Shooting Stars

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, ¹⁵so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ¹⁶as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:14-16

Lately, I crave summer: swim suits, laying on the beach, driving with the music blaring and the windows down, fluffy happy books, shorts and tank tops, flip flops,  going out on the lake, meteor showers, star gazing, looking at the moon, sitting on the deck or dock, and happy summer music.  In response to my craving, I’ve decided that my room is now summer. Basically, I wear shorts and a tank top.  Pretend the heater and the sleeping bag are just for fun and look at the happy summer pictures while listening to happy music.  My heart is extra happy so all of this fits.

Alright, so by now you may be wondering how the verse above fits into all this talk about summer.  Well then, let me tell you a little bit about today.  Today the weather was warm, sunny and perfect.  I wore flip flops, ate delicious pancakes with mixed berries (I love and miss fresh berries like strawberries and blueberries!), walked around outside and read Gone With the Wind.  But the best part consisted of later at night when the stars came out.  Tentative plans to watch a movie were thwarted by other events, which turned into new plans to star gaze by the pond.  To be prepared, I outfitted myself with my sleeping bag, two pairs of pants (one with stars on them of course), lots of layers, a hat, mittens and even socks (I hate socks, but thanks mom for sending me some…though I really don’t need more…I really hate them!).

Needless to say, God blew me away with His creation.  Everything made me smile and soak in the beautiful night.  The moon hid away until the right time when we saw its amazing orangish color and sat astounded at its huge size.  The shooting stars took my breath away and I got sad whenever someone else saw one, but I missed it.  The random conversation took the edge off the rest of the day.  And I’m still pondering which names fit the category of a “cuddly” name.  Yet, through all of this, I return my thoughts to God to thank Him for a wonderful ending to another day.  To ask Him to help me show that kind of beauty and light to everyone around me. To live out the call to shine like stars and take people’s breath away. To glorify His name and live a life full of love in such a way that others see Him.

Because that’s when my heart is happy.

Waiting

Wait for the Lord,

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord

Psalm 27:14

I make plans. I conjure up ideas in my head about what I want to do today, tomorrow, five years from now. I am flexible, yes, but I still make plans and roll with the changes as they come.  I play out the what-if game in my head and toy with all sorts of ideas.  Yet, right now, I find myself in a place that takes me out of my comfort zone.  I am learning to wait.  I am learning to let go of my plans to seek Him.  I am waiting for guidance. I am digging deep and holding His hand.  I am learning to love the uncertainty. I am learning to trust all over again. I am terrified yet my heart is happy.  I am taking a step out onto the water. I am ready for a little excitement, adventure, and risk.

Verse of the Day

All About the Small, Simple Things

I love this.  Nothing fancy just simple, thoughtful and loving.

33 Things You Could Live Without Knowing

1. First thing you wash in the shower? pass.

2. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? probably not?

3. Do you plan outfits? no. i never know until right when I’m getting ready.

4. What are you craving right now? cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese from panera.

5. Do you floss? yes. of course!

6. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? how many times are we going to eat cabbage…..i want food from home!

7. Are you emotional? true. “i wear my heart on my sleeve again”

8. Have you ever counted to 1,000? probably? i count to 100 and then count backwards from 100 sometimes when I’m running.

9. Do you like your hair? some days. i wish someone else would just do it and that i wouldn’t have to ever blow dry it.

10. Do you like yourself? most days. sure why not.

11. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? why not. not alone though.

12. What are you listening to right now? nothing, unfortunately. i’m on a “I dont’ know what I want to listen to” music streak and I don’t like it!

13. Are your parents strict? nah, they were fine

14. Would you go sky diving? maybe. as long as someone went with me and totally convinced me and made me go. afterward, I’m sure I would be happy I did it…unless I got really hurt or something

15. Have you ever met a celebrity? yeah. sports players federer was fun to see.

16. How many countries have you visited? the US, Canada, South Africa (woot! I’m living here now)

17. Have you made a prank phone call? maybe? a specific instance doesn’t come to mind, but I’ve called and hung up before they answered haha.

18. Brown or white eggs? i don’t know. i haven’t eaten eggs for a while.

19. Do you have a cell phone? yes and no. I have one that is on “hold” til I get back and then I have one I share with my roomie here.

20. Can you use chop sticks? I wish! I love Chinese food, but I haven’t mastered using chop sticks yet.

21. Are you too forgiving? sometimes, most often.

22. Ever been in love? true story.

23. Last time you cried? few days ago while listening to sad music. gotta love how music changes your mood.

24. What was the last question you asked? um probably something about Hope House planning, not sure what though.

25. Are you sarcastic? sometimes. I go back and forth on whether I should use sarcasm.

26. Do looks matter? to who?

27. Do you like your life right now? most days. Fridays make my heart happy.

28. Can you handle the truth? maybe not always right away, but give me a little bit and I’ll get to work on changing whatever or accepting the truth.

29. How often do you talk on the phone? not often here, which is kinda sad. i miss it sometimes.

30. Where was your profile picture taken at? the one on Facebook=Hope House. The other one that I sometimes use=Thrive Africa out on one of the paths. 

31. Can you hula hoop? not well.

32. Do you have a job? not really. I’m a 24/7 intern though.

33. What was the most recent thing you bought? Nando’s maybe? or maybe a white hot chocolate from the cafe.

ht: Tam

34 Years :)

Happy Anniversary!! Love and miss you guys!

The Valley Song

You have led me to the sadness
I have carried this pain
On a back bruised, nearly broken
I’m crying out to you

I will sing of Your mercy
That leads me through valleys of sorrow
To rivers of joy

When death like a Gypsy
Comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face

But I fear you aren’t listening
Because there are no words
Just the stillness and the hunger
For a faith that assures

While we wait for rescue
With our eyes tightly shut
Face to the ground using our hands
To cover the fatal cut

And though the pain is an ocean
Tossing us around, around, around
You have calmed greater waters
Higher mountains have come down
————————————————-

I’m liking this song lately…aka the last two days.

I feel like a little kid…

Why?  Because my legs are completely scratched!  They look like I played hard outside and didn’t care if I got hurt, which is true in part.  Yet, in part, I merely like climbing mountains that happen to have bushes, grass, and random other things that scratch.  At least they will heal.  I climbed up the backside of Everest today and forged my way through lots of brambles and mini trees.  I loved finding a new paths and going at my own pace.  The feeling of reaching the top of the mountain makes all the scratches, stumbles, and hard work worth while.

I Love and Miss My Mama

Even when I’m having a weird, sad, crappy day she can make me smile and laugh with a couple of words:

“no wonder you are a little down

cold no sleep no cute guys”

Ha, she knows me too well

A name?

Since the weather has turned unbearably (pun intended) cold, I decided to invest in a bear.  Well, a bear with a hot water bottle inside   He/she keeps me fabulously warm at night and during the day.  Who knew?  The only problem is that he/she needs a name.  That’s where you all come in to play.  So, what’s my bear’s name?