Skip to main content

hmm.....

Not previously a blogger, I started one this summer when I went to Israel (the trip of my life so far....you truly must go one day). Almost a year later, I have decided that I'm going to start keeping up with this once again. And so, here we are. No promises. No guarantees. Just thoughts and stories from the journey God gives me.

This past year or so has been one of changes and new beginnings. Graduating college. Summer in Israel. First year as a teacher. Moving home. Building new relationships. It is strange how many things can come and go -- and change -- in the course of a year. I had the opportunity to go to Athens again this week and spend time with some truly missed friends. I love Athens. It is a beautiful place with a great atmosphere that will always hold a special place in my heart. While there this week, I was reminded of how much has changed, yet still, somehow, stayed the same.

What is most beautiful to me is that no matter how long it has been or how far apart we are, whenever true friends come together again, it is as though nothing has changed. One of my fears in graduating was that the friendships that were built would change and possibly fade away. Inevitably, it will happen with some relationships -- it always does. But sometimes, relationships escape that fate, coming out of the growth period stronger and more wonderful than they were before. These are the relationships that will last. And these are the friends that will be there for you no matter what, no matter where. That is a magnificent blessing.

It also became obvious to me how much I have grown throughout this last year. Though you grow everyday, you often overlook the many ways in which this happens until you are in a place which enables you to see your life in a new light. Over the past year, I've become so much more independent. I'm not as worried all the time, and definitely go with the flow more. There are a few other things I feel have changed in my life, but I won't bore you with the details :)

One of the major things I'm trying to figure out right now is what it truly means for me to live as a child of the King and where He is leading me now. How do I truly love the people I interact with daily? How do I move beyond things that have happened in order to embrace the things that will happen? As I wrestle with these questions, one over-arching idea is becoming more and more clear to me everyday. God is in control and He loves me. His plan for me is perfect -- it may terrify me at times, but it is perfect for me. And, living this life is not about me. Living abundantly in honor of the King, inside His perfect will, loving Him and loving others. That is what this is about -- this beautiful, winding, interesting journey...


A favorite quote:
There are always two voices inside of us: the voice of fear and the voice of faith. One is the clamor of the senses. The other is the whispering of God.
John Mason










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

His Straight, Not Mine

Whenever I have a huge decision to make, I stress. My default mode is "what if I'm wrong??" This has been true for the last 10+ years of my life. College, mission trips during college, where to teach after college, quitting teaching, moving to Baltimore, leaving Baltimore, beginning seminary. All decisions fraught with questions, doubts, fears. And I'm there again. Graduated from seminary, looking for the next step. Wondering. Doubting. Questioning. Hoping. Dreaming. Fearing.  Every big decision is the same. You'd think I'd have learned by now just to decide or jump or trust or whatever. But no. The reason for this struggle is that I so badly long to do what I am meant to do. I long to follow God where He is leading, to fulfill the purpose He has planned for me from the beginning. But I'm only human. And so how on earth do I know what God has planned for me? And how on earth can I possibly do that without screwing it up completely?  I look at vers...
2 comments
Read more

34.

One of the things I love most about my birthday is that it falls so close to the beginning of the year. A new calendar year and new life year start together.  I also love that I share a birthday with Kate, Duchess of Cambridge.  You know, the important things.  I've thought a lot about this year and what it would be like. Not because I've now officially hit my mid-30's (oh my goodness, really??) but what will 2019 and 34 hold? The last two years have been the hardest I've faced. Everything felt like it was breaking to pieces, and I was never fast enough to gather them all up before they landed, or good enough to keep everything together. These pieces were significant chunks of my identity. Things (and people!) I had placed a lot of value in, that I thought defined me, were gone. Slowly, suddenly, systematically, chaotically. It felt very much like I was being stripped away, and that there wasn't much else there.  At the same time, the world also se...
Post a Comment
Read more

my feet

are killing me. because i decided to wear heels on a field trip to atlanta because i didn't want to be too casual at the state capitol. haha :) we had fun, no matter whether our feet got tired or not. i love those kind of experiences because they're different and unique and fun. we were worn out when we got home, but it was a good day. we started at the cnn center. i'd never done that tour before, but it was interesting. i still have trouble thinking that all that news is done right in atlanta...it's kind of amazing. i always see those anchors on the news and it seems as though they are in some far away place, but no. they're here in atlanta. i learned that the floor of the food court is also a map of the world. the tiles are laid out in the shape of continents. a plus of going to the cnn center for a field trip? starbucks in the middle of the school day :) after the cnn center, we headed to the state capitol. it's been awhile since i'd been there, but it wa...
1 comment
Read more