30 Day Blog Challenge: days 1-3

Blogging is not usually something I struggle with.  I can almost always find something to say, whether it interests other people...or just me.  :)

However, I think I've gotten sucked in to the 30 Day Blog Challenge at Katie's Journey.  She's written some great topics, so I just had to... 

So...playing catch up...here goes.

day 1

introduction + recent picture + 15 interesting facts 

Well, if you're reading my blog you either know me, or {let's be honest} blog stalked me enough that you decided to follow me.  You know you do it.  But, a little introduction anyway...

I'm Lindsey.  I'm 23 years old.  I graduated from college in April with a degree in English with a Writing/Publications Concentration.  I'm on the job hunt, like so many these days.  For now I am managing my mom's toy store.  I love my family, friends, & my church.  I lead a Bible Study for youth girls & that's one of the highlights of my week.  One of my favorite verses is John 3:30 {He must become greater; I must become less.} & I want to live that out in all I do.  I love blogging, reading, crafting, playing games, watching movies, & spending time with people I love. 

one. I've recently started running & have finally convinced myself that I don't hate it.

two. I go to sleep watching a movie about 50% of the time, & 95% of those times, I'm watching one of about 5 movies.  I have lots of movies...but I always go back to the favorites.

three. I'm kind of a freak about grammar.

four. I love to make journals.  I use them for my devotions, Bible Study, church, doodling when I'm bored, etc.  And...I probably have about 15 from my freshman year of college to now.

five. I love missions.  I love being able to spend time focusing only on showing God's love to others, meeting physical needs so that spiritual needs can also be met.

five. There are several famous (or at least I consider them to be so) people that I really think would want to be my best friend if they knew me.

six. I love music.  Just about any kind.  Right now, though...top of my list is JJ Heller.

seven. I have names picked out for my next 3-5 pets.

eight. I want my hair to be long enough to wear a low side pony & it look great like Brooke Fraser's.

nine. I get really attached to characters in books.  That's why I really like to read books in a series...I have a hard time coping when I finish the book(s).

ten. I love hot chocolate & coffee, especially flavored kinds.  Favorites: raspberry, pumpkin, gingerbread, mint.

eleven. I hate carbonated drinks.  I can drink a Sprite if I absolutely have to.  But Coke...never.  I distinctly remember the last time I had a sip of Coke.  It was at Six Flags about 15 years ago.  I was thirsting to death & my brother had a Coke.  Pretty sure I spit it out.

twelve. I love New York.  I love the lights, the sounds, the shows, the hustle & bustle, the restaurants, the shopping.  Love it.  Wouldn't want to live there, but I could stay there for longer than most people would probably like to.  I really want to go at Christmastime.

thirteen. I've always wanted to be a ballerina & tell my mom at least once a week that I would probably be a world-renown ballerina by now if she'd made me take ballet when I was little.  Instead I took gymnastics for 7 or 8 years...then cheerleading took over...& then color guard.  Sorry, ballet.

fourteen. I'm really excited about having my own house one day & decorating it just how I want.  #1 reason: having my own house means I can have my own Kitchen Aid mixer.  Preferably red.

fifteen. My best friends age from 15 to 45.  And I love it that way.

day 2

meaning behind your blog name

I wrote a post about this once.  A Heart Abandoned comes from the song "The Stand" by Hillsong.

I'll stand with arms high & heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I'll stand, my soul, Lord, to You, surrendered

All I am is Yours

I finally put all the lyrics on my header because my mom kept telling me A Heart Abandoned was sad & depressing because she didn't get it.

A Heart Abandoned to Him.  I want everything that is me gone...it is sinful, unrighteous, tainted...I want my heart to be like His.

day 3

your first love

This is the reason why I didn't jump on the 30 Day Blog Challenge right from the start.  I got intimidated by day 3.  "First love" in the sense that we'd usually think of it...not something I'm really willing to blog about.  I'll say this though: a lot of heartache...but that is a huge part of what made me who I am today, & for that, I am thankful.

But my real first love: Jesus.  The obvious reasons: I'm worth nothing without Him, He saved me & washed me clean.  But think about this, too: what do we really want out of a relationship?  We want to feel beautiful, valued, needed, rescued, etc.  Who can do that better than the One who created us?  No one.