magnificent

"he is jealous for me, 

he loves like hurricane.

i am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

when all of a sudden, i am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory.

and i realize just how beautiful you are, and how great your affections are for me.

oh how he loves us,

oh how, oh how he loves us.

he is jealous for me,

he loves like a hurricane.

i am tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

when all of a sudden, i am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory.

and i realize just how beautiful you are, and how great your affections are for me.

oh how he loves us,

oh how, oh how he loves.

and we are his portion, and he is our prize.

drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes.

if his grace is an ocean, we are all sinking.

heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,

and my hearts turns violently inside my chest.

i don't have time to maintain these regrets,

when i think about...

how he loves us.

oh how he loves us.

oh how, oh how he loves us."

"many, o Lord my God are the wonders you have done.

the things you planned for us n one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them, 

they would be too many to declare."

psalm 40:5

i cannot say it enough.

the Lord our God is magnificent.

magnificent, magnificent, magnificent.

imagine what he saved us from.

jesus.

"praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

praise the Lord, O my should,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

the Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed."

psalm 103:1-6

what a wonderful day it will be when

we get to see him face to face.

i am praying for you all today.

i hope you are doing well,

and spending some time in the word.

my dear sister reminded me yesterday that today

these kids are my ministry, and she is right.

i need to be ministering love to them,

and that needs to be enough.

for all i know that is God's big plan for me,

these wonderful, beautiful children.

h & m,

thanks for the opportunity, i am loving being

here with them. they truly are a blessing.

off to teach the kids about Jesus,

b.

i've been missing you.

it's been a long, eventful last two months.

jesus is working on me and it's been really hard.

some days feel so overwhelming and others as light as a feather.

i am just trying to stay focused on the big picture.

i would like to be able to have a ministry for my hands to do today.

i would like to know where exactly i am headed in life.

i would like to be consistently faithful.

i would like to have it all together.

but patience is a virtue and jesus is faithful.

so i will rest in that today.

off to play with these little cuties.

convicted.

man, oh man.

i woke up convicted this morning.

and let me just say:

be sure that you want what you pray for,

because he is not messing around. 

anway, nights are the time when i feel the most...

vulnerable.

all the things that i forgot to do creep up on with me,

along with a roller coaster of emotions.

so after years of getting overwhelmed, i finally decided

to pray when i go to sleep.

i have been doing this for years now but the intimacy of 

prayer is progressively growing.

it used to be all about asking, but thankfully it has become more.

so last night as i was praying, i asked the Lord to reveal my sin to me.

i wanted to have "clean hands and a pure heart". (psalm 24:4)

and let me tell you, he did just that.

i woke up this morning earlier than usual to shower, and do laundry.

i know this week is going to be crazy, so i wanted to get a head start.

i need all the time i can get. 

seriously.

so as i was praying in the shower, i was asking the Lord for strength.

i knew i would need it for the physical strain this week would have,

but not for the emotional one he was going to cause in me.

as i was standing in front of the mirror, 

hair dripping wet, in only a towel,

it hit me.

i claim to believe in the same God who saved the Israelites,

and yet i sit, complain and gossip not once praying for 

restoration to take place...

if he can do a good work in me,

then he can do a good work in others,

including those who have caused 

tremendous amounts of pain.

i say this with tear-filled eyes,

we serve an almighty God.

he is so, so, so, so, so magnificent.

and i know that you have heard it,

read it, said it and thought it but 

just wait till you feel it.

it will turn your world upside down.

it makes your life without constant

praise for him seem so mundane. 

all that to say, i leave you with two passages

to encourage you to pray and believe 

that God can change people.

don't be fearful about what's up ahead.

he's got it all worked out.

"in all my prayers for all of you, i always pray with joy

because of your partnership in the gospel from the 

first day until now, being confident of this:

that he who began a good work in you will carry it on

to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

philippians 1:4-6

"but i tell you who hear me: love your enemies, 

do good to those who hate you;bless those who curse you, 

pray for those who mistreat you." 

luke 6:28

faithful.

"morning by morning i wake up to find,

 the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.

 season by season, i watch him amazed in awe

 of the mystery of his perfect ways.

 all i have need of his hand will provide,

 he's always been faithful to me.

 i can't remember in trial or a pain,

 he did not recycle to bring me gain.

 i can't remember one single regret

 in serving God only and trusting his hand. 

 all i have need of his hand will provide,

 he's always been faithful to me. 

 this is my anthem, this is my song.

 the theme of the stories i've heard for so long.

 God has been faithful, he will be again.

 His loving compassion, it knows no end.

 all i have need of, his hand will provide. 

 he's always been faithful,

 he's always been faithful,

 he's always been faithful to me."

he always has been and he always will be.

we serve the same God who freed the israelites,

who saved daniel from the lines den,

who raised lazarus from the dead,

who cast out demons and made the blind to see.

we serve a God bigger than any power known to man.

all i know is that i can't help but praise him,

because even in times of trials he is faithful.

remember that.

love you all. 

because he is good.

"trust in the lord with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

but in all your ways acknowledge him and he

shall direct your paths."

proverbs 3:5-6

warrior -poet

i've got a couple things to share with all you lovelies today.

1. i went out to eat with my professor scot mcknight,

 same guy i referenced for the best love

 quote that has ever graced my ears. 

we went to JBs, a jewish deli.

so here's a shout out to my jewish sister, lucy b.

keep it real in kansas.

he took us to get pastrami sandwiches,

i am thinking dad would be proud.

so if you are daddy - o, holler at your girl.

2. i am reading this book written by leslie ludy.

it was recommended by a good friend.

it's called "answering the guy questions".

let me make a few disclaimers before i mention 

a certain part of this "set-apart girl's" guide.

disclaimer une: there is something about 

christian books, i guess you could say the majority 

are all repetitive.  no seriously, if you have ever read one 

you know what i am talking about. the author could sum up 

what they said in five chapters into 3 pages. it's a problem. 

apparently, none of them have the gift of conciseness.

disclaimer deux: i hate books that promise revelations about the

 opposite sex, and then just leave you with the same ol' sayings 

your great aunt told you. it's not new people. 

let's get our acts together.

don't promise things you can't deliver.

disclaimer tois: she is kind of cheesy but overall her message is good.

so now that you know all of the reasons why you should doubt her,

let me give you the reason to trust her.

 in the second chapter of her book, she talks about 

warrior-poet manhood. in other words, she speaks of how guys are

 called to be so much more than what they are. instead of sitting around 

making excuses for perversion or a life full of selfishness,

 they are supposed to be fighting for our protection.

she describes a warrior-poet has one who:

"has made a sacred covenant with his holy King.

he has chosen to deny himself, take up his cross and 

follow Christ. he no longer lives to please his own 

selfish desires. he lives to please his lord. he is not seeking to 

draw attention to himself,but to draw all eyes to Jesus. 

As John the Baptist said, 'He must increase,but I must decrease.' 

(john 3:30) that's the motto of the warrior-poet's life." 

men who are on fire for the Lord are the most attractive 

men out there. seriously. he could be a russian midget with 

coke bottle glasses but if he loves the Lord, i am sold. 

in all seriousness though,

i don't only want to find a man who lives such a life,

but i also want to.  that above quote is becoming 

a daily prayer. i want Jesus to break my selfish heart.

i want to live solely for Him.

i want to draw attention to Christ.

i want to decrease, so my King can increase.

ludy goes on to talk about about what her and 

her husband's relationship looked like before they got

 married. she says:

"everytime i was around eric, i found that afterward i 

was not thinking about eric ludy. i was thinking about 

Jesus Christ. Often after spending an hour or two listening to 

Him passionately talk about the word of God, i ended up in my room 

with my bible, eagerly pouring over the scriptures and

 seeking to know Christ more. Unlike anyone i had ever know, 

eric ludy drew me closer to Jesus. in fact, his example was 

a key factor in my own decision to live a radically 

surrendered life for Christ."

can you imagine?

for so long, you don't think it's possible,

but it is. dang, if you guys are ever praying for me,

 one of my biggest requests is for a man with a 

"warrior-poet" heart.  i want our talks to be about god's 

goodness. i want to know he will lead our family into a closer

 relationship with Christ. i want a "man after God's own heart" 

for a husband. if that is what you pray for me,

how blessed i will be.

i have alot more to share from this book,

and my reading but unfortunately i have to run

and finish up some cell bio homework.

so longingly await the next entry where you

will be blessed once again by leslie ludy and her King.

she's got a lot of good stuff to say.

i love you all.

more than you know.

for reals. 

your love is strong.

so there is this guy.

his name is jon foreman.

he is the appointed lead singer of switchfoot.

anywho, he now does solo work and he has a song that 

just wraps up this whole world in a pretty bow and 

sets it on my doorstep. 

so i am regifting it and sending it your way.

i have a feeling you are going to love it.

it's called : your love is strong.

here are the lyrics:

heavenly father you always amaze me.

let your kingdom come in your world and in my life.

give me the food i need to live through the day,

and forgive me as i forgive the people who've wronged me.

lead me far from temptation, deliver me from the evil one.

i look out the window, the birds are composing,

not a note is out of tune or our of place.

i walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers,

that are dressed better than any girl on her wedding day.

so why should i worry?

why do i freak out?

god knows what i need.

you know what i need.

your love is 

your love is

your love is

strong.

the kingdom of the heavens is now advancing,

invade my heart, invade this broken town.

the kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure,

you have to sell yourself to buy the one you found.

two things that you told me:

that you are strong and you love me.

yes, you love me.

your love is,

your love is,

your love is, 

strong.

your love is, 

your love is,

your love is,

strong. 

our god in heaven, hallow it be thy name above all names,

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

give us today our daily bread, forgive us weary sinners.

keep us far from our vices and deliver us from this prison.

so there you go kiddos,

that's all i got.

i am just feeling overwhelmed today

by god and this "universe" thing.

have a good night.

i miss you all. 

xoxo

kansas is keeping it real.

oh dear.

so you kansas citians are keeping it real at 5 am,

compliments of ms. whiny pants who keeps claiming the eight.

i don't think it's fair.

i will start a petition.

you can sign it, alright?

let's see here.

what kind of update do i got for you all.

well first off, i had a crazy dream last night.

it was about the end times.

not something that most people want to wake up to.

it's a little frightening.

 

second of all,

last night before i fell asleep all i could think

about was what is would be like

if it all worked out.

i was telling abbie, that i don't want

to go through the let down again.

that would mean i would have to

once again convince myself that vulnerability

was worth it.

and that takes time people.

time i don't have.

so this needs to work out,

for time's sake.

right?

:)

third,

it's a good thing my sister's surgery went well,

and that she isn't sick like last time.

that would be stinky.

thank you to dr. spradlin and team.

we payne and moore folk appreciate it.

oh and i have been reading the bible

a lot recently, and can i just say that once you

get started you just can't stop!

it just creates this thirst in you.

 my mom always told me stories about how in the beginning

when she first became a christian, all she ever wanted to do

was read the bible and quite frankly i didn't understand it,

until i was out of high school. 

then it finally hit me, like a brick wall.

so as long as i am overtaken by love for my savior

all you will be getting are some classic "b jokes" and lectures

about things i am reading.

what a lucky group you are.

so here we go...

ecclesiastes 2:10-11

when i went to jamaica for my senior

missions trip, every single night we had

a time of reflection and bible reading.

someone would speak, usually ted goeke,

a youth pastor and radio dj from georgia.

anyway, one night ted said something that

has stuck with me ever since.

he said:

 "if satan can't make you bad, he will

make you busy."

i think it has stuck with me, because it is so true.

since he can't get me to drink, curse and sex it up, 

he is constantly attempting to distract me from 

what is really important.

and slowly but surely i start doing things that i 

want in my time the way i like it.

it becomes less about god and more about myself.

which leads me to my lecture

from ecclesiastes.

here is what is said in v. 10-11:

"i denied myself nothing my eyes desired;

i refused my heart no pleasure.

my heart took delight in all my work, 

and this was the reward for all my labor. 

yet when i surveyed all that my hands had done,

and what i had toiled to achieve,

everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;

nothing was gained under the sun."

i think i am going to post that up somewhere

to remind me that if my purpose is my own,

then nothing is going to be gained.

it has to be for the lord, or i am going nowhere.

so there you go, 

the lecture for the day is completed.

i hope you enjoyed.

loves. loves. loves. and more loves. 

p.s. 

here is a quote from greys.

good ol' miranda bailey.

"no one is going to be doing surgeries

until i am so happy that i am

mary freakin' poppins!"

 

pray.

so seriously, pray for me if you think of it.

this week and into next is going to be overwhelming.

i can already feel the pressure and stress,

and the thing is - it's just turning me off towards the whole idea. 

it makes me not want to do anything.

to just lay around, not work.

so pray for self-discipline, for productiveness and sleep.

i would be very, very grateful. 

keep it real peeps.

when it was over.

i had a book assigned to me in my jesus of nazareth class,

and although my purpose was primarily educational, it quickly became so much more.

in it i found the most perfect definition of love.

one that i plan on incorporating into a wedding someday,

one i want to be the definition of the love i give to my future husband,

essentially one that defines our marriage.

so here it is:

love: an unconditional regard for a person that prompts 

and shapes behaviors in order to help that person 

to become what God desires. 

scot mcknight, my professor and author of the book "the jesus creed" is referencing 

one's love for christ as well as others when he gives us the above definition.

and for the first time, i think someone got it right.

for the first time, i can truly say i agree.

people walk around asking question after question

about love and by what standard it can be measured.

but the answers they receive are few and far between,

at least the ones of truth and worth.

scot mcknight defines it best when he says love is essentially selflessness.

the priorities of "his" love all fall in line.

first, our love is to worship and glorify God.

next, our love is help our "loved one" purely live out God's plan for their life.

we aren't doing it to gain worth, confidence or pleasure.

we are doing it because we want to glorify our King.

as you all know, i am addicted to sara groves music.

i literally can't get enough.

her music is my life in song.

but here is the thing, different songs apply to different times.

you know what i mean?

for three months of your life "painting pictures of egypt"

and "rewrite this tragedy" apply, and you forget all about "honesty".

well this similar situation happened to me today.

i have been listening to "maybe there's a loving God" and "song for my son's"

like crazy, but tonight when i got in bed to go to sleep, God had a whole other plan.

i got all tucked in, and set my macbook on my lap to get on the internet before

i closed these tired eyes for good. before i had hopped into bed, i turned on my 

ipod, like normal, to sara groves. and after a couple songs "when it was over" came on.

it immediately hit me. like i was hearing it for the first time.

for the past couple of days, i have been dealing with the relationships,

whether it be with christ or with humans. i have been examining the way that

i am loved by others, as well as how i love. 

but primarily marriage and the idea of a lifetime spent with someone

has been on my mind. maybe it is because i twenty years old, and that is

what girls my age think about or maybe it is because God is working in me.

i have always been fearful of marriage.

i haven't had good examples, 

i haven't heard good things and 

i haven't experienced a relationship that ended particularly well.

so all of that to say, that i think God is trying to work.

trying to change my heart.

trying to get me ready for something.

maybe because this time things feel different.

and so God has been doing this good work in me,

and transforming my thoughts and beliefs.

showing me that he has a plan, and it is good.

and that it can work.

so i leave you with this song.

i leave you with the thought that my heart's desire for marriage is this.

i leave you with the fact that i am praying, really, really hard for something more.

and i leave you with the fact that this time it feels a whole heck of a lot different, 

and as scared as i am all i can do is trust because it just feels right.

it feels like it could honestly be my happy ending.

"when it was over and they could talk about it,

she said there's just one thing that i gotta know.

what when you were running so hard and fast,

made you stop and turn for home?

he said i always knew you loved me even though i'd broken your heart.

i'd always knew there be a place for me to make a brand new start.

oh love wash over a multitude of things.

oh love wash over a multitude of things.

make us whole.

when it was over and they could talk about it,

when they were sitting on the couch.

she said what on earth made you stay when you

 finally figured out what i was all about?

he said i always knew you'd do the right thing,

even though it might take some time.

she said, yeah i felt that and that's what probably

saved my life.

love wash over a multitude of things.

love wash over a multitude of things.

make us whole.

there is a love that never fails, 

there is a healing that always prevails.

there is a hope that whispers a vow,

promises to wait while we work it all out.

so come with your love and wash over us.

love wash over a multitude of things.

love wash over a multitude of things.

 make us whole. "

i don't blame you.

it is beautiful out today.

i believe the current temperature is around sixty - eight.

it is supposed to get up to eighty.

but i am content with sixty -eight.

not too hot, not too cold. 

so last night was a drag, but this morning i woke up

and am feeling a little more on the uppity side.

can't explain it, but thankful for it.

the above phrase sounds like a country song.

oh dear.

so i am honestly in love with rilo kiley.

her songs are all bitter and tainted and i like it.

she tells it like it is, instead of lying.

honesty is the best policy, or at least that is what i 've heard,

but then again don't quote me.

so i leave you with the fact that although in the moment,

your problems may seem huge and overwhelming

that truth of it all is that we are only here for a little bit,

and most of the so called "problems" really chalk up to nothing

when all is said and done.

so take it with a grain of salt, and relax.

tomorrow is a new day.

a new day for a new beginning.

april 23

today is one of those days.

when everything feels bigger than it is.

when everyone around me makes me feel small and unapproachable.

when everywhere i have to go isn't silent enough.

when all i want to do is cry.

it isn't a day for the books that is for sure.

i am not sure why i am feeling this way, but it seems to happen to me every spring.

this time though, i am going to think happy thoughts. 

the world seems overwhelming, and i don't like it.

not one bit.

i look around and think about those huge questions of life that can't be answered.

the ones like:

who am i, really?

was i made for more?

all those stupid ones.

i wish i was amazed and flabbergasted by comic books and sliced apples.

imagine the ease of my life and those around me if the above was true.

those kinds of people aren't bombarded with stupid life questions,

but alas, they have to be pushed around in wheelchairs.

all in all, tomorrow is a new day.

but tonight i am going to bask in these melancholy feelings.

it's who i am.

you can't blame me.

i'm out.

it was good vera.

let's deal with the situation posted on my

beloved sister's blog: bebe & alice.

i will admit, i use to be a devoted fan and buyer

of vera bradley products but after this new found 'power'

they are using to destroy both this beautiful green earth 

and my sister's wonderful creations - i'm out.

i mean let's be honest, what was being done with

those catalogs after people mulled over them to find

just the right pattern for spring? nothing, not squat, zilch.

so imagine, millions and millions of vera bradley magazines

are piling up in the junk yards of suburbia, not disintegrating

into the ground. which gives al gore another plot for a video about 

global warming, another million dollar making opportunity for vera

bradley to pass up and another reason for me to stop purchasing from

a fairly decent establishment; none of which is good for this 

environment or economy. 

so what will my sister do? let a brighter store take her 

up on her kick ass idea and screw vera bradley over. 

and what will vera bradley do? cry themselves to sleep 

as all of  their "devoted, pattern-loving, going-green customers"

prance their way right on over to a smarter store in order to pick 

up some chic, "green" and incredibly creative stationary on which 

they will write hate letters to their once beloved supplier of accessories.

i mean by vera bradley turning up this

awesome opportunity, they are tanking their business. 

sorry, but i just can't support a business that doesn't value

small businesses and their ability to create beautiful accessories.

 it was good vera. 

freakin' spectacular

this week so far as been spectacular.

the weather, the people, the literature,

         

seriously every stinkin' thing. 

just thought you all should know.

i will update come tomorrow.

loves.loves.loves.

b. 

dissatisfaction

dissatisfaction with my generation's pursuit

of god has overtaken me.

please pray for me as i look to next year, 

and that means for me as far as college goes.

as much as i love chicago and north park.

i feel as though there is no encouragement in

christ, no challenge to pursue him and plainly

no foundation on which students can stand in

this environment. in some ways it surprised me

and in others it disappointed.

after spending the week on spring break with friends and

family and seeing their pursuits of christ, i so deeply

wanted to be surrounded by them. i wanted to seek christ

with them, go to church, find a ministry to get involved in

and feel like i am actually pursuing something worth-while.

so again, please pray. 

i need god to reveal what i am supposed to do,

and even better in a timely manner.

i am thinking and praying for you all.

much love. 

it was 4:30 am, give me a break!

best night i've had in a long time.

31 pounds down.

great friends.

non-stop laughing.

great parents.

what more can a girl ask for?

falling.

"whose gonna break my fall, when the spinning stops? the colors bleed together and then fade. was it ever there at all? and have i lost my way? the path of least resistance is catching up with me again. i am afraid to sink, i am afraid to swim. sad to say i miss my friends and know that i am supposed to step away. but they need me to stay and keep a watchful eye on all my heros and all their demons, but whose gonna break my fall?"

finding the balance between what is healthy and was isn't can be so tough. recently i have been trying with all my might to realize where i draw that line so that i may function as an emotionally healthy being but it seems with each day it gets harder. growing up in a christian home and school has really effected my idea of what it means to be selfless. as i have grown up, i have realized that being selfless doesn't mean constantly putting oneself in danger of losing oneself. i am currently trying to find where that line needs to be drawn, and how to let those 'friends' down easily. i truly do love those people, but i also love myself so it might be time to 'step away'. 

we are currently reading a play in studies in literature. the play is a doll's house by james mcfarlane. the leading character, nora is in pursuit of finding herself and what role she plays in society.  below she is speaking to her husband about how she is going to leave him and he responds:

torvald: you are betraying your most sacred duty. 

nora: and what do you consider to be my most sacred duty?

torvald: does it take me to tell you that?

 isn't your duty to your husband and children?

nora: i have another duty equally sacred.

torvald: you have not. what duty might that be?

nora: my duty to myself...i believe that first

 and foremost i am an individual, just as much as you

are - or at least i am going to try and be...

i am not content any more with what most people

say. i have to think things out for myself, and get things clear.  

that is where i am at. that is the very crossroad at which i stand.

who is more important?

to whom do i owe more devotion and love?

can they be equally divided?

only time will tell.

.i am going to need someone to break my fall. 

 

dang, he got me again.

it's amazing how the lord has to remind me of things over and over and over again.

it never ceases to astound me how forgetful i am.

today i received an unpleasant message, that got all my emotions tied up in a knot.

it threw, what was a wonderful day, into a complete chaos of emotions.

for hours i have been replaying the last six months of my life, wondering what it 

was that threw everything for a loop. i was listening to music, and attempting

to work through the mess of emotions. as i was sitting on my hall's lounge floor,

i looked up on the wall and there it was. yet again, the lord had to remind me that:

"people can make all kinds of plans, but only the lord's plans will happen."

proverbs 19:21

i have tried to calculate this problem down to one reason, when in reality

no matter how hard i try i can't. his plan's happen and even more than that, 

they are better than mine by far. i guess today i just have to trust that.

oh goodness.

more than just a song.

lord, i have a heavy burden of all i've seen,

and it's more than i can handle.

but your word is burning like a fire

shut up in my bones...

and i can't let it go.

and when i'm weary and overwrought

with so many battles left unfought.

i think of paul and sylas in the prison yard,

i hear their song of freedom rising to the stars.

and when the saints go marching in,

i want to be one of them.

lord, it's all that i can't carry and cannot leave behind,

but your word has compelled me.

cause when i think of all who've gone before me and lived the faithful life.

and when i'm weary and overwrought

with so many battles left unfought.

i think of paul and silas in the prison yard,

i hear their song of freedom rising to the stars.

i see the shepherd moses in the pharoh's court

i hear his call for freedom for the people of the lord.

and when the saints go marching in, i want to be one of them.

i see the long quiet walk along the underground railroad,

i see the slave awakening to the value of her soul.

i see the young missionary and the end of the spear,

i see his family returning with no trace of fear.

i see the long, hard shadows of calcutta nights;

i see the sisters standing by the leper's side.

i see the young girl huddled on the brother floor,

i see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door.

i see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road

i see the world on his shoulders, and my easy load.

and when the saints go marching in, i want to be one of them.

the italicized part, i have come to find is more than it seems.

it's not only in this physical realm and what a great man did

for a poor beaten down woman - but also what our king has 

done for us. hold tight to the fact that we are no longer slaves, 

but rather we are free and full of value because a man with a 

passion for his beloved kicked down the door and saved us.

be thankful for that today. i know i sure am.