Be bold. Make a joyful noise.

Hi!

On my last post last week, I mentioned to you that I was taking a step back from a few things.

I have been trying to seek the Lord in many areas of my life; however, I feel like I am just getting past the basics.

You know when you plan to do some major house cleaning, and you have to get the first layer cleared out before you can get to the good stuff?

Move the magazines off the coffee table, clear the bills, etc.

That's kind of how I have felt trying to clear up my life. I feel like recently my priorities haven't been in the right order. I have been so busy with this and that, that I haven't even taken the time to just really sit, pray, and wait on the Lord.  Finally..I can do that!

In the next couple of weeks, I want to share with you the things the Lord is showing me.

Maybe you feel like you are in a rut too, and something I might say might inspire you to take a step back from your everyday life, and just really listen to God.

Lesson #1: Be bold. Don't worry about others.

The past couple of months, my mom has been after me to join the choir. Believe me when I say...I can not sing. Do I love it though? Absolutely. I especially love singing praises to my King.  Honestly, every since she (and her fellow choir members) have been asking me, I have kind of looked at it as just being funny, and something I would never do. Deep down inside I have been dying too though.

I was afraid.  Afraid of what others would say. It's not a secret that my voice isn't beautiful. Trust me. I was afraid of the jokes that would be made. The things that would be said about my voice.

Does God care? No. God knows I don't have the most beautiful  voice in the world. He created me.

He is the giver of this voice. To him, any praises I send up are beautiful.

God moved on my heart yesterday, and showed me that I needed to be bold, and make a move for Him.

Last night...I joined the choir :)

Are you in a rut? What bold step have you taken lately? Are you making a joyful noise for the Lord?

Things to come...

HI :) I haven't had time to do much blogging lately. I actually haven't even had time to read any of my favorites blogs lately. I have been drowning in note cards and online courses. I just wanted to check in and tell you a little of what's going on.  I am currently taking a little break from all of my technology. Not getting away from it completely (obviously), but I just need a little space to focus on things. Don't think I have fallen off the face of earth if I'm not responding to all of your messages, wall posts, or tweets. I'm alive, just a little overwhelmed!  I want to spend  a little less time on my phone, and a little more time actually hanging out with people.  I really need to be focusing school, and spending more time with my Jesus :) Also, I am excited to tell you that I am soon to have my very first person guest blog for Beautiful Fat Feet. . I know she will do wonderful! You definitely won't want to miss!!

Today, I am having lunch with my two best friends from high school, Candace & Keely!  Candace and I haven't seen each other since fall of last year, and Keely and I briefly talked in the parking lot after class a couple of weeks ago for the first time in months! I really can't wait to see them.  We have SOO much to catch up on!

You can call us whitney, lo, and lc :)

Go check out a few of my Philippine stories...

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you all know that I have frequently been posting a few of my personal stories from the Philippines in the Philippine Story tab! I hope you all enjoy reading them. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share them with you, and hope you might get something out of them, whether it be an inspiration or a good laugh.

P.S.

I stole this picture from Kelsey! You should go check her out at A Few of My Favorite Things!

One Hundred Six

A few days ago my mom was listening to Wizard 106.7 as she was headed to work. On this particular morning,  Kelli and Roadkill Bill were trying to find ten people in our area to commit themselves to helping Le Bonheur Children's Hospital raise at least $106 each.  Mom thought it would be a terrific thing for our family and friends to help out with, so she called me and I signed us up!

A little about Le Bonheur...
LeBonheur is a non profit, regional pediatric medical center which provides 225 patient beds and 45 medical subspecialties. In 2010 alone, Le Bonheur treated  more that 130,000 children, the majority of which were younger than five years old.  Children come from all fifty states to Le Bonheur in search of medical help. 

"Le Bonheur Children's Hospital has developed and maintains the largest surgical brain tumor program in the United States.  Pediatric surgeons at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital use the most advanced technology and work in conjunction with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for multidisciplinary therapy for brain tumors."

Every single dollar that I raise will go toward helping  benefit the children in Le Bonheur.  As I said...I committed to raising $106. I only need eleven people to commit to give $10 to make that happen; however, I would really, really love to raise a lot more than that, so if you can give..please do :) This is for a very, very good cause. I encourage you to help out!

***If you would like to donate, you can mail cash or check to:
                     
                             550 Grovner Springs Rd.
                             Fulton, MS 38843

If you have any questions, feel free to email me :)
                                 emily.paige.white@gmail.com

"We're not put on earth for ourselves but to give back to others. It's not ours to begin with.  It's God's gift and we must use it wisely.  Everything I have is a 'loan.'  Laying the groundwork for the next generation is the responsibility of everyone." -Kini Kedligh Plumlee

What is true beauty?

Hi! I recently found a blog that I would love to share with you! It's called wonderfullymade. I found it very encouraging, and hope you will too! Today, we sometimes have to be reminded that we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. I hope you find this as uplifting as I did :)

Pretty weather makes me want to...Take Pictures!

The temperatures have gotten a lot cooler, and I just can't make myself sit inside for long periods of time. It's just too beautiful outside not to be out enjoying it.  As I was sitting on the front porch a couple of days ago, I got this crazy urge to get out in the yard and take a few pictures. I got a few snapshots of our beautiful dogs, Daisy and Hank, and then decided to head down the road to my grandparents. I knew they would have plenty of random things for me to photograph and have a little fun with! They didn't let me down...Hehe :) Hope you enjoy my randomness!

Hank

She's a beauty!

I decided to go to my grandparents house for a few more pictures of things other than my beautiful dogs. My grandma makes bird houses such as these.

Yes, my grandmother has an outhouse...it's most only there for looks :)

My grandparents all kinds of fun things sitting around, such as this old mailbox.





I know...I'm a slacker..

Hi all :)

I am so sorry I have been absent from my blog for so long now. I feel like I have let those of you down you actually are interested in my ramblings about my life; however, my life has been a bit crazy, and I have had pretty much zero computer time! Since I have last blogged, I have been back in the Philippines! It was a blast, and I cannot wait to tell you about it! It was such a joy to return to the home of the happiest people in the world. I am so excited to tell you many of my stories. It is very over whelming to me to think of all of the God stories I have. I would love to share everyone of them with you, and as soon as possible; however, that is a huge task. I will try my best to balance both keeping you updated with what's currently going on in my life, as well as Philippine stories. Within the next week, I will try my best to type up a couple of the stories and post them under the "Philippine Stories" tab! If anyone happens to read this before tomorrow night, I would like to invite you to hear some of my stories in person. The entire Philippine team from East Marietta Baptist Church will be sharing a few stories, as well as showing pictures and videos, tomorrow night, August 14, at 6:00 p.m. I would love for you to come! Meanwhile, you are in my prayers :)