...When I see your face...

To the people who have made a lasting impression

I love you.

Thank you. 

You Rock

Here's a little thanks and something that will constantly remind me of you.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God."

--Philippians 1:3;9-11

You will forever and EVER be a part of my life.
"You'll be in my heart, no matter what they say. From this day on, now and forever."

You've seen the good the bad and the ugly... thanks for putting up with it. Believe me, I know its been hard!

"You must know, surely you must know it was all for you."

We're old and I refuse to get any older, Are you with me?! I hope so, can't imagine you not being with me

"Something about just being with you when I leave I feel like I've been near God

and that's the way it ought to be"

 You never fail to listen without judging me and ALWAYS give me your opinion whether it hurts or not. I will forever be grateful for that and always love you. New York better look out baby, we're comin!

"All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost"

You never fail to make me laugh, a good time is always in store if you're around. Thanks for being so uniquely you!

"I can finally see that you're right there beside me."

Oh how our journey has been a roller coaster, can't imagine the twists and turns that are just around the corner. I can't wait!

"Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."

I love that you are always there at just the right time. I hate that I don't see you nearly enough. You're amazing, Spencer.

"This is kind of inappropriate... but remember that conversation with your sister and brother at lunch that one time... yea."

I love our late night talks, they are DEFINITELY talks to remember. But don't forget...

"You can't step aside for something you aren't in line for." ;) 

Harry STINKING Potter!! When no one else is around to match my enthusiasm, you jump right in! Thanks for putting up with me, girl!!

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."

You're like a little brother to me, you love me despite the fact that I am probably one of the more strange people you know!!

In reference to Harry Potter

 "since there is no one cool enough to talk about this with at home, i though i would share my thoughts. thanks for listening..."

You ladies light up my life. I can't believe we graduate soon. AhhhH!!

Sometimes I forget just how blessed I really am! Thanks so much for staying by my side all of these years you guys. It means the world to me! God really knew what he was doing when he put you all in my life.

-in Christ,
 ~Marisa Lynn

The Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 was one of the best movies that I have ever seen. I loved Lord of the Rings, all three of them, and I went to all of the premiers but this movie topped it. Maybe because I love the books so much, I'm not sure. I know that the only movie that will top this one is Pt. 2 and Pt. 2 alone. I cannot wait.

Sure, the movie wasn't the most accurate interpretation that I have ever seen but all things considered I walked away very satisfied with the end result. Sure, there were things that irritated me a little on the interpretation but all in all... Well done. The cast, as usual, was AMAZING. Its sad to think that this is all going to be over in July but at the same time, I bet that the cast is ready to move on to something different. This has been such a HUGE part of their life, it's lasted a decade.

These two are possibly my favorite characters from the book. They could not have cast them better for the movies. I just can't imagine anyone other than Oliver and James Phelps playing the Weasley Twins. When Fred dies, I'm going to ball my eyes out. I probably won't be able to stop crying from beginning to finish with the last one. No sense in pretending.

I cannot wait for this man's redeeming moment. When I was reading the book, I just knew that it had to be coming. While watching the movie, even though Snape lends himself to being an evil and loathsome character, I couldn't help but have a soft spot for him. I think the fact that the actor chosen to play snape was Alan Rickman might have had a little bit to do with the soft spot. I always like Snape though... and I'll cry when his time comes too... probably more than any other character in the final movie, because of the memories and truths that will come along with it.

I can't believe that it is almost time for all of this to come to a close. I do not want it to... but someone famous somewhere once said...

"All good things must come to an end." But do they really? I'm not so sure. I'll just keep reading them over and over. I'm certain I will never grow tired of this great literature. Thank J.K. Rowling for such a wonderful and magical world. I've loved every minute of it. Every. Minute.

-Marisa Lynn

A Published Piece for ECED

Dear Allison,

        You will probably never fully understand the impact that you have had on my life, so I’m going to use this letter to help shed some light on just a few things in my life that you have truly changed forever.

   I remember being in edfd 202 with you freshman year. I didn’t know you, even though we both lived on short hall in Cathcart. When you introduced yourself in Mrs. Smith’s class, I never would have imagined the lasting impact that you would have on my life. I’m not sure if you recall, but we first started talking about two weeks after classes had started in the fall of 2005. We were working on a powerpoint that was supposed to tell people about us. Mrs. Smith had asked us to but it on a CD and you could not figure out how to get that and the music you needed on the CD. So, you came running down the hall asking me questions. From that point on, we started working on many projects together. I even recall a presentation on corporal punishment in school, which I still stand behind!

        As freshman year would slowly ticked away, we would become fast friends. Fast forward to sophomore year and the bond grew even stronger. I bet you have no idea that you are solely responsible for me joining a club. If it had not been for you introducing me to Brian Grace, who then drug me into Spring Sing and Spring Sing maked me fall in love with Regina, I never would have found a home in a social club. However, because of you, I was blessed with a group of ladies that love me like you love me, like a sister. I can’t imagine my life at Harding without them, just as I can’t even picture my life without you.

        You helped solidify my love for the Razorbacks. You took me to games that your dad couldn’t make and that meant more than I can express. Just knowing that over all of the friends that you have, you would choose to spend a weekend with me made me so happy. Even though we lived together and saw each other almost every waking hour. You still wanted to be with me. I treasure our friendship. I’m so incredibly lucky to have been blessed with someone like you.

        As I look to the future, my graduation finally looms around the corner. The thought is scary but exciting. It also stirs in me, thoughts of what our future will be like. I know for certain that no matter how far away we may be or how crazy our lives may get, I will always know what is going on in your life, until we leave this life. Allison Emory Majors, I love you. I thank my God every time I think of you, which is often. Thank you for being my friend. What love it must take to be friends with someone as crazy as me.

        Here’s to our future, sister

                        ~In Christ,

                                -Marisa Lynn

Change Can be a Beautiful Thing

The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists. 

Charles Dickens

One of these days, I hope to live near the place in this picture, Estes Park, Colorado. The first time I ever stepped foot on the ground of Colorado, I fell in love. God's creation is so amazing. In some ways, my desire to go to Colorado is cultivated by a desire to return to my roots. My mother was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado and lived there until she was 19. It was then that she decided to pack up, leave the awfully cold weather and head south. Hello, Arkansas.


I was raised in a small town, Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Quite the opposite of my mother, who grew up looking out her window to see the lights of the City, being immersed in a rich culture of entertainment, beauty and life changing experiences. All of this to say, I'm headed there, someday soon as long as it is what God has planned for me. My heart belongs in the West. I have loved growing up in the South and I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything! But I am starting to feel the pull, a draw to something new, exciting and very different from anything I have ever known.


I feel this way now, for all I know I could end up an Eastern Coast girl, unlikely, but it could happen. ;) I pray that God will guide my footsteps and when the road gets rough and I see but one set of footprints in the sand, I'll remember that is when he is carrying me. I know that, with his guidance, I'll find my way to exactly where he wants me. I am hoping Colorado, but it could be New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Northern California or some place I haven't even begin to consider. I just have got to remember this...

Change Can Be A Beautiful Thing

-Marisa Lynn

For the love of a Memory

Band Buses, Marching Contests and Football Games… Oh! My!

         Freshman through senior year of high school were some of the most amazingly memorable times of my life!   There were plenty of bus rides, contests and football games to go around. As long as I live, I am certain that I will ever forget those days. A few of them stick out more vividly in my mind.

As a freshman, I remember feeling so privileged to be a part of the high school band. It was such a fun, exciting and fast paced lifestyle! This was something I would learn to love. I loved the people that surrounded me during that time. They were all such great mentors. I looked up to a few of the seniors, and a few moments spent with them were the best.

My best friends in 2001-2002 were two awesome people, Amber Blakemore and Jeremy Freeman. They were seniors and they were best friends. I was on the color guard with Amber, and Jeremy played trumpet in the Marching Band. Oh the memories.

One contest that year was probably one of the most memorable events that happened that year, the Huntsville contest. When I close my eyes I can still picture the afternoon. That year, our show theme was “The Perfect Storm”. We had various arrangements of beautifully written music by James Horner. One of the pieces was from the movie, “The Perfect Storm”.

We had marched during the exhibition part of the contest and felt that we had done well. Our Guard and drumline were flawless, not to brag, but the horn line lacked pizzaz. We were not too confident about getting into the finals. The band was sitting with baited breathe while we listened to the awards being announced. Division Three drumline: 3^rd place… not us, 2^nd place… not us… we are all thinking at this point, great, so much for that! … 1^st place… PRAIRIE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL! Cheers erupt from our part of the stadium. Then came the Color Guard: 3^rd place… not us… 2^nd Place… not us… We hadn't lost all hope yet, after all the drum line pulled it off… 1^st Place… PRAIRIE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL!!! We just couldn’t believe it. While they were announcing the horn line awards, we hoped for the same outcome. 3rd place… not us… 2^nd… not us… and then came 1^st… not us. Our egos were beaten down a bit, but we were still proud. Time to announce the top ten finalists. Eight bands were named off one right after the other, at which point we were about ready to head home. Then, next thing you know we hear, PRAIRIE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL!! We were soooo loud, I can almost hear the roar of cheering and excitement.

We were going to perform in the finals! It was so much fun to perform with some of the best bands from the region. Time came for the awards of the finals. Tenth place was named, and it wasn’t Prairie Grove. Our section of the stadium burst into cheers just because it wasn’t us. It’s funny thinking about it. We were a little embarrassed when we realized what we had done, and we got chastised for it later, but at the time everyone thought it was pretty funny. Now it’s even funnier. I can’t imagine how that other band felt. We ended up coming in 9^th place, which was fine by us. We had made it to the finals! It was quite the accomplishment for us. I remember the ride home being one of the best trips home that year.

I could probably write on and on and on about memories from when I was in band. There were so many great ones. The best years were freshman year and my senior year, so many good times had and great friendships cultivated. I will never forget those days. 

Lessons Can Be a Tough Reality

 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. -Matthew 7:2-5

How often do we approach those we love with this attitude? I know sometimes I am so quick to correct my brother or sister all the while I've got this huge problem in my life that is so big that I am blinded by. I have done a lot of figuring out who I am over the past seven months or so and I'm learning a lot. 


Lesson #1: There may be a plank in my eye, but I can't take it out by myself. I am very flawed. I judge people at the drop of the hat. I can't say why i do this because I really don't know. Not to give an excuse but I think I do it partly because I fear people judge me, so I just jump the gun. But, I have learned that I can't fix this aspect of myself by myself. I've got to reach out! God has been helping me work through this and he has given me people who can gently help remove this particular plank.


Lesson #2: There sometimes is more than one plank. This stinks! But its so true! I wish it wasn't. But we've got to walk through it together. There is no other way. We can not lean on our own understanding of how to help fix it though. We have got to look to our Father, Our Savior, Our Creator, Friend, Counselor, Comforter, Keeper, Redeemer, Brother, Love, Best Friend... Jesus! He understands! And one by one he'll get those planks out!


Lesson #3: Once the plank is out of your own eye, helping your brother/sister with the sawdust in their eye is so much easier. God has got it under control. He will use, with plank or without. He works however he wants! But he asks us to a little self evaluation before we go pointing out people's flaws. I've got to remember this so often!

I may not be the most thought provoking writer, but I don't necessarily write to provoke thought. My thoughts are provoked the minute I start writing. -Marisa Lynn

Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me

I have learned a thing or two about the kind of relationship I want in a husband just from living with a various array of people throughout my time in college. Throughout this post I will accompany my hopes with quotes.

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow; Don't walk behind me, I may not lead; Walk beside me, and just be my friend."

I am an independent person. Relying on people has never been a strong point of mine, mainly because when I have my life seemed to get out of control. I lost control. So, sadly I'm very guarded because I don't like the feeling of losing control, at least not to another human being. One day, maybe. I wouldn't say that I'm not a leader but I may not always be the person to follow either. I have learned that I want someone in my life that will live this life with me, walking strongly, bravely, spiritually and sometimes quietly beside me. I want that man to be my very best friend. period.


In that best friend, this needs to be applicable;

"A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view. "

That one kind of speaks for itself.


Ultimately this is what I long for...

“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.”

That in itself speaks to me. I long for a relationship with my saviour so that all of my other relationships can be like his. None will ever be as amazing as his relationship but one day, I know that God will put someone in my life that is exactly what I need. I may have high standards, but I'm not lowering them so that I can end up with someone that God didn't intend me to. I'm waiting patiently, cause love is patient, remember? It isn't always easy, its not supposed to be but it is do-able.


 Once I stop looking...

"Some of the greater things in life are unseen thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream... "

-Marisa Lynn

...Spring Sing & things...

Oh yes, its time already.

I'm a director this year and its  a really scary thought. But thankfully we have a new system, so I'm really only a director over certain things. My specialty... Costumes and props. I'm really excited. I'm working with Spence so that should be fun! I'm not sure what to expect this year, well I mean, I expect greatness! :P But seriously, all of the directors are great this year and I know that we are all going to work so well together! I'm really excited!

Last Wednesday we got together and talked  about ideas. Just throwing around expectations for the year and what the plan for everything is. We have set in place self imposed deadlines. I've got so much going on, maybe I need to do that with everything that I do! :D I probably should. But there is just so much to organize and I'm still hurting because of my STUPID sciatic nerve. I can't even drive myself to school tomorrow. I'm at the mercy of other people. *sigh* something that I am not going to be very good at. I just pray that I can make it all the way to four o'clock without totally wanting to die. I'm going to be totally exhausted tomorrow night, I know that much.

On Saturday, September 11, my club is taking a trip to Petite Jean. I was actually going to go and now I can't. I'm really bummed. I wanted to. :( *sigh* But God is teaching me through this pain that I really have needed to slow down lately. Its not been easy, but I haven't had a choice since Wednesday. I will survive and be more thankful than ever for a fully functioning body once it returns to normal!

I'm basically just writing down random thoughts, so sorry if these posts bore you!! This isn't like a typical post. I'm not always full of great knowledge. ;) In fact, I rarely am. haha!

-In Christ,
  ~Marisa Lynn

Pain and Endurance

Boy, am I being taught a lesson today. Pain is the game. Tolerance is the strategy. There are no winners.

Tuesday around four o'clock I was at Big Lots buying some of the last of my furniture. I go to pick up a rather heavy box to "toss" it in my cart. There is a twinge in my lower back. Right there I write it off, after all I had been moving a lot of things up my stairs moving in this month, back must be a little tired. I come home and sit down and before I know it I can hardly move. Managed to get to class that night, sitting through a two and a half hour class never seemed so LONG as it did last night. Pain and Endurance... Pain and Endurance... Pain. Wins.

I get home Tuesday night and I'm exhausted from fighting the pain but the pain is keeping me awake.

"Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[a] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we^[b] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope."

Trying to find comfort in that. Pain and Endurance... Pain and Endurance... Pain is still winning.

Woke up this morning, Wednesday and I was determined to get to my classes. Epic. Fail. I ended up spending an hour and a half on the floor because I was panicking and in pain. I managed to e-mail all of my professors and get that all sorted out and made a doctors appointment. *sigh* Finally got meds... oh sweet meds. Pain and Endurance... Pain and Endurance... Endurance (finally) wins!!!! :D

I'm not feeling great but I'm not writhing in pain anymore. lol
Time to take a break from worrying about pain...

This post wasn't too fun. haha! Pain and Endurance, if you made it to the end!

-In Christ,
  ~ML

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us---whatever we ask---we know that we have what we asked of him. 1st John 5:14-15

Prayer

This summer I have grown to love prayers. I will admit, at one time it was so hard for me to pray. Some prayers are so long that sometimes I will forget that we are praying. Its awful, I know but it happens. I'm sure if you are honest with yourself, you'll admit that you have done it too.

Sometimes praying is so hard because we do not see the direct answer to our prayer or we don't see the answer that we are expecting. We can't always get what we want. (thats a good song. :D) And that leads me to the verse that is above. If we are approaching God with confidence, anything that we ask for that is according to his will, its ours. ANYTHING! Thats amazing! The hard part is getting aligned with the according to his will part.

I have been reading a book called "The Christian Atheist" by Craig Groeschel. That is where a lot of this blog is drawing from. I'm just regurgetating some of his ideas, so if you've read his book or intend on reading it, this will sound familiar.

Recently I've started praying that I pray with the right motives and that I pray about the things that are aligned with God's will. I don't want my prayers to be long and showy, I just want to talk to my creator. I want to spill my everything with him and I desire to come to him and receive a clean heart. So many times, though, I approach the throne thinking that my heart isn't clean enough. So, I turn away until I think I can get it clean enough to go before the throne. I must think highly of myself if I believe that I can clean my heart better then God can! We use this excuse often, maybe not exactly the way I describe, and we end up just waiting longer and longer because we think we need to fix ourselves and be good when we approach the throne of grace... "hello!! The throne of GRACE! We don't have to be perfect when we give everything up! Jesus came and gave his life for YOU, only he can make your heart clean. Stop trying, you can't do it." I have to remind myself of this so often.

I really recommend ready "The Christian Atheist" by Craig Groeschel. It's a real eye opener. I have realized that sometimes I live my life like a Christian Atheist. I'm striving to not live that way, but its hard not to fall backwards sometimes. One thing I've learned about prayer from this book though, was drawn straight from God himself,

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Psalm 34:15

I want my prayers to be powerful and effective, therefore I must become righteous and I must have faith. God responds to our faith. I want childlike faith. That is prayer.

-in Christ,
~ML

Walk By Faith, Even When You Cannot See

A women's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her.

How true is this?! I desire to be like this so much. But how do I even begin to make this my life. I was thinking this morning about how I would need to balance things. But, I don't think that would be the solution. The true solution would be letting go of my heart, wrecklessly abandoning everything that I hold so tightly to, for example relationships, past sins, grudges and the list can go on... those are me specific. Now, when I say wrecklessly abandoning those things, I mean giving them to God in such a way that there is no way that I would even desire, even just a little bit, to take them back. Let go of things that I am holding onto so I can live the life that I have been given today. But where do I start?
I find comfort in these words and want to truly live them.

8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.-Romans 8:8-9

I know that this isn't simple but I know that it is do-able. Sometimes, God may present me with something that seems like it is too much for me to handle and it may be but the great thing is that he is ALWAYS there beside me. All I have to do is turn to him. That is the biggest part, when in trouble or down or up or ANYTHING look to Christ for guidance.

15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.16Be joyful always; 17pray continually;18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.-1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

My prayer for this week is this,

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.-Philippians 2:14-16

Its truly amazing how far from all of this we can get when we get so wrapped up in this world. But we are commanded to live in and not of it. This summer, I have really started to live a life that God can boast about. I want him to be proud of everything that I do and the decisions that I make. I want to do everything for him, consulting him no matter what the circumstance may be. I do not always do the best at this job, but I'm trying! I don't want to forget what it feels like to have God be in control, it helps me to remember what its like without him in control and its NOT pretty!
I pray that someone out there can get something from this. This summer I am praying that I can learn to walk by faith, even when I cannot see. I'll leave you with a song:

Somewhere in the Middle
-Casting Crowns

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle. With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is, But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

Love you all,
-In Christ,
~Marisa

What a Life We Live!

It is June. June. What? It's June?!

I have to keep telling myself that. I cannot believe that 2010 is getting closer and closer to being halfway over. Unbelieveable.

This has been one of the most challenging years to date. I feel like I may say that every year for the rest of my life. God is teaching me new things all the time. I was in church on Sunday and this rang clear. Am I living this?

Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

If I have lost my saltiness, then what good am I? So, my prayer this week is that I am not forgetting the reason that I was placed on this earth. I am the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. Who am I to think that God cannot overcome my most trying circumstances? He can and he already has! I just keep forgetting because I am human and I am so very flawed. I am SO thankful that Jesus came to wash away all that I have royally messed up! I cannot imagine a world without mercy, forgiveness, love and grace! No grace?! Its a scary thought!

The Lord is conquering so many demons around me. One thing that I struggle with on a daily basis is judgment. While I do not wish to be judged by anyone because no one knows the struggles that I deal with, whether it be my weight, my relationship decisions, my financial situation, my school decisions, in the same way people do not need me to judge them on the very things that I pray so desperately that people do not judge me for! I do not know why it has been a struggle for me, but its a demon I fight every day. Some days are better than others and the Lord is teaching me. Time, it takes time.

Forgiving myself for past mistakes is also something that I struggle with. Sometimes I just can't understand why such a great God would even start to forgive all of the wrong that I have done against him! I am so undeserving! That is the point, though! Even though I do not deserve the love and mercy that I receive on a daily basis, I still get it! I don't have to understand it, it isn't going to change the fact that my God still loves me, everyday. Thank you, Lord! Help me to remember that, always.

The summer has begin and its going to be fraught with a whole new set of challenges. Adjust to friendships that at one point I thought God had led out of my life. Prayer works. I never stopped praying that if those people were meant to make an impact in my life, meant to stay there for a long, what was best for my faith, that the Lord would use them to teach me. There have been struggles but we are fighting through them. Every relationship struggles. Every relationship is flawed, that is the beauty of it all. We have to work at it. We love. We forgive. We're thankful.

This is my prayer:

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far!

-ML

Holy, what?! Its the End of April!?

Here we stand, April 16! What happened to march and most of april for that matter. Tomorrow is the Regina Spring formal and I have an awesome date! I'm really excited that I decided to take Spence. He will make sure that I have fun. There are only TWO WEEKS of classes left. TWO WEEKS! And to make things better, I HAVE NO FINALS!!!! Eeek! I have one take home, but that in my mind doesn't even count! Then its SUMMER!! Josh will be back in Searcy, Brian will be living with his parents and Allison will be living with me! This could not get any better! But just when I think that, it will! :D So excited about being in Searcy this summer! Woot!!!!!

It seems that I don't have anything else to say. ha! Hope everyone is great! Leave me a comment, cause I love you!

-in Christ,
~Marisa

In 2 weeks, I'll be Colorado Bound!

Now all thats left of me is what I pretend to be, So together, but so broken up inside

Where did time go?

I know that no one really reads this, but its helpful for me to keep writing. I feel so out of sorts lately. Things, on the surface, seem to be okay. But when I stop and just think about all that is going on, I fall apart. Not to say that I am not happy but... I'm emotional.

I feel like everything has caved in around me as far as busy goes. I am constantly doing something. Maybe I feel so busy because I'm "growing up" but I need sleep! I'm starting to recognize the importance of a good night's rest and its becoming more of a priority which means I neglect some people cause I can't stay up all the time. :/

I'm trying to get better about handling a relationship. *sigh* There are time when I really struggle with it and times that I'm okay. hmmm

When I started this blog I had a lot to say... now its all skipped town. So... hope everyone is doing well. I'll write again later if I remember what I wanted to say. yep

-in Christ,

~Marisa

My Pride and Prejudice

From the first moment i met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others, made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry... Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time

Its been almost two weeks since I have posted anything and let me tell you, its been a crazy couple of weeks. I feel like my life is in overdrive right now with so much going on! Spring Sing is always happening, School is something that I want to succeed at now so I work very hard to maintain good grades. I currently have a 97% in Biology which makes me very VERY happy with myself, not gonna lie. It is exactly the kind of class that I would usually struggle with.

I'm currently reading two books, Pride and Prejudice and The Search for Significance. I love not having a ton of reading to for classes so that I can be reading books that I want to read. I have never read either of these books and I'm enjoying both of them very much. From what I have read so far, I recommend The Search for Significance! I have it if anyone desires to read it, which you should. I think that everyone should read it. And I've only just began to read it, so that is saying a lot.

There is a nice little winter storm on its way. I wonder if this means that I may get to sleep in, in the morning. I could not be so lucky. It sure would be nice to just sit at home tomorrow and read a book and not get out in the cold weather. But I'm almost willing to bet that I will be getting out tomorrow, for Harding University does not particularly care what the weather is doing. We'll see when I wake up in the morning, I guess.

If anyone has any prayer requests feel free to post them. I love knowing specific things that I need to pray for. I hope that this update finds everyone well, or relatively well at the very least.

If you are reading this from Northwest Arkansas, please be safe with the upcoming weather. I have a bet going that nothing will happen up there and I hope for your sake nothing does. Its safer that way! If you are reading this from Searcy, keep dreaming. The weather will not likely affect us in the way you desire. If you are reading this from anywhere else, have a safe weekend, regardless of the weather may be like. I love you all!

-in Christ,
~Marisa Lynn

Three Day Weekend Here I Come!

Lay down my pride My desires my demise Ready now to see it your way 'cause I'm done I'm through ignoring you now it's true I'm kneeling at the cross of your grace Lay down my pride

So, its been a mad few days. I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I started my third to the last semester on Monday, which is increasingly exciting! I am taking 12 hours this semester, 8 next fall then in the Spring I will be student teaching! HOLY COW! I just can't believe it! Let me tell you!

We start Spring Sing practice yesterday. For those of you who don't know what this is, its kind of like a musical but not. haha! There is a lot of story telling while you sing and "dance". Ha! There are six shows that each tell their own story. Between those six shows the Ensemble performs some pretty rock awesome songs. I'm really excited to see what having four male hosts this year will be like. They should be amazing!

The show that I am in with my Social Club, Regina and our Brother Club, Chi Sigs, is called Kids and Kicks Soccer. We are going to be a bunch of little kids playing soccer against each other. There will be everything from the kids on the field, Soccer Moms to Refs, a coach and Bench kids! I am lucky enough to be a Bench Kid and I am SOOOO excited! This year is going to be fun!

What else is going on... Let's see. For those of you who do not know I am the President of Regina this semester which is an amazing honor! I'm hoping that this semester goes smoothly. If everything goes according to plan I will be moving into my apartment in May. I can NOT wait. I will likely be living by myself, but that way if I have a girls night we can have fun without bothering anyone. :) Its the best for everyone. :D

Anything else you want to know?! :) Love you all!
-in Christ,
~Marisa Lynn

A New Year Has Begun

I might have to wait, I'll never give up. I guess its half timin' and the other halfs luck. Wherever you are, whenever its right, you'll come out of nowhere and into my life. And I know that we can be so amazing. And baby your love is gonna change me. And now I can see every possibility.

So, my birthday came and it went. I spent some time with good friends to start off the new year and it was perfect. I couldn't have asked for better company. Jessica, Richard, William and Brentonio were the perfect group of people to begin 2010! It helped me realize a lot of things too.

Realization #1: I am finding myself again. The real me. And the real me is OK! In fact, the real me is pretty stinking awesome! When I'm always worrying about a relationship, I loose myself. I don't want to loose myself anymore. God is helping me with that. Good thing he always knows the real me, even when I hide under all that stuff!

Realization #2: I don't need everyone else's approval! Its as simple as that, no explanation needed.

Realization #3: I'm going to live out my dreams, God hasn't told me the plans yet... but I'm gonna go along with my dreams assuming I'm aligned with what he wants for me in my life. If I stray off the path, he'll let me know.

Realization #4: People will let me down and I will let people down.

Realization #5: I am not now, nor will I ever be, perfect! I will strive and God will see me through Jesus which makes me perfect. End of story.

Last, Realization #6: I'm getting out of Arkansas in the next five years. I will stay here as long as it takes to get certain loans forgiven, then I'm headed west or north. God hasn't let me know for sure yet, so I keep my options open.

God has so many incredible things planned for me and I couldn't be more excited about all of it. 2010 is going to bring a whole lot of new things. I'm finally settling in Searcy in an apartment in May which is so very exciting. I get to work at the Media Center this summer, which is an answer to prayer! My life is pretty clearly blessed right now, I love it.

--Take it easy,
--In Christ,
~Marisa Lynn