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

"Oh, Father give me grace to forgive them."

Definition of GRACE 1. a : unmerited divineassistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue comingfrom God c : a state ofsanctification enjoyed through divine grace d : disposition to oran act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporaryexemption  f. : a charming orattractive trait or characteristic These past few weeks have been some of the best and some of the worst ones of my life. The latter part of that sentence was decided by myself. Yes, I was put in situations where anger consumed my nights and happiness my days. At my breaking point tonight I finally decided to take the action I should have from the very beginning; seek help from my Maker.  First, I should go back a few days ago when my biology professor told us that he was going to give us a two day grace period for our lab report. "Grace period", it's one of those terms you hear on a daily basis but never fully grasp their meaning. Of course, the class grinned ear to ear with excitement knowing they would actually get some sleep tonight! Along with my joy for the change of the due date I began to realize the true meaning of grace. We were all given divine grace with the promise of everlasting life. God sent his only Son to grant us salvation. He has pardoned ALL our sins, regardless if they're big or small. If God can do that, why can't we forgive the small actions of flesh?  I''ve sat back and let anger prevail in my life for the past few weeks. Anger is the work of flesh, the old sin nature. But, God wants us to change, and He can help us.  "Walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Galatians 5:16 Live in God's presence, depend on His power and everything will work out.  "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32 God want us to share the trait of forgiveness with Him. That person we are angry with could need salvation more than anything, meanwhile we are slandering them when they need everything but to be hurt. As hard as it is, we must forgive them. Without that forgiveness that person will control your life, the only driver for your life is your heavenly Father. He is the only one who  you should allow to have power over you. I only wish I would have realized this sooner.  So, I guess the point here is the cliche "forgive and forget." As impossible as it seems at some points, with God all things are possible. God thought enough of you to send his son to die on a cross for you, think enough of Him to show others the grace and forgiveness He showed you and me.  xoxoxo, The Girl In A Polo and Pearls :)

I think we have a lemon on our hands.

Hey, y'all!! I'm so excited to share my little story with y'all today. First, I should start by telling you that it is coming to you live from Mt. Everest (aka my lofted bed in my dorm room.) It's all good until you realize you forgot to turn out the light! haha

 For those of you who don't know, going hand in hand with my love for shopping is my love for cars! haha Yes, as girly as I am I can tell you a lot about a BMW while walking down the mall.Land Rovers are my favorite though!!! So, if any of you followers are feeling generous today, a silver RR Sport Supercharged would by my pick. haha jk! But, back to my story, I traveled through Columbia yesterday to get to school and of course, we passed by the Land Rover dealership. Knowing I wasn't going to get one my Dad stopped just to let me look. I'm sure a lot of y'all have heard while they are quite glamorous they aren't so reliable. They have very poor crash test ratings, turn over very easily, have bad records of maintenance and most people who have had one say they will never get another. I know what you're thinking, "Casey, how in the world are you going to relate cars to Jesus?" Well, here I go.
I had a lot on my mind on the drive, since I was driving to my new life, a new college and a new place. As any incoming freshman, I was worried, "Are people gonna like me?, What if I don't find any friends." Then, I got to thinking about my great friends I met in high school and are still my best friends. They all love Jesus with all their heart, they're relaible and trustworthy and consistent. That's exactly the type of friends I set out to find in college. Moving in yesterday, I began looking for people who looked like me, thinking that would form some sort of common ground between us. I promise I try my best not to be judgmental, but I'm human. Some of them seemed nice, others not so much. That's when I went back to thinking about Land Rovers. They seem nice on the outside but on the inside you've got a lemon. They're not going to be reliable or trustworthy. Those are not the kind of friends I want.
So, the question here is, Are you a lemon? Do you work properly? They only way you can fix problems with a car is to bring it to a mechanic which is essentially it's maker, so maybe you need to bring your problems to your maker. God can't use lemons to serve him as well as others could. Think about it. Act upon it.
xoxo,
the girl in a tee shirt in a dorm room