be still my soul

Be still and know that I am God.. Pslam 46:10

I'm awful at this. I always want to go.. and do.. and go some more. I'm a planner. An organizer.

Lord, why can't I just rest in your presence?!

I'm in Palm Springs with my family for a few days, and as silly as it sounds, I would almost rather be home! Besides looking forward to numerous tennis matches with my dad and brother, I am dreading all of the down time. I want this little vacation to be a beneficial time of solitude, focused on waiting on the Lord for direction.

Holidays have a funny way of illuminating one's singleness, and it bothers me to be discontent over something like that. There are many places in my heart that I thought I had given up to God to let Him fill- only to realize that I held onto those desires more fiercely and quietly than before.

Will the day of rest and contentment ever come? Why won't I let myself be satisfied in Jesus alone?

the happiest holidays

This Christmas has been particularly special because a missionary friend, who I met in Thailand, was able to spend the holidays with my family. In one week, I've dragged Leinie around San Diego trying to accomplish all of the things she's never done before! So far, we've played in the snow in Julian, gone ice skating at Horton Plaza, been to Coronado, explored tide pools in La Jolla, visited with family friends every night, and played every game in my house! Now I am just being still. Waiting on the Lord. And the quiet feels so good!

tomorrow

i will be in california.

so studious

Huck studying for finals with me. Love.

"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." Alexander Woollcott

As of yesterday at 2pm, class is officially over for the year!
5 finals and then I'm flying back to my family.

This morning, my roommate was encouraged to pursue her walk with Christ from a UPS guy. He even prayed with her before she left the store. How can I love so intentionally like that guy?
Then, I found out that he goes to my church and belongs to the life group that I "didn't have time for" this semester. Man, I really have skewed priorities sometimes.

Tonight I am attending a Christmas performance at my church and I am praying about who to invite. Who do I know that specifically needs to hear from God tonight? I'm nervous about what God will tell me tonight.

Huck and I have been running around the Baylor neighborhood in the evenings to let out some of his exuberant energy and some of my stress. When I'm not yelling at him to keep up or slow down, its been a great time of worship and prayer. Last night I caught myself singing out loud because I believe that no one can hear me if I have ear buds in. Huck probably thinks I'm just a crazy old lady who talks to herself all day!

Now, finishing my third cup of coffee, I'm officially studying for finals...

truth

YOU created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

YOUR works are wonderful...!

Pslam 139:13-14

Sometimes it is easy to forget that God loves me and delights in me. I forget that even when I reject Him, He gently teaches me His consistency. When I tear things apart, He mends them together. In all my brokenness and rejection, He thinks I am beautiful. Because He made me to be in communion with Him, my heart is not complete without His love; and without His power, I can do nothing. Thank you Lord for treasuring me as Your beautiful work!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I love the smells. I love the cold. I love the annoyingly overplayed music. I love, and think its funny, how everyone who doesn't even know Jesus sings about Him. I love warm clothes. I love giving. I love the food. I love the decorations. I love the lights. I love the fact that people bring trees inside and decorate them (brilliant idea that people should do year round because I love trees!).

I love that families come together and actually spend time with one another. I love trying to make creative and crafty presents even though they never turn out. I love special traditions, even if they are not my own. I love the idea of a jolly man who spends all his time eating cookies and giving things to people. I love ice skating (even in CA). I love walking around the malls even if I don't buy anything.

I love that everyone smiles and says "Merry Christmas" to people they don't know. I love tacky Christmas pajamas. I love the mint M&Ms. I love stocking stuffers. I love the stories behind ornaments. I love seeing friends I haven't seen in years. I love carolling even though I'm not very good at singing. I love the cards with their yearly updates and photos. I love the movies (even the tacky ones).

I just LOVE Christmas. Thank you Jesus for being born, and thank you early Christians for deciding to celebrate the blessed event in winter and to incorporate other crazy pagan traditions!!!

(Photographs courtesy of We Heart It)

laugh a little

This is a video I took on my little digital camera of my cousin Joe and his little friend a couple years ago that never fails to make me laugh! They are totally serious and didn't rehearse or anything! Just watch Joe in the red and you are bound to crack a smile!