Our Soul Glorifies

We had an official HUG reunion last Thursday night. We crowded into our professors home and grubbed on greasy pizza through big smiles. It felt so good, like a part of my heart was back again.

We weren’t in Greece, but we were all together in one room again, and there was an energy that can never be matched. We’ve always had that about us.

After we finished off the pizza (and dessert) we sat around and reminisced of our times traveling Greece, Israel, Turkey, and backpacking Europe. Sometimes I feel like people who didn’t go on our trip get tired of hearing about it, but with this crowd, that’s never a problem. We could remember Greece together all day.

Then we did something so trademark of us: praised God through song. Our group sang worship music everywhere we went. I have such vivid memories of singing, “…as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people,” while staring at the mountains surrounding Jerusalem.

And as soon as we started singing, the room burst into tears.

My soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my savior,
my soul glorifies the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God.

The tears were an overflow of love for God, love for each other, love for Greece, love for everything we got to experience together, and sadness that we were no longer there experiencing those things.

It hurt(s) so good.

I’m so blessed by these people!

I wish you had the opportunity to love and be loved by them.

tea time!

Every night while living in Greece, we had tea time.
There were different flavors of tea, Merenda (Greek Nutella),
and on the occasion, cinnamon toast.

It’s another one of those memories we are re-creating in ‘Merica.

Gosh, I love my Greek family.

gyro time

Last night, over Americanized gyros at Taziki’s with HUG friends,
I was reminded of a sweet memory—my last gyro in Porto Rafti, Greece.
A few of us walked to our favorite gyro shop, Tumiso’s, ordered at the counter,
and ate them on a bench by the Aegean Sea.

It was so bittersweet, as most of my semester-in-Greece memories are.

Sometimes these memories make me so sad that my chest aches.
But then I just remind myself that it’s good that it hurts.
It’s just proof that it was as amazing as I thought it was.

blessings in the changes

I’m a senior in college. (whaaat?)

I’ve broadened my friend group (because of HUG) and am relishing in these amazing relationships that I’ve brought back to Harding with me. It’s sweet, sweet, sweet times with so many friends! I thank God for this thing called relationships that He created. How unique.

I’m living off-campus in a house this semester, a last minute decision and one that I’m having to adjust to. I miss the feeling of being on campus. I’m trying to acknowledge the small blessings in this change—no curfew, a kitchen/living room, and new roommates.

I was nominated to be Activities Director of my social club (sorority). It’s an honor and a privilege and I’m excited to add it to my plate! Right next to full-time student, bridesmaid for two weddings, pursuer of Christ, and committed friend. 

A friend is engaged! This photo is from her ring ceremony, an announcement to our social club that she is getting married! It’s so exciting to be in the presence of love.

 

This year is going to be insanely wonderful, I feel it deep in my heart.

 

p.s. nienie is wearing my shirt. that means we’re besties, right?

these are a few of my favorite things

1. I have slept until 11 a.m. everyday this week

2. I found old baby photos of me while packing for school. (I’m one of those people who thinks I was the cutest ever)

3. I move into a house with 7 other girls tomorrow, in the country. excitement over it.

4. Mumford & Son’s new song, I Will Wait

5. Reuniting with my HUG family tomorrow. I’m so excited over this that my heart may combust.

Carnival Cruisin’

The cruise, the cruise! I could certainly be pampered that way my entire life and it would never get old. Someone was turning my sheets down at night and leaving chocolate on my pillow. Heaven, folks.

Other highlights (besides the ones in my hair from the sun) were the chocolate buffet (I REPEAT: CHOCOLATE BUFFET), kayaking in Key West, getting my hair braided on the beach in Nassau, MY TAN, Joey (my dinner server) and Elvis (who cleaned my room and said “Good morning Miss Autumn!” every day) and lots of good ole’ family time.

 

p.s. I ordered the dress from Modcloth. It was love at first sight, really.

p.s.s. welcome, new followers! kick back and enjoy the partay.

bahama mama

Leaving for a cruise,
be back in a week!

 

--al

Hey, “Christians.” Jesus Loves Gay People.

Before I say anything else, hear this:

-I love, worship, and strive to follow Jesus Christ

-I believe in Scripture and all that it teaches

Chick-fil-A had a day of record sales yesterday, and I’m just so disappointed.

 

Disappointed because I thought the church—the physical hands and feet of Christ—knew better. When “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” was announced I started thinking. Then I started praying, and then I started searching scripture.

And my Jesus?

He broke bread with the man who turned him over to be crucified. He went to a Pharisee’s house for dinner, and when a prostitute started kissing his feet, the “religious” people judged him. But Jesus, our sweet Jesus, jumped to her defense. A prostitute!

That is why seeing long lines at Chick-fil-A yesterday made me sick to my stomach. Because Christ loved. He loved the prostitute, he loved the sinners, he loved loved loved until the day that the “religious” people had him crucified—killed, he physically DIED—because of the message he was trying to preach.

And we’ve lost that message. Eating at Chick-fil-A yesterday wasn’t a bad idea in theory. It’s not wrong to support traditional marriage. It’s a Biblical principle and one that I agree with—marriage should be between a man and woman. But COME ON, CHRISTIANS!

Does grouping together inside a restaurant promote love?! Does it speak truth? Does it spread the good news of Jesus?! There were homosexuals standing outside with posters—did you talk to them? Did you say that Christ loves and died for you?

My fear is that we pushed so many of the LGBT community away from the Lord yesterday. My fear is that the message was, “You are unloved, uninvited, and unwelcome. Stay outside with the sinners while I go inside with the good people and get me some nuggets.”

My fear is that we’re turning into a bunch of Pharisee’s. We’ve got our laws and moral codes, sure.

But do we have Jesus?