A goodnight word of encouragement.

Brought to you by none other than my girl, Mother Teresa.
My mom emailed this quote to me at the beginning of my freshman year of college and since then it has encouraged me through thick and thin-- I hope it does the same for you :)


May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Caitlin, I know you're reading this on your night shift...

so here's a shout out to you. Miss you!

21.

Not to brag, but I think I had the absolute best 21st birthday a girl could ask for! It was a 2 day celebration thanks to the lovely, caring, friends I have (who spoil me so much! Geez, guys!). I spent my actual birthday sleeping in a tad, going for a run, and grabbing ice cream with my brothers at our favorite local ice cream spot. Yummy! Note this adventure would not be complete without a session in the LL Bean photo booth... :)

Later on, my dear friends Elizabeth and Abby went out to eat with me!

Here's me and Elizabeth, my soul sister...

...and me with Abby, the most thoughtful, kindhearted girl I know!

First we went to a little bar for my first drink. White sangria...not too shabby! We sipped and snacked on pretzels and cheese and crackers while having life chats. I always love hanging out with these 2 wise women of God. They each have had such unique experiences and sure know how to shed light and love on any situation! We're been tight since we did Young Life in high school together, so it's a blessing to get back together and continue to not only be a part of each others lives, but to see how God is at work in the fabric of each of our own lives. How neat! And of course, they are always up for a good laugh :) The rest of the evening was spent in the Old Port, with dinner and dessert at Flatbreads. Complete with "Call Me Maybe" stuck in our heads, lots of sweet tea and pizza, and some memorable moments, these 2 made my birthday a great one!

And as if that wasn't enough, my darlin' friend Megan came to visit me today!!! Am I lucky or what?! The afternoon was spent shopping in town and in the Old Port, with soooo much laughter, and more life giving chats, and just fun stuff. I really appreciate Megan's heart-- it's very big, very open, and very funny! We were LONG overdue for a reunion, so this was perfect. She's an amazing friend for coming all the way down here to visit me (seriously Megan...I owe ya!) Don't know what I'd do without any of mahhh girls. Here's some documentation of today...

The infamous Bean Boot shot!

Workin' the camo overalls like we were born for them. Puttin' some class in redneck-dom.

FISH BUBBLE!

So, that pretty much concludes it. Thanks to all who wished me a happy one...much love to you all. If this year can start out this wonderfully, I'm sure the rest of my 21st will be just as great if not greater. Thanks be to God!

some thoughts from today...

This whole day off thing? It's nice. So nice that it's pretty much dangerous....because it's gorgeous outside, and I got ice cream with my brothers, I went on a nice long run this morning after sleeping in, and it's actually feeling like SUMMER. I'm still going into work later (just no internship today...dentist appointment!), gotta make that moolah so I won't starve this upcoming school year! 

I got thinking though. Sure, I'd rather be soaking up some sun and enjoying sweet summer freedom at times, but then I was reminded of something important. It's not what you do, but your attitude. Each morning I can go into the day with a negative attitude, grumbling about what's on the agenda. OR, what's better, is I can flip the switch and be reminded that my attitude should be Christ-like and oughta reflect His glory in my life. To look forward to things, instead of complain. To replace a spirit of negativity with a spirit of joy and contentment. Smell what I'm stepping in? That's what God's lookin' at. The attitude of my heart, not the things I do. How 'bout that for a little motivation?

More updates to come soon, champs.

Read Genesis 16. I dare you. Perhaps you're familiar with it, perhaps you've never come across it. One of the things I love about spending time in the Word is how it not only is transforming, but no matter how many times you read a passage you can get something so different yet so meaningful out of it every time! Amazing, huh? But anyway, back to what I was saying. I was reading this particular chunk of Scripture the other day when I was sitting alone in my internship office. The daily crossword puzzle had lost it's zest, I had exhausted my Pinterest crafting ideas, and it was around lunch time, so it wasn't terribly hip happenin' in there. So I whipped out the good ol' Biblia and began reading...



In this passage, Sarai and Abram wished to conceive, but for whatever reason could not. Sarai, so desperate for a child and so eager to take matters into her own hands after reaching her wits end, ordered her husband Abram to sleep with their servant, Hagar. Next thing you know, Abram agreed, and Hagar was with child.
So what was Sarai's reaction to this order she set into motion? She didn't like that Hagar had what she so deeply desired, and she shifted the blame on Hagar and Abram alike. Hagar began to despise her so much to the point that she fled. The story continues, but for the sake of what I'm getting at, we'll stop here.


This got me thinking, friends. How many times in my life have I:
a) wanted something so, so badly I went out of God's way to pursue it?
b) craved something that was not aligned with God's will for me?
c) been so impatient with God's timing that I neglected God from the picture and took charge?
d) made an impulsive decision out of my selfish ambition? And then in my frustration with the outcome, blamed it on someone or something other than myself, the catalyst?
e) simply forgotten who ultimately is in control?


Out of my own insecurities I've made some pretty rash decisions in my life to gain control. And by "gain control", I mean "find some sense of security". Because having security means finding roots in your identity. Security, significance, and self-worth-- those are the big 3 it comes down to if you ask me. How thankful and grateful I am that we have a God who loves us so unconditionally, who values us with passion and looks at us with worth, and who gladly helps us up when we fall to the wayside. We have a God who knows our hearts on an intimate level, a God who has every aspect of our lives and being planned out and set in stone. A God who only gives us small pieces of the big picture at a time so that we depend on Him, so that we do not get overwhelmed, and so that in the day by day/moment by moment living, our identity and worth can be found in Him alone through the wisdom and love He longs to share with us.


Neato burrito stuff, eh?
I'm off to the beach now. Adios amigos. Be blessed on this sunny Sunday!

Aaaaand...she's back!

Fourth of July, some sunshine (complete with a tan, thanks to my Italian skin!), early morning runs, late night shifts, and spending some quality time with a lazy, old dog. That's been my week, anyway! I finally have a few moments to jot down some stuff on this here blog. And not to be a copycat, but I just read my friend Megan's post and I really liked it, so now I'm going to take my turn :)

Things running through my head slash happening in my life lately:

1. Afterthoughts from a sweet word the Lord weighed on my heart the other day. I'll write about that more tomorrow :)
2. I really want to get another piercing. But what to do!? Doubles in my ear lobes? A tragus? Do I go edgy or not? What to do!?
3. I can't wait to sleep in. Sleep is a wonderful thing, friends.
4. A customer at the store I work in was wearing a YL shirt the other day, and it made me so happy! Of course we chatted and made the whole Young Life small world connection. But fo realz-- so cool. Made my shift an encouraging one!
5. Tomorrow there will be over 35,000 people in downtown Freeport. Say WHAAAAT!? How that is possible, I am scared to find out. Looks like I'll be walking to work. Eew.
6. I think I've figured out what I want to do with my major. I think I want to be a child psychologist, and get into child development or early intervention or something like that. It fascinates me, and believe it or not, the Developmental Disabilities class I took this past semester inspired me to go this direction...we'll see!
7. I was told on 4 separate occasions today I speak my own lingo. I won't even quote myself, it was that embarrassing!
8. I need to go to bed.
9. GOOD NIGHT! 

That one time when I...

decided it would be a good idea to do an internship, work part time, and house sit all in the same few weeks.

In other words, this kid is swamped! I'll be back once the madness subsides for more blog-tastic goodness.

Hasta luego!