Date or Wait?

This has been on my heart a lot recently, and as it turns out writing is a great way to get things off your chest! Our society has turned dating into a game rather than what true love is meant to be. Boys and girls go out with each other in Junior and Senior high just for the fun of it, the moment by moment and day by day cute things that their significant other says or does that makes them feel special. Most of them aren't even dating for marriage. Now I know many who date would say "You need to try people out, see what kind of personalities you work well with" or "It doesn't matter as long as both people are okay with their relationship" but I don't see it this way. Why would you want to date someone if you aren't putting them above yourself? If you aren't looking at them as your potential spouse? They aren't someone to "test" yourself on. I just don't see why you would want to settle for anyone or anything less than what God has in store for you! Waiting is difficult, especially when you really like someone and you feel like waiting is everything but the right to do (God knows I can attest to that!). However, if that person is the one, then God will work things out in his perfect timing. Don't rush anything! Because there is always a possibility that you are wrong, and the love of your life is still out there, waiting for you as well. God has it all under control, so let him do his thing, while you keep living your life for God as a single. You'll be surprised at what he can do through you when you focus solely on him! :)




 Here is a link to Jamie Grace's video about her opinion of dating. I'd highly recommend you check it out. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3865MHq6Z4&list=FLjx95el2fhx1UfZfApcPl_A&feature=player_detailpage

And here is a link to Jamie Grace's song "Just a friend". The lyrics are very encouraging! It's one of my favorites right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YwaCPgjenbU

Have a great day! <3 Elise

I'm worn

I'm tired I'm worn my heart is heavy from the work it takes to keep on breathing I've made mistakes I've let my hope  fail my soul feels crushed by the weight of this world....

But I know that you can give me rest so I cry out with all that I have left...
Let me see redemption win!!
Let me know the struggle ENDS.
That you can mend a heart that's frail and worn</3
I want to know a song can rise from the ashes of a broken life!
that all that's Dead inside can be Reborn.

Cause I'm worn....

Yes Jesus, my prayers are wearing thin. Please refresh and renew me.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Loving Example

So, this morning my little brother and I got in an argument. He ended up running to his room crying. He screamed at me from his room for a couple minutes, and then just started sobbing. I realized a few minutes later that he wasn't making any noise. "Elise... Elise come here please." He said through some sniffles. I stood up and tried not to show the pain on my face as I walked into his room. I hate having to be a disciplinary figure. He looked at me then turned his eyes to the wall. "Sorry." I was taken back by this comment. I had walked in expecting him to try to calmly tell me why he was right. "I remember what we talked about today, during devotions." Some tears fell from his face. "Remember, how we said that after you have a fight with someone, God will help you to know that you need to apologize? And you feel bad? I'm sorry." I couldn't hold back my smile. As we hugged and apologized to each other, I was blown away at the amount of love God had poured out on me through my brother. HE was being the example to ME. Thank you Jesus for placing people in my life to bring your truths to me. And thank you for my little bother :) I sure am blessed!! <3

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Finally Finished

As I bring my school year to a close, I can't help but praise God! Without Him, I couldn't have made it through. So many times I felt worn, tired, useless, dumb, stupid, overworked, and so often I would end up a crying mess after trying to hold it all in. It just felt way over my head, every day. But I would bring this before God, and he never ceased to amaze me. His never ending love and compassion and mercy were there for me every morning. He forgave me for all the times I yelled at him, or my parents, or my siblings, but most of all  myself. God never gave up on me, even though I did more times than not. Over the past couple weeks I have just focused on him, and leaned on his strength, not mine. And look where I am! Getting good grades, Finishing before I needed to, and learning more about God's awesomeness! Thank you Lord for getting me through the storms of life and always being there for me. Help me to fix my eyes on you day in and day out.

This song is such a great and true song. How can you hear it and not be thankful?

"But when I fix my eyes on all that you are then every doubt I feel deep in my heart grows strangely dim, all my worries fade and fall to the ground, cause when I seek your face and don't lok around, any place I'm in grows strangely dim.." <3

Life Goals

So, I realized this morning that I haven't really set any REAL life goals for myself. Below is my list so far.

1. Be in a wedding.
2. Go crowd surfing.
3. Go to Hawaii.
4. Have a 6 minute mile time.
5. Drink a whole two liter without stopping and burp as long as Buddy did in Elf.
6. Do a front flip throw in.

Yes, I know, those are some amazing life goals right there. Just kidding. But for reals I will feel like a very successful person if I have done all that by the time I die. Especially #5. ;) When I get to Heaven, though, God isn't gonna be like "Elise! Wow! I can't believe how long that burp was you did! Impressive!" Even though it was an accomplishment to me, it didn't do anything for God except maybe make him laugh a little. I realized that I want to be doing things now and setting goals for myself now that will make an impact for Christ. I want to follow God's will for my life, wherever that may lead me. And in order to do that, I need to KNOW Jesus. Walk hand in hand with the Master of all creativity. I want to be the kind of girl that "Show Jesus" (there's a link below) by Jamie Grace talks about. I desperately want to be that girl, with all my heart. Please Lord Jesus, help me to grow closer to and know you better and better each day so that I can shine your light and be more like you every day. "I no longer live but it is Christ who lives in me, and the life I now live I live by faith in Christ Jesus, who loves me and gave himself up for me." Galatians 2.20
Have a blessed day! :) 


Your smile's always shining out
And they know what it's all about
It's not hard for them to figure out
The way you show Jesus
You know love is what they heard
And you didn't even say a word
Ain't it funny that's the way it works
When you know Jesus

Oh it's like flipping on a light switch when you're walking into this room
It's so undeniable

I gotta tell you that I like the way
Any time anywhere any place
It's written all over your face
The way you love Jesus
And it always speaks to me
A little joy with a touch of peace
It's so inspiring
The way you show Jesus

So gimme that gimme that
And show me that show me that
Oh gimme that gimme that
The way you show Jesus

Family

Why is it harder to show Christ's love to the people you love the most? Why is it so easy to put on a smile and be super nice and serve your friends and acquaintances, but it is so hard to do the same to your family? I know this is probably my number one struggle in life. As much as my heart wants to be the perfect daughter to my parents and a role model to my siblings, my actions don't follow through.  

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:15-20

 I don't want to hurt the people that are closest to me and love me the most any longer. I NEED God's help to overcome my sinful nature. Please Lord help me to be able to see my family as you see them, to love them as you love them, and to treat them like you would treat them. Thank you for never giving up on me, as many times as I have given up on myself. Please help me to be a better daughter and sister to my family :) Amen.


 Are we too far apart?
Two worlds among the stars
You’re gonna take a piece of my heart if you leave
So its two separate ways
Or am I too late to say “I wanna fight for what we got
Cause I believe in family”
In family, in family

Show me how to Love

Good morning! I hope today you find the time to wobble. It really does make your day start off ten times better. :) Don't know how to wobble? http://youtu.be/UH5hUULu4Nk

So, last night I was talking with my dad and Sydney about some Biblical topics. We started to talk about the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law! I started to slowly realize that these were some of the characteristics of Christ. In order to grow to be more like him, I needed to master each of these fruits. I then decided I want to take each one, one at a time, and grow in it, until I have reached the full potential of what CHRIST'S definition of that word is. Starting at the beginning- love. What is Jesus' definition of love? The answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Love looks like this. Love is going to be hard to master, I know. Especially because patience is not a strong point of mine. :) But love is patient is the first step in becoming more like my Savior. Please be praying for me, I really want Him to show me how to become a more loving person, but I have a tendency to slack off of things. I do NOT want to slack off of this amazing journey! I would also encourage anyone else wanting to do this to do it. :) I'm super excited to see what God has in store for me as I continue in this!


"I confess that I’ve been blind
Open up this heart of mine
Show me how to love
Father than this world I know
Take me where You want me to go
Show me how to love"

Show me how to love, Sidewalk Prophets. http://youtu.be/PrrsLqhoQPE