busy bee

I'm going to skip all my jibber-jabber, and just post some fun photos of my life recently. I'm lazy, so what?

Robe time with Camilla and Drew while she was in town.

New Year's 80's cover band concert with Falyn.

22 mile bike ride with these lovely ladies.

Love the Poor, a weekly event on Monday nights. Feeding & hanging out with the homeless in St. Petersburg.

Hearing John speak about Guatemala at a Bible study.

Dressing up like a pirate for a treasure hunt for one of my friends.

& at the end of the day, it's just me and God. I couldn't ask for a more beautiful Creator.

beautiful things

Hello! I apologize for the huge wait between posts, but I am constantly lost beneath a giant pile of homework, and it rightly demands my attention! But here are some beautiful things going on in life lately :)

1) My job. As of Wednesday, I don't have one. But these last days are sweet and wonderful with the most incredible staff I've ever met. Today's staff meeting was filled with everyone crying and telling stories. I am sad to leave, but they can't really get rid of me. I'll be back as a volunteer for sure. I also look forward to whatever God has for me. It's an exciting adventure into the future!!

2) School. I am working my butt off, and I love it. I love learning, and I even love locking myself in my room at my desk for hours to get things done. I love working for my grades, and I love the fact that I am going to show USF, Florida, and myself that I am worthy of the scholarships they reinstated.

3) The weather. It has been perfect perfect perfect beach weather, and I am taking full advantage of it. I mostly go alone with a book, which suits me fine. I often say that I want to climb into the sun and sleep, just to be in the warmth by the waves. It resonates with me, heals me.

4) October. It is quickly approaching! October is my favorite month. I love the beginning of the holidays, the change in weather, everything. October is also the hardest month of the year for me. I deal with a lot of sadness, and some big event always occurs in my life during this month. However, this year will be different. I have hope in Jesus that He is going to bring me to the other side. I will celebrate.

5) James. Have I ever mentioned how much my nephew rocks? No? Well, he does. He is the light of my life and every time I see him I just want to eat him up. Or inhale his cute little sweetness, just so I can carry it around with me. Isn't it cool thinking God sees us like that? It blows my mind. I love James more than life itself, I can't imagine what God feels for me.

6) I'm a woman. I love this. I am learning to celebrate it.

I hope that September has brought you joy and peace.

And I pray October brings you into a season of change and love.

He is good, through all seasons of life.

letters from panimaquin pt 1

November 23, 2008 after 2 PM

(long, long entry about going to church in El Tejar)

...On the way back to Panimaquin, we stopped and stood on some ledges. We also took pictures. I really just enjoyed standing there and being overwhelmed by the bigness around me. Of the land and of God and of life. I felt very alive, as I usually do when here. Then we drove up to San Diego, on a road that goes to the peak of the mountain. It was so beautiful. I wonder what it's like to live here and feel like this every day. I wonder if it ever diminishes or disappears. Speaking of today, it is a gorgeous Sunday. The sun is shining bright, and though the breeze is cold, it's really nice out. Sometimes I wonder if my dream is to live here. But I know, in the end, God has the final say. And I trust Him. At least, I'm learning to. All that matters is this beautiful, almost silent (roosters and wind!) moment in the most peaceful, life-filled place I've ever known. It just came to mind- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures... He restores my soul." This moment, for me, is that exactly. The Spanish verb bastar means "to be enough". This right here is bastar. I feel... infinite.

[sidenote: I remember this moment perfectly. It is one of my favorite memories of Panimaquin, and a feeling I get while there daily. This photo is the view walking up to San Diego (the city above Panimaquin on the mountain)]

[this is part of the "letters from panimaquin" series, which you can read about here.]

every day

Every day, I wake up and remember.

Every day, I do not permit myself to forget.

This life is a gift, and I am blessed beyond all reason.

Even in the things I find uncomfortable, in the things I try and avoid:

There is beauty.

Every day, the world inhales all of my troubles and exhales peace.

Every day, this earth carries me and calms me and rocks me to sleep.

This life is a gift, and I have more than I deserve.

Even in the things that make me cringe, in the things that make me ache:

There is beauty.

Every day, every day, every day.