some things i'm learning.

today, i had a crazy day. i overslept my first class (i sure did feel like i was in high school again!) so i didn't have another class until one. i'm probably didn't manage my time wisely, something i'm working on, so this morning was sort of a rush to get ready, finish some homework, and make it to class on time. (story of my life).

so, i go to statistics, and the whole time my professor teaches us about stuff that i have already learned. (i'm starting to wish i had paid more attention in AP stat senior year). anyway, i come home, change real quick so i can wear my galoshes, because apparently augusta has become the portland of the south this week, (dear rain, please go away!) and finish up a French project rather quickly. then, i log on to iChat to talk with my friends, Corey and Caroline.

we all catch each other up on life in general, and then Corey asks me what it is the Lord is teaching me in my life. i thought about DNOW and how i learned a lot that weekend. but, as i was talking, something else hit me from that weekend.

i remember standing in the back of the room during the invitation time and worshipping. songs like "Our God" and "With Everything" were being played, and i was loving every minute of it. i love those songs and they hold special memories for me from times where the Lord really worked in my life in awesome ways. but as i was singing, the Lord kept telling me, "Don't think about Panama or last semester. Those songs have words in them that still ring true today."

today, it hit me. over the past few months, instead of worshipping the Jesus that those songs talk about, i'll worship the experience. i'll let emotions and memories overwhelm me and be caught up in that instead of in our Savior! it was such a cool thing to learn!!

hopefully, i'm headed to Athens tomorrow with my friend Leah to see our friend Hannah. oh, and did i forget to mention? i'm on SPRING BREAKKKKKKK :)

i didn't think i had room in my heart for two.

i woke up this morning with a text from Casie, my old boss and older "sister", saying that Joe had arrived! i was so excited. Yet, throughout these past nine or so months that Casie's been pregnant, i have sort of been worrying about this whole thing. Jack has been a HUGE part of my world over the past two years. he's been my "nephew"; he really has. i just didn't know how i was going to handle Jack having a little brother. i know that sounds awful. i should be happy, right?!? and i was. i really was. i just didn't think i had room in my heart for two.

i went to work for a little bit, and then Casie texted me and asked me if i could come to the hospital for a little bit. i got to leave and go to the hospital and spend time with just Casie and Joe. which was pretty shocking that it was just the three of us, but it was really precious. i got to hold this little boy who was at that time only 5 hours old for about 2 hours. i got to love on him, pray for him a little bit, and be his "Aunt Ash-Ash". i loved it.

my heart definitely grew a lot today. and i found out that i did have room in my heart for this precious "nephew" of mine. i'm so thankful that the Lord has given me this awesome opportunity to be apart of their lives. it's humbling. it's a blessing.

this week...

i'm dreaming of going to Europe with one of my best friends, Leah. we're history and travel nerds, and we both have a huge desire to hit up Europe for a little while. plans for summer 2012? i think so :)

i've been spending a lot of time looking up information about this Rob Bell/Universalism situation. i found this by David Platt very encouraging and convicting. check it out!

i was also challenged in my English class the other day to know my Scriptures better. my English professor is this amazing, intelligent man. he's very interesting, and he makes class entertaining. on more than one occasion, he has mentioned how his parents are the typical people that go to church every Sunday because that's how they were raised, yet they don't really practice what they talk about. they're hypocrites, more or less. it hurts my heart every time i hear him talk about how he wants nothing to do with the faith of his parents. anyway, he knows his Scriptures very well; maybe even better than i do, i hate to admit. based on a class discussion the other day, i became encouraged to KNOW my Bible so well so that once something like this happens again, i can really "defend" my faith.

i'll end with some exciting news: nephew #2, Joe Carlisle, will be here next Tuesday or Wednesday! YAY!!