Legacy.

Sometimes I get to thinking about what it really means to leave a legacy. I don't see it as becoming famous or getting on tv or in the newspaper etc., but just as something that has meaning to one person. I do not want to leave this earth without impacting someone's life positively, because what they see in me may impact their eternity, whether I'm aware of it or not. I think one of the greatest things we can do with our lives is to love unconditionally and show that love on a daily basis, because love has the ability to wash away any bad feelings or emotions and can wash away our sin. This is what Jesus died for. He was and is love and it is our job as humans to display that love to the best of our ability so that others can live life to the fullest and live the way that God intended them to live. We were never meant to live this life alone. We help each other to learn, laugh, grow, teach and discover, but none of this would have happened without someone making a difference; leaving behind a legacy. I read in a book once that legacy really is "Leaving the campsite better than you found it." So one final thought and question is, am I leaving people feeling better about themselves after I face them? If I find them feeling down, will I do my best to love them unconditionally so they will be better off when I leave them? I will spend the rest of my life working at this and also failing, but I can only hope that I will not be forgotten so soon once I am gone.

Here's an old poem I just finished from October:

What will they remember, when I leave this place?

Was I kind, loving and gentle, or did I just take up space?

Was I there in times of need, when you were feeling sad?

Or was I selfish and uncaring of all the pain you had?

Did I forgive my enemies and those who tore me apart?

Or did I hold a grudge, deep inside my heart?

Did I express emotion, in rude and selfish ways?

Or was I glad to live in Christ, thankful for each day?

I am sorry if I hurt you, or ever caused you pain,

I am different from who I was, and will never be the same.

Though I may glance behind often time with regret,

I know that Jesus Christ my Lord has already paid my debt.

You look around and staring back at you 
Another wave of doubt will pull you under 
You wonder 
What if I'm overtaken 
What if I never make it 
What if no one's there 
Will you hear my prayer 
When you take that first step 
Into the unknown 
You know that He won't let you go 

So what are you waiting for 
What do you have to lose 
Your insecurities 
They try to hold to you 
But you know you're made for more 
So don't be afraid to move 
Your faith is all it takes 
And you can walk on the water too 

So get out and let your fear fall to the ground 
No time to waste, don't wait 
And don't you turn around, and miss out on 
Everything you were made for 
Gotta be, I know you're not sure, more 
So you play it safe, you try to run away 
If you take that first step 
Into the unknown 
He won't let you go 

So what are you waiting for 
What do you have to lose 
Your insecurities 
They try to hold to you 
But you know you're made for more 
So don't be afraid to move 
Your faith is all it takes 
And you can walk on the water too 

Step out even when it's storming 
Step out even when you're broken 
Step out even when your heart is telling you, telling you to give up 
Step out even when your hope is stolen 
Step out you can't see where you're going 
Don't have to be afraid 
So what are you waiting what are you waiting for 

So what are you waiting for 
What do you have to lose 
Your insecurities 
They try to hold to you 
But you know you're made for more 
So don't be afraid to move 
Your faith is all it takes 
And you can walk on the water too

-Britt Nicole

mmmm..... Valentine's day

Valentine's day is great.  I love this holiday.  Do I have a boyfriend or significant other?  Ha, noooooo.  But have I had time to reflect on how much I love people and how much I am going to love my husband when I finally meet him?  YES.  Valentine's day is a holiday that I have always enjoyed.  Every year, my dad gets us girls cards, teddy bears, or candy to show us how much he loves us.  The only difference between valentine's day and any other day, is that my dad gets to go out and buy cards and candy for us.  He has shown us so much love everyday of our lives.  I can't imagine living a life without the love of a father.  The thing that blows my mind is that my dad is only my earthly father.  His love to me is like gold.  To think that someone loves me more than my dad does is insane to me.  But guess what?  There is someone that loves us more than we could ever know.  His name is Jesus.  There is no greater love than the love we receive from Christ.  I love love.  and I loveeee this day.  Above all, I love Christ.  

there is beauty in simplicity

i wish i could go back and appreciate the days when life was "simple"

Our God is a awesome God!

Though the world seems to rip me apart,

I know that my Savior remains in my heart,

Patient and still, he is there when I call,

Even if I cannot hear him at all.

So be still my soul, and do not fear,

For the Lord my God will always be here,

He will bring me from death back into the light,

Because I am his child, precious in his sight.

He is my shelter when the rain and clouds come,

He will help me persevere, until the storm is done,

I have no reason to put faith in anything,

Except for my Lord, my Savior, my King.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

lead me.

sometimes i wish i didn't have to lead.  my whole family is full of amazing leaders and i feel like i need to follow in their footsteps. i constantly question whether or not i have what it takes to lead.  coming from a family of 7, being a part of a team comes natural to me because we constantly have to work together to live life together.  i know that i've been called to be a leader.  sure, i can be a good leader and just get by.  to be a great leader, i'm going to need to be led.  i have all of these questions about life, love, and leadership.  i constantly ask other people for answers, but i've found that the only place i'm going to get the RIGHT answers is from my Lord and Savior.  

once again, i can't write so i'm sorry if this was hard to read..

Which is best: voice or text?

Has anyone ever given a gift they thought was very meaningful and they worked extremely hard to put it together perfectly? Then the person who received the gift did not seem very grateful? Not necessarily that they weren't grateful but they didn't really express their gratitude in the best way? I once worked really hard on a gift for a friend that I put together carefully and it took me weeks to finish. Then I finally got around to sending it and when it was received I also received a "thankful" TEXT message. I was a little bit heartbroken over this for some reason. I guess a text does not do the same as a call or even a thank you note. I had made other gifts for two other friends and received calls from them and it just made my day knowing that they truly appreciated what I had spent time on for them. I noticed the difference that it made from getting a text message to getting a phone call. There is just something about hearing someone's voice in expression of gratitude, even if it is on a voice mail. I learned a lesson from this and my hope is that I can change this by being so grateful and appreciative of what I receive from the people close to me and that I can have the heart to give them a call and tell them that. I am not saying that I want praise for the things I give to people and I do not expect any gift in return, I would just love their time more than anything and now I also realize that time is truly the best thing I can give back to people.