{9.21.14} Snapshot

I am so grateful for this dear sister who goes on spontaneous yellow adventures with me ;)  Running through a field of goldenrod has been on the bucket list for a long time now, and today was the perfect day to welcome fall :D 

The bugs were horrible.  The sky threatened to rain.  Oh and we have papers due tomorrow.  But the sunshine yellow flowers were definitely worth it :)

{9.20.14} Snapshot

//because we certainly don't miss any opportunities to kick up our heels and dance the night away.

{9.17.14} Snapshot

//because I am of the opinion that Oxfords and perfect fall weather make hump days much happier :)

Faith and Reason 2014

Every spring and fall, PHC sets aside a Friday to bring in a speaker to lecture on a topic concerning faith and reason.  Everyone has off class, and it's one of my favorite parts of the semester as everyone gets dressed up to listen to the lecture and discuss it :)  

Each wing usually tries to coordinate colors, and then we gather on the steps to take some quick photos throughout the day.  Christine Roe did an amazing job with our pictures - it was a perfect fall day filled with lots of smiles and the color red :D

//the 102.

//the brother wing.

//the dramatic pose.

//the shoes.

//the smiles.

//the "I want to go on an adventure in that direction" pose.

//the wing :)

{9.12.14} Snapshot

//because any excuse to wear red heels makes our entire room rejoice.

{9.10.14} Snapshot

//because Supreme Court cases have become my life.

{9.7.14} Snapshot

//because it wasn't until last night that I realized how much I have missed mock trial.

{8.31.14} Snapshot

//because swing dancing the night away with these women is good for the soul.

{8.27.14} Snapshot

//because I am overwhelmingly blessed.

Thanks to two dear friends from school, I was kidnapped on the night before my birthday and taken out for one last "teenager adventure."  Such escapades translated to roaming through Claire's, revisiting all the sequined and bedazzled glory of the teen years, and taking prodigious amounts of selfies.  All in all, these escapades made this girl more than ready to enter a fresh decade ;)

And then on the day of my birthday, I was immeasurably blessed by the outpouring of love from those God has placed in my life.  From being publicly humiliated in the dining hall, to receiving a birthday package from a beloved friend in Colorado, to stargazing in the soccer fields with my almost-sister, this was a birthday to remember :)

God is good.  All the time.

{8.25.14} Snapshot

//because on this first day of school, I am overwhelmingly blessed with the opportunity to spend the entire year with these beautiful and Godly young women.

{8.23.14} Snaphot

//because it's been way too long since we've done a photoshoot :) (also I'm beyond excited that I get to spend the entire year with this dear friend and roommate!!)

{8.22.14} Snapshot

//because oh glory I am finally home.

{8.20.14} Snapshot

//because summer is over.

I can't even believe it.  The summer that I thought would never end has somehow careened by at a breathtaking speed, and on the night when I should be running around throwing my entire life into a suitcase, I'm instead trying to wrap my mind around what's just around the corner.

So many memories from my freshman year are threatening to make nostalgic tears trickle down my cheeks.  Oh what I would give to tell the freshman me to hold. on. tight. to each and every moment because life passes oh so fast and I am left wondering where on earth does the time go?  So many changes.  So many dear friends not returning to PHC this fall.  So many questions.  Yet over all, there is so. much. peace. 

If you ever go to follow me on Instagram, you'll notice that my username is "andnotbysight".  As I sit here surrounded by all my earthly possessions, I keep coming back to the reason I chose that name because it is so true that we walk by faith, and not by sight. 

Elation.  Anxiety.  Joy.  Doubt.  Peace.  Worry.  Hope.  Fear.  So many emotions are firing through my mind on this last night in Pittsburgh, yet I hold on tight to the fact that each and every one of us is in the eternal grip of grace.  God's grace is sufficient, even in my weakness, and therefore I walk by faith.

To God be all the praise and glory.

(as a completely non-deep side note, my soon-to-be-roommate sent me this link, and it perfectly sums up my evening)

(also I just realized that my past few snapshots were dated as July, not August.  Yep.  That's just the way things roll around here ;))

{7.14.14} Snapshot

//because I just started packing for college.  And that makes my heart unbelievably happy :)

{Blessed}

My heart is overwhelmed by the blessings that God has lavished on me here at PHC.  His mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness!

{So thankful for friends that overflow with the joy and love of Christ}

{New Beginnings}

Well folks, I am officially a southern girl now, complete with steamed okra ;)  I know this poor, sad, little blog has been rejected lately and I'm sure it won't get any better in the coming weeks, but I wanted to do a quick post and share what God's been doing lately :)

I recently had the privilege of moving to Purcellville, VA to attend Patrick Henry College.  This week has been a whole lot of orientation, etc, but already I am so overwhelmed by the amazing community of people that surrounds me.  It's been quite the journey to get here, but God is oh so faithful!

One song that we've been singing in chapel is 'All I Have is Christ' - if you haven't heard it before I encourage you to take a few moments to listen to it!  The last verse is especially powerful:

Now Lord, I would be yours alone,
And live so all might see

The strength to follow your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

Hallelujah!  All I have is Christ
Hallelujah!  Jesus is my life

As I prepare to delve into this school year on Monday, that is my prayer.  That Christ would be all I need, all I pursue, and all I desire!  May each one of us trust in Him, commit our way to Him, and believe that He who called us is faithful!  This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. {Psalm 118:23}

So with that, I'm off to study the syllabus and see what I need to get done :)  Every once in a while I'll try to post pictures from my iPod to give you a glimpse of what I'm up to!  Can't wait to see what this year holds :)

{The roomies have already discovered the fro-yo place next door ;)}