God has been teaching me a lot recently pertaining to our icky, sinful selves and his beautiful, perfect grace. We all have sin in our lives... it's a part of who we are. For everyone that looks differently, and from person to person it an look drastically different. When we become followers of Jesus though, we recognize that we really are sinful creatures and we need a Savior to rid us of this filth. And that's where Jesus steps in and says.. 'umm excuse me.. already done.' Once we realize we need Him, He's there. Heck, even before we realize we need Him, He's there! That, however, does not mean that all sinful desires leave your person. You're still put in situations where sin is still an option, every day. You realize though that Jesus is worth turning the other way of the sin. Although unfortunately, sometimes you do turn your cheek to Jesus. You sometimes say yes and give in to that desire, but don't be afraid or too ashamed to turn right back to your Jesus. Oh please don't be too ashamed, for that is what grace is for my friend. Jesus is still there. In fact, He's behind you with His arms stretched wide. And they aren't arms of disgrace and shame, but they are arms of love and forgiveness. So come on brave ones...look towards Jesus. Look to His face. He's waiting for you.. I promise. As a wise yet witty individual once stated.. "what's the slogan to that bounty paper towel? 'the quicker-picker-upper? Well.. ain't nothing or no one gonna pick you up like Jesus will!" Jesus is the name.
Quicker-picker-upping is the game. .. was a slow sunday morning and I was conscious of my gratefulness for church in the afternoon. .. I sit blogging as I eat the meal that I generally have most days once, if not twice.. an egg sandwich of some sort with peas on the side. .. one of the most delightful moments is feeling the soft breeze against my cheek as I write. .. adam came and sat on the mustard seed chair and spent time just chatting and I really appreciated that. .. there was no one in my house when I woke up and there was a quietness to that. .. my current seat in the house is my new favorite place to blog. I foresee many posts being composed here. .. while talking with a friend from haiti, I made an embarrassing mistake in my kreyol which made for much laughter. .. each time I hear a car pull in the driveway I know someone's home and I smile. .. as maija and dan were heading out to aldi for groceries, they yelled through the window to ask if I needed anything.. how thoughtful. thanks dan. .. conversations about the future ignite excitement and joy within me. .. I notice the sun I got while out on the lake yesterday canoeing, kayaking, pontooning and creek-adventuring. .. the words of this song sink into my heart as the melody enters my ears. This past weekend it was ms. devyn ellen's turn. In my second wedding of the summer, this one though I was given the special privilege of getting to stand next to the beautiful couple as they made their covenant with God and each other. It was such a great weekend getting to spend time with a group of individuals who all loved and wanted to serve devyn and adam together. we laughed a lot,
toasted a lot, itched our mosquito bites a lot, danced a lot, and got teary-eyed a lot. What a beautiful weekend to have been spent preparing for and celebrating the start of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Mollica's new life together. They're gonna do great things.. I just know it. We became explorers of downtown Louisville. ...the best locally made ice cream in the best decorated little shop --> The Comfy Cow ... the neatest little coffee shop for hours --> Mrs. Potter's Coffee Lounge and Cafe So beautiful and glorifying to Jesus in every way --> THE WEDDING. Louisville --> nightlife.
1. writing letters to dear ones in near and far off places. 2. music in the park (phoenix park.. every thursday night at 6:30.. see ya there!) 3. summer snow: snow cone extraordinaires
Sometimes I get really excited when I hear that this one is going to come and visit me. Sometimes I guess I just know exciting things are going to happen. Sometimes when we can't decide what to do for dinner, I know that my friend here won't say no to having a picnic on top of Mt. Simon so that we can eat healthy and enjoy a beautiful view. Sometimes at the top of a mountain, you meet fun new friends who love disney, work at tacobell, and make you laugh within the first 5 minutes of meeting them. Sometimes words aren't important, but you just need silence to sit and take it all in. Sometimes you just have to read Junie B. Jones out loud in an expressive matter. Sometimes ice cream sounds like a good option after you are tired from dumpster diving. Sometimes I get really excited when my kindred spirit is also an adventurous soul... and I sometimes get really excited when I hear that she is going to come and visit me because I know exciting things are going to happen. We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.
Jawaharlal Nehru The past few weeks have been stressful, busy, restful, full of transition, hard times, laughter, growth.. among many other things. Here's a brief glimpse of some of those moments that have made up the end to one season and the beginning of another. finals week 'finals week demands to be felt..' eau claire, wi cedar campus 'a week of beautiful community, breath taking creation, and crumbling before my Jesus..' cedarville, mi home again, home again 'the feeling of being gone from a place for so long but returning to it feeling like home just as you left it..' theresa, wi big, bad EC
'this city has become home.. and now we too shall make these walls into one..' eau claire, wi So today marks day one of living in my very first house that is not with my family. It is sort of a bitter sweet feeling.. there is so much joy and excitement, some sadness as I said goodbye to my momma and she left me in my very first house without her, and even a little fear of the unknowns of living on my own and all that entails. But I know that with new things, unknowns and even fear comes a whole lot of new, beautiful discoveries and things to learn! And learning new things and having new opportunities to experience are always a good thing. So here's to the start of something new!
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This life is not my own and so I choose to take the hand of the One who knows what lies ahead. Along the way we sing, we dance, we are learning portuguese and living in Brazil, and always gazing on beauty.^^^^
bind my wandering heart to Thee Archives
March 2016
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