Bellydancer & Barney

Partners in crime since 1995.

Little Jubilations

>> Film photos of old birthdays and myself in a seriously happenin' sassy bonnet.
>> My friend's mom got saved last night! Been praying about this family for a little while now. They could use some more prayer, if you think of it.
>> First pumpkin donut of the season.
>> Pride & Prejudice
>> Stellar thrift finds -- $3 jeans, I'm looking at you.
>> Today is my last day of 20.

Days Are Just Drops in the River

Remembering the time my family traveled to Georgia last summer and stayed in a cabin right off the river. In the mornings I would sit on the dock and eat blueberry muffins and stare out at the water, which was chilled, despite it being summer, and write. We would take hikes and sit on the front porch and marvel over mountains as we passed through town. My sister and I shared a bed in a warm little room and had midnight talks about life and Bon Iver songs. The trip was inspiration, and chocolate chip cookies, and Fleet Foxes. And I think about it every now and then, because up in the mountains, up in the forest -- that's where I want to be.

Throwback Thursday....on a Wednesday

So I might have been so delirious when I woke up from my nap this afternoon that I thought it was actually Thursday....but nevertheless I give you this Throwback Thursday post, birthed from nostalgia, on a Wednesday. 

These shots are of my very first week of summer camp in, back in 2010. Back then I was frightened and unsure of what summer camp even was, and scared to spend a week with complete strangers in an unfamiliar place. Who would have thought that four years later I would be leaving for a whopping two months to work at that same summer camp -- to earn scholarship money to attend Bible college in the Fall, no less? God has an amazing plan for me, one I never could have predicted, and I love that. It's amazing to see Him lead me, even in the little things.

I'm starting to shake off my fears about leaving and am now getting kind of giddy. 

Can't wait to see what God has planned! 

Five days.

Streets of St. Augustine

I usually don't do Throwback Thursday posts, but I randomly remembered the trip my family took to St. Augustine a couple of years ago. This city has special meaning for my family, because it's where my parents went on their honeymoon 21 years ago. (Yes...I'm a honeymoon child, hehe.) There's something so wonderfully quaint about the town, and those wonderful streets. Flagler College is not too far away, either, and there are lots of little indie shops where you can find glorious trinkets and clothes.

I'm not one of those girls whose really given tons of thought to my "dream" wedding, or where I want to go on my honeymoon, but maybe one day, my guy and I will visit St. Augustine together. At least for nostalgia's sake.

On Stubbornness & St. Augustine

Do you ever feel opposition in your relationship with Christ? I discussed this a bit already in my Distractions post, but I wanted to address it a little more.

I am a stubborn person. I was such a strong willed child that when I was still a toddler, I tried sticking my finger in a light socket despite my parents' punishments. I think that my stubborn personality can be used for Christ if I let Him work on me, but more often than not it gets me into trouble.

It's harmful in that I always tend to think my way is best. I like to think that I can take control of my life, and handle it while God helps me with the really, really big things. But that's such a waste of God's rest for us. I want to enter His rest and throw all of my burdens onto Him without a single care of my own. The whole point of Jesus dying for us was that we simply could not carry the burdens ourselves.

When I tend to think that my plan is better, or if I start walking in my own strength, I can bet I'm going to fall, and fail. I can't even imagine the plans He has for me, they are so full and glorious. (Check out Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20-21 if you want more knowledge on this topic.)

This verse is my battle cry today:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

On a lighter note, today is Thursday. Throwback Thursday. I usually never do these types of things, because they are hokey and silly, but at the same time, they're actually kind of fun, so here goes nothing:

Last December, my family and I journeyed to the glorious hipster/historical mecca of St. Augustine, FL. If you've never been, you absolutely have to go, provided that the time you you choose to travel isn't a holiday weekend. The streets were packed with people when we went, and it got a little stressful. I would recommend taking a trip in January when it's starting to get a little cooler, otherwise you will be *indefinitely* sweating in the Florida heat. Like a dog.

Also, if you visit St. Augustine, you must (must!) stop by Flagler College, which is basically like a castle, no big deal. One of my close friends goes there and she absolutely loves it. If you can get inside for a quick tour, do it, at least just to gawk at the amazing mosaic on the ceiling.

Only six days til Christmas, folks! THE JOYS