My friend I studied with in Lithuania just posted these photos online, and I was taken aback by them. First of all, they're just gorgeous pictures! But second, it took me back to remembering all that God taught me last spring while living on that seaside. I was actually there... right on the Baltic Seaside. I mean, really??

I learned so much by that seaside, each wave crashing perpetually as if to remind me that God is constant in His love, faithfulness, and grace. Something I'm not.

I absolutely love the second photo because, if you notice, there is a sunbeam literally trapped in the wave. How stinkin' cool!!

I've been learning a hard lesson the past few weeks about patience and trusting God, and I'll unashamedly admit that I have sucked at it. Blake has been put on the alternate list for Mercer, which means that a definite answer of whether he'll be starting med school, or not, could linger into the summer months. It is incredibly hard to wait-- mostly because this is something I really want for him. I think he would be an incredible doctor, and I think he could touch many peoples' lives through doing it. Meanwhile, my decision on a school is still pending. I have had to carry through with registration and housing procedures as if I will be staying here at GC&SU... again... still dying to hear where Blake will be. I'll be honest-- I don't want to live far away from him. Ha. Of course, I would if I have to because quitting school is not an option for me. But like a little child, I have been kicking and screaming, begging for the Lord to hear my cry. And all the while, I have to trust that He has a plan for us both, and just like he was in control 3 years ago when we started dating, He is still in control today.

There is something incredibly powerful and comforting in looking back on the past and remembering God's faithfulness. Time and time again, I grow anxious and concerned that He's going to let me down. And though things don't always turn out like I want, I can confidently say that He has never let me down. He reveals His love to me each step in my life.

So I will continue to pray with hope and persistence, begging for him to hear me, sharing my deepest heart's desires. Then, surrender all. Surrender is a choice made out of love. Love for my Savior and love for all He has done for me. Nobody said surrender is easy. No. It's terribly painful. And yet, His beauty found in creation restores my soul and brings me comfort.

excuse the appearance of my blog. I'm in the process of changing it around.

I found my new home! If it were only true...

Check out these playhouses. How stinkin' cool are they?? I could totally live in a playhouse. Not even kidding.

Haha. This e-mail was so cute that I got today. During my semester in Lithuania, I met a 14 year old girl on the bus one day and she knew a little English. She and I ended up going to the beach together and continuing a friendship. Before I left, I gave her my e-mail and we've kept in touch. She just watched the movie "Step Up 2"... and so she contacts me (her American friend) in hopes of meeting the star of the movie. Apparently, every common American should be friends with at least one Hollywood star. Right?

"labuka:)
Have you see film step up 2 streets??? i see that film and i want to met adam g. sevany do you know him???? can you give your address??"

I was going through my old journal today, something I do when I need some encouragement and a reminder of God's faithfulness. I came across this entry from last summer, July 30, and it made me smile :)

"Blake did the best thing for me yesterday. I had just gotten in an argument with my mom and, being upset, I went for a run. I was crying and screaming when Blake pulled up in his Jeep next to me. He opened his door, gave me a hug, and then lifted me up into the car. As I cried and told him everything that happened, he drove over to Mary Alice Park. And when he parked, he looked over to me and said gently, 'I want you to get out of this car, keep your running shoes on, and then run straight forward into the lake water.' He knows me well :) As I fell facedown into the water, I felt freedom. I met silence underwater, and I felt weightless. He came in soon after me, and we both laughed with free spirits. I don't think he realized what that really meant to me. That was the best way that he could love me in that moment."

Skipping classes was well worth it. They were amazing! I was quite inspired by the girl who accompanied him-- she sang harmony and played the violin. Ahhh, I love the violin!!!

Next goal-- we'd like to see Sigur Ros in concert.

3 more weeks until Jared and Eryn get hitched! Me, my sister, my grandma, and Eryn's friend all threw a bridal shower for Eryn this past weekend. It was pretty girly-- chicken salad, cucumber sandwiches, frozen fruit salad, and biscotti. Everything was very delicious! Eryn's favorite gift were her tiny "pinch bowls" (see above.) We were all trying to figure out what you do with them, but she was simply overjoyed to have them because of how cute they are. Ha ha. It will be a fun wedding.

After talking about youtube I was reminded of my favorite youtube video. Sigur Ros is by far one of the most talented bands, and I thoroughly enjoy them. They come from Iceland and are pretty big internationally. A friend of mine showed me one of their music videos a while back, and I confess that sometimes I watch it on replay just for a little bit of inspiration. I hope to be like this when I'm old and gray. I love how they're splashing in mud puddles!

So I was just talking to my Thai roommate on Skype, and she said that she had been browsing through some of the youtube videos about Bangkok (her home city) and found me in one of them! When I was in Lithuania, Nan and I participated in something called the "Free Hugs" Campaign. Basically, you walk through the streets holding up signs-- in English and Lithuanian-- that say "free hugs". There's a funny twist to my story because whenever I went up to hug some of the elderly Lithuanians, they literally picked me up and pat me on the butt. No joke. It really caught me off guard, until another Lithuanian explained to me that that's what they do to children. Apparently, my fuzzy hat and thick scarf disguised me from revealing my true age...

So anyways, Nan gave me this link to a video someone made about the campaign. You'll find me on 1.07

Oh, and สวัสดีปีใหม่ค่ะ!!! Meaning, Happy Thai New Year!!!!

The 3 highlights of my day:

#1: I met a girl last month at a coffee shop, and we randomly started a conversation. She grew up in Germany and has family from all over. Something really just pulled me towards her, and so we ended up exchanging e-mails and we've been talking ever since. Well, I invited her to church with me this Sunday and she came. I love, love, love meeting random people and learning about their lives.

#2: ten Swedes were in town to learn more about North Point, and so my dad went out to lunch with them. Blake and I joined and had such a great time meeting them. I held up my wrist that has my tattoo "Frihet" (freedom in Swedish), and they all chanted at once-- "FREEDOM!" hehe. Gustaf also invited Blake and I to stay at his house if (or when) we visit Sweden. Maybe July??

#3: Blake and I went out to Bahama Breeze with Jared and Eryn to officially celebrate me and Eryn's 21st (1 month apart) with a couple mojitos :) Three more weeks til they're married!


I'm skipping classes tomorrow to go to a concert (shhhhh....), but it will all be worth it :)

I couldn't ask for better friends. I really couldn't. I love the fact that I can pick up the phone and talk to them as if we had talked yesterday. We are states/countries apart, and yet our friendships are still so strong. Enough of this sentiment, eh? Nope! I like sentiment :) And I love my friends.

Gosh, I miss them...

Thought I'd share a few pictures to summarize some of the highlights from the past couple months:















My friends-- Amy & Kalin-- came for a weekend to visit. We went to a tea house, where they gave us hats and boas :)















I came across a stash of 6-year-old's dress up clothes, so I had fun with it.















My friend-- Rachel-- came down to visit me from NC for my birthday.


Easter back in Atlanta with the family. (Blake was purposely hiding behind my hair, in case you were wondering. And yes, Joe went brunette also)

I've been trying to learn the violin the past couple of months! I've always had an interest for the violin and I even tried when I was younger, but I guess it was too difficult for me then. So a few months ago Blake and I went to a music store and we found one to rent. They gave me the smallest they have, and I've been teaching myself off the internet. So far, the only song I've mastered is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" ;-)