goodbye school, welcome summer.

Dun dun dun dun!!! The blog is back! 

Well, the blog never really went anywhere. Mary, on the other hand, has been slightly off her blogging game for a good minute. All down time has been spent either sleeping or reading Anne of Green Gables to my little heart's content. But now that the homework, deadline, sadness-filled cloud of school has lifted, I am finally free to have free time. What a gift! Goodbye school and welcome summer! 

But first, how about some post-freshman-year-of-college-musings? And maybe a few more hyphenated-words while-I'm-at-it. 

Let's start with a favorite memory. One of my professors this past semester unknowingly imparted some wisdom to me. As I was making up a quiz in her office, she asked me rather nonchalantly if she should cancel class that coming Friday. At first, I was a little confused as to why a college professor would ask me a question that seemed entirely up to her authority. I uttered a very questioning “yes?” to which she agreed: “I was leaning that way, too," she said with a smile, "Sometimes, one of the greatest gifts you can give someone is time.”

And how true that statement rings. Time. With pending homework assignments and service hours to complete, in college, I believe that you learn a whole new outlook on time and how to make the most of it (or how to professionally waste it). From living in the dorms to all-nighters in the library, to movie nights when class magically gets cancelled, there is always somewhere to be, someone to hang out with, and something to do. Balance is an invaluable skill. Freshie Mary and Mary today has changed and grown up a lot and it’s been one whirlwind of a learning and growing season.

Here are some lessons that I learned along the way. Maybe these can help you out, or maybe you can laugh along with me. Either is perfectly fine with me! 

During freshman year, you learn how little sleep you can function on. If you get eight hours, it’s a miracle. So sleep. Sleep as much as you can.

Coffee is a prized miracle liquid with magical awakening powers. Utilize this power daily.

When running late for your 9:10 class, it’s amazing how a ten minute walk can turn into a five minute sprint sot keep you from missing that blessed sign-in sheet that gets taken up at 9:12.

Rain at MTSU is code for "prepare to be soaking wet unless you acquire a rain jacket, an umbrella, rain boots, a kayak, and a paddle."

Showering in flip-flops is a tough habit to break once you move home for the summer.

Honor your commitments. Don’t be a flake. Nobody likes a flake. But for real, if you commit to something, follow through, no matter how difficult it is. 

The cafeteria ladies are probably the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Make friends with them.

When your planner is completely full of events and assignments and tests and you don’t know how you will ever make it through the next two weeks alive, breath. Take it one day at a time. Hunker down and get work done. This too shall pass.

Spend time with Jesus. When you feel utterly confused or overwhelmed, sometimes a good cry and a moment in the presence of the Lord puts everything back into perspective. Don’t be afraid to be weak. He is strong in our weakest moments. And thank goodness for His grace.

Peace out year one. Here’s to a splendid summer! 

coffee shop revelations

I have come to the conclusion that coffee shops are good for the soul. The smell of coffee and the sound of community is simply refreshing. Today gave me the chance to escape from school's monotony and have some real Jesus time. Coffee + the Bible + more coffee = one great combination. Not to mention the people watching… forever a creeper. It must be in my DNA. 

So I stumbled upon this amazing verse today. 2 Corinthians 5:5 in the Message version says "The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less."

Have you ever felt like when you see an ocean or a sunset, your heart expands just a little bit, and heaven doesn't feel so far away? 

The world is hard-pressed to find things that can satisfy us more deeply than heavenly things, but believe me it tries. Why do we get so sidetracked so easily? 

I know life and technology and human nature are the main contributing factors, but really. I often ask myself what's really holding me back from living in the Presence of God daily and not letting tomorrow's troubles dictate my heart's direction today. 

Life would be easier if it consisted of sleeping in and daily coffee shop hours and endless book reading, right? 

Maybe. 

But that's not the life we're called to. Real life is messy and tiring and hard yet beautiful all at once. And the moments when we rediscover the little bits of heaven in our hearts make the journey worth the struggle. It's a crazy life, but God knows what He is doing. 

sunny sunday

This Tennessee winter has been an arctic tundra, and today's 50 degrees felt so satisfying and reminded me why I miss spring. Sockos anyone? Today was a the ideal chacos-but-not-quite day. Literally can't wait for warmth.

So instead of working on my two looming projects I'm listening to Bon Iver and people watching in the library (a favorite study break pastime). I love people so much. They are kind of amazing. Also I've decided I need to read more books outside of school books. There's so much out there to learn! I just want to read biographies of worldchangers and learn about why they were so great and how they changed the world. We'll see how strong my resolve is in making that happen. 

After being really sick the majority of last week, I feel like I've come out of hibernation. I was pretty much off the grid for about four days. Maybe I needed it. God always seems to know how to make me slow down and recharge and turn my heart back to Him. That has and continues to be my prayer these days. I want my heart to reflect the Father's heart. I want to love what He loves, hate what He hates, and long for what He longs for. 

The sunshine always reminds me of the goodness of the Lord. Despite crazy life and homework frenzies and work stresses, the sun is still shining. A sunny day in the dead of winter that lets you roll down your windows and jam is much needed. My heart is thankful!!

Here's to more sunny days. I need to invest in some sunglasses if this weather trend continues… 

for the moms.

This one goes to the moms out there. You know who you are. 

Cheesy alert - Continue reading at your own risk.

Bad day? Stressed? My not-so-epic, heartfelt advice for the day: call your mom. I continuously re-learn how amazing moms are at giving advice, being there for you amid the random outbursts, helping navigate troublesome situations, magically making your sickness go away, and loving well.

Love you Mama. Thanks for being cool. This probably won't be my last post commemorating the pure greatness of mothers out there. There's just so much to be thankful for. Now go hug your mom. Right now! 

a good day's rest

rest: to be at ease; to have tranquility or peace. 

Today, rest looks like settling on the couch by the window, soaking in the sunshine and enjoying the warmth. It smells and tastes like coffee, sounds like worship music, and feels like an afghan made by my Granny with tangible love in every stitch. 

Christmas break is coming (more like racing) to a close. I have never ever valued rest more than this past month. Last semester, balancing life stressed me out. I was worried too much. I definitely didn't sleep enough and I surely didn't take time to just be. But during this break from school God has been teaching me about the importance of slowing down and resting, more than just in the physical sense. I needed to catch up on sleep, yes. After my wisdom teeth surgery I think I slept for about three days straight. Zombie Mary was real that week. I'm back to normal now though, right? Beyond sleep, however, my loving Savior is gently reminding me to rest. To rest in Him. To be still and wait on the Lord.

"What does that even look like?" There I go again. Questioning everything. Don't you love that we can ask God questions? He can handle it. After asking the Lord what resting in Him looks like, I realized that rest means letting go, and letting God be enough. It's about handing over your burdens, and choosing to make God your comfort & safety & strength. This morning was an epiphany morning. There's a reason God wants us to take the Sabbath and keep it holy. He knows what we need. And sometimes what we need is a minute to reflect and refresh our minds and our hearts. 

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Somehow, someway, when we fix our eyes on Jesus, peace and rest follow without a struggle or a second thought. 

Happy Saturday everyone. Happy, restful Saturday.

hello 2014

First of all, if you're in Murfreesboro and you haven't been out of doors today, go. NOW. Seriously. Open the window and breath. The sun is shining and the air is fresh and I love it if you can't already tell from my slight weather enthusiasm. I was made for sunny days like today, even if it's barely 50 degrees.

Happy January! - from me & the sunshine & this here blog.

In other news, I'm attempting to keep myself from falling asleep so I don't start 2014 with a completely backwards sleep schedule…

must. stay. awake.

Coffee anyone? I'd love to see how many cups of coffee I'll drink in 2014. Actually, it's probably better if I'm oblivious. If you know me, then you're aware that I drink copious amounts of coffee. Some say I'm addicted. That word usage is a little harsh. I prefer to call it a strong inclination and appreciation for the stuff. Coffee is magical, I tell you! Liquid magic.

Enough coffee rambles. for today…

So, I spent New Years Eve at a wonderful house with wonderful people and with wonderful hosts. It was a night of lip-syncing competitions, consuming way too much sugar, and staying up until about 5am watching Despicable Me 2. (Wild night, I know). But my favorite part was worshipping right after midnight together. What better way to usher in the new year than singing praises to the Lord with your friends? I'm so so thankful for old friends and new ones (and red ones and blue ones! Bad Dr. Seuss joke, I apologize).

But really.

Looking back, 2013 was a year of blessings and growth. Of course there were highs and lows, just like every other year. I graduated from high school, started working at my first real job at World Outreach Church (the best job ever in the world, just so you know), I survived my first semester of college, made the decision to move out in January and live on campus (ahh!), and cultivated friendships with amazing people that I know will last. But as I'm sitting here reflecting on all the life changes and adventures this past year brought, and the promise of new adventures, I can't help but be overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed by the true love of the Father, and His faithfulness. He has been so good to me. To all of us. His favor is apparent and His mercy is real. The peace of God is so close and accessible. His Word is true and a light for our paths.

Jesus. is. so. good.

I could go on and on… He has taught me so much this year!

Sometimes the thought of a new year is scary to me. It worries me a lot. New year, new decisions, new paths to take, new people, new places. Every year I'm getting older and life is getting a little more real. But God is faithful. He will never change. There is safety in knowing that when the years change, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All the fears and worries that plague my heart are nonexistent in the presence of my savior. And I know that everything is going to be okay. Everything is in His hands. Including me, and my heart, and my life. He holds me in the palm of His hands. Now that's amazing.

Well everyone, 2013 is over. Cheers to 2014. Have a hap-hap-happy new year!