It never ceases to amaze me how I can write a post and by the next time I think to glance at my blog again, nearly a month has passed. I ought to do more frequent, more concise updates but such is the life. February was quite eventful, but not in ways I can really explain. I hit both ends of the spectrum as far as my growth is concerned. Fear revealed some areas in my life that need to mature, but there is something about exposing things to the light that is healing in itself. Follow-through has become something I am learning to develop in my life as well; part of that was discovered in realizing that I need people in my life that practice follow-through in order to build that habit myself. Key words: I. Need. People.
A few countdowns are going on in my life right now and they are exciting ones:
My parents are coming in 9 days! I have a couple girlfriends coming to visit over the next month and spring break is the last week of March (plans are sketchy at best-- we'll see how that goes), and... *drum roll* my birthday is in less than a month! I love birthdays anyway, but this one holds a lot of weight to it: 18. I'm not going to go introspective on you with that one, needless to say, I am terrified and highly anticipating all the fun.
St. Patrick's Day is coming up and of course the silliness inside of me is very excited. The kindergarten class I'm working with is having a party so I am looking forward to helping set up treasure hunts, leprechaun boot-prints, and four-leaf clovers everywhere. And wearing insane amounts of green. Looove it. (Plus my parents will be here!)
Spring has been teasing us with beautiful sunny days, followed by cold, windy ones, often including storms. I've definitely learned my lesson to savor the sun, but the weather is just fabulous. My mountains keep me in awe and I catch a sunset whenever I can. In fact, I have begun attempting painting and find that my favorite place to paint is my backporch as the sun sets behind the Sundial Bridge. Of course, the living room isn't bad either-- especially for spontaneous "Let's paint rocks!" sessions inspired by my lovely Canadian goose-- Kari.
Please pray for some guidance in my life from the Lord. It is my goal this month to make some decisions about next year. I'd like to come back to Redding because it has become "home" to me like I never expected. At the same time, I pretty much had an emotional breakdown at the idea of not being a part of the lives of everyone at home-home (Texas). Either way, I'm hoping to pursue my education next year no matter the location, but of course, all in His timing. As much as I know what I want, I've never felt more surrendered and subject to where He's taking all of this (as in, my life). The path lies before me and though it's only lit for the next step, I eagerly await the next revelation.
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
This Too Shall Pass
Another Christmas, another season, another new year. Taking a glance backwards is appropriate at this time because it serves the purpose of reminding us of blessings, growth, loss, changes, and the most crucial thing that I am coming to realize: this too shall pass. Most is so temporal and it is terrible that so significant a thought as "make every moment count" has become so cliché.
I have had delightful Christmases, stressful Christmases, painful Christmases, and various kinds of anticlimactic Christmases. This, by far, was the most unique I have ever experienced. This time home was "home" in a deeper, more abstract sense. Home was not home because that is where my toothbrush is kept, my sleeping done, or even where I know where the silverware is. Home is the place where the familiar is precious (and pretty much taken for granted) and the sharing of moments delightful (because history is mutual). It is where comfortable is more in the atmosphere than location and where unconditional love truly resides. Never before have I been so overwhelmed by blessing and known gratitude as such a heartfelt reality instead of a passing sentiment. My friends, I am rich in all that matters; the grace of God is undeniable in my life. I deserve it not and receive it still.
'Tis the season for resolutions and this is the first year I can recall that I have none. Sure, there are some things that I would not mind tweaking and improving. However, they are all what I have been resolved on previous to the end of the year. All that I really want in 2008 is for my life to look like the transition it ought to: seven is the number of completion and eight of new beginnings. What needs to end can and the best shall be sealed in the treasure-box of experience. The dead and done can give way to the fresh and lively. It truly is all new this upcoming year and I am ready for it; I'm tired of the goodbyes and drastic endings that have occurred over '07. I graduated and that was the beginning of many ends, so many "lasts" for a season of mine. It became a catalyst for firsts, a foreshadowing for this next year as a time beginning. So here I am welcoming '08 with open arms, an open heart, and great anticipation. Surrendered, I stand.
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
- Tennyson
I have had delightful Christmases, stressful Christmases, painful Christmases, and various kinds of anticlimactic Christmases. This, by far, was the most unique I have ever experienced. This time home was "home" in a deeper, more abstract sense. Home was not home because that is where my toothbrush is kept, my sleeping done, or even where I know where the silverware is. Home is the place where the familiar is precious (and pretty much taken for granted) and the sharing of moments delightful (because history is mutual). It is where comfortable is more in the atmosphere than location and where unconditional love truly resides. Never before have I been so overwhelmed by blessing and known gratitude as such a heartfelt reality instead of a passing sentiment. My friends, I am rich in all that matters; the grace of God is undeniable in my life. I deserve it not and receive it still.
'Tis the season for resolutions and this is the first year I can recall that I have none. Sure, there are some things that I would not mind tweaking and improving. However, they are all what I have been resolved on previous to the end of the year. All that I really want in 2008 is for my life to look like the transition it ought to: seven is the number of completion and eight of new beginnings. What needs to end can and the best shall be sealed in the treasure-box of experience. The dead and done can give way to the fresh and lively. It truly is all new this upcoming year and I am ready for it; I'm tired of the goodbyes and drastic endings that have occurred over '07. I graduated and that was the beginning of many ends, so many "lasts" for a season of mine. It became a catalyst for firsts, a foreshadowing for this next year as a time beginning. So here I am welcoming '08 with open arms, an open heart, and great anticipation. Surrendered, I stand.
Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
- Tennyson
Sunday, September 9, 2007
And Then She Flew
A song by Josh Ritter has been my California-anthem so far; here are a couple lyrics:
"Going out to California, gonna let the water warm my clothes. I’m alone but I’m not lonely. Gonna trade the weather for the Western coast. No, don't cry, I'll be back and I'll bring the sun to shine in your eyes on your shoulders... Don't say the trip's been done a hundred thousand times 'cause this one is mine. So I will work at what work finds me and I will take what comfort I can get. I’ll be back when I’m good and ready. California doesn’t seem to think I’m ready yet."
I'm already feeling the warmth of a different Sun and I cannot wait to pack it up and bring it home; right now, I am enjoying soaking in the heat and pressure of spiritual revolution. Right now my internet connection is limited (we do not have wireless at the apartment yet) and I actually need to go; I am meeting my roommates for dinner at a family's house who has been a huge blessing to me so far here. I did want to update my faithful friends and prayer warriors at home, though.
The apartment is coming together well; it's feeling like home. (I'll post pictures soon; my camera and I are at odds). The view is spectacular. Jesus is stirring up some crazy stuff in my heart and I'm warning you guys: I'm about to jump off this cliff and never be the same. I'm an all-or-nothing person and this is my moment... I'm saying, "Yes."
Something on my mind has been where I will go next year; don't get me wrong: my heart is definitely here and involved in the present of what God is doing, but there is wisdom in planning. Ironically, the schools I am most interested in are extremely expensive and have minimal financial aid. I have been doing a little research into getting some scholarships essay-wise, but really I have no idea where to take my college application process. That's terrifying to me in so many ways! Please pray for undoubtable clarity and open doors for whatever and wherever God wants to take me.
Okay, I'm off! My apologies on the brief and flighty update; hopefully when our final roommate comes in tomorrow we can get this internet act together! Love and blessings of revelation.
Prayer Request: the financial means to live here and the money for tuition, direction with college applications, the follow-through on the transformation that is beginning
...
URGENT: Pray for our NATION! There is some crazy stuff happening in the spiritual realm that we need to fight for: protection and wisdom especially. We have no right to critique decisions if we are not doing everything we can to encourage the wise ones: that begins in prayer.
"Going out to California, gonna let the water warm my clothes. I’m alone but I’m not lonely. Gonna trade the weather for the Western coast. No, don't cry, I'll be back and I'll bring the sun to shine in your eyes on your shoulders... Don't say the trip's been done a hundred thousand times 'cause this one is mine. So I will work at what work finds me and I will take what comfort I can get. I’ll be back when I’m good and ready. California doesn’t seem to think I’m ready yet."
I'm already feeling the warmth of a different Sun and I cannot wait to pack it up and bring it home; right now, I am enjoying soaking in the heat and pressure of spiritual revolution. Right now my internet connection is limited (we do not have wireless at the apartment yet) and I actually need to go; I am meeting my roommates for dinner at a family's house who has been a huge blessing to me so far here. I did want to update my faithful friends and prayer warriors at home, though.
The apartment is coming together well; it's feeling like home. (I'll post pictures soon; my camera and I are at odds). The view is spectacular. Jesus is stirring up some crazy stuff in my heart and I'm warning you guys: I'm about to jump off this cliff and never be the same. I'm an all-or-nothing person and this is my moment... I'm saying, "Yes."
Something on my mind has been where I will go next year; don't get me wrong: my heart is definitely here and involved in the present of what God is doing, but there is wisdom in planning. Ironically, the schools I am most interested in are extremely expensive and have minimal financial aid. I have been doing a little research into getting some scholarships essay-wise, but really I have no idea where to take my college application process. That's terrifying to me in so many ways! Please pray for undoubtable clarity and open doors for whatever and wherever God wants to take me.
Okay, I'm off! My apologies on the brief and flighty update; hopefully when our final roommate comes in tomorrow we can get this internet act together! Love and blessings of revelation.
Prayer Request: the financial means to live here and the money for tuition, direction with college applications, the follow-through on the transformation that is beginning
...
URGENT: Pray for our NATION! There is some crazy stuff happening in the spiritual realm that we need to fight for: protection and wisdom especially. We have no right to critique decisions if we are not doing everything we can to encourage the wise ones: that begins in prayer.
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