when you return from something, everyone always asks: “what stood out to you the most?” or “what was the biggest lesson that God taught you?” etc.

well for Christmas break 2011-2012, God taught be a lot about
{F O R G I V E N E S S}.

it was through a variety of ways, but mostly by the means of a book i was assigned to read for a class–”the pillars of Christian character” {by John MacAruthur}. okay confession, this was the first book i have ever read by him, i  must say i really did love it. it was so deep, yet easy to understand and apply to everyday life. it was one of those books that you read and you’re like: “oh, that is exactly what i needed to hear!” you know what i’m talking about? you get those “a-ha!” moments over and over. the book itself talks about a lot of things that you probably already know, but they are things that you can’t be reminded about enough throughout life.

anyway, back to the subject at hand…forgiveness.

this is a big topic. and i definitely won’t be going into full detail about it on here. but i wanted to share something that i highlighted in the book.

“an unsettled grudge needs to be resolved and reconciliation must occur before we can render true worship to God. we must do all we can to settle any anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness we hold toward a brother or sister in Christ, or that he or she holds toward us. otherwise, we are not fit to come before God or partake of His communion table. that is why the attitude of forgiveness is so critical in the life of the church.”

wow. i was struck when i thought about how often i find it so difficult to TRULY forgive at times–even for silly things. but it really should never be a struggle because of the immense forgiveness that the Lord has shown to me! because of His great love, i should never hold on to things that may have hurt me in some sort of way. i am a sinner and i have been forgiven. this forgiveness should never be taken for granted, instead i should be readily showing it to others in my life.

{this is my prayer:}

o, God, give me a heart of forgiveness…let no one’s actions cause me to not show love and mercy toward them.

xoxo
Lo

PS
if you care to share something that God taught you over break, please do. leave a comment. i’d love to hear about His work in your life too.

xoxo
Lo

two of my bestest//most amazing friends have fallen in L O V E and gotten engaged to two of the most incredible guys. i am overjoyed for the them all.

1-2-12

jason & brooke
soon-to-be
{COLEGROVE}

&&&&&

1-7-12

andrew & sierra
soon-to-be
{MALY} 

………………..

words cannot express how excited i am for these two couples. God is going to use them both in such great ways together as one in Him.

…but first let the crazy//fun//fabulous wedding planning begin!

xoxo
Lo

P.S. 2 down…1 to go. hahaha

xoxo
Lo

{typical}

{kelly jo studies…}

{…while brooke takes 5.}

{friends helping friends get ready for the first date.}

{friends from the start–staying strong.}

{“the best things in life are worth waiting for.” story of our friendship.}

{i am a firm believer that the young can teach the old. learned so much from this one and had so much fun with her at the same time. “LETS EAT!”}

skype dates with sia. homework parties in the library. runs with the roomz.

{brunch with friends.}

{icee’s with andee.}

 & {a “T E R R I F I C” reunion.}

…what will this next semester have in store?! i cannot wait to find out.

xoxo
Lo

]]> http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/this-is-what-happens-when-you-are-forgettful/feed/ 1 inyourlove IMG_4567 IMG_4634 IMG_4637 IMG_4576 IMG_4642 IMG_0387 IMG_4537 55ccf240084711e180c9123138016265_7 EXIF_JPEG_T422 608d8f24246b11e19e4a12313813ffc0_7 http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/2012/ http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/2012/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:07:34 +0000 inyourlove http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/?p=2318 ]]> i always love a start of a new year. it feels like we are starting off with a clean slate. but maybe i’m the only one who thinks this way…

with this new year, i only have one real resolution:
to be more like Jesus. 

nothing else matters apart from Him.

this is my prayer–that my heart be binded to Thee.

xoxo
Lo

]]> http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/2012/feed/ 0 inyourlove http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/in-the-silence/ http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/in-the-silence/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:59:06 +0000 inyourlove http://inyourlove.wordpress.com/?p=2316 ]]>

…my thoughts run wild.

xoxo
Lo

{paris…dreamy.}

{rome…unreal.}

{istanbul…intriguing.}

{madrid…wishful.}

{thailand…amazing.}

i watched midnight in paris today and was just so inspired. i love to travel and wish that i could do more of it. one day, Lordwilling…

…i want to walk the streets of an unknown land once again…

xoxo
Lo

[bethlehem//2010]

…tonight, as we were reading through Luke 2 i could not help but think back to when i was in Israel, reading through that same passage in a random field in bethlehem–where our group also acted it out, i believe i was a sheep. haha such fun//wonderful memories.

there are so many days when i wish i could go back to that semester and relive it. nothing compares to walking through the streets of jerusalem, hiking through the judean wilderness, or watching all the people go by from a bus window. it was all such a blessing. i’ll go back soon.

merry Christmas.
[will post again later, it's late now.]

xoxo
Lo

such relief.

now i am ready to find something wonderful to do…

xoxo
Lo

ps have i mentioned how happy i am that my bestie is back from the Holy land?!