tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53780691553787027952024-03-13T22:15:17.137-06:00clinks and clashesthe toasts + spills of everyday lifelaura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-68501847913739069342018-04-30T20:36:00.001-06:002018-04-30T20:36:46.933-06:00[because he loves you]<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">AHHHHHHHH. My fingers are on the keyboard, and I could not be more excited. I am not quite sure how I got out of this rhythm - the writing, the overflowing of my heart onto a blank screen for the sheer enjoyment of it - but I did. The last year (it has been almost a YEAR since we've lived in Denver) has been wonderful, superb, enjoyable, passionate, and truly life-giving. I've never been more sure that this is the location I am (we are) supposed to be, and that's a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y freeing. God has graciously provided us with community here that has made ALL the difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Newsflash: I am fully aware that this introduction sounds overly mushy. That doesn't negate the fact that it is all true, <b>for this current season</b>. It also does not negate the fact that God is present a-l-l the time, even amidst the struggles.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of struggling, did you know that I first came to really know Jesus through a bout with depression? <b>This </b>is a huge reason why I quit my stable, "cush" (is that really a word?) job to move to Denver to pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. I believe that it is out of our suffering that the Lord taps into our inner being in ways that we would never be able to experience sans hardship. And it is my desire, as God's ambassador - his unfortunately sinful, stubborn, lazy, doubting, flaky, hot-headed, etc. ambassador - to serve as an advocate to those who are hurting - the ones who cannot seem to feel, or potentially even desire - Jesus amidst the paralyzing pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe that Mother Teresa said it best:</span><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world."</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is my desire: to, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>in the throes of unwieldy pain</i>, remind others of their identity - fully loved <b>despite </b>their circumstances.. the joy, peace, or desire for God that they simply cannot muster up because of the weight of their mental illness(es).</span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19</i></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Not </b>because we had it all together. <b>Not </b>because we loved him as we should. <b>Not </b>because of our A+ behavior. <b>Certainly not </b>because of our pure hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Simply because he loved <b><i>(and currently loves)</i></b> us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wherever this post finds you, I hope + pray that it will bring you JOY concerning the truth of <b>your </b>Belovedness.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You're doing quite alright, friend.</i></span></h4>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-19093852185769013362017-08-03T14:06:00.000-06:002017-08-03T14:06:48.385-06:00[on incomprehensible peace that looks like God's fingerprints]<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looks like the joke is on me..</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was all about saying YES - <i>boldly + proudly proclaiming that 3-letter word</i> - to writing more back in March. And it's now.. August? Oops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's to fresh restarts and coming back to the things that give me life again and again.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life looks a lot different than it did when I wrote my last post in March. I <b>quit</b> my corporate job of five years (say whaaaat) back in June to pursue something that <b>truly gets my heart pounding</b>. A month ago - to the day - my husband and I packed up our Penske (it was cheaper than a U-haul) and paraded our Oklahoman selves down I-70W to Denver, Colorado in hopes of *living our best lives now*. Okay, not really, but sort of. I'm starting grad school at Denver Seminary later this month to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling. A little different than my corporate job dealing with oil & gas storage and transportation, dontchya think? It was a shock to some, but to the people that know me more deeply, it wasn't. Just as it shouldn't have been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the past I have written a TON about how change affects me - how transitions are<b> hard </b>for me. And I fully anticipate this becoming hard after I realize what the HECK we've done by moving away from our family, friends and church community. But for now, it's been wonderful. <b>Truly</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thing that I have most enjoyed about this transition is<b> seeing God's fingerprints on everything</b>. YES, <i>we say</i> that God is sovereign - that he is ruler over every tribe, tongue and nation (Rev. 7:9). <i>We say</i> that we believe he is consistently working all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). <i>We say</i> that he is constantly guiding us and counseling as us we go (Psalm 32:8). <i>But how often do we r-e-a-l-l-y look closely enough to see this happening?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God graciously opened up mine and Andrew's eyes during this process to see his movement in our lives. It's been nothing short of amazing, and I've surely written down every little aspect of this journey that has pointed us to praise his name. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And rather than list out every single thing that our sweet Father has orchestrated to get us to where we are today, I want to encourage you - <b>in your transition, in your staying, in your in-between.. wherever you are.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because whether or not you can actively see it, God is working on your behalf. This is because he <b>loves</b> you with an unfailing, passionate, steadfast love. He isn't focused on</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> some future version of yourself or a previous version of yourself that was "more solid, more faithful, less mistakes".. it's the YOU that you're living in <i>right at this very moment</i>. He <b>wants</b> to open up your eyes to the <b>good</b> that he is doing in and around you. The Creator of the world - of galaxies and human anatomy and gravity - wants to have a relationship with <b>YOU</b>. He wants to speak to you as you open up your ears and your heart to listen to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And as we begin listening - searching to find him in <b>both</b> our most commonplace routines as well as our life-changing decisions..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He graciously pours over us <b>incomprehensible peace</b>. Incomprehensible for the fact that it is incomparable for it cannot be found <b>anywhere else</b>. <u>Of course</u> it can't be found elsewhere. This peace is unlike any other peace that we've experienced. It's not the temporary peace we find from placing stock in relationships with significant others; this peace shatters the very minute we begin to realize that we were never supposed to place our worth in it. This peace can't be found in a self-help book because eventually you will find that you're not fixable on your own. This peace isn't found in some self-discovery backpacking trip across Europe - because once you discover all that you are on your own, you will most likely not be at peace [<i>party foul</i>].</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is what I strongly experienced over the past 7 months during mine and Andrew's Colorado processing time. This peace had God's fingerprints <b>all</b> over it. In what could have easily been an anxiety-fueled, uncomfortable, twiddling-my-thumbs-for-7-straight-months kind of season, God showed me kindness by revealing his powerful + sovereign personality to me thereby leading me to <b>peace</b>. I didn't have to wonder what would happen if this counseling school thing didn't work out or focus my thoughts on what rebuilding community in a completely new state would look like if we did make the move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because he was sweetly reminding me that he is working all things for my good. And there is no room for doubt in that.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-ESV-23314" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-ESV-23315" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span>For <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23315A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the Gentiles seek after all these things, and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23315B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23315B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-ESV-23316" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">33 </span>But <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>seek first <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>the kingdom of God and his righteousness, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-23316E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23316E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>and all these things will be added to you.</span></span></i></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Matthew 6:31-33</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Rom-8-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">31 </span>What then shall we say to these things? <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28132BI" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28132BI" title="See cross-reference BI">BI</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>If God is for us, who can be</span><span class="text Rom-8-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-8-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">against us?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Rom-8-32" id="en-ESV-28133" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">32 </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28133BJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28133BJ" title="See cross-reference BJ">BJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>He who did not spare his own Son but <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28133BK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28133BK" title="See cross-reference BK">BK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span></i></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">-Romans 8:31-32</span></span></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-21516950351463399452017-03-05T19:22:00.001-07:002017-03-05T19:22:56.634-07:00[I missed you]<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>How much have I missed blogging?</i></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>SO MUCH.</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Whenever I started designing for <a href="http://wheatandhoneyco.com/" target="_blank">Wheat and Honey Co.</a> and shortly thereafter decided to open my own business, <a href="http://koseligcreativeco.com/" target="_blank">Koselig Creative Co.</a>, it was quite obvious that priorities and schedules were changing. However, something that I l-o-v-e so much (WRITING) fell by the wayside, and over the past few months I have missed it incredibly. And, the funny part about it is that all along, <b>WORDS</b> have been my fuel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't get me wrong - I highly enjoy good design, watercolor and some hand lettering.. but I love them even more when they're coupled with <b>meaning</b>: a hand lettered watercolor quote that inspires me, designing a brochure for a company that I know makes a difference in the community.. these are the things that get me going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here's to fresh restarts and saying "yes" to the things that bring me life. Here's to incorporating deep words of meaning and truth to Koselig through blog posts.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What fuels you?</span></h2>
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<ol>
<li>If money wasn't an issue, what job would you take?</li>
<li>What gives you joy?</li>
<li>What are your strengths?</li>
<li>Are these the strengths that close family members and friends have mentioned that they see in you?</li>
<li>What do you think that you need to cut out of your life in order to make space for joy (i.e. things that leave you feeling dull or apathetic)?</li>
</ol>
</div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-91267385375418161252016-02-07T20:21:00.001-07:002016-02-07T20:21:08.134-07:00[this week I am most thankful for]<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Pushing myself</b><span style="font-family: inherit;">, both physically and mentally.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going on a Sunday evening
jog throughout my favorite neighborhood in Tulsa (<i>which just so happens to be
where our rental is located</i>). Also forcing myself – <b>because I know I love it</b> –
to write a blog post, <b>even if</b> I didn’t finish it until after my bed time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Nesting.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our house is becoming a home! And the beginnings of
acknowledging that it doesn’t have to be [<b>and never will be</b>] perfect. And
that’s what makes it good, quirky, and memorable.. or at least that's what I keep telling myself whenever I smell a strong scent of burning brussel sprouts coming from our neighbor below us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dinner invitations.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Andrew and I received a dinner invitation from a previous mentor of mine and
her husband who I lost touch with recently for annoying life reasons. <b>RSVP:
Yes, yes, and YES</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THREE BOOKS IN THE MAIL</b> on Saturday..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">courtesy of Amazon.. <b>and </b>my bank
account. I’m a non-fiction kinda girl, and I love me some reading + learning. If you're looking for me in the upcoming days and weeks, I will be in the nearest comfy coffee shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded Questions</b>: the game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Andrew and I stumbled upon this little
goody after our impromptu sushi happy hour outing on Wednesday evening. Something about sushi
makes me want frozen yogurt.. <b>always</b>. So there we went.. on to get some froyo
at the shop across the street from the sushi restaurant (can a girl get an <b>amen</b> on
that strategic location?!) where we found the Loaded Questions game. I only
like interactive games.. and I just so happen to love loaded questions. And a game that involves both of these things?? <b>Jackpot</b>. Coming soon to a dinner party near you..</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Saying "<b>No</b>". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So let's be honest.. <b>it's hard to say "no"</b>, whether it's due to FOMO (<b>F</b>ear<b> o</b>f <b>M</b>issing<b> O</b>ut for those of you who have not yet experienced this beast), giving in to the inaccurate belief that busyness is some sort of measure of success, or because we don't want to feel like we are letting people down. <b>Each</b> and<b> every one</b> of these reasons is a <b>l-i-e</b>. So if you need some alone time to process things, you've got far too many priorities and no purpose, or you're in one of those seasons where busyness overwhelms you because of everything that's going on in your life, <b>just say no</b>. People will respect your answer. Self-care is <b>absolutely</b> necessary and <b>so very</b> good for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Sweet reminders</b> of God’s presence with me <b>always</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Sunday night I had this strange urge to write out, <span style="font-size: large;">“<b>You’re okay</b>”</span> on some cardstock and then stick it on the wall (<b>hooray</b> for washi tape!) above my dresser whilst experiencing intense mouth pain and pondering life (#dramatic). Monday morning I just so happened to listen to a sermon on encouragement (I never listen to sermons in the morning due to me rolling out of bed at 7AM in order to leave at 7:30AM). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And <b>this</b> is what I heard in that sermon.</span><br />
<br />
God is <b>faithful</b>.<br />
God <b>knows</b> what you're dealing with.<br />
God<b> sees</b> your life;<br />
He has <b>purposes</b> for you that you know nothing about;<br />
<b>Wherever</b> you go, there God is;<br />
There are other people who <b>feel </b>the way you do;<br />
There are other people <b>struggling</b> with the things you are struggling with;<br />
<b>You are not alone</b>;<br />
The story is <b>better</b> than you think,<br />
<b>No matter </b>what is going on right now and <b>no matter </b>how difficult life is,<br />
How lonely or frustrated you might feel;<br />
The good news <b>in Christ</b> is this:<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is <b>God's</b> world</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And you are <b>God's</b> child, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">God's <b>special</b> possession,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And so ultimately, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>You're</u> <u>going</u> <u>to</u> <u>be</u> <u>okay</u>.</b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.jacobswellchurch.org/sermon/20160124isaacanderson/" target="_blank">--Jacob's Well Church, Kansas City, MO</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So maybe you're super excited going into this new week.. maybe Mondays are your thing. And for that.. I give you two thumbs <b>WAY</b> up, for you are the exception. And maybe you reside on the other side of excitement.. you have mixed feelings about the upcoming week due to a stressful work schedule, feelings of busyness or feelings of idleness.. wherever you are, in the good and the bad, guess what?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>You're going to be okay.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I encourage you to write out the things that give you<b> joy </b>this week - because I think you will begin to see that it's<b> all about perspective</b> and that there are <b>many</b> good things to <b>rejoice</b> about. And I think that when you set yourself up to listen, you will hear <b>many</b> good things.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrnqeKf_aEIG6BBpj1Ym37wq61QcFcnhQRJESSN-3-RQ_tYAr9PXix1GOt24DUjvVSTLOtcGp52jQLMoLgz0v7CNjJIg_4A03dXSkgD7mBFg9lSxJ9aIy2oEEAS2bPrhoP5jHAjgo1dWB/s1600/DSC_0137.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrnqeKf_aEIG6BBpj1Ym37wq61QcFcnhQRJESSN-3-RQ_tYAr9PXix1GOt24DUjvVSTLOtcGp52jQLMoLgz0v7CNjJIg_4A03dXSkgD7mBFg9lSxJ9aIy2oEEAS2bPrhoP5jHAjgo1dWB/s640/DSC_0137.bmp" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">^^one of the ways in which I remember truth: <b>writing</b></span></td></tr>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-50004825645930660092016-01-31T21:30:00.000-07:002016-01-31T21:31:35.786-07:00[authenticity + calligraphy]<h2>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">7.4 billion.</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>THIS</b> is the estimated world population. Personally, I can't even begin to imagine what a million people looks like, so if you, too, are having issues fathoming this crazy number.. fear not, for I am right there with ya.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What makes this so crazy</i> [besides the fact that it is a ridiculously huge number]<i>?</i> The fact that we each have our own <i>unique</i> fingerprints.. not to mention our own <i>unique</i> likes and dislikes, dreams and aspirations.. you name it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Take, for example, two of my good friends who are in the medical profession.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>a)</b> I literally almost pass out every time I get my blood drawn. <b>Every time</b>. And the worst part about it? This fear has only increased as I've gotten older - pretty sure it's supposed to be the other way around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>b)</b> I am one of those people you read about that transfixes their minds on their illness' [<i>or lack thereof</i>] potential. It sounds like I have a cough, you say? I better camp out on WebMD.com to read about it ASAP. By the time I am done I will have most likely improperly diagnosed myself with a terminal illness.. maybe even 2.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My husband works with the elderly and is phenomenal at it. Personally, my patience would be tested every single day, and I would also probably break out in uncontrollable tears whenever they told me about their health issues or the unfinished items on their bucket list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Another good friend is a realtor. If I were in her position, I would most likely convince the potential buyers to hold off on their purchase for investment purposes while I secretly go purchase it and nest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You get the picture. We are uniquely crafted with specific giftings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So.. may I ask you [and myself] <b>WHY</b> we are so obsessed with trying to be like others? Whether inadvertently or on purpose.. it's a thing.</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lately I've been really into hand-lettering.. basically calligraphy but not quite as in-depth. What I mean by this is that I've started following at least 15 calligraphers and hand-letterers over the past couple of months on Instagram [and created a few pieces of art on my own here and there along the way].</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, I believe it is a good thing to be curious and to want to learn more about a hobby. Yes, seeing different calligraphers' and hand-letterers' Instagram posts can be inspiring and trigger new ideas and excitement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You know what it can also trigger?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Conformity.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's so easy + tempting for me to find quotes I like and want to write out via other people's Instagram posts. It's also just as easy + tempting to take components of their 'style' instead of just pursuing my own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><i>"But their work is cool, and they seem to be successful." </i></span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Yes, but <u>no</u>.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If what I said earlier is true - the whole part about us being 1 out of 7.4 billion - yet each of us having unique characteristics.. why would we hide our originality instead of offering it up?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Y</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">es, <span style="font-weight: normal;">it's scary </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: normal;">to be authentic.</span></span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yes, <span style="font-weight: normal;">it's harder to take the road less traveled upon</span>.</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>But..</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">YES, your own authenticity <span style="font-weight: normal;">brings</span> so much more <span style="font-weight: normal;">to this world</span>.</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think you will surprise yourself. And I think you will find that you know exactly what you're doing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span class="text 1Pet-4-10" id="en-ESV-30440" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">As <b>each has received a gift</b>, use it to <b>serve one another</b>, <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30440B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30440B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>as good stewards of God's <b>varied grace</b>:</span><span class="text 1Pet-4-11" id="en-ESV-30441" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>whoever speaks, as one who speaks <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30441C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30441C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30441D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30441D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>by the strength that God supplies—<b>in order that in everything <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30441E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30441E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>God may be glorified through Jesus Christ</b>. <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30441F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30441F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>To him belong glory and <span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-30441G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30441G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span>dominion forever and ever. Amen.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--1 Peter 4:10-11</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 30px;">Yet you, LORD, are our Father. </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><b>We are the clay, you are the potter;</b> we are all the work of your hand.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>--Isaiah 64:8</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I praise you, for I am <b>fearfully and wonderfully</b> made. <b>Wonderful</b> are your works; my soul knows it very well.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>--Psalm 139:14</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think that Joss Whedon was spot on in his creativity quote.. so I wrote it down. In <b>all</b> things, </span></span></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">explore,</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">nurture &</b></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><div style="text-align: right;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">use </b></div>
</span></span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">your gift of God's varied grace.</span></span></span></div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-61745987187816182042016-01-22T15:58:00.000-07:002016-01-22T15:58:01.450-07:00[the time will come]<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those of us who are just now making
our New Year's resolutions simply because we were expecting a little bit of
closure before moving on to the next year..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I want you to know that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>it's okay</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>It's okay</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to be in process, to be dreaming of change, to
realize that your present happens to be far from perfect.. to have just crossed
the finish line after a long journey full of perseverance [<i>or lack
thereof</i>] only to find yourself packing up for another one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because the truth is..<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>we are all in process</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And sometimes this '<i>process</i>' looks
different for you at different stages of your life - comforting yet
discomforting, I know. And quite frankly, your process always looks different
for you than it does for others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>But don't let it ruin your '<i>now</i>'</b>. Because
just as easily as this '<i>in-between</i>' came upon you.. it will soon be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><u>gone</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You will soon begin to see the ways in
which God is leading you - and it might not be in the present tense.. rather,
you may only see this leadership in hindsight. But this place has been Designed
for you. It is at this time through these circumstances that our good Father
has<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>chosen</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to mold you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
And maybe.. at the root of all of these feelings of uncertainty and
imperfection is just that: a yearning to be made into something
Glory-filled. </span></h2>
<br />
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
So fear not, friend</i>. <span style="font-weight: normal;">Because while waiting periods can be far from pleasant
with their restlessness, you are being made into something beautiful.</span></span></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We are not</b> broken beyond repair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We are not</b> marked by our failures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We are not</b> our past mistakes in present
tense.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>We are not</b> to be looked down upon for
being in process.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">B r e a k t h r o u g h is often just around the corner.</span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint.. for in </span><i style="font-weight: normal;">due time</i> <span style="font-weight: normal;">and at the <i>appointed season</i> we shall </span><b>reap</b>, <i style="font-weight: normal;">if we do not loosen our courage and faint</i>. </span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">--Galatians 6:9</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart </i>and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--Rainer Maria Rilke</b></span></div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-3330241095773175562015-09-07T18:28:00.001-06:002015-09-07T18:37:24.568-06:00[let's sit]<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, I felt like Laura.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you ever get off track?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially in seasons of busyness, it is hard for me to
remember truth. For some reason it seems to get covered up & perverted by the
to-do lists and the ‘<i>I don’t have enough time to get up in the morning to pray
or read or process</i>’ thoughts.. when that is <b>exactly</b> what I need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I was reading Leviticus. It’s a real hoot –
let me tell ya. Anyway, I began reading about the Sabbath. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">
It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and </span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">you must deny
yourselves</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">.<br />-Leviticus 23:32</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s crazy for me to think [and to acknowledge] that I
control very little – that God is omniscient and omnipotent – yet I still tend
to get off track time and time again in worrying.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
He knows.</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He knows that we are like this – that we are flawed because
of our sin. That we ache to control our circumstances by overdoing,
over-worrying, over-thinking. He knows that rest is good for our soul since he created us
in this way. He knows what we need and wants to give us these things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That is why he commanded the Israelites to take a Sabbath
and then goes on to tell them that this would be hard for them – that they
would have to deny themselves in order to take the Sabbath.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<i>Doesn’t this speak to you?</i></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It doesn’t matter what season of life you are in.. it’s a
constant struggle to sit and be. You’ve got a 3-pager to-do list to complete by October 1<sup>st</sup>?
I guarantee you that you need rest in the midst of the ticking off of items. I can guarantee you that you will be able to accomplish more
after some down time. I can guarantee you that you will gain new perspective.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sabbath.</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What it looks like for me consists of coffee shops. It’s not
so much of the coffee that I’m after – even though it’s warm & tasty and
makes me feel at home; it’s more so the
atmosphere of the shop. The people – the strangers – surrounding me laden with
their laptops and their Beats headphones (I’ve been meaning to buy a pair of
these ever since 2008), their determination to complete what they came in to
work on.. but mostly their <b>anonymity</b>. Knowing that I likely will be unbothered
for the coming hour [or two] while I’m reading and journaling, processing and
planning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s in the bits and pieces of my Thursday – breakfast with
dear friends before going into work.. talking about the happenings of our
lives: the excitement, the stagnant ongoings, and the fears. It’s getting
things out in the open and realizing that we are happiest and <b>most full</b> when we
are <b>known</b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the workout at the gym [that I put off days & days in a row until I own up to my goal] when I don’t bring my cell phone – knowing that I am
there to focus on my own health and my own thoughts while neglecting to fill
myself with social media/texts/phone calls for that hour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got all of these things in [in some way or another] this
weekend, and it was g-o-o-d.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He knows us. He <b>really</b> knows us. And it’s good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers to a 3-day weekend and rest in whatever form(s) that may be.</div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-46772950307580181572015-08-02T17:41:00.000-06:002015-08-03T07:31:00.973-06:00[all that I know is I'm breathing]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFlKItaVtnDXXrsNtsnssJu2GA02JbC2eWFtNvgFA9g2PYKWMoUmyWhvSwvRxmULDb9M7Ukdbj2yehhIWg5UYsB_VRtZ8A5wqyxRLR_p_zOw3WYuY_bmDr2yKWB59QfghLpRUimNkBNDB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFlKItaVtnDXXrsNtsnssJu2GA02JbC2eWFtNvgFA9g2PYKWMoUmyWhvSwvRxmULDb9M7Ukdbj2yehhIWg5UYsB_VRtZ8A5wqyxRLR_p_zOw3WYuY_bmDr2yKWB59QfghLpRUimNkBNDB/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You're playing dodgeball.<br />
<br />
<div>
Balls are being thrown at you from every which way. That boy with the killer arm- the one that's going to knock you right off of the court and put you right down on the bench if you're not careful- he's got his gaze on you, and he's waiting to disengage.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there is the the quiet girl with her stealthiness- you can't tell when she's going to let go but you remember that her aim is the best of all your opponents. And her consistency.. second to none.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Which ones do you attempt to catch?</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Which ones should you dodge & never turn your back to?</i></span></h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is what my life currently feels like. Now, please take this post with a grain of salt, knowing that I can be somewhat of a pansy, as well as slightly dramatic- oops. However, this is the one image that I keep coming back to- over & over again- replaying in my mind when I think about the current season I am walking through.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>I hate this</u>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hate making out my life happenings to be bigger than what they are when there are people out there experiencing things I could never even think about experiencing myself.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But for some reason it feels good to type out your worries & fears- handing them out like a free pamphlet on the street corner to the endless users of the world wide web, hoping they will find some sort of use out of them- while the writing somehow urges me to come back to focus on the Constant.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like all seasons- good & bad- this season requires a daily refocusing. I'm reminded of a dancer who is spotting on her turns- knowing that the only way she will stay upright is if she comes back to focus on that one seemingly far spot on the wall as she inches closer and closer to it with each spin.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I always say that I hate change.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My roommate doesn't believe me. She thinks that I am good at it. Apparently I put on a good front.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This season is bringing about all sorts of change. All sorts of topics that I would have never thought possible 6 months ago.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Behold</span>.</h2>
<br />
He says it when he wants us to listen- when he wants us to hurry up and come back to the realization that he is in control when we forget [or rather neglect to remember].<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And he who was seated on the throne said, "<b>Behold</b>, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this dow</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: center;">n, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large; text-align: center;">-Revelation 21</span><br />
<br />
A lot of life is choosing, I am finding. But what these clean cut words fail to show is the presence & reality of growing pains that these choices naturally bring about. Nevertheless, I am choosing to believe that he is working for my good. I am choosing to believe that I am outrageously l-o-v-e-d by my God who loves each of us with a passion so deep. A passion that urged him to give Jesus as a sacrifice to die for us so that he could get to know us.. he sees us as THAT valuable.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">[Listen to me. I know what you're thinking. I've already thought out every detail of your life. After all, I did create you. Beloved, you're going to be fine. This is going to be good. You forget that I make the most perfect masterpieces- and that is exactly what I want to make out of you.]</span></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-25322474081271742422015-07-06T12:12:00.000-06:002015-07-06T12:12:13.960-06:00[a gold mine of a mouth + insufficiency]There I was.. tearing up in my 8' x 5' corporate space (otherwise known as a 'cubicle'), glaring at 2 words on the computer screen written by an acquaintance:<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you. </span></h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
Let's just back up here a minute.. The day was Monday, June 22nd - also the 5th day of my stint with Hydrocodone - and the pain was making its presence known through intermittent pulses in my mouth due to the placement of 2 temporary crowns (and an unruly dentist..).<br />
<br />
My coworkers are really the best. REALLY. A fairly large group of us have a prayer 'chain', if you will, going on. I had never emailed a request of my own. My thinking: in order to come to such a large group (with a good portion of the group being people that I have never met), I better have a pretty 'significant' issue.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Don't worry about anything; instead <b><u>pray about everything</u></b>. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--Philippians 4:6</b></span><br />
<br />
..so that was flawed thinking. Oops.<br />
<br />
I then sent out an email noting my terrible pain over the past week and asked for their prayers - that the Lord would use the same power that he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.. on my mouth.<br />
<br />
Yes, I felt a little <b>bold</b> asking this, <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>but isn't this what we're called to be?</b></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, <b>and his incomparably great power for </b><b><u>us who believe</u></b>. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--Ephesians 1:18-21</b></span><br />
<br />
And what types of responses did I get? People <b><u>THANKING</u></b> me for giving them the opportunity to pray for me. What is this?!?!!?!?!?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>This</b>, my friends, is Christ Jesus' work on the world. It's holy, and it's pure. It's sincere and <b>for our good</b>.</span><br />
<br />
While the pain from my dental issues has not quite ceased completely & I may or may not have also had a root canal since my 2 temporary crown placements, the pain has been much more bearable. What has lifted my spirits the most is the encouraging prayers + love from others.<br />
<br />
What I am continuing to learn is that weakness is a <b>prerequisite </b>to becoming a follower of Jesus. We <b>need </b>other people looking out for us. We <b>need </b>prayers. We<b> need </b>encouragement when life gets us down and the dental bills come a rollin' in [and every other day]. It's plain & simple: we <b>need </b>true community in the form of vulnerability coupled with the forcing of truth.. because quite frankly, truth is sometimes hard to hear.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Repeat after me: <b>I am not sufficient on my own.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>You might have to say it a couple of times before you actually start to believe it. At first, it won't feel good. It will feel somewhat similar to that feeling you experienced as a young 4-year old when your mom forced you to say you were sorry to your sibling, when truth is- you really weren't sorry. But then, after a couple more times you will feel relieved when you come to the beautiful realization that <b>you don't have to carry your burdens alone! </b>In fact, God <b>prefers</b> that you don't do this because he knows wholeheartedly that this is unhealthy.. simply because, he made us this way.<br />
<br />
It is my selfish belief to think that I can do everything on my own. Whether our motivation is our distrust of others, our fear of vulnerability, our control-freak tendencies, or all of the above.. we act as though we have the largest stake in our life and our idea of good is the only one that matters.<br />
<br />
This is not so.<br />
<br />
Let's share those burdens so they don't take hold over us.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--Psalm 133:1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>--Galatians 6:2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in [<b>insufficiency</b>]</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my <b>weaknesses</b>, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">weaknesses</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">.. For when I am </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">weak</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">, then I am strong. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b>--2 Corinthians 12:9-10</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Ready, set, GO!</span></span>laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-71717569218015872062015-04-20T20:09:00.003-06:002015-04-20T20:20:06.373-06:00[dreams & gym breakups]<i>"And why do you want to end your membership?"</i><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"..because I never come here."</span></b><br />
<br />
It's that easy.. when you join a gym in January 2015 and use the facilities one single time in total (the day I joined) in 3 and a half months, a gym breakup is essential.<br />
<br />
At least I learned my lesson.<br />
<br />
<i>..or did I?</i><br />
<br />
Sadly, I can say with truth that I have quit a total of 3 different gyms in the last 3 years of my post graduate life. Oops.<br />
<br />
Let me set this straight just in case you were confused (because the good Lord knows that I am for signing up for gyms again AND again): <b>I'm <u>not</u> a gym person.</b><br />
<br />
I don't like gyms. In my opinion - for whatever it's worth - pretty much all exercise should be done outside. I don't prefer to run on a treadmill on a path leading me to nowhere when I could be, say, running to the nearest coffee shop to journal. I don't prefer unleashing the beast that is my sweaty-ness to a group of my 50 [non]closest "friends" at the gym - the ones who glisten in the fluorescent lighting while I'm racing to the nearest water fountain to "splash some water on my face".. you know who I'm talking about. And it's probably you.<br />
<br />
Annoyingly so, this little gym mishap thing that I've got going on.. makes me somewhat of a <b>quitter</b>.<br />
<br />
I know that I want to be healthier. I know that I want to be able to walk up my parking garage's flight of stairs without getting winded on the way in to work..<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>But what am I doing about it?</b></i></span><br />
<br />
So I've been reading this awesome book by Jon Acuff called Quitter. It's a gem. I would highly suggest it, even though I'm not done.<br />
<br />
What I'm learning so far is that if you truly want something, <b>you have to actually try to get it</b>. I know, I know - how much more common sense could it get? But really. Ask yourself how many times you have said that you were "too busy" to do something you love.<br />
<br />
You know, the conversation that goes a little bit like this:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Me: "What's your favorite thing to do outside of your 8 to 5?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />You: "Well, I LOVE to paint. But I just can't ever find enough time to do it."</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>NEWSFLASH</u>: if you love something, you can and will find time to do it. I promise.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>This</b> is what I'm learning.<br />
<br />
I'm learning that dreams are fun and all.. but that is exactly what they will stay if I do not choose to proactively pursue them. Honestly, I'm not entirely sure what that looks like, but I'd be lying to you if I told you that I didn't make an Excel spreadsheet mapping out part of "The Plan" this evening.<br />
<br />
I'm also learning about being <b>vulnerable</b>. And vulnerability is never fun. I am beginning to think that the reason a dream is "a dream" is because we're <i>too scared</i> to pursue it. What happens if I fail? What happens if it's not everything I thought it would be? It's always nice to have a plan B.. and then maybe the other 24 letters.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My <b>hope & prayer</b> is that this coming season will be one of <b>creativity + trust</b>. Offering up my dreams & plans in the hands of an almighty, loving, omniscient, and sovereign God - the One who offers up grace upon grace continually.. He <b>never</b> quits. In fact, "quitting" isn't even in His repertoire.</span><br />
<br />
At the heart of a dream is <b>change</b>.<br />
<br />
Sitting and resting in change right here with you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvl9Fit5JWK4bEBETwpS4aiutqbIp1MPu7SAEP1fapfRRzSdpRP6H7vC47RKbGKMxghb3BsdA4jeaM0jW8XVVLLtRPkQ3LZTKd8_GDOBp9kzlzQGcJvrrBgrdh63d19vwq7iZrasxHdaa/s1600/lpizzle.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvl9Fit5JWK4bEBETwpS4aiutqbIp1MPu7SAEP1fapfRRzSdpRP6H7vC47RKbGKMxghb3BsdA4jeaM0jW8XVVLLtRPkQ3LZTKd8_GDOBp9kzlzQGcJvrrBgrdh63d19vwq7iZrasxHdaa/s1600/lpizzle.jpg.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-6878157056025878152015-03-04T17:00:00.000-07:002015-03-04T17:00:12.140-07:00[meander]<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life
is complicated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This
I have come to discover through multiple avenues, but more so, over one very <b>long</b>
avenue that has had me driving for miles. And when I say miles, I mean m-o-n-t-h-s.
Convoluted directions and restricted left-hand turns.. mirages out on the open
desert road..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where’s
Google Maps when ya need it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When
you’re young, everything seems unbelievably <b>simple</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Effortless</b>;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Straightforward</b>;
&<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Clear-cut</b>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
life’s decisions are simple, right? Turns out.. this is not always the case.
Joke’s on this girl. Turns out.. <i>very likely is this <b>ever</b> the case.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I
remember just how painless my youth ‘problems’ were – if you can even call them
that. They were centered around slumber party guest lists, basketball team
tryouts, spelling bee jitters, and babysitting schedules. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now
my problems have more to do with salary negotiations, living out my dreams in
life, finding out if the guy I’m dating has the potential to be my husband, figuring
out my ‘5 year plan’ – whatever the FREAK that is – watching my friends get
pregnant while I sit here and watch Netflix home alone on a Friday night (..and
am incandescently & shamelessly happy about it).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
where does that lead me? To surrender & trust. Not the simple answer I was
looking for to get me out of the not-so-simple complications of life. The older
I get, the surer I am that I’m not running the show. And it’s a DANG good thing
that I’m not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>P</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>U</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>S</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>E.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>^^so
this little snippet of stress; ball of nerves; whatever you would like to call
it – was written in June of 2014.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It
is now – as you know – March 2015. [Sometimes I have a bad habit of leaving
things halfway done.] I found this
unfinished wannabe blog post while going through files on my computer a couple
of weeks back. When I read it, I laughed.. a <b>good</b> laugh. Mainly for the fact
that it is <b>complete + solid evidence</b> that the ways of the Lord are second to
none – that he truly is sovereign. But what’s even better than that? His sovereign ways are GOOD. He is
GOOD. And now for the best part.. he <u>LOVES</u> us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What?!?!?!
That is mind boggling, incredible, awe-inspiring.. and, most importantly, <b>true</b>. So back when I
wrote this, I think you can gather that I was a little confused – I was in a
stage of life where I felt the need to test the waters, if you will.. see what
was on the other side of the pasture in hopes of finding something excitingly luscious and green. No such luck. In my wandering (“prone to wander, Lord I
feel it”.. those lyrics ring <b>annoyingly</b> true), God <u>stayed</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
I was reading Genesis 38 this morning. It's a real <i><b>knock-you-right-outta-your-seat-jaw-dropping-way-down</b></i> kind of chapter. The main character, Judah (Judah is Israel's - formerly known as Jacob - son) is living quite the life.. um, sleeping
with prostitutes, selling his brother to the family’s enemies for some extra cash money..
just a little brotherly love here - nothing out of the ordinary. Nope, I am lying. This was an interesting Saturday morning read to say the
least. However, what I found exponentially more interesting is that God chose Judah’s line to bring Jesus into the
world. <i>Say whaaaaat?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Judah
<b>clearly</b> has some issues. Let’s be real. Homeboy is a bit confused about the
meaning of “righteousness” and the goodness it brings us – <i>but aren’t we all,
really</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>But God.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the coupling of these two words. <b>But God</b> uses Judah, a sinful + flawed person, to bring about a <b>most perfect Messiah</b>. Crazy. Throughout the Old
Testament, New Testament, and in my daily life, I am assured of the truth that
I cannot lose, even when I am faint of heart or go my own way through
disobedience or rebellion when he is on my side. As I said earlier, God is sovereign. And so incredibly <b>GOOD</b>. And he <u>LOVES</u> us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I am <b>sure</b> of this, that he who began a good work in [me] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">--Philippians
1:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Where
sin increased, <b>grace</b> abounded all the more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">--Romans
5:20<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So
basically, on this 4<sup>th</sup> day of March, walking into a fresh, new month..
I am <b>out of the wandering</b> – in this specific instance at least.. personally, I
believe we are annoyingly + subconsciously always going to wander until Jesus comes back. But God uses this wandering to slowly reveal to us that he is working on our behalf - for the g-o-o-d of those who love him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And today, on this 4th day of March, I <b>choose</b> to believe that God is constantly at work in and around and through me. I choose to fully acknowledge that there are many surprises in store for me that are leading me to the wide open arms of Jesus Christ, my completely good + sovereign + loving Sweet Lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Won't you choose to believe with me?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-87450107079850981142014-12-30T22:02:00.003-07:002014-12-30T22:02:35.433-07:00[illuminate us]<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello, dear friends. </span></h4>
<br />
Although I may not know you, I trust that you are searching for meaning & that you feel the need for a deep sense of belonging (hint: because that's what everyone desires). I want you to know that 2015 holds an endless supply of possibilities, successes, adventures, monumental learning experiences.. and maybe some darkness dispersed in between.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Wait, don't go. I promise this will get better.</h3>
<br />
So, ever since I was a little girl I have loved to craft - soap bars for my extended family members (why not?), "snow globes" in translucent, upside down Dixie cups for my mom to put on her desk at work (what can I say? I'm an artist), and more recently, beer bread for my coworkers (yes, cooking is a craft). Pinterest has accelerated this interest of mine. Anyway, I tend to craft items for people I love. So this Christmas, I knew that I wanted to make something for some family members, but I didn't know what exactly I wanted to make. This is where Pinterest comes in. After perusing the website for several minutes/hours/..days (you be the judge), I decided to make soy candles.<br />
<br />
In addition to crafting, I also journal. This year I wrote down a couple of words to describe each individual month. I have a fear of forgetting the good & the bad in the midst of busyness, and I want to remember what each month brought to the table. Personally, I would recommend doing this - it's been pretty interesting. According to my journal, 2014 was full of settling in, backsliding, busyness, surprising myself, a European adventure, celebration of an absence, and love.<br />
<br />
Back to the candles.. after choosing my idea, I, <i>naturally,</i> thought of light and its meaning to me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus said that He is the </span>light<span style="font-weight: normal;"> of the world - that whoever follows Him shall not walk in darkness but have the </span>light<span style="font-weight: normal;"> of life. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">--John 8:12</span></h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus' word is a lamp to our feet and a </span>light<span style="font-weight: normal;"> to our path. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">--Psalm 119:105</span></h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>And then it came to me.</b></span><br />
<br />
Although I wrote down individual words to categorize each month, there is one key word that is representative of each of the months. It is depicted in bold, capital letters, size 394,856 font on the banner that covers my year of 2014. All 12 months. All 365 days. And that one key word would be: <b>Light</b>.<br />
<br />
Even though there were times that I attempted to hide in the dark, as well as times that I almost forgot what light looked like, it has been there. He has been there. And even when darkness dispersed into portions of my 365 days, <b><i>Light prevailed</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The </span>light<span style="font-weight: normal;"> shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">--John 1:5</span></div>
</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, dear friends - remember what I said about feeling the need for a deep sense of belonging? Know that in Him, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
You, along with the Church, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous <u>light</u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
--1 Peter 2:9</div>
</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here's to 2015. I know that it's going to be a marvelous year - for you & me both. When we acknowledge Him, we are sure to see that His good, sweet, and victorious </span>Light<span style="font-weight: normal;"> always prevails.</span></i></h3>
<div>
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></div>
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">[give light]:</span></b></h2>
<div>
<i>makes about 12 small candles</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
you will need:</div>
<div>
- 12 small decorative containers (<i>I used planters from Anthropologie</i>)</div>
<div>
- soy wax flakes, 1 lb bag.. get this at Hobby Lobby</div>
<div>
- pouring pot.. also at Hobby Lobby right next to the soy wax flakes (SCORE!)</div>
<div>
- wooden spoon for mixing.. <i>I used chopsticks</i></div>
<div>
- wick wire.. also next to the soy wax flakes at Hob Lob</div>
<div>
- 12 clips to put your wire in.. "see above"</div>
<div>
- any scent you so desire (<i>I bought "homestead" scent from Hobby Lobby</i>)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Turn the stove to medium heat and pour all of the wax flakes into the pouring pot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div>
<br />
2. As the wax begins to melt, stir with wooden spoon. Stir every so often until all flakes have melted completely and wax is transparent.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
3. Remove from heat and pour in your scent. <i>I poured in the whole bottle</i>. (Note: this activity can also serve as the perfect bonding opportunity for you and your boyfriend.. or.. you can make him craft with you because you're a procrastinator on gifts and need help asap.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
4. Let the wax sit for 25 minutes before pouring in the small decorative containers so that it can cool to 120 degrees.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
5. While you are waiting for the wax to cool. put a clip and some wick wire in your small decorative containers.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div>
6. After 25 minutes, pour the wax into the small decorative containers. Then wait for the wax to harden (15 hours). As the wax starts to set, it will become less transparent.<br />
<br />
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<br />
7. Trim the wicks, tie some twine around your candle and gift to a loved one.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 2015!</span></h3>
</div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-19441938802537977222014-11-11T14:37:00.002-07:002014-11-11T14:42:07.376-07:00[life lately]<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Summarizing everything </span>I've<span style="font-family: inherit;"> learned about a particular topic in one, consolidated, quantifiable
report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what
I do at work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what
I am going to do in this blog post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Topic of
choice: life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, so NO,
I’m not really going to summarize the ENTIRE topic of life in this report – that
would be far too time consuming; rather, I will settle for “Life Lately”. My
consolidated, quantifiable report will comprise of 5 main truths that I have
learned over the course of the late summer and early fall months – simple yet
transformative truths. And, <i>friend</i>.. I hope you, too, have learned or will soon
learn these wonderful truths. Because quite frankly, life is good when we
experience truth. And with that..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ready, set,
GO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></b></div>
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<ol>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Even
if you think your prayer is somewhat ‘small’ or ‘stupid’, I can guarantee you
that God cares</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">.
[Insert Matthew 6:26, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 139]. If you REALLY think about it –
this is both humbling & frightening – we are quite small. We are 1 in 7.125
billion. Not only are we small population-wise, take note that we are small
galaxy-wise. Let’s talk about how there are 17 billion Earth-sized planets in
our galaxy ALONE. Think about your worries of your day. Then minimize them. Of
course your prayer is going to be ‘small’. Regardless, God – the sole Creator
of the 7.125 billion people and 17 billion planets – artistically crafted an
intricate being – aka YOU – and desires to know you. Every little piece of you.
He wants to hear about both the painful mouth ulcer that won’t go away and the
huge presentation you’ve got next Thursday. He loves when you slowly release
the grip of your so-called ‘control’ and give it up to Him, the only true Controller.
He loves to comfort you because He loves you. Take heart. When you tell Him
your thoughts and hopes and dreams, trust Him with them. Wait expectantly to see
more of His character through the way He answers [or doesn’t answer] your
prayer – small or big. You will be amazed.</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Community
is good</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">. Wherever
you go, there is someone out there (no, multitudes of ‘someone’s, actually) who
are experiencing the same things as you, feeling the same things as you,
attempting to understand the same things as you. </span><u style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Take comfort in this</u><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">. </span><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Use this. </b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">I have found a commonality in
each of the ‘crossroads’ of my life: there has always been one particular
person strategically placed in my life to aid me in my distress, celebrate with
me in my joys, or sit with me in my apathy – who has either previously gone
through or is currently going through this stage. No coincidence there – it’s
on purpose. </span><i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">He determined the set times
for them and the exact places where [His creation] should live. God did this so
that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him.. </i><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">–Acts 17</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Where
you invest your [prayer], you invest your life. </b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">No, I didn’t just butcher the Mumford
and Sons lyrics.. inadvertently. I always kind of wondered why God wanted us to
pray – don’t get me wrong, I know that this communication vastly deepens &
strengthens our relationship with God – it’s just that sometimes I just don’t
understand why we are called to pray for certain things if God has already made
up his mind about everything, ya know? That’s what I call a conundrum. Well, my
perspective changed. 2 weeks ago. I am blessed to know some of the most loving,
mission-minded people. It’s crazy inspiring. SO.. I was reading a monthly
newsletter of one of these beautiful-souled people and slowly began praying for
the prayer requests included in their letter. And like that, suddenly I became
invested. Interesting how that works out. I became sincerely interested in the
wellbeing of my friend and each of her prayer requests. God is good like that.
He gives us that heart for others. He gives us the freeing ability to trust Him
when we leave our cares at His feet.</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Never
lose your sense of wonder</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">.
I seriously enjoy music. Zach Winters, Ellie Holcomb, All Sons and Daughters,
Sigur Ros, Bon Iver, .. the list goes on and on. Ever spent time thinking about
how we hear? Sound waves enter the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate,
vibrations passing through 3 connected bones in the middle ear, which in turn
sets fluid moving in the inner ear. This moving fluid bends thousands of
delicate hair-like cells which convert the vibrations into nerve impulses which
are then carried to the brain by the auditory nerve. In the brain, the impulses
are converted into what we “hear” as sound (sc.edu). The sound worms its way
deep into our emotions, our lives.. while we just sit there stupidly and hear. Let’s
not forget that this world, including all of its inhabitants, is deeply
magical. We should respect people for who they are: </span><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">individual miracles</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">. Little bodies of life and little tiny evidences
of a creative Creator.</span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">Abide</b><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;">. While you’re busy praying, communing,
investing, and wondering..I’ve learned it’s very important to keep on keepin
on. Let’s a-b-i-d-e.</span></li>
</ol>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">a.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->to await in expectation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">b.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->to continue without fading or being
lost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">c.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->to endure without yielding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">d.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->to bear patiently<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">e.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->to accept without objection<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">f.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->“<i>Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No
branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you
bear fruit unless you remain in me.. apart from me you can do nothing</i>.” –John
15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And
regardless of when we arrive upon our discoveries of truth – whether it be late
summer / early fall like the 5 I discussed – in every season, <b>He is still God</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-30639990758280287612014-10-03T18:43:00.001-06:002014-10-03T18:48:45.762-06:00[the gospel brought to you by the season of fall]This is my most favorite season.<br />
<br />
How can one not enjoy fall? Sounds like a pretty impossible feat if you ask me. (But you didn't.)<br />
<br />
I like the crisp, cool weather. The pumpkin flavored e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. The snuggling. The football. The color of trees when they change colors. Umm hello.. comfort food! The scarves and plaid flannels. The anticipation & joy that comes from the beautiful realization that holidays are quickly approaching - ATTENTION: Coming soon: precious time with loved ones and time off of work.<br />
<br />
But most of all, I love the imagery of the gospel that I see in fall. <br />
<br />
I was thinking about this yesterday on the way home from work. I was listening to "Nothing I Hold Onto" by United Pursuit while passing by trees that were slowly beginning to change colors. It was good.<br />
<br />
I don't know if this is how it is with you, but summer is always a busy time for me. I have learned to [a little bit] strongly dislike it. I just feel like, for some reason, in the summer, everyone - myself included - is constantly on the go during the hours of extended daylight. I don't do "always-on-the-go". Eventually, my introvert self gets tired. I get tired of the hot weather. The sweating profusely problem that I may or may not have.. but mostly I get tired of the busyness.<br />
<br />
It seems like as fall rolls around, I am done with continual activity. I am so burnt out of trying to get that overflowing to-do list checked off and being social by signing up for activity after activity to fill my schedule while simultaneously attempting to fill my heart, that I simply can't do it anymore. I am trying and trying so hard to be effective & efficient with my numerous summer activities that it gets me. I give up. <br />
<br />
Fall is letting go of those habits that aren't so becoming. Fall is realizing I can't do it on my own and letting go. Slowly, becoming so ravaged with the clutter, that I let it loose.<br />
<br />
And in winter, even though it is cold and hard - I let go of my 'control' - and slowly, progressively, I see the white. Slowly, I am becoming clean. I am letting go of trying to do it on my own.<br />
<br />
And in the spring, I am made new. I am brought through the busyness and the attempt at controlling my own life, the hard times that make me clean and present me as a new creation - white & blameless. And in the spring, I flourish. Only because of the realization that I can't do it on my own. I am not in control. I am never going to get anywhere by over-cramming & checking off items on my to-do list. It is through the hard winter that I learn more about my Creator, about who He created me to be. It is through the winter that He makes me clean - white as snow. And it is in the spring that I am joyful - that I blossom.. understanding that the only reason I am able to blossom is because of the seasons that brought me here - this season of spring. This season of becoming.<br />
<br />
And soon and very soon, I will find myself - again - in the continuous cycle of seasons. I will find myself in busyness, in attempting to do things on my own for the false belief that I am all-knowing or something (um.. I know. Ya right.). And I will then recognize it. And come clean. And bloom.<br />
<br />
But the best part of it all - it's not the continual transformation or the different life stages. It's the truth that I am always coming right back to the source of life - Jesus Christ - the fulfiller. The pilot. The controller. The cleaner. And the planter who brings about the fresh blooms. Time and time again.laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-60396854913766408772014-09-12T01:48:00.001-06:002014-09-12T01:53:39.826-06:00[for the lovers]<div>
The woman who lovingly sprinkles grapes on her husband's Chipotle salad to make sure he gets his fruit intake for the day. (And yes, this truly just happened - you can surely believe I chuckled with delight.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The wide open arms spread nearly a mile apart, preparing to engulf the best friend who just arrived at the Dulles Airport.. shortly followed by shrieks - a multitude of shrieks - of pure joy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The couple across from you on the bus, fingers interlaced and eyes locked, staring at one another as if they were the only other person in a world of over 7 billion.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Words from a family who loves and cherishes every single part of you before leaving for a vacation thousands of miles away. The prayers and heart felt good wishes received, joy beaming on the face of the traveler - the radiation seen and felt by all who come close.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes, on a day like today, amidst the painful memories of the hate that led to a terrorist attack, or the current ongoing stories of 'religious' movements attempting to wipe out a certain people group.. it can seem like this place is devoid of love.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's easy to get sucked into thinking this way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To get caught up in asking the "Why?"s. To let disgust consume us. To believe that love is merely lingering around for a short time before it completely vanishes from the earth, leaving us with nothing but contempt & wars.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No matter how terrible or discomforting our current world may seem, you and I both know that love is still out there, actively winning over every single ounce of the souls of those it touches, illuminating the hearts & minds of those who cannot merely keep it to themselves - they must show it to others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Freely you have received; freely you give.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's elaborate on the love in our life stories. Expand it, encouraging everyone to feel it from their heart, outwardly displaying it through the sprinkling of grapes, the hugging & shrieking, the hand holding & eye locking, the words of encouragement.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's fight anything that is against it by stripping the world of its hate. Its emptiness. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And in turn.. let's show it love. And by showing love, we can be sure that we are slowly & simultaneously <i>revealing life</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the lovers:</div>
<div>
(Side note: I unabashedly & wholeheartedly believe this title encompasses every single one of those 7 billion people mentioned earlier - call me a fool or a crazy enthusiast.. I'm okay with either.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Just keep going</b>.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's going to be hard, and you're going to constantly get the urge to give up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can do it</b>.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Cling</b> to the joy that Jesus Christ has freely given to you. <b>Celebrate</b> the little acts of love you see. <b>Pray</b> for those who try to steal your joy. <b>Love</b> on them, too. <b>Focus</b> on the good. And when things become completely unbearable..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Remember: <i>the best is yet to come</i>, my dear friend.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For [She] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.</div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-67302469217505181972014-08-07T12:13:00.000-06:002014-08-07T12:19:33.794-06:00[life together]There are a few things I have come across in this world that I truly love, although many that I like.<br />
<br />
-I like the smell of coffee early in the morning after 8.5 hours of sleep.. and not a second more or less.<br />
-I like reading words of meaning, whether words that teach me or those that encourage me.<br />
-I like baking - particularly oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - on cold & rainy evenings.. and eating 1/2 of the cookie dough before putting it in the oven. Whoops.<br />
<br />
But I <strong>love </strong>community. <br />
<br />
Here goes.. my first post in quite some time. The past 6 months have been somewhat of a large blur. Sometimes life plans get sidetracked and my own strong desires become outweighed by present feelings & situations. Could I be more non-descriptive? Probably not, but hopefully you get my gist.<br />
<br />
Anyway, throughout this entire season, two things have remained.<br />
<br />
1. Jesus<br />
2. Community<br />
<br />
Throughout this season, I have learned just how essential community is for myself, as well as every single person on the face of the earth, I would argue. Strong, solid, righteous community. You know what I'm talking about - those people that you can pour out your heart to for hours on end without second guessing your decision to tell them your most intimate life details. The people who don't have to listen to your complaining but willingly choose to do so because of their genuine love for you. The people who urge you on in the right direction with truth, regardless of whether or not you can see the truth for what it is at that specific time in your life.<br />
<br />
My community/encouragers/supporters - each of them as important to my well being as water is to my body - have exhibited the love of Jesus to me time and time again. That truthful encouragement that I'm talking about - the loving kindness that community graciously presents to us - comes from Jesus Christ.<br />
<br />
To the ones that love me - this one's for you. You mean more to me than you know.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reminding me that I belong.<br />
<br />
Thank you for believing in me.<br />
<br />
Thank you for showing me that God delights in me and calls me by name.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reminding me that I am never too far gone - that I am loved deeply and wholly as I am.<br />
<br />
Thank you for choosing to be the salt in the world, especially when it is difficult and goes unnoticed.<br />
<br />
Thank you for showing me what God is really like.<br />
<br />
<strong>Thank you for loving me. The world needs more people like you.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not pictured: nicole triana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YOU are love.</td></tr>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-37356913788516644512014-06-18T20:30:00.000-06:002014-06-18T20:48:51.900-06:00[the season of becoming]In lieu of my own words, I am going to reference one of my favorite authors, Shauna Niequest. If you have not yet read any of her 3 books (particularly <i>Bread & Wine</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">), I demand (strongly encourage..?) you to.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is the thing</b></span>: When you hit 28 or 30, everything begins to divide. You can see very clearly two kinds of people. On one side, people who have used their 20s to learn and grow, to find … themselves and their dreams, people who know what works and what doesn’t, who have pushed through to become real live adults. Then there’s the other kind, who are hanging onto college, or high school even, with all their might. They’ve stayed in jobs they hate, because they’re too scared to get another one. They’ve stayed with men or women who are good but not great, because they don’t want to be lonely. … they mean to develop intimate friendships, they mean to stop drinking like life is one big frat party. But they don’t do those things, so they live in an extended adolescence, no closer to adulthood than when they graduated. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t be like that. Don’t get stuck</span></b>. Move, travel, take a class, take a risk. There is a season for wildness and a season for settledness, and this is neither. <u>This season is about becoming.</u> Don’t lose yourself at happy hour, but don’t lose yourself on the corporate ladder either. Stop every once in a while and go out to coffee or climb in bed with your journal. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ask yourself some good questions</span></b> like: “Am I proud of the life I’m living? What have I tried this month? What have I learned about God this year? What parts of my childhood faith am I leaving behind, and what parts am I choosing to keep? Do the people I’m spending time with give me life, or make me feel small? Is there any brokenness in my life that’s keeping me from moving forward?” </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now is your time</span></b>. Walk closely with people you love, and with people who believe God is good and life is a grand adventure. Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path.</span></blockquote>
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-- Shauna Niequest's <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"<a href="http://m.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/25956-11-things-to-know-at-25ish" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">11 Things to know at 25(ish)</a>" for<a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Relevant Magazine</a></span><br />
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-75894673863346330022014-05-11T21:19:00.000-06:002014-05-12T04:50:14.185-06:00[in everything]<div style="text-align: left;">
I wonder if God laughs when he sees us contemplating how to ‘best’ practice His presence. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><i>
Do I need to go pray in the church? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>
..Read the Bible every morning before work? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>
..Spend time in nature? </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>
..Maybe partake in coffee with a friend while discussing Jesus’ characteristics? </i></div>
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Yes – to all of these things together, but no to each of these things alone. </div>
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Don’t we see? </b></div>
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If we truly believe God to be <b>the</b> creator of the universe – the creator of you & me – why would we not believe that God is inextricably involved in each & every aspect of our lives? He wants His followers to experience Him through time in prayer, reading His word, exploring nature, and over coffee with a friend.. <b>and then some</b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we think that we can set out x amount of minutes/hours/etc. (also known in Christianese as ‘quiet time’) in order to get ‘closer’ to the Lord, we are inadvertently diluting His image. God was never meant to be reduced to a ‘once a day’ dosage. He wants us to experience His goodness & joy constantly – <b>without ceasing</b>. (And no – this is not to say that I don’t like setting out time to learn about the Lord. If you know me, you know I love a good coffee house & some Bible reading; rather, I am saying that God wants us to stretch out this communion with Him over the entire course of our days.) </div>
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..so <b>why</b> do we do this? Is it because we’re scared? </div>
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Are we unbelieving? </div>
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Are we forgetful? </div>
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I would argue the latter to be most prevalent in my case. Unfortunately, it is extremely easy for me to be consumed in my current situation while completely neglecting God – not necessarily on purpose, but just because it is hard for me to redirect my thoughts on something I am not tangibly seeing or communing with. </div>
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However, I truly believe that if we intentionally opened our eyes and removed our blinders, stopped putting boundaries on where we expect God to show up, we will see that God is speaking to us throughout each & every moment of our days. </div>
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I can <b>guarantee</b> that He wants to work through you..if you let Him. </div>
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I can <b>guarantee</b> that you will find Him.. if you look hard enough. </div>
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He’s there when you wake up – affirming that His mercies are new every morning. </div>
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He’s there when you eat lunch – giving you nourishment through the foods He created and the taste buds He blessed you with. </div>
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He’s there in your conversations with coworkers – urging you to love them as Jesus loves you: without limit, without fail, without judgment. </div>
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He’s there in the midst of your worrying about your busy schedule or your upcoming project deadline – He wants to give you focus & endurance when you ask. He wants you to be still & know that He is God. </div>
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What I’m saying is that He wants us to feel His presence and let us know that He is with us.. <b>constantly</b>.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Let us not take this gift for granted.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>--Brother Lawrence</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><i>That we need only to recognize God intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--Brother Lawrence</i></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-61370139442137188282014-04-13T12:30:00.000-06:002014-04-13T13:10:49.380-06:00[a redeemed failure, I am]<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is this one thing. This one, enormously h-u-g-e problem I have. I can't for the life of me get rid of it. And trust me.. I've tried. It's <i>sticky</i> and <b>bitter</b> and has an AWFUL aftertaste. It upsets every facet of my life whether it be through friendships, relationships, religion, love, or goals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here it goes..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a <u>failure</u>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">[Background Information:]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other weekend I was talking with my friend about our lives in high school - about how young and naive we were compared to our college selves. We discussed how knowledgeable we felt in that present time but how off the rocker that thought, in fact, really was. We talked about our mistakes and how we thought we had learned from them.. until we began discussing our college lives and the mistakes we re-rehearsed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">[Fast Forward:]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Post college I still make most of those mistakes, no matter how hard I try to evade them. I am constantly relearning the lessons I 'learned' last week, last month.. last year. Hard of hearing? Maybe. No - <b>definitely</b>. Apparently [and unfortunately] my conscience isn't always as loud as my feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">[Synopsis:] </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">a. I am never going to be omniscient or as full of knowledge of life as I would like to be, thus enabling me to make mistakes. Frequently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">b. While there is wisdom to be gained in life, I will most likely choose the wrong route [at times] even though I know it is wrong. I will do so knowingly & willfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">c. I have a hard time ridding myself of these mistakes when depending on my own strength to do it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then grace steps in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That illogical yet life changing five letter word - the word that only comes to meaning <b>after</b> failing. And failing <b>hard</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You begin to feel it releasing you from your heavy shackles after putting that significant other on a pedestal when they were never called to be there. After proclaiming to love a friend, yet neglecting to put her above yourself. After placing your self worth in your success at work.. as if this is an indicative measure. After trying to go a day without coveting something or someone. (Whatever it is, it's all the same.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">..and finding that you're f-o-r-g-i-v-e-n. <b>Not because you deserve it, but solely because you don't deserve it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the good thing about grace.. is that it also sticks. We can't seem to get past it once we truly & intimately experience it. Rather than having an awful aftertaste, it is sweet like honey and filling like homemade bread. Rather than upsetting every facet of your life, it <b>restores & redeems</b> it <u>all</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">No longer are you bound to your mistakes. <b>Not because you deserve it, but solely because you don't deserve it.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This</b> is <b>exactly </b>who Jesus is. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When one of the 12 disciples, Peter, who admittedly desired to follow Jesus with his whole heart denied being a follower of Jesus not one but a solid THREE times, Jesus wholeheartedly <b>forgives</b> him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' (Luke 23:34)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me remind you - Peter is the same guy who told Jesus that he would never disown Him, even if that meant he had to die with Him (Matthew 26:35). After Jesus' mysterious act of forgiveness, Peter goes on to be an ambassador of the gospel to the Gentiles. When persecuted, he perseveres. When tempted, he holds his ground to he point of death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. </i>(Romans 6:18)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This </b>is <b>grace </b>in action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This</b> is <b>exactly </b>what you are being offered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, this is in no way to say that you are never going to mess up (hint: see above). Rather, this means that you are <b>forgiven & redeemed </b>through the blood of Jesus Christ. We will never fully understand the mystery of grace, but if we're wise enough to see what is truly being offered, we will sprint with arms wide open to the only One who can cure us of our emptiness. Our mistakes. Our backsliding. Our selfishness. Our inherent flaws. <b>Our incapacity to see God for who He truly is.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This, my friends, is <b>grace</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">[<i>We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when </i></span><i>infinite joy</i><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"> is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">] </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal;">--C.S. Lewis</span></span></div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-7305593863127388012014-03-29T11:57:00.000-06:002014-03-29T12:22:42.632-06:00[the last thing on my to do list]<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">This past month has been stressful [for somewhat unnecessary reasons].<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">So.. if you know me well, you are one of the lucky people who get to hear about my bodily stress issues. (Side note: my body HATES stress. Like if my body was trapped on a deserted island with one thing.. the last thing on the list would in fact be.. stress.) I digress..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">So it’s been annoying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">But you know what I find even more annoying?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">It’s the fact that I know <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">exactly </b>what will help in easing my apprehension, yet some days I find myself neglecting to do it, as if it’s just another box to check off on my never ending to-do list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Wait.. why?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Because I am stubborn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I like to pretend that I am in control of my life and can obtain peace on my own accord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I spend the time that I could be using <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in communion with Jesus</b> to worry about my worries. And yes, I am well aware that this is not a sensible solution. 1 + 1 does not equal dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Do you ever find yourself getting caught up in the troubles of the day/week/month/year? Don’t get me wrong here – I understand that some things naturally bring about anxiousness: new jobs, relationships, travel, overfilled schedules, etc. I would find it a bit strange if I wasn’t concerned with the things that I have been experiencing the past few weeks. But the amount of concern I have expressed over these things (..should we call them lifesuckers?) looks different than trust and a WHOLE lot different than being still and knowing that He is God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><i>And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">What if I took time to meditate on this truth rather than worry about outcomes and expectations? The Creator of the Universe loves ME and wants to use me for His divine purpose of redeeming the world! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">What if I took Jesus for His word and trusted Him to give me rest?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><i>Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. </i><span id="en-NIV-29450"><i>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Welp, it’s time to sit & trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">Later!</span></div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-29076532847148341842014-02-22T06:59:00.000-07:002014-02-22T07:14:03.691-07:00[a letter to the future me]A letter for those of us who can sometimes get caught up in the expectations - whether implicit or explicit, true or false, big or small - that the world around us demands; a letter to give perspective from outside of the tunnel, desiring to shed new light that can only come from experience, wisdom, and time. <br />
<br />
----------><b>Hint</b>: Insert your name [here].<br />
<br />
To the future [Laura], <br />
<br />
Earlier this week you assisted your company in recruiting at the University of Oklahoma's career fair. You saw hundreds of 'real world' bound, wide eyed college students, anxiously awaiting a chance to talk with you as well as your fellow coworkers about the possibility of a career with your company. While conversing with these students, you noted that some appeared confident, others were heavily perspiring when you spoke to them about their plans post graduation.. but all of them - of this I am sure - were the perfect balance of anxious and unsettled. If you remember correctly, you too were in the exact same position two years ago.
The funny thing is, yesterday, you had a completely new perspective. What once seemed like such a fearful, defining moment now shone forth as - yes, a defining moment - but more so, a natural part of life - a small yet integral stone in this pathway known as life.
I want you to forever remember this feeling when future life changes come your way and you are left wondering if everything is going to be alright. <br />
<br />
It will. <br />
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You have always been okay, and you will continue to be okay for the remainder of your life.
And with that, I want to remind you of a few realizations that I have come to know as truths along this journey:<br />
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<strong>You have tremendous worth</strong>. Be confident in who you are - learn your characteristics & traits. Find relationships & workplaces in which these characteristics are deemed valuable. Know that you are unrepeatable - there is a magic about you that is all your own. No one has been, currently is, or will ever be the exact mix of these characteristics and traits that make up the essence of [Laura Elizabeth].<br />
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People are just people; do not allow them to fill you with feelings of insecurity, envy, unnecessary shame or guilt. Everyone needs love & sincerity. If they are not displaying love & sincerity in their lives, do not judge them or blame it on them. Instead, merely assume that they have not yet seen it. <strong>Show it to them</strong>.<br />
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Life does not owe you anything. As soon as you are able to fathom this harsh yet true idea, you will no longer expect a problem free life. Know that hardship, trial, and grief are inherent risks of life. <strong>And then move on</strong>.<br />
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That hardship, trial, and grief that I just mentioned - <strong>everyone is experiencing</strong>. At some point in their lives, every single person on the face of the earth will have bad days/weeks/months/most likely years. <strong>You are to take comfort in this</strong>. Knowing this will give you the ability to relate. Don't bottle up these emotions and pretend as if you are not experiencing them. <strong>Let it out</strong>. Find a trustworthy mentor, best friend, family member to confide in.<br />
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<strong>Be a mentor</strong>. This involves being open, loving, trustworthy, respectable, and knowledgeable, so if you are not these things, you should probably go back to step one (hey - it's okay if you have to. <strong>Take time to become these things, and don't be distraught when it takes longer than you imagined</strong>). Find a mentee who is willing & able to retain what you discuss. <strong>Love them</strong>. Let them know how valuable they are. <strong>Share life with them</strong>.<br />
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Find out what you believe and why you believe it. <strong>Then</strong> <strong>stand firm</strong>.<strong> </strong>This involves feeding your faith with action & knowledge. Soon you will see your doubts beginning to starve. C.S. Lewis states that faith is the art of holding on to something in spite of changing moods and circumstances - I would say that he was pretty accurate in that description.<br />
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You will never stop learning. At first this may seem slightly annoying - which it kind of is - but who do you think you are.. Creator of the universe? <strong>Enjoy the learning</strong>. It is for the better that we don't understand everything. Life would not be nearly as magical as it is now.<br />
<br />
<strong>Take the focus off of yourself</strong>.<strong> </strong>I know I just told you earlier about how you have tremendous worth and all, but you certainly do not deserve the focus. There are 7 billion people in this world. According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. Some 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation. You're suddenly seeming less important, huh?<br />
<br />
Do not ever be ashamed of your past. It brought you here, and right here is <b>exactly where you should be</b>.<br />
<br />
And lastly..<br />
<br />
When you find yourself forgetting these truths, remember that you, [Laura Elizabeth], are to hold yourself to a standard of grace - not perfection - because of Jesus Christ and his unfathomable mercy. <strong>In love, show this to others</strong>.<br />
<br />
Again.. not to spoil the ending for you, but <b>everything is going to turn out okay</b>.<br />
<br />
With love,<br />
The 2014 [Laura Elizabeth]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">|| Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works within us. ||</span>laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-41303466875124867572014-01-03T18:13:00.000-07:002014-01-03T18:13:23.689-07:00[so this is the new year]<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s 12:46, and I’m sitting here in my work cubicle on my lunch break. I only have 60 minutes of internet quota time since Blogspot is outlawed by my place of profession (as well as Facebook and Spotify); therefore this post will be choppy & sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- The closing of that novel you’ve been reading <strong>all freaking year</strong>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- The second chance you’ve been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so eagerly</i> anticipating after that first go around didn't quite cut it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">- Three hundred sixty five acres of pasture full of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wide open spaces</b>.. just waiting for your creative little heart to take over and plow, build, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">run wild</i> – whatever suits your fancy.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">..or as some would put it: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">New</span> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Year.</span> </span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I’m ready.. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are you</i></b>?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">2013,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We made it. You tried your best to keep me down, and at times, you kind of did. BUT.. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">here I am</b>. <u>I made it through</u>.. ready and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feisty</i> as ever to leap into 2014 with this four letter word we call h-o-p-e.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your antics were both sweet & sour, which I guess in all reality, is quite better than plain & dry. You made me cry, question, and get accommodated with that terrifying thing called change. </span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You’ve made your presence known, that’s for sure. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But you know what? </b>I’m stronger, wiser, and more myself because of you. Everything that brought me here will be worth it – of this <u>I am sure</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And for this reason, I give thanks.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong>Thank you</strong></span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">. For European adventures. Beautiful, intentional friends. Laughter & silliness. A wonderful job with wonderful people. A new car. The gift of partaking in the unions of God seeking couples. Family communication via FaceTime and group messaging when I am a state away. Books with words of meaning and truth. For reminding me to be confident in who I am: <strong>a daughter of the King</strong>. Thank you even for the times you walked right over me while I was down. <u>I got up</u>.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And now is where I say..</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Move along. You’re done here.</span></span></b></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">xoxo,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">laura</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“He has made everything beautiful <strong>in its time</strong>.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">--Ecclesiastes 3:11</span></div>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-busy="false" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" border="0" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1236643_10200574429312945_1137814335_n.jpg" style="height: 641px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 427px;" width="213" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My phenomenal Mrs. Mayberry on her wedding day right before she<br />
married her college golf coach.. life is funny, isn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnRgpEYdUZKIBrxaXJcVYs7TFQ_gjlvduHjyB0K5MIeqmfq2V1H_hhL8gOOvfoZE9dbOvD1Ub5PuV_lWTzBXrxnOvdfPsr8AjDOD8Rx7Hed3xcXVUJBHiYMBRXEkMv90tYTv9Pid6Nphu/s1600/bethy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnRgpEYdUZKIBrxaXJcVYs7TFQ_gjlvduHjyB0K5MIeqmfq2V1H_hhL8gOOvfoZE9dbOvD1Ub5PuV_lWTzBXrxnOvdfPsr8AjDOD8Rx7Hed3xcXVUJBHiYMBRXEkMv90tYTv9Pid6Nphu/s640/bethy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't kidding when I said my friends were beautiful.. THIS girl. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBDG63kvEkKXzb8NmxfBSsdKTHiuWf5skCqCupWl9sY8LhnQcC7SX6hibNMsm-_BWzJbI-4YFVmQhXOLbuu8uawMWb92kn2JgqmLDAZ7SlQ4r-uAA7eeRj-4egtL2Fm4b_zwtVNupcIEZ/s1600/annabearski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBDG63kvEkKXzb8NmxfBSsdKTHiuWf5skCqCupWl9sY8LhnQcC7SX6hibNMsm-_BWzJbI-4YFVmQhXOLbuu8uawMWb92kn2JgqmLDAZ7SlQ4r-uAA7eeRj-4egtL2Fm4b_zwtVNupcIEZ/s400/annabearski.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The A to my B personality AND she dresses up with me? One word: keeper.<br />
<strong>P.S.</strong> <strong>Pumpkin + Pi(e)</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYiFWQ8DBXSFQajmu-u85NF0BdfIWnZuCCaR5HiqXp6-h2QPbHOtk583lKWHjS-Bqc1y0Hev4xJ5XBoQQFJv6IC4HKB_hoTLIGSpRws9aaEou1PAQ4TwaR18gKHyPIcF0b2C0LKYOnd8F/s1600/keke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYiFWQ8DBXSFQajmu-u85NF0BdfIWnZuCCaR5HiqXp6-h2QPbHOtk583lKWHjS-Bqc1y0Hev4xJ5XBoQQFJv6IC4HKB_hoTLIGSpRws9aaEou1PAQ4TwaR18gKHyPIcF0b2C0LKYOnd8F/s400/keke.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart friend and I attending weddings.. it's what we do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8QmW5JMbR03IIt3_kbEL5BRgXyQdKSgsIMtsYoH1H5HvcwvRYfd7mXe_mizxrskftVfT_khf1OKQP6cP5ddAW-WjSzmvPhRx73AmlyDYgqIXMtL2pbAcY2UdGcvzcWIYlt_3e5h0Ks_2/s1600/faves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8QmW5JMbR03IIt3_kbEL5BRgXyQdKSgsIMtsYoH1H5HvcwvRYfd7mXe_mizxrskftVfT_khf1OKQP6cP5ddAW-WjSzmvPhRx73AmlyDYgqIXMtL2pbAcY2UdGcvzcWIYlt_3e5h0Ks_2/s640/faves.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They REALLY are the best.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNnB0WhQwcPw3Ojh09OGRsPr5JCTGLRqL89bSrmddOL4QvpfEK8bJBurABZP_yuOyRBA32YMs-duAWZrYWn1nxyuaZUZmmJKIEt0oFP__roY1OzCRML0CIZQoqnNxtzpPEedbBC8-j4R9/s1600/ginnyboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNnB0WhQwcPw3Ojh09OGRsPr5JCTGLRqL89bSrmddOL4QvpfEK8bJBurABZP_yuOyRBA32YMs-duAWZrYWn1nxyuaZUZmmJKIEt0oFP__roY1OzCRML0CIZQoqnNxtzpPEedbBC8-j4R9/s400/ginnyboo.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She gets me. AND she's cute to boot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KM7fUvOujMB1T87cTemuwovLvUuAZOD7ibOkDfKcJumSHozXeXvWtAv1n3Rll8RIB0PCqDcjJLJ2R2cX06swS2Wqya1fua9bVgMl-IsYakV2GwBaFXUpHNHSuPz47jr3rZadaeeP94sg/s1600/BeFunky_DSC_1383.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KM7fUvOujMB1T87cTemuwovLvUuAZOD7ibOkDfKcJumSHozXeXvWtAv1n3Rll8RIB0PCqDcjJLJ2R2cX06swS2Wqya1fua9bVgMl-IsYakV2GwBaFXUpHNHSuPz47jr3rZadaeeP94sg/s640/BeFunky_DSC_1383.jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh ya.. I went to Europe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Get at me 2014!</span></div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-41621760740235584162013-12-11T16:19:00.001-07:002014-01-03T16:34:54.881-07:00[retirees & the Rhine]<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Here I am..</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sailing aboard the MS River Melody with 139 of my closest retired friends (I <b>really</b> should look into the details a bit more when my parents ask if I want to accompany them on a European river cruise.. four letters:<b> A-A-R-P</b>). Just finished editing my list of belongings that were in my 50.5 pound suitcase before it was lost. I will then send it to Lufthansa airlines in hopes of obtaining full reimbursement (crossing my fingers). We're on to Day 6 of the trip, and the suitcase has yet to be located. It has to be somewhere between Tulsa, DC, Munich, Frankfurt, and Basel - I'm sure of it. Yesterday I learned how to wash clothes in my sink with the detergent the airline provided me with in my overnight amenity kit - a skill any 24 year old should be proud to flaunt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From my point of view, there are 2 ways to approach the matter at hand:</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Get upset and let the fact that I have two outfits ruin my trip. I'm smelly, a bit irritable, and <u>SMELLY</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Get over it and embrace the fact that life happens, and right now I'm on a European adventure!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll take the latter.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But really</b>. I was feeling a little upset when I realized there was a large possibility that I might not ever get those clothes back due to the fact that my luggage hasn't even been located. There go my new jeans and sweaters.. WAIT. Am I REALLY getting upset over clothing?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have other clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Things could be MUCH worse. These are a few outfits we're talking about here (okay, more like 12, but that's alright). I didn't lose my house, my car, my friends, my family, my health.. my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Suddenly.. things got a little bit brighter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All I'm trying to say here is <b>life happens</b>. We get laid off, we have a bad breakup, we have to buy underwear from the local super market (truth).. so clearly my case is the least dramatic when compared to the first two. Regardless.. are we going to let it ruin our day, our week, our year.. our life?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that's where you have to put your foot down. I'm choosing to roll with it - <b>will you</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">--Matthew 6:31-34</span></div>
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Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</div>
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--Matthew 6:19-21</div>
laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-37812104225494857682013-11-27T14:27:00.000-07:002013-11-27T14:43:59.094-07:00[for this I am thankful]<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Thanksgiving.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankful hearts; turkey that makes you sleepy; family; friends; joy; afternoon naps; overfilled plates; full stomachs; PUMPKIN MUFFINS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING; laughter; memories; walks on the golf course; FOOTBALL; time off from work; over competitive family members during Catch Phrase; mimosas; packed movie theaters. These are just a few of my favorite things about Thanksgiving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, one of the most important yet overlooked characteristics of Thanksgiving - not to mention everyday life - includes thankfulness towards the LORD for small, yet life changing blessings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other day (here I go with my deepness.. approaching 5.. 6.. 7 ft) I ate the most excellent pumpkin muffie (yes, you heard me) from Panera. It was <em>strangely</em> tasty. Please, go get one. <strong>Now</strong>. Anyway, I began thinking about taste. And how God created humankind to even have the ability to taste. Which leads me to believe that God cares about the <strong>joy</strong> of humankind enough to bless us not only with good food, but taste buds to let us <em>fully experience</em> it. He could have created the world with subpar food & drink to nourish us, but instead graces us with cabernet and racks of ribs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Right on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So this Thanksgiving I am choosing to be thankful for the ‘little’ blessings in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for cold showers when the hot water runs out <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because it means that I have the ability to bathe in clean water.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for a huge dent in my new car <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because it takes my focus off of material things. </i></b>Not to mention that I no longer have to worry about the first scratch.. I’ve got a passenger door’s worth of damage.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for disagreements with close friends <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because it allows me to be honest and open about my feelings, leading to a stronger relationship.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for the paper cut I get from my book <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because that means I have an advantage over massive portions of the world’s population in that literacy and knowledge are items to be prized in the United States.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m thankful for the nonstop construction noises I can’t seem to cancel out with my headphones at work <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because that means I have the ability to hear.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Really though. There are innumerable ways to give thanks this Thanksgiving.. this week.. in this life. <strong>Open your eyes.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><em>--1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Notice that joyfulness is grouped in with prayers and thankfulness; I don’t believe it to be a coincidence. Only when we begin opening our eyes to the blessings around us will we be joyful. Only when we pray to the LORD and see Him for who He is and what He desires for our life will we give thanks for his graciousness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Thanksgiving, <u>I dare you</u> to try looking for the simple blessings in life and giving thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Prayers + Thankfulness = <strong>Pure Joy</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">^^a heck of an equation if you ask me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And now for your enjoyment.. a Christmas background for your desktop. Here's to the holiday season.</span></div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5378069155378702795.post-89885554568374110842013-10-29T17:00:00.000-06:002013-10-29T17:00:36.716-06:00[you be you]It's 9:30 A.M. on Saturday morning.. okay maybe 10:30 if you had a late night. Sadly, since technology has taken over the face of the earth, you immediately take your iPhone 5 off its charger to check your Instagram feed when suddenly up pops that Christian girl's picture of her Bible, coffee, and scrambled eggs strategically arranged on her kitchen table (oops.. sorry, this was me last Saturday).<br />
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Ever catch yourself wondering if you measure up as a Christian? Do you find yourself discouraged by that girl's Instagram of her morning spent praying and reading? Wondering if your 'efforts' at loving Jesus are as effective as the next person?<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">You're straight trippin.</span></strong> <br />
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..but don't worry. Myself, along with many others, are caught doing the same thing. So last Saturday.. you know, post uploading my Instagram pic of my Bible, eggs, and coffee, I was praying that the Lord would show me how to <strong>love</strong> Him more. I began searching through the Bible - surely there's something in there that can tell me how to follow the Lord more closely, right? Then I came upon this gem..<br />
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<em>On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"</em><br />
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<em>"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"</em><br />
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<em>He answered, " '<strong>Love</strong> the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind..' "</em><br />
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<em>"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."</em><br />
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<strong>Luke 10:25-28</strong></div>
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Wait.. so like.. that didn't really answer my question.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Exactly.</strong></span></div>
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<strong>Love </strong>how Jesus doesn't lay down the Ten Commandments.</div>
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<strong>Love </strong>how this was not at all what the 'expert in the law' was expecting.</div>
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<strong>Love </strong>how <strong>love </strong>is the answer.</div>
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Time and time again we are caught up in assessing how we are to go about worshipping Jesus. Is Jesus most glorified when I am singing hymns? Does He like it when I write out my prayers in my journal? What if I prefer evening quiet times as opposed to morning quiet times? What if I can't get enough time in the day to read the Bible - is it okay if I just pray on my way to work?</div>
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And this is where Jesus says.. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">love me.</span></div>
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<u>You be you</u>.</div>
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If coffee makes you gag and mornings aren't quite your thing.. well then I certainly wouldn't recommend my Saturday morning routine.</div>
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If you feel the Lord's presence the most in worship, you go love the Lord through your car's speakers on the way to work! Why not go full out and roll your car windows down while the music is blaring? But then again, that's my preference.. you be you.</div>
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<em>"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the <strong>full</strong>."</em></div>
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<strong>John 10:10</strong></div>
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Jesus is working on your behalf. He doesn't want to give you a list of "dos and don'ts." God already proved that we suck at this (<strong>hint</strong>: Adam & Eve, 10 Commandments, etc.). All he asks is that you <strong>love</strong> him. And soon you will see..</div>
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Jesus will renew you. Slowly, all of those 'morally sound' things that Christians do (drink in moderation, refrain from gossip, love their neighbors as themselves.. you get the picture), you will suddenly find yourself doing. And not because you merely decide you want to follow the rules.. but because you are falling in <strong>love</strong> with the Creator of your soul.</div>
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<strong>Woah. Things just got real.</strong></div>
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So whatever it is that you do to glorify the Lord - whether it be reading your Bible in the morning, praying while gardening, running down the road spurting out Bible verses (though I wouldn't quite recommend this last one) - do it with hopes of falling more in <strong>love</strong> with the Lord.</div>
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laura elizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109411997689190812noreply@blogger.com0