love her

right this very second, i wish i could transport myself to Lampe, MO and give this kiddo a hug. i also wish i could somehow fenagle my way into being her counselor. she's a stud and a half. love her. hope you're loving K2 LB!!

LB and her K2 counselors that i envy

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

quote of the week

"if you judge people, you have no time to love them." -mother teresa

well, i for one am quick to judge. anyone and anything. i'm judging. i'm not one to think about where the other person is coming from and just why they're a little rude or snippy with me. i automatically assume they're a horribly rude person all the time. chances are, they're just having a rough day and i need to give them a break. 

and let's take it one step further to say that i need to back off on judging people for not having the same work ethic, communication skills, planning skills, etc. as i do. because i do. if you're not like me, you're wrong. doesn't that sound horrible? sadly, that's my attitude far too often.

so, here's to working on my critical spirit by being slower to judge and quicker to love.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

rude awakening

as i sat on the cruise ship one afternoon last week, i was struck with a harsh reality. there i was on a luxury cruise liner surrounded by enough food and drinks to make my stomach explode. meanwhile, numerous americans and people around the world go hungry every day.


i stepped off the boat in belize (our third port of call) and saw just how ridiculous our cruise antics were. there we were in our prime vacation-wear with jewelry, handbags, etc. and just on the other side of the fence was a third world country crying out for help. i was concerned about my outfit. they were concerned about food and clean water. convicting.


it put my mind into a sense of unrest. i had a hard time relaxing and enjoying myself that afternoon when i got back on the boat because of what was running through my mind.


how is this okay? why am i spending my money on temporary "treasures" instead of using my resources to meet needs and save the souls of men? why is my perspective so easily jaded? should i feel guilty for being on this ship to relax and spend time with my sister and friends? am i selfish for being here?


all those thoughts bounced around in my head and i spent some time journaling and processing. i didn't really come to any grand conclusions. maybe just a renewed sense of responsibility and conviction. i never want to become focused on anything that will not last after it's all said and done.


i don't want to spend my time and money on things that are "status symbols". who cares if i don't have the nicest jewelry, clothing, handbags, etc.? what matters more than being "in", or being envied by others for my fashion sense, is to be investing in the lives of others. to be making a difference for the Kingdom. to meet tangible needs. be the hands and feet of Christ. nothing else matters in the end, so why should anything else matter now?


whew. sorry for the rant. had to get it out. i'm not exactly sure how this renewed conviction is going to play out in my daily life and in my budget, but i'm open to suggestions. i want my eternal perspective to take on more of a tangible feel. any thoughts??


bekah


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

my favorite

after spending almost two weeks with my sister (12 days), i'm further convinced that she's my favorite person on the planet. she just gets me and it's effortless to be around her. no stress. no pressure. no expectations. we can just be. and enjoy. and laugh. and live. and love.


i'm going to start persuading now, but i think she should move to Tampa once she graduates from ECU and come do life with me down here. she's always loved the beach more than me anyway. it's only right for her to come down here for more than a visit. (ahem...)


that being said, her visit was fabulous. she came down a few days before the cruise and stayed an extra night afterwards and it was much needed sister time. again, she's my favorite person on the planet. here are just a few reasons why. (mom, please don't cry.)

1. when i left her a fun list of organizational projects to keep her occupied while i was at work, she was excited.
2. she organized my earring tree just like i would have. exactly. as in, our brains think identically.
3. she always makes me laugh....generally after testing my patience, but she always gets me to laugh about it
4. she organized my DVDs in alphabetical order. SHE. IS. THE. BOMB.
5. she loves havarti and crackers as much (if not more) than i do
6. homegirl loves a good movie night on the couch with comfy pillows
7. she lets me steal the covers in the middle of the night and remembers to tell me what i said in my sleep the next morning
8. she will serve your socks off. no questions asked. every single time. i used to abuse this quality in her. now i try to emulate it.
9. she appreciates the simple pleasures in life. no need for expensive things. with her, the simpler the better. i couldn't agree more.

i love you sis and i wish you never had to leave Tampa again. come visit soon. hint hint.

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

siesta key

just a quick little post before my weekend begins. i promise i'll get caught up on blogging. i'm behind from being gone last week and this week has been a little busy too. don't worry though, more posts are coming.


that being said, here's where i'm headed for a little weekend getaway with my new gal pal katie. we're pumped!! 

shouldn't be too hard to relax here

i love a good sectional sofa...especially with this kind of view

oh hello beach in the backyard

love the fountain effect

...and i'm off to siesta key. happy weekend everyone!!


bekah


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.