Good for the soul....

and it's not southern cookin'!

It's friends.

Friends who warm your heart with a hello and a hug. It's looking into the eyes of someone who loves you and laughs at your silliness. Someone who says, "Hey, I thought of you the other day..." A quick text that says Hey, call me (*smiles*). Friends. Friends are amazing and I can personally say I love my friends. I was so excited to go home to see and hug everyone I have missed since moving to South Carolina. It was good for my soul to sit and chat with them... something not afforded to us because of the business of life. Man- I really love and miss you guys! Thank you for giving us some time during a fast paced season.

But something occurred to me last night as we sat preparing for the lesson in the nursery today- I was so EXCITED about going back to church and seeing all the new friends we have... I realized how much I missed them. It's scary and intimidating getting to know new people; finding your place in a new family. But y'all are making it real easy. You are trustworthy, fun, faithful and loving. I see God working through you and I can see His heart within you. You shine brightly and I love you for it! I am SO grateful God is knitting us together!

Y'all are good for my soul!

:)

Needing YOU

I am living in the dissonance of having left home and trying to make a new one... where life isn't everything you thought it would be, and it isn't what it used to be, either. Not that it is a new feeling for a person... it's just the update. I enjoy living in a sunny warm climate, although I think regular views of the endless ocean are needed. It seems to calm the soul in ways few other things do... like deep, long challenging conversations with friends, both old and new. I want to touch the eternal and since it resides in each of us, I think we need to 'tap the collective' :) Who's with me?????

I can't put into the words the excitement I feel in coming home for Christmas- hugging my sister, walking into my home (CITW all the way, baby!), and hugging everyone I have missed these past months (while trying not to cry).

I hope it snows really hard and I can't come home for a couple weeks! Whatcha think?

Lights dancing on the crashing waves

I wrote this Nov. 14th in my journal:

Tonight I desire the black of night and the sea to surround me.
I remember the beauty of lights dancing on the crashing waves...
the intimacy and the company of a million stars by my side.
Reaching out to touch You.
Speaking softly in the wind.
Longing to know You, my God.

The waves softly call, the wind kisses my skin...
tossing my hair.
Yet in the midst of loneliness is a yearning fulfilled...
a heart that is full of You.



It's my heart's cry: to find something familiar again.
A chair, a road, a laugh, a smile.
Right now it is has to be Him because I am in a land far from where I know anything...

Beautiful

An amazing tribute to a loving God and the people He places in our lives.

'You are so Good', Merchant Band

You searched me out
You know all my days
You see all my doubts
You know all my ways

Where can I go?
Where can I run?
You've seen it all before
and You paid for me with love

You are so good
You never leave when I think You should
You are so kind
With all You see, You still give me life

You see my heart
Each movement it makes
From the weakest cry
to the highest of praise

And when I call
You lift me up
You've seen it all before
and You paid for me with love

You are so good
You never leave when I think You should
You are so kind
With all You see You still give me life
You still give me life

I'll let You see me
I'll let You love me
I'll let You hold me until You're done
I'll let You break me
I'll let You fix me
I'll let You shape me until we're one

You are so good
You never leave when I think You should
You are so kind
With all You see, You still give me life....


I was driving home today from worship practice incredibly moved... I had a deep appreciation for the amazing relationships God has given me with beautiful people I love (who never left when I thought they should) and at the same time a gnawing ache for new love relationships with people all around me...

I thank God for love. I said it tonight at practice- I want to be loved and I want to love.

"Part of Me is Invincible"

This is quoted from a new friend, Rachel, in our worship small group this evening.
I love it. It seems to perfectly express this genuine apathy I feel towards the circumstances in my life because I just trust God. Sure, I get down about trials and pressures like everyone else, but not for long. And that is not to brag in my own strength or faith- but really to applaud God rising up in me. To give glory to His goodness in my life, and the peace He envelopes me in. There is a resilience in me that won't be moved, won't be pushed down and can't be ignored. I am just done with this world. I give up. If Christ did nothing else for me, I wouldn't care a bit. He washes me of my sins, cleanses me and makes me new. He is before me, beside me and in front of me. I don't need anything else.

I get a small measure of joy in this thought- the devil is annoyed by this Invisibility I posses in Christ. First, I thank God my name is in the Lamb's Book of Life, then I smile at how the devil won for but a moment. He'll try again, but the outcome will be the same.


Part of me is invincible!

tune in.... next up: more worship!

I have been super tired this last week or so- a result of stress as far as I can figure. Interesting thing has been happening, though, and it's refreshing (and a little annoying- read and you'll understand).

Apparently moving, staying home with a wonderfully active (read: overly)3 1/2 year old, moving again, joining a new church family, my mom almost moving into the hospital (two weekends out of four), and trying to catch up on bills as best as possible has finally caught up with me- not that I would ever complain about these things individually (Ok, maybe the money), but when I put them together I realize I may be a little overwhelmed. On top of that, add some interesting physical weirdness, and I concede- stress is winning. Anyway, I was laying down with Bella the other afternoon, proud that we had gotten a nap in, when Jeff calls. I miss the call (yes, intentionally), but the ringtone keeps me up for the next hour. Every time I close my eyes my mind is singing some lines from the worship set this past Sunday. Every. Time. My nap time, with adorable Bella next to me in bed, turns into an afternoon of radio channel flipping between this worship chorus and that. Wow. I guess my spirit is trying to say something. Which, I guess, isn't that bad after all.

In the meantime, we did enjoy some seasonal fun: Indigo Farm (like, the ONLY one in around- and it's technically in North Carolina) Family Pumpkin Day. Super Fun.
Jeff was the photographer, as usual.
Enjoy!




We kind of just let her wander..... :)



SO CUTE!















And this, well, this is what makes it all worth it!
:D



WE LOVE YOU

Prayers for my mom

I have dragged my computer to the porch, extension chord laid out (if I go just far enough, I get internet connection), to bring this sincere request to you: please pray for my mom. For over a month now she has been plagued with numerous (sometimes changing daily) physical ailments and has been in and out of the hospital at least 5 times. She went back to work today and was told by her boss that a month or two break would be a good idea. She is devastated and already dealing with many, many stresses that have her depressed. She needs God's presence so seriously right now- His comfort, His peace, His understanding and His wisdom. She needs deliverance from these crazy sicknesses and this oppressive depression. She needs clarity of mind and the joy of the Lord. And she really needs her job. Or another one. Whatever God provides.

And please pray for me, too. She called me and I think I was her first call. I just don't know what to do, or say. I feel so lost as to how to help. I just told her Jesus was with her, that she should speak to someone with more wisdom than me, and that we will get through this together (with Jesus). I couldn't stress Him enough.

And to be completely honest with you, this call came after battling in faith for finances of our own. I am so glad we prayed and stood against the attack of our enemy for our own lives. God, I am SO GLAD YOU DEFEATED the devil. Man. It's good to know he is a completely, publicly defeated foe (loser). AND it's great to know You are FOR US and not against us- that You provide a way out, that You care. Thank God!

So of you I ask (beg) please pray for my mom. She is such a beautiful person and a child of God that needs to be lifted out of the murkiness that is her life right now.


Thank you.

Really, thank you so much.

I love you.