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!

4 days until Christmas + music + recipes

Need something to watch/listen to? Here are some of my recent finds:

Christmas is in 4 days, so check out this fun video by Tenth Avenue North! I kinda wish I could have been a part of this:

In the spirit of getting reading for Passion 2012, this song by Kristian Stanfill has been a favorite these last few days. Besides the words (of course,) I think the music itself is beautiful:

Need something to bake? Try these! S'more Cups & Double Chocolate Mint Brownies. Note: while these are not my own pictures, the final product does look just as pretty and delicious.

And for a laugh:

Thank you Emily for finding this..especially since you're the one who makes this hilarious :)

Merry Christmas!

love, Kayla

the most beautiful story ever told | part 5

It's the morning of my second-to-last exam. Why wouldn't I take a study break while the clock keeps ticking on towards noon?


Before I share more of the (serious) Christmas story, allow me to share with y'all something that makes the Hill sisters laugh hysterically. especially when it's late and we're delirious. (a special thank-you to Emily for reminding me about this video and making my studying a little less miserable last night).

And now let's hear from the Wise Men:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:1-12, ESV

 May we all know what it means to rejoice exceedingly with great joy this Christmas season!


Merry Christmas!
love, Kayla


and one more thing...you should listen to this song. right. now. and then put it on repeat. 

Music Monday

You know that feeling when you check your email and then wish that you didn't? That's where I am right now...struggling to finish everything that's due in the next 24 or 48 hours and the work just keeps piling up.

Here are some tunes that are getting me through it:

needtobreathe's The Reckoning
Gungor's Ghosts Upon the Earth and Beautiful Things
David Crowder Band's Oh For Joy
Matt Papa's This Changes Everything
Gavin DeGraw's Sweeter 
Justin Bieber's Under the Mistletoe (yes, I'll admit it)
Michael Buble's Christmas

Also, a sweet friend shared this with me last week:

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Happy Monday!

Love, Kayla