17 ?!?

lauren and i are getting ready to go run further then we have in our whole entire lives...

17 miles

i'm hoping my legs will hold out...and my lungs...and my will power!

i'll be back with a post-run update later today....

update: we made it! my legs are killing me! but we DID it!

he's here!

congratulations cindy and steven on the birth of your beautiful baby boy!

jake everett fruitticher was born on monday!!! i can't wait to get up to georgia and see that cute little guy!

even though cindy and steven will be greatly missed at YEC this year, baby jake is the best excuse to not be there!!

this family is so special to me and i am so thankful for their friendship! i can't wait to watch them raise this their son! they're going to be great parents!!

thankful

happy thanksgiving!

i have so much to be thankful for this year. incredible family...amazing friends...great job...good health...a place to live, food to eat, a car to drive...always more then i need! i am thankful for the country i live in and my freedom. i am thankful for God who loves me (and you) so much that He gave His only Son for our salvation and who wants to have a personal relationship with us...

sometimes life gets so busy and i forget all the things i have to be thankful for...from now on, i'm going to try and take time to be thankful everyday, not just thanksgiving.

Africa.

I've recently been introduced to something I think is awesome. It's called Mocha Club and here's what it's all about...

Mocha Club is a community-based website where members can start a team and invite friends to join them in giving $7 a month – the cost of 2 mochas – to support a project in Africa. Mocha Club's vision is to provide a way for people who don't have hundreds or thousands of dollars to make a difference in Africa.

As if what they do on a normal basis isn't cool enough, Mocha Club is beginning a new campaign on December 1. In preparation for that event, they've asked people to think about and discuss this statement: I need Africa more then Africa needs me.

It's a tough statement. What does it mean? I had to read a few times to really understand...and even after that, I'm not sure that I really do. But I am going to try an articulate how it makes me feel.

I have never been to Africa, but I feel like somehow part of it has always been inside of me. The people, the cultures, the history, the landscape, the whole continent fascinates me. That fascination has always led me to sort of selfish questions...and I guess that stems from my overall world view and general focus in life. It is so easy to get caught up in what is immediately surrounding us and miss the much much bigger picture of how life is happening all around the world.

So, why do I need Africa?

I need Africa to remind me that there is a bigger picture. Life is more then what is happening right around me.

I need Africa to emphasize the truth that less really is more...and that I have more then enough.

I need Africa to show me that happiness and satisfaction does not come from the possession of material things, but instead in how we live life- with purpose and discipline, by hard work, through relationships with family, friends, community, and ultimately Christ.

I need Africa to help me shift my focus and priority from myself to others and how I can meet their needs.

I need Africa to teach me how to love people like Jesus loves people- unconditionally, whole heartedly, with reckless abandon.



What do you think? Do you need Africa more then it needs you?

Leave me a comment...I'd love to hear what you think...and check out what Mocha Club is doing. It might just change lives in ways you could never imagine- yours included!

lots to do!

this is going to be a SUPER busy weekend...

- today: first round of play-offs for football in Orlando
- tomorrow: fly out at 5:40 am for jason and bekah's wedding in louisiana, wedding at 2 pm
- Sunday: fly home, see mom and dad, sleep?!

i can't wait! hopefully i'll survive it all!

obsession

i can't stop buying things with owls on them! i did it again today...note cards...and twice last week! AHHH!



i mean, i tried to justify the owl rug and cute little guy made out of bark and twigs...but other then pure cuteness, i had no justification. they were just things i wanted (not things i needed).

but i think i need to slow down...no more owl stuff for a while...unless it's really, really cute!

vote!

go!

do it now!

wait in line!

it will be worth it!

exercise your rights!

let you voice be heard!

take responsibility for your country!


be a part of history!

can't wait...

...for election day!

voting is such an honor and privilege. it is amazing to live in a place where we can take part in choosing the leaders of our country. i take this responsibility very seriously...

the importance of it all stresses me out though! so many decisions to make! so many people to choose! so many confusing amendments!

after tomorrow, i won't have to stress any more because it will be over and done with (and i won't have to watch any more of those campaign commercials...halleluia!)

so right now, in anticipation and preparation for tomorrow, all i can do (and ask you to do) is pray!

pray for the presidential candidates, both of them!
pray for those voting...that they make educated decisions
pray for discernment and wisdom
pray for the future of our country
pray for opportunities to share your faith after the election

tomorrow just might be the most memorable election of my lifetime...

...i can't wait!

big day!

today is a very big day! and for many reasons...

1. the FL-GA game
2. the Texas Tech and Texas game
3. i have two of my greatest friends in town...woo hoo!
4. spending quality time with lucas
5. possibly early voting

whew! today's going to be a good one!