Bieber Fever???

ALRIGHT. enough said :) I did go to the premeir last night, and I did drool when Usher and JB performed together.. What's funny is how during the movie I couldn't stop thinking about God. Devin O'Donnell said the thing that I was thinking- is JB an idol?

During the movie it showed girls crying and people shelling out tons of money to see this kid who has obviously been  blessed with tons of talent. If you disagree, feel free to see the movie and then we can have a chat.. But what makes this kid so incredible? What makes people worship the tissue in his neck? What makes someone who can sing more famous than someone who can run well?

I read a book called Crime and Punishment in high school that really put this subject on my heart. What makes technology technology? What makes laziness mean intelligence? What makes the ability to do something faster smarter? Because I'm pretty sure things built before the ability to use technology were sturdier, lasted longer, and were more efficient. So why is settling better?

ANYWAY- I adore JB. Don't get me wrong!!! But when I was watching him I saw God more than I saw a cute little 16 year old. God gave him a talent that radiated since he was a baby!!! how cool is that :) Recently I've had a heart for the struggle between living comfortably, being successful, and doing too much. I had a wonderful devotional where it basically said doing TONS of service-oriented projects doesn't make you any more Christian than doing TONS of regular projects. As in if I am the chairman and president and vice president of 60 different organizations yeah I may help tons of different efforts but will I offer my full heart to it? Will I look forward to every meeting and completely offer everything I have because I want to fully pursue this? Or will my ability to say 'no' to something not only teach the person asking me to do the position, myself, and the person that gets the position something? I had an awesome conversation with my frooms Reagan Sinclair about this, and how if you are pursuing a checklist of Jesus-activities and are not allowing Him to lead you where He wants you and where you will be most successful, you will fail and you will fail the organization or people you are pouring half of your heart into. There are people like me, who applied for service chair of Theta, 5k coordinater, VPA, Sky Ranch employee, PineCove employee, historian, and tons more and didn't get a single one. I am still joyful! God reminded me that He will lead me where I need to be. Now had I pursued those more and somehow convinced people to allow me in a certain position I may have gotten the position but I am aware that I wouldn't have been good at them. The topic of getting positions has dominated my Sophomore year but I've finally gotten to understand the difference between desire for a position and being lead to a position. It isn't always easy, but it is a heck of a lot easier when you finally understand those concepts!!

This weekend I went camping with Jenna, Dave, Kyle and Bella. I didn't notice this until the end of the trip, but the whole time Kyle had been serving all of us without request, and without expectations. I found myself getting frustrated when he was playing guitar or doing something that he wanted to do because I got used to his selfless service. I stood up at one point to get something and was thinking about how frustrated I was and the Lord's voice popped into my head saying, 'he has selflessly served this entire trip and taken care of the fire the whole entire time. Who's to say that he can't sit down for a minute and enjoy what he's doing?'. God gave me a huge slap in the face and reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a wonderful guy as a boyfriend :) Happy valentines day baby!!

On the other hand, Dave and Jenna, I can honestly say I have never had so much fun with a couple as I did with y'all. Y'alls attitudes, humor, and encouragement in EVERYTHING just radiated God's love and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am to have y'all as friends and even more to have y'all as camping buddies. Jenna- you have been such a blessing to me! You have always been honest with me, open, and awesome at communicating with me and everyone. I can't thank you enough for caring so much for me no matter how dumb my freak outs are. I have never had a friend like you and I'm so grateful for you!!!!!!!!!!

To Jbieb- your voice has changed and it sounds WONDERFUL!!!!! And you look adorable. Great job at the grammy's!

To my audience,

Vaya con dios

Either everyone was crazy, or Christ really did exist and really did rise from the grave...

I love that quote from THERE IS A GOD: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind. By Antony Flew with Roy Abraham Varghese. Ben Stuart (my love, it's a problem) preached on this the first day of my first semester freshman year and it's still impactful. Over the Christmas break, I sort of lost this passion that I've rediscovered. It's amazing how when you consciously make an effort to spend time with God how He returns that ten-fold.
I was meeting with Ansley Hayes on Monday and her love for the Lord just radiated this. I love talking with this girl because not only do I get to share my story and show love to her, but I learn a lot about myself and how I love the Lord and where I fall as well. I'm reminded that He calls us to love each other, to have those tough conversations, and to learn from each other. I've been so blessed with you and have loved spending time with you, Ansley!!
Recently I hung out with my theta fam, Rebecca Wilson and Polly Smellage as well as Klark Kurz and it was just a joyful experience. My little is so awesome- so independent, strong, POPULAR, and beautiful!!! It's amazing how I walked into this big-little process thinking it was going to be like my situation where my big Polly walks me through life and loves on me and doesn't ever give up on me... but my little is so in tune with Jesus and so strong and mature, our relationship isn't me holding her hand guiding her through life, it's us walking through it with support and love and knowledge that the other one's there. I just love this girl and am so grateful for her ability to show love and give love without expectations of that being returned!!
God is just so good to me... I've been overflowing with His love and have been looking at people differently. I have more grace, mercy, and just love in general. I see Prio Ball and I don't just say hello and leave, I want to give him the biggest never-ending hug ever and just love on him till he gets annoyed by it :) I see Josh Drillette and want to aknowledge his grace towards people as well as his respect and ability to love despite the fact that the majority of people our age don't do that. I see Polly and I just want to love her the way she's loved me and aknowledge how she goes out of her way for me and I don't do much to show apprecaition (bella.. yay...). I see my little and I admire her for her independence and strength!! I see Valerie Whitt leading The Wells Project and I want to hug her guts out because she's so strong and I look up to her for all she's done and is doing. I see people like Abbie Perrin who shares my passion for animals and would do anything for anyone, and how she loves my sister unconditonally which none of her friends have done except Abbie. I admire you for that Abbie!! I see people like Catherine Turano who have been in the car with me while I cried and have danced with me with Christmas antlers on, and who I will always be friends with until the day I go chill with Jesus. I have never had someone who doesn't judge me and who shows love and talks to me about everything like CT. I adore her and am so blessed by her!! Last night I saw Neal Spencer and y'all, I've never hugged someone as hard as I did when I saw him!! Neal, you are such a light to me. I told you this last night but I forgot how much I missed you until I saw you. Lets not go as long as we did without being besties, ok??
And last, but definitely not least, my boyfriend Kyle. Kyle you are so wonderful.. I've never been as confident and happy in a relationship as I have with you, and I've never felt so respected and cared for and safe as I do with you. Thank you for giving your time and effort to me, and I promise I'm going to try my best to do the same and show you the care and kindness you have shown to me :) You are great, and I can't wait until this weekend :)
Dang. I'm just overwhelmed with love for my friends. I've said this before, but it's so rare I can look around and feel so much love and happiness around me.
Thank you God for these people!!!

Vaya con Dios,
Molly