It's about to get tense

This week has been one that has seemed to drag on forever maybe it's because I'm ready for the weekend or the fact that only 6 days separate me from Thanksgiving break! Yes, I'm also the girl who is already counting the days until Christmas! Well on the joyous note of those holidays, I've entered into a very joyous season in my life as well. As a "new Christian" I found myself needing to be fed God's word if there was any event or camp I would count down the hours until we were leaving because I could NOT get enough Jesus! Well, since this summer I seemed to have exited that stage and felt like that wasn't enough anymore. I began to see how others were not only attending these events but were helping with them and finding their own callings which caused me to turn an awful shade of green. I didn't understand why God hadn't led me to do any of these things. " Am I not a good enough Christian?" I began to question everything and in some way didn't really  want to be apart of anything anymore. I almost felt bitter about the whole thing as if some sort of politician who lost an election. Recently I've had a lot of frustration and anger towards a lot of things particularly towards the one person I would never want to harm. You know everyone says, " people only want Jesus when they need Him." That was me. Red handed. I had somewhat turned away from God until I needed some help and a lot of answers. So, I began looking up sermons and biblical advice about relationships and marriages. This is something I've always been very passionate about and have been eager to learn about. After many late nights staying up, taking notes and absorbing all I could I decided all my questions were answered and I felt good about my decisions. As I woke up this morning to go to chapel I seemed to have a bit more pep in my step than usually at 9 am, we had a guest speaker from Colorado speak this morning. He was an older gray haired man who looked like he could be my grandfather and was as cute as a button. He said the word purity, saying that to a group of college students creates a silence where you could hear a pen drop. What he said was one of the most profound and true phrases I've ever heard,

"Your generation is so concerned with everything being  pure,( water, air, gas, dairy products,)but yourself." 

That's when it truly came apparent to me that I had found my calling. God didn't have me sitting down watching sermon after sermon for no reason, I can use my knowledge to help others. From sharing those videos and my knowledge hundreds of marriages could be saved or relationships that will end in a divorce could be stopped. Someone could actually realize how they're supposed to treat their other half or how to find that person and have a Godly relationship. This is what our world needs more than ever, you would be surprised some people don't even know what's right or wrong in a relationship because they've never been taught. I'm no Dr. Phil nor do I intend to be but I feel I've gone through these obstacles in my life for a reason and if that is only changing one relationship than it's worth the price. Saying that, instead of me rambling on all night long I'm just going to post a few of the sermons I watched and let you make your own opinion and decisions. 

Xoxo,

The girl in a polo and pearls 

Goodnight 

Is he willing to fight for you?
How to identify a real man

A woman can't love a man without first loving Jesus 
A woman needs to admire her husband

Ready or not here I come!

     Remember the old faithful game of hide and seek? That rainy afternoon game that kept us occupied for hours. We always thought we were so clever because our parents could never find us. Little did we know they were letting us win! Why am I talking about a game we use to find ourselves playing years ago? Because I'm playing it right now and some of you may be too, you just don't realize it yet. 

     This summer has flown by leaving me with very few pieces to pick up while I'm trying to convince myself it isn't shortly coming to an end. It's hard being away and getting use to a different routine and being thrown back into your old one with everything but ease. A lot of times, just in this case, when we  are confronted with a difficult situation..WE HIDE. Maybe it's not behind the bathroom door or our sisters' bed but it's that invisible cloak we wear that says, " I'm not here, I don't feel, it's easier that way." We may all be hiding from different things, perhaps your hiding from the fact that you've lost your faith or you're like me and just feel so defeated you try to hide all feelings and make yourself become numb. 

     But, I do know the one thing you're wrong about is that you are alone. Just as our parents or babysitter or whoever was playing hide and go seek with us knew exactly where we were our Heavenly Father now knows. He knows exactly what we're battling with in our hearts. There's nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to confess. All He's asking us for us to tell him where we are and He will come pick us up and rescue us. So maybe you've been hiding behind something too long, need some encouragement or answers. Call on me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 

xoxo,

The girl in a polo and pearls 

P.S- I hope to be blogging a lot more soon! 

 

A Piece of Paper and One Big Change

My typical Thursday schedule:
8am-9am: Weight Training
9:30 am : Advisement to change my major
10am-11am: Homework
11am- lunch
11:30- Mass communications... and so on

    Just a typical Thursday of the average college student, right? No big deal. YES. Big deal. While walking down an academic hall at any college you may hear the phrase "I changed my major..again" numerous times in a humous tone. But, it's not a small decision. That change didn't take place on a whim (hopefully at least :) ) it had much thought into it. I know mine did. I came into college thinking I was going to be a Biology major and be in the hospital despite my fear of needles and clumsiness. It only took a few short weeks of gametes, flow charts and dissections for me to go running as far away from the science building as possible. Those boring white lab coats and make-up ruining goggles were not for me. As glad as I was to leave from that I was just as frightened about finding something else. I'm only 18 years old. I can't even sleep without the T.V on, how am I supposed to know what I want to do with my life? I was expected to do something in the medical field and that was what scared me the most, disappointing and being looked down upon by others.

    Today, when I signed my name at the bottom of my change of major form I had the most exhilarating feeling overcome me. Because this what God wanted me to do. Not mom, dad or society. I prayed about it and talked about it and all I ever got was, "what do you love?" Everyone knows that answer.

Clothes. A lot of them. All the time.

     I also love people. So, what better field than business? I've only taken 101 thus far but you have a basic exchange between consumer and retailer, right? I'd be dealing with people, which I love, and granting them the opportunity to share the love for clothes I do.
There's a plan. I just know it. I have one drawn out but He's been known to change that faster than a cool South Carolina morning turns into a humid afternoon.

That's completely okay with me.

     He is going to place me right where He wants to maybe that's not in the corporate office of marking at Lilly Pulitzer or maybe it is. I'm just so excited to see how it works out. Everything in my life is as close to perfect as ever and I'm glad that now my career path is headed in that direction!
xoxo,
Your new business major
in a polo and pearls

Happy Pinning and to all a goodnight!

When's the last time you checked your Facebook (or do you have in open in another tab..haha), or Pinterest or even went to McDonalds? I am pretty sure everyone can answer those questions without a pause. When's the last time you picked up your bible and meditated on God's word? Or had quiet time? Or even had deep prayer?

There comes that hesitation. 

In the 21st century it's harder than ever yet easier than ever to focus on God. Let me clear up that extreme contradiction. With days that begin at 6 am and end at 11 pm it can be hard to even remember the date. We get so caught up in making sure our homework is done, we texted this person back, we got ahead on the cleaning or we got the last pair of shoes at a sample sale that we forget about our creator.

He doesn't ask much of us considering what we asked of Him. 

Now, what about that easier part I mentioned? How many of you have your I-Phone or Android right beside you? How many of you have your bible sitting right beside you? If you answered "yes" to the first questioned your second response should have been the same. Ever heard of the bible app? How many of you are reading this from a computer? There are so many sites that offer devotions or inspirational stories.I am a bible app user. However, I am guilty of this and know it oh too well. My notification goes off every day at 4:52 and so many times I slide it off my home screen and forget about it. But, the days I do I've read something that's helped me get through a bad day, gave me the wisdom to solve a dilema or 

just put a smile on my face knowing I have a God who loves me. 

So, I encourage you and myself tomorrow when that notification goes off, don't just slide it away. When you really really want to see who broke up on Facebook, look up a devotion that deals with break ups to help that person get through it. When you're on Pinterest maybe pay a little more attention to the quotes and inspiration category versus fashion and cute puppies. It's just a little decision you have to make to change your whole day. Good luck! :)

Xoxo,

The girl in a polo and pearls 

Dear me,

What would I tell myself a year ago if I had the chance?

Dear me,

1. You can't live a completely selfless life. While it seems like the Christian and kind thing to do it will turn against you in the long run. It's time to make yourself happy rather than others. It's your life. It's your decision.
2. You can do the impossible, forget about the status quo. What you're "expected to do" isn't always what you have to do. Do you think I would be sitting here telling you I'm now a business major if that were true?
3. You can make mistakes. You can mess up. That's what the eraser is there for.
4. Call your best friends. Every single day before you all part your ways.
5. Tell that girl sitting behind you in English 101 about Jesus. Stop thinking it's okay to hold back. It's never okay.
6. You're going to find the one. It's just a matter of time.
7. Hold on to your cardigan and prepare for a wild ride full of many changes.
8. Be yourself..it's about time you try that.
9. Take pictures and videos of everything. You're gonna want them later.
10. Don't buy that pink peacoat, it has black buttons that clash with everything.
11. Drive to the beach and just sit with your toes in the sand. A year from now you won't be able to find time for that.
12. Pray. Pray.Pray.Pray.Pray

Xoxo,
me

I'm letting go

It's been months. Not just a few months, either. Months upon months have passed since I have been able to sit down and put into words what my life is as of now. 

If you're new to this blog, I'll set a little basis for what I'm fixing to blabber to you about. I'm a girl who has heard the name of Jesus her entire life. His name was whispered by my mother in prayers while I was still in the womb, and then whispered by me as soon as I was old enough to talk. As a child, you could find me at every VBS, choir practice, camp, retreat and event that my church had to offer. The name of Jesus has always been apart of who I am. A part of who I wanted to be. As years of camps, practices & lock-ins passed, and I began to see Jesus in a new light. This Savior.. He saved ME. Little ole Casey. My thoughts? "Oh, cool." Thought I had the Jesus-thing down. Didn't. Sure didn't. 

High school was full on making memories. Those made under the lights at a Friday night football game, church trips, Spring Breaks and so on. Everything was fine and dandy. Actually, better than fine and dandy. Perfect. 

Then..college. Here I go with my pink and green monogramed laptop case and a smile. While on the outside I may have came off as  Elle Woods walking down the halls at Harvard to meet Warren..I was far from it. I was more like a three year old being sent to daycare for the first time. So, here I sat in my new pink chair in an old, box of a dorm room. No one in my classes to laugh with. No idea what I want to do with my life. No clue what God had planned for my life. No desire to seek it out.

 You must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain of God. 

Sometimes, things happen that force you to look up to Jesus. Crawl into His lap. Ask Him to soothe you. Catch your tears. LOVE on you. One thing lead to another and, quickly, I was in that place. DESPERATE for a glimpse of Jesus. Desperate for His control over my life. So, I surrendered. Wallowing in a pillow full of tears one night, I sat up, and took my hands off of my heart, let God's fingers encase my heart fully, letting His hand cover it. I let it go. Pulled my hand away. Completely. Finally. Then, I grabbed His free hand with one of my free hands. And then, just like that, He took off running. And so did I. New creation. New life. New freedom. New love. 

CHANGE 

That's what it ultimately took to get me to that point. This summer was one of the best yet one of the worst. I went through a lot of changes. I felt like at times I had the weight of the world on my shoulders. Then I realized I was just looking at it from the wrong perspective. This was something AMAZING. Not tragic. Anything but tragic. No, I don't have any more of my problems resolved or questions answered but ya know what? That's okay.. I'm going to do things God's way for once. I'm his and I'm  patiently waiting for him to give me those answers. I'm letting go of the life I've planned for me and my dreams. Those obviously weren't the ones I was supposed to have. I've never felt closer to Him than I do now and that, that has made me the happiest girl. 

Love is knocking at my door

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” —I Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

  I'm sure we've all heard these infamous words spoken at numerous wedding ceremonies, but have you ever thought about what they mean? There is so much depth to this scripture that I can't even contain my excitement! We have been given the guidelines to a perfect love. Who better to instruct us on how to love than the one who showed us the greatest love of all? 

  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." When you experience true love, these characteristics will be present. He won't be someone who is arrogant, rude or pushy. Chivalric will be his middle name and he will wear kindness and humbleness on his sleeve. "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong." I don't think you truly understand the definition of self-less until you've fallen in love with someone. If I give up my Zaxby's toast for you or shopping money..it's got to be true love. That's the real indicator! A Godly couple isn't the one is sitting on different sides of the room because they're angry at each other. They're the ones sitting side by side with angry faces! While everyone has their arguments, not everyone handles them the same way.  Forgiveness is key in whatever you do. Sometimes, it's even harder with the one you love but it's oh so important. Maybe that's why our divorce rate is so high, because we can't forgive each other. "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. LOVE NEVER FAILS. " 

  I can only describe to you these things because I, now, have experienced this true love and can personally tell you there's nothing better. God has done some amazing works in my life but this, I believe tops them all. Nothing has EVER or will EVER bring me the joy that I have everyday. Knowing that someone's day is made simply because I'm breathing, knowing that someone is willing to do anything for me, and knowing I have another person who loves me unconditionally. I can't begin to describe to you the happiness I feel on a daily basis. I truly believe this is exactly what God wanted, He didn't just send his only son to die for nothing. He sent Him so we could be forgiven, so we could experience things like this. I'm just so happy I've found someone who can give me all this, while try to catch up. 

 I hope everyone finds this love.It's the one Christmas present I would give everyone if I could. Because after you feel something like this, you don't even care about Christmas presents. okay..well maybe if it's the new Lilly Resort Collection...but it's still a close tie! Just kidding!  I am a strong believer that God has created an individual for each of us, and it's just our job to find him/her. And the best part is, a lot of the time God does that part too, we just have to keep our eyes peeled! I think we can love another person other than our soul mate, but we'll never have the kind of love like we're meant to have. You'll never have someone you hate leaving, someone you can't get enough of, someone you stand amazed by. You'll never have that connection or passion God created for you. I'm so happy I've found mine and I hope everyone else finds theirs. But, I think a lot of times, the problem isn't that we don't find them, rather we "think we've found them." That's where we run into the issue of infatuation versus love. What's the difference? 

Here ya go: 

 Infatuation

• Sees the other person as perfect
• Wants to get own needs met; selfish
• Spends all time with the other person
• Quickly “falls” for the other person
• Other relationships and friendships deteriorate
• Dependence on the other person causes jealousy frequently
• Lasts for a short period of time
• Distance strains and often puts an end to the relationship
• Quarrels are serious and common
• Quarrels can seriously damage the relationship

Love

• Sees the other person’s flaws and still loves them
• Wants to serve the other person; selfless
• Still spends time with others
• Takes time to build the relationship
• Other relationships and friendships grow stronger
• Trust and understanding results in less severe and less frequent jealousy
• Encompasses a long-term commitment
• Survives and sometimes is strengthened because of distance
• Quarrels are less serious and less often
• Quarrels can strengthen the relationship

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Where do you stand? Are you still in search for God's match for you? Pray that he sends you a sign. Are you with someone who you're just infatuated with, but not in love with, not the one who you're meant to be with? Pray that God opens your eyes a little wider. It may be that guy who sits beside you in Anatomy but you've just been too caught up to see it. Or maybe you're like me and you've been so blessed to have already found that final missing detail to your Southern Living wedding. Ask God into your relationship. It's just as important as it was to ask Him into your heart. Because, this is going to be your life and you should be ecstatic about that! Happy hunting!

xoxoxo,
the exhausted girl in pajamas