So So Cute!!!!

Beautiful. . .

For all those who may find interest. . .this is my gorgeous sister on her beautiful wedding day. . .

Old Friends. . .

So. . .this might sound like a ushy-gushy, over sentimental Hallmark card. . .but hey, I'm going to post it anyway.

Life is filled with so many different experiences--and emotions to go along with them. Excitement, sadness, anger, frustration, anticipation, peacefulness and so on. Last night, I experienced the art of catching up with an old friend, and along with that I felt content. Honestly, God has put people into my life that simply. . .for lack of a better description. . .belong in my life forever. As we change and move onto different phases and stages in life. . .our friends change as well as our surroundings. . .however, I do believe God has put a certain few into each of our lives to be there indefinitely. For this, I am so thankful.

Approaching Autumn. . .

I approach Autumn with anticipation! I love living in New England. The seasons are one of my favorites of God's gifts. . .I love watching the weather and getting excited over every dropping degree in the forecast! I love the idea of thick turtlenecks, jeans, hot beverages, walking through crunchy leaves, apple picking, going for Saturday drives just to see the foliage, bonfires, hayrides. . .etc. Everything around us slowly transforms and changes into a completely different season. It is interesting to think about change. . .so much changes in life. . .I resist change. . .I loathe it actually. Sure, a change of hair color or weather--I can handle that, I can almost enjoy a little refreshing change. It is when my sister gets married and moves to another state, or when my other sister goes off to college, or when my dad moves out of the house, or when my job completely changes, or when a friendship is severely broken. It is these things that hurt me.
Lately, God has been grabbing me by the shoulders and pleading for my attention. I can humbly say that He currently has my full attention. Unfortunately, it hasn't been like that in recent months. . .other people and other things have stolen my heart and God has been getting my leftover affection and my leftover time. Because of His amazing love, He has forgiven me for that and He has drawn me close to Himself. I need Him to be my constant. He never changes. . .his love stays strong, his promises stay true, his lovingkindess endures . . .so as all else around me is changing and transforming I stand in quiet awe of God and His steadfastness.

Today was an excellent day. A true gift from God. In Sunday School this weekend, we discussed that worship is enjoyment. Enjoyment of God and each thing that He chooses to place in our lives. Today was worship for me. My sisters and I woke up and decided to take a little day trip. We dressed warm, stopped at starbucks and headed out to Beavertail, Jamestown, RI. It was gorgeous. We climbed rocks, took pictures, and walked around the whole park. Not yet satisfied, we ventured over to Newport. It was so fun to be at such a beautiful place to be with my two best friends--my sisters. We wanted to end that day at Beavertail to watch the sunset. I could have not orchestrated a better day. It was wonderful and my heart is grateful.

I am as dumb as a sheep. . .

Ps. 139:1-6 says. . .

"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou has beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

Why is it so hard for me to make God real in my life? I read this verse and I know it to be true. It stirs my soul to know that God knows me so intricately. Once I acknowledge Him as my Creator, Father, Savior, Healer, Friend. . .my life will completely change. Until then, I will live a mediocre life, never fully understanding what I possess in Christ.

An Ode to Valentines. . .

You know what really urks my tater. . .when people wear black on Valentine's Day. And even worse. . .people who make a mockery of those donned in pink and red. I proudly wear my pinkest pinks and reddest reds to celebrate this day. Valentines day is a special day nestled in the middle of a cold, drab winter. It is about doing special, little things for others to show them that they are loved. I love little corny valentine notes, chocolate lips, conversation hearts, roses. . .the list goes on. Let's embrace this day. . .as a day for fun and a day for showing love--to everyone around us!

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the Lord, I change not. . ."

I am so thankful for the above promise!!! God is the ONLY constant in my life. I am so glad I can rest and trust in Him no matter how turbulent everything else seems to be. He knows, He plans, and he loves--I have no need to fret. AAAhhhh, sometimes it is soothing just to type that!