Comfort

Have you ever just sat outside and stared up at the stars?

It's one of my favorite things to do. I think it's because I look up and see how amazing God is. He created all these gorgeous glowing objects that shine billions and billions of miles away, and I can see them. And the moon...how amazing is the moon! I like to talk to the man in the moon. I tell him my thoughts and sometimes I throw out a little wish. He is pretty good listener and some nights I swear winks at me, haha! I gave him a name...his name is George and we're pretty much best friends:)

All thoughout my life the stars and the moon have been comfort for me. They were there to enchance romance. They were there to help dry tears. They were there to spark a memory. And most importantly, they were there!

What brings you comfort in your life?

If you can't think of anything then go outside, lay down in the grass and look up! I promise you'll see something amazing!

Cutest commerical

During Grey's Anatomy, the cutest commerical aired!
This take me back to Kindergarten...



Priceless and Precious!

Singing again!!

Last night was so much fun!

You see, my friend Daniel just moved to Nashville and he lives 5 minutes from my house in Franklin! I am so excited that I have someone familiar to hang out with, swap stories about North Carolina and just laugh. Last night we decided to record some music and I must say, it was so much fun to actually be singing again! It felt good and it felt comfortable...

Here are some pictures of our recording project...

The recording part was fun but who knows how it will sound, ha!!

Look what we did...

Courtney and I went on a little happy, fun trip on Friday!

We took a trip to Turner Field to see the Braves play!
Sporting events always make the weekends better!!

close calls

There were two close calls in my life tonight!

Tonight Mallori and I were driving back from Atlanta...
First off, we probably shouldn't have been driving so late but, it's always so hard to leave!

OK so we're driving back and I see this guy with his brake lights on up ahead. I firgured he was just slowing down but I was wrong! He was completely stopped in the middle of the lane because there was a three pile wreck in front of him. I slammed on brakes and my tires were vibrating so much I felt like they were going to fall off. Mallori was following behind me and she almost crashed into the back of me because of the abrupt stop. I missed hitting the truck by a few inches and Mal missed hitting me by a few inches as well. Close call number one!

A little further down the road I was passing an 18 wheeler when his back, right tire blew. It made the loudest noise ever and sparks began to fly. My heart jumped and it was beating so fast as I pulled as far off the road as I could to get away from him. Mallori did the same and then called me so we could share how freaked out we were! Close call number two!

What an eye opening 3 hour drive. We're not sure if God was keeping us awake by giving us some surprises on the way home or if it was just one crazy night on Interstate 24!

Dan

Did I ever tell you about my friend Dan from this summer?
If not, let me show you an adventure that we took this summer to Disney World...

Didn't that look like an amaizng trip? HAHA

hide behind

Sometimes we hide behind our fears. Sometimes we hide behind our pride. It could be insecurity, sensitivity and even hiding behind change. Life can be so funny sometimes...You think you have certain things figured out but then out of nowhere it's those things that look radically different.
Why do we think there has to be some magical way to understand certain aspects in order to live happy. Hiding is not a source of living. Hiding only causes us to miss out on the things that were given to us for joy. Things to make us laugh. Things to make us blush. Things make us love. Who wants to miss out on that?

Leave the hiding for a game of Hide -N-Seek!

Start embracing the joy. Embrace the laughter, the blushing and the love!

Name Meanings

My roommate had a surprise for me when I came home from FX...
She had looked up the meaning of my name and she couldn't believe how well it described me!
For those of you who know me, see if this sounds like me:

Shannon

After an Irish river "Irish"

Energetic and courageous you stand up for your beliefs and for what you desire. You are independent, strong willed and fiercely competitive when needed although your ambition is tempered with patience. You maintain a positive attitude and with a more organised or practical approach to life material success is very likely. Your immensely loving and generous nature brings joy into peoples lives and ensures your happiness.

I wonder what your name means?

Powerful

For the past four days I have been in the mountains of Virginia in a little town called Grundy! What an experience... a true Freedom Experience! The atmoshpere was intense and we saw such a reaction from the kids here. God's presence was in the venue each night and it was truley powerful. The venue was completely packed with people from all over the surrounding counties. We saw so many kids dedicate their lives to the Lord but in a way that we have never seen before. There was a need for hope in this town and God spoke through our whole team to give this community true hope and joy. He has big things planned for these amazing people.

It was amazing!!

God also did a bit of work on me while I was here and He began to reveal some pretty powerful things. I plan on continuing to press forward and listening for what God has planned.

Again

I won't be the circus for you to star in
I won't leave you roses to watch them die
You won't be the heartache that keeps me sleepless
You won't be the songs that I could never write

I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall
I don't want to have to see you leave me
I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall in love
Maybe I'm a fake, maybe you're a lie
Maybe our last chance died with last night
I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall in love with you again

I won't be a fortress for you to hide in
I won't be the first one you think to call
You won't be the regrets that I can't live with
And we won't be the last ones to ever have to lose it all

When we're scared and lonely
We will tell ourselves we're only
Just a word from what we needed
But we know that this ain't right

I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall
I don't want to have to see you leave me
I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall in love
Maybe I'm a fake, maybe you're a lie
Maybe our last chance died with last night
I don't want to stay, I don't want to fall in love with you again

I can't stay
I can't fall for you again
-Needtobreathe

Atlanta

Let me see if I can sum up my Atlanta trip in a few words...

rainy
full of laughs
too close for words
pizza and football
10 episdoes of FRIENDS
a few cuddles
my brother sleeping the whole afternoon
outlet shops
one pink blanket
too much traffic
two funny Will Ferrell videos
great conversation
a wedding proposal
phone call from a sweet friend back home
a feeling of not wanting to leave...

That about sums it up!

This made me laugh...

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74

You have to watch this!
Excuse the language...It just really makes me laugh:)

proved it

Me and my friends wanted to prove that you can fit three people in a hammock comfortably...

...and we did!

cosmic vending machine

When you pray, do you ask God for things? Of course, but when you do this, do you expect your prayers to be answered immediately? For most of us the answer to that question is yes with a hopefully behind it.

Sometimes people misundertand what it means to have a "relationship" with our Heavenly Father! Basically, it's not about us. We spend so much time asking for things that we forget our purpose is thank God for the things He has allowed us to have. We think that our relationship with God is a cosmic vending machine. You just push the J4 button and all your wishes come falling out and into your hands. It's not like that! God blesses us with what we need, not always what we want. Our wants are sometimes not what is best for our lives and sometimes that's hard to see.

I wonder what our lives would look like if God gave us everything we asked for? I see us being lazy, unhappy and spoiled! Everything would seem meaningless and nothing would bless our hearts because we wouldn't see the value in anything. When God blesses you with special things, you appreciate them and you treasure them. And you know when it's a gift from God. You feel completely overwhelmed by an unexplainable joy!

Why would want to give that up for all your wants and an empty feeling?

What if...

It's a question that we put in front of so many things through out our lives.

What if?

Often, we think about what would have happened if we had made a different choice or what would something be like if it was completely different from the way it has always been. I was intrigued by a sentence I read today that asked the question, "what if the streets of Heaven turned to brass? Would they still be as beautiful if they were not made of gold?" It caught my eye because it was such an astonishing statement. Of course they would still be beautiful! Who decided that gold was perfect?

I ask myself questions all the time like, "what if I had chosen that path?" or "what if I wasn't so anxious, would my thoughts and ambitions be the same?" I always look for the "gold" in life because it's beautiful and I figure it will make my life perfect. But what if my life was meant to be silver or brass, would it matter?

Now I know these are dumb comparisons but my point is, sometimes we look so hard for the perfect that we walk right by the magnificient.

hiding or drowning?

I haven't been sleeping well lately! My mind seems to be fully charged whenever I lay down to sleep. It has a hundred different thoughts running through it and I can't seem to slow them down long enough to rest. I've had this happen a few times before but never for this long.

When I was little I couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve but it was only because I wanted to catch a glimpse of Santa. Just once...but I never did. I can remember not being able to sleep everytime my mom went to the hospital. My dad would always say "she's gonna be fine, don't worry," but I worried. I would lay there and pray that she would come home fixed and that she would never have to go back, but she returned countless times. Each time I would have a wrestling match with my covers until I finally drifted off.

You see, sleep is something I love! I would sleep all day if I could. I love to crawl into bed when the room is super cold, bundle up under my comforter and hibernate. I love to dream! There are some amazing things that happen in dreamland, who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

I can't figure this one out...what could be wrong or what am I waiting up to see?

Could I be hiding from dreams or drowning in my thoughts?

The Bible talks!

But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you.
He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
~Isaiah 30 :18 (The Message)

It's amazing what God will say to you through passages of the Bible if you just open your heart and listen! It was like the Bible was written for guidance or something..haha!
What has God said to you lately??

Come on get higher

Everyone needs to buy Matt Nathanson's new CD! It is amazing....

I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in

If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love

I miss the sound of your voice
Loudest thing in my head
And I ache to remember
All the violent, sweet
Perfect words that you said

If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
I'd make you believe
I'd make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love

I feel of your heart
I taste the sparks on your tongue
I see angels and devils
And God, when you come on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

Sing sha la la la
Sing sha la la la la

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me, drown me in love

It's all wrong, it's all wrong
It's all wrong, it's so right
So come on, get higher
So come on and get higher
'Cause everything works, love
Everything works when you're on

I absolutely adore this song and the delicate meaning behind it!

Little porcelain cheeks

I have my moments where I miss home so much!
I had a few of those moments yesterday when I was talking to mom and dad on the phone, when I ate Oh's cereal at the office and when I saw these adorable pictures of my niece. She is my little munchkin. She makes me miss home so much I can hardly stand it. I would give anything for Summer size hug.

You see, she is a special little girl. She is only five but she is one of the strongest kids I know. She has been through a lot but still has a beautiful smile on her little porcelain cheeks.

I wish I could see her everyday.

Pure, Sincere, Expressed Love

Hands and Feet. Love and Fear.
What was once dirty is now clean.

The puzzle begins to be shaped, each piece being so precise and perfect.
What does this look like when it's all placed together...LOVE!

Pure, Sincere, Expressed Love.

What does each piece look like?
Well, Emily has a leadership about her and Auny brings wisdom to the circle. Kyla expresses grace while Amy provides protection. Laura brings lots of laughter to the group and Mallori brings joy into hearts. Stephanie provides acceptence as well as faith while Heather expresses serventhood with her youthful spirit. Charmene shows kindness in all she is and me, well I guess I add Mercy to the circle.

What do we all have in common?
A bond that cannot be broken and the Father of the Heavens. An Abba that placed us together for comfort. for advice. for smiles. for tears. for so much more than we know yet!

Candles lite the room, creating a vibrant glow across the faces of my sisters. The music played softly as the book of Romans began to be read. The words serve, teach and encourage jumped off the page and into my heart. You see, my favorite verse was being read. A feeling of wonder filled my mind as I glanced at the small bucket placed beneath a draped chair. Was i worthy?
One by one we washed the feet of our sisters blessing them with prayers. I prayed for joy as well as pure happiness for each one. I wonder what was prayed over me? Hopefully direction and wisdom.
Jesus served his disciples by washing their feet, showing them how much he loved them. Tonight we expresed love and serventhood for one another by doing the same.
We painted a picture, a beautiful one at that. There were hues of gold with white accents. It was one of the most beautiful sights seen since I moved to this new place. This picture was painted so carefully. So much time was put into the beauty.

What was the picture of...LOVE!

Pure, Sincere, Expressed Love.

So we decided to Share!

You see, I always get pushed to the front when the bride throws the bouquet! I decided this time I would stand in the back with my friend Carrie because I am tired of catching the beautiful arrangement but the tradition not working on me!
Well I stood in the back and still that bouquet came my way. I guess flowers are attracted to me, haha! Anyway Carrie and I decided to share it. Take a look...

We'll see who's next!!! I'm sure it's not me:)

Joy

Things that have brought me joy this week....

Getting letters from my mom and grandma.
Peanut Butter and Banana Reese Cups.
Sleeping till noon.
Watching Rush Hour 3 for the second time.
Rock and Republic jeans.
Bachelor parties...haha, yes I said Bachelor.
FX hoodies.
Strawberries and Cream frappacinos from Starbucks.
Watching ASU beat Michigan.
Talking to an old friend on the phone for two hours.
Dancing with my Caswell boys.
The book on James.
Thunderstorms.
Goose down comforters.
Text messages at 1 AM from a special person.
My 6 year old Rainbow flip flops.

These are just a few....
What brings you joy??

A special day

I can't believe it! My friend Dave is married.

This weekend, I ventured down to Birmingham, Alabama to watch Dave Pace on the biggest day of his life. It was the precious thing I have ever seen. Not to embarrass Dave, but when he teared up at the sight of Lindsey, it was such a special moment. You could see the love they have for each other written all over their faces. I hope to find that love one day:)

I have known Dave for years now and he has been one of those friends that I can confide in. He is someone who has helped me through so many tough times in my life. He always seemed to know what to say. We bonded over our past experiences and how God has moved in our lives. Dave's love for the Lord is moving and he is going to make such an impact on so many. He already has!

I wish him and Lindsey nothing but happiness in their marriage and joy found in their relationship with Jesus Christ.