Dying.

Amongst the happenings of late, the thought of dying for love has surfaced.

Along with the word love, (as in, "loving those shoes") I think the word death ( as in, "I am dying to go shopping") is over-used. That to say "I am dying for love," is incredibly inaccurate in the wrong context.

You're breathing will suddenly cease if you do not receive the love you "need"?
The earth's core will implode?
The sky will fall?
Your world will end?

Rather, I challenge the thought process of the contrary. Opposed to dying from the lack of love, dying for a greater love. More like Jesus, actually. He was killed as sacrifice on our behalf, but knowing it was for a greater love. A more glorious love. A more intimate love that meets us in our everyday even now.

Am I willing to die so that the love I give is greater? purer? holier? more glorious?

And not the simple, end-of-life, death, but the daily pain that comes from willfully relinquishing something you know you could hold on to.

I want to more people in my life who are dying for love. Starting with me.

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know... His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." 

- Ephesians 1:18-21-

Sometimes

The entity called Life knows no rules.

He knows no boundaries. 

He knows no monotony. 

In fact, 

I'd like to believe that he has such a distaste of monotony 

that it is one foundational motive for why he does what he does. 

This inspires an intricate concoction of 

fear, 

curiosity, 

and admiration to rise up inside of me, 

in the very part of me that is so deep 

I don't always have time 

or feel like making the effort

to scrape away the garbage in my heart that buries it 

just to listen to what it is hearing.

Sometimes,

I think it's my confusing fascination

with this distaste of his,
this distaste

of monotony 

of predictability

of comfort 

that gives me all the excitement I need 

to keep living.

I am . . .

listening to "Do the Raindrops..." by Eisenbraun. (Mmm)

eating SO Delicious Coconut Milk Mocha Almond Fudge Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. The best, and longest-named, non-dairy frozen dessert I've ever had. (YUM.)

exhausted from watching two two-year-old cuties all day.

reading an unexpected letter from a friend.

not looking my best today.

watching my four-year-old brother play LEGO Batman on the PS3. (Kinda.)

totally like the weather situation right now.

wearing sweatpants, a tank top, and a Patagonia sweatshirt. (Ultimate comfort.)

looking forward to taking my new workout clothes for a spin.

completely booked all weekend.

having Fish Burgers for dinner tonight. (YES.)

in the best mood I have been all week.

________________________

Hope ya'll are having a Wednesday full of healthy things and Christmas lights.

Love,

             Casey

Critical

Mornings are not my thing. Everyone knows that. So it should come as no surprise that it is a cause of great annoyance to me that mornings are so critical. So much of the day depends on how you start your morning.

On the right side of the bed (whatever that means)? Or the left?

With a happy smile and a sigh? Or a groan and a complaint muttered under your morning breath?

It rather gets on my nerves. Everything in me wants to roll into the rut of sluggishly going about my day, but then there's the knowledge that how I start the first hour of my conscious existence will effect the rest of my woken hours. A bad attitude in the morning typically remains, if it does not grow to be absolutely monstrous.

The first thoughts after you open your eyes are some of the most crucial. Here's what I have found helps to start the morning on the right foot (opposed to the left).

1. Be determined. To smile. To be joyful. To conquer. To be motivated.

2. Be slightly healthy. Cereal is terrible for you; kill it. Don't drink straight-up juice either; it's a waste of calories. Fruit will give you energy (smoothies!!) and make sure you have lots of protein (hungry tummies are not a good way to encourage a cheerful disposition).

3. Spend time with Jesus A.S.A.P. I cannot really focus on anything until I have been awake a good hour, and have had coffee. And in different seasons of my life, my time with Jesus is spent at different times of the day, depending on my schedule.

4. Set your focus in the right place.  Put your focus (first) on Him. Remind yourself that there's nothing else more important than growing closer to Him and loving people the way He would have you to. Then (second) put your focus on others. Doing this through prayer helps me bring my heart into submission on how He would have me love those in my life, too.

On that note, have a lovely morning!
Love, C

Style{in} Skirts: Pink Legs

Something I really liked about wearing this was that I felt classy with the heels and the pencil skirt, but felt totally comfortable with the loose sweater and semi-fit shirt.

And, can I just say, that I feel super cool every time I wear hot pink tights? 

I have noticed, however, that wearing something so bright on my legs draws a lot of attention to them. So if you're planning on braving the "Avatar legs" look, just have that in mind and maybe opt out of the mini skirt ;)

Sweater: Consignment

T-shirt: Target

Corduroy skirt: Old Navy

Tights: Forever21 (I think)

Shoes: Thrifted

___________

Hope ya'll have had a great Tuesday!

          Love,

                    Casey

Things . . .

Things that say a lot about people

1. the way in which they treat the waiter/waitress - I'm typically pretty paranoid about whether or not I come off as flirtatious to guys in general, so if it's a waiter, I try to smile, be polite, answer directly and avoid eye contact. If it's a waitress, I try to be super friendly, because I know she probably has to deal with high-maintenance people all the time.

2. how they feel about the weather - Most of the time I don't really care. My heart condition is what determines whether or not I find a cloudy day beautiful or discouraging. Same with sunny days.

3. whether they dog-ear pages or highlight in books - My school books are completely doodled, underlined, answered, and "Casey-fied." And I have (in the past year) discovered the amazingness of taking notes in my Bible, opposed to on paper I will never see again.

4. fingernails - Long, with the exception of my left hand (dumb guitar). Also, if I'm stressed, nervous, or somewhat bored, I chew on them. It's terrible :p

5. hands in general - Almost always cold, and tanner than the rest of my arm. My palms are thick. And they can feel the change in the weather (my hands get suuuper dried out).

6. their preferred creative outlet - Writing. Or singing. Depends on who's in ear-shot ;)

7. how much they dread/enjoy talking on the phone - Totally depends on the person, and if I know the phone-call is coming. And the day. (Phone calls in the middle of an emotional meltdown are typically not encouraged.)

8. whether or not they drink coffee - Addict!! ;)

9. if they ever forget to eat - All the time. I don't particularly enjoy food, and it's not really my top priority in life.

10. how honest they are with themselves and others - I'm too honest with myself, I think. And I really don't like giving people the "I'm fine; how are you," answer. So unless I'm doing terribly and I don't feel like elaborating, I will answer honestly.

11. if they correct your grammar - Normally, it's others correcting MY grammar. Haha.

12. whether or not they get nervous before haircuts - Eh. It's hair. Besides the more outrageous it is, the better it is ;)One day I'm gonna have to grow up...

(by this person, via this person ;)

What is Beauty?

I was struck by a question Olivia at Fresh Modesty presented to her readers:

"What's your definition of beauty? Do you tend to think of it more as how practical something is, how  pleasing to the eye, how it "feels," or all of the above? Do we need a more rounded view where beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder?" (see post here)

I think Olivia was discussing a broader view of beauty, including the world, and all of creation. However, it brought me to think more seriously about a small something that has been playing with my brain lately, which includes our ideas of physical beauty as fallen humans. It has to do with a verse that I was shown in church:

"May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (Thessalonians 5:23-24)

I think our personal perspective on beauty has an impact. It's important. It shapes us; helps mold our worldview; has a say in our attitudes; questions our definition of truth. 

What is perfect? 

What is desirable? 

So stick with me on this... We are instructed in the Word to turn our thoughts, our eyes, our desires, our heart on/towards heaven, and heavenly things (Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:20; Philippians 4:8). We are also instructed to be holy because our Father is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4). 

Maybe these  two concepts are related?

Perhaps when we focus on the beauty of His face, we become beautiful ourselves? even if it is merely the simple radiance  that comes from soaking up His presence and sitting at His feet?

We all know Proverbs 31:29: 

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

How counter-cultural is this concept? This is so difficult to wrap my head around. 

How can the physical aspect of beauty be so insignificant? Not only that, but this verse blatantly states:

"Don't trust charm. It's manipulative and sinful.

Don't chase physical beauty. You could never attain it, or hold onto it, long enough.

However, 

There is one quality that you can trust.

One characteristic that will stand the test of time and age.

The fear of the LORD."

The woman who knows her God and is sure of Him will be PEACE in times of strife or turmoil. She will be COMFORT in times of disappointment. She will be JOY in times of confusion. She will be HOPE in times of straight-up disaster. And she will be FAITH in the times of complete cloudiness.

This is value.

This is worth.

This is beauty. 

What does this have to do with the first verse? He sanctifies us. Our whole spirit, our whole soul, our whole bodies, to be made and kept blameless. And in that order.

He does that by putting us through various challenges and trials to refine us and mature us spiritually, then personally, then physically.

We cannot appear beautiful on the outside until we have been made beautiful in our spirits and beautiful in our souls. 

Not until every bit of doubt has been eradicated from our minds and we are sure of the God we serve; not until every bit of our heart is in submission to His will;  not until the greatest desires of our hearts have been laid at His feet in total surrender. 

I want to be that kind of beautiful. And all it takes is the willingness to be sanctified.

God, grant me the grace to be willing. 
___________________________

What's ya'll's take on beauty? Post about it; and let me know!;)

Hello Christmas.

Thanksgiving week is always one of my favorite weeks of the entire year. More than Christmas week, even.

Maybe because Thanksgiving is so family-oriented.

Maybe because everything gets decorated and sparkle-fied.

Maybe because we aren't distracted by the hassle of gifts we feel so obligated to give.

Maybe because there's a feel of simplicity, and warmth, and cinnamon.

Or maybe it's all of it.

Either way, it brings me so much joy.

 Mama, decorating her room.

 Decorating the kitchen.

 One of my favorite Christmas treats... Molasses Cookies!! 

My mama makes 'em best ;)

There are so many things I wish were different about life right now. 

But, regardless of my petty troubles, 

and regardless of how cliche it is to say,

and regardless of how many days I forget it,

I have so much to be thankful for.

I hope this week has been as full of sparkles, warmth, and cookies as mine has.

Hug really hard, and belly-laugh a lot.

Soak it up.

~ Casey ~

Confessions

~ Every time I paint my nails they last about five minutes before they get messed up ~

~ It’s hard for me to get to sleep without the stuffed animal I’ve had since I was 11 ~

~ One day I want to live somewhere I can either ride my bike to anywhere, or have to drive ~

~ an hour to get to anywhere ~

~ I hardly ever cross my legs, for fear of varicose or spider veins ~

~ A lot of my favorite girl names are traditionally boy names ~

~ My perfect job would probably involve super late nights, washing dishes ~

~ and classy business attire ~

~ If my toes aren’t painted green, I feel like I have unattractive feet, my toenails are exposed, ~

~ or I put on the wrong feet that morning ~

~ I couldn’t cuss somebody out if my life depended on it ~

~ I really liked having braces for the 20 months I had them ~

~ I can’t stand wearing tights unless I’ve shaved my legs first ~

~ Blogs with playlists typically startle the snot out of me ~

~ On of my favorite soundtracks is the modern Parent Trap ~

~ I don't look good in salmon (the color, and the fish) ~

~ The only kind of dancing I was ever good at was Irish Step Dancing ~

~ I DON'T DO WET ~

There you go. Some confessions. And maybe a few things that you wouldn't know about me unless you knew me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Eat lots of pie.

Love,

    Casey

Style{in} Skirts: "Good Enough"

Vest: thrift; Shirt: Wal-Mart? Skirt: thrift; Thigh-high tights: Gift; Boots: thrift

I found so much satisfaction when I put this skirt on this morning.
Because it only fit on account of the weight I lost last summer.
Last fall I was having to pull a high-waisted number, just to get it on.

However it didn't take much for me to feel "lumpy" again, as I went over the pictures Hudson took of me.

I then realized how silly it is that I have to lose weight, and fit into a certain kind of clothing, and feel a certain way, just to walk confidently.
Every morning, after I get dressed, I look at myself and mutter, "Good enough," before I walk downstairs to greet this world.
And that needs to stop.
It's getting tiresome, only being "good enough."

I'm the way I am, created by a beautiful God. And my beautiful God does not create "good enough" creations.
He creates beautiful creations.

I want to walk in that, regardless of what I feel like, regardless of what others say.

__________________________

Hope this transparency is encouraging, in some way.

May you grow in the confidence of His grace, more and more.

And have a great Wednesday :)

             Love,

                 Casey

Chocolate Tea.

I like afternoons like this.
My neighbor is mowing his lawn, chewing through leaves.
A yummy breeze is blowing.
My chocolate tea, growing cold.
My fingers getting frigid from the windows open.
It's an afternoon like this that makes me want to stop.
and contemplate.
and meditate.
and not think.
and enjoy.
and soak in every last bit of information my senses are sensing.

I want to bundle up and read a book.
I want to wear fuzzy socks and drink hot things.
I want to snuggle up and watch an action flick, or a christmas movie.
I want to go on a walk without saying a single word.
I want to sleep on my dock.
I want to sing, really loud, and pure.

This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year. There's coziness everywhere.

Feel deeply this week; soak it all in.
And laugh. Really, really loud.
                                                Casey

Style{in} Skirts: Patterns

This weekend was full of lessons. Unplanned lessons.
Lessons on how to keep a cheerful heart when I feel like my family won't get off my back.
Lessons on how to be full of grace in the midst of miscommunications.
Lessons on how to be flexible when my weekend gets some (great) surprises.
Lessons on how to find outfits for three girls from one closet.

I think the biggest lesson, and one I'm still learning, is embracing a different definition of who I am. Everyday there is choice: will I choose to align myself - my thoughts, my heart, my beliefs - with the God of Truth? or will I choose to align myself with the Father of Lies?

I heard a powerful teaching by a beautiful woman this weekend, who has struggled with believing God's definition of her. And she put to words what so many of us women struggle with.
We say, "God, I'm so not beautiful."
He says, "But, Darling, you are."
"But I'm NOT."
"But you ARE, and I'm right!"

It's such a challenge, especially on those days when everything I see in the mirror screams of imperfection. Yet what is the appearance? A mere vessel of the soul. And at the end of it all, if my soul is not in agreement with the Son of Man, my life has been lived in agreement with something entirely false.

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    Your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14

It takes a great amount of strength and a great amount of belief to wake up, look in the mirror, and say, "God, You are magnificent. You have created me wonderfully. I know this well."

I want to grow in this. God, give me greater belief, so that I may come into full agreement with what YOU have to say about me.

_______________________________

Enjoy this Sabbath. And let your heart rest in the fact that God is infinitely good, infinitely beautiful, and delights in you.

Love,

              CaseyG

Shirt: Gap; Skirt: Gap; Shoes: Target.
All photos taken by Hudson.

P.S. I'm linking up to Modern Modest Beauty here!

Set Mind

"...A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:7-9

_______________

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." 

Romans 8:5

_______________

"The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."

Romans 8:6

______________

"...you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking."

Ephesians 4:17

______________

Our thought life is important. It is the determiner between being full of life, and being full of death; between spreading life, or spreading death.

Our thought life is what has the power to determine what is sown in our lifetime. To think as a Gentile, is to think on futile things, vain things, useless things, idle, hopeless, empty, hollow, things.

______________

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Colossians 3:2

______________

Oh God, I want to be full of life, and spread life, because my mind is full of life. I want to sow to please Your Spirit, and live according to what You desire. I don't want to waste my time with futile, empty, vain and shallow thoughts, but be setting my mind's eye on Your face with a gaze that is determinedly, passionately fixed.

Just for Fun :)

I don't go on Pinterest often. 

But on the rare occasion I do, I end up laughing my head off.

So I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

Enjoy;)

Hope this maybe made you smile. And I hope you're having a great Friday;)

"Lost in it All"

"Lost in beauty

Lost in wonder

'cause everything in You

Is unlike every other

But the deeper I'm lost

The farther I fall

Into such extreme grace

Into indescribable awe

I'm losing myself

It's all too wonderful

I'm losing myself

In the beauty of it all"

Photo Credit: Mother Deer

Style{in} Skirts: Black&Denim

One of the most terrible moments, is first thing in the morning, when your hankerin' for a good cup of coffee; you grab your mug, set it down... and there's no coffee.

So you get dressed super quick, grab a sibling, and head to the nearest Starbucks.

You get back, sipping your iced coffee, to be informed that there was, in fact, more coffee in the pantry.

No matter... out of this fiasco you realize you got to spend unplanned time with a sibling, and actually got out of your pajamas before noon.

One of the most terrible moments turned into a great one, thanks to your enthusiasm, flexibility and the grace of God.

Moral of the story: make the most of your mornings. And always check the pantry for more coffee before jumping the gun at a chance to go to Starbucks.

It's a waste of calories.

Have a great Thursday.
                           - Case

Jacket: American Eagle; Scarf: Knit; Black Shirt: Target; Skirt: Thrift Store; Boots: Thrift Store

Photo Credit: Hudson. :)

"Coming"

"The cleanest horizons

The brightest sun rising

Not one temptation to fall

Biggest days coming

Smallest days becoming

The keys to conquer it all"

(photo credit: not me; model credit: Erin Sweeney)