i am going to die.

Ok... read this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24190829/

i mean seriously... apparently the use of lip gloss can increase the risk of cancer.

This is scary for multiple reasons.
One reason is this:
** My lips are not small. Not only does it take more to cover my lips, but i do so enjoy using lip gloss as well. So now not only am i increasing my chance for cancer simply because i love it, but since my lips are so large i use tons.
Second reason is this:
**Doesn't help at ALL that my favorite song happens to be entitled "Lip Gloss." So now i'm not only concerned for my lips, but my ears as well. i'm now listening to the lyrics "lip gloss." Here's an excerpt:

"Mac mac Lorial yep 'cause I'm worth it
Love the way I put it on so perfect
Wipe the corners of my mouth so I work it
When I walk down the hallway they can't say nothing
Oh oh oh my lips so luscious
The way I spice it up with the mac mac brushes
Lorial got the most watermelon crushes
That's probably is the why these boys got crushes…
'Cause My lip gloss
Is popping is popping
Is popping is popping
'Cause my lip gloss
Is popping is popping
Is popping is popping"

And this is why today, my realization is:

i am a lot closer to dying than i thought i was.

that's what i thought.

1 Thes. 5:16-24

16Be joyful always;

17pray continually;

18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire;

20do not treat prophecies with contempt.

21Test everything. Hold on to the good.

22Avoid every kind of evil.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

This excites me.

It excites me because i have so much to work on and that

is what makes my walks with Christ so exciting.

His beauty makes me realize so much.

i'm excited to wake up to God.

Thrilled that He is patient, He is love, and He is grace.

Thankful that i am beautiful in His eyes.

i am complete in His eyes.

Test everything. Hold on to the good.

i like that.

To know Him and be known by Him.

He is good.

oh my dear mango...

Common food allergy reactions:

Hives, itching, or eczema
Nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, or diarrhea
Swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, tongue, throat, or other parts of the body (called angioedema)
Wheezing, nasal congestion, or trouble breathing
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Swelling of the throat and difficulty swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Rapid pulse
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness
Blue color to the skin and nails

i ate a mango popsicle. Probably the best thing i've ever eaten. Real mango.
i woke up the next morning and i thought i was dying.
No, i am not joking.
Yes, this is a true story.
i've had a lot of these symptoms... i'm still waiting til my skin turns blue. So until that happens, i guess i'll just keep eating mangos. mangoes? mangos... i think it's mangoes.

i'm sorry... i couldn't help but post this. poor kid.

i think it's so neat that God wants to use us in His work.
i mean think about that! He loves that we have dreams, goals, aspirations.
i have big dreams. i have faith that they will happen.

i love the konza. i mean love. like i can't describe it.

i'm going there tomorrow! and i am thrilled. THRILLED!

Jesus chooses to reveal Himself SO much through nature.

i love that.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that people are without excuse.

Rom. 1:20

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

1 Cor. 10:24

i want to be selfless.

i want to be stretched.
i want to be broken.
these are SCARY things to pray for! But i am so confident that there are so many things Christ wants to do in my life, and i am nothing but excited about them!

i miss Manhattan soooo much. i cannot wait to be back!
i also can't wait for actual spring weather. it'll be great when it happens :)

so much bigger.

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will be joyful in God my Savior

Habakkuk 3:17 & 18

i'll admit it, life is pretty easy right now...

Yes, there have been situations lately that

have REALLY had me trust God and have

total faith in Him, but honestly, when times get rough,

which they will,

i want to be able to be joyful in God my Savior.

i want to be so grateful and soak in so much

of Christ now so when those tough times come

i can really be reminded of His faithfulness

does this even make sense?

i don't even know...

a friend of mine today

saw this shirt:

Christianity: It's a religion so f*** you and your make pretend "relationship"

think about that.

That's just convicting to me to actually live out what i'm "preaching," you know?
i don't know, it was powerful to me...

my portion.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him." Lamentations 3:21-24



Funny how i find myself becoming anxious about things so quickly in life. i've been doing this great Bible study. One week we talked about the ways in which we give things to God.
For me the way i do this is i give things to God, then i take them back. But i know full and well that Christ knows exactly what He's doing in every area of my life!
i learned Phil. 4:6 & 7 last week... more like had it refreshed. (When you grow up in AWANAS you feel like you know the whole Bible. haha)
It was a great refresher though!
Be anxious about nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving present your requests to God. Then the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
i am so encouraged by this. And even with everything crazy that's going on in my life i am so at peace. i know that God will make happen what He wants to happen. And when He wants it to happen. Wow. God is so good!