Sometimes

Sometimes the rain of God's blessing is coming down so heavily that you feel your heart about to burst with the glorious fullness. God has been gracious to an undeserving creature. You feel as if you'll drown in all this goodness. Fear begins to creep in, wondering if you'll burst from the happiness. You want to shout praises to God, to sing and dance, to jump for joy, to shout from the rooftops what He has done, to show some sort of thanks for all this amazing grace that you don't deserve. But the words don't come. All you can do is kneel speechlessly before the throne of grace, as you try to find words to express your gratitude. The words don't come, but the song your heart sings - it is enough.

Finding God in Nature

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars." - Martin

Where do we find God? The answer is, quite literally, right outside your door. The Bible is God's Word, a book of instruction and love letters written expressly for us, but sometimes we forget that God exists outside of the pages of a book. To find the gospel, step outside. Feel the breeze playfully toss the wisps of your hair out of place. Watch the glorious majesty of a thunderstorm, with the trees bowing low and the thunder crashing loud. Spend time with an ant as she forges for food. Examine the complexity of a flower. God isn't contain in the pages of a book, only present when we open it, He is here, all around us. These are His gifts to us. We see His infinite knowledge, His glorious majesty, as we watch the beauty of nature all around us.

Random thoughts on a quote by Ann Voskamp

"The only man you want to give your life to is one who makes you hunger for Christ, believe in Grace, experience the other-world love of God." - Ann Voskamp

I came across this quote recently on a blog I've started reading. It is a great reminder about what I need to be looking for in a man - not the handsome smile, perfect haircut, particular age, certain looks - but someone that becomes a running mate in the race towards the goal. For the purpose of marriage is not to have someone that gives you flowers on Valentine's Day, but to have that person there sanctifying you, encouraging you, correcting you, turning your face towards Christ, a life partner in your God-given mission. As single women, it is easy to let  our emotions run free and become distracted by a handsome face or the right words. Let us instead keep our focus on Christ, and seek to find someone that turns our face towards Him.

Multitude Mondays

#26-#40

Three year anniversary of adopting Janae. She is such a bundle of energy, she is almost always jumping, dancing or running around, thus my nickname for her is "Tigger". It is beautiful to see the relationship between her and Jonathan, especially when he has been in the hospital. The past three years have flown by, feel like yesterday when I cradled her tiny body in my arms. We named her Janae, for it means "God has answered" or "God's gift". After the heartache of many failed adoptions, we knew God had finally answered our prayers and given us a precious gift. She is a beautiful little lady, and I am excited to watch her grown in her walk with the Lord.

Successful surgery, and a quick recovery.

Only spending overnight in the hospital.

When the building is locked, and the band late to the dance...realizing the multitude of things that can go wrong, but thankful that they don't.

Hearing that friends are safe after a terrible tornado.

34 days until I spend the weekend with a dear friend.

Four days until one of the best weeks the whole year long.

Discovering a drive-in theatre not too far away.

Laughing together with (some of) my family as we watch Gnomeo and Juliet.

Forgiveness from God and others when we fail.

The silly smile of a little man as he signs "I love you".

Finally getting somewhere on an important decision.

Seeing a relevant article on a topic that's been brought to mind.

New mercy from the Lord, every single morning, without fail.

Christian parents that have raised us right.

Overwhelmed by grace

#11 - #25
Being sent home from the hospital early enough to take our previously planned trip
Leaving on time
A good deal on a gorgeous ball gown
Nap time in the car. Nothing like a few quiet moments while travelling
Finally getting a reservation mix-up worked out, even though it took an hour
Children laughing at the silliest things
Adorable babies at the Orphan Summit. So many cute kids!
Safe travels there and back again
God gave a handsome little man life, has brought him through more than once when he has been close to death. This little man gives joy to those around him, and he can hardly go anywhere without people saying how cute he is. No one would know what all he has been through, for he has had a happy, patient, joyful spirit through it all.
A little boy walking along even when doctors said he wouldn't.
Getting booked for another calling gig.
Just two more weeks!
Forty-five days until I meet a dear friend
Zephaniah 3:17
Thunderstorms. I love listening and simply being in awe in the presence of that tiny taste of His majestic strength.

Men and Mountains

What are men compared to rocks and mountains?

There is something about mountains that stirs my soul. The beautiful majesty of these towering mounds awakens a breathless awe. The road moves with the mountain - up, down, over and around. The clouds gracefully dance along the peaks, like a fluffy mound of whipped cream on a slice of warm cherry pie. Something about these heights brings me closer to the one that created them. It gives me a sense of my smallness, while telling me of the grandeur of my King. In the shadow of these hills, I stand in awe of my Father and worship Him.

Normal

Normal. What a conceited word, snobbishly looking down at me in all its normalcy. Sometimes you wish you could be like them, those normal people. The ones with a quiet existence. Nothing out of the ordinary happens to them. But you know, their lives...they must be so boring.