Bella Vita is back in action! Sorry for my extended absence from the blogging community - I'm sure it's been hard on you all haha.
I'll be sure to catch you up to pace on the happenings of my life and hopefully fall back into the writing routine, but tonight I come to you with a song on my heart. This is a song that I've posted a video of on this blog before, but it's one I regularly turn to and want to share with you once again.
Honestly, life for me right now is going fairly smoothly, so this post isn't really about me. But at the same time it is. It's about you, and me, and all of us. It's about seasons of brokenness, discouragement, and disappointment.. seasons we've all walked through before.
Tonight I attended a viewing for the father of one of my oldest friends. As I settled into an open spot on the couch in the waiting room, I looked over to my right, to another lifelong friend of mine who was uninhabitedly sporting her freshly shaved head, a reminder of the cancer she's fighting. I then looked back to my left, to my friend standing beside her father's casket, and I watched her soft strength fight back tears as she went through the blurred motions of receiving condolences. It was then that I was overwhelmed with the thought, "This is not how it's supposed to be."
Reminders of the frailty of life. Reminders of fear and uncertainty. Reminders of that deep aching of life. Reminders that this world is not our home. Praise God that this is not our home. Praise God that this is not all we get. Praise God that the brokenness we experience in this world will be restored. Praise God.
♥
Here's the song of my heart tonight..
'Blessings'-Laura Story
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
e 'una bella vita in California!
I've started a new blog as an extension of this (my main blog) just for this summer. I'm spending my summer living in California and serving as an intern at Saddleback. My new blog is dedicated to my experiences there so if you'd like to get involved in my journey there, please follow! http://mycaliforniaadventures.blogspot.com/
bella vita! It's a beautiful life...
bella vita! It's a beautiful life...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
1500
P.S. Bella Vita has officially hit 1,500 views! Sure don't know who's been coming across this hidden, often neglected, little blog that often but I'm glad ya are!
The Run
Hey friends,
Tonight I thought I would share with you a short little piece I wrote last summer. It seems appropriate as I'm reflecting on my upcoming graduation this Saturday and all the emotions this stirs in me. Enjoy.
------------------------------------------------------------
"Wow, that tall, curly haired guy coming at me sure runs a lot like my little brother," I thought to myself as I was finishing up lap number two around my campus. I nearly impulsively made some ridiculous staged gesture of sprinting directly at him in a playful game of chicken on the sidewalk but took a second thought that I better wait a few more strides and convince myself it was really him and not some innocent man out for a peaceful early evening run. I couldn't think of a reason why this kid that doesn't even have his license would be here on my campus that is twenty miles from my house on a school night.
Taking a few strides forward I played out the scenario in my mind of how awkward it would have been had I let myself act impulsively and charge at this unsuspecting passerby who was still running my direction only to find out it was in fact someone else who would inevitably proceed to knock me to the ground for the threat of stranger danger. I laughed silently and gave myself praise for saving myself from doing something embarrassing for once. A few more strides and I reflected once again on how awkward it is to pass other people while running. Do you make eye contact? Do you smile? Or is that creepy? Should I speed up to look as if I'm actually a strong runner? Would that be too obvious considering my face is surely the color of the stop sign up ahead and I can hear my heaving breath even over the Pump It Up playlist I'm blaring through my iPod headphones? Maybe I should continue moving ahead at this pathetic pace that would lead one to believe I've never exercised in my life. I wish there was somewhere I could go for these long runs where I didn't have to pass by anybody and was out of view and judgment of the world. Why does this runner look so much like my brother? I think I'm suffering from heat hallucinations. Is that a real thing?
Four more of my fake strong strides and I convince myself I should at least acknowledge my fellow road-mate with brief eye contact to assure him that I see him coming and will not crowd the sidewalk we are sharing or side-swipe him in the anticipated moment we will cross paths. He approaches more quickly now, his speed putting me to shame. He's giving me that awkward, creepy, running stranger smile. Two more strides and I'm sold. That's gotta be my brother. That's Michael for sure. We exchange 'What are you doing here?' glances as we pass. And then I turn around.
'Hey, wait up kid!' I yell to him as I try to catch up and match his pace. 'Why are you here?' and 'How long you been running?' are questions we exchange. Although prior to his interference on my path I had planned on being finished with my daily run after that lap, I reluctantly agreed to finish out his remaining twenty-six minutes he had planned for his run. I knew Michael had been considering going to my college after his few years he had left of high school and so being the considerate big sister that I am thought it would be fun to turn our run around campus into an insider's tour for him. My selfish intention was to make the run pass more painlessly by distracting my mind from those pathetic, aching things I try to pass off as muscles in my legs.
More than that though I wanted to give Michael a taste of my beloved school. I wanted to show him more than building names and the quickest routes to class. I wanted to share personal stories and give insight to the life and heart of the campus and share my passion for the place and how each dorm, and bench, and even tree held a special memory and point of growth in me. I was going to make this into the ultimate campus tour, something he wouldn't get through any trained admissions tour guide.
I told him about the stereotypes of the residents of each dorm. We talked about where he might fit in best and both agreed he was definitely a Wright Hall kind of guy. We envisioned and joked about how he might spend his days there. I assured him of all the fun he would have staying up late playing video games, and trying to pull ridiculous stunts with the guys on his floor, and hanging out in the lobby chatting up those crazy Hardy Hall freshmen girls.
I told him the truth about the food in the DC and provided him with a guide of which cooks' lines to go for and which foods to avoid. I took him to the tree where my crush from my freshman year used to have me sneak out to meet him at three in the morning to sit and talk. I warned him about the vulnerability of a young girl's heart with the world ahead of her and a boy with a cute smile taking her by the hand and helping her climb a tree under the moonlight. "Michael, don't use this tree to your advantage. If you take a girl here to talk, fine. But be careful not to lead her on and don't you dare break her heart."
We ran by the different academic buildings and I gave him the insider's scoop on all of the classes. I encouraged him to really appreciate his professors and invest in a relationship with them because they would serve as exceptional mentors for him during his four years. I pointed out benches and church steps and parking lots and even patches of grass where I had memorable conversations with friends. I recalled for him conversations that made me nearly pee my pants from laughing so hard and conversations of conviction that brought me to tears. "Michael, this place is so much more than buildings and sidewalks and classes and chapels. It's the relationships that make the difference. It's the friends you make here that will strengthen you when you're weak, and push you when it's uncomfortable, and make you see truth when your vision is clouded, and encourage you when you feel defeated and pop balloons with you when you finish final exams and dance with you when you just need a break from life. It's in these relationships and partnering in the journey that God will use to shape you into the man He desires for you to be."
A few more strides and the alarm on his watch sounded. We finished the twenty-six minutes stride for stride. "And one more piece of advice Michael.. Whenever you're running the road ahead of you and someone comes into your path, always look up. Make eye contact. Give the awkward, creepy, running stranger smile. If they'll let you, turn and continue your run with them. It may change your direction. It may take you where you hadn't intended on going. It may take you longer to get to where you want to be. But the life God desires for us is one lived in relationship. Don't miss that. Share the journey. Share the run."
Tonight I thought I would share with you a short little piece I wrote last summer. It seems appropriate as I'm reflecting on my upcoming graduation this Saturday and all the emotions this stirs in me. Enjoy.
------------------------------------------------------------
"Wow, that tall, curly haired guy coming at me sure runs a lot like my little brother," I thought to myself as I was finishing up lap number two around my campus. I nearly impulsively made some ridiculous staged gesture of sprinting directly at him in a playful game of chicken on the sidewalk but took a second thought that I better wait a few more strides and convince myself it was really him and not some innocent man out for a peaceful early evening run. I couldn't think of a reason why this kid that doesn't even have his license would be here on my campus that is twenty miles from my house on a school night.
Taking a few strides forward I played out the scenario in my mind of how awkward it would have been had I let myself act impulsively and charge at this unsuspecting passerby who was still running my direction only to find out it was in fact someone else who would inevitably proceed to knock me to the ground for the threat of stranger danger. I laughed silently and gave myself praise for saving myself from doing something embarrassing for once. A few more strides and I reflected once again on how awkward it is to pass other people while running. Do you make eye contact? Do you smile? Or is that creepy? Should I speed up to look as if I'm actually a strong runner? Would that be too obvious considering my face is surely the color of the stop sign up ahead and I can hear my heaving breath even over the Pump It Up playlist I'm blaring through my iPod headphones? Maybe I should continue moving ahead at this pathetic pace that would lead one to believe I've never exercised in my life. I wish there was somewhere I could go for these long runs where I didn't have to pass by anybody and was out of view and judgment of the world. Why does this runner look so much like my brother? I think I'm suffering from heat hallucinations. Is that a real thing?
Four more of my fake strong strides and I convince myself I should at least acknowledge my fellow road-mate with brief eye contact to assure him that I see him coming and will not crowd the sidewalk we are sharing or side-swipe him in the anticipated moment we will cross paths. He approaches more quickly now, his speed putting me to shame. He's giving me that awkward, creepy, running stranger smile. Two more strides and I'm sold. That's gotta be my brother. That's Michael for sure. We exchange 'What are you doing here?' glances as we pass. And then I turn around.
'Hey, wait up kid!' I yell to him as I try to catch up and match his pace. 'Why are you here?' and 'How long you been running?' are questions we exchange. Although prior to his interference on my path I had planned on being finished with my daily run after that lap, I reluctantly agreed to finish out his remaining twenty-six minutes he had planned for his run. I knew Michael had been considering going to my college after his few years he had left of high school and so being the considerate big sister that I am thought it would be fun to turn our run around campus into an insider's tour for him. My selfish intention was to make the run pass more painlessly by distracting my mind from those pathetic, aching things I try to pass off as muscles in my legs.
More than that though I wanted to give Michael a taste of my beloved school. I wanted to show him more than building names and the quickest routes to class. I wanted to share personal stories and give insight to the life and heart of the campus and share my passion for the place and how each dorm, and bench, and even tree held a special memory and point of growth in me. I was going to make this into the ultimate campus tour, something he wouldn't get through any trained admissions tour guide.
I told him about the stereotypes of the residents of each dorm. We talked about where he might fit in best and both agreed he was definitely a Wright Hall kind of guy. We envisioned and joked about how he might spend his days there. I assured him of all the fun he would have staying up late playing video games, and trying to pull ridiculous stunts with the guys on his floor, and hanging out in the lobby chatting up those crazy Hardy Hall freshmen girls.
I told him the truth about the food in the DC and provided him with a guide of which cooks' lines to go for and which foods to avoid. I took him to the tree where my crush from my freshman year used to have me sneak out to meet him at three in the morning to sit and talk. I warned him about the vulnerability of a young girl's heart with the world ahead of her and a boy with a cute smile taking her by the hand and helping her climb a tree under the moonlight. "Michael, don't use this tree to your advantage. If you take a girl here to talk, fine. But be careful not to lead her on and don't you dare break her heart."
We ran by the different academic buildings and I gave him the insider's scoop on all of the classes. I encouraged him to really appreciate his professors and invest in a relationship with them because they would serve as exceptional mentors for him during his four years. I pointed out benches and church steps and parking lots and even patches of grass where I had memorable conversations with friends. I recalled for him conversations that made me nearly pee my pants from laughing so hard and conversations of conviction that brought me to tears. "Michael, this place is so much more than buildings and sidewalks and classes and chapels. It's the relationships that make the difference. It's the friends you make here that will strengthen you when you're weak, and push you when it's uncomfortable, and make you see truth when your vision is clouded, and encourage you when you feel defeated and pop balloons with you when you finish final exams and dance with you when you just need a break from life. It's in these relationships and partnering in the journey that God will use to shape you into the man He desires for you to be."
A few more strides and the alarm on his watch sounded. We finished the twenty-six minutes stride for stride. "And one more piece of advice Michael.. Whenever you're running the road ahead of you and someone comes into your path, always look up. Make eye contact. Give the awkward, creepy, running stranger smile. If they'll let you, turn and continue your run with them. It may change your direction. It may take you where you hadn't intended on going. It may take you longer to get to where you want to be. But the life God desires for us is one lived in relationship. Don't miss that. Share the journey. Share the run."
Saturday, April 30, 2011
great is His faithfulness
Hey friends--
Not that I'm even going to pretend like I have a following anymore on this blog considering I've posted approximately 3 times all year, haha, but I wanted to bring the blog up to speed with my life anyways :)
I'm within 2 weeks of graduation. That absolutely blows my mind. It makes me want to throw a party, it makes me want to cry, it makes me want to run forward into my next adventure, and it makes me want to go into hiding. I've got a lot of emotions going on, but I'll deal with those when I have time post graduation haha.
A few weeks ago the class of 2011 graphic design majors hosted a reception for our senior show. It was a huge relief to get that put together.. So many hours put into those projects!! I was so proud of my classmates' work and how great the show came together. I've posted pictures below. For me that night of our reception was one of those moments in life where you look at where you are and realize how far you've come and you just kind of laugh.. proud and amused at how you've grown and the path your life has taken. You see, I had never even taken an art class before I decided to major in it haha. Growing up I always suspected I had some creative talent, or if not talent at least creative desire, but it was kind of something I feared to explore or develop. I was always focused on developing academically and athletically... but that artistic part of me went fairly neglected.
I went into college as an elementary education major. At that time, the only thing I was sure about in my life was that I wanted to work with kids. Funny, how that changed within only a year haha. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different had I stayed with education.. and I'm convinced God would have blessed that path too. And also I want to say that I'm so grateful to have gone through the courses I did for education because even if I don't remember anything I learned, it made me forever in awe of those special people who can do that.. who can teach, who can inspire, who can love class after class of students.
It was halfway through my sophomore year when I came to accept that I just didn't have it in me. I knew if I was going to be a teacher I couldn't accept just being a decent teacher, I wanted to be an exceptional teacher.. and I became frustrated to not see that within myself. I started considering maybe there was something else I could do that would be a better fit with my personality and my gifts, something I could really put myself fully into. It was during this time I adopted a life verse, or what would at least come to be a verse that I carried with me as a guide for the rest of my college career.
Galatians 6:4-5
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
I look back on that season of my life, and while I remember feeling much frustration and uncertainty and fear as I was reevaluating the course I needed to go with my education, that's not what I see. What I see is a season of my life where I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about seeking God. I learned how to surrender my plans. I learned how to seek advice from others. I learned how to be vulnerable and take risks.
If you know anything about me then you probably know that I'm not a person of certainty. I'm undecided on just about everything. I don't commit to opinions, relationships, or life decisions. I'm not saying this is good, I'm saying it's just how my mind works.. it likes to stay open to possibilities and not close in around one thing. So for me it was a really big deal when I was able to close it in around choosing a major. I had spoken with everyone on the subject for help.. parents, friends, career counselors, professors, students in different majors. I had driven up to Coventry one Wednesday evening with the weight of the pressing decision on my mind. I pulled into the Wendys, ordered a frosty in the drive through, parked my car facing out towards the highway and began having an out loud conversation with God. I'll never forget it... I think of it everytime I drive past that Wendys. I remember praying something along the lines of "God, I've been talking to a lot of people and I'm kind of interested in graphic design. I don't even know much about it. I have so many doubts in myself. I'll probably fail. But if this is what you want, if this will please you, give me the courage to say Yes." and at that moment something switched in me. I said "Yes" and just liek that there was a confidence and a certainty that I had never experienced about anything in my life, with the exception of choosing to give my life to Christ.
There are times in life when we take the wrong path, or when we get redirected.. there are times of questioning and doubt and uncertainty. But the reason why I'm reflecting on this tonight is because in the midst of all the unknowns over the past four years, that decision was one of such certainty God gave me.. and I'm just amazed at how faithful He's been to me through it. Yes, there have been very many long nights while working on projects when I felt completely defeated and worthless and questioned why I ever thought I could be an art major, but the Lord has been so faithful in bringing me reassurance and renewing my passion.
In two weeks I graduate. In two days following graduation I leave for California. I've been accepted as an intern at Saddleback Church for the summer. It's been quite a journey of faith getting to this point through a long process of applying to 20+ places and praying the right opportunity would come through and that I would recognize it and provisions would be made and details would be worked out. And I stop and am just again in awe of our Lord. For years I've dreamed of what I would do after graduation. I've dreamed of living somewhere new and foreign to me. I've dreamed of going out and testing my independence and sense of adventure. I've dreamed of taking myself out of my comfort zone and having to be so completely dependent on God alone. I've spent hours and hours researching online for jobs and opportunities and things I may be able to do in a new place. And it's now that I stop and realize that all of those hours of dreaming.. all of that desire that has built up in my heart.. it hasn't gone unnoticed. God is faithful to fulfill our desires... it may take longer than we hope and it may look different than we imagined, it may take seasons of confusion and brokenness to get us to where we need to be to, but He comes through. I'm so grateful, but along with my gratefulness and excitement comes fear. Funny how in the midst of dreams coming true, I realize all the sacrifice that is necessary to make the change. I know it's only 3 months I'm committing to, but I'm overwhelmed at the thought of being away from everyone I love for that long. I'm scared of not knowing anyone in California, or having a home.. a comfort go-to place. But when I look back, it's always the big changes, (going to college, switching my major) the things I'm most fearful of, the things that require the most risk, that also bring the most blessing to my life. I'm so excited to see how God will use me in California and to see the blessings of new friendships and new experiences he will undoubtedly bring. He is so faithful. He is so good.
Thank you Father, for who you are, for all you do. These next two weeks are going to be crazy.. crazy stressful and crazy emotional. Help me to be still and know that you are God. To remember your faithfulness to me in the past and to rely on your strength to get me through each day and to trust in your goodness for my future. We love you.
Not that I'm even going to pretend like I have a following anymore on this blog considering I've posted approximately 3 times all year, haha, but I wanted to bring the blog up to speed with my life anyways :)
I'm within 2 weeks of graduation. That absolutely blows my mind. It makes me want to throw a party, it makes me want to cry, it makes me want to run forward into my next adventure, and it makes me want to go into hiding. I've got a lot of emotions going on, but I'll deal with those when I have time post graduation haha.
A few weeks ago the class of 2011 graphic design majors hosted a reception for our senior show. It was a huge relief to get that put together.. So many hours put into those projects!! I was so proud of my classmates' work and how great the show came together. I've posted pictures below. For me that night of our reception was one of those moments in life where you look at where you are and realize how far you've come and you just kind of laugh.. proud and amused at how you've grown and the path your life has taken. You see, I had never even taken an art class before I decided to major in it haha. Growing up I always suspected I had some creative talent, or if not talent at least creative desire, but it was kind of something I feared to explore or develop. I was always focused on developing academically and athletically... but that artistic part of me went fairly neglected.
I went into college as an elementary education major. At that time, the only thing I was sure about in my life was that I wanted to work with kids. Funny, how that changed within only a year haha. Sometimes I wonder how my life would be different had I stayed with education.. and I'm convinced God would have blessed that path too. And also I want to say that I'm so grateful to have gone through the courses I did for education because even if I don't remember anything I learned, it made me forever in awe of those special people who can do that.. who can teach, who can inspire, who can love class after class of students.
It was halfway through my sophomore year when I came to accept that I just didn't have it in me. I knew if I was going to be a teacher I couldn't accept just being a decent teacher, I wanted to be an exceptional teacher.. and I became frustrated to not see that within myself. I started considering maybe there was something else I could do that would be a better fit with my personality and my gifts, something I could really put myself fully into. It was during this time I adopted a life verse, or what would at least come to be a verse that I carried with me as a guide for the rest of my college career.
Galatians 6:4-5
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
I look back on that season of my life, and while I remember feeling much frustration and uncertainty and fear as I was reevaluating the course I needed to go with my education, that's not what I see. What I see is a season of my life where I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about seeking God. I learned how to surrender my plans. I learned how to seek advice from others. I learned how to be vulnerable and take risks.
If you know anything about me then you probably know that I'm not a person of certainty. I'm undecided on just about everything. I don't commit to opinions, relationships, or life decisions. I'm not saying this is good, I'm saying it's just how my mind works.. it likes to stay open to possibilities and not close in around one thing. So for me it was a really big deal when I was able to close it in around choosing a major. I had spoken with everyone on the subject for help.. parents, friends, career counselors, professors, students in different majors. I had driven up to Coventry one Wednesday evening with the weight of the pressing decision on my mind. I pulled into the Wendys, ordered a frosty in the drive through, parked my car facing out towards the highway and began having an out loud conversation with God. I'll never forget it... I think of it everytime I drive past that Wendys. I remember praying something along the lines of "God, I've been talking to a lot of people and I'm kind of interested in graphic design. I don't even know much about it. I have so many doubts in myself. I'll probably fail. But if this is what you want, if this will please you, give me the courage to say Yes." and at that moment something switched in me. I said "Yes" and just liek that there was a confidence and a certainty that I had never experienced about anything in my life, with the exception of choosing to give my life to Christ.
There are times in life when we take the wrong path, or when we get redirected.. there are times of questioning and doubt and uncertainty. But the reason why I'm reflecting on this tonight is because in the midst of all the unknowns over the past four years, that decision was one of such certainty God gave me.. and I'm just amazed at how faithful He's been to me through it. Yes, there have been very many long nights while working on projects when I felt completely defeated and worthless and questioned why I ever thought I could be an art major, but the Lord has been so faithful in bringing me reassurance and renewing my passion.
In two weeks I graduate. In two days following graduation I leave for California. I've been accepted as an intern at Saddleback Church for the summer. It's been quite a journey of faith getting to this point through a long process of applying to 20+ places and praying the right opportunity would come through and that I would recognize it and provisions would be made and details would be worked out. And I stop and am just again in awe of our Lord. For years I've dreamed of what I would do after graduation. I've dreamed of living somewhere new and foreign to me. I've dreamed of going out and testing my independence and sense of adventure. I've dreamed of taking myself out of my comfort zone and having to be so completely dependent on God alone. I've spent hours and hours researching online for jobs and opportunities and things I may be able to do in a new place. And it's now that I stop and realize that all of those hours of dreaming.. all of that desire that has built up in my heart.. it hasn't gone unnoticed. God is faithful to fulfill our desires... it may take longer than we hope and it may look different than we imagined, it may take seasons of confusion and brokenness to get us to where we need to be to, but He comes through. I'm so grateful, but along with my gratefulness and excitement comes fear. Funny how in the midst of dreams coming true, I realize all the sacrifice that is necessary to make the change. I know it's only 3 months I'm committing to, but I'm overwhelmed at the thought of being away from everyone I love for that long. I'm scared of not knowing anyone in California, or having a home.. a comfort go-to place. But when I look back, it's always the big changes, (going to college, switching my major) the things I'm most fearful of, the things that require the most risk, that also bring the most blessing to my life. I'm so excited to see how God will use me in California and to see the blessings of new friendships and new experiences he will undoubtedly bring. He is so faithful. He is so good.
Thank you Father, for who you are, for all you do. These next two weeks are going to be crazy.. crazy stressful and crazy emotional. Help me to be still and know that you are God. To remember your faithfulness to me in the past and to rely on your strength to get me through each day and to trust in your goodness for my future. We love you.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Gospel
G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.
I've had a few facebook friends share this link, and I wanted to pass it on. I like it a lot.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
stumble upon
Is this semester over yet? Oh dear goodness.
Well, I don't have much of interest to inform you of or inspire you with, but here's a few things to tie you over...
1. Follow my digital photography on Flickr! This is where I'll be posting all of my class projects. There will be at least 3 new photos appear every other week. Can't promise they'll all be great, but I'm proud of what I did for last week so you should check those out! (Also, will be on display in the back hallway of the MCA)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsaynbowman
2. Stumbleupon. Why did nobody tell me about this until last Saturday! This is a much needed new addiction for my life.
3. I may or may not be making a road trip to Tennessee in a couple weeks to see one of my long lost best friends! Jeanine Vaszari. My life is incomplete without that girl.
4. I turn 22 in a week. Yikes, that sounds adult to me.
5. Oh! Media guide (aka senior project) is in print! Annnd.. I've received my first offer for a freelance job after graduation! Creating the 2011 Media guide for the team.
6. For my senior project this semester I'm making greeting cards. Have any clever messages you always thought would make a top seller greeting card? Feel free to share that with me and maybe we can make your dream come true!!
7. I think I need to make more friends, haha. Preferably someone who doesn't have any life of their own and is available to come hang out at my house with me 24/7. Oh, and maybe also has a great vacation home they can take me to somewhere tropical asap. Anguilla? That'd be great.
8. I think I decided February is officially my least favorite month of the year. Not that I ever liked a day of winter in the first place, but by the third straight month of it.. this is getting pretty old. Give me some sunshine, and flip flops, and the smell of fresh cut grass on a drive through the country with the windows down, music up. That's what my spirit really needs right now.
9. I think I'm going to buy a new Bible today. I want a new translation and then I want to get to know Jesus better. Haha, sounds silly or like a kid in sunday school trying to suck up. But really, I need to walk through HIs life again. I feel like I've probably overlooked a lot that I wasn't able to appreciate in the past. I'll be sure to let you know what I learn about this man.
10. Why do I feel the need to end my lists on even numbers?
Friends,
Miss you and love you all. Keep going strong!
Well, I don't have much of interest to inform you of or inspire you with, but here's a few things to tie you over...
1. Follow my digital photography on Flickr! This is where I'll be posting all of my class projects. There will be at least 3 new photos appear every other week. Can't promise they'll all be great, but I'm proud of what I did for last week so you should check those out! (Also, will be on display in the back hallway of the MCA)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindsaynbowman
2. Stumbleupon. Why did nobody tell me about this until last Saturday! This is a much needed new addiction for my life.
3. I may or may not be making a road trip to Tennessee in a couple weeks to see one of my long lost best friends! Jeanine Vaszari. My life is incomplete without that girl.
4. I turn 22 in a week. Yikes, that sounds adult to me.
5. Oh! Media guide (aka senior project) is in print! Annnd.. I've received my first offer for a freelance job after graduation! Creating the 2011 Media guide for the team.
6. For my senior project this semester I'm making greeting cards. Have any clever messages you always thought would make a top seller greeting card? Feel free to share that with me and maybe we can make your dream come true!!
7. I think I need to make more friends, haha. Preferably someone who doesn't have any life of their own and is available to come hang out at my house with me 24/7. Oh, and maybe also has a great vacation home they can take me to somewhere tropical asap. Anguilla? That'd be great.
8. I think I decided February is officially my least favorite month of the year. Not that I ever liked a day of winter in the first place, but by the third straight month of it.. this is getting pretty old. Give me some sunshine, and flip flops, and the smell of fresh cut grass on a drive through the country with the windows down, music up. That's what my spirit really needs right now.
9. I think I'm going to buy a new Bible today. I want a new translation and then I want to get to know Jesus better. Haha, sounds silly or like a kid in sunday school trying to suck up. But really, I need to walk through HIs life again. I feel like I've probably overlooked a lot that I wasn't able to appreciate in the past. I'll be sure to let you know what I learn about this man.
10. Why do I feel the need to end my lists on even numbers?
Friends,
Miss you and love you all. Keep going strong!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
live 58
This past week we had what I consider a really good chapel. Every now and then we get lucky like that and a speaker will come in and deliver a message that resonates with me and inspires me. Thursday was one of those chapels for me. Dr. Scott Todd spoke on the issue of poverty. I gotta admit.. poverty is probably one of my least favorite subjects to hear a message on. I always just get so overwhelmed and feel helpless to the human cause and overall terrible about the luxury of my lifestyle. It doesn't matter how many times the people tell me that even I can make a difference. I don't believe them. I mean.. I still put forth my efforts but I'm still left feeling insignificant in the fight to end extreme poverty. But on Thursday I left feeling different. I felt hope. Scott presented what I considered to be a very compelling vision.. encouragement of how far we've come and hope for accomplishing what's left to be done. I hope you'll go to this website, watch the video and see what I'm talking about. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave me some comments or let's have a conversation sometime :)
http://notalways.live58.org/
http://notalways.live58.org/
seeing progress!
hi friends.
well, this past week has been funny.. funny because it was the first week of a new semester and yet it felt more like the last week with all my rushing to get things done. But in the past 8 days I've accomplished some substantial things so I'm going to brag about those things now haha.
1. passed my spanish clep test. hardest test of my life but 3 straight weeks of studying paid off. that and I'm pretty sure it was more an act of God blessing my efforts than me actually retaining any of that information :)
2. my senior project from last semester is finalized and ready to be printed! (getting this thing published has been a whole other feat which I'm yet to accomplish) But, good news.. I was able to show my project (which was a media guide for my volleyball team fyi) to my coach for the first time this week and I had some very positive feedback-- always encouraging! (He was 'breathtaken' haha)
3. my resume is updated and ready to be sent out! Getting a resume ready is slightly more demanding for a graphic design major because you have to realize your future employers will be critiquing your layout of your resume just as highly as any of your work you present. So this meant I designed a personal logo for myself to help establish some cohesiveness and a stronger identity for both my resume and online portfolio. I had Joanne from the ERC look over it for me to help catch anything that was wrong or could have been worded better. I'm glad it took me until my senior year to really learn how to use my resources at this school.
4. my online portfolio is in the making! I hope to have it up by the end of the week so I can start sending out applications for internships this summer!!
5. my new camera came in yesterday! Oh dear goodness... it's everything I've ever wanted and more! Believe it or not.. I haven't even had a working digital camera of my own since senior year of high school and that thing just did not last long for me haha. I'm really excited for my digital photography class this semester.
6. I'm amazed at how productive I am while I'm at home compared to living at school. I pretty much work from the time I wake up in the morning (6:30 ish) until I go to bed (10ish). It's crazy. I'm slightly overwhelmed this semester because I feel like I have so much still to learn and so much work to get done before I can graduate and there just aren't enough hours in the day! I've pretty much given up on having any kind of social life this semester but we'll see :)
7. Here's a preview of what's to come!
well, this past week has been funny.. funny because it was the first week of a new semester and yet it felt more like the last week with all my rushing to get things done. But in the past 8 days I've accomplished some substantial things so I'm going to brag about those things now haha.
1. passed my spanish clep test. hardest test of my life but 3 straight weeks of studying paid off. that and I'm pretty sure it was more an act of God blessing my efforts than me actually retaining any of that information :)
2. my senior project from last semester is finalized and ready to be printed! (getting this thing published has been a whole other feat which I'm yet to accomplish) But, good news.. I was able to show my project (which was a media guide for my volleyball team fyi) to my coach for the first time this week and I had some very positive feedback-- always encouraging! (He was 'breathtaken' haha)
3. my resume is updated and ready to be sent out! Getting a resume ready is slightly more demanding for a graphic design major because you have to realize your future employers will be critiquing your layout of your resume just as highly as any of your work you present. So this meant I designed a personal logo for myself to help establish some cohesiveness and a stronger identity for both my resume and online portfolio. I had Joanne from the ERC look over it for me to help catch anything that was wrong or could have been worded better. I'm glad it took me until my senior year to really learn how to use my resources at this school.
4. my online portfolio is in the making! I hope to have it up by the end of the week so I can start sending out applications for internships this summer!!
5. my new camera came in yesterday! Oh dear goodness... it's everything I've ever wanted and more! Believe it or not.. I haven't even had a working digital camera of my own since senior year of high school and that thing just did not last long for me haha. I'm really excited for my digital photography class this semester.
6. I'm amazed at how productive I am while I'm at home compared to living at school. I pretty much work from the time I wake up in the morning (6:30 ish) until I go to bed (10ish). It's crazy. I'm slightly overwhelmed this semester because I feel like I have so much still to learn and so much work to get done before I can graduate and there just aren't enough hours in the day! I've pretty much given up on having any kind of social life this semester but we'll see :)
7. Here's a preview of what's to come!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
looking at my final semester
Two posts in one night!! --- don't get used to this :)
I just wanted to share some thoughts I had and priorities I've set for myself while looking ahead to this final semester of my college career.
So here’s what this semester looks like on the surface for me…
-I’m almost done with college and I’m back to being single. Yikes?
-I’m living at home again
-Goodbye freedom
-Hello 18 credit hours of all studio classes
-Time to be an adult = no more bad ‘college phase’ decisions, job searching, figuring out where to go from here
But here’s my hope of what it can also look like…
-I want to be intentional with the kind of presence I bring to this house every day. While I’m still emotionally torn over no longer living in my apartment at school and coming back to this structure of living I left when I was 18, I want to try my best to be a blessing in my household. I want to be relational and I want to be inspirational. I want to be faithful about working out and faithful about using my creativity and putting everything I have into my school work. I want to be observant of others’ needs. I want to lighten the mood by making people smile and laugh every day. I want to bring new life and energy into this house. I want to do zumba in the lving room and learn how to cook new foods and read books and learn how to make websites and edit photos and share all of that with my family. I want to be a great big sister and friend for my little brother. I want to engage in conversation as much as I can. I want to be a blessing in this house every day.. not a burden.
-I want to be intentional about the key friendships in my life. I don’t want to guilt myself about trying to be an everywhere friend to everyone anymore. I’m so blessed by every person in my life, from those best friends who influence my life daily to those acquaintances I pass on the sidewalks who offer me a smile even when they probably feel awkward because we don't really know each other but we kind of do so they think they should probably be nice.. (Am I the only one who goes through this thought process when passing someone on a sidewalk? haha) But going into my last semester I will recognize the people who have meant the most to me and who encourage me to be the best version of myself and who I don’t have to pretend I’m someone else with. I will invest myself in those friendships by intentionally checking in on people even when I’m busy and making plans to spend time together and serving them and loving them the best I can. I will be intentional about this by getting into the practice of thinking of myself less and of others more. I believe I read once in some form of psychology literature that it’s typical and healthy to only be able to really cultivate strong ‘close friendships’ with 5 people at any given time in your life. This often frustrates me because I see or I meet all of these really nice and interesting people and wish I could be best friends with them… and sometimes God does His work and makes room for them in my circle of whichever five close friends I may be keeping at that time.. but other times, they don’t make it past the ‘good friends’ or ‘casual friends’ or ‘aquaintances’ or ‘stranger that I stalk on facebook from time to time’ category. And that’s okay. But going into my last semester of my college experience I am going to thank God for those special few who have made their way into my ‘close friends’ category and do my best to cherish them and love them every day.
-I want to be intentional about growing in my relationship with the Lord and also letting myself heal from past heartache and mistakes. I will listen to others’ advice. I will spend time in prayer every day. I will listen to God and learn to discern His voice better. I will grow through community and through studying the Word. I will serve.
-I want to prepare myself for life after college. I will be tempted to feel like I’m taking steps backwards by living at home again but I will choose to look at this as the right place I need to make the transition from my college experience to what life holds for me after graduation. I will work on doing everything I need to do to be ready for whatever may come. I will put my best into my school projects while I continue to fight off senioritis. I will value instruction from my professors and critiques from my classmates. I will push myself to become a better designer and produce my best work yet. I will take action to learn those life skills I never took the time to learn before such as cooking basic meals and budgeting my spending and paying off loans. I will get myself healthy: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I will not compromise my dreams but I will make decisions that enable me to achieve them. I will learn from mistakes, I will make changes, I will take risks, I will continue to make mistakes, I will keep the process of growth going.
I just wanted to share some thoughts I had and priorities I've set for myself while looking ahead to this final semester of my college career.
So here’s what this semester looks like on the surface for me…
-I’m almost done with college and I’m back to being single. Yikes?
-I’m living at home again
-Goodbye freedom
-Hello 18 credit hours of all studio classes
-Time to be an adult = no more bad ‘college phase’ decisions, job searching, figuring out where to go from here
But here’s my hope of what it can also look like…
-I want to be intentional with the kind of presence I bring to this house every day. While I’m still emotionally torn over no longer living in my apartment at school and coming back to this structure of living I left when I was 18, I want to try my best to be a blessing in my household. I want to be relational and I want to be inspirational. I want to be faithful about working out and faithful about using my creativity and putting everything I have into my school work. I want to be observant of others’ needs. I want to lighten the mood by making people smile and laugh every day. I want to bring new life and energy into this house. I want to do zumba in the lving room and learn how to cook new foods and read books and learn how to make websites and edit photos and share all of that with my family. I want to be a great big sister and friend for my little brother. I want to engage in conversation as much as I can. I want to be a blessing in this house every day.. not a burden.
-I want to be intentional about the key friendships in my life. I don’t want to guilt myself about trying to be an everywhere friend to everyone anymore. I’m so blessed by every person in my life, from those best friends who influence my life daily to those acquaintances I pass on the sidewalks who offer me a smile even when they probably feel awkward because we don't really know each other but we kind of do so they think they should probably be nice.. (Am I the only one who goes through this thought process when passing someone on a sidewalk? haha) But going into my last semester I will recognize the people who have meant the most to me and who encourage me to be the best version of myself and who I don’t have to pretend I’m someone else with. I will invest myself in those friendships by intentionally checking in on people even when I’m busy and making plans to spend time together and serving them and loving them the best I can. I will be intentional about this by getting into the practice of thinking of myself less and of others more. I believe I read once in some form of psychology literature that it’s typical and healthy to only be able to really cultivate strong ‘close friendships’ with 5 people at any given time in your life. This often frustrates me because I see or I meet all of these really nice and interesting people and wish I could be best friends with them… and sometimes God does His work and makes room for them in my circle of whichever five close friends I may be keeping at that time.. but other times, they don’t make it past the ‘good friends’ or ‘casual friends’ or ‘aquaintances’ or ‘stranger that I stalk on facebook from time to time’ category. And that’s okay. But going into my last semester of my college experience I am going to thank God for those special few who have made their way into my ‘close friends’ category and do my best to cherish them and love them every day.
-I want to be intentional about growing in my relationship with the Lord and also letting myself heal from past heartache and mistakes. I will listen to others’ advice. I will spend time in prayer every day. I will listen to God and learn to discern His voice better. I will grow through community and through studying the Word. I will serve.
-I want to prepare myself for life after college. I will be tempted to feel like I’m taking steps backwards by living at home again but I will choose to look at this as the right place I need to make the transition from my college experience to what life holds for me after graduation. I will work on doing everything I need to do to be ready for whatever may come. I will put my best into my school projects while I continue to fight off senioritis. I will value instruction from my professors and critiques from my classmates. I will push myself to become a better designer and produce my best work yet. I will take action to learn those life skills I never took the time to learn before such as cooking basic meals and budgeting my spending and paying off loans. I will get myself healthy: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I will not compromise my dreams but I will make decisions that enable me to achieve them. I will learn from mistakes, I will make changes, I will take risks, I will continue to make mistakes, I will keep the process of growth going.
His plans > Our plans
Hi friends,
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve had to make some big changes recently. Unexpected changes. Uncertain changes. Scary changes. Right now my life looks a lot more like I expected it might look in about 5 months from now after graduation than I thought it would for my final semester of college.
See here's the thing.. I pretty much told God not to dare interfere with the life I had imagined or the plans I had set for myself this year. I put him on hold and told him He could bother me again after graduation when life would inevitably force me to make intentional decisions and changes one way or another anyways. I’ve always understood that life can’t stay the same forever.. and that’s okay.. I wouldn’t want it to stay the same.. but I did want it to stay the same for just one more semester.
But guess what? God had a different plan. The decisions and changes hit me quicker than I expected or was quite ready to handle. But then when I think about it.. I never would have been ready. There are times in my life when I feel like I want change and I feel welcoming towards it.. but when it comes to actually making a change, I’ve never felt ready or prepared for it. And I think that’s okay. I don’t know about you but I think for me that’s just how it is. It takes much prompting from God or from outside circumstances for me to initiate taking that first step into change. I find God doesn’t do much work on me during the preparation stage of making a change. It’s usually not until after I commit to the change that I start to see God work. It’s through taking action in faith that He really gets to work on my soul and on shaping my life how He wants and even providing the answers that I begged him for during those extended periods of preparation while I was so hesitant to make a change.
Of the books in the Bible, Proverbs and Psalms are among my favorites. This is partly because I value the instruction and the prayers and praises that they contain, but mostly it’s because I’m lazy when it comes to actually reading my Bible. I like them because they’re easy to dissect. Maybe I’m wrong, I probably am, but I feel like it’s okay to just take the passages in these books for what they’re worth without worrying about a lot of context to fully understand it. I can read a chapter from Proverbs that speaks of what it means to live foolishly and why that’s bad and I get it. I can read a psalmist's cry out to God for a chapter and I can connect to that. I like that about these two books ☺
So naturally, this is where I have turned tonight as I’ve been reflecting on this whole my plans v. God’s plans dilemma. I want to share with you the beautiful promises I’ve found… (sidenote:: I like to mix up translations so that it reads in a way that resonates best for me personally.. sorry if this throws you off a bit)
Proverbs 16::
1. To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue(NIV) We can make our own plans, but God gives the right answer (NLT)
2. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD(NIV)
3. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans(NIV)
4. The LORD works out everything to its proper end-(NIV) Put God in charge of your work, and then what you’ve planned will take place (Message)
9. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.(NIV)
20. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.(NIV)
Psalm 37::
3. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and prosper (NLT)
4. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart (NLT)
5. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you (NLT)
Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs done (Message)
6. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun (NLT)
7. Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for Him to act.. (NLT)
Friends, if you're life looks much like mine right now I imagine you also to some extent or another are struggling over establishing plans for your future. I have many friends who are starting to feel pressure of finding a job out of college and confronting the questions of where they may want to live and what exactly they want to do. I have friends that have recently found themselves in an ended relationship and face doubt of where they went wrong and feel stuck on a dead end road, not sure which direction to even take their first steps. I have friends that are planning weddings and eagerly envisioning what their married life will look like. Through all of these changes life throws at us, I encourage you to open it all up before God.. every desire and every fear, every hope and every doubt, every possibility and every impossible circumstance.. and trust Him to do what needs done, to even fill in the details, to help you on your way. I believe God has placed those very desires you hold in your heart for your future and while He may not fulfill them in the way you've imagine, hoped for or planned for.. The Word promises us that He will bring those desires to be if we delight ourselves in Him.
His plans > our plans.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve had to make some big changes recently. Unexpected changes. Uncertain changes. Scary changes. Right now my life looks a lot more like I expected it might look in about 5 months from now after graduation than I thought it would for my final semester of college.
See here's the thing.. I pretty much told God not to dare interfere with the life I had imagined or the plans I had set for myself this year. I put him on hold and told him He could bother me again after graduation when life would inevitably force me to make intentional decisions and changes one way or another anyways. I’ve always understood that life can’t stay the same forever.. and that’s okay.. I wouldn’t want it to stay the same.. but I did want it to stay the same for just one more semester.
But guess what? God had a different plan. The decisions and changes hit me quicker than I expected or was quite ready to handle. But then when I think about it.. I never would have been ready. There are times in my life when I feel like I want change and I feel welcoming towards it.. but when it comes to actually making a change, I’ve never felt ready or prepared for it. And I think that’s okay. I don’t know about you but I think for me that’s just how it is. It takes much prompting from God or from outside circumstances for me to initiate taking that first step into change. I find God doesn’t do much work on me during the preparation stage of making a change. It’s usually not until after I commit to the change that I start to see God work. It’s through taking action in faith that He really gets to work on my soul and on shaping my life how He wants and even providing the answers that I begged him for during those extended periods of preparation while I was so hesitant to make a change.
Of the books in the Bible, Proverbs and Psalms are among my favorites. This is partly because I value the instruction and the prayers and praises that they contain, but mostly it’s because I’m lazy when it comes to actually reading my Bible. I like them because they’re easy to dissect. Maybe I’m wrong, I probably am, but I feel like it’s okay to just take the passages in these books for what they’re worth without worrying about a lot of context to fully understand it. I can read a chapter from Proverbs that speaks of what it means to live foolishly and why that’s bad and I get it. I can read a psalmist's cry out to God for a chapter and I can connect to that. I like that about these two books ☺
So naturally, this is where I have turned tonight as I’ve been reflecting on this whole my plans v. God’s plans dilemma. I want to share with you the beautiful promises I’ve found… (sidenote:: I like to mix up translations so that it reads in a way that resonates best for me personally.. sorry if this throws you off a bit)
Proverbs 16::
1. To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue(NIV) We can make our own plans, but God gives the right answer (NLT)
2. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD(NIV)
3. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans(NIV)
4. The LORD works out everything to its proper end-(NIV) Put God in charge of your work, and then what you’ve planned will take place (Message)
9. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.(NIV)
20. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.(NIV)
Psalm 37::
3. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and prosper (NLT)
4. Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart (NLT)
5. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you (NLT)
Open up before God, keep nothing back; He’ll do whatever needs done (Message)
6. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun (NLT)
7. Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for Him to act.. (NLT)
Friends, if you're life looks much like mine right now I imagine you also to some extent or another are struggling over establishing plans for your future. I have many friends who are starting to feel pressure of finding a job out of college and confronting the questions of where they may want to live and what exactly they want to do. I have friends that have recently found themselves in an ended relationship and face doubt of where they went wrong and feel stuck on a dead end road, not sure which direction to even take their first steps. I have friends that are planning weddings and eagerly envisioning what their married life will look like. Through all of these changes life throws at us, I encourage you to open it all up before God.. every desire and every fear, every hope and every doubt, every possibility and every impossible circumstance.. and trust Him to do what needs done, to even fill in the details, to help you on your way. I believe God has placed those very desires you hold in your heart for your future and while He may not fulfill them in the way you've imagine, hoped for or planned for.. The Word promises us that He will bring those desires to be if we delight ourselves in Him.
His plans > our plans.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Sunday, January 9, 2011
i still believe...
Scattered words and empty thoughts
seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
seems I don't know where to start
but it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain
Though the questions still fog up my mind
with promises I still seem to bear
even when answers slowly unwind
it's my heart I see You prepare
but its now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every finger tip, washing away my pain
The only place I can go is into your arms
where I throw to you my feeble prayers
in brokeness I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know You are near
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
even when I don't see, I still believe
seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
seems I don't know where to start
but it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain
Though the questions still fog up my mind
with promises I still seem to bear
even when answers slowly unwind
it's my heart I see You prepare
but its now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every finger tip, washing away my pain
The only place I can go is into your arms
where I throw to you my feeble prayers
in brokeness I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know You are near
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
even when I don't see, I still believe
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
hiatus from life
Hi friends,
As you may or may not have noticed.. I've taken a hiatus from facebook, my cell phone, and pretty much all contact with the outside world. I've been pushed recently to make a really hard decision. To say that it's shaken me is quite an understatement. Right now I don't really want to talk about it though. I just ask for your prayers...
I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have such loving friends in my life. Thank you for all you do for me.
Love you all.
As you may or may not have noticed.. I've taken a hiatus from facebook, my cell phone, and pretty much all contact with the outside world. I've been pushed recently to make a really hard decision. To say that it's shaken me is quite an understatement. Right now I don't really want to talk about it though. I just ask for your prayers...
I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have such loving friends in my life. Thank you for all you do for me.
Love you all.
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