Lilies of the Field

Announcement: MOVING.

2010-09-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hey friends. It's been a good run on blogger with Lilies of the Field. But I've decided to move to Tumblr. I don't have time to write long posts, and I think Tumblr is perfect for quick pictures or quotes or verses... it's the perfect blogging platform for me right now.

It's still LILIES OF THE FIELD at http://theliliesofthefield.tumblr.com.

ENJOY!

(I'm still going strong with Pilgrim Days)

what, AI??

2010-09-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Guess who are the new judges for American Idol. I honestly have no idea what's going on with that show.

Yeppp... Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

emily!

2010-09-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

I have exciting news!! Well, it was exciting for me, probably won't be for you. Soooo... I followed "Design Star" this summer. However, when I moved up to NC, I lost track of time and stopped watching. So, it was down to like the last four and I didn't see the end. SO, I decided to check recently.... annnddd my favorite girl won!!!

I loved her from the second I saw her. She looks just like Kirsten Dunst and that is cool in and of itself. She almost got kicked off the very first show because she did horribly but I still loved her and she won! Anyway... I checked Once Wed yesterday, and she designed one of the weddings! Then, there was a link to her blog. She has a blog. So, that's the exciting news. Emily Henderson of "Design Star" has a really sweet blog and she won "Design Star" and was featured on Once Wed.

Some of her work on the show from her blog, The Brass Petal.

Fashion Week take 2.

2010-09-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Round 2 is even better.

One of my students informed me that her parents were sitting first row at Tory Burch... WF continues to blow my mind.

You'll notice I was a little smitten with Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren

J. Mendel

Oscar De La Renta

Marchesa

Fashion Week: Spring '11.

2010-09-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Yeahh, the blog has taken a back seat to the job. But, I'm thinking that might just be a good thing.

However, it is fashion week so I wanted to report.

Here are some beauts so far.

Badgley Mischka

Jason Wu

Lela Rose

Reem Acra

Monique Lhuillier

More to come as more shows occur.

"Let the wind go with you 'til the morning comes..."

2010-09-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

Remember my slight love of a band called NEEDTOBREATHE. Well, ya'll, this happened last night....

Seth Bolt, ya'll....

Bear Rinehart, lead singer, who is named after Bear Bryant. Some reason I thought it appropriate to tell him I just graduated from Auburn. Why, I don't know.

Anndd... Bo Rinehart with the whole WF crew.

Thank you, wonderfully assertive, networking Wake Forest students who know how to meet a band.

(A recap in case you don't remember just how awesome they are....)

Old NYC.

2010-09-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

I'm a little obsessed with these photos of New York in the 60's. How I wish I could transport for just a day or two to that place and time. New York in the 60's... wow.

from City Noise

Kiddos.

2010-09-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

Golllly, these kids are cute. Shocker: I have a thing for celeb kids. Maybe I'm adding to the whole dysfunction that is associated with a celebrity kid, and for that I am sorry... but I don't think my little blog will do too much damage. My goodness, they are so precious.

But, then again, so are my nieces and nephews. (Sorry to jump the gun on the pictures, mom.)

This just makes me laugh.

P.S. I have another adorable niece and nephew, however, I didn't receive pics of them this morning so thats why they aren't up here right now.

Red carpet: fall edition

2010-08-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

I love that the Emmy's come on in early fall (ok, well it's still summer). It's a nice treat when awards season is a whole six months away! Well, I have leadership every Sunday night so I am DVR-ing it and watching the red carpet and awards with a bunch of Freshmen tomorrow night... can not wait!! Here are some dresses I would like to see.

These are picks from InStyle.com

Anndd... these are from People.com

A Bryan Wedding.

2010-08-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful wedding... with beautiful music.. and beautiful photography! Inspiration at its finest.

A Bryan Photo

Jenni & Kevin Slideshow from A Bryan Photo on Vime o.

J.Crew strikes again.

2010-08-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to see a new wedding dress for J.Crew. It reminds me of the dress that Meg Ryan tries on in Sleepless in Seattle. I loved that dress as a little girl.... and still love that dress. Thank you for an elegant, modern, long sleeve, J.Crew.

I have a style crush...

2010-08-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

I think she epitomizes what I think of style. She's my answer to the age old question, If you could raid the closet of one celeb, who would it be? No doubt it would be this laid back, cool, yet sophisticated lady who is even more stylish simply by being married to Chris Martin of Coldplay. I have been inspired by her since the age of 10 when she wore pink Ralph Lauren the night she won her Academy Award. Gwyneth Paltrow, your wardrobe and your hairstyles have stolen my heart.

Imitate her look....

Urban Outfitters

J.Crew

Yeah, you swept me away...

2010-08-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

I might be getting a little dramatic, but this Inspiration to Reality design really almost made me emotional. This is STUNNING. And, better yet, it took place in Wilmington, NC! That is definitely on my bucket list of things to do while I am here... go to Wilmington.

See the feature HERE

Annddd I'm not finished yet.

I'm loving this cottage featured on House of Turquoise (if you haven't seen this website, you really need to check it out!)

And, finally a couple of images of my new, humble abode in Winston-Salem, NC. All of this was fully furnished, so none of my doings... I just brought in my clothes, a couple of lamps, and a few things to hang on the walls. I am so, very glad to finally be here!

Ok, off to run, explore my new town, and find a coffee shop to write thank you notes and read!

Have a lovely weekend.

My playlist for the ride.

2010-08-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

These songs will accompany me on my 7.5 hour drive to Winston-Salem! Wake Forest, here I come. During the next few transition weeks, I have no idea what my blogging will be like. I may have lots of time at night and will want to blog, or I may have no time at all and no inspiration... for this blog at least. So, hang with me. In the meantime.... MUSIC.

Mumford and Sons - "The Banjolin Song"... these boys are precious and British and so talented.

MGMT - "Weekend Wars"

Sandra McCracken - "In Feast or Fallow"

Vampire Weekend - "Campus"

And, well, of coouurse... Eric Church - "Carolina"

And a few more...

"Right Moves" - Josh Ritter

"I Can See the Pines are Dancing" - AA Bondy

"Suburban Wars" - Arcade Fire

"Salvation Song" - The Avett Brothers

"The Beacon" - A Fine Frenzy

"Find My Way" - Gabe Dixon Band

"Notion" - Kings of Leon

"Our Kind of Love" - Lady Antebellum

"Love Today" - Mika

"More Time" - NEEDTOBREATHE

"Always" - Peter Bradley Adams

"All the Trees of the Field will Clap Their Hands" - Sufjan Stevens

"A Dustland Fairytale" - The Killers

"Today was a Fairytale" - Taylor Swift

annddd...

"Oh My Sweet Carolina" - Ryan Adams

"Carolina in my Mind" - James Taylor

"Like a phone call from my baby

Sayin' honey I miss you like crazy

Like a sound of a siren song

Oh Carolina, you're callin me home, callin me home"

- Eric Church

I'm going to refer you...

2010-08-08T19:23:00.001-07:00

... to PILGRIM DAYS.

Update Tres.

2010-08-05T08:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, ya'll... $3,000 left to go before I get the call that I am released to campus.

Meannning... I have raised 75% of my support! Praise God!

This is such a strange time... I am very hesitant to make any plans, any arrangements. I am just sitting, waiting, wishing, praying, reading, computering.

Praise God, my co-intern, Stewart, has been "released" to venture into the wild bluegrass hills of North Carolina... he will be leaving Wednesday. I would love, by God's grace, to do the same.

Let me address a small issue. A few people have prefaced to me, "Kate, I want to give to you and let you know I support you, but it's so little, I'm almost embarrassed to even give to you." Guys, let me just say, to even see your name on my list of supporters... well, gosh, that is so encouraging to me. To know that you have intentionally cared to take the time to donate and to say that you support this mission, it means as much to me as a $5000 donation. Yes, I need both to get to Wake, but both are so special and supportive to me. Your love and support and kindness is such a strong foundation as I begin this ministry on Wake Forest's campus.

Sooo... please pray that this would come quickly, so I can begin my journey as an RUF intern.

"The tamarind trees around the bungalow were olive trees, and under them a man knelt alone. She knew it was the Lord, praying in the garden for he children. So the burden was His, not hers. She need not ask Him to share it with her. He was asking her to share it with Him, to search with Him for the lost lambs. 'Who could have done anything but go into the garden and kneel down beside Him under the tree.'" - Elisabeth Elliot

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." - Psalm 121:1-2

And, again, if you would like to donate... click HERE.

Carolina in my mind (wedding edition)

2010-08-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of my impending move to the wonderful state of North Carolina... what else would I do but feature some beautiful weddings from that state? Nope, no amount of theological conferences and support raising and book reading can separate me from my love of weddings.

All from Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, and Snippet and Ink

Another update.

2010-08-02T13:09:00.001-07:00

Hey y'all. Hopefully I will be back soon with some kind of creative gem... however, in the meantime, it is crunch time before moving to Wake... soooo... please check out...

Pilgrim Days

Sweet are the seasons...

2010-07-22T18:33:00.000-07:00

First of all, please check Pilgrim Days for a pretty significant update.

And, sweet is Fall. Sorry it is a little premature, but this wedding just left me speechless. Stunning. And, I'm even pretty out of the wedding craze these days. This photographer, based in D.C., is ridiculous. From Jonathan Canlas.

P.S. I'm gonna be gone for another week. Working at Marannook tomorrow night, wedding in Opelika on Saturday, and then TRAINING in ATL (am I excited, nah...) So, the blog will be slacking most likely. I apologize in advance.

what i'm listening to these days.

2010-07-19T11:04:00.000-07:00

I love these two songs and these two musicians.

fast asleep.

2010-07-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I have trouble sleeping and I like to stay up late... however, if I had this bed... I'd want to go to bed at 8:00 every night and fall fast asleep. Wow.

from A Beach Cottage.

i'm back with a myriad of happy things.

2010-07-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I've been a little all over the place but I'm back home in Scottsboro for about a week. Tonight I am indulging in Gilmore Girls and blog surfing. Tomorrow, back to intern work... In the meantime, I am a big fan of Reem Acra, both for ready-to-wear and wedding.

Ready-to-wear Fall 2010

Wedding Spring 2011

And, some very pretty architecture from Lovely Clusters.

And, to round out a few of my favorite things... a couple of quotes from Gilmore Girls.

"Boys are so confusing. I don't know why they say Venus and Mars. I mean, Mars and Venus at least have something in common they're planets. It's more like Mars and a bowl of soup." - Rory Gilmore

"Lorelai: Can I ask you stupid questions?
Luke: There's no such thing.
Lorelai: How does ink come out of pens?
Luke: All right, there is such a thing."

"Lorelai: No, and I was the very picture of awkwardness, and basically, I just fled. And when I saw Luke later, we got into a fight about it, and I told him his coffee pots were stupid.

Rory: So it was very sophisticated."

"Luke: You talked to Liz?

Lorelai: I thought she was you.

Luke: I'm a man.

Lorelai: Well, she was in your truck.

Luke: When I'm in my truck, I'm still a man."

"Lorelai: [Phone rings and Lorelai answers] Independence Inn

Emily: You should really identify yourself when you answer the phone at work.

Lorelai: Sorry, Independence Inn, major disappointment speaking. Better?

Emily: Yes, thank you."

"Lorelai: You ruined my joke.

Rory: Um, no, the punchline ruined your joke."

I'll be right back.

2010-07-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been out of pocket. If you have not checked it out yet, check out Pilgrim Days to see a quick recap of how my trip to Wake Forest went! I'll be back soon... at the beach and have no wireless at the condo. I am currently at Daylight Donuts in Gulf Shores getting work done... that's a first for me. But, the sweet man gave me a free strawberry donut, so I'm happy! Ya'll have a good afternoon!

NC and a wedding.

2010-07-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous weekend I have coming up! First stop... Dalton, GA... where my roommate and friend from the past four years is getting married! So, wedding and wedding festivities... but this also includes reunions with many of my best friends... and a night of dancing! Just what I need about now. Then... wait for it... Winston-Salem, NC! I am going... for sure this time... with my dear friend, Miss Amy Farnsworth. So, I can finally meet the famous Kevin Teasely face to face and my future roommate and other people who I may very well be calling dear friends in the next year or two. So, I'm off! I shall return next Tuesday.

Some pretty things, in the mean time.

hey there, auburn fan.

2010-07-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe I am stretching it a bit... but... check this out! This picture seriously made my day. I always knew Leo was my favorite.

amy atlas.

2010-07-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

let me preface this by saying, there truly is nothing i would rather be doing right now than what i'm about to do... the RUF internship at WFU. ok, that said... maybe my second dream job would be to work for amy atlas. so, yesterday, i worked at my friend, lauren's wedding. i had some random tasks, but was mainly in charge of keeping things organized at the reception. one of my tasks was to set up the candy buffet. that's when i knew that what i have suspected for a while is true... i would love to work for amy atlas one day.

first of all... candy buffet...

(this pales in comparison to what you are about to see)

second of all... who is amy atlas? she is based in NYC (reason #1 for why i'd like to work for this lady). she is an event designer of sorts... basically, she sets up these really elaborate dessert buffets for parties and weddings and photo shoots. here are some examples. (if amy atlas by chance ran across this, she would either be freaked out or will immediately ask me to remove all pictures. just in case, ALL of these come from Sweet Designs: A Blog by Amy Atlas.)

(some behind the scenes)

(and, my favorite!)

off to make 4th of july cupcakes... that's a start, right?

prayers for the persecuted.

2010-07-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

from Voice of the Martyrs... consider the responsibility we have as a body of Christ to lift our persecuted brothers and sisters up in prayer.

Dear Friends:

What a privilege we have as believers to come boldly to the throne of grace with our praises, prayers and supplications! Our persecuted brothers and sisters covet our prayers above everything else because they know that prayer unleashes the power of God

Pray for the Persecuted:
You can fellowship with the persecuted church by sharing their need for prayer with your family, friends and social media networks. VOM has several resources to help you pray for the persecuted church. Check out this wonderful series on the importance of prayer by author Cheryl Odden: http://bit.ly/cVbHHG. Also check here for prayer requests from the persecuted church and to sign up for VOM's weekly prayer updates: http://bit.ly/u43I4. Remember, you can share all these resources with your friends and family through social media websites as well as check VOM's Twitter (http://bit.ly/chWWGU) and Facebook (http://bit.ly/d62QrE) upd! ates for urgent prayer needs.

a couple of songs for ya.

2010-06-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

from a guy named Mika... seems like a mix between elton john and queen... needless to say his music is a lot of fun!

"grace kelly"

"stuck in the middle"

i'm going to refer you...

2010-06-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

to pilgrim days. please read to hear how God is working through support raising!

ok, never mind.

2010-06-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

i'm not a fan of inconsistency and wishy-washy... but, i change my mind about pilgrim days. it will continue. i received a little bit of negative feedback on that decision. however, lilies might be a little more sparse. and i may simply refer you to pilgrim days sometimes on this site. and, obviously i changed my mind about my blog header as well. i got in the mood for a redesign last night.

since i'm sure you are overly concerned with what is going on with my blog (that was meant as sarcasm, if you did not get that already :) )

from lovely clusters

"You don't have to wallow in regret, you don't have lug around the load of your past. Grace welcomes you to fresh starts and new beginnings." - Paul Tripp

consolidating.

2010-06-23T08:01:00.000-07:00

so, i am starting to realize, i'm not going to be doing nearly as much fashion/wedding/pretty things blogging as i have in the past... therefore, there is not much need for two blogs since i just keep wanting to put intern updates on this one anyways. i will post the occasional interior pictures and wedding inspiration... but it will probably be more heavily influenced by how the Lord is working through the internship process. so, lilies of the field for good, it is, and til pilgrim days will be gone.

"By calling you to die daily, the Gospel welcomes you to live eternally. Contrary to popular opinion, death really is the portal to life." - Paul Tripp

a little video.

2010-06-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

here's a quick video my "co-intern", stewart, put together about RUF at wake forest. i really like to have visuals, don't you?

i love the song here, thy mercy my God. in fact, the last two lines of the first verse was my

senior quote. i remember being greatly affected by the second verse when i was a freshman

at auburn... it really gripped me that without the great mercy of Christ i truly would be in

despair. but, by His sovereign grace, i can live and have hope.

"Thy Mercy My God"

1. Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

2. Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

3. Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

4. Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

- John Stocker

faith and prayer.

2010-06-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11:1)

"WHAT IS FAITH? In the simplest manner in which I am able to express it, I answer: Faith is the assurance that the thing which God has said in His Word is true, and that God will act according to what He has said in His Word. This assurance, this reliance on God's Word, this confidence is FAITH."

- George Mueller

i want to be honest with you. today has been hard... but, that's ok because as James wrote, trials, hardships are what produce perseverance and what make us more like Christ.

my mom pointed me to the life of George Mueller. he is a man who cared for over 10,000 orphans in 5 different orphanages, all simply by the provision of God. george mueller trusted God... he had faith in Him... and God provided. it had nothing to do with the strength of george mueller's faith, but everything to do with who he put his faith in.

so, today...

- please pray that i would trust a God who provides.

- i would look wholly to Him and not on my circumstances.

- pray that He would provide the funds for me to go to Wake Forest...

simply for His will to be done, for His Kingdom to come here on earth.

because none of this has to do with Kate... i want it all to be for Him.

i pray the same would be true for you.

what's your style in one picture

2010-06-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

so, you know i love things like this. from the right bank hosts this challenge to find one picture that defines your style.

ok, this is what i have chosen... from black*eiffel.

i love the soft color palette with many varying shades of white and cream. i like the contrast against the dark wood floors. i like that it is clean and modern, yet not too stark. the fireplace is beautiful with the tile. i like the shapes of the furniture and the different textures in the fabric and the walls. beautiful!!

words to live by.

2010-06-19T08:29:00.001-07:00

"Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." - John 12:24-28

just the words i needed to hear.

2010-06-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

"But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.'

Peter said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.'

And He said, 'Come!' and Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'

Immediately, Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'"

- Matthew 14:27-31

"We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “... why did you doubt?" Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.

You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all."

- Oswald Chambers

bohemian beauty.

2010-06-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

i've been a bit out of the wedding loop lately for obvious reasons. i better get prepared for next month though... it will be wedding extravaganza. anyway, i saw this on style me pretty today and thought, pretty darn close to perfection! bohemian and earthy and whimsical and everything that i adore. hmmm hmm.

ok, let's turn our eyes back to Jesus.

2010-06-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

today, i have read some beautiful Gospel-centered truths that have really helped me to readjust my gaze back to Jesus Christ. it is always so simple... when i think about Kate's abilities and achievements, i stress, i worry, i become fearful. when i look to Jesus, i rest. here is section from an article i read called, human flourishing, by danielle sallade from Christ on Campus Initiative (a college ministry, so focused toward college life). both of these snippets came from The Gospel Coalition.

"As Pastor Tim Keller has noted, when our Savior came to earth, he did not come as a philosopher (a job the Greeks would have highly valued), nor as a noble statesman (a job the Romans would have highly valued), nor as a powerful military general (a job the Jews would have highly valued), but he came as a carpenter - in our modern lingo, a union guy - and this was the one who would save the world. Thus, we would do well to get rid of our modern notions that only some work has dignity because of the compensation and prestige that go with it. We should stop thinking that some work is less valuable because it pays less, requires less education, and is physical in nature rather than cerebral...

Another benefit from rightly valuing all types of work connects to the fact that most students will one day become parents. So many people, and especially women struggle when they finish years of education, work in a particular job for a time, and then leave their jobs to stay home to parent small children and run their households. Many wrestle with a deep sense that when they do this, they are throwing their lives away. They cannot appreciate that the different work of running a household and caring for those who cannot care for themselves i legitimate and valuable work. They cannot grasp the notion that the work their family, which does not bring in a paycheck, might even be more important than what they were doing before. Our hierarchy of work has destructive implications in many directions, family life included.

Let us value work as God intends."

and from Ray Ortlund...

"The Christian life is not most profoundly a matter of ethics; most profoundly, it is a matter of faith. Abraham trusted God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. As Kierkegaard points out in The Sickness Unto Death, “The opposite of sin is not virtue but faith. Whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).”

Ethics we can manage on our own. We can even observe biblical ethics to keep God at a safe distance. But if our hearts are believing the promises of God, we cannot say no to him. We yield to him. We suffer dislocation in this world for his sake. We feel the ground shifting under our feet and we don’t panic. Nothing seems stable, but we accept that. We surrender to God. Drawn on toward his promises, we start changing.

The most urgent question in our lives today is not moral versus immoral but true versus false, heavenly versus earthly, divine promise versus human control, trust versus possession.

Good news for sinners."

a hymn by hart.

2010-06-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

today in church, steven reminded us that...

God is not out to build our Kingdom, He's for His Kingdom.

it's funny how i battle that in my mind. as soon as i remember it, it's like a sigh of relief... Lord, i can let go.

i found this in my book, Gadsby's Hymns. but, this is actually written by a man named Joseph Hart. this is more like a poem... it says it is about the battle between the "soul and the believer". (remember, this is from the 1800's) i guess you could say it is like a battle between the old self and new self. it's a bit lengthy, but i think worth it. no matter, i think this is beautiful...

"B: Come, my soul, and let us try

For a little season,

Every burden to lay by;

come, and let us reason.

What is this that casts thee down?

Who are those that grieve thee?

Speak, and let the worst be know;

Speaking may relieve thee.

S: O, I sink beneath the load

Of my nature's evil!

Full of enmity to God;

Captived by the devil;

Restless as the troubled seas;

Feeble, faint, and fearful;

Plagued with every sore disease;

How can I be cheerful?

B: Think on what thy Savior bore

In the gloomy garden,

Sweating blood at every pore,

To procure thy pardon!

See him stretched upon the wood,

Bleeding, grieving, crying,

Suffering all the wrath of God,

Groaning, gasping, dying!

S: This by faith I sometimes view,

And those views relieve me;

But my sins return anew;

These are they that grieve me.

Oh! I'm leprous, stinking, foul,

Quite throughout infected;

Have not I, if any soul,

Cause to be dejected?

B: Think how loud thy dying Lord

Cried out, "It is finished!"

Treasure up that sacred word,

Whole and undiminished;

Doubt not he will carry on,

To its full perfection,

That good work he has begun;

Why, then, this dejection?

S: Faith when void of works is dead;

This the scriptures witness;

And what works have I to plead,

Who am all unfitness?

All my powers are depraved,

Blind, perverse, and filthy;

If from death I'm fully saved,

Why am I not healthy?

B: Pore not on thyself too long,

Lest it sink thee lower;

Look to Jesus, kind as strong --

Mercy joined with power:

Every work that thou must do,

Will thy gracious Saviour

For thee work, and in thee too,

Of his special favour.

S: Jesus' precious blood, once spilt,

I depend on solely,

To release and clear my guilt;

But I would be holy.

B: He that bought thee on the cross

Can control thy nature;

Fully purge away thy dross;

Make thee a new creature.

S: That he can I nothing doubt,

Be it but his pleasure.

B: Though it be not done throughout,

May it not in measure?

S: When that measure, far from great,

Still shall seem decreasing?

B: Faint not then, but pray and wait,

Never, never ceasing.

S: What when prayer meets no regard?

B: Still repeat it often.

S: But I feel myself so hard.

B: Jesus will thee soften.

S: But my enemies made head.

B: Let them closer drive thee.

S: But I'm cold, I'm dark, I'm dead.

B: Jesus will revive thee."

you know i like a quiz.

2010-06-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

therefore, i copied my friend, rachel. and, surprise, surprise, we got the same prevalent style. however, our secondary style is very different, and it makes complete sense for both of us.

here's the quiz...

and here are my results...

55% French Eclectic

36% Cottage Chic

his understanding is inscrutable.

2010-06-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

these verses are so familiar, ones i have heard since i was a child, but how quickly i begin to forget them. it is amazing how quickly i begin to believe lies. praise God that He is in control.

"A voice is calling,

'Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;

Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

'Let every valley be lifted up,

And every mountain and hill be made low;

And let the rough ground become a plain,

And the rugged terrain a broad valley;

Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

And all flesh will see it together;

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.'

A voice says, 'Call out.'

Then he answered, 'What shall I call out?'

All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.

The grass withers, the flower fades,

When the breath of the LORD blows upon it;

Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth

Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary."

i returned home last night from RUF internship orientation in atlanta last night.

my trip to winston-salem has been postponed.

i'm overwhelmed right now... overwhelmed by all i have to do, overwhelmed with excitement over new friends, overwhelmed by my feeling of inadequacy, yet overwhelmed by my passion for RUF and ministry in general... but mostly overwhelmed by the goodness of God and His sovereignty.

hearing many different stories this week, i was greatly humbled to see the way the Lord is intricately weaving our lives together. how He has brought each intern to this point in their lives and how He has chosen a place for them. He has chosen because He holds the master plan.

may i not forget that.

His Word stands forever.

He gives strength.

I am made adequate in my inadequacy.

Everything is for His glory... not for mine.

His understanding is incomprehensible.

i'm out.

2010-06-07T04:09:00.001-07:00

i'll be at orientation for new RUF interns this week in ATL... so i'll be gone for the week. then, hopefully headed to winston-salem for the weekend to check out my future home!

so, i'll be back in about a week!

color, color, color.

2010-06-05T17:13:00.000-07:00

i love color.

therefore, i love this bookazine... as house beautiful calls it. it's 120 pages of paint colors and beautiful descriptions of those paint colors. wonderful!

these are the colors that would fill my dream home...

cloud white by benjamin moore

"There's just something about white that feels very pure and fresh and doesn't compete with the rooms off the hallway. This is not too gray, which can get a little sad, and not too blue. It has warmth, but it's not yellow. Just a nice reflective white that's soothing and peaceful."

- Alex Papachristidis

tudor brown by benjamin moore

colony green by benjamin moore

caponata by benjamin moore

"This is a very approachable color. It's like a Pinot Nor... I see it in a high sheen, flowing in the lamplight. It would envelop you and feel very calming and peaceful and quiet."

- Suzanne Lovell

happiness and love by benjamin moore

"This is a ballet-slipper pink with a hint of beige, which keeps it from looking too sweet."

-Alexa Hampton

btw... i spent way too much time working on this post. however, i'm pretty tired because i stayed up late and drove home pretty early and have been playing with kids a lot today. so now my parents are gone to dinner and i have the house to myself. so, i spent a lot of time tonight just researching color. yep, that's a hobby of mine. strange, i know.

and, these kiddos have been keeping me company lately. not too bad, if i say so myself.

ellie, 5

luke, 3.5

andrew, 15 months

i love mint.

2010-06-01T19:01:00.001-07:00

the color that is... probably my favorite after white.

i highly recommend...

2010-06-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

you read this book.

it reveals the deep, hidden nature of our hearts... and it can be quite heartbreaking... but also very freeing. anyway, i highly, highly recommend you read this book.

it is so true that my heart is such an idol factory... betraying the God that has saved me and loved me tenderly. tim keller has been so gifted by God to explain the truths of the Bible and expose the true nature of our hearts. i love the way that he takes the different characters of the Bible who God so sovereignly put together in scripture, and relates their struggles, sins, and redemption with our own lives.

here is a snippet from the end of the book... he weaves the story of Jacob and Rachel and Leah throughout the book. Here, Keller is talking about the night Jacob wrestles with God.

"Jacob realized who he was wrestling with - God himself! When he realized this and saw the sun coming up, Jacob did the most astonishing thing he had ever done. He did not do the rational thing, which would have been to cry out 'Let me go! Let me go! I don't want to die!' Instead, he did the very opposite. He held on tight and said, 'I will not let you go until you bless me!'

Jacob was saying something like this.

'What an idiot I've been! Here is what I've been looking for all my life. The blessing of God! I looked for it in the approval of my father. I looked for it in the beauty of Rachel. But it was in you. Now, I won't let you go until you bless me. Nothing else matters. I don't care if I die in the process, because if I don't have God's blessing, I've got nothing. Nothing else will do."

- Tim Keller

i was also very interested to see that Keller quoted the president of Wake Forest who spoke these words just last spring...

"Nathan Hatch, president of Wake Forest University, admitted what many educators have seen for years, that a disproportionate number of young adults have been trying to cram into the fields of finance, consulting, corporate law, and specialized medicine because of the high salaries and aura of success that these professions now bring. Students were doing so with little reference to the larger questions of meaning and purpose, said Hatch. That is, they choose professions not in answer to the question, 'What job helps people to flourish?' but 'What job will help me to flourish?' As a result, there is a high degree of frustration expressed over unfulfilling work."

isn't it so true? i know that it is for me. what in my life helps me to flourish? we are so about our glory instead of God's... about serving these idols because they will bring us identity. but, that's not truth at all. Jesus was all about God's glory. often, even in our seeming efforts for others, it can really be about us. am i receiving acclaim for this action? and it always leaves us frustrated... because the truth of the matter it's not about us.

that's what this book addresses.

and let me tell you... that is what i struggle with every day!

i guess it all goes back to...

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Philippians 1:21

what inspires me.

2010-05-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

how have i missed this girl before? this particular calligrapher's wedding will be featured in the new martha stewart weddings which has been said will be the best yet. but, when has that not been said? no matter what, i can't wait to get it.

from love, jenna.

please check out pilgrim days.

2010-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

hey guys... to get a full-length understanding of my calling to the RUF internship, please read Pilgrim Days.

i'm sure that sounds so enticing :) read all about Kate. haha.

but, seriously, if you have any interest in supporting me prayerfully or financially, i would love for you to understand how this is the Lord's plan, His calling, His mission.

and... the simplest way in which you can support me financially is to click here.

search for my name, Kate Rhodes - Wake Forest Intern, listed under staff.

top 5.

2010-05-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

in my book, today at least... my top 5 things... well in general, ever.

1. God (ok, He rules over all and is in all)

2. My fam

3. Right now, RUF's pretty up there, pretty prevalent

4. JCrew (esp. wedding collection)

5. American Idol

Yep, in that order.

Do you think I'm putting too much affection in a couple of things?? Nah.

I mean, check out this lovely dress!

and these two talented finalists...

congrats, lee dewyze!

american idol is wearing thin.

2010-05-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

so, i'm realizing american idol is dying out, and i am bummed because i have been faithful to the show since day 1 when i was in 9th grade.

i'm rooting for lee dewyze, though i doubt he will win. neither of them have nearly the power that adam and kris did last year.

in memoir, my two favorite moments in american idol history.

fashion from cannes.

2010-05-24T20:28:00.000-07:00

i'm back in scottsboro, finally! but...

enough about my happenings. here are some beautiful clothes from a film festival in france.

gotta begin with michelle williams... one of my favorites, if not favorite. and she is so wonderfully coordinated with costar ryan gosling.

elizabeth banks

jennifer lopez

mischa barton

michelle, again.

diane kruger

funny, i do not even remember her name. but her dress is beautiful and frothy.

naomi watts

kate beckinsale

confession... i don't really like this dress very much at all.

but... last night i watched the 5 hrs. of lost. i had seen most of the first season and have heard so much about this show... so i was not completely unaware of the plot. however, i definitely have not been a lost follower. well, i watched the 2 hr. recap and final episode and am so crazy about it. therefore, i just wanted to post this pic when i ran across it in the midst of the other cannes fashion. oh... lost. and evangeline lily... my goodness, she is gorgeous.

O is married!

2010-05-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

here are a few pics... i have to keep this brief. i'm having internet issues.

but, what a beautiful weekend! olivia klein is now olivia pugh... yay for Kam and O!

meghan and i at rehearsal dinner.

unfortunately this is very blurry... but bridesmaids with olivia at rehearsal.

how beautiful she is.

bridesmaids!

somebody must have hit the fast-forward button.

2010-05-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

things are happening and changing pretty quickly these days.

there was about a month or so there where all i could do was s c h o o l ...

and time seemed to drag by...

then, i found out the Lord was faithful and i was able to graduate...

then...

- childhood friend got married

which meant i got to go to a dream wedding and meet some really cool people

- summer conference in FL

which meant lots of wonderful teaching

meeting other interns, new and old

one last fun trip with Auburn RUF

beach time!

- now, Marannook friend's wedding

bridesmaids luncheon, rehearsal, wedding!!

- then, move out of this house in Auburn

- and go back to Scottsboro...

- and raise a lot of money

- and train to be an intern

- and then more weddings...

- and in the midst of it another amazing friend got engaged.

life's changing...

and moving fast.

in the meantime, a couple of pics from summer conference and a couple of things i learned.

notice they are antiqued... well, i did a little editing because basically i looked like a tomato.

hopefully i will be all tan by O's wedding.

megs and me.

scott, richard, and me.

john stone spoke on this passage the final night i was there... what a beautiful picture of faith.

"A woman who had lived a sinful life in town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner.'... Jesus said, 'Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.'... Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace." - Luke 7:36-50

it is not the strength of our faith that saves us, but the object of our faith that saves us.

if only we could get just how beautiful Jesus really is like this woman did, then our affections could start to change.

i finally purchased this book i have been wanting for awhile... Gadsby's Hymns. here is a hymn from that book.

"O love divine, how sweet thou art!

When shall I find my willing heart

All taken up by thee?

I thirst, I faint, I die to prove

The greatness of redeeming love,

The love of Christ to me.

Stronger His love than death or hell;
Its reaches are unsearchable;
The first born sons of light
Desire in vain its depths to see;
They cannot reach the mystery
The length, and breadth, and height.

God only knows the love of God;
O that it now were shed abroad
In this poor stony heart!
For love I sigh, for love I pine;
This only portion, Lord, be mine,
Be mine this better part."

a wedding on the mountain in rural alabama.

2010-05-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

last night, one of my childhood friends got married. we always knew the day beth got married, it would be quite the event... i don't think we realized just how spectacular it would be. in the midst of rural alabama is a beautiful little community called Gorham's Bluff, that overlooks the valley and the water. it really is beautiful up there. but, it is quite funny that such an event took place in such a location. beth looked beautiful, of course, and it was so fun to see old friends.

and... i had the great privelage of meeting tara guerard of soiree events and two of her partners, kate and martha. how exciting. i guess you could say it would be like a photographer meeting ansel adams, or an artist meeting van gogh. i am just in wedding, design, floral, cake, music bliss today.

here are the pictures. however, they won't do it justice. i can't wait for liz banfield's (the photographer) pictures to come.

we will start with the rehearsal dinner. you can go to my mom's blog for all events of the weekend. she definitely kept a running commentary of the wedding all weekend like it was breaking news. that's my mom for ya.

mom and i before the dinner.

my oldest sister, ann, and me.

and the wedding by soiree.

pathway to the ceremony.

this was a gift from beth to her parents... an artist to paint the wedding. her parents can now hang the beautiful painting in their house.

my mom and the mother of the bride (in marchesa, my goodness she was beautiful)... best friends.

the ceremony in the ampitheater.

cocktail hour.

i don't have any good shots of beth in her first dress... but if you look closely behind the cake, there she is.

notice the rounded banquette seating.

outside tents for drinks, and beyond that you can see the transition space for cocktails and hors' douvres.

notice the seersucker tablecloths, and of course, beautiful peonies.

childhood friends at the end of the night, with beth... (in her reception dress.)

have you met my niece and nephews?

2010-05-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

i typically don't post about them, because ann and my mom do an outstanding job of that. (this is only one sister... you aren't even seeing ada and john... but you can see them here if you would like.) but, i was adding pictures from my mom's camera and found these and decided to just let the world know how cute my nephews and niece are.

Luker Buker

oh sweet, Andrew

and Ellie Bellie, already loving the peonies.

girl after my own heart. (or per my mom's posing)

...and a preview for tonight.

pictures of the tent being set up last night.

the people designing/planning the wedding?

the people who wrote this book...

i will have more pictures later.

revamp.

2010-05-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

so, with all these people getting new blogs and designing them, i was in the mood for a new look. i will most likely be working with it a bit... so it may change. just an explanation.

i know i'm blogging alot.

2010-05-12T10:02:00.001-07:00

but, there are just so many things i want to say.

i just read this in my journal... jotted down a few days ago... gosh, i really love God right now.

i am having one of those, i'm starting to see the big picture moments.

"If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path. We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever done before?" - Chambers

"The Lord your God who is going before you will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."

- Deuteronomy 1:30-31

i'll see ya later.

2010-05-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

nothing could describe what the last couple of months have been like more... or you could say the past four years for that matter... than this devotional from oswald chambers.

"A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”

i can not believe it is over.

i've said goodbye so many times to so many people.

and it's hard and weird, because we say goodbye, unsure of what is going to happen next.

will i ever see you again? well, i hope so. but, it's certainly going to be hard to see all of these people that i love, often. there are only a few that you can really, really keep up with and see on occasion. especially if you are going to live about 8 hrs away, like i am.

i am getting a skype account, that is for sure.

so i like to just say, oh, i'll see ya later.

here are just a few things i want to say goodbye to...

Taylor's & Toomer's

RUF, Dudley Hall, and the Vise house

Spidle Hall

Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center

Ale House & 8th and Rail

Bard house & the Death Star

scribble scrabble

dance parties

Jordan Hare stadium

Student Act

Berta Dunn (ADPi dorm)

Quiet Words shows

Town Creek Park & Kiesel Park

Lowder (i think i am most excited to say goodbye to you)

Big Blue Bagel

people.

Rachel, Rachel, Sarah - discuss, analyze, discuss everything; dream a little too much; beach trips

Ham - dancin pal; and lover of everything foreign; have fun at Marannook and Italy, my friend

SK, April, Ansley, Lauren, and Katherine - we will always be Auburn tigers

Laura, Leslie, and Lauren - so much like you, only wish i knew it sooner

Megs - taught me everything i need to know to be an intern

Meghan, Olivia - two of the most precious people i know; Marannookers

ME - amazing ADPi prez friend, and Maranooker

Cabray - sweetest roommate a girl could have

Scott, George, Drew, Matthew - studly men and fab monopoly players

Mary Louise - lifesaver, you helped me make it through HRMT

Amy, Leslie - you have been gone for a while now, but you introduced me to the wonderful world of Auburn RUF

love you all.

i am thankful that God ordained for each of these things and these people to be in my life. i know that He works everything together for His purpose.

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6-8

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." - Romans 8:28-29

I CAN GRADUATE!

2010-05-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

i made a B on my finance final!!!! i just needed to pass... that's all... but i made a B!! thank you so much for your prayers... i can complete my time here! i have never felt so much relief, ever. praise be to God!!

unwind with a pretty wedding.

2010-05-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

thanks to everyone who prayed for my test today.

i am now spending time filling myself with "what not to wear" and blog surfing.

this wedding did the trick to refresh me from studying.

thanks, once wed.

happy mother's day!

2010-05-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

i'm so thankful for my mom... and we are very much alike in many ways.

we like...

clean, white sheets

peonies & hydrangeas

coffee

a well set table

cat stevens

the Heavenly Man and all his story entails

things that make us different...

my mom loves her home and small town and would prefer to stay there all the time if she could.

i like the city and i would prefer to visit all the countries in the world if i could.

my mom has a little more spunk than i do. i think that would be the right word for it.

i have a long way to go before i will be able to clean the way she does, cook like she does, garden like she does, and love on children the way she does.

"She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness."

- Proverbs 31:26-27

i love you, mom.

layered tulle.

2010-05-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

look what i found today during a study break! i'm madly in love with it.

oh, j.crew, you are easy on the eyes.

j.crew.

i love you, auburn.

2010-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

like i said, a rave took place in the library last night.

here is a wonderful video of the occurance.

and if you happen to see a guy in a bear costume, i'm proud to say he is a good friend of mine. his name is george.

it's great to be an Auburn Tiger

and by the way, i have short hair now. it's just a big deal for a girl, so i thought i would share.

ok, off to take a final!

Auburn Flash Mob Rave from Eagle Eye TV on Vimeo.

fashion and a flashmob.

2010-05-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

i was about to lay my head on my pillow when People informed me that tonight was the Costume Institute Met Gala which is the most wonderful fashion event of the year. better than any awards show. here are my favorites. (yep, there are 12 favorites. so, maybe you can't consider that favorites, but the top 3 are my favorite favorites). i think you will definitely notice a trend in colors.

(yes, taylor swift was in auburn last week! she looks stunning.)

(the most stylish couple, ever.)

and here is a picture of auburn university's library at 11:30 tonight.

yes, that's how auburn does it. we had a "flash rave" and there were thousands of students who swarmed the 2nd floor of the library tonight at 11:30 PM. i have a split big toenail that is pretty sore to prove it. i'd say we are leaving auburn with a bang... t.swift and a flash mob in the library within two weeks. not bad.

and the fabulous RUF crew, celebrating with confetti.

add to my list of things to see.

2010-05-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

this is the kind of place i dreamed of as a kid... and still dream of. can you imagine?

from Mag Chunk.

mixed emotions.

2010-05-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

what my life looks and feels like these days...

what i wish it looked like...

i am going to miss my dear friends, i really will...

...but i'm the kid who freaked out if her mom was 5 minutes late to pick her up. meaning, i like structure.

so, i'm looking forward to getting back to a routine lifestyle.

graduation, here we come.

he will come.

2010-05-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

"My heart is waiting inside it's fading

And the leaves they won't stop falling

Days grow shorter, nights are longer

Winter wraps its arms around me

Chorus:

(You said) Wait child

I'm in love with you

It's a solemn vow

I'll come back for you

Bridge:

He will come as surely as the sun bursts into light

He will come until then I will keep my lamp burning bright

He will come, He will come"

- enter the worship circle

oh, my God, i love Thee.

i like my mom's post about this flower.

i find solace in Chambers these days.

2010-05-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

but he is simply explaining the truth of the gospel and God's word.

"We walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians

"God is trying to make us do our work as hidden people who are not in the spotlight. None of us would be hidden spiritually if we could help it. Can we do our work when it seems that God has sealed up heaven? Some of us always want to be brightly illuminated saints with golden halos and with the continual glow of inspiration, and to have other saints of God dealing with us all the time. A self-assured saint is of no value to God. He is abnormal, unfit for daily life, and completely unlike God. We are here, not as immature angels, but as men and women, to do the work of this world. And we are to do it with an infinitely greater power to withstand the struggle because we have been born from above.

If we continually try to bring back those exceptional moments of inspiration, it is a sign that it is not God we want... God will give us His touches of inspiration only when He sees that we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never consider our moments of inspiration as the standard way of life— our work is our standard."

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

"Amongst flowers the rose is deemed the sweetest, but Jesus is infinitely more beautiful in the garden of the soul than the rose can be in the gardens of earth. He takes the first place as the fairest among ten thousand. He is the sun, and all others are the stars; the heavens and the day are dark in comparison with him, for the King in his beauty transcends all."

- Spurgeon

i am finished...

2010-04-30T15:00:00.001-07:00

with classes forever!!

not finals... but classes.

lots of color and personality analyzation? doesn't get much better.

2010-04-30T08:33:00.001-07:00

i like lake and cement.

click here for a larger picture!

i am so stinkin sentimental these days!

2010-04-28T10:56:00.001-07:00

ok, sarah played this song for me. it is "she & him's" version of my favorite song we sang with ADPi. the words are just a little different. i am so glad she found this.

farewell, Auburn RUF.

2010-04-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

monday night was my final RUF to attend at Auburn. i am so thankful for the impact that it has had on me. i remember the first time i attended RUF as a freshmen. i was so eager to try everything, all the campus ministries, new churches, sororities, etc. the very first time i visited RUF, i knew it would be a great source of spiritual food for me. i was right. i am so thankful that the Lord chose to bless me with this ministry through friendships, teaching, and music... and now through employment. i will treasure my time with Auburn RUF.

so, in honor of the final RUF, here are some memories...

my first introduction at the lake to many RUFers, Freshmen yr.

such a fun supper club, Freshmen yr.

Freshmen yr., Callaway Gardens

Lagniappe in Bay St. Louis MS, Freshmen yr.

RUFers at ADPi formal, Freshmen yr.

Half marathon in Nashville, Freshmen yr.

Sophomore yr., RUFers at stadium movie

Sophomore yr., Black Diamond, RUF crew

Missippi St/Auburn game in Starkville, Junior yr.

scavanger hunt around Auburn, Junior yr.

fun times, Senior yr.

Mallard Ball, RUF crew, Senior yr.

and, they start to get married. Emma's wedding, Senior yr.

Amazing, wonderful NOLA mission trip, Senior yr.

Love each and every one of you!

and so it continues.... future interns at Auburn's final RUF... Samford for Scott, Wake Forest for me

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:3-6

"O may Thy soldiers,
faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints
who nobly fought of old,
And win with them
the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Allelu..."

- For All the Saints

guess who showed up in auburn today.

2010-04-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

hilarious... i love auburn!

a thorough explanation.

and my view! (not as good)

i know you can't really see her, but she was incredibly beautiful.

it really was a pretty funny scene.

washed by the water.

2010-04-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

i'll start out with this...

(i found a much better video)

that was the finale of the night and the highlight of the night. i think i was almost emotional at this point.

they unplugged their guitars and crawled up on an overhang in sloss furnace to play "washed by the water".

(i only wish the quality of pictures and videos was much better!)

"Though it might be painful
You know that time will always tell
Those people have long since gone
My father never failed

Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water"

i had high expectations for needtobreathe, but somehow they far exceeded them! what a wonderful, wonderful night.

best $25 i ever spent. a much needed night as i head into my final two weeks of school. the performance was incredible... incredible... but what made it even greater was the fact that so many of those lyrics were exactly what i needed to hear.

bear and seth.

"We’re off to new lands
So hold on to my hands
It’s gonna be alright
It’s a whole lot brighter
So stand by the fire
It’s gonna be alright
Yeah, the road gets harder
But it’s not much farther
It’s gonna be alright
You know that it ain’t easy
Please believe me
It’s gonna be alright

Please don’t worry now
It will turn around"

- More Time

seth.

"So tell me why I should run for cover
At the sound of the coming thunder
All I hear is the cry of my lover
Yeah take your shot
I won't turn back"

- Won't Turn Back

bo.

"Give me motivation
Give me all my heart's desires
Show me something gorgeous
Show me 'til my eyes get tired
Give me all the drums and
Show me how to play them loud
Show me how to move
When I can't feel that you're around

It's clear enough to me
The ugliness I see
Is evidence of who I need

Give me the answer
Give me the way out
Give me the faith
To believe in these hard times"

- Hard Times

matthew mayfield was great, too.

as was, matt hires.

sweet laura and me.

word for word what they said about the night...

"AMAZING show tonight in B'ham w/ @matthewmayfield and @matthires. Feeling very blessed after nights like these. Thank y'all!" - via Twitter

and, i'm posting these in reverse order. but, this was my first impression... pretty darn good, i'd have to say. check out bo in the red and black checked button up. he was definitely deemed the entertainer of the bunch... watch his legs move.

i really wish i could see this every day of my life. but, life does not really work that way.

off to the daily grind (SK, if you are reading this, that makes me think of you)!

change of plans.

2010-04-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

needtobreathe

matthew mayfield

matt hires

i get to see these three guys tomorrow!! so, this is what happened. after much deliberation, my

two girlfriends and i decided not to go to the concert because of the bad weather. well, what i

feared happened. the weather was not nearly as bad as everyone predicted. however, after

accepting the disappointment, we received word that they had moved the concert to tomorrow

night! so, i will finally be going to see needtobreathe. it has been quite a saga. however, will

hoge will not be able to play tomorrow night. matthew mayfield is going to take his place... but

i am excited about that as well!

and, tonight ended up being so fun. i had much needed hang out time with some friends... one

of which ran a whole marathon this morning! wow. so, it was a chill evening... just watching

slumdog millionaire... quite possibly my favorite movie ever. so, so good. and we even

attempted to learn the dance at the end.

well, good night friends. i will hopefully dream good dreams of seth bolt and bear rinehart.

first commandment: let's take a deeper look.

2010-04-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

"You shall have no other gods before me." - Exodus 20:3

What are sins forbidden in the first commandment?

self-love

self-seeking

all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our

mind,

will,

or affection upon other things

and taking them off from Him in whole or in part

What are the duties required in the first commandment?

to worship and glorify God accordingly by

thinking

meditating

remembering

highly esteeming

adoring

choosing

loving

desiring

fearing Him

believing Him

trusting

hoping

delighting

rejoicing in Him

being zealous for Him

walking humbly with Him

- Westminster Larger Catechism

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not 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, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:8-9

ecclesiastes 9:7,9-10

2010-04-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

"Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do... Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might."

"But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing–to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker. We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work." - Oswald Chambers

i am a walking cliche.

2010-04-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

...and i am ok with that. i am very big tim tebow fan. although his commercial with his mom during the superbowl was a little odd.

i completely forgot today was the NFL draft. i have been waiting for it since the fall! and who would have thought i would have ever said that?

so, basically today i became a broncos fan... along with many other non-die hard football loving girls around the country, especially the south. i'm just glad that it's denver, colorado. i can appreciate that... what a beautiful state!

yay, tim tebow! go broncos!

interview

let His love win.

2010-04-21T06:20:00.001-07:00

so, i'm gonna pull something my mom likes to do...

from of first importance this morning.

richard paraphrased this once in a sermon, and i feel like i have then quoted him several times before. so, i'm glad to have the unabridged quote. but, oh my goodness, i needed to hear this this morning.

“When we go to the cross, we see our God dying for us. If you let any other god down, it will beat you up. If you live for people’s approval or your career or possessions or control or anything else and you don’t make it or you mess up, then you’ll be left feeling afraid, downcast, or bitter. But when you let Christ down, he still loves you. He doesn’t beat you up; he died for you.

Let his love win your love, and let that love replace all other affections. The secret of change is to renew your love for Christ as you see him crucified in your place.”

- Tim Chester

these days, God is really teaching me a lot about His love relationship with me. ok, so that sounds basic, like the fundamentals. but, i get so caught up in what i have done/what i am doing/comparing myself, etc... i forget that He simply wants to have an intimate love relationship with me and then the "doings" will come from that. if i am not enjoying my relationship with Him first and foremost, then all the "stuff" is nil and void. and it is not so much that i am constantly doing for others, it is more the fear that i am not doing enough. God did not call us to live in fear. He freed us. like the quote says, i am enslaved by living for approval when, the thing is, i've already been accepted.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:8-10

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." -James 4:4

lover's lullaby.

2010-04-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

thank you, thank you, matthew perryman jones.

Oh and dream, Lover dream

The dreams that are lost in you

Don’t be afraid to let yourself go

Oh and see, Lover see

The wonder that lives in you

Open your eyes, it is there to behold

And know that your whispers for love have been heard

By a heart that is gentle and kind

You are the one He is seeking to find

Oh and live, Lover live

In the freedom His love gives you

Don’t bare the marks of the slave-driver’s hands

Oh and give, Lover give

The gifts He has given you

Recklessly throw all your cares to the wind

And know that your whispers for love have been heard

By a heart that is gentle and kind

You are the one He is seeking to find

Oh and hear, Lover hear

The lyric He’s written you

As freely you dance to the rhythms of grace

Oh and rest, Lover rest

The price has been paid for you

Rejoice! Let the dancing begin

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." - James 3:4-8

"James is saying that if you understand the lover and friend you have, you won’t want any other lover or friend. If you remember the lover and dancer who has called to you to the floor, you won’t want to dance with anyone else.

But if you look to Jesus, and you see all he’s done for you, if you look and see him as a ravishing lover, then you will stop giving your affection to other lovers. Solomon 6:3 says, “I am my beloved’s and he is mine.”

I think James is tapping into this metaphor when he says, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”

a bed and a song.

2010-04-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

i have a little break time and i want to think about some pretty things to relax my mind for a bit.

i may be purchasing this bed from ikea this summer and i am really excited about it. it is only $99!! crazy, huh? has anyone ever bought a bed or any other furniture for that matter from ikea and have you had a good experience with it?

now, what to go on that bed? granted i most likely will not be purchasing new bedding. i like decorating and do not know how i will be able to be settled with the same look for a very long amount of time one day... but that is most certainly what i will have to do.

here are a few options i will dream about...

dwell studio ^

here's a much more affordable option from target ^

and if i really did get to get whatever bedding i chose, it would be quite a toss up between these two. either uber romantic tuxedo bedding from anthropologie ^

...or more relaxed preppy/nautical from dwell studio (below)

and, as i was posting this, this song by tenth avenue north popped up on pandora. i really needed to hear it... it's been a while.

"By Your Side"

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

all i need to say.

2010-04-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

"I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.' Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you." - Judges 2:1-3

"But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

The LORD has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God."

- Joshua 23:8-9

"Telling a slave to be free is to add insult to injury. But telling a liberated slave to be free is an invitation to enjoy his new freedom and privileges." - Tim Chester

and... good night.

i have a new love...

2010-04-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

and her name is donna karan. it is funny, because i've never been blown away by her clothes. that changed yesterday when i saw her interviewed on the view. two things that stuck out...

she failed draping at parson's school of design. thank you, dk, for encouraging me. she is the queen of draping. she never thought she would design. she thought she would be a stay-at-home mom and was content with that. however, she said that the "universe" led her to design and her career fell into her lap.

(of course, i completely disagree with her beliefs. however, i do appreciate her living according to what is given to her and not living according to a 5-year/10-year plan.)

secondly, she talked about how she must look into the mirror every day and address the situation. that is how she knows how to dress a woman's body, a real woman's body. and she loves fabric. i loved that. she is a real woman in the midst of fake hollywood women that women across america (including myself) strive to be. but, she is just lovely and i love the way she dresses. well, that just made me appreciate her clothes so much more.

and her clothes. if only i had millions of dollars. then i might be able to wear them. i will just admire from afar.

thank you, donna karan. i will keep my eye on your clothes from now on.