HOPE-

Hope. This is what defines my life right now. I mentioned this in my last post, but I wouldn't want to live without God. Not because He keeps me out of troupble, not because I don't like who I used to be, not because He fixes my problems... In a sense He does do all of those things, and does them perfectly. But that isn't why I wouldn't want to live without God!! I don't want to live without Him, because He offers me a hope and joy I can't find anywhere else. He loves me more than anyone else and at a depth that only He understands. He pursues me. On the flip side, He is God! He is my creator, He is all perfect and loving.. He is the reason for life. I love Him and need Him because He is God. His existance gives me hope. Why He picked me to be His daughter and save me from a life of sin and confusion... I just don't understand yet. But I do know that I am a daughter of Him and I am deserving and worth it!!

Dang, that was a love fest :) I've learned a lot in the last year. In bible study we went over how satan tempts us and how he attacks us in the smallest ways. We discussed individual shortcomings, and how we fall, and one that was common and expectedly so was the skewed view of beauty. A few hours before I had found this awesome verse in 1 Peter, that says,

^"3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ⁴ Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

I shared this with her and I was more surpised at the timing of this. God has used the Word to attack my heart with His love. I am a firm believer that you need to be in the Word or you can't fully understand Christianity.. And I'm living proof of that.

I had a great conversation with my sister Laura yesterday. She is such a sweet person with a heart for people that no one else I know has or uses. We talked about judgment, family, love, God, God's love, forgiveness, filters... it was awesome. A conversation that long needed to happen :)

ANYWAYYYY- about hope!!
I've noticed this past week when there is God's voice in my head or when it's satan. One way Anna in my bible study put it was that when you hear a voice in your head adn you can't figure out whether it's God or not, just see how it makes you feel. God wouldn't send you negative messages.. Now, He may sent you truth that you may not like, but He's not going to tell you your jeans make you look fat today. That may seem like common sense, but it is a big struggle now days.
I just walked by a heated religious debate in academic plaza which I just love. not only did the guys who were opposing Christianity seem to be pulling opposition out of their tukus, but the hopelessness in their eyes struck a chord in my heart. I have a heart full of hope and joy. These guys had hearts filled with negativity and sadness. Why would you refuse the thing that gives so much hope to so many?
I've been there... it makes sense while you oppose it.. but man I pray for their hearts today.

According to Josh and Tim I am a hippie. What makes me a hippie? I'm just sitting on a bench with my toms and my aviators and music playing... So not hippie-ish.. thanks for brightening my day, guys :)

love to you all,
vaya con dios!
Molly