I wrote this about a year ago. I came across it today finding that it means more to me now than it did then. Such irony:

-"I think it's beautiful that the Truth is consistent not matter the culture or generation...Assurance. I want honesty to resonate in such of a way that it rings clear and leaves no other option but to love God, love people. I believe it's already happening. We still have a long way to go, but we're past the start and that's beautiful too. "

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. " Ephesians 1:13-14

"I'm becoming exhausted from solely seeking out goals. What happened to just seeking Christ?"

"May we be found where Truth is told always."-

---

"I saw the pain in your eyes when
You gave up all that was yours.
And When Your face hit the pavement
I just walked on by

You say you don't deserve it all.
Well, look me in the eyes
And hear me say these words to you:
That you have come too far to try
don't try.
Your whole worthiness has been given to you.

You say you don't deserve it all,
You say you've strayed so far.
But do you know what our Father's done?
The Ring is on your fingertips;
the celebration , here.
The angels sing as if they were one.
And you could throw it all away,
but what's out there?
So live away, you are free.
And you don't have to be afraid
to come home."

Welcome Home by The Dirt and The Flood

There is this facebook fad at the current moment to post 25 random things about yourself. I decided to partially conform and do it in blog form:

1. I have never been to a college football game.
2. I always wear earrings.
3. I will loose my mind if I don't know what time it is.
4. I have crushes on unlikely movie stars.
5. The beach is great, but I'll take mountains any day.
6. I want my children to have tree houses and forts and Isimply can't wait to see them having adventures.
7. I would like to think I'm really good at doing accents.
8. I always count the number of steps when i go up and down stairs.
9. I look just like my dad.
10. I'm going to be a nurse.
11. I have a heart for large cities. I'm aware I have a place there but I don't know how or when.
12. I've only thrown up once and it happend 15 years ago. I've never had the flu and never had a stomach virus.
13. I'm deathly afraid of realistic dolls, particually ventriloquist due to cruel jokes and mishaps as a child. I'm known cry over such things...recently.
14. When I get nervous, scared or very angry, I'm unable to move and my biceps burn.
15. I still keep somewhat track of marching bands.
16. I want to be in a musical at least once.
18. I have many nicknames but I've been called Ju my whole life and I have no idea why.
19. I have to make my bed before I get in it.
20. I go to the Southern 500 race at Darlington each year.
21. For me, I'm not the same person after Hoima, Uganda.
22. I grew up around firefighters and I now that I'm old enough to appreciate it, I love the sound of a firetruck.
23. Pelion is one of, if not the most, redneck area in South Carolina and I held the title of Little Miss Pelion in 1996.
24. Sometimes I get sincerely sad at the thought of not being able to go to Narnia.
25. I'm convinced that Love wins.

Megan and I made our way to the big MB this weekend to hang out with my family. Myrtle Beach is notorious for being a redneck travler's dream but after going hundreds of times, we were fortunate enough to see a beautiful side of it that we didn't know existsed. My family took our camper to the state park where there are the most beautiful oak trees and sand dunes. The quiet and cold air was needed a little more that I realized. It was rather low key and brief, but great: sat on the pier, pissed off a seagull or two...or three, family time, a "nice sea food dinner," listened to a lot of Ryan Adams and Eastmountainsouth, a few measly attempts at climbing trees, made friends with sweet old man named Bobby who worked at Krispy Kreame, and of course an open road and good conversation.

I woke up to a white yard this morning and although it was short lived I enjoyed the change in scenery. I laugh at the chaos that our area goes into as if we're preparing for a blizzard. However, that same chaos got me another 30min of sleep before going to class and I got to watch my excited 7 year old step brother almost burst at the fact of having a day off for a snow.

(Thanks camera phone.)

Chicago or Nashville.

Canoes.

House Church.

Stationary.

Color Pencils.

Friends.

Aslan.

Medical Terminology.

Lemon Pound Cake.

Justice at itʼs best is love correcting everything
that stands against love.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

Currents

Just as faith is nothing without action, I would like to think that the same goes for hope. Perhaps they are one in the same.

The Blues and Let Your Love be Strong, both by Switchfoot, have been in such a heavy but beautiful rotation.

You know those big moments were you expect to lose you breath but instead, you discover it's easier to breathe than ever? When you think you're walking on ice but come to find, it seems to be the most solid stone you've ever stepped on? It's been a while since I've had one of those, maybe even years.

Winter beach weather happens tomorrow with the family and the best friend.
An open road and good conversation is needed and welcomed.

I want to Rock.
And Roll.

So much.

The Petty wedding was one for the books. Simple. Beautiful. I love them both....It was good to get a glimpse of those mountains one last time for a little while and not too mention the wonderful people who live in them.

"Well, I guess that cat's out of the bagel...I saw that on Rugrats."

Classes start Monday. I have, no clue what to expect. I'm starting to think that diving in may be the only way to adjust.

I walked the dam today, 3 miles total.

Alone time was needed and I see it happening more.

Those 5 towers on one side, and the Columbia skyline on the other reminded me that I'm home. Reality of circumstances along with their intimidation crept in and there is more to come, no doubt. But at the end of the day, I have truth. I know where I stand just as much as I know where I don't.

“I love songs about horses, railroads, land, Judgment Day,

family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery,

separation, murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home,

salvation, death, pride, humor, piety, rebellion,

patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy,

rowdiness, heartbreak and love. And Mother. And God.”

-Johnny Cash