Do The Time Warp

Halloweekend was fun! I did not dress up, but I definitely enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes! What I really wanted to mention today was that I went to the Carolina vs. Tennessee game yesterday. I got to sit in the student section for the first time. My cousin Nielsen came with me. So glad I got to see her! Below is both of us at the game, very early though, as you can see by the empty stadium. 

Chelsea and me.

J. Crew sweater, LaCoste shirt, Bailey 44 skirt, Sam Edelman boots, the ring and necklace are from Mykonos and my bracelet is from Aldo, I believe.

Right now I am watching Rocky Horror Picture Show in my sweatpants. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Halloween. 

At church today the pastor spoke about the role of parents. It was so good to hear. Here is a verse mentioned that I want to share:

I will open my mouth in parables, 

I will utter hidden things, thing from old--

What we have heard and known, 

What our fathers have told us. 

We will not hide them from their children;

We will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power, and the wonder has done.

Psalm 78:2-4

The pastor said, "annoy people with how much you talk about God." That's my goal for this week. 

NEW SHOES.

So this time I simply couldn't resist. I got these Jeffrey Campbell shoes at a boutique downtown called Urban Thread. They sell returned and slightly used designer clothes, shoes, and accessories. I got such a deal on these shoes, there was no way I could possibly turn them down. 

I read such an amazing Psalm this morning, I must share it. 

But my people would not listen to me; 

Israel would not submit to me.

So I gave them over to their stubborn heart

to follow their own devices.

If my people would but listen to me, 

If Israel would follow my ways, 

how quickly would I subdue their enemies

and turn my hand against their foes!

Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, 

and their punishment would last forever

But you would be fed with the finest of wheat, 

with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.

Psalm 81:11-16

God is waiting to help us. All we have to do is come to him. Instantly we would be under his protection. We would be shielded by his love. Simply listen to him. He is always right. 

Being Studious...Maybe

So I am in the library now surfing the web. Don't worry, Mom! I have no exams this week, thank goodness. This is, however, a wonderful place to update blogs. I may just come here every time I have material for a new post. The picture above is of me, taken just a few minutes ago with my phone. Photo credit goes to my wonderful roommate, Erin. I am wearing my lovely Gucci glasses, a Velvet top, J. Crew skirt, Sam Edelman biker boots, and my fantastic Millard Fillmore raincoat. It's cold in here.

I am so glad to finally be wearing fall clothes. It takes a while to get cool here in Columbia, in fact it was about 83 degrees today, but I fought it. I believe the outfit above was climate-friendly yet fall-forward. I have loved the sound of my suede boots on the brick walkways. And I have gotten to wear my new fall Chanel lipstick. Rouge Coco in Chintz. It's very light, but I am loving it!

Last weekend was initiation. I am now officially a Kappa Kappa Gamma! I love my sisters. There were times, though, when I needed some support from the Holy Spirit and God's word while at our sleepover. I found an amazing verse in the process.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
Psalm 139:23-24 (emphasis mine)

Love, Love, LOVE that last phrase. How true is that? The way everlasting. All the other paths we seem to take fail us in the end. They are terminal. With God, though, we can BE everlasting. Such a beautiful word. It may just be my new favorite. God is great, that's for sure. That verse perfectly described my feeling at the time, and I was instantly comforted. I have learned that the Holy Spirit always finds a way to save us from Satan, how incredible is that? Just come to him and He will protect you like nothing else on this Earth can.

I just wrote a blog post for the South Carolina school magazine website. Please, check it out! I am working with some truly creative, passionate and talented writers. My new alias: RedLips. I thought it was very fitting. My post is all about the beauty that lies in every person on this campus. I have decided to go on a mission to find all the beautiful people. Beauty as in REAL beauty. Not cosmetic, photo-shopped, surface-deep beauty. I will be posting the pictures I take up here as well. My post for Garnet&Black will be up by next Wednesday, I believe. The 3rd.

Oh, and I am looking for different people's definition of beauty. Please comment with your own opinion.

LOVE YOU ALL :)

HARRISBURG!

So I just returned from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. What an incredible experience! I placed 11th in the handy hunter, other than that we got no ribbons, but I am so thankful I was able to go. Hardy was a superstar, that is for sure. He is the most amazing horse I have ever met. I will have the non-proof photo soon, but I just couldn't wait to show you how awesome he was! I also have videos of my courses and once I can figure out how to post them, if I ever do, I will be sure to show you.

Last weekend I competed in the NC State Fair Horse Show and we were reserve champion. Just an update.

The Gamecocks just lost to Kentucky, what an unfortunate end to my week.

But anyways, on the way home from PA I finished the book Radiant: Living as Light in a Dark World by Marian Jordan. It was incredible! So down-to-earth and simply stated. I highly recommend it for any woman striving to grow more intimate with the Father, along with all the other Marian Jordan books. She recently spoke at First Baptist Church in Columbia. It was the first stop on her college tour and let me just say, she was one of the most passionate women. She truly has a heart for Jesus. I have so much admiration for her. Her other books include: Sex and the City Uncovered: Exposing the Emptiness and Healing the Hurt, The List (which we are reading in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Bible study), and Wilderness Skills for Women: How to Survive Heartbreak and Other Full-Blown Meltdowns (that would have been nice to have around this time last year, but God works in mysterious ways).

I want a trench coat so badly! This one by Burberry is perfect. I just want the classic, tan, long trench look. Hopefully Columbia will get cool enough so I can actually wear it!

"When words are many, sin is not absent" Proverbs 10:19

This verse was mentioned in Radiant and she points out the opposite of the verse which is "When words are few, regret is absent." 

I have never been a girl of many spoken words. I have always envied those who seemed to know exactly what to say in every situation. But this verse helps me to realize the blessing of the ability to think before we speak. Our mouths were, like the rest of our body, given to us by the Creator. In order to get the best of our lives, we must use them to glorify God. It seems to me that speaking leads to action in many scenarios. Oftentimes action that does not bring glorify to the Father. Keeping in mind that our voices are gifts from God can keep a whole truckload of sin from entering our lives, therefore filling us even more with the Holy Spirit. 

Lord, you are so incredible.