Frustrations...

I spent most of today feeling discouraged with several negative thoughts biting at me like lice that refuse to go away. Why can't I be this person I want to be? Why do I fail, get discouraged, and struggle? And then I came across this verse:

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

And then I realized, I have to give everything--my discouragements, failures, self-doubts--up to Him. I can't make myself into what I should be for I'm not God. All I have to do is be willing to be used and follow where He leads.

Things I have learned from the "South"...

-- Seasons do exist.

-- Guns are not only welcome, but seen as necessities.

-- You cannot live without sweet tea.

-- Nor fried chicken for that mattter.

-- Southern boys (one in particular ;) ) are awesome.

-- Hospitality exists.

-- So does 'yessir' and "yesmum'.

I love Virginia!

Marriage

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:4-5)

So begins my research paper on "Preparing for Marital Life", the remaining requirement of my Counseling Women course. As I write this paper and jot down my rough outline, I am realizing how much of it applies to me. I am going to be a wife. Personally, I never understood the career driven mentality so many women have. As exciting being promoted was last year, it didn't make me want to "climb the ladder" so to speak. Not that I look down on them, but all I have ever wanted was to have my own home and a family.

Soon, in 249 days, instead of instead of only living for myself and my goals, I will be helping my husband meet his aspirations. I will learn new definitions of respect, flexibility and faithfulness. I will find simple joy in planting flowers, hanging pictures, planning menus, and turning a house into a home. Already I have taken over decorating his place and am having too much fun doing so.

I can't wait to be Mrs. Glass. :)

Life continued...

It is a Saturday morning in my new room, at my new place and I feel so content. I had eggs for breakfast, cleaned a bit, talked to my mom, and am laying on my bed typing an update. The past few weeks I moved out to a new place, had a legal dispute (which is still ongoing), got the church my fiance and I wanted for the wedding, started pre-marital counseling, worked on my remaining classes, modified my class schedule, applied for jobs, went to business meetings, scheduled vacation days, updated resume, changed addresses, and on it goes.

I am happy. I love my fiance and everyday we're not together I miss him even more. I have hope that things will work out. That I won't be sued (long story), that I'll get my dream job (have an interview this Monday), that I'll pass my classes, get by financially, and come out of everything in one piece. I feel so blessed and have much to look forward to.

So now I'm going to finish unpacking my room, go to Liberty to make up some hours, go grocery shopping, work on my research paper, and then go to a cookout. Tomorrow is the usual church, school and rest. My hope is that I can actually be productive. We shall see how that goes...

Things that make a Molly happy....

Norman Rockwell pictures

Sand between toesies

...and freshly painted nails

New beginngings and fresh starts

Hugs

New shoes

Payday

Root beer

Sleeping in

Puppies and kittens

...and cute babies

Walls adorned with pictures

Libraries

Unexpected compliments

Fishies

Car rides on a Sunday afternoon

Picnics and potlucks

Hymns

Good news

Dark chocolate

God

Sunflowers and daisies

Text messages

Scented candles

A ring on my left hand

Pens that work

Chick flicks

Dressing up

Summer

Green stoplights

Old pictures

Thrift shopping

Kisses

Vacations

John 3:16 & Ps. 46

Saturday morning cartoons

Old books

Ice cream

Christmas

Woot!

Today is my birthday and I am now a young 23 years old...well not till 4pm anyways. :) I have had an interesting past few weeks with graduating, becoming engaged, starting my last summer classes, getting a haircut, applying for jobs (heh), having car breakdowns, being overloaded at work, having a fishy die, and a really fun ballet recital. I'm excited about today...not only is it my birthday, but it's Friday, the sun is shining, and I feel very happy-go-lucky. And this year is my last birthday, last summer, last Thanksgiving and Christmas...being single. It boggles the mind... :)

The best is yet to be...

The scene: Nazi concentration camp. A feeble Jewish woman lays on a cot balanced on the thin line that separates life and death. Kneeling on the ground is her older sister holding her hand.

"Yes Betsie?"
"Corrie, when you leave here you must tell them of this place. You must tell them that there is no pit so deep that Christ is not deeper still. They will believe us because of what we have been through. And...Corrie?"
"Yes?"
"The best is yet to be."

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This is one of my all time favorite quotes. Today's sermon in church was on the importance of priorities. God first. Family second. Church and everything else descends below it. It's almost like a row of dominoes...if properly lined up everything will fall in place. I think priorities is another word for having perspective. (I'm ignoring the irony of me writing this when I have homework to do.) But seriously how often have I heard these phrases? Time is as a vapor; it appeareth and vanisheth away. Our times are in His hands. Redeem the time, for the days are evil.

I have been so tired and stressed the past few weeks. I'm determined now to set aside time everyday to be still before God. It seems that the busier I become the more He gets demoted on my priority list. Sad, but true. The past few days have been filled with teaching, homework, financial stresses, discouragement, hope, hunger, papers, exams, planning, making lists and checking boxes. But I'm trying to get where I won't feel as frantic as my life is now. That, like Jesus, I could sleep soundly in a boat in the mist of a storm.

Simply because the best is yet to be.