Right now I am in the middle of reading Sex God by Rob Bell. I just wanted to share a few thoughts about things Rob has said that got me thinking. First of all, we are sensory creatures. I know this seems like a duh but I got to thinking about how that is true for me. If I'm having a bad day all I want to do is put on p.j.s which have the perfect texture and somehow release comfort. Or there is the familiar aroma of a friends house that makes you feel at home the moment you walk in the door. Or even the sight of a black and white object for me, i get so excited and have to decide if i really need the object. Think about how the shape, color, texture, smell, feel, or sound of something affects you daily! Secondly, the book talks about what is lust, many times we associate lust with sexual sin but it is so much more than that. Lust is anything that starts with "if i just..." Rob describes the 'if' as an attachment to an idea we have already formed and feel as if we're missing. What are some of the things that you and I are lusting after without even recognizing it as lust? The last thing I want to say comes from both things said at Beauty Overflowing and Sex God. the Greek word for lust is epithumia meaning in the mind. It was discussed at Beauty Overflowing that daydreaming is spiritual sin and this supports that. How often do we let our minds drift to the "ifs" in a class, while studying, or working? Think about it, I know I am!

Home Sweet Dorm Room

So, here is my home for the next year! It's nice and cozy and small. but it is getting broken in and feeling more and more like home. we still have some decorating to do but that will come in time. And I'm sure that I will rearrange things 10 times in the next week and never remember where anything is but it takes time. I love being with Grace and getting to talk laying in our beds that face each other or the desk corner.

Isn't she just so cute? Ha. No. She's more than cute she's BEAUTIFUL.
This weekend I had to opportunity to help move my
lil sis into college, at Oklahoma State.
We got to drive down together
and hang out for 7 whole hours!
And then had the pleasure of being in a
bite-size room with 5 people,
all who thought they had the best possible room set up.
Lets just say Al has a Very Unique room
to match her Very Unique Personality!
She starts classes tomorrow and I know she will do great!
I love you Al, and Good luck!
Trust God and Be Yourself

New Emotion

Last Night I experienced a completely foreign emotion to me. I was suddenly overcome with a strong loneliness and emptiness in which I could see and hear those around me but felt so distant. As if this wasn't enough, Satan furthered his attack by making me feel just as distant from God as I did from the people surrounding me. I cannot even fully describe how I felt and don't know that i ever will. I immediately began to call on the Lord, I knew he was there, wrapping his arms around me but I still felt helpless. After many tears and a night with friends my still darkened spirit clung to Psalms 42:5-6 and a song my dear friend sang, without even knowing how appropriate it was.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar."

The Lord began to slowly come back into reach and I was able to reclaim the JOY I have been given by my Savior! Today I can still feel some of the emotions that overtook me last night but I am clinging to My Savior and the truth I have in him, for he draws close to me when i draw close to him.

I pray that I never again feel this way, and that you never feel this way, but if you do, remember to cling to the truth and your Savior because He is there.

Beauty Overflowing!!

Wow, this weekend that we've all been looking forward to so much is finally here. Now we have a tone of things left to do and Satan is attacking us all in different ways. Please be in prayer for the all those involved and that the Spirit would move and push Satan back to the depths! Thank You , here are specific ways to pray!

• That all decorations and set up goes smoothly today
• Main speaker: Kayla
• Worship Leaders: Emily and Liz
• Breakout leaders: Amy, Rhonda, Tarah, Mandy
• Photographer: Katie
• The Catch-alls: Erin and Emily
• Sound Guys: Justin and Eric- especially as they are surrounded by so many women
• Women of FBCE involved
• Hearts will be open to recieve the Word
• Life's will be impacted by the Spirit working through those involved!!!
• That the Lord would be glorified through all our actions