Home again, home again...

Being back in Starkville has already been so great. Reuniting with lots of friends and anxiously waiting to see the rest is always rewarding. My summer in Nashville was such a blessing and I have missed being with my sweet sister and her family. The lord showed me how richly he has provided for my family and I and allowed me to learn even more about who I am through his redemption. He is so good! I am currently back in Nashville welcoming my family's newest addition into the world.. Jack McCall Jones. He is a handsome one I must say. Will have pictures soon! It has definitely been interesting to see how my niece, Meg, has reacted to her new brother, and right now, she is quite obsessed with him. Obsessed and possessive... her baby seems to need her at all times, so she wants to be the only one holding him... we'll see how long this lasts. But Jack and Lori are both doing great and are healthy. They get to come home tomorrow! He is just the sweetest little thing in the world :)

Tomorrow I will return to Starkville and on Monday we have Bid Day and new little Delta Gammas so that will be exciting! And then we start school on Wednesday. I can't believe that! I am unprepared with no books or supplies so I'd better get on that. It is still unreal how quickly this summer passed by. I wish we could have another month or so just to play... or go to the beach, which I've been dying to do, but that's just not reality.


On another note, lately I have felt a lack of confidence and importance in myself. I don't really know why, but it has been bothering me. I have just felt like a disappointment and been down about who I am. I know we all go through these times for whatever reason, but it is tough to deal with. For me it is so easy to get caught up in this world and who I am in this place. I tend to focus so much on other people and what they may be thinking of something I've done or didn't do correctly. I'll admit it, I'm a complete people pleaser. I like to make people happy and give them their way with no conflicts regardless of if it's the best thing for me. So often I deceive myself into thinking that this is okay and that I'm focusing on other's feelings when in reality I am looking out for myself and avoiding being uncomfortable at all costs. That is such a dangerous way to live and not a life of loving others. But as I have been thinking about this time of struggle for confidence, I am realizing that my confidence comes from the Lord, and this is not where I have been looking. Instead of digging deeply into who I am through Him, I have looked outwardly, comparing myself to the amazing people around me, where of course I will feel disappointment. If I rely on the importance I feel in the world, I will get nowhere, but if I realize my importance to God, how can I not have confidence? He chose me to love and to die for and to USE. Whether I always understand my importance or not, the Lord is going to use me for His glory. Now surely I can go and live confidently in that!

Thanks for letting me spill my guts... Be back soon!

aj

I have a longer post half typed and ready to be completed, but I just haven't been in the mood to finish it. So for today, rather than ramble to you like usual, I will just do a quick one.

Two days ago I returned home from Nashville and have already been to Starkville then Jackson then back to Starkville and now to Tupelo again.. just call me a world traveler. I saw friends I haven't seen all summer, and it was even better than I imagined. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder :)

I already miss this yellow-haired girl.

Eager to see my sweet nephew in a month and in this attire.

Excited to find out about this today...

Free Drew and Ellie/Brett Dennen concert in my favorite city during my favorite season? I'll take it.

Currently into creating my own cards (bday, thank you, etc) via stamps, brainstorming creative gift wrapping techniques and gifts to put in them, contemplating new crafts - like distressed frames for my wall, and thinking about cleaning out old clothes/junk taking over my room

Also working on my cooking skills......



And finally, I'm searching for a Vespa scooter or anything similar and researching about having one/convincing my parents of my need.... so if any of you have ANY advice on any of the above, please help a girl out :)


That's all for today! Hope everyone is well :)

Nashville love

As you may notice, I changed up the looks of things around here once again. It's always refreshing to do a little rearranging even though I usually get really frustrated because it doesn't always work out how I would like.. but I'm still alive and well, no damage done. Before I begin rambling, I'll give you a few more pictures from the weekend because I just can't resist..

 <<< Spent my Saturday night 

      with this sweet guy, Earl

                                         And his pup, Dora, who snuggled with me after bedtime >>>

Then yesterday, we made art...

 (complete with a mustache and all.. love this picture)



That's all the pictures for now. There will be plenty more to come from the vacation in the near future, so have no fear! But like I said, I am having a wonderful time in Nashville again this summer and as last summer, am learning so much. During my stay, I get to attend Lori and George's church, Midtown Fellowship, and am always richly blessed by it. Unfortunately, like many others, I have had a difficult time finding a church home in Starkville since I've been at State, and it gets a little frustrating. But I always look forward to my Nashville trips and going to Midtown.

So anyways... this summer I have heard a couple of sermons that have truly stuck with me. The most recent was yesterday when Randy discussed giving glory to God and our freedom. The passage he spoke about was 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1, and he discussed the command to do everything for the glory of God. Through this he reminded us that God IS glorious and doesn't need us to add to his glory. He is totally and completely satisfied in Himself, and we give him glory by proclaiming HIS glory. So often I think we can get caught up in what we are to do and how we are to live and not to live, but it's not about us! We must take the focus off of ourselves and focus on the Lord and be satisfied in His glory rather than living as if we are working, working, working to make Him happier - because we aren't! Randy also talked about our freedom as Christians. We are free from sin and free to do as we please.. but we must be certain not to cause others to stumble. Even though we are free from sin, those around us may not be and we should not cross the line for THEIR sake. This takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on others - which is what the Lord asks of us. How much farther this takes us from sin when we begin to love people as ourselves! It is always so refreshing to understand things in a new light. Hopefully you understood the way I was able to... sorry for my lack of writing skills.. I tend to get a little scatter-brained.

But I hope that you all have a wonderful and fun week!

"Glory to God is finding our deepest satisfaction in Him..."

anna j

time flies...

I am amazed that it is already the end of June. WHERE has the summer gone? As you know, I have done terribly keeping up with the blog along with many other things. My summer has been wonderful here in Nashville. Very much relaxed with lots of golf tournaments and more in between, but the time has flown by. You know what they say... time flies when you're having fun, or on any break from school...

I guess I will do a picture update to inform you about a little of my summer..

Hanging out

Loving on Ripley (who no longer looks like this due to a buzz cut)

AK came to visit and we attended the grand re-opening of Franklin Theatre.. found the Ghostbusters while we were there!

We also went to Musician's Corner...

Just a shopping in Whole Foods

Playing, playing, playing

We played beauty salon...

...and french braided

Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg

So that's just a small glimpse of my summer so far. Can't complain! Next week we are taking a family vacation to Gatlinburg, which should be fun. We'll be there for July 4th so that will be interesting. Imagining a whole lot of patriotism :) I'll be sure to capture some photos. All of the above pictures are actually from my iPhone and most are doctored up by Instagram (a fabulous picture app!), which is pretty impressive, in my opinion. But that is a quick post for now.. more to come, hopefully sooner than later!

anna j

Monday Funday

I made it to Nashville a couple of weeks ago and literally have not had a break since I've been here! Golf tournament season is at its peak and that leaves little down time. For those who don't know... I'm here working for my brother-in-law who has a company that helps coordinate golf tournaments for people. We print hole signs, banners, etc., and do hole-in-one contests and a little contest called predict your distance. "Predict Your Distance" is usually my duty and usually means me standing in the blazing sun for 4 1/2 (dare we say 5 1/2) hours... needless to say I have a love/hate relationship with it. {Love being that we have an extra guy now to do it sometimes instead of just me ;)} Just kidding... I'm thankful to have a job for the summer!

It is unbelievably cold and dreary today in Nashville... I don't know what is going on with this weather. Thankfully we have a slow week this week and won't have to be out in the chilly wind. I'm hoping to catch up on things this week like writing letters to camp friends, blogging, and reading... plus a little internet tv show time. Looking forward to a restful week.

I am starting to really miss all of my friends. I love being here but wish I could be like five places at once and see everyone! Summer is so great and came at a much needed time for a break, but it's always sad to be so scattered from friends. I am really excited about next year though. I look forward to a houseful of new roommates and a real, comfy house with a deck I'm dreaming of at the moment. Cannot wait. Also can't wait for what a new year will bring. There are always plenty of changes, surprises, and opportunities of growth awaiting each new semester!

New blogging member. Follow her.. you won't be disappointed! http://www.throughdivineeyes.blogspot.com/

Psalm 62: 5-7

I find rest in God;

only he gives me hope.

He is my rock and my salvation.

He is my defender;

I will not be defeated.

My honor and salvation come from God.

He is my mighty rock and my protection.



Prayers still for the victims of tornadoes across the South... what a scary and devastating thing. May there be rest and healing in each of those places. Through Him we can never experience defeat. In the end, we are victorious. And I will leave you with that on this Monday evening... Enjoy your night!

it's a boy!

Confession time : This post has been in the process of being written for way too long now... I've been a bit scatterbrained/busy/sick, etc this week. But I am forcing myself to publish it right now.. enjoy!


So... I found out this past week that I am going to have a nephew in August! I'm so excited about this sweet little guy and look forward to adding a boy to our family that consists mainly of girls. Can't wait for him to get here! Be praying for my sister and her clan as they are preparing for change and additions :)


While in Houston for Spring Break, Lia, AK and I heard a song at a church we visited that we immediately loved. It actually brought tears to our eyes. Before we heard it, we had been talking about how so many Christian songs today are focused on being happy and stirring up emotions in people rather than being true, authentic worship. The life of a Christian is filled with good times, bad times, times of spiritual drought, and feeling alone because of the way we stray from Him so often and so easily, and our worship music should allow us to not only praise him but also to admit our brokenness to him. Often times we need for Him to break our hearts. How badly I need this everyday.

"I Want a Broken Heart" by Derek Webb

I’ve got faith in the bank and money in my heart
I’ve got a calloused place where your ring used to be, my love
I’ve traded naked and unashamed
For a better place to hide
For a righteous mask, a suit of fig leaves and lies

I thought the cattle on a thousand hills
Was not enough to pay my bills
And I fell in love with those who proved me wrong
And now I want a broken heart

Now there’s a great pad lock
On the place where I was free
And I’m feeling bad from swallowing that key
Now I work real hard but I mostly call in sick
Of a broken back from the ground fighting back at me

I cannot look you in the eye
So I check the knots on my disguise
‘Cause I fell in love with fashion in the dark
And now I want a broken heart

I’ve got alibis for every crime
A substitute to do my time
‘Cause Your heart breaks enough on both our parts
So now I want a broken heart
Now I want a broken heart
Now I want a broken heart

Listen here...

Well hopefully I will be visiting here more often than I have been lately, but I'm not promising anything. We have like three weeks left of school and my laziness is setting in. It's not good combined with my procrastinating attitude that is already present at all times. But oh well... college isn't about school, right? That's what I hear anyways... Speaking of college, I am about to be a junior. I've probably talked about this before but being a junior in college just does not sound right. Everything is speeding by and I would love for it to slow its pace.

Take care everyone and have a safe weekend! Thanks for reading my rambling as well :)

HAPPY TUESDAY!

From MINI and MAXIMUS

 

This week has been pretty good so far. Super busy with a couple unexpected curve balls but also several blessings in disguise. It's kind of funny how you ask the Lord for certain things, for clarity about things, for a change in heart and eventually He will provide but often never in the way you would expect. Often you may never even recognize these as blessings. It's always good to be reminded of who you are apart from Him and of why we, as Christ followers are here in the first place. I am so quick to forget those things and to take on this life as if it were totally mine in the first place. But it is not. I am not my own. I am so undeserving of the love poured on me every day from my precious friends, family and Savior. Goodness gracious, it's a bit overwhelming. So thankful.

Blessed is the one
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
  whose sins are covered.
 Blessed is the one
 whose sin the Lord does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Psalm 32: 1-2

And.... my favorite quote, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" -Aesop

Take care everyone.. Spring Break is soon to come!

AJ