love is in the air

I really like this song, and I highly suggest that you listen to it:

More Like Falling in Love by Jason Gray

Give me rules

I will break them

Give me lines

I will cross them

I need more than a truth to believe

I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes

To sweep me off my feet

It ought to be

More like falling in love

Than something to believe in

More like losing my heart

Than giving my allegiance

Caught up, called out

Come take a look at me now

It's like I'm falling, oh

It's like I'm falling in love

Give me words

I'll misuse them

Obligations

I'll misplace them

'Cause all religion ever made of me

Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet

It never set me free

...It's like I'm falling in love, love, love

Deeper and deeper

It was love that made

Me a believer

In more than a name, a faith, a creed

Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me

There's a lot I want to say right now. Good thing I have a blog.

For the past couple of weeks, I have found my heart in a perpetual state of wonder and adoration of the Lord. Maybe it's the beautiful weather we've been having. Or maybe it's not just the change from winter to spring, but also the upcoming change of seasons in my life. Whatever it is, something's going on in this little soul o' mine. I think it's love.

My heart literally skips a beat when I think about the goodness of the "truth that lives, moves and breathes." My stomach flutters when I reflect on God's faithfulness in every aspect of my life. Of course, all of this skipping and fluttering could be due to the insane amount of Arby's Beef 'n Cheddars I've been eating lately, but I choose to believe it's something spiritual. I believe I'm being "caught up and called out" into the depths of Christ's love.

I wish I always felt this way about the Lord. But unfortunately I'm often too preoccupied with the operations of Brittany Land (no, I don't have my own theme park... yet. This was a metaphorical statement). I'm so thankful that despite my misused words, broken obligations, and even my doubts, my faith can rest in Someone who is more than a name or creed.

There's a lot more where that came from, but I'll quit my rambling for now. The real reason for this post was to tell you some exciting news...

Yep... you guessed it. I made an A on my Psychology paper!

dear diary

I received a journal in my Easter basket this year. I was absolutely thrilled, because I've been wanting to start recording my days like I used to back in fifth grade. Oh yeah... I had a prayer journal in the fifth grade. And it was awesome. And I keep it with me in college just so I can look back on some of the entries for laughs and giggles.

I've decided to give you an example of the kinds of things "fifth grade Brittany" said.

Let's go back to 1999. Also known as the year I went to Space Camp. Which means it is also known as the best year ever. Picture a girl with a slicked-back bun, with the exception of about 50 fly-away hairs that not only plague her forehead, but also her dreams of having the smoothest up-do at Clay Elementary. She is probably wearing a plaid, short-sleeved button down shirt from Gap, because that is what she wore every day that year. There is also a scrunchie around her wrist. You know... if the other scrunchie in her hair happens to break.

I don't have a picture of the Gap shirt, but this is my mom and I after the talent show at Barnum and Bailey summer camp that year:

I was obviously loving my life. Photo courtesy of awkwardfamilyphotos.com. ***

Alright. Back to the journal. Comments from "senior-in-college Brittany" are in orange. Please note that all of this was written in my best cursive.

March 13, 1999

Dear Jesus,

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I had voice lessons today. I am practicing "Power of Your Love" and "I Choose You." All this week, I have been outside playing basketball with the guys. Bow chicka wow wow! Me, mama, Hope, Jill, Christen, Morgan and Brooke are going to the beach during my birthday. I can't wait! I already got curtains, a lamp, and $50. I am scared about my language grade. I think I may have a B average. GASP! But I have faith in you, Lord, to help me to bring it up. I am not asking you to do it for me, but to help me.

Love,

Brittany

p.s. Sorry so choppy and sloppy Could someone please tell me who I was apologizing to? Did I think Jesus would be upset that my diary entry was sloppy?

p.p.s. Please help me to control my temper That weird kid must have stolen my War Heads at lunch again that day.

May 5, 1999

Dear Jesus,

Today I was taking names in class, and Jana was acting up, so I put her name down, and now she is mad at me. I actually remember this day. Yes, I was a tattle tail. But she WAS talking! Please bless our friendship. We had our writing assessment today. For some reason I must have really felt the need to throw that in there. NERD ALERT!

May 6, 1999

Dear Jesus,

Jana and I settled our fight today. Whew! Bless all the children and people who are being abused. I know, I know... so pious.

What's so funny to me is that, in some ways, the things I write in my journal now haven't changed since I was twelve. I still get excited about $50. I still get upset about silly things. I still lose my temper when someone steals any kind of food item from me. And God still cares about it all.

The things that were such a big deal to me in fifth grade seem so silly now. I can only imagine what I'll think when I look back on my current journal... "Why was I so worried about post graduation? Who was Jim Halpert, and why did I write our names together inside little hearts?"

Don't worry, there are more entries from 1999. Some even include detailed drawings and timelines that I will be sure to post in the future. I hope you'll continue with me on this journey of learning lessons from my pre-teen self. In the meantime, I'll be praying that God will once again help me raise my language grade.

Love,

Brittany

***For all you slow pokes out there... this picture isn't really me. It's my roommate, Emma. Just kidding. Or am I?

formal and PIE

Looks like I'm a little behind on my blogging. You must forgive me... I've been really busy with organizing my sock drawer and stuff. But for those of you that keep up with this blog (aka my mother and now... Jay Harper! holla.), there are a few things to update you on.

First things first... formal! I had a great date (who I may or may not have asked via Twitter, and who was a really good dancer/spinner, and who thought the song "Dixieland Delight" was "Dixie Dandelion")...

some great food, courtesy of the Rockaway girls...

and some great friends, who don't know how to pose for pictures...

Needless to say (although I'm about to say it anyway), a great time was had by all. And yes, I am aware that I was the only one wearing a short dress.

Next up... my birthday! The only logical place to celebrate this year was Miss Myra's, a hole-in-the-wall barbeque joint that has my heart. And the best lemon icebox pie in town. Wait... make that... the nation.

No, that is not Miss Myra in the background, although she is very nice. But that is my friend Ann Elizabeth giving the thumbs up. We love pie. And yes, those are hundreds of miniature pigs that you see. Even more reason why I love this place; they celebrate the lives of the animals they kill. It's a nice tribute, and I admire their compassion. This is the longest picture caption ever.

*all photos courtesy of Alison, the roommate that almost died.

Alpha Delta Pi(e) love

Beeson roomies. Long live l-dawg. And the Fourth of July decorations behind us.

I can't end this post without showing you this girl:

Meet Courtney- my former roommate, current friend (we were friends when we lived together, too), freestyle rapper, Beyonce buff, and now... blogger. And a really good one at that. You should check out her blog, A Carolina Concoction. Like, right now. You might find a post entirely dedicated to me... just know that none of it is true. Especially the Steve Harvey part.