unconventional

2:07 is my favorite time of the day. If you really know me you would know that 2/07 is my birthday. It is 2:07 as I type this. So obviously Im writting this during my favorite part of the day :). A day filled with laundry/ Jason Reeves songs, cleaning online homework etc. etc. If you really know me you would know I LOVE careers. I love trying to find my friends jobs, looking up jobs, and I probally know more about the possibilities of your career then you do! I was looking up adult jobs today (like when I graduate) and I got this weird feeling. This is the end. 22 years of life are planned out for me. Im 20 years down in that. What happens after the next 2? Where do I move? What do I do? Grown up cothes? ugh. But the truth is I dont want that. The truth is I couldnt do it. My mind isnt programed for success in a buisness world. Im not smart enough for most money making careers (nor much intrested) and I really only care about one thing- Making his name famous. How do I do that? Im 20. Where do I start? Theres so many different wonderful ministries, so many wonderful people. Im 20. Im not ready for decisions like this. But my prayer has to change

"Lord send me. Lord equip me.use me. Lord this life is yours in entirety. "

i want to serve others. i want to make his name famous. but even though I am no longer in as much denial about growing up... I still don't like grown up clothes.

So what do I do? im aking HIM to lead me as I comprehend the plans he has for me FAR out way the wildest dreams I have for myself. Im only 20 but i know full well the Lord will provide for me in ABUNDANCE. he always has.

so the journey moves onward...

when they call you

My first word was Abba. It means father. I love my earthly Abba and my eternal Abba very much. Ive been thinking about that word Abba lately. Both of my Abba's have given me so much love and encouragement. Your eternal Abba is CRAZY about you.

I know its been a long time since I blogged but I honestly havent really felt like it. Ive thought alot about it or what I would say but nothing really was like I need to say this.

I do have two thoughts in my head that I would love to share.

1. Thank you for being you. In some shape or form I know you and If your a friend of a friend then youve influenced me because youve defintally impacted one of my friends who has been impacted by you and in turn they have impacted me! (That sounds so cheesy but I dont care)
and If you dont feel that way or that noone cares about you then talk to me. fb me or something. Seriously take me up on it. I dont care if I never met you or your secretly a vampire. I secretly go to Hogwarts. I want each person to know just how deeply loved you are. This is sparked by the fact that I am completly surrounded by friends near and far who love me unconditionally and I just feel very blessed by that indeed. I recently saw the movie "to save a life" and wonder if we as believers can spark a movement. A movement of reaching out and reaching in all at the same time. Are you with me? No one should have to feel alone. We should be a community. God desires for us to live in unity with each other. Lets be that body of Christ. that community is so important.

2. I love the song "the call" by Regina Specktor. Please listen to it. its wonderful really.
It is exactly how i feel today. or rather yesterday considering its 2:33 in the morning.
I know who my friends are and Im blessed with people who fill my life with crazy bedtime stories, late night heart to hearts, encouraging bible verses, intense conversations about Hogwarts, afternoon calls, and good movies.


"You've got SO much L0V3 in you"
MARYYYY

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.
Psalms 39:7

3,000 thoughts and a keyboard

Hello from Panera! What a wonderful week it has been. A week of hard work, fellowship, and expoloring North Georgia and the beauty it truly beholds! Thursday we explored Babyland General Hospital which is where the Cabbage Patch Kids are from. What a place. kinda creepy. so basically Friday we went in search of a good hike with a waterfall and we found what we were looking for! It was about a 2 mile hike to the waterfall and it was thundering but no rain...but as soon as we got to the waterfall took a few pictures the rain came pouring. And boy did it pour! What an amazing God moment the 7 of us on staff enjoyed an awesome time. We worshiped. Praising the Lord for his beauty and his majesty. His power displayed in the thunderstorm and his beauty truly displayed in the waterfall. God is so good. The song our god is greater kept coming to my heart. "OUR God is greater, Awesome in power, God you are higher than ANY other, Our God is healer AWESOME in power, OUR GOD, OUR GOD!!!" Let our lives be one of worship and one of dedication to the king. He makes waterfalls in North Georgia, Canyons in Arizona, and beautiful beaches all down the coast. I love him and im not worthy to love him. But he wants me too anyways! He wants this broken child to come to him and praise him for the waterfalls and all things he created. so cool. so moving.

Currently sitting in Panera I'm with some of my staff but right behind me is a group of older Christian women who are knitting. They are talking about their lives and laughing and knitting. I want to always be apart of a strong community. I want that just as much now as a 2o year old as I do for when I'm 80. Being apart of a strong God centered community keeps you supported,challenged, accountable, and grounded. TEAMeffort has been that this summer. and I start to think what will that community be when im 30? when im 50? when im 80? The people, the expierences, and the setting might change throughout my life.Yes I accept this. but the Lord being center of that community won't and so God will be people in my life and he HAS no matter my age or the place I am in my life. Because like I've seen this summer there ARE strong christian woman in every state!

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ, and to know this love SURPASSES knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the FULLNESS of God. Now to him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we ask or imagine, according to his POWER that is at work within us, to him be GLORY in the church and in Christ Jesus THROUGHOUT all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"
-Ephesians 3:14-20

WE derive from his name. how cool is that. I continue to marvel at the works of my waterfall making, mountain shaping, star placing creator.

I'll be home Wednesday and I look forward to seeing everyone but I won't forget the things I have seen this summer. I won't forget the places I've been to, the campers and chaperones I have had the honor to work with, and the feelings and emotions I have felt. I won't. I won't forget the moments of sometimes silent surrender, sometimes louder surrender, and always peaceful surrender.

I love you all very much!
-Mary D
Galatians 1:10

here in Georgia

im sitting at my friends house in th cutest mountain small town in Georgia. Im overwhelmed by the goodness of my savior, the presence of him in his people, and the simple things in life. Im humbled daily that Christ would choose to use me and his love for me that completly radiates my soul. I am very tired but rejoicing in the good times I have had and continue to have. I am currently spending the next week living in a house with 20 girls. its seriously like the christian real word but WAY BETTER. haha. Working hard, enjoying fellowship, and loving these precious days ahead. 9 Days until being home. Im very much looking forward to that. and spending time with my 2 bestttt friends before they go back to school.
- Mary D.