diet pepsi.

I miss Diet Pepsi. I usually have it at lunch and dinner. Yes, I know it's not good to have so much diet drink BUT I like it. The good thing about me giving up diet pepsi for Lent is that I actually think about its absence in my life. I was reading in Romans the other day and came across this verse:
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation!

Romans 5:9-11

We have the promise of RECONCILIATION through Jesus because of his sacrifice!! Something I'm thinking upon as I miss my diet pepsi.

daughter not poser.

Brennan Manning is one of my very favorite authors. This book I just finished of his was just really great. He talks about finding your identity in being God's Child and how that is who we were truly created to be. A "poser" is the identity inside of us that says we are less than loved and must work for our place in this world as God's child or whatever else we are trying to make into who we are. In my life, I struggle with failure and the idea of not earning my spot in God's love. The freedom that comes with knowing that I am truly just loved by God without achievements or measurements is hard for me to embrace, but so beautiful and redeeming when I do. He talks about praying and being completely honest with yourself and God with who you are and where you screw up. I learned so much. Loved this book!! Hope you read it.

"Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper but only his child redeemed by Christ." -James Finley

masquerade.

(Me and my Best friend excited to be dressed up!)



(This blur is the INSANE fun we are all having dancing!)

I love to dance! My FROSH group that gets together and plans things for my campus ministry "Crusade" had the great idea of planning a Masquerade for everyone! All of us girls had the opportunity to break out our old prom/homecoming dresses and get all dressed up (the boys did too) and dance. It was so much fun. And yes, people actually did wear masks to this "masquerade". It was legit for sure.

just dust.

From dust you came and to dust you shall return. The season of Lent is coming up this Wednesday and I am so excited about it. It's a time of remembering that we are just dust and then Easter comes around and we remember that God died for us, even though we are only dust! Brennan Manning explains in his book "Posers, Fakers, & Wannabees", that Lent is... "a symbol of admitting our failures and weaknesses and renewing our attempt at trusting God through thick and thin..." I really hope as I give up junk food and diet pepsi this year, that I will be aware of all that I continue to keep from God and try to control in my life and remember how great God's redemption and grace is.. and that it's for me, even though I'm dust.

my valentines.

Usually, Valentine's Day is not the greatest for all us single ladies. But thankfully, that was not the case for me. Ever since my very first year of pre-school, my daddy has sent me flowers to school. Just what a little girl wants from her daddy, to be noticed and told she's loved. This year, they made it all the way to Springfield! So grateful to have a dad who makes me feel so special. My mom also sent me a little something in the mail. A pocket-card filled with ten reasons that she loves me. They are amazing parents. I am so blessed!