little ones

lately it's been hide-and-seek,

chocolate mustaches and blanket forts.

smiles around corners that peek,

and goats nibbling shorts.

thankful for these little ones

and the joy they bring.

g'night friends!

glimpses of lately

7 days. A week back here, the place a call home. It's been sweet time and a feels like the exhale of a big breath after a long semester. Here's a few glimpses in to life lately....

Bittersweet good-byes in the best of places. 

Complete with cups a jo, yummy pizza, and lotsa hugs to go around.

Nights at home with those long-since-seen.

 Indoor s'mores, more coffee, and sleepy eyes.

New adventures in exciting places. 

Seriously "blown" away by the art of glass blowing now.

Celebrating the wonderful mama's in my life. 

Wisdom and beauty right there folks!

Days spent soaking up the sun with these 3 youngsters.

My baby-language is coming back strong.

Eating healthy food in a real kitchen in a real home.

It truly is a splendid thing.

My dorm emptied in to the game room. 

A mess that no insta-effect can remedy. 

(stay tuned this project is still in process)

More time with the little-uns.

Outside, water soaked, and bellies full of watermelon.

This is what summer is made of. Hope you're enjoying these days as much as I am friends!

And oh hey, in case you didn't notice...

It's the WEEKEND!! Now go dance or something, because that's exciting!

i don't know

(image: Pinterest)

I don't know. This is where life is right now. I'm not sure if there's ever been a point at which the future was so unknown to me as it is right now. ( I could be exaggerating here, but really.) There is a staircase before me that is dark, I'm not sure where the first step is, and Papa has called me to wait. To sit here and wait.

I'm not one to wait much. Or if I am waiting, I do what I call "active waiting". I always try to be productive, so if I'm in an office or before class, 99 out of 100 times I will be doing something-making a list, reading a book, checking email, on the phone.

What's funny as I sit and re-read what I've just wrote is that the emphasis of the unknown is on me. I don't know, and that's just it- I don't. I never truly know. But He does. And this is the Truth I cling to. Because I know His character-He is good, He is faithful, and gives joy and peace abundantly. And He has been so wonderful to show me that this week.

So many little blessings, makarios, have twinkled to show light in the midst of the dark unknown. I could literally list the many things that keep me looking Up. From the people who have walked across rooms just to open the door for me, the visiting students saying "Howdy! I hope you feel better!" as I pass, the friends whose selflessness has astounded me as they walk me from class to class carrying my bag, and the countless texts, messages, phone calls asking how I am and if there's anything that can be done. I find myself joyfully speechless as the flash of these little lights flit on by.

I knew from the beginning, when I approached this staircase and Papa whispered to stay here and wait, that JOY was going to be found at this landing. He hasn't ceased to deliver. Again and again, joy appears, the lights twinkle by, and because of His Hope I look Up. And while I don't see the path before me, I know Who walks beside me and holds my hand.

In Him alone, I can trust. How lovely?

May your day be wonderful and you have eyes to see His makarios, my dears!

when life looks different

When life looks different from what you thought it would....


you learn to walk without seeing the next step

you see what a gift those around you truly are

you laugh at unexpected circumstances

you cry a little at the unknown

you hold tightly to the Truth: "I am the same yesterday, today, and forever."

you have the choice of Joy Abundant every moment & His Strength to make it

you rest so securely in the arms of a Savior that loves you dearly and hears your every whispered cry

please excuse the construction

Workin on a new blog design as of late, so it looks a little "eh" around here. Soon (and by soon I mean, I have no idea when exactly) the brand-spankin-new look will be up to marvel at, or not notice. Either way, thanks for stickin around! :)

perception

What do you think of me?

How often is this the question that laces our thoughts.
It's embarrassing, isn't it?
We hate to admit that we care so much, so often.
I'm guilty of it.

How are we seen?
To what conclusions do people arrive at once they have met us?
What image is projected upon the white mask we hide behind?

I've been thinking about this quite a lot lately.
A little, as I have sifted through blogs and 'social-media' pages.
A bit, as I have encountered and witnessed interactions.
A lot, as I have examined my own motives when posed with the question:

WHY?

This isn't a very conclusive post.
More a thought-process I'm throwing out there,
perhaps to be returned with your own ideas or answered with silence.

So I ask you:
WHY?

I'm committing to ask myself this and maybe you will too.
Rather than accepting the status quo of my thought life.
Capturing every thought and holding up to the Light.

Let's see where things go from here, shall we?

to my sisters

Your stories have been a light to my day,
your lives beautiful displays of the Father's redemptive grace.

You have grabbed hold of the Truth,
and fearlessly run forth with laughter in your eyes.

You know that the work has just begun,
and the masterpiece being painted is breathtaking.

You feel out of control of all that is going on,
but are learning the joy of Faith without sight.

You delve deep in to what many would avoid,
knowing that you never walk alone.

You cast off the fear of man that constricts,
and boldly burst forth in Christ-confidence.

You won't settle to remain where you are,
because you know that ahead lies better things.

Your gaze doesn't settle upon fleeting pleasures,
but is fixed upwards on the Eternal.


You each are a gift to those you encounter,
the Light of True Life within you radiates without relent.



Thank you sisters.
For the words spoken, the tears shed, the masks removed, and the invitation in to your life.
I'm oh so thankful for each of you.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:14-15