God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can't take it all in! Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you're there! If I go underground, you're there! If I flew on morning's wings to the far western horizon, You'd find me in a minute— you're already there waiting! Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you. Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful! God, I'll never comprehend them! I couldn't even begin to count them— any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! And please, God, do away with wickedness for good! And you murderers—out of here!— all the men and women who belittle you, God, infatuated with cheap god-imitations. See how I hate those who hate you, God, see how I loathe all this godless arrogance; I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred. Your enemies are my enemies! Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life...

"I know I seem dreamy, but inside -- well, I'm boiling! Whenever I pick up a shoe, I shudder a little thinking how short life is and what I am doing! Whatever that means, I know it doesn't mean shoes -- except as something to wear on a traveler's feet!"

Glass Menagerie

New Favorite...

AUGUST RUSH...



LOVED IT!!!

Thankful

Thanksgiving was just grand. Nothing better than good food, family, and the company of our favorite people around us. I personally think that Thanksgiving (and especially Christmas) should be holidays that we celebrate monthly. Not so much for the giving, although its nice, but for the great food and the fellowship. This is my favorite time of the year without a doubt. I love the fall leaves, the cool weather, Christmas lights, Christmas blend coffee at Starbucks :), and looking forward to a new year!

Today Pastor Brent's message was talking about giving thanks. Every year about this time I always like to ponder back to the beginning of the year and think about the things that I'm grateful for. So today during my therapy session I like to call working out, I started a mental list of those things in 2007 that I'm grateful for and why I should give thanks...

Here's to a few I'm thankful for:

A broken heart from an amazing, heart wrenching, incredible, unforgettable mission trip to the country my heart is captivated by... SOUTH AFRICA. My life was forevermore changed because of the time I spent there, Frank Christie and our spiritual family there, Pastor Brent and Karla and our team, the committed people there that sell out their lives all in compassion for others, and the beauty in the broken my physical eyes captivated that will never be forgotten... in hopes of returning soon to serve and give my life as Jesus.

Miss North Augusta USA- I'm grateful for winning this prelim. Not only is it just awesome because it's my hometown but for opportunity that it has given me this year, the people I've come in contact with, and the special things that this experience has taught me.



I'm grateful for my friendships that have blossomed ever so beautifully this year. I can honestly say I have some of the greatest friends one could ask for. Those who truck through the thick and thin and we persevere every time. God is so faithful when it comes to bringing those special people in your life. I truly have some of the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for! I love each one of you more than you know! Thank you for being all that you are to me... :)











Hawaiian Tropic in Oahu, Hawaii- again, one of the many places I've traveled and it was just breathtaking and beautiful. Great place, awesome shoots, met some great people, and although I was challenged at times this trip taught me many things and for that I'm grateful! I love not knowing why in the world I do the things I do, getting worked up and stressed over, and then looking back and seeing the purpose in full perspective.



Miss South Carolina USA- Charleston, South Carolina.... I'm so thankful for the things I do in this journey I call life. I learned more things about Amanda preparing this year for this than anything else could have taught me. I really need to write a book!



My mother... words couldn't express the gratitude I have for her. All I can say is that it couldn't be possible without her and I don't think I'll ever be able to repay her for what she has done for me, for raising me to be who I am, for her encouragement, support, and for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself.

My pastor and his amazing wife- for being my heroes, great leaders, and encouraging me to be the best me in everything God has called me to be. I love you guys!



These are just to name a few... 2007 has definitely been a hard year without a doubt. From finishing school, working, close friends passing away, family issues, a broken heart, and trying to find who you are in the midst of life... it just hasn't been easy. I was reminded today that even though I'm pressed on every side, I'm not crushed; and when I'm perplexed, I'm not in despair; I may be persecuted but not abandoned; knocked down but never destroyed!!! Thank God! I thank Him for what I do have and who I am...

Here's to 2007: a year of building character and persevering through the storm, "...there is always hope when all seems lost, freedom in the power of the cross..."

Reaching for the stars...

Do you ever wonder if things really went just how you wanted, how your life would turn out. With only 24 years under my belt, I look at the last few years of my life and wonder why in the world I did certain things, I thank God for somethings that went downhill when in time I didn't understand, and the instances in my life I want to work out SO bad but never do. I know that all good things work for those who love God. I know. I mean, what if I got everything I ever wanted and I'm not talking about material things or earthly things, but those experiences and opportunities that would make a difference in those around me. Those special moments amoung the less fortunate. To love the love the unlovable. To give hope to the hopeless. To give encouragment to those who don't know how to imbrace life. To smile at those who have gone un-noticed. Do we need anything to be able to give this to those around us and what are we waiting for???

My goals in life are my dreams. literally. Some days I wonder what in the world I'm doing, but I wouldn't change my life for anything. Nothing. I love this adventure more than words could express and I'm extremely grateful for the ride i'm on. Someone use to tell me that life can take you on one of two rides; either the roller coaster or the merry-go-round... and I'm definitely on the roller coaster. Never knowing what is going to happen next. One day its up and the other is down but along the journey I'm discovering who I am and what I'm created for. Being content with what I have yet waiting expectantly for what is next.

I'm currently Miss North Augusta USA which is a preliminary to Miss South Carolina USA and life couldn't be more grand. I don't believe that things happen due to chance, but for purpose. (BTW...I'm huge on PURPOSE...and about everything). This is just one scattered piece of who I am. In the last year I've been preparing for this pageant with the hopes of winning the title and accomplishing one of my goals. With a week to go I toast to one of the greatest years of giving it all I have for everything that I want. Regardless of the outcome, I feel so great about what I've learned in preparation, who I have become in all this, the discipline I have had to embrace, and on this great adventure we call life, this opportunity has lead to so many more.

My words for the day... follow your heart, reach for the stars, and trust your Creator because you don't ever know what is around the bend...

I tip my hat off until next time....
-Miss North Augusta USA-

Love is all that matters...

What you got if you aint got love?

The kind that you just wanna give away

It's okay to open up

Go ahead and let the light shine through

I know it's hard on a rainy day

You wanna shut the world out

And just be left alone

Don't run out on your faith

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

What you've been out there searching for forever,

Is in your hands

When you figure out love is all that matters, after all

It sure makes everything else

Seem so small

It's so easy to get lost inside

A problem that seems so big, at the time

It's like a river that's so wide

It swallows you whole

While you're sittin round thinking about what you can't change

And worryin' about all the wrong things

Time's flying by, moving so fast

You better make it count, cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing

Is just a grain of sand

What you've been out there searchin for forevers in your hands

Oh, When you figure out love is all that matters after all

It sure makes everything else

Seem so small

"So Small"

-Carrie Underwood-