Emotions.

Emotions.

We all have them and we all experience them, from ferocious anger to overflowing joy. As women, we are often characterized as being overly emotional.
Newsflash.
Emotions are not bad! In fact, emotions are God-given. We reflect God in that we are emotional. God feels grief, anger, love, passion, and joy, just as we do. Let that sink in for a minute. Emotions themselves are not bad, but rather what we do with negative emotions can be destructive. Before sin entered the world, God had good intentions in designing his people with the ability to experience emotion. All emotions were beneficial and in alignment with God’s nature. After sin entered the world, people began experiencing thoughts and emotions that were not of God. These emotions were self-centered and devastating to relationships. These types of negative emotions still exist today: jealousy, guilt, anger, loneliness, bitterness, worthlessness, and more. Fortunately, these emotions can be helpful when used in the right manner. They can be very telling of where a heart is. For example, there have been times when someone I care about is praised and given much attention for something great. Instead of celebrating with them, I have been jealous. In fact, I have even put myself down for not doing something as well.
Hold up. Where is my heart in this moment?

Proverbs 14:30 NIV says, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Philippians 2:3 NIV says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”

When I allow these jealous emotions to have their way, they bring nothing but destruction upon myself and my relationship with this individual. Instead of being jealous, I am called to humble myself, love others, and place them before myself.
Emotions can either be constructive or destructive. When we act upon negative thoughts, assumptions are made and havoc is wreaked. We are only to recognize these feelings, not act upon them. Acknowledge negative emotions, but then choose to confront them with truth (God’s Word) – paving the way to constructivism.

Two Years.

     Last month, on October 30th, Daniel and I celebrated two years of dating! This seems so cliche to say, but I truly am a blessed woman. This relationship has challenged me and caused me to grow in countless ways. I truly believe that I am dating the silliest, most handsome, wisest, strongest, selfless, caring man in the world. He inspires and motivates me daily. I sure love that monkey of mine. :)

*All of these pictures were taken by our dear friend, Miss Madison Groves!

Hello Summer!

     ... and it is finished. Freshmen year = accomplished. Crazy summer classes = accomplished. With all that's happened with my family over the past year, things have been crazy, but I'm finally taking a deep breath and writing again. The challenges I've been through this year have pushed me to the edge, to major points of really having to decide which path to take. Although, they have and continue to make me stronger, truly forcing me to depend on the Lord in all aspects. Now that the pressure of school has been lifted for the next three and a half months or so, I'm feeling a wave of relief. I'm pretty pumped about this summer! Here are some goals of mine:

- Travel places. See God's creation and meet more of the interesting people He loves. (P.S. 19 days until Costa Rica!)
- Go camping
- Write, write, write (a ton of my book!)
- Save money
- Get plugged into a young adult group/ministry
- Be a kick-butt, awesome nanny
- Basically more firmly plant my identity in Christ and become more of the woman He's called me to be
- Start a girls bible study with my youth group students (This is something God put on my heart to begin last fall.)
- Just love, love, love every single day.

Summer '12 Snapshots: 5/27 Great night with my handsome wedding date, :)
ended by running the city blocks of Chaska, MN in the pouring rain!
Oh, summer memories.

Priceless Adventures

     As I grow older, I appreciate coupons, clearance racks, and cheap dates even more. I had heard about the free Museum Adventure Pass program available at many metro public libraries. Last week was my spring break, so Daniel and I took advantage of some of my extra free time. We picked up two free Museum Adventure passes from the Savage Public Library and checked out the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis. It was absolutely beautiful... and free! Well, except for parking, but i'll take it. There a lot of other Minnesota museums a part of the free pass program as well. Although, I was told that the program will sadly be ending in September 2012, so grab a friend and take advantage of as many free adventures while you still can!

Beautiful view of Minneapolis from the Observation Desk

:)

There's me!

Another terrific view!

Just adore this guy.

Then Dan had a really cheesy picture idea... but, I went along
with it and may or may not actually secretly like his cheesiness. ;)

Every Single Woman in the World Should Watch This

"A Man's Promise"

This video broke me.

"You are worth so much more than what the world offers."
My heart honestly breaks for each and every one of you. You are so beautiful and so, oh my goodness, LOVED, and worth so much more than what the world has told you. The way God has made you... with all of the gifts, the abilities, the talents, the things that stir within your heart, God has placed them there and for such divine purpose at that. YOU. ARE. INCREDIBLE. Truly take that to heart - do not just skim over this, as if its some other girly encouragement, my heart is broken for you and the wrongs the world, men, and even other women may have caused you in your life. No longer base your beauty on your appearance or the approval of others. No longer, I tell you. Do not give the enemy a foothold in your life. You are worth so much more. I love you all so much, and infinitely more does your heavenly Father.

Why Can't it be Valentine's Every Day?

   

I know this is backwards...oops, but I made "Love Coupons"
for Dan. So easy and fun. Handmade gifts are the best gifts.
I love crafts!

     Heart decor in shades of red and pink, chocolate, flowers, statues regarding "Singles Awareness Day," movies, dinner dates, and love; it's that time of year... er, it was a week ago. I apologize I'm posting a Valentine's-esque blog almost a week late, but the more I think about it, the timing of this blog entry is absolutely perfect with what I intend to say.

     My Valentine's Day was nothing outrageously extravagant or over the top expensive. It was simple, but ...perfect. My boyfriend, Daniel, and I exchanged little gifts, got some dinner, and went to see the Vow. Now I'll have you know, I was definitely one of those silly girls who had been squirmin' and squealin' with anticipation to see the Vow for months and months. Although, I must admit it wasn't what I thought it'd be. Sure, it was a pretty good film. There were cute scenes and sweet "awww" worthy moments; but at the end of the movie I couldn't help but think, I had been so excited to see this for so long, expecting it to be the greatest chick flick of all time and one of the sweetest love stories. Why didn't it have the same incredible "wow" effect on me as it did on other women? I've come to one conclusion...

Daniel and I before going on our date :)

...because I know a greater love.

     The more I learn about Godly love, the more I understand that true love takes sacrifice and sometimes because we're all human, frankly, it can hurt. Though the Vow isn't one in particular to really glorify "effortless love," I must say, true love, Godly love isn't quite as effortless, perfect, and lovely as many films often depict it to be, but I'm learning it's worth it. The Vow was sweet; a cute date movie, but the greatest love of all is so much deeper, more powerful, and true. That's the love that our hearts truly long for. The only love that never fails.
     Another thing I realized this past Valentine's day was that amidst the excitement of dressing up all pretty, chocolates, rose, going to dinner, the Vow, and love-is-in-the-air feelings, my favorite parts of the night were really just the moments spent genuinely talking and laughing with Dan; holding his hand, sneaking peeks at him throughout the movie and just thanking God I get to date my handsome, silly best friend, just being with him. The kind of moments I can have with him every day, regardless of how sharp we look, the amount of money spent, or gifts given. Let's not get so wrapped up in the material things or a specific holiday, but continually appreciate and honor the genuine love we have in our lives, because it's there every day. 

Made Differently

     A couple weeks ago I attended a good friend, role model, and leader's bridal shower. I'd been to baby showers before, but this was my first bridal shower ever. From leaving funny advice for the bride and groom with my comical roommate, Sarah,  eating delectable desserts that cost me a good workout (so worth it), and winning a big bag of peanut M&M's in a silly game, I had a blast.
     My favorite part of the night was a marriage devotional led by Sara Groves. Although i'm not married, I was still able to take away a lot of relationship advice. One point in particular has really stuck with me over the past couple weeks. Sara used an analogy that described us all as individual avatars - different people with very distinct personalities. Many times conflicts arise in relationships because we don't understand why or how someone could react in a particular way (because we obviously know the best way, right? ...think again). I was instantly reminded of a time where I became really frustrated with my boyfriend, Daniel, because of the way he reacted to a situation. I remember thinking and asking him, "Why would you not just do this?"(what I thought was the right way to handle it).
     Truth is, Daniel, my family, my friends, my professors, and my coworkers, as stated before, are all different individuals with distinct personalities. We will react in various ways during given circumstances and situations because we think and are made differently. This is crucial to remember and take into account in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Such a good reminder that God made all of our minds differently and that's something to appreciate. It's not all about us.

Sara Groves giving devotional at Steph's Bridal Shower
Photo taken from Morgan Miller

Power of Leadership

Gina and I - One of the greatest women
and role models I've ever known

     Think about some of the people and/or role models who have impacted you most in life. Now, imagine that you never met them. Crazy, huh? Would your life be dramatically different? I know mine sure would be.
     What made the leaders in my life so great and impacting? Was it all of the precious free time they gave up to spend time with, listen to, and encourage me? Or perhaps the positive, Christ-like attributes they possessed? Or was it the way they just genuinely loved and cared about how I was doing? I believe it was a healthy combination of all those factors.    
     Lately I've been thinking a lot about leadership and its tremendous effect. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would not be the strong, hope, and life-filled woman I am today if not for particular youth leaders and best friends in my life. On the other hand, I know many individuals who never truly connected with a positive leader/role model during junior high/high school and are not making the wisest choices today because of it.

Hannah, Sarah (two other leaders),
Kaelyn, Sarah, Marissa, (students)
and I after the girls' dance recital     

     I am currently a junior high youth group leader at my church. I absolutely adore my students and love each of them so much more than they know. As I reflect on how essential it was to have close relationships with leaders in my life during the young teen years, I am more motivated than ever before to personally connect with each of my students, especially the girls. I am so driven to know their needs and struggles, lift them up in prayer, encourage them, support them, laugh with them, love on them, hang out with them, just enjoy life with them.
    If you're not involved any means of leadership, whether that be at work, school, a church, an organization, or even within a family, I encourage you to find your leadership niche -- a place where you can positively lead others with your distinct skills and capabilities. Also, make sure you have someone older and wiser that you can go to and look up to as a positive leader in your life; never take them for granted. A remarkable leader is powerful; their influence can often begin a legacy.

Students at our life-group Christmas party 2011

Godly Love

Today my heart is really going out to the broken-hearted. So many of us are searching for love - we want to experience that magical love with someone else that we see in movies and read about in books. Many in relationships get frustrated when things don't turn out the way they'd hoped it would, perhaps in the perfect way that many books and movies perceive love to be. Instead of looking at love from a worldly perspective, let's look at what the Word of God tells us:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

If all we really need is love, shouldn't love come down to something more than self-gain, temporary butterflies, and attraction? In our relationships, we should constantly be instilling the bolded characteristics in our love. I've been told that we all have a God-shaped hole in our hearts that only He can fill. God's love never fails. One of the reasons there are so many broken hearts due to failed relationships is that too many try to fill God's place in their heart with someone else first. Girls, God wants to so captivate your heart before you open it to any man.  

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man must seek Him in order to find her." 

Before you open your heart to anyone, you must first find your worth, fulfillment, confidence, and strength in God alone. He will teach you about Godly love [what it is, how to live it out] - so much deeper than anything any movie or book could ever portray. Do not be angry or frustrated with God over your current relationship status, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28) - He knows what's best for you and your life. Even if you don't understand his reasoning at the moment, just trust Him and be patient until you can see the bigger picture. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God tells us “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." He is always faithful. Once you find that only He can fulfill your heart's greatest desires and longings for love, only then will you be able to truly love another human - with Godly love.

"Arms Wide Open" - Misty Edwards