hope if everyone runs, you decide to stay

Life is so short. And in my opinion, life is so sweet. I have so much to be thankful for. I am graduating with honors ( I bet my hs teachers don't believe that ).  I am starting my career officially in May. I have the opportunity to travel to Philly to a learning class. I am getting married this year. My two best friends are having such HUGE moments coming up that I am beyond over the moon excited about.

On Saturday morning, I got a call that really hasn't hit me yet. My uncle passed away, for those closest to me, know how it happened. The celebration service is tonight. Having never dealt with this type of death, I am at a loss for words. I don't know what to say or how to act. My friends have done an amazing job of keeping me laughing all week. Thank the Lord for you guys. As I think about his mother and sister, my heart aches for them.

Love your family. As crazy as they may be. Love them unconditionally, cry with them, pray for them, laugh with them. They are the only family you get. 

I got that tunnel vision

7 years later, thank you JT. Thank you. 

Oh, and if this CD masterpiece wasn't enough (lesbihonest... we want more).... The other half of his  20/20 album comes out in November. Hence, 10 (12 if you go to Target- which why wouldn't you?!) now... 10 later. I see what you did there JT.

The Big One-Oh

I have contemplated about sharing this many times. But to those closest to me know the challenge I am facing. On January 22, I decided it was time to take charge of my life. I had been toying with the idea of running the half marathon, saying I would do it, but never really putting forth the HARD effort it was going to ensue. Now- I am training. And I am watching calories and content/quality of what I eat. It's hard. Some days you just want to eat everything in sight. Slowly but definitely surely, I have developed a stronger self-control. Which is awesome for those of you that don't know... The mind is weak, and strengthening it is hard and fun at the same time. So as I am hitting all these (literal and imaginary) mile markers... My happiest one is not the 6 miles I ran without stopping  for the oxygen that seems so lacking during runs.... BUT the fact I have officially lost 10 pounds. YAY! 19 more pounds and 13 miles to go...

in a word

10,000 reasons

There has been a bit of heaviness among Hendersonville, Tennessee (And surrounding cities.) Our pastor was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer. -which happened to be announced the same day as my cousin's birthday, who passed away from cancer 8 years ago-. Sunday, we went to the Hendersonville Campus (we go to Gallatin now) and let me tell you, if you've never felt the presence of God... you did that morning in that room.  My heart, and I am sure many many others, was filled with a sadness for him and his family, but also full of joy because of the most amazing testimony of strength, character, and the willingness to die to bring glory to God. It is a unique state of being: to be so brokenhearted and yet so joyful and full of hope.

So I urge you to take about an hour and watch this.
 http://www.longhollow.com/messages