thirsty thursdays.

This picture is from my first semester in college. tonight, my roommate and i had a conversation about how far we've come since then. i remember at least once a week going out with our "friends" and living a life that i shouldn't have been. i never went crazy like some people do in college, but i had my fair share of drinking and hooking up with boys who shouldn't have mattered. all i cared about was living life by my rules, getting away from my parents, and getting a boyfriend, no matter what kind of guy he was. christmas break changed all of that for me when my best friend collin confessed that he had feelings for me, and we decided to be more than friends. he challenged me spiritually, and reminded me of who i was supposed to be living for. this semester has looked much different for me. all i really do is watch tv or do homework. i kind of feel like a grandma sometimes, but then i remember how much better i feel about my life now. all my guilt is gone, and i'm finally focused on the things that i want to be for the rest of my life. the memories from my first semester at etsu will never go away, but the lifestyle did, and i love being able to see a difference in myself, and know that i've done a little bit of growing up.

and forever i am free.

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

PRE CHORUS 1:
Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong_united/you_hold_me_now.html ]
CHORUS:
No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

VERSE 2:
In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

PRE CHORUS 2:
Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

BRIDGE:
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

this is a song that we sang tonight at a church service that i go to called the well. i had heard the song before, but this semester has been so much harder for me than the last one, and every day i wake up and i feel like i'm drowning in school work and in trying to keep everything else in my life going such as my relationship with my boyfriend who lives five hours away, or even motivating myself to talk to my mom, who i never really got along with. tonight in particular, it was storming when i went to church, and it wasn't necessarily where i wanted to be going, but i go every week because once i get there, it's like breath in my lungs. when we sang this song tonight, it reminded me that no matter what i'm going through, or what is happening outside, God is holding me in his arms the entire time. and when i feel like i can't take another step, he carries me. this song is incredible and i hope you look it up for yourself but the words even without the music mean so much to me and i hope this song can speak to you too.

inspired by sarah.

i've never had a blog before, but my friend sarah started one, and it made me want one. life with me isn't always exciting, but a lot is happening in my life right now. i'm in my second semester of college at east tennessee state university, i just turned 19 a few months ago, and i also just got into a relationship a few months ago. all of things are changing my life for the better, and i feel like i learn new things about myself and about life all the time so i guess this is a good place for me to sort those things out.