an open letter: here we have hope

photocred to http://byemmafaye.com/

"...rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep..." -romans 12:15

Dear friends,

Knowing you has taught me much - much of love, laughter, rest, struggle, authenticity, & trust. I came here unsure about who I would spend my days with, worried about doing life alone. Man did Jesus decide to show off His provision in providing me with you.

As I sat tonight and heard the lines Jesus has been writing in your life lately - I was overcome with this deep feeling of Hope. Hope because I know that You call Him Friend, that you know Him as your Abba Father, and look to Him as Lord of your life. And that all of those titles are true not just in name but in action of who He is. That Savior, that King is pursuing each of you & in this life teaching you what it is to be loved & to love. And as you each face what every day brings, you walk with Him. That is why I have immense Hope as I hear the story He is writing with you.

Over the past months I've had the privilege of reading those lines as I walk alongside you all. I've been absolutely blown away to witness the redemptive, abundant work of the Father in your lives. The refining has been bright & bold for some of you, in others it's been uncomfortable & shaking. No matter the feelings, emotions, circumstances surrounding each - I have seen ashes turned to beauty in each of your lives. I am so grateful to walk on this holy ground, brought to my knees at the redemptive power of our Father as He reveals His plan for your life & leads you in Life Everlasting.

Thank you. Thank you each for simply being - for returning to your Father & reminding me daily that it is only in His arms that we are fully satisfied. Thank you for laughing long & loud & many times without any "good" reason - you've deepened my understanding of Joy Unexplainable. Thank you for listening & speaking Truth to me and those you brush shoulders with everyday - you are a mouthpiece for the Kingdom. Thank you for being real - for sitting in silence, for allowing the tears to fall, for asking the hard questions - you remind of what it is to be human & that we couldn't do this alone.

I love you all. Deep & wide. Thank you for living life with me, for embracing each other's messy, & being the hands & feet of our Friend Jesus. I love reading what He is writing with you, thanks for keeping an open book & letting me read.

Love,
Ky

thank you

Transition mode: initiated.
One job over, the other beginning.
Four hour commute.
Packing boxes.

This has been the bare bones of life the last two weeks. The flesh being all the bittersweet moments in between. I can't say enough to thank the friends and family that have walked the last few weeks with me, and really this entire year been faithful to walk beside and point me back to Him. I am humbled to tears by their grace and generosity. I've been a messy sight to behold on some days, yet these brothers and sisters have taken me as I've come. Tear stains and upset words, exhausted body and overwhelmed brain. They were there. Whether present in the moment or a skype/phone call away. (Good thing we have a flat rate phone bill, right mama? ;)  )

So this is me saying thank you. I know it really isn't much, but I know I really can't repay y'all all that you have showered upon me! Right there is one way you've pointed me back to Jesus and shown me Him again and again. Grace extended - not for gain.

Thank you for putting flesh-action to the Gospel. You are all incredible!!

[grateful thoughts]

These last few weeks have been full of....

being reunited with these lovelies (aka Mary Margaret & Emma Swan)

running & walking through Narnia

sunsets like this & His calming words 

"be present"

early morning Americanos & trying to convince my body 

that it will survive even if I wake it up at 5:30am everyday

snow frosted mornings that remind me how much I love the cold!

Hope you all have a crazy wonderful weekend, full of oversized sweaters,

 endless cups of coffee, and warm toes! 

[grateful thoughts]

May your weekend be full of moments

of rest that feels like a deep inhale 

& warms you from the inside out

 of days begun with adventure that refuse to let you settle 

for anything less in how you spend the rest of your day

of cups of coffee shared with friends from farther away 

& those conversations that leave you with a smile on your face

of skies so empty, much like your knowledge of the future

& the peace that dwells in the Mystery

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! Looking forward to more writing coming soon, so keep your binoculars on the horizon for more to come in the next few weeks!

a day off

a break in time from the usual

eyes for makarios that envelope these 24 hours

discovery time with Jesus

classrooms that look like this

sprinkles of flowers in front yards

barefoot baking & yummy smelling houses

grateful that He walks through everyday by my side & uses the world around me to overwhelm my heart with reminders of His grace and mercy.

[grateful thoughts]

A glance back over the shoulder at the moments & adventures shared

in order to gaze upwards & thank the Giver of all

car rides & cuddles with pups named Pancake

mornings spent walking in parks & dreaming of days to come

days started with colorado coffee in french presses

work that makes me feel like I'm in exactly the right place

kitchen giggles & yummy dinners

 all with the most lovely best a gal could ask for

night rides with acoustic tunes simply "because"

to adopt words that sum it up better than I can say:

"Here's to gratitude and how it turns everything into enough."

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