My Testimony

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:30


This verse has become a true guiding post for my life and my actions. I am striving to be a woman after God's own heart, and in the days we're living in, it's becoming more and more of a challenge to do that. Many times I find myself thinking of ways I can get people to like me - talk a certain way, dress a certain way, fix my hair a certain way, say all the right things. But I always come back to this verse that clearly says that CHARM and BEAUTY are fleeting. God looks at the heart, and all that other stuff doesn't matter to Him.

I'm sitting here listening to my worship playlist, spending some time with Jesus, and I felt lead to write this post and share a little bit of my testimony. I pray that my struggles and my failures will encourage others to keep pushing on and to keep running the race. I want all my friends and family, and even strangers, to stand before God one day and hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Honestly, it's all because of Jesus that I'm even here at this point in my life. I have always been such a goody-two-shoes (if you will), and I didn't really think I needed any improvement in my life. I was always so blessed to have loving parents and friends. I didn't want for things. I always had what I needed, and I know that not a lot of people can say that. Looking back, I know I didn't appreciate how blessed I was and still am. So, if you're like me and feel like you have always done the right thing - to the point of people calling you a goody-two-shoes (like they called me) - trust me, I've been there. And there will come a point in your life where you're faced with much bigger decisions that you'll probably struggle with choosing the right thing. Praise be to God if you realize you need Him before those obstacles come. I'm sure glad I did.

When I was a freshman in high school, I was a little bit of a loner. It was a strange transition for me from middle school to high school because I went to the same school with the same friends for nine years. All of a sudden I was thrown into a school where over 85% of the people in my class were not the kids I grew up with. Believe it or not, I was painfully shy when I walked through the doors of West Brunswick High School in 2009. Who knew that I would walk out four years later a completely different person? God sure did.

Anywho, I made a beautiful, Godly friend my freshman year of high school. I thought she was weird, weird, weird for her strong faith in God. I distinctly remember a time when the public water system throughout the city was contaminated and Lexi was drinking from a tervis that had her faucet water in it. I said, "You know you can get really sick from drinking that?" And with such boldness and certainty, she said, "I know. I don't care. If I die, I know I'm going to Heaven anyway." Talk about mind-blowing for someone who wasn't a follower of Christ. Needless to say, she didn't stop talking to me about God. And don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't believe in God because I did. I just didn't have a relationship with Him. And that's what gets you to Heaven. She invited me to church many times, and I went. I was still awkward and shy, so friendly, Godly people freaked me out. 

I started attending Jennies Branch regularly in April of 2010. God truly worked on my heart and in my life for several months. He allowed me to be around people who loved Jesus with a passion, and that lead me to love Him too. A big part of my testimony is VBS. The summer I started going to JBBC, we did cardboard testimonies for commencement at VBS. Being the honest, goody-two-shoes person I was, I was completely honest in saying that I didn't have a testimony. I think at the time I didn't even realize how big of a deal it was. Looking back, I know it was the biggest deal to those who believe. Long story short, my cardboard testimony said "Scared to follow Jesus, need prayer." And prayer is what I got. Two weeks later, on August 15, 2010, I gave my heart to Jesus, and I haven't looked back.

There have been many obstacles, temptations, and battles that I have had to face since becoming a Christian. The devil stays on you once you've given your life to Jesus. Don't let him discourage you. You have to get back up, ask God for forgiveness, turn from your sin, and keep on running the race. During the past three and a half years, I have had my doubts about God's love for me. Could He really love me after the things I've done? Could He actually forgive my sins, casting them as far as the east is from the west? Could He still want me to come back to Him after I've turned from Him so many times? The answer to all those questions is yes. 

Since going to college, I've really gotten to spend a lot of quality time with God. Going to college really tests your faith. You get to see who you truly are in Christ, without leaning on the youth leaders you've had for years and the friends who have helped you through the hard times. Many times, it is just you and God. And you can choose to take that time to get right with Him or walk away. For me, it was wise to get right with Him because I have no idea what I'm doing in my life. I have my dreams and my plans, but the book of Proverbs says that the Lord's purpose always prevails. I am still struggling daily with certain temptations that are hard for me to walk away from. I'm not too proud to admit that I struggle and I fail all the time. But that's okay. That's why God sent Jesus to die for us and to cover us with His blood. Otherwise, we would truly be hopeless. God wouldn't be able to look at us at all. Our sin is too great, but Jesus paid it all (all to Him I owe... name that hymn!) 

I just really wanted to share a big part of my life and my heart with yall. Jesus has made all the difference in my life. There are times when I'm so distraught. There are times when I feel like I can't go on. But Jesus reminds me daily that prize has yet to come. I want to encourage you by telling you that God truly and passionately loves you. As I learned last night at my small group, God is obsessed with you. He follows you around. He watches you sleep. He cares about your anxieties. He wants you to come to Him. And His arms are always open. Don't let this world tell you anything about yourself that God specifically says is untrue. He loves you and wants more than anything to have a relationship with you. It's a life-changing relationship, and I've never met anyone who has it and says differently. Just be encouraged today, friends. God is loving and gracious, and He will always want you as long as you accept His precious gift to us - Jesus.


"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." -Romans 1:16

25 Things

So my friend, Leianna, had a post similar to this a couple days ago (here it is). And it inspired me to do one of my own. I'll give you fair warning, I'm not that interesting of a person. You might fall asleep. Without further adieu, I give you 25 things you may or may not know about me:


1. I am in a full-time, committed, overwhelmingly awesome relationship with Jesus. I'm constantly trying to pursue Him the way He pursues me. He's awesome, and I love Him and hope you know and love Him, too!

2.  I'm from Ash, North Carolina. Not Asheville. Not Asheboro. I get those all the time. It's a little coastal town in the middle of nowhere, and I love it.

3. I have a serious obsession with One Tree Hill and Scandal, in that order. They're definitely my guilty pleasures. 

4. I am head over heels in love with my boyfriend of two and a half years, Al Rising. He's a cutie - if you know him, you probably agree. Can't wait to spend an eternity with him!

5. I have a close-knit family of five - well six now since my sister got married (love my new bro, Harris)! We share a lot of laughter, fights, tears, and smiles. I wouldn't trade them for the world. I'll also add that my sisters are my two very best friends!

6. Friends. The thing about me is that if I have ever loved you and cared for you, I always will. So I have a lot of girls (and boys) I consider my best friends. My two closest friends are Lexi and Lilly. But if I love you and consider you a friend, you know it and this includes you!

7. I drive a cute little car named Lola. She's getting old though (226,000 miles old) - too attached to give her up yet.

8. I'd like to think I can sing, even though I know I can't. I belt out some Carrie Underwood songs and Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" in my car from time to time.

9. I have a deep desire and passion for people who are hurting, lost, and in situations out of their control. I don't know what God has planned for this passion yet, but He gave it to me, so I know He has a plan for me to use it.

10. I genuinely love to write. My sister makes me write her boring college papers for her all the time, and I seriously love it. If you ever need something written, give me a call!

11. I love all things Disney. My new favorite is Frozen. If you haven't seen it, go rent it! It was seriously the best!

12. I love, love, LOVE the Spanish language. It's so beautiful. And I love the culture, too. I'm hoping to study abroad the summer of 2015 in Spain, if I get approval (I'm looking at you, Mom!) 

13. I had never flown in an airplane until last year on my 18th birthday - take me back to Mexico! Now, I have the travel bug. I just want to see the world... with my dear friend, Abigail, by my side (she has the travel bug, too).

14. I have a wonderful home church family - Jennies Branch is where it's at, and they're all SO loving! Go check it out if you're in the Ocean Isle Beach area! 

15. Speaking of church, I have made wonderful friendships with nine beautiful ladies who love God. My small group in Wilmington is my life saver. I always look forward to Monday nights. I love them all so much!

16. I love to listen to worship songs when I'm by myself and just praise God for everything He does for me!

17. I'm a mess most of the time - I hate cleaning up, I hate wearing makeup and fixing my hair, I hate wearing real clothes. I do it though, even if I despise it.

18. I have a slight obsession with wedding/engagement videos (howheasked.com), the perfect babies account on Instagram, and pictures of pug puppies.

19. One of my legs is actually significantly longer than the other one because I broke my growth plate when I was in 6th grade. It's a problem.

20. I don't study. Ever. 

21. I have developed a seriously bad habit - Ruzzle. I can't put my phone down because I'm always playing it... Thanks to my little sis, Lauren.

22. I'm a very introverted person. I tend to spend a lot of time thinking deeply about my life, who I am, how I got here, where I'm going, etc. I love to talk about my life and be open with people, though. I'm weird.

23. I love breakfast food. And Mexican. And pizza. Okay, so I just love food. 

24. Even if I'm not cold, I always have a blanket wrapped around me when I'm at home/the apartment. It makes me feel cozy.

25. When I grow up, I want to settle down back in Brunswick County. No matter what anyone says about it, it's beautiful and a piece of my heart will always be there.


Sorry all of those were long and wordy - see number 10. I can't help it! I hope you learned a little about me! Have a fabulous weekend, friends!

My Favorite Part of Christmas Break

Let me begin this post by saying... if you have ever gotten to know me even the slightest bit you know I have a great love for two things: Jesus and One Tree Hill. Jesus is my favorite part of every day, but my favorite part of Christmas break had a lot to do with the latter. 

I fell in love with One Tree Hill when I was a freshman in high school. I was basically a loner at that point in my life, so I stayed home every weekend, curled up in my bed watching Breakfast in Bed on SoapNet (which is no longer a channel). One Tree Hill happened to be a show that aired during that time on the weekends, and after one episode I was hooked. 

Clearly, I got VERY hooked. I now have every season! I treasure them <3

I've seen every episode at least three times, no shame. For those of you who don't know anything about One Tree Hill (bless your souls), it was filmed in Wilmington, where I am now attending college. It has always been a dream of mine to meet the cast of OTH go see the places it was filmed. Well, since going off to college, all my sweet friends have jumped on the One Tree Hill train. I feel like my friend Abby was the first to text me about it. Then Sav and Summer. They're all addicted now, btw. I had several friends who were watching it at the same time I was, so there have been a few of us dying to go on this One Tree Hill adventure for years. 

Well people, you best believe it happened over Christmas break! It was kind of a last minute decision. My friends Casey, Summer, Savannah, and myself all decided that we needed to get together before going back for spring semester and go on a One Tree Hill hunt through the streets of Wilmington. It was literally one of the best days of my life - definitely one of the best days I'd had in a long time. We were like little kids on Christmas with each place we found. As soon as we recognized one, we all freaked out and jumped out of the car to take pictures. Some places were a little sketchy - as most of you know downtown Wilmington to be. But some of the bigger houses were SO nice. I will not apologize for the heap of pictures you are about to see...

                                                               

  

            

I know these pictures probably have little to no meaning to you unless you're a fan, but we were over the moon about every place we found. Every place had a special meaning, and we were so grateful that we got to experience it. And my friends can vouch for this... I promise you I said about 15 times before we left that church that that is the place I'm getting married. Mark my words, friends. It was beautiful.

I'm so thankful for the sweet friends (with good taste in television) that God has blessed me with. I'm so glad we got to share this day together. It was my absolute favorite part about Christmas break and a wonderful memory I'll always cherish. Love you Sum, Sav, and Case!

Well that is all for now, frands. Until next time... I will leave you with an inspirational quote from this lovely show:

"Make a wish, and place it in your heart. Anything you want. Everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle's gonna come from - the next smile, the next wish come true. But if you believe that it's right around the corner, and you open your heart to the possibility of it, the certainty of it, you just might get the thing you're wishing for. The world is full of magic, you just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it... with all your heart." -OTH Cast