Ketchup.

I'm SO PUNNY

Well hello hello hello! My, how time has flown since I last wrote. Somehow I wrote in January, twice in one day, and then...well, it's June 10th. Hi, everyone.
I've said before that I wouldn't make excuses for not writing frequently, and I won't this time either. I have been incredibly, blessedly busy in the last 6 months. I have post its on post its of writing ideas, half constructed blog posts, and one giant note that says "There's a huge Taco Bell across from my dorm now! Why couldn't that have been there when I was here? Granted, I would be dead right now..." from when Ryan visited Penn State Main in April. (That didn't have anything to do with this blog, it's just the closest post it to me, for some reason.)
For those of you playing the home game, I'll recap the past half year for you.

• I went back to my student teaching placement in January, after 6 weeks off. It was an interesting semester, filled with lots of struggles, chocolate, long hours in the car, and tears. But, it eventually ended in...
• GRADUATION! I graduated from college exactly one month ago on May 10th. What an incredible day that was. It was completely surreal. Luckily for me, though, it lead to...
• My first (kinda) post college job! I was fortunate enough to be hired on as a substitute in my home district, a convenient 3 minute drive from my house, right away. I graduated on Saturday and was back in a classroom by Wednesday. I did all sorts of odd placements, including high school chorus (we sang one song and then had free time), elementary gym (we had one warm up and then had free time), and a bathroom monitor for high school Keystone exams (in case the 18 year old senior forgets where the restroom is after 4 years! Just kidding.) All of these positions were entertaining, and I loved every one of them. Plus, I was also able to get in some serious teaching days in the elementary in third, fourth, and fifth grades. It was awesome. 
• Whenever I haven't been in the schools working, I've been at home wedding planning! Ryan and I are a mere 145 (I think...) days away from saying I do, and I can't wait. Especially since...
• We bought a house! Or, well, I liked it and Ryan liked it so he bought a house. We have been extremely blessed to have found an incredible house right outside of Pittsburgh (you can see parts of downtown from my backyard, something that greatly excites this pretend-city / actual-country girl.) It needs some love, but our incredible family has been hard at work, spending their time to fix it up for us so it's ready to go for Ry sometime this summer, and for the both of us come November 1st. 
• I was offered a position helping out, as a substitute Personal Care Assistant, at a summer school through July. I'm in the middle of leaving Subway (see ya later, sandwich diva) and entering into this new phase of my career. 

It's weird to think that this chapter of my life is drawing to a close. Being in school as a student, at home with my family, is all that I have ever known. I can't remember the transition from being home to school, so I can just remember elementary school, middle school, and high school as the first chapter. When that closed, I was nervous. Who knows what college is actually like? I had a different view, compared to everyone else, since I went to a local school where I was able to come home every night to my family and sleep in my own bed. That both was good, and totally sucked. (As a graduate now, though, being able to walk out debt free is a total blessing!) Now as a college graduate, I'm in the chapter where I'm job hunting and trying to put this degree to use. I don't get to go back to school in the fall as a student - I'm looking to go back to a school in the fall as a teacher! And, possibly the craziest of all, I'm getting ready to become a wife in a few short months! That to me is the weirdest chapter. Ever. But, the best one too! (Right, Ry?)

TL;DR - Things have been nuts. I haven't had the time to even think about, well, anything - much less write an entire post and get my thoughts together so you people at home can read it. However, I have tons of things to say, and some pretty decent posts already crafted in my mind. Stay tuned, friends!

Kimber

Blessings.

Well, hello out there. It's been quite some time since I last posted - really, how has it been 8 months? I don't quite remember how to even post on this blog anymore, and I don't remember where I was going with anything I posted previously...but it's okay. It'll work out, somehow.
I tried making a resolution for this year to post at least once a week, but I didn't even bother making it. With how crazy my life has been over the past few months, and with how crazy it most certainly will be in the coming months, how could I commit to posting every week? I'm certainly going to try and post as much as possible, but life happens, my friends. And I certainly will not be sorry because of it.
Just to fill everyone up to speed with my life, I'll give a quick recap of the past year or so. Things have been crazy, and much has changed - for the better!
Blessing #1 - I'm halfway through my senior year of college, and it is terrifying. If someone would have come to me a year ago at this time and told me how insane this next year would be, I would have probably locked myself in a room somewhere and cried. There have been days of total exhaustion, of questioning God's plan for my life (several of those a week, in fact!) and days where I absolutely had to drag myself to the car to make the drive to Pittsburgh. Student teaching has been fun, but it certainly has been difficult and oh-so-exhausting. Like I said, I'm halfway through. This next semester starting in a week is sure to be the craziest and most difficult yet. I'm ready though, and I can do it.
Blessing #2 - Gone are the days where posts like these are frequent. God works in mysterious ways, my friends...and sometimes those ways are completely strange, unexpected, and incredible. I had the blessing of meeting the love of my life in this past year, and as of last December we're officially engaged! Our wedding is planned for November, and so my winter break has been filled with wedding planning, thinking of what to do and where to have it, and just sitting back and seeing what an incredible time it's been. He's my best friend, a total man of God who is dedicated to his fiancee, his family, his job, and his God. I'm so blessed by having him in my life, and I can't wait for our life together to begin!
Blessing #3 - Since it's my last semester here coming up, that means that I'll be graduating in May. In less than 5 months, I'll be finished with my education and thrown into the real world. Last year at this time, I was terrified to even consider what would happen when I graduated and had to consider reality. Now I'm filled with this weird sense of peace. I know I should be flustered - finding a job, much less a teaching job, in today's world is a miracle all in itself - but really, I'm not. At least, not at the level other people are. I know it'll be difficult to find a job, and it can be super stressful (and adding the fluster of planning a wedding on top of that!) but I know it'll all work out. Jeremiah 29:11, right? Goodness knows I've been leaning on that verse lately! So I can't find a job right away. That's okay. I can substitute as much - or as little - as I want, and continue searching as I live with my HUSBAND (!) who thankfully has a great job that can provide for both of us until I find one for myself. God is faithful. It'll work out.

So, there's a lot going on. Many changes will be happening this year, and hopefully this blog will be right with it. Forgive me for the gaps in posting so far, and for the gaps in posting that will most certainly happen in the future. No official challenge happening in this post, but I would encourage you to sit back and count your blessings. It's easy to get caught up and overwhelmed in the nonsense that can accompany a new year - resolutions failing, heading back to work with a busy schedule, all of those fun things - and so it can be difficult to get away and see the good in all the fuss. Take a piece of paper and start simple - your family, your friends, your health, anything. You may be surprised how quickly your list - and your awareness of your blessings - can grow.

Are you in?

-Kimber.

P.S. - Here's a picture of my fiance and me taken at our engagement shoot yesterday. Isn't he handsome?

Blessings in Disguise

Well, hi again. Long long LONG time no see. I hope everyone had a fantastic semester and past 5 months. I know I did.
Honestly, I could give some long excuse on why I haven't posted since I was a junior in college. (Senior in college, holler at your girl!) But really, it's just like this: I've been pretty dry. I've been bare bones, spiritually. I had so much to do in so little time that I left little to no time for what really mattered - spending time with my Savior. I had 19 credits jam packed into 10 weeks, then full time prestudent teaching in an Autism Support room the last 5 weeks of the semester. I found myself a boyfriend, and he's incredible. I've been trying to cram in as much friend time as possible, but I left out the biggest and most important friend - God.
So, pretty much, I apologize. Things are different. I feel much, much different than I was 5 months ago - and I can almost promise you now, I don't ever want to disappear for that long again. 
I'm back, I'm better than ever, and I'm ready to share. Stay tuned.
Are you in?

-Kimber.

I Love My Husband. Right?

I spent the evening at my friends' house last night. They no longer go to my church because they now are serving on staff at a new church nearby, but we didn't want to end our small group time - aka, get coffee, eat cookies, and fill everyone in on what's happened since we last saw each other. Considering we haven't since before finals started in December, there was quite a lot to fill people in on. I talked about going to Passion in Atlanta, Georgia last week and how incredible that was, my friend BDubs talked about her life, and my friend Danetta talked - a little - about her life, until she was forcibly removed into the car to leave.
Before we sat down and actually started talking, coffee was necessary. I blame Angela for getting me hooked on coffee in the first place - I never drank it before I was her friend, and now I drink it (if it's more creamer than coffee...) all the time. She brewed me up a cup of gingerbread coffee (delish) and handed me the mug - which is when I started laughing. Sarcastically laughing of course, because this is what I do. Why? Angela had given me this cup:

I love my husband.

Now, obviously, everyone in the house started laughing. The thought of Kimber having a cup that said something that related to A) a relationship, B) a male, and C) Kimber being in a relationship with a male naturally leads to something comical and cat related being said within the next few minutes. (It happened. 30 seconds.) 

After I got home, I started laughing again at the picture. But then I got to thinking - do I really love my husband?

Yes, I don't know him. Or, if I do, I don't know what guy he is. (If I know you and you have an idea, feel free to share the news anytime. Seriously. Like now.) (Right now.) I've been single for a year now, and haven't gone on a real date or had anything serious during that entire time. Sure, I had some feelings for one or two guys but God shut those doors in my face both times - and I'm thankful now that He did. Those are two less doors I have to face until I find my husband.

I remember going to some sort of youth convention - Silver Ring Thing, maybe - where they were selling shirts that said something like "I love my husband - and I haven't even met him yet." That's so true. After thinking of all this, and realizing what I just shared, it hit me - I guess I really do love my husband.

Jeremiah 29:11. One of the easiest verses to remember in the Bible - coincidentally, it's one of the most used and most shared. God has a plan for us, a plan to give us hope. A plan to give us a future. Hopefully, in my future is a husband and not a life filled with cats. (Do I sound bitter yet?) Until I meet him, then I'll be here, loving him right where I am.

I don't really like New Year's Resolutions, but I guess this could count as more of a prayer than a resolution. I'm promising my future husband to let this year be his, and His. I'm not gonna focus on looking for my husband this year. I'm going to let God put him in my life, whenever He feels is best. I'll have to work on my patience - a lot - but it'll happen. I hope.

But what if it doesn't? Then I'll still be here, loving my husband. Except this time, if it's not a real guy on earth, then I'll be waiting for a heavenly husband. God says that the church - us - is His beautiful bride, and He dotes on us like a bridegroom does on His wedding day. Maybe I won't wear the wedding dress during my life on earth. If I don't? Oh well. I'm not too concerned. I'll be wearing mine in heaven as I meet the one man who loves me more than any person on earth ever could, anyway - Jesus.

Are you like me, waiting for your significant other to be placed in your life by God, complete with a flashing neon lit sign? Are you getting lonely and wishing for that relationship with another person? If you are, don't give up. God knows whats best for you. If He has someone out there for you, they'll come when He wants them to, and not a minute before. If He doesn't? Then get ready for a life filled with adventure with God, complete with a life in heaven with Him. Either way, it'll be awesome. Just trust Him. He knows what He's doing. Just sit back, grab your Bible and some coffee (and a great mug) and dive into His promises. Who knows what will happen in the adventurous life that God has planned for you?

Are you in?

-Kimber.

sorry sorry sorry

Sorry I haven't been posting regularly on here - I feel like I'm saying this all the time lately but it's necessary. Things have been busy and I've been getting some serious writer's block. Yes, it's real and it sure sucks. I have some great ideas but I just haven't been able to word them the way I know they should be and so rather than putting out some garbage posts, I've instead stayed quiet. I'm trying to fix this! Writing right now with some motivation and ideas that I've had for a while so say a prayer it works and hopefully you'll find something new soon.

-Kimber.

free!

I am a college student. I am a poor college student. I am a poor college student that hasn't worked in weeks, thus keeping me poor. I am a poor college student who loves stuff. Especially when this stuff is music.

Are you poor? Do you like music? Are you not poor and still like music? Then this is your lucky day!

HERE is a link to my friend John Tibb's new album, Swallowing Death Breathing Life. You can literally download the EP right now for free! Or, if you have money, you can leave a donation. But seriously. Click the link. He does some great work, and I'm listening to him right now - you won't regret it! 

Seriously, do it!

Are you in?

-Kimber.

Forgiveness.

Ran across this video on Facebook and it's too good not to share.
Are we forgiving for lesser things in our own lives every day?

Thinking

I'm in the middle of my devotional time right now, so this will be short but I had to post it anyways. I just finished the first chapter of "Becoming a Contagious Christian" by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg for the Excel group in leading tomorrow on campus. The entire book is how to have a faith that makes you so on fire for God that it's contagious to others - obviously, based on the title. The first chapter talks a lot about Luke 15, where Jesus tells three parables to the people in an attempt to get His point across. First, that the shepherd that lost his sheep searched high and low to find it, being overjoyed when he did. Second, that the widow who lost a coin tore her entire home upside down to find it, telling all of her friends when she did. Third, the man whose son took his inheritance and left, wasting it and eventually coming home for forgiveness, ran to find his son and threw a huge block party for everyone when he came home. What's the significance here?
Hybels and Mittelberg say in the first chapter that this is the only example in the entire Bible where Jesus tells three stories to get His point across. Obviously, this is something way important to Him - naturally. But why?
In every example, there are three major points:

• In each example, something of great value was missing to the main character, whether it was a sheep, coin, or a son. We are the "something" that is missing to God. We matter. We have value in His eyes.
• The thing missing was important enough to warrant an all-out search. God will stop at nothing to make us find Him.
• At the end of each parable, the main character was so overjoyed that they rejoiced. God throws a party every time one of us is found in Him.

After I finished the chapter in the book, I picked up my Bible and started reading where I had left off the last time I read, in Acts 11. While Luke 15 is well and good, the significance didn't really hit me until I saw this:

"But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.'" Acts 11:17

Yes, this isn't directly related to Luke 15, but to me, it was. While I had heard the Luke 15 stories a million times, even after today they never really hit me. Yes, I matter to God, and yes, He loves when I come home to him.

But what does that really mean? All of my past, my sins, my mistakes and shames, are wiped away. Okay. I was dirty. But to God, they don't exist. They're gone - wiped clean. What was made clean - me - is something that no one can ever call common.

Intense. 

Can you say with honesty that you feel like you're made clean, and not common? That you know you matter? Read and try to think about Luke 15 in a different light. It may change your mind.

Are you in?

-Kimber.

NR is my 2nd longest relationship

So I just looked at the date - even though it's changing in 4 minutes - and realized it's been over 2 years since I started this blog. It's crazy what a little push from God can do, along with a lot of encouragement from everyone else. I just wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my sometimes black heart and the very tips of these busily typing fingers.
I've changed a lot in the past two years, and it's pretty evident by what I've posted. From my first post about Lady Gaga to my most recent about becoming a new creation, it's been a crazy ride and I'm pretty sure NR has become one of the most random Christian blogs ever.
So, basically, because I hate being sappy and I hate long thank you posts because someone is just asking to butt in and be like "Kimber imma let you finish but ______ had the best Christian nonsense crap blog of all time. OF ALL TIME," thank you. Thank you for the almost 3000 pageviews - from all around the world like Latvia (which I have no idea where or what a Latvia is, but thanks dude) to right in my own backyard. Thanks for sticking with me!


-Kimber.

no, it has no meaning other than this is an exciting picture of a philadelphia security guard and myself

You've changed.

A guy from the church I go to every Saturday night recently left to head for Australia to study at Hillsong. How great of an opportunity is that? I've only known Nick for a short time, but I can already see how God is working in his life. I can't wait to see the tweets and hear the stories that he has from all of the amazing experiences God is placing in his life! Nick is going to do something incredible for the kingdom of God, and I can't wait to watch and see.
When I started going to PECC almost eight months ago, I noticed a common phrase among everyone there: "you've changed." Whether or not the phrase actually fit into the conversation wasn't important; the fact that it is said with great timing is. It originated with Nick, along with several other phrases that sometimes made sense, sometimes not so much. Out of all the phrases, though, the one that stood out most to me was that first one I noticed: "you've changed."
It's a funny thing - people change all the time. Whether we realize it or not, it happens. Some changes can be for the worse - hanging out with the wrong crowd, staying with that guy or girl who is clearly not the right one for you, that kind of stuff. We've all experienced it, and we've all had it happen. Those changes are hard to take when they happen to other people, especially ones that we love. They can almost be impossible to deal with if you're the one changing. 
Other changes are for the better - a new job, a new relationship built on Godly foundations, even something as simple as a new hairstyle. These changes are good.
There is, however, one change that can never be for the worse:

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come."- 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

The best change a person can make - throwing away the old, putting on the new and becoming a new person in Christ Jesus.
Talk about a change.
There's a great song by Leeland - one of my absolute favorite bands, ever (go listen to them. Right now.) - that talks about becoming a new creation. (Here's your chance, go listen. Now.)

Like most changes, though, it's something to get used to. It's not like everything will be all nice and happy and filled with unicorns and rainbows and fluffy bunnies and ice cream after you make the change. There is no switch you can flip that completely makes your life absolutely perfect after you become a new person in Christ. Rather, it's almost the opposite. This is the ultimate change, and some people - especially the enemy - will hate the fact that it happens. It's going to be hard. It's going to be a bit scary sometimes. But I promise, it will be worth it. 
When a friend comes up to you and says there's something different about you lately. 
When a stranger approaches you and says how you aren't like other people they've seen or met. 
When God greets you in Heaven and says, "well done, my good and faithful servant."
I've changed.
Will you make the right change for yourself?
Are you in?


-Kimber.

Lukewarm

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 
Revelation 3:15-16.


Lukewarm.
The mere word makes me cringe, thinking of the meaning:
1. moderately warm: TEPID.
Tepid. Half and half. Not a specific side, not one or the other. Halfway.
I can be half and half sometimes. No specific side.
Yes, I love Jesus. I have a relationship with my Savior.
Yes, I like that guy. I have a relationship with my sins, my past.
No, I want nothing more than to give my all to my Lord. Full faith.
No, I want nothing more than to stay back, give in a little. 
Tepid.
Lukewarm.


Lukewarm.
There are other meanings that I avoid, because of my choices:
2. lacking conviction: HALFHEARTED. 
Tepid: lacking in passion, heart, or zest.
Where is my heart?
I love Jesus. I am sold out to my Savior.
I love other things. I am sold out to worldly issues - dating, friends, relationships, choices I shouldn't be making.
Halfhearted.
Tepid.
Lukewarm.


My works are neither cold nor hot.
There is no sitting on the fence, no in between.
God doesn't want halfhearted people. No children lacking in zest, lacking in passion. 
I want the passion that can only come from a love so great, so powerful, that no other can possibly pretend to imitate it. 
I am afraid. I want to be a fly on the wall, not using my true potential. My true talents. A face in the crowd.
But yes, I say, I love Jesus. I'm all in with my faith.
Then why am I hiding? Why am I afraid to go full out? 
Lacking in passion. Halfhearted.
Tepid.
Lukewarm.

I'm not bailing, I promise

So, I realize it's been over a month since I last posted on No Restraints. I'm very sorry. My life has been insane and I've been all over the East Coast in the last month, doing some pretty incredible things.

I student taught in inner city Philadelphia for a student class, and realized the call on my heart that God had given me all over again.

I road-tripped with my younger brother to my grandparents' house in the Outer Banks to help them out and get some sibling pre-college bonding time. (Even if we did some extra bonding on I-95 and decided to check out the Beltway through Washington D.C.)

And, of course, I have been working hard at my stereotypical position in society by makin some $5 footlong sammiches for the majority of my small college town.

After all of this, you can kind of see why I haven't posted that often. It's been a crazy month and I'm extremely blessed to have done what I have in the past 4 weeks. However! That doesn't mean I'm stopping with my blog posts. Yes, they're few and far between but I'm trying my hardest to change that. Just bear with me here and I'll make sure to get a new post up as soon as I can! Not much of a challenge, really, but hey - the bigger challenge is on me: to get WRITING!

Are you in?

-Kimber (the not-so-tanned sandwich schoolteacher.)

My Giant

My giant:

won't mind that my best friends are the ones I go to all of the time.

won't worry if I don't check up every hour with him.

won't be jealous if I talk to people without asking him first.

won't mind that I stick my feet in between his ankles if we're sitting together.

won't laugh - much - that I have the appetite of a teenage boy.

won't laugh - much - that all I tend to eat is chicken.

won't care that I sing and hum in the car - loudly.

won't mind me blasting the bass in my car on a good song.

won't be bothered by calling me goodnight every night.

won't be ashamed to talk to me in front of his friends.

won't be scared of me and all of my antics. 

won't be intimidated by my faith.

My giant:

will love God first and foremost.

will understand that I need to place God first in our relationship.

will hold my hand, always.

will help me and guide me in my walk with Christ.

will watch stupid movies like The Notebook with me.

will watch awesome movies like The Avengers with me.

will be a solid leader for our relationship.

will read the Bible with me and enjoy talking about it.

will sing with me in the car.

will play football with me when we feel like it.

will tell me how he's doing in his faith, every day.

will be there for me through everything, encouraging, loving, and supporting me every step of the way.

It's a daunting list.

He's out there somewhere, though,

with a list that looks like mine

waiting for me.

My giant:

the man God is waiting to place in my life at the perfect time, to let me be with forever and always.

Proverbs 16:9

"The heart of a woman plans her way, but the Lord establishes her steps." - Proverbs 16:9.

My heart has it's own ideas. Plans it wants to see happen. 
Some are connected to my head. 
Some are from You. Mainly they are from me, 
and are not what I need. 
You don't let me take a step towards those plans, not an inch in that direction. 
No starting leaps to something that won't help me, 
possibly hinder me. You are planning my steps. 
Help me let You draw the map, my life map, my story, instead of me. 
I, who can't even see the road in front of me, 
even the road I'm on, 
trying to take the pen from You, 
the One who created every mountain, 
every valley, 
every shadowy corner and uncertain path. 
Every path less traveled that shall be traveled by me. 
Let me follow Your footsteps, like footprints in the snow, 
clean and pure. 
Exactly what You want for me. 
My heart has it's own ideas. Let them be attuned to Yours. 
Let my heart be the compass to the map You are creating for my life. 
Establish my steps. 
Create my path. 
Lead me down that road You are calling me towards. 
Show me something new at every turn, every bend in the road. 


And let me soar.

Grace like Rain

hallelujah, 

grace like rain

falls down on me

washing away my sin, my shame, my secrets, my pain

all taken away by the one act 

that can never be replicated

but that i have taken for granted.

with your grace,

wash my head, cleanse me from thoughts that arent from you

wash my eyes, 

so i may see those you want me to reach

wash my ears, 

so i may listen for your voice

wash my mouth,

so i may speak only helpful, loving words, not ones of hate

wash my arms, 

so they may reach out to your hurting children

wash my hands, 

so they may touch others with your love

wash my knees, 

so i can bow and kneel at your throne without stains

wash my legs, 

so i can freely dance for you

wash my feet,

so i can walk on the path that you have called me to 

hallelujah,

your grace like rain

falling down  on me

finally washing me clean

This time, I will not lose.

Today I resolve to change.

Today I resolve to become a new me,

a new creation.

Time and time again I've said this same promise,

spoken these same words

with the same sincere heart.

And time and time again, 

I've had to be forgiven,

seventy times seven,

but it's okay. You say it's okay.

So I will listen.

This time, I will not let You down.

This time, I will not lose.

Today I resolve to change.

Today I resolve to live out Your word, Your promise to me:

Your daughter, Your beloved princess.

This time, I accept that I will face challenges.

Adversity is not something new to me. It has taken me down, defeated me in the past.

This time, I will not accept defeat.

This time, I will turn to my side and realize You are there.

This time, I will let You fight my battles, instead of trying to myself.

I am no David, armed with stones. I am no Deborah, ready to face an army.

I am simply a small girl, waiting for Her Father to help. You are there, waiting for me to ask.

So I will ask.

This time, I will not lose.

Today I resolve to change. 

Today I resolve to start anew, beginning a new page in my life.

Clean slate, wiped empty and fresh by His blood, His tears, 

His scarred hands taking the blame from mine.

This time, I will make something beautiful out of my scars.

This time, I will recognize Your plan for me,

and stop trying to write my own story.

My slate is clean, but only You can write the words that fill my pages.

So I will watch. I will wait. 

I will read and view as my story becomes one of the most beautiful love tales of all time,

written by the One who loves me most.

There is no second best here, no unhappy endings. No one can have a better story than mine, because mine is just for me. No one can compete with it.

This time, I will not lose.

100 POSTS OPRAH VOICE

Just saw that my last post was the big 1-0-0 for NR.
That's freakin AWESOME
AND SO MANY WORDS
Thanks to those of you for reading and sticking with me! You're the best!

100 POSTS EVERYBODY GETS A CAR
YOU GET A CAR
AND YOU GET A CAR
EVERYBODY GETS A CAR
just kidding

New Beginnings

Considering it's nearing the end of the semester - May 10th, where ya at? - my motivation is rapidly approaching 0%. In fact, it may be there already. Thanks to this, I have been spending way too much time reading stuff like The Help, tweeting every other second, and creeping on everything on Facebook. Right now is one of those moments.
Instead of typing out the stuff that I should be, such as the huge language development project paper powerpoint thing that's due next Thursday when I have to present it to the class, I decided I should creep on myself. I'm currently back to last April looking at pictures I've been tagged in. I saw this picture and it gave me a start:

The infamous bar picture...hehehe

That was from our Spring Woman's retreat that my (Sunday morning!) church has every year up at Whitehall. It was such a blast, considering it was our first time going and we were all much, much younger than everyone else! I saw this and contrasted it with the new one we took this year:

This year's bar picture! This is going to go on forever.

Obviously, just looking at our smiling faces is enough to see that we've changed over the year. We've grown up and have become another year closer to the awesome woman that God wants each of us to be. Of course, we aren't without our flaws and mistakes.
Funny how that happens. Looking at the first picture, everything seemed full of promise - right? Still with the steady boyfriend, solid career choice with no potential changes, everything lining up pretty well. Then flash forward half an inch down the screen to the newest bar picture with all of it's changes - single, still the same career choice but with added responsibilities and ideas, no ideas about what is going to happen on any given day. It's pretty wild really.
Over the past year, I've made my mistakes. More than my share, if you ask me. While I'm not exactly proud of anything that I've done, I've learned from those mistakes.
I've learned that I need to be myself, not hide who I am, what I like, and what I want to be just because others don't like it.
I've learned that I'm not as strong as I would like to be, but in my weakness, He makes me strong. When I do fail and slip back, I know He will always take me back with open arms. He knows that I've made a lot of mistakes and that I'm trying to start over. He always will know me and know my heart, know my mistakes and know my intentions. 
I've learned that I can start over, no matter what happens. God will always take me back. I am His.
A lot has changed in the year since we took the first bar picture. There's a lot that has changed - all for the better, none for the worse. If it happened, it's because it was in God's plan. Today I'm realizing that, even though it's been a crazy year, I can start over. Press the reset button.
Today is a new beginning. 
That's your NR challenge for today. Today is a new beginning. Accept it, embrace it, be thankful for it. 
Are you in?


-Kimber.

Scars

They say all scars tell a story.

They say all scars tell a story,
and that every story is meant to be heard.
By why mine? Why my scars?
The hurt is too private, 
no one would understand.


They say all scars tell a story,
but it's not one I want to tell.
You wouldn't understand.
My scars are too deep to bring to light,
they're the ones I am ashamed of, 
scared of.


They say all scars tell a story,
but who would want to listen?
My story is hard to say,
it hurts,
it's painful,
keep it inside.
My scars are mine alone.


They say all scars tell a story
but are mine really the worst?
There are stories far more important to tell
of love 
and redemption,
of sacrifice.
My perfect lamb, His palms, marred by my scars, my secrets,
those I tried to hide, 
the worst of me
on display for His majesty.


They say all scars tell a story,
the perfect story of love,
of faith, of surrender.
My scars are private, painful,
but they speak of surrender, 
of peace,
of coming
back
home.


They say all scars tell a story,
and mine is calling out to be told.
My Savior touching the scars,
making them whole.
Perfect, 
untouched, 
a beautiful testimony
to Him and His story.


They say all scars tell a story.
Mine have a matching set.
The palms of His hands and the depths of my heart,
together they form a beautiful love,
a beautiful surrender.
Only He can complete my story.


They say all scars tell a story.
They're all waiting to be told.
Listen to your scars,
what are they saying to you?

Be yourself. (Also, an apology, as well as a picture.)

So, I haven't posted in a while or with any frequency whatsoever. I apologize. Things have been pretty hectic lately and the semester just started last week, and so that's just adding on top of everything else. I have some ideas, and so they're coming soon, I promise.
Until then, here's a picture of Lilo and Stitch dancing.

Dance to your own beat. Also, keep yourself entertained as I take forever to write another post. Sorry.

Also, for those of you who don't know me, I'm addicted to Twitter now. Follow me! I tweet some quality things sometimes, even though mainly it's pictures of food.

Follow me on Twitter! k_lynn__

I'll post soon, promise!

Are you in?
- Kimber.