mmm whatcha say

I've come to the conclusion that I am way too comfortable with where I am...which is weird, because this is not necessarily where I want to be. I've let myself get caught up in me, which has caused me to become less interested in those things that I've professed to love and care for.

I don't want to complain about my situation because I am extremely blessed, but I can say that with a mixture of my selfishness and my feelings about where I am, I've become lazy in regards to a lot of things.

  • God -- The Creator of the universe has chosen to call me his own, yet I have been selfish and allowed other things to get in the way of my life truly being transformed. I have been praying for a long time that He would bring me back to where He wants me, but for that to happen I need to start believing that He will do that...and allow it to happen. It's time I quit wasting the time He's given me and actually do something great with my life.

  • Friends -- I have been blessed with some crazy amazing friends and I've let the fact that I don't live close to many of them really get me down. I'm good at keeping in touch with a few, but I let a seemingly "mundane" life get in the way of really loving the people that I have been lucky enough to call "friend." Regardless of distance, I am called to love...and these are people that I don't want to let down...or miss out on what God is doing in their lives...or miss out on what God can do through my relationship with them. Today, I choose to love these people that God saw fit to place in my life.
 
 Jonathan and Lindsay -- thanks for being fantastic. Thanks for panicking when you couldn't find me in my room at camp that one day. Thanks for taking mass amounts of photos with me so that I could have too many to choose from. Thanks for letting me vent, but not allowing that venting to consume my life (or yours). Thank you for always speaking truth into my life and for being there all of the time...you two mean the world to me and are greatly appreciated.
  
 Deez -- You are simply fantastic. I love that you are an amazing woman of God. I am constantly learning from you. You have been a steadfast source of encouragement and hope and I am beyond blessed to have met you. Thank you for allowing me to vent, for listening, and for giving me some of the best advice anyone has ever given. You are a true Godsend.
Sarah -- What a sweet lady! You are one of the funniest people I know. Your constant love for others is something I admire and someday I hope to be able to show that same love to others. I appreciate your willingness to listen, the names that you give to others, and funny recreations of pictures at Bellevue Baptist Church. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life even though we are 480985098 miles apart.
Nugget -- You are so you. So laid back. So willing to kill over dirty dishes (ha!) and such a lover of people. I am blessed to say that I know you. I love that I never know what to expect with you -- just when I think I've got you figured out, you surprise me once again...and that is one of my favorite things. Ever. Your prayers and advice over the past year have been a monster help and I can't tell you just how thankful I am for you.

Erin and MeLissa -- I'm not even sure how to explain what your presence in my life has done. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and when I'm around the two of you, I really believe that. I'm so thankful for your love for Nickelback and all things eating healthy (remember that pie? or playdoh? or whatever it was?). But really, I'm just thankful for you, as people...sisters, because you two have managed to speak an amazing amount of truth into my life. Thanks for being willing to take out a baseball bat and do work when I need you...that, in itself, is enough.
  
 Jessi -- you live all the way on the other side of the country now, but you still manage to be one of the best ladies on the planet. Thank you for sending me a real-life valentine! Thank you for your constant words of encouragement, love and truth. Thank you (seriously) for being one of the best examples of a godly woman that I have ever seen. You bless my days, and I love you oh-so much.
  
Valerie -- to the one girl who lives close to me, I am SO thankful! Our Sunday dates, trips to the airport, and straight up walking the streets of St. Louis have been some of the best times I've had in the last few years. You have an amazing spirit and I am so glad that the craziness of NGU was able to bring us together. I love our vent sessions and how we pick up as if no time has passed when we see each other. 
  
 Molly -- I don't even know what to say about you, except that you have been one of the biggest influences on my journey. I have seen God do amazing things through you and I am always excited to hear about your life -- because you are always doing something grand. I love that you are real...all of the time and that you don't put up with my crap. I am beyond blessed to call you friend. I mean, everyone needs someone like you, don't they?
  
  Jamie -- Since 2006, you have been one of the biggest influences for me. Your ridiculous strength, faith and wisdom have helped to guide me. I am so thankful for your witness and your love for others...I really have learned so much from you. Thank you for being willing to teach me, listen, drink Dr. Pepper, give me all of your candy canes and for just being there. You are one fantastic woman.

Well, that turned into a long post...but it was definitely necessary. God has given me life...and I refuse to waste it any longer. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as I seek to get priorities back to where they need to be. Love.