom

1.  What is one thing things you can't live without? 

 You know how if you go on the show Survivor they only let you take one personal item?  I am not sure I could choose between my Bible (although these days it doesn't work as well without reading glasses, which would mean I would have to take two personal items), or my lip gloss (Cover Girl "Wetslicks #340", which was featured five years ago in Shape magazine, and which I now stock up on in the same way that I have started hoarding non-environmentally friendly lightbulbs.)


2.  The current book(s) by your bedside table are...  

A decorating nightmare, as the stack is nearly as tall as the lamp.  The one on top is about India, but I can't remember the title.


3.  Your number one song played on iTunes is...  

I don't do iTunes.


4.  Fill in the blanks:  If I didn't have __________, I would be _____________.  

If I didn't have my husband; I would be an emotionally unbalanced, indecisive, stressed-out, anxious parent.  (Actually, I am that.  But he covers for me.)


5.  What do you like best about your current season? 

My husband, who--in addition to being the steadying influence in my life--is handsome, athletic, and fun.


6.  What is one difficulty or burden you've experienced/are facing in your current season?   

I am always busy with school functions, church activities, home projects and volunteer commitments, and I worry that I don't have enough fun with my kids.  Not that they'd want to hang out with me, anyway.  But if they did.


7.  Tell us one way you've seen or experienced God during the past year.   

God has provided a number of rich and unexpected friendships for me--a gift made all the more valuable when stacked against a season of life in which time for forging or strengthening friendships is not easy to find.


8.  What is one name of God you have come to appreciate lately? 

Joy-giver


9.  What's one Bible verse that has been a lifeline for you recently?  

Isaiah 61:1-3, which talks about how God will comfort those who mourn and provide joy instead of despair and heaviness, and how he will make us (and, I pray, my children) a "planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

10.  Where do you go to be encouraged or inspired?  

Scripture.


11.  Do you have any advice for other women who are in, or may be entering your season soon?   

There's a country song that my daughter played recently played for me.  I don't know the title (although maybe the refrain IS the title), but it says, "You're Gonna Miss This."  Parenting teenagers is both a challenge (the sleep deprivation is worse now than when they were babies) and a delight (it's a blast to have adult personalities to talk and laugh with), but now that two of our four children are in college, I find myself missing the preschool and elementary school season of life.  Enjoy all those soccer games, parent-teacher conferences, and seemingly pointless science projects.  They go by fast!

My Season: Abby Robertson

 

Three down, and two to go!  Today, we get to hear from the youngest and arguably the nicest of my sisters, Abby.  Not only is Abby beautiful, but she is beyond fun and incredibly compassionate.  Her name means JOY and I just can't tell you what a joy she is in my life.  As the youngest of five, she completes our family in countless ways and I simply adore her. 

Name: Abby Robertson

Age: 21

City: Virginia Beach/Los Angeles/Charlottesville

Current Season: College Student

1.  What is one thing things you can't live without?

Besides family and friends (duhh), I’d have to say music and cheese.

2.  The current book(s) by your bedside table are...

The Help, Jesus Calling, my Bible

3.  Your number one song played on iTunes is...

That’s a doozy but I’d have to go with “Don’t Worry Baby” by the Beach Boys. Or any and all Justin Timberlake.

4.  Fill in the blanks:  If I didn't have ________, I would be __________

 If I didn't have to go to school, I would be a back up dancer for the Black Eyed Peas.

5.  What do you like best about your current season?

It’s unpredictable. I never know what I will be doing with my days or where my life will take me in the next 12 months.

6.  What is one difficulty or burden you've experienced/are facing in your current season?

When I first came to college it was really hard for me find a good weekly fellowship group so I started relying on church as my only weekly time with Christian people. Although I tried a few different campus fellowships in my first year, my schedule was so sporadic I never started regular attending any of them. I kept making excuses to myself about why I could not go to them until I was so far away from my routine of having a weekly fellowship outside of church and doing daily quiet times I no longer cared or tried to put them back in my life. Because of this, all the friends I was making were only in social settings where I never felt comfortable talking about my faith and our relationships were mostly founded on what parties we went to and what we liked to do on weekends. I found myself coming out of first year feeling like I had a really fun year but was not as content with the relationships I made. I was frequently praying God would bring me Christian friends but I wasn’t really pursuing looking for them. 

It was not until my second year when a group of friends from my pledge class signed up for a missions trip that I even realized that God already had brought me an amazing group of Christian friends I had just never bothered to make that connection with them. Although I did not go on the mission trip that year, I still felt closer to my friends than I had all of college. 

My third year of college I finally actively pursued joining a Bible study and it was one of the best decisions I made all year. Even though at times it was hard to get off my couch and go, I decided to make it a priority. Once I would get there I would instantly feel uplifted and happy I made it a part of my night. I was so exctied to have finally established a group like that in college. 

Spring of my third year, I finally decided to go on the missions trip that my friends had been on the year before. It was one of the greatest things I have done in college and after the trip, I finally felt like I had the fellowship group I had yearned for all of college. I guess this is a round about way of saying my biggest challenge in college was finding a good group of Christian friends to bring me back down from the crazy college lifestyle and remind me of the type of person I really am. As my mother has always reminded me from 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Bad company corrupts good character.” I would never say I have ever had bad friends in college but I will say that college can be a very risky four years if you do not surround yourself with people who are going to help you stay on track. College is a different place where it is more important than ever to make sure you have a supportive group of friends.     

7.  Tell us one way you've seen or experienced God during the past year.

Wow there have been too many to pick. A big one that I touched on above definitely just has to deal with bringing me back into a Christian network of people and providing me with a Bible study and great group of friends. 

Another way though I’ve experienced God is just in realizing how he has a plan for every part of my life. I have always been a relaxed person because I truly believe everything happens for a reason and even the bad things in my life are all part of God’s greater plan. This year I was really nervous about what I was going to do with my summer. I wanted to come back out to Los Angeles but when I was thinking about what that entailed I would just get a pit in my stomach going through all the details I needed to take care of and did not think it would be realistic. When I finally got the call saying that I had a job out in LA my stomach lurched at the thought of dealing with housing, my car, and all the details in between. Within days, however, God provided me with all the things I needed to make it an easy, comfortable move out to California for the summer.

Oddly enough, I also experienced God through one of the hardest things I have gone through this summer. When my friend Caitlin and I first moved out to California we had arranged to live in UCLA apartments. This seemed like a great idea because we would be in a college town so with people our own age and be in walking distance of restaurants. I was starting to really get used to California and was having a great time, but for some reason when I boarded the plane to come home for my sister’s wedding I just felt like I was sinking into a slump of hanging out with people who were not encouraging me in my faith. I felt like I was kind of concealing that part of my life to the people I was meeting out here and I was not happy about it. One thing I loved about coming to California the previous summer was getting a break from the college scene of crazy people and lots of drinking and hanging out with my brother’s friends who are so refreshing and fun. While I was home I really prayed that God would keep me away from the wrong crowd and give Caitlin and me a memorable summer that was different than anything we had ever done before.

The week I returned from my sister’s wedding we started having serious problems with our subletters and also discovered we had a stalker by our first floor bathroom that the police had been looking for over the past six months. Although the stalker was a terrifying ordeal, God turned that awful event into a huge blessing because it allowed us to leave the apartment mid-lease and move into a much more comfortable family friend’s guest house. Through that awful event God answered so many of my prayers. We were able to get out of the UCLA area and distance ourselves from the people I felt were dragging me down.  I feel enormously blessed by God this summer and really saw His hand on that awful ordeal. 

8.  What is one name of God you have come to appreciate lately?

The name I appreciate the most lately would have to be Protector. The past few months, one of my favorite prayers is to constantly ask God to protect me. Whether I am asking God to protect me from the lunatic LA drivers or to keep me away from the wrong people and the wrong boys, I have definitely seen him protecting my life in major ways. Although it is a nerve racking prayer to ask when you are content with those around you or a relationship you’re in, I always remind myself that I truly am happiest when I am doing what the Lord wants me to and if he is not happy with the people in my life then I will be weighed down.     

9.  What's one Bible verse that has been a lifeline for you recently? 

“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statues and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 119:1-2)

10.  Where do you go to be encouraged or inspired? 

To hang out with someone whose faith I admire and I know will intentionally or not encourage me in my own faith.

11.  Do you have any advice for other girls who are in, or may be entering, your season soon? 

My one piece of advice for any girl entering college or in college would be to make seeking a Christian group of friends or fellowship group a priority in your life.

My Season: Ansley McCarty Craine

 

 

 Hope you're enjoying these posts as much as I am!  Up next we have another one of my fabulous, fun, and beautiful college roommates: Ansley McCarty Craine.  You might remember Ansley and Will's story from this post.  Enjoy!! 

 

Name:  Ansley McCarty Craine
Age: 27
City: Midland, Tx
Current Season: Newlywed-ish

1.  What is one thing things you can't live without?

 

Foundation/concealer

2.  The current book(s) by your bedside table are...

Crazy Love and The Help

3.  Your number one song played on iTunes is...

"Get on the Floor" --J Lo   

4.  Fill in the blanks:  If I didn't have __________, I would be _____________.

If I didn't have my phone (which I don't), I would (I do) feel really disconnected. 

5.  What do you like best about your current season?

Spending lots of quality time with my husband!

6.  What is one difficulty or burden you've experienced/are facing in your current season?

Now that I am working full time, it's much harder to have the time and energy to do things around the house. And on a less superficial level, I am being challenged about my commitment to Christ by the book, "Crazy Love." I don't want to be a lukewarm follower of Jesus.

7.  Tell us one way you've seen or experienced God during the past year.

My husband, Will, and I went to a Young Life camp for mentally and or physically handicapped people. We both learned so much and were impacted by our time there with our special needs friends. At camp I saw how truly patient God is with us especially since we are so prone to wander off, seek our own way, forget that he provides, not believe that what he says is true, question why, and doubt his plan. He is so patient with us despite the fact that we do these same things over and over again. My eyes were opened to this immense patience as I found myself growing weary of being patient. 

8.  What is one name of God you have come to appreciate lately?  

God, the Redeemer

9.  What's one Bible verse that has been a lifeline for you recently?  

Philippians 4:4-8:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


10.  Where do you go to be encouraged or inspired?  

 

Other than the Bible, my husband and family.

11.  Do you have any advice for other girls who are in, or may be entering, your season soon?  
 

Always do your best to communicate and clear the air of any tension or frustration that could build and stand in between you and your husband, friends, family, and co-workers too.