As of Late {A Change of Heart}

{Heal my heart and make it clean}

Lately, I have been working on examining my heart. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). In order to live a pure life, I need to have a pure heart. Only God can cleanse a heart like mine. 

{Open up my eyes to the things unseen}

I have been praying for God to help me to see past myself and to begin caring for those around me. He wants us to take care of those around us. Even if that means just taking the time to ask how they are really doing. More importantly, I need to keep all of my brothers and sisters in my prayers. Almost every time Paul would write a letter to a church, he would talk of how he often prayed for them. "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:16). 

{Show me how to love like You have loved me}

I want so badly to see people the way that God sees them. To look past prejudice and judgement. To show people the same love that I have been showed by God day after day. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). 

{Break my heart for what breaks Yours}

Compassion. In Matthew, it says that "When {Jesus} saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). Jesus didn't make sure to just spend time with the healthy and the righteous because He knew that "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17).  I want to be filled with the compassion that drove Jesus to spend time with the sick, the unrighteous, and the filthy people around Him. 

{Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause}

Every second of everyday, I want to spend bringing glory to God and people closer to Him. There is no other reason to live. "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned'" (Mark 16:15-16). This was one of the last things Jesus said before ascending into heaven. I take that pretty seriously and I want to make sure to live my life obeying this command. 

{As I walk from earth into eternity}

We only have a short time here on earth to live the life God called us to live. I long to someday hear the words "Well done good and faithful servant". I want to know that I served God all the days of my life and that I lived to bring glory to His name. One of the ways to do this is to live as Christ lived. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God"(Ephesians 5:1-2).

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

Hosanna, Hosanna

Hosanna in the Highest.

{Hosanna by Hillsong United}

Amazing things are about to happen for the kingdom of God and I am so excited to be part of it! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).  

The best is yet to come.

Becca

Peter {Baby Portraits}

When Peter was born back in January, I was SO excited to get to see him! The night I first saw him, I had a cold, so instead of holding him, I took pictures! It was night, hence the bad lighting. He was too cute to NOT take a picture of! Only a few of them turned out well enough to put on here, but I wanted to show his cuteness! Also, I recently started a photography page on Facebook. Check it out here!

Becca

Watching out for Us

Several years ago, my family was watching a very skittish dog.  She was incredibly sweet, but wanted to be in her own home.  One afternoon, as the mailman was delivering a package to our house, she somehow got out the door and ran for her life not knowing that she very well could be running for her death.  My younger sister and I quickly began running after her.  I could not believe how quickly such a tiny dog could run! She ran down our street and onto another street.  We kept trying to catch up to her, but she was very determined to not get caught. Her home was only a few streets over, but she wasn't running towards that. She was running straight for a very busy road with three lanes of traffic. My little sister screamed and screamed to her to stop. I kept telling her that this was not going to help anything, but she didn't stop... she was desperate to stop this tiny dog that was obliviously running towards death. We got tired very quickly because I don't think either of us had ever run so fast in our lives. Right as she got onto the busy street, she ran along the road in the grass with cars whizzing past her. My sister started crying hysterically and I knew that we could not catch the little dog. Any second, she could dart out in the middle of the street. In those few seconds, I could not figure out what to do. Shield my sister from the horrible death that was about to happen, or try to catch up with the dog.  I certainly didn't want my little sister to run out in the street to try to save her and I was pretty sure she wouldn't but I had never seen her in a situation like this before. The whole time, I had been praying madly that somehow God could help me catch her. Right as the dog was veering towards the street, a car pulled up to the sidewalk. To stop your car on this road is insane. A young lady jumped out of the car and yelled for us to stop chasing her. She told us to corner the dog and while my sister was still crying, we finally caught the dog. With tears of my own welling up in generosity, I thanked the lady profusely and gave her a hug. I don't remember all that I told her, but I know what I was thinking. This lady was amazing to stop on the side of the road to help strangers catch a little dog. She told me that she couldn't watch it happen before her eyes. She hugged both my little sister and I again, and got in her car and drove off. As we walked home, my sister slowly stopped crying and I held the squirming dog very close to me. I thanked God many times that day for answering my prayer and sending me someone to help.

"And this same God that takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

What has God been doing for you, lately?

Benihana

For Spring Break this year, my mom and dad surprised us with a trip to a hotel for a night away.  For dinner the first night, we went to a hibachi grill, Benihana.  I would highly recommend it!  I had a blast taking pictures of the amazing "show" they put on for us. 

Becca

 (He was very affectionate! ;)

Right Now...

Seeing (reading): Our Town and The Giver.

Smelling: The oranges that I am peeling.

Tasting: Green Tea.

Hearing: 50 Ways To Say Goodbye by Train (SO GOOD!)

Excited About: The end of school in a few weeks! I can't wait!

Not Excited About: The essay I am about to start writing in a few minutes. 

Is anyone else ready for school to be over? I can't wait for sunshine, hopefully cool-ish days (I doubt it because... I live in Texas), nights downtown with friends, swimming, days spent outside, going to Florida again, and just enjoying the freedom from school. I need it.... 

What are you excited about?

Becca

Right Now...

{Via Pinterest}

Seeing (reading): My literature assignment, Moby Dick. Really exciting, guys! (not)

Smelling: My mom cooking in the kitchen.

Tasting: Texas Roasted Pecan Flavored Coffee (Delish!)

Hearing: Crazy Girl by Eli Young Band

Excited About: The Rock and Worship Roadshow

Not Excited About: The late nights I will be pulling to finish school this week.

What have y'all (I'm Texan... it's ok...) been up to?

Becca

Late Thanksgiving Post {2012}

I know Thanksgiving was last year... but I really want to share these pictures! :) Enjoy!

What have y'all been up to this week?

~Becca