a happy birthday post for my girl Kenz

today...well, today is a very special lady's birthday. and honestly, I so wish I could be with her today to go grab coffee and give her birthday hugs and gifts. but unfortunately we live hundreds of miles away from each other.

this girl, well, she's quite the character. she's funny. she's sarcastic. (just like me!) she has a huge heart. she loves Jesus so so much. she struggles daily and she still smiles. she loves running and coffee and One Direction...specifically Niall Horan. she may be a wee bit obsessed with that blonde Irishman. oh, you want picture proof? here ya go.

isn't she cute? yep.

she and I "met" via Instagram. she sent me a request to follow my IG. I clicked on her profile to check her out. she had this witty bio written out, and I learned one BIG thing from that witty bio. Kenzie and I are. twins. except...she's younger than me...and we don't look anything alike. and she lives in Minnesota and I live in South Carolina. but other than that, yep, we're twinners.

so she's basically gorgeous and funny and my hero. this girl struggles with Juvenile Arthritis. some days she hurts so bad, and she's real about it. she admits that some days it kills her. but the next day, she is smiling again, taking small steps towards heaven, where she can run her heart out and not worry about the pain.

she is such a great girl. really.

Kenzie, Kenz, Kenz. girl, I can't tell you how glad I am that you started stalking  following me on Instagram. I am so so so thankful for your friendship. someday we are gonna meet up and jam in one of our cars to really loud music, and then drink way too much coffee and just have a great time. can't wait.

sooooo...today as you're turning the big 1-8, remember that I love you very much! and hope today is awesome and totally rocks your socks off. LOVE YOU! xoxo.

where you invest your love, you invest your life

As I told you in my last post, I've been doing the She Reads Truth: Hosea plan with some of my beautiful blogger friends. Loving it, too. It has been so amazing. 

Last night, I had gotten a little behind, so I played catch-up. I was listening to "Awake My Soul" by Mumford and Sons, and it just so happened that they used the lyrics in one of the readings! (Coincidence? I think not...) Here's some of my notes:

-"Come let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up." Jesus allows us to be broken. He helps us to realize just how much we need him. When we get to the point where we can't go on anymore, we understand that we are nothing without him. 

-This book is a beautiful picture of faithfulness. There is a bride, a bridegroom and the things that draw the bride away. She deserts her groom, leaves him behind but expects him to be there if she gets into any trouble. And the groom just stands there. He waits, watches, heals, restores and constantly loves. That is the story of the gospel. It is a story of redemption and restoration. It is a story of forgiveness and faithfulness. It is the story of how God never changes. 

"For every look you take at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely." -Robert Murray McCheyne

-The larger my view of sin, the larger my view of the cross. 

"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love...it is time to seek the Lord..."

"In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die

and where you invest your love, you invest your life.

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die

and where you invest your love, you invest your life."

Awake My Soul-Mumford and Sons

Introducing Megan!

Today I'm going to do something a little out of the ordinary. I'm going to introduce you to one of my lovely blogger friends. Megan blogs over at Mackey Madness and she is a gem. She loves Jesus, loves her husband and is expecting a baby girl!! So excited for her. 

You can click on her button on my sidebar any day of the week and go check out her blog. :) You'll love it. 

That's Megan! :) I stole this pic off her blog! ;)

So without further adieu...

What is your full name?
Megan
 
Why do you blog?
I love having a way to remember the little and big moments in our life and I love this community of friends that blogging has created for me. It is completely unreal, but so true that blog friends can become real life best friends.
 
What color are your eyes?
Green.
 
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Overcome by Jeremy Camp - describes the amazing-ness of our Savior and I could sing it forever.
 
If you could only have one verse out of the Bible to read every day for the rest of your life, which verse would you choose?
James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” It’s simple and describes the way to get close to God clearly and easily.
 
What is your blog title and why did you choose that name?
Mackey Madness - I liked the alliteration. : )
 
Would you rather spend a day on the beach with good friends or sit on your bed/couch/chair and read a good book?
Definitely sit on the couch and read a book! I am not a beach person! Shocking. I like the beach in the fall, when it’s almost too chilly to go out. It’s so much more comfortable then. Haha. 

Yay! Thanks, Meg. Looking forward to reading more of your blog and getting to know you better. And can't wait to see that girl of yours!!

Well, that's all for today, folks. But come back on Friday to meet another great blog friend of mine who is also a real-life best friend! :) 
(and I'll be telling you about the post series I'll be starting on Monday!!)

Have a happy Wednesday, friends!