Nothing Without Love

Someone said the other day, "at the end of the world, there's only love."

How corny is that?

But in actuality, that is incredible. After all, Jesus emphasizes love over and over again, in His words and His actions. He even shows us the greatest display of love any man could ever show by dying to give us life! (John 15:13) Love begin and ends with God (1 John 4:7). So what else could matter?

So if love is all there is at the end of the world...

will I ever regret loving someone?

And I'm not even talking romantically, even though that's included in a way.

But will I regret taking a few extra minutes to kiss my siblings?

Will I regret being late to a meeting because I asked a hall-mate about her day?

Will I regret choosing to be patient when someone gets my order wrong?
Will I ever regret giving my heart away to the lonely and broken? even when it's painful?

And in the few days I've been pondering this, I think I've come to the conclusion that, instead of regretting love, I'm going to regret the times I withheld love. 

I will regret the days I was stingy with my love.

I will regret the moments when I clung to pride and entitlement instead of showing someone the love they didn't deserve in that moment.

I will regret all the times I chose to put my plans, my priorities, and my to-do lists over serving the people I come across in my every-day.

Thanking people, hugging people, praying with people, doing anything that takes the time to love and serve them well... that's not something small. That's everything. Paul proclaims that he could give every possession, or have all wisdom and knowledge, or give the greatest sacrifice... but what is any action without love? (1 Corinthians 13)

So in your day-to-day, when you encounter your family, your co-workers, or the people you overlook in an effort to keep up with the busy flow of life, remember that it all comes down to love. That's all we're here for, and that's all that there will be in the end. We have nothing and we give nothing without love. Do the dishes in love. Ask questions about someone's life in love. Be patient with other drivers in love. Correct other believers in love. Pray for people in love. Call your mom in love. That's what Jesus came to do, and that's what He came back to do through us every day.

Virginia Cold and a New Semester

I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed my break from school, blogging, and Young Life activities. Christmas was great, and my family went on an amazing vacation so far south that the coldest it got was 59 degrees. But vacations don't last forever, and all breaks end. Virginia welcomed us back with cold arms - and by "cold," I mean 25 degrees - and sent me flying into prepping for this next semester.

I feel like it's natural with the new year and a new semester to want to tackle all that new-ness with great strides, a calm mind, and being all "put together." So, Casey had high expectations for how she would conquer - she would get 8 hours of sleep every night, dare to wear cuter shoes to class instead of Converses, and she would be early more often than she was late.

Flash forward to Casey's life 3 days into this new semester, and she's running on 5.7 hours of sleep, rushing out of her dorm in sweatpants, sweatshirt and Uggs, balancing her laptop, school bag, keys, and a waffle hanging out of her mouth that she had swiped from the toaster and slapped butter on as she scrambled to leave on time.
And yes, it looks just as comical as it sounds.
But, hey, in the words of my beloved mother:

"If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?"

On a more serious note, I am thankful to again be living on campus, and have the opportunity to be leading at Deep Creek high school. And, yes, my goals for this next semester do include being more punctual and eating better/sleeping more. But really, I just want to have a heart attitude that is full of rest this semester. I want to worry less about tomorrow, and stress less about my homework, and instead just enjoy where the Lord has placed me and take care of what He has given me.

What are some of your goals for this coming semester/season?

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEMESTER!

Love,

          Casey

P.S., pictures from our vacationing adventure coming soon;)

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Hope ya'll had a fantastic Christmas!! This was a group selfie we took at Krispy Kreme on Christmas Eve Eve... one of our favorite traditions each year is going to KK in our pajamas on Christmas Eve Eve, and then driving around to look at Christmas lights as a family.

I know I have been everything but regular on my lovely little piece of internet... but holidays are for families, not blogging! Fear not, dear friends, I will be returning to the normal swing of life after the holidays are over. And after that, I should have many pictures to share, and stories to fill ya'll in on!

Enjoy these next two weeks, and for you students on winter break, soak up all the rest you can get!

Love, Casey

Farm Life

 This is the Farm.

It's been our home-away-from-home for years now, and definitely one of the most beloved pieces of earth I know.

It's where I shot my first deer and where I've spent many of my New Years Eves.

It's a celebratory place, 

full of prize deer that will feed us in the winter, 

paintball games,

lots of bonfires,

the best memories in the world.

Between the months of September and January, the Farm become especially sacred.

It's hunting season.

 Anyone who knows my dad would say he is a hunter to the core.

You don't know my dad unless you know that side of him.

 Hayden and I stayed back to finish homework (no rest for the collegiate)

but I snapped these before the men headed out for the afternoon hunt.

 (Hayden scrambling to bring the dog back after she escaped to ruin the hunt)

 (The one in the middle is Mama's contribution to the trophy wall;)

Spending time here was the best part about my Thanksgiving break.

It had been a while.

It felt good to be surrounded by fields and trees, 

and no noise but the hidden wild life.

How did ya'll spend your Thanksgiving Weekend?