Sweet Southern Pearl

Everywhere I go, it seems everything being sold in stores is nautical-themed. The nautical trend really came back a couple years ago, so in almost every store I shop in, there are shirts covered in anchors, sandals with starfish, ship's wheel earrings, fish bracelets, and so on and so on.   But literally, anchors are everywhere.  They have become a staple "preppy" symbol. People buy things with anchors on them often times because they are in style.   I have so many anchor-laden things. I have anchor shirts, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, ribbon, hair bows, a watch, a lamp, a purse, maybe even shoes ...and the list goes on.   I will tell you a secret, though, about why I love anchors.   If you've been keeping up with my blog or know me, you know that four years ago, one of my brother's best friends passed away, and he had also become one of my friends. I have written about how depressed I was in the aftermath and how I was affected by Matt'...

Tonight at Bible study, Catalina led us in a discussion on the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was a man who died and was eventually raised from the dead by Jesus. Jesus was gone while Lazarus was sick, and he died while Jesus was gone. Martha, Lazarus's sister, told Jesus that if He'd been there, Lazarus wouldn't have died. She couldn't understand why, if Jesus cared for them, He would let Lazarus die. Shortly after, Jesus raised Lazarus - who'd been dead for days - from the dead. How many times do we ask Jesus for something and expect immediate results, the results that we think we should get, according to our timing and our plans? [[ God says, "for I know the plans I have for you." This means that He is in control and our plans don't mean jack. ]] Jesus could've saved Lazarus from death before he even died. Jesus could've healed Lazarus. But how much more awesome is the story, knowing that Lazarus was raised from the dead ? How...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today, I saw so many people in green shirts, jackets, pants, nail polish, with green phone cases, etc. I got to thinking about all the reasons why I love green. For a fun post, I'm gonna list them.     [[my St. Patty's Day attire today]]         1. I love green because it's the color of life. New life, especially. It reminds me of spring, grass, flowers, plants, palm trees, Christmas trees, pineapple leaves, and being made new in Christ.   2. Green is a Christmas color!   3. Green (OLIVE, to be exact) is an Alpha Chi Omega color (along with SCARLET).   4. I've always been obsessed with the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz .    5. Green is the color of salad, green beans, cabbage, peas, Granny Smith apples, Mountain Dew, key lime pie, and mints.   6. Green is my high school's color.   7. My puppy's name is Emerald Anastasia, but we call h...

I realized I hadn't posted yet about Brooke's baby shower (It was on February 1st)! And maybe I haven't posted about her baby at all!    Brooke is having a baby girl and I've been SO excited about this since I found out. When Brooke found out she was having a girl, I was in the student union at Appalachian, in the coffee shop, and I watched the video of the baby breathing and cried right then and there. I've been anxious to meet this baby since then, so I can't imagine how anxious Brooke, Justin, and the family are!!   Baby L's shower was beautiful. It a perfectly fitting celebration for the adorable and sweet little girl that will be here any day now! Brooke is like a sister to me, so I feel like I will be an aunt - in fact, I've been calling Baby L my niece already. Absolutely cannot wait to play with her and watch her grow!!!      Customary shower picture of the three of us :) Alicia, Brooke, and me.     ...