roots

Listening to: The Gospel ~Jimmy Needham

Trying desparately: Not to lose my mind amongst all of these carboard boxes. Which is proving to be quite difficult.



 I'm sitting on my couch...surveying the masses of cardboard boxes...wondering how I found myself here and not unpacking. Procrastination. Isn't it a wonderful thing?  

 Not really...because the longer my stuff stays hidden away, the longer I'm going to feel like I have no home. 

 *deep sigh*

 There's always tomorrow...

 I guess I should be used to moving by now...and for the most part I really am. I don't get all nostalgic when I leave one place to go to another...it just takes a while for the new place to feel comfortable, you know?

 I'm fairly certain all the moving I've done is preparing me for my future as a nomad and that makes it somewhat better...somewhat.

 God has certainly blessed me through all of this and I'm thankful for His provision...I just don't know how far down I'm going to let my roots grow this time. Lately, I've been thinking that perhaps God's plan will always entail moving.

 At first, this revelation kind of stung. I dream about setling down and owning a cute-sy little cottage, planting a flower garden and going to visit my best friend who would most definitely live next door.  But I also have this deep desire to travel and share the love of Christ wherever He leads me. To go love on people...heal their bodies...fill their souls with truth and with hope.

 Thankfully, God is where my roots are down deep. And He's always with me because He's in me. So I'm ok with not having a permanent physical dwelling place...because as long as I'm in His will He's my safety, my comfort and all that's farmiliar when I'm in need of the calm.

 And I know wherever He leads me, I'll be ok. He'll give me the strength to handle it all. :)

i miss

Listening to: Love Wins -Robbie Seay Band

Reading: The Horse and His Boy -C.S. Lewis

I miss Davish.

I miss Mr. Eric yelling "Get in the van man! Get on the bus Gus!" anytime we left the hotel. I miss crying. I miss seeing my kids everyday. I miss singing "Be Glorified" seven times a day.I miss praying with strangers. I miss street witnessing. I miss Kasey being next door. I miss seeing my brothers and sisters cast themselves aside for the sake of the cross. I miss the drama makeup that made us all breakout.

I miss yellow fanta.

I miss Friendship's fried chicken. I miss dancing with Brother Joe in his van to his worship cd. I miss Mr. Phillip's hugs. I miss my roomies. I miss listening and singing along to JJ Heller with Amber every morning. I miss that Thursday night. I miss Joel's piranha stories.

I miss "King of The Hill."

I miss Jared and Maggie. I miss Brother Lloyd. I miss singing in the van because there was no radio. I miss the "Nathanael" pose. I miss going to Kacey's room, having our club meetings, and eating Doritos and chocolate while NOT spilling coke on Hattie and Chambray's bed.

I miss Hattie and Chambray talks.

I miss calling Crystal just so she would have a phone call. I miss missing home. I miss not wanting to come home. I miss Ashley's "scream laugh." I miss acting like I hated Mao. I miss duct tape. I miss saying, "Dang, my dad WAS right!" every ten minutes or so. I miss changing 8 times a day because it was so hot.

I miss chanting "I. Am. Beautiful." in front of the mirror with Amber every morning and being late to every meal.

I miss Brodie's. I miss "Hey Carrissa." I miss being an adult. I miss hearing the kids say, "Sweets? Sweets?" and holding out their hands for candy. I miss last-minute Bible studies. I miss going to Christin's room and talking about underwear.

I miss not caring what we looked like.

I miss feeling. I miss not understanding Mr. Dennis's jokes. I miss bargaining in the market. I miss being the hug giver. I miss talking about how nasty the food was and what I was going to eat when I got home. I miss the little boy at the special needs school who raised his arms and sang along during "Alleluia."  I miss Josh not being able to handle me being upset with him.

I miss being in love.

I miss boat rides. I miss accents. I miss watching the woman in the pink dress dance. I miss seeing everybody worship so freely. I miss Ms. Nancy giving us all copious amounts of acidophiles. I miss sunscreen. I miss holding and praying over the kids.

I miss Belize.

babies, boxes, best friends & brides

Listening to: Everything Jesus Culture!!!
About to: Make a photography blog with the lovely Lisa you know from http://www.nutcakeinanutshell.blogspot.com/

My sweet little nephew :)



 On Monday, February 28th, 7 lbs 12oz and 20 1/2 inches of precious was born!!! My little baby nephew, Coda is the most beautiful little person I have ever seen...and I am *NOT* being bias. It's the truth! I was telling Micah how crazy it is how much love I feel for that little boy already.

 I was getting all emotional thinking about how this baby is going to be grown before I know it and will be graduating high school and getting married and there's nothing I can do to prolong his childhood...As though he were my kid!! I am suffering from baby fever I think.

 I am just so in awe of God in all of this...He knit that precious little boy in Amber's womb! And knows all about his little personality already! I'm praying great things for that little boy and his parents who I love and consider family. They are so dear to my heart and I'm so excited about the wonderful things God has in store for them and their beautiful little family :)

 I'm sure you're done listening to me be all "Ooshy-goo!!!! It's a baby!!!" So I'll move on...

                                                             *sighs deeply*

 My friends, it's time for mind-boggling messes, endless to-do lists and the smell of cardboard boxes...that's right, I'm MOVING!!! And I'm very excited about it. We have a FIREPLACE!!! I think that's what I'm most excited about if we're going to be completely honest here. :) 

 But for serious, God is blessing my family and I am so thankful for His provision and faithfulness. 

 *tangent* I love love love jello!!! It has to be one of my most favorite things in the world...and every time I eat it I can't help but exclaim, "You're never gonna be jello!" And feel a little bit more like the lovely Julia Roberts. *end of tangent*

 ALSO! My lovely friend, Ashlea is getting married in sixteen days! I'm so excited for her and her love, Scott...they are absolutely adorable! Here we are at her Bridal Shower :)

 And my aunt Lisa rocks.

 I apparently have a guest blogger...

 And my best friend is going away to college...sadness of the heart. My best friend is the most beautiful, most encouraging person. I can't imagine life without her and the thought of her being hours away makes me want to throw a fit. But for the sake of her future, I'm coping. I know that she's coming back...in fact, we have plans to go on medical missions, get an apartment, and raise our babies as best friends!!! I know this isn't permanent and that's the only thing that makes it better. I love you Becca! And am working on the post that I am dedicating entirely to you. Tehe :)

Here is my lovely!

 I'm sitting here pondering all the change that's coming...and how scared I am of change. On top of all the change that's happening in the lives of the people I love, I've been offered a job and I'll be starting college this fall...Scary stuff! Especially considering I'm still seeking God and His will in all of this. I don't know how I feel about growing up...it's nerve wrecking. I'm having to make decisions and hope and pray they're the right ones. However,  God is my constant and I know He's always with me. I'm so thankful that He is.

 Well, I have a photography blog to create so I hope you lovelies are experiencing the great love of God this week as much as I am :)

family

Listening to: A Day Late -Anberlin
Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-25 

 Oh...the conversations we have at the dinner table at my grandparents' house. Not blog appropriate in the least! But...entertaining. Every Friday night for the last several years we all go over to my granparents' house for dinner. And I love it! I love sitting on the counter while Meme cooks. I love listening to Lisa and Danae howl (because "laugh" doesn't even begin to cover it) uncontrollably. I love that no matter what it is my grandpa hears me say his response is always, "What? You have a boyfriend?" And as much as I HATE admitting this...I love that Brian always has something to say. It makes life interesting.

 Yesterday, on the way home I was thinking about how life is changing and I'm growing up...about how I can't wait to lug my own family over to Meme and Papa's for dinner on Friday nights. I get excited when I think about how Lisa, Danae and I are going to have our own families and bring them back to the place where our lives started and our hearts were nourished. I can just see us all grown up sitting around the table and listening to our own kids howl uncontrollably or see them sit on the same counter where we sat while someone cooks dinner. (Meme, I hope for your sake that we have enough decency not to make you cook for the rest of your life ;)

 So in short I love my family...my loud, obnoxious, passionate, creative, loving, unique family. We get on each other's nerves and hurt each other's feelings. But I don't think any group of people love each other more than we do. I can't wait for the things God has in store for my family...for the people He'll add to it and the love we'll give them. Being a part of this crazy family of mine is an experience indeed...They've taught me how to love. And how not to do some things too. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. Because of them I know how to love and be loved. And I can't wait to pass on that legacy to my own someday soon.

miley

Listening to: Umbrella (Christ Mix) -Coffey Anderson
Pondering: going on medical missions in the future with my bestie!

He sits at his table, drinks coffee and reads the newspaper everyday...and we talk. Most of the time about the weather, how well he played pool the night before or how our days are going. But one day, the conversation became theological.

Human depravity.

I explained to him that we were created in the image of God but that through sin, that image has been marred. Miley seemed disturbed and shared with me that he really didn't think there was a God...So I've been praying for him and have continued talking to him about it.

For Christmas I bought him a set of pool-ball ornaments. When I gave him the bag on Christmas Eve, he was surprised and told me he felt guilty because he hadn't gotten me a present...I told him that I wasn't mad at him, but that he could make it up to me by coming to Christmas Eve Service at my church. Sly ;)

He didn't come, but that's ok. I believe that one day, he's going to see the truth whether he goes to church or not.

I told my mom and sister over lunch on Wednesday that he hadn't been coming in lately and that I really hoped he was ok. And then...as we were walking out of the store later, I saw him!

We talked for awhile and he got to meet my mom and sister.  I had the opportunity to tell him that I was not only praying for him - but that my family was too. What a beautiful thing to be able to tell someone! That people he hadn't met before, knew his name and were praying for him. He seemed pleased that we were and even told me that maybe one day I'd hear him knocking on the church window. I'm so honored and humbled that God would use me to bring truth into Miley's life...What an opportunity!

So until Miley opens his heart to God, I'll be praying...and watching for an old man peeking through the church window.

watching for snow!

Listening to: What Have I Done -Adie Camp
Outstanding Quote: A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success. -Doug Larson



 This is how I found my little sister yesterday morning...how adorable is that?!? I asked her what she was doing and she replied, "Watching for snow Kimberly!!!" She was all bundled up ready to frolic at the first sight of it...too cute.