There is still hope...

It always leaves me a little stunned, how events hundreds or thousands of miles away can leave a person so devastated.
I still remember feelings I had after the Sandy Hook Shooting.
And then still today after Monday's incident at the Boston Marathon all the grief I still seem to feel over what happened.
I didn't know anyone who was involved in either incident.
I've never even been to either place.
Yet every time I watch the news I cry.
My heart breaks for those people.
For their families
For their friends
For the cities themselves

Knowing that no matter what happens going forward those areas will always hold a memory for the people that live there.

My hope is that those people will remember the good that happened that day, versus the bomb going off.
That they will remember how many people rushed forward to help others, more often than not those people being strangers to one another.
That they will see the support from other states, cities and even countries who are thinking of and praying for them.
That it will help us ALL to love deeper.
Care more
And DO SOMETHING each day with that day we are given.
Because no one ever knows what will happen each day.
And we should all be making the most of every opportunity we have to love, give, receive  and bless those around us.

long time...

It seems like it's been forever since I've posted anything here.

It's not that I haven't wanted to.
There have been so many posts that I wrote in my head.  But none that actually made it here.

It's been an odd couple months "missing" on the blog.
Good months, busy months, hard moments mixed in with those things.

Today has been a good day.  But it's been a hard week.
And here it is only Tuesday.  :)

But I know it will all be ok again eventually.
Even if things don't turn out the way I have planned them.
I know that God has a plan.
He has a call.
He has a purpose.

Even when I don't understand that.
The snow will melt.
The flowers will bloom.
And spring will come again.

Sooner than I think.
It's closer than I dare hope.
But it's coming.  

There’s still something about mail…

***Update*** I managed to miss linking up with Dayspring for the review regretfully since I was having some email trouble. L

 

 

 

I was especially pleased last month when I was chosen to review some of their cards.

It wasn’t the first time I’ve gotten to review something for them and I always love doing to. 

(I was not paid to write anything for them so my view on the product is my own)

 

Personally I’m a card person. 

I always have been, I remember being in YWAM over 10 years ago and when we were out traveling the United States for the “stateside” portion of our outreach I bought some blank cards and write letters to the whole class.

Just because I wanted them all to have some “REAL MAIL” when we returned from outreach in 2 months. 

 

There’s always something about going to the mail box and something besides a bill or magazine being in there.

It has a way of lifting spirits, of bringing a smile, of saying hello before even being opened.

It brings possibility in that envelope, the possibility of good things.

And who doesn’t like that. 

 

Dayspring sent me their packet of cards that are from their  Redeemed line…

(http://www.dayspring.com/themed_collections/redeemed/redeemed_cards/redeemed_all_occasions_10_premium_card_assortment/)

Personally I really liked them. 

They are good all occasion cards, and I’ve already used several. 

 

One in particular was for a dear friend who needed some encouragement.  Just to let her know she was being thought of.

It was this one in the pack, which might possibly have been my favorite of the group.

 

Since I love the old fashioned things and this just had that “stand the test of time feel to it”.

  

I have sent a couple other ones since then as well, and look forward to using the rest of the cards in the pack.

They have such a unique feel to them and are very encouraging. 

And the REDEEMED line  has a lot of neat stuff to it as well. 

I’m particularly excited to be gifting some of the jewelry (can’t tell you what until after the 28^th)

For my ladies in my Women’s Encounter group. 

 

Really if you could see the big grin on my face about all this you would probably laugh at me.

But think of it, cards are a great way to connect or reconnect with someone.

They are always a unique way of saying you care, in this age of online Birthday greetings, Facebook, blogs, and text messaging.

It lends an air of care to what you are saying. 

 

SO I encourage you to send a card to someone…for “no reason” at all. 

http://www.dayspring.com/

After all there is just something about Mail...

 

 

It's a hard place to be.

Ever have a week that felt like it was all Mondays. 
Even on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?
(It's a little soon to say that Friday will be Monday all day- but I'll try to remember to let you know)

This week has certainly been that way. 
It's just been kinda rough, kinda busy and kinda crazy.

It's been hard and I feel like I've been in a state. 
Though it's a state that I'm having a hard time describing.

Don't get me wrong there have been good moments this week. 
Like the Life Group meeting on Wedesday night was fablous.
And the date Tuesday night (though it was with the ex...and I wonder if I should allow myself to go out with him since I'm pretty sure we can't have a future).

Maybe I'm just feeling overwhelmed with everything that will be happening. 
Maybe I'm just feeling like I'm ready for this transition stage to be passed.
To be into that next chapter already?

Do you ever get that way too?
Like when you're reading a really good book?  I know I do that sometimes, where I want to know so much what is going to happen that I read the current chapter as fast as I possibly can. 
Skimming it even if possible, to get to that next chapter to find out the "good stuff".
There's a part of me that is longing to do just that right now.
And there's a part of me that wants to take things as slowly as possible these next few weeks/months.
So I'm torn. 

Between wanting to be here and not wanting to be here. 

:/
It's a hard place to be.

 

Some days are harder...

Some days are just harder than other days.
Even really good days.

Things around here are going to be changing, soon. 
God has spoken and confirmed several times on these changes.
And while they are good things, and I'm excited about them it doesn't make it easier.

I was with the family yesterday and having a wonderful day.
Enjoying the moment. 
Having a blast with my 2 nieces.
Watching the Steelers WIN!
And just feeling loved. 

When the feeling hit, the one where I knew that things were changing.
That days like this, even though it was such a wonderful day,
were coming to an end. 

It just let me feeling really sad.

I know that God is calling me away and that He has some great plans for me. 
That He is guiding me and directing me. 
That he has a great plan for my life.
And honestly I know that I need this. 

But it still feels hard today....

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)

 

It's been a while

It's been a while since I've written anything on here. 
And honestly I'm not sure where exactly this post will lead but I've felt the desire to write again recently & today is apparently the day for it to happen. 

I've missed writing, sharing my heart with all of you, and just getting things out there. 
But life has been challenging lately...oh wait...life is always challenging. 
And I just haven't made the time to do it.
No more excuses though. 

I do want to touch on something that I did read these last 2 days...Both by Ms.  Annie Downs, which if you don't follow her blog you totally should. 
 
Dear Me

Love Came Down and Rescued Me

Both posts really got me thinking, about the person I used to be. 
The one that every so often will still pop her head up and make me think, UGH!
Not again. 
But then God wins out and reminds me. 

I love you!
I've called you!
I've redeemed you!

Words that I need to hear when I...

look in the mirror and see a lie
when I slip or fall and repeat a mistake
when the enemy tries to tell me some lie

or other things that happen, where I just am more human, or maybe common is the right word. 
Instead of standing in the fact that I know who my Father is.  And that I'm a daughter of THE  King...not just A king THE KING.

And that nothing, no lie from the enemy, from others or even a lie from myself can or will change that. 

So remember that too please. 
He LOVES you. 
More than you can think or imagine. 
No matter where you are or what state you are in.
He thinks GOOD thoughts toward you. 


 

Sidelined by singleness...

Today Ms. Annie Downs is the guest poster at (in)courage.

Her post is titled What Are You Afarid Of?
Here's the link... What Are You Afarid Of? ....If you have time totally go check it out.
Then Follow Ms. Annie at Annie Blogs ! She is one of my fav people to read via blogs. 
Really!  She's just so fun and upbeat and I just LOVE her!  :)

But today on her (in)courage post it really hit home.

See I've been working on that whole thing she was talking about.

The "I'm not waiting anymore thing"

Now I don't me that I'm not waiting on THAT.... I may have had a few bumps in the road but I'm all for waiting to see who God really has for me. 
I know that one day he's going to bring someone that's just GREAT along. 
And I really look forward to that. 
To all the things we will share together then.
But until that happens I still want to LIVE.

I have to say that like Annie there were many things I didn't do in my 20's that I had really wanted to do.  Because I didn't want to do them alone.

I should take a moment to mention too that I come from a group of girls who out of the 6 of us in High School that hung around together (and still do for the most part) I was one of two that didn't marry shortly after High School. 

And was the ONLY single one.

Which there is nothing wrong with but still...when you are young and scared to do things,  it's hard to just do it. 

But last year I hit the point of being tired...of WAITING!
Now don't get me wrong I've been SUPER fortunate to be able to do a lot of things that most people wouldn't normally do. 
I've hit every contient now with the exception of Antartica (it's on the bucket list) and done a lot of amazing things with some amazing people.

But there are somethings that I want to do...
Things that other people don't need to do with me...like the photography classes I took earlier this year.
Or things that other people aren't interested in doing....like driving the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway for those of you who may not be familiar with the Cali abrevation).
The current plan is to do this in December...alone.  :)  And I'm excited. 

When I told my mom last year that, that was what I wanted to do, she asked who was going with me.
When I told her no one she wasn't particularly happy. 
But I looked at her and told her, with most of my friends being married, having kids, not having the money or time...there wasn't anyone to go with me. 
She thought I should wait. 
I told her that I'm not going to wait to do the things that I want to do anymore. 
To be sidelined because of being single. 

I let her know that I can't keep waiting to be married to do things that I long to do.
God gives us desires to do things.
And I think God wants us to have fun.
And I think there are GREAT things that come from doing things ALONE. 

Because in truth we are NEVER alone!
God is always with us. 

Now I'm not saying I think we should do things that are stupid. We shouldn't do that just expecting God to protect us. 
But like I said I do think God wants us to challenge ourselves. 
I think that challenges often make us grow and learn things. 

Things about ourselves that we may not learn with others. 

And I'm looking forward to adventures.

Like next month...I'll be headed to Peru on  a mission trip.

Once our group gets a break from ministry (for 3 of the 17 days) I'm going to head to Machu Pichu for 3 days.

ALONE

I hadn't intended to do it alone but the person that was originally suppose to go with me backed out.

And I couldn't imagine passing up the chance to see and experience that part of the area just because it would just be me. (Now I am totally doing a tour thing...which I might not do if more of us were going but to me this is a safer thing to do).  At first I was afarid but as time passes I'm getting excited.  Really looking forward to some alone time to process things after the work phase of the trip. Something that I think I'll really need.

So...don't let fear or singleness keep you from doing the things that you've wanted to do. 
Go out and live this life as a great adventure. 
You never know who God will bring across your path in that situation. 
And you never know what you will learn. 
You may just stumble upon who you really are and a new area of your heart. 

But either way you'll probably have a BLAST!