Should We Move Past the Creation Debate?

"God cannot, and will not, be proven or disproven by how we got here. Lesslie Newbigin put it like this, “Christian faith is not a matter of logically demonstrable certainties but of the total commitment of fallible human beings putting their trust in the faithful God who has called them.”"

Read full article: Should We Move Past the Creation Debate? 

***

Life won't begin at your next milestone.

"If we view today as less than tomorrow, we choose to live in the imagined picture of a story that hasn’t happened, sacrificing joy and adventure that could be ours in the present. We get caught in the idea that this is just the green room, and if we plan well and press on, we’ll eventually walk out on the other side and a great narrative will unfold." 

Read full article: Life Won't Begin at Your Next Milestone

***

Snow day.

I love snow. Here in Indiana we are experiencing a blizzard of sorts, or at least more of a blizzard than I have ever seen.

***

It's kind of funny really. You would think that people here in the mid-west would be used to snow in large amounts, but the Kroger shelves would indicate otherwise. They are nearly empty, due to everyone getting ready to hunker down with copious amounts of bread in order to survive the sub-zero temperatures set to hit Indy tomorrow morning.

For Monday: temps up to fifteen below : wind chill in the negative FORTIES!

Me? I prefer to just drink copious amounts of coffee, read books, plan some lessons, and snuggle up to the quiet comfort of the falling snow outside in our winter wonderland.

***

Oh, and while I remain inside in an effort to keep my slight cold/sore throat combo from becoming a full blown laryngitis situation, my roommate is outside building a tropical snow(wo)man to keep us dreaming of the sun and warmer days.

***

Two thousand fourteen.

Here are my goals for 2014!

+ Daily prayer & Bible reading. If we're being totally honest, this is always at the top of my "New Year Goals" lists. I will not even pretend like I am good at this (hence why it is once again #1 on my list), but it is still something I value and want to be more intentional about doing. If you have any Bible reading plans that you love, please pass them along!

+ Set a monthly budget. My roommate is SO GREAT AT THIS, and since I obviously just want to be like her in every way possible, I am making an effort to budget more regularly. :) In all seriousness, this is something I have tried to do now that I'm an official grown-up, but it seems a tad overwhelming. I'm looking forward to seeking some guidance on the topic and am actually excited to keep up with a budget plan!

+ Visit 3 new states/cities. Pretty self-explanatory. (Note: I have no idea if 3 cities/states is too many or too little, but next year I'll adjust if necessary.) Some of my ideas include: Oregon, Seattle, Boston, California, Colorado, and/or Edenton (small town in NC where my friend works!). Some places I would love to revisit include: Charleston, Chicago, Nashville, and DC.

+ Eat healthy & exercise regularly. I'm joining a gym which should make this a lot easier, and I won't feel bad about not wanting to venture out in the snow to get a jog in. I am also considering training for another half-marathon, but I haven't fully committed to it yet, so this idea will remain off of the official goal list :)

+ Join a small group. It is much harder than I realized to meet people my age where I live. Hopefully this will help! (And will also help with the first goal on the list.)

***

***

It's a new year.

Well, it's officially 2014 and I still can't decide if I'm excited or in denial. I think more the former.

***

At the start of each year, we tend to make resolutions and lists. January 1st marks the beginning, and for many, the chance to start over, hit the refresh button, and be the person we wish we had been during the last year. This time it's for real. I'm serious this time. All things I have said before and honestly, I have been finding myself saying it again this year. 

Why do we say these things? 

Something about those words just doesn't sit right with me.

***

In light of the New Year, I have chosen to not only make a list of goals, but I am choosing to also celebrate 2013. It certainly was a BIG and exciting year, and rather than thinking about all I wish I had done, I want to remember it as a time of fullness and blessing. 

My life in 2013:

+ I landed a grown-up job!

+ I spent time with 3 kiddos who are more family than just another baby-sitting job.

+ I enjoyed spring break with my closest friends.

+ I ran a half-marathon.

+ I graduated from college.

+ I bought a car.

+ I moved to a new city.

+ I made new friends.

+ I visited 3 new cities (Tulsa, St. Louis, Indianapolis).
+ I started graduate school.

+ I taught high schoolers for a whole semester. (Whew!)

More importantly:

+ I learned to really value friends & family.

+ I learned how to say goodbye. 

+ I learned to understand the importance of keeping in touch.

+ I started learning how to ask questions and how important it is to really understand/value grace.

+ I learned more and more about relying on God's purpose and plans: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

+ I realized (for the 100th time) that I am not perfect - but my God is perfect.

2013, you were too good to me.

Breaking Away

Never did I imagine that I would value a *break* (of any kind) more than I valued time off when I was in college.

I was so very wrong.

***

I have spent the last week in North Carolina at my parents' house (yes - not my house anymore) & praise the Lord I still have the rest of this week to go. I even allowed myself the coveted luxury of not doing any teaching-related work for ONE WHOLE WEEK. I don't think I even opened my laptop.

The week of Christmas was full of family, friends, food (way too much), and a lot of relaxing. I received lots of books as gifts, and have enjoyed being able to rest and read them.

***

I am giddy with excitement about New Years. I will be traveling to spend some time with my friends from college, most of whom I have not seen since we graduated in the spring. I just hope they're prepared for the ridiculous amount of hugs they are about to have thrown upon them. :)

Speaking of the new year, 2014 is practically here and I have yet to nail down my hopes and goals for the year. While this is something I often do, I usually fail at the follow through. This year WILL be different, and I am excited to put into writing what I hope and pray to by true of 2014. There will be more to come on this, but it will most likely involve healthy eating & fitness, travel, and spiritual growth (not necessarily in that order).

***

Next on the agenda: plan a spring break adventure, hopefully to a place I have never been!

While I get back to the ever-growing pile of lesson plans, enjoy these recent finds:

+ 20 Things People Over 20 Should Stop Doing
+ Teach For America in 2013: The Unofficial Year in Review
+ What did the world search for in 2013?
+ America's New Elite Ivies
+ Lucas: Our Way

recent reads

I know that not much has been happening over here at the little blog, but here are some of my favorite articles, books, and wise tid-bits that I have been reading lately:

20 Things to Know Before You're 30 (via Relevant Magazine) :: Probably the most thorough list of advice that I have come across.

Take Three (Above the Line Series #3, by Karen Kingsbury) :: Let's get past our preconceived notions about the cheesiness of Christian fiction (guilty) and just admit that Karen's books are the best. I am on my 7th book of the last month or so, and am so hooked on them it's not even funny.

Romans 1:20 (ESV) :: Some truth that keeps me going as I teach the kiddos (read: high schoolers/"young adults") about the intricacies of our universe via the science classroom.
Also, this: Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)








(I've read all of the above & a whole lot of science.)

Friday Favorites

Phew, it's finally Friday! I am quickly learning that I do not have the typical do-nothing-school-related-and-just-have-fun-all-the-time senior schedule. But hey, this is what I signed up for I guess! Time is just ticking away and I am definitely keeping busy (and counting down the days until Spring Break), but I'm also loving every second of it!

+++

Here are some Friday Favorites!

+ I took a trip, I have a job, and I finished a book! (More to come on this.)
+ Lecrae Raps the Gospel in One Minute
+ Study Your City: this makes me excited about moving to a completely new city. I want to learn about it, know it well, and live intentionally while I'm there. (Of course, this also applies to where I am now. It's never too late to get to know your city!)
+ First Impressions Rap (aka: my church is crazy. and awesome.)
+ James: Mercy Triumphs: I don't think many people understand how excited I was when this came in the mail yesterday. Beth Moore is so, so wise and I always love hearing her speak. I can't wait to get started on this study!

image via lifeway.com

+ I kind of sort of want one of these in every color. Please?

Chevron Infinity Loop Scarves (via Etsy)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Friendship

Maybe I'm sad about graduating - or getting there, anyway.

Maybe I'm just on one of those emotional roller coaster rides that comes around every so often and isn't really justified. (Or I'm just a girl and, let's be real, I'm always emotional.)

Maybe I have just suddenly become "older" and "wiser" and now see the value in things I once took for granted.

Regardless of my current situation and state of mind (or the fact that it's almost midnight and way past my bedtime), I am feeling overwhelmed by my friendships.

Not in a bad way. No, in a very good way.

+ + +

Friendships have always been something on which I have placed a lot of weight, and at times, have relied on too much, regardless of being the independent person that I am. (Let's be honest; it's nice to be surrounded by people who want to be around you!) It has only been within the last few years, I think, that I have seen a clearer picture of what real, genuine friendships are like.

+ + +

Friends have come and gone in my life. Some friendships last a month, others last a year, and still others last years and years and years.

I don't really know what it is about friendship that makes it so meaningful. Scratch that; I know why friendships mean so much to me, but putting these thoughts and feelings into words is way too difficult.

Maybe that's why friendship is so special -- It's one of those largely inexplicable things in life. A thing that makes life so sweet; worthwhile; fun; joyful; emotional. It is a way to genuinely share life with other people. It is community at its finest; fellowship with another being - a living, moving, breathing, soulful being.

It is encompassed in those late night conversations about anything and everything, silly and serious. It is sharing your struggles, fears, joys, and daily happenings. It is speaking truth in love. It is telling a friend that one small thing you found funny about your day that only they would understand. It is unexplained laughter that you just can't seem to stifle. It is sharing tears and prayers, meals and celebrations, chaos and stillness.

+ + +

I am overwhelmed in this moment as I reflect on my friendships of long ago. And the sweetness of knowing that some of them have lasted through the years (despite miles, schedules, and life paths in general) - that brings joy to my heart.

And the deep bond I experience with friends who are close by; who surround me literally everyday with love and encouragement; who I can interact with like sisters and speak openly and honestly in their presence.....

It is so, so obvious to me that this is one of the things we were created for. And I am incredibly thankful for that.

+ + +

"The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others."

C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Friday Favorites

I seriously cannot believe it's already Friday again! This week flew by. I had quite a few ideas of things to write about floating around in my head, but alas, the week is nearly over. I guess those ideas will make an appearance at a later time.

***

Here are some Friday Favorites (including a few things I'm just excited about!):

+ I PASSED THE PRAXIS!! I'm now (apparently) qualified to teach high school biology, which is absolutely crazy/humbling/exciting/scary. 

+ Spring Break is planned! And for once in my college career some friends and I will be heading south for sand & sun. Let the countdown begin!

+ Radiant Cosmetics: I ran across this company via The Lipstick Gospel blog. The company's mission is to raise awareness and funds to help bring justice to the millions of women and girls trafficked in various industries, specifically the makeup industry. 

+ Love Your Mormon Neighbors: an especially enlightening post written by a Christian who was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

+ Just thought I should share the mug collection of my dreams (which my aunt currently possesses). Maybe I'll get my hands on these one day??

Happy Friday!

Friday Favorites

It's Friday. The first day of February, the beginning of the 100-day countdown to graduation, and the start of a crazy, hectic month. (All of my weekends are already booked. What?!)

***

Here are some Friday Favorites - a collection of blog posts, articles, Pinterest finds, and who knows what else that I have come across throughout the week. Enjoy!

+ The End It Movement officially launched today! (You can find more information here.) Join the movement and sign the pledge to help end modern-day slavery. And watch this video:

+ Four US states considering laws that challenge teaching evolution: As a soon-to-be science teacher, I just thought this was something interesting to think on and be in the loop about.
+ Your worth is not in your to-do list: I've learned a lot about this over the years and still need the reminder.
+ Grace for Monotonous Work: "God can and will give us joy and strength for the work he's called us to do. Even the non-creative stuff."
+ Ran across these super cute coffee mugs and thought they were especially appropriate since it's February. (I may have a slight mug obsession.)



Happy Friday!

Friday: Snow + Blogs

Profound realization of the day: snow just makes everything look so cute!

I'm thankful for living in the South, where even a light dusting of snow is cause for a cozy/stay inside/drink coffee/make muffins/read kind of day.

***

I have recently become a huge fan of Google Reader - one of Google's many ingenious ideas that allows you to compile all of the blogs that you follow into one place. Every time a blogger posts something new, this site lets you know and you can read it right there on your Google Reader homepage! Such a great idea.

Since I have rediscovered what is now my new favorite website, you can be sure that I have done my fair share of blog-reading this week.

Here are my 5 favorite posts of the week - some on the lighter side, some on the more intense side:

+ 113 Books To Read In 2013
+ I was wrong...I DO need Jesus
+ Five Promises for Your Bible Reading and Prayer
+ Raise Your Hand If You Agree
+ Shed a Little Light

***

Happy reading + snow day!

A Thankful Heart

I have learned a lot about God's character over the years. I have read the Psalms, which proclaim praise for who God is. I have witnessed God's character at work countless times. I have personally seen and experienced God's character being put on display in my life. And for all of these things, I am thankful.

***

But in the moment, when life is stressful, haphazard, and unpredictable, I often have a hard time looking at my circumstances and saying "Yes - God is obviously teaching me _____."

I seem only able to look back on things that have already happened in my life and point out where I can now see that God has worked and how that has impacted me.

***

So, I'm thankful for what I have learned about God and the way he has woven together my life to continually reveal himself to me.

***

But, I am also thankful for those times (good and bad) when what I am experiencing points so clearly back to the One who has created those experiences - even as I am still in the midst of the chaos.

My life - at this moment - is one of those times when God is continually making himself known to me. I can clearly see his faithfulness and goodness being proclaimed into my life and through my current circumstances. I am enabled to praise him in the good times, and praise him in the bad.

***

The Lord always seems to make his faithfulness and goodness known to me, despite my stubborn nature and unwillingness to see him in my circumstances.

And I am always left with a thankful heart.

***

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:12-14

Carolina "Musts"

Life as a second-semester Senior is absolutely wonderful. Yes, it has already been a mix of weird emotions that I can't really put into words, but it's great nonetheless.

I have been asked a question a few times now that freaks me out even more than the "what do you want to do with your life?" question.
"Have you made your Carolina bucket list?"
This is a constant reminder that I only have a little more than THREE MONTHS LEFT at what is arguably the best place in the world.


Kristen Vasgaard Designs

As a self-proclaimed lover of lists, I am shocked that I have not yet organized and written down the list of Carolina-y things (read: jumble of ideas and goals) that I have floating around in my head. I think it is about time to concretely document what I hope to experience while I'm still a UNC undergrad.

***

Here it goes.
(I've even included a few things I've already done to jump-start the checking-off process.)

My List of Carolina "Musts"
+ climb the Bell Tower
+ eat a pint of Yopo ice cream in one sitting
+ run (& finish) a half-marathon
+ buy a UNC sweatshirt (how have I made it this long without one?)
+ run a 5k
+ participate in the Holi festival/paint-throwing extravaganza
+ watch the UNC vs. dook basketball game in the Dean Dome
+ rush Franklin Street
+ hammock in the Arboretum (have done once but it needs to happen again)
+ play in the Bynum Circle fountain
+ eat at Time Out
+ play golf at Finley
+ get a Kvetch published
+ see the sunrise on campus
+ take a random weekend mountain trip
+ take a random weekend beach trip
+ explore Carrboro (more than I have)
+ explore Durham
+ go tunneling
+ pull an all-nighter with friends & without studying
+ go Snipe hunting (apparently I've been missing out my whole life)
+ take a trip - maybe fly somewhere exciting?
+ get a job (Praise the Lord I can cross this one off!)
+ take graduation pictures with friends
+ GRADUATE

Looking forward to adding more & simultaneously crossing-off!

***

A New Resolution

New Year's resolutions scare me. I honestly don't know if I have ever followed through on goals that I have set at the beginning of a year. As a lover of lists, it is overwhelming when I am unable to cross things off, and my list of resolutions always ends up feeling like a list that I'm never able to complete.

If I were to make a list of goals for 2013 it would be full of things for me to do: read my Bible daily, be truly present where I am, joyfully go where God is leading me, invest in relationships, be a better daughter/sister/friend/roommate/girlfriend, etc. This, to me, is an intimidating list. How do I tangibly complete these things that I so desire to be a part of my life?

The only way that I will outwardly display these characteristics and complete these goals is if the Lord changes my heart. 

Refine (v):

• To free from impurities or unwanted material.
• To free from moral imperfection.
• To improve or perfect by pruning or polishing.
• To become pure or perfected.

My resolution for the new year is to allow the Lord to refine my heart; purify and cleanse it; give me a heart that allows me to love others well, be present in all circumstances, and joyfully enter into the unknown, all in response to what God has already done for me. I'm excited to begin this journey of scripture reading/memorization and prayer as I trust the Lord to continue changing my heart as he has faithfully been doing.

"...I will put this third into the fire,

and refine them as one refines silver,

and test them as gold is tested.

They will call upon my name,

and I will answer them.

I will say, 'They are my people';

and they will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"

Zechariah 13:9

"Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name." Psalm 86:11

Psalm 86:11

My prayer for the end of 2012, the start of 2013, & forever:

Teach me your way, O Lord,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name.

Life Lately

[snippets of life & a few favorite finds]

1. My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers | "Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief."

2. Forever Like That | Ben Rector



3. Beautiful old & new friends. Who introduced me to the above song when we (unashamedly) went to see Breaking Dawn Part 2 on opening night.

4. DC visit with these girls...

...and this guy.





















5. Family time.

6. Thanksgiving at The Slant with the roomies + friends (aka "Slantsgiving")

7. A new city post graduation: Indianapolis, IN



8. Next on the list to read: Counsel from the Cross | Elyse Fitzpatrick | (psychology AND the gospel!)

9. Favorite drink of the season. (probs shouldn't actually read the nutrition facts)

10. Only 3 more days!

The "Mem Jar"

In my previous post, I included a picture with the caption "The Trip ate lots of Yopo and cracked open the Mem Jar." If you are not one of the people who were specifically involved in this occasion, the chances that you know what the heck I am talking about are slim to none. I have wanted to explain this for a while (because it's so awesome), so now's my chance!

The Trip

"The Trip" is the name that my roommates from junior year (Amy and Dana) and I gave to the room where we lived. It was a triple - made for 3 people - in Old West, right next to the Old Well, and is arguably the BEST place to live if you choose to remain on campus. Over the course of the year, "the Trip" came to mean much more than just the physical location in which we lived, but it essentially became a label for the 3 of us. Our friends would invite "the Trip" to go watch a movie or to go get ice cream, etc. and we still tend to refer of our outings together as "Trip dates."

A perk of living in Old West was that we were SO CLOSE to Franklin St. And what better way to take advantage of this closeness than to visit Yopo a lot. And by "a lot" I mean all the time. We pretty much became regulars. (It's yogurt so it's healthy, right?) I have no regrets of the fact that my junior year was defined by lots of Yopo outings.

Our view from Old West

So now for the "Mem Jar." Over the summer before junior year began, I came across this on Pinterest. Thinking it was a neat (and yes, cheesy) idea, I decided that my roommates and I should do it throughout the school year. I had no idea whether or not it would really catch on and happen, but it did! We deemed it the "Mem Jar" and throughout the year we filled it with fun things that happened, sweet things that friends did for us, notes to each other, exciting occasions, hilarious quotes, pictures, newspaper articles, and even a few embarrassing things that the public will (hopefully) never see. Everything in the jar related to one or all three of us. We promised to open the Mem Jar together one day at the end of the year and celebrate with Yopo (obviously).

The Mem Jar explosion

Unfortunately, the Mem Jar Date day had to wait until we returned to school as seniors, but it did eventually happen and we were able to go purchase the long-awaited pints of Yopo. (We also played Friends in the background while we were opening the jar, because that also was a staple of our junior year.) That night was so fun and full of many, many laughs (and maybe a few happy tears?) as we reminisced about our time together in Old West - when we grew so close through the happy, fun, memorable times, as well as the hard and stressful times. I am forever grateful for the time Amy, Dana, and I spent living together in the Trip, and love that "the Trip" has lived on, even past our time when we were crammed together in a dorm room.

Mem Jar + Yopo pints

Here's to a senior year full of as many memories as junior year - maybe even more than the Mem Jar can contain :)

Love, Kayla

Snapshots of Senior Year

Senior year is well underway. In fact, there are only 7ish weeks left until the fall semester is OVER. What?!?? My last year as a Tar Heel undergrad is proving to be much busier than anticipated, but of course, I'm still loving it! (Minus the actual school work - senioritis? I refuse.)

Here are some snippits of senior year at the Hill so far:

Cornerstone Hoedown (freshmen year friends!)

dear friends celebrating a 21st bday!

Senior ladies at Fall Retreat

Memphis reunion

football season!

Roommates of The Slant!

The Trip ate lots of Yopo and cracked open the Mem Jar!

Bible Study sleepover & Pizooki night

I played "mom" for a weekend with this cutie and 2 others

we went to the State Fair...and covered ourselves in obnoxious stickers

Fall Break in DC!!

Private tour of the Capitol :)

And then we beat State. Happy happy day!

Once upon a time in the land of Sociality, letters were delivered on wheel-back and at no response, one could factor in a lostness en route.