for the days when...

Now that it's half way through February, most people have had enough time to figure out if their New Year's Resolutions were realistic or just a good thought that wasn't actually ever going to happen. (Guilty!) One of my resolutions this year was to write more in my journal. Ya see... I've been trying to be the faithful journal writer that I truly want to be, but, let's be honest, I haven't been doing a great job. In fact, I haven't been writing in it at all this year. (Way to go, me!) But what I do have tucked away in this notebook are different quotes and Bible verses that I have stumbled across throughout the years that have either helped me understand a situation I was going through more clearly or encouraged me when I was feeling low. Can I just be completely real here and say that regardless of the happy pictures I like to post on Instagram, I am human. (Surprise!) I have flaws. Many of them. Like most people on planet earth, I struggle. Sometimes I feel like I just can't seem to pinpoint my purpose or calling in life...a lot of the time I feel overwhelmed and worried...other days everything goes wrong....sometimes I don't feel adequate enough and I struggle with insecurities...I find myself comparing my flaws with other people's strong suits... (Not good. Don't do this.) and some days I just feel really lonely. I guess I have said all of that to prepare you for today's blog post... I love sharing the contents of my journal with people. This may seem weird to others because a journal is typically a place to hide your deepest thoughts and secrets. (Don't get me wrong, I write about those things too.) But most of all, this little blue notebook has been an outlet for me to share my thoughts and prayers, and I wanted to share a couple entries from it with you (Because you're special.)

For the days when you feel like you don't have a purpose: You are being made into something beautiful. You are someone who God loves to watch grow. Next time you are taken out of your comfort zone, don't fight it. Allow God to make you into someone amazing for His kingdom and His glory. Trust the process and trust God's timing because HE makes all things beautiful in His time.

For the days when you are feeling a little overwhelmed (or a lot overwhelmed): Whatever it is, take it to Jesus. If it is sorrow, take it to Jesus with tears in your eyes. If it is joy, take it to Jesus with gladness and a humble spirit. If it is hurt, take it to Jesus with a forgiving heart. Man will corrupt your heart. Only Jesus will give you the true joy and peace that our hearts long for.

For the days when everything is going wrong:  You will go through trials that match your calling. Learn what you can from your current situation. Allow yourself to grow and become a better version of yourself, not a bitter version of yourself. Take the time to thank God for allowing you to have another day to bless His name. He will never put more on us than we can bear.

For the days when you feel inadequate: "We praise our creative God for the mountains and the canyons, for the oceans, forests, beaches and watercolor sunsets and sunrises, and for the unfathomable amount of living things on this earth. Yet with the same breath we curse his creativity because we don't look like the person we compare ourselves to." Comparison is the thief of joy! Do yourself a favor...stop comparing your "weaknesses" to other people's "strengths." God has made us in His image. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made!

For the days when you feel lonely: People can often be blinded by their own desires. We tend to romanticize things that don't really exist. (Like those cute, predictable Hallmark love stories.) We dwell on the thought of the boyfriend or husband that we don't have.... (Guilty.) But remember that God is here to provide, protect, and look out for YOU. For now, spend some QT in His presence. You won't be disappointed.


xoxo LS

goodbye 2015! hello 2016!

It is now a few days into 2016, but I want to share some of the memories I have from 2015. This past year was full of ups and downs. I had so many crazy happy moments that I want to remember forever, but there are also bits of 2015 that I would not mind if I forgot. Here are a few of the cool (and some uncool) things I experienced this past year... I moved into Lawson Hall on the EIU campus, and I lived on my own for the very first time. I got very acquainted with shower shoes and community bathrooms. I signed a lease for an apartment I will be living in next fall with two sweet girls, Emily and Kayla, which is probably the most "big girl" thing that I have done in my life. I paid off my first car. I got a 4.0 GPA. I met Nactuce, Amanda and Ashley, aka "the twins," and my awesome RA, Earl. I learned how to live with a roommate who was a complete opposite of me. I visited Louisville, Kentucky two times. (The second trip was way better). I learned how to be a better listener. I got pulled over for the first time but was let off with a warning. I went on a family road trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia for my cousin's wedding. I swam in the Atlantic Ocean. It was the first year I wasn't a camper at church camp. I was able to be a part of one of my dearest friend's wedding celebration. I attended a life changing youth congress in Oklahoma City. I went to my second Taylor Swift concert. I ate at Portillo's for the first time. I found myself calling on the name of Jesus more times than I can count...and He never let me down. I realized how truly blessed I am with this life that I have. Regardless of any hurt I felt in 2015, with God's help I was able to forgive and move on. "I owned every second that this world could give. Saw so many places, the things that I did. With every broken bone, I swear I lived." Thanks for a fun and memorable year, 2015, and for the life-lessons you have taught me. Ready for you, 2016!

xoxo LS

a new chapter

hello everyone! i'm not sure how many people are going to read this post, but I've decided to blog my way through college. when I was younger I actually started this blog (as you can tell from my previous post from about 5 years ago.) ha! I didn't even know this blog I started back in 2010 still existed on the internet!! side note- give my previous post a read, I'm pretty proud that I wrote that when I was 15. I moved into eastern illinois university this past thursday and I feel like I pretty much hit the ground running. these past few days have been packed full with tons of informational meetings, a community service project, awesome new friends, and lots and lots of walking. I need a segway, y'all. ok let's talk about something that is at the top of my "important things to blog" about list... what part of college does every girl love? decorating their dorm room. let me tell you it was totally all it is cracked up to be. I loved giving everything from home a special place in my new home for the next 9 months. it's still weird that eiu is considered my home now. I told a friend the other day that I feel like I'm just at some week long camp and i'll be returning home in a few days even though I won't be. making new friends here has been a great experience. while it is intimidating being a new student, I have kept in mind that many of these students I have been around are in the same exact boat as I currently am. I visited a church here with some friends that I made and met so many nice people. I felt encouraged and excited to find a group of friends that I clicked with. after the pep rally in the quad tonight I came back to my dorm to get everything situated for my 8 am class tomorrow morning. I turned on a christian music playlist and really began to feel overwhelmed about classes starting tomorrow. I guess in that moment it finally hit me that moving away to college has started a brand new chapter in my life. it's a chance to really find myself. to be on my own. make my own choices. how can something be so exciting and terrifying at the same time? walking around campus I can't help but think about how many other students are at a crossroad in their life like I am. I could not imagine trying to make it through life without Jesus by my side every step of the way. especially at college. I am so thankful that He is with me everywhere that I go. excited to see His plan unfold throughout my time here at eiu. and very excited to bring you all along on this journey with me.

xoxo LS

redefining beauty

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Maryanne Williamson

Beauty: “The quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).”

What is your definition of beauty? Is it the models on the front of popular magazine, with their perfectly toned bodies, flawless features, and perfect teeth forming a “picture – perfect” smile? Perhaps it is the ruggedly handsome actor with the perfectly toned and muscled body in the newest action movie.

Is it witnessing the sun rise early in the morning? Birds chirping, blooming flowers glistening with the morning dew, sunlight penetrating the darkness once more to being light to the black abyss once again. Is it the bride’s glow on her wedding day, waiting to promise a lifetime of love and togetherness? Is it a new mother’s love shining on her face as she holds her newborn child?

Or, is it something a little deeper? Is it that act of compassion? Is it in tears shed for a stranger? I believe it is. The media constantly changes our perception of what beauty is because we as a society allow it to. We see airbrushed perfection on every magazine, in every movie, and circling the news each day. We as human beings strive after a perfection not even the sources of our concept of perfection can obtain.

“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” – Coco Chanel

I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one. -Marilyn Monroe

Only Skin Deep

Since beauty is too deep for the eyes to find
It is hidden away in the caves of the mind
The beauty we see is skin deep that and nothing more
And that beauty is only skin deep we’ve heard that one before
An attractive looking young woman physically beautiful to behold
But so self conceited towards others she is cold
It is of her type that singers often sing
But beautiful opposite to lovely to look at is a different thing
A beautiful person to generosity of spirit is one who is inclined
One who to others is never unkind
Such people to help out others go out of their way
And perform a good deed or two every day
True beauty as such is a thing one can’t see
With the truth in these words I do have to agree.

Francis Duggan

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” -Audrey Hepburn