The western coast of Pure Michigan.

My time in western Michigan is winding down, so I've created (and still am adding to) a bucket list for my last two weeks:

• Eat breakfast at Wolfgang's again.  Best breakfast ever. Period.
• Get to the GRAM to see the Princess Di exhibit.
• Visit local establishments (Founders, Hopcat, Republic...) with new and/or old friends.
• Enjoy a Peppermint Mocha at the Starbucks on Wealthy Street in East Grand Rapids.  It's the cutest Starbucks I've ever seen.
• Eat at the Pub one last time, to reminisce about the hectic recruitment week where we ate there every night.
• Make a killer dinner for some friends here to enjoy a quiet night in.
• Take the bus to the downtown campus.  I can't believe I haven't done this yet.
• Workout every day in the awesome GVSU recreation center.  Seriously, haven't seen one like this anywhere in the country.

Any additions, GRap friends?

My weekend

This weekend was full of friends for me, which, in my current lifestyle, is a special treat.  

The weekend was dedicated to rest and relaxation, and boy, was it nice.

Homemade dinner.
A sisterhood event on campus.
Breakfast at Wolfgang's.
A rainy nighttime trip to the beach.
Troy.  The Heartbreak Kid.  Notting Hill.
Coffee date with my Big.

So, how long will I have to wait for this all to happen again?

mmhmm... Love me some Ingrid.

Around You
Ingrid Michaelson


I call you my friend
And thats all that I do
Why do I have to pretend
To find ways to be around you?

You've been there all along
Holding my hand like you do.
Why do I feel that its wrong
To love to be around you?

And I think I'm losing my mind
maybe I've been hopelessly blind to your beauty
And you have a sweet sinful smile
I'm in trouble
Cuz you turn me upside down and around and around

Do you feel what I feel? Well?
Do you feel this way too?
That every wound seems to heal when I am around you

And I must be losing my mind
Maybe I have been hopelessly blind to your beauty.
And you have a sweet sinful smile
I'm in trouble
You turn me upside down and around and around and around

And I must be losing my mind maybe you have a sweet sinful smile 
I'm in trouble
Cuz you turn me upside down and around and around
Turn me upside down and around and around
Turn me upside down and around and around

My feet don't touch the ground when I'm around you
When I'm around you you you you you

Jars

I post a lot of lyrics from Jars of Clay, and if you haven't gathered, I think they have a lot of great things to say and a really powerful way of saying them.  Well, here is yet another case.  Their new album, The Shelter, is incredible.  While their last few record releases have been rockin', this one is absolute worship.

The most powerful moment for me on the new album comes with "Out of My Hands."  I often find myself needing this reminder- to find ultimate surrender.  Why do I think I can experience life on my own?  Why can't I realize what a burden that is?  I can surely give it my all and pat myself on the back most days for my accomplishments, but what is that really doing?  If I would surrender, however, my days, hours, and minutes to Him, I am able to wait patiently in awe of God's wonder.

One of my dear friends just sent the following quote to another one of my close friends:

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."- Luther

Yes, permanent possession through surrender.  Ah.

Might have found a new favorite...

In Christ Alone

I recently ran across a blog entry where part of it was this:

One thing is certain:

When He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me… because my banner will be clear.

What a beautifully confident statement.  Today my prayer is to refocus my journey to take me to this sort of confidence and beauty; to a point where I can be sure God will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Listen here.