Every Season...

Lately, I have been listening to Nichole Nordman. I love her music. If you haven't listened to it, you seriously have not lived. Tonite, I have had the song, "Every Season" on repeat. Let me share with you the lyrics...


Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring


I have bolded and enlarged certain words and lines for certain reasons. It is what I am experiencing right now, in this season of my own life. So much has changed in the past 2 years. Well, really in the past 4. When I think of who i was just a few years ago...it's like night and day. In a good way. God has and continues to "recreate" me throughout every season. And I am AMAZED at the work he is doing. Right now, it is winter. and it is cold, and frozen, and bitter cold, and gray, and freezing cold. Things are dead and lifeless. And when winter is here (it seems like winter hangs around forever) i begin to feel dead and lifeless and gray and frozen and bitter and cold. But I love in this song when it says, "Even now in death, you open doors for life to enter, You are winter." I have seen and experienced that so much lately. Even when things seem so dark and dull, he has caused life to erupt from inside of me. I have incredible friendships which keep me alive, I have an awesome church that keeps me alive, a family that keeps me alive and a God who continually breathes new life into me very being. And I am so very thankful. I am so thankful that no matter what season I may be in, God is at work. Just because I tend to shut down during the winter doesn't mean God does. What an awesome God we serve!! I pray that this life bubbles over and is evident to the people I come in contact with. That I may be a light to those around me.

"A city on a hill cannot be hidden...in the same way, let your light shine bright before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" Matthew 5:14-16.


May my light shine even in this dark gray winter. And while this winter may seem long, both physically outside, and spiritually, I can have such great hope because I know that spring is coming. New life will be made and "what is frozen through, is newly purposed." I am very thankful for a God who works during every season. Aren't you?

First Impressions

So, this weekend, and these past few weeks I have spent a lot of time with my friends. The friends I have made out here, to be exact. I am in our school play and all the rehearsals "force" me to spend time with these amazing people all day, every day! I absolutely LOVE my friends here and they are the reason I am so thankful that we moved.


But I wasn't always too sure I would like these people. See, when we moved and I started going to a new school, I had stereotyped people and made myself believe certain things. I thought that ALL the people out here were standoff-ish, rude, stuck up, overly dramatic, boy crazy etc. etc. etc.


By thinking those things, I missed out on a whole year of friend making. As a result, last year was terrible. I was virtually friendless, and moped around all day everyday.


Even at the beginning of this year, I was convinced I had these people figured out.


I am thankful to say that I have been very wrong. My first impressions of these people I now call my friends were completely inaccurate and I love it. I love being wrong! *grin*


Instead, the friends I have have HUGE hearts for others, are SOLID Christians and Christ-seekers and followers, they are friendly, loving, great listeners, funny and just all around fun to be with. I am beyond thankful.


THis is one time where I couldn't be happier to be wrong. The friends I have made here are some of the greatest people i have ever met. I only wish I would've discovered this a year ago. But, I am learning.


I think this year, I was determined to not have a crappy year. And I made the choice to get to know people. But more importantly, I let people get to know me. It is often hard for me to open up to others and let others in. But I knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't build relationships. ANd I need people. What a blessing my friends are. Both here and at WP. They are all amazing-irreplaceable.


I have learned not to go buy stereotypes, or first impressions. They may be very wrong. I am sorry that I let those impressions get the best of me. But thankful that I was given this year to try again. God truly is the God of second chances.


I guess the old saying holds true, never judge a book (or person) by the cover!

I got my cheer back!

Well, I know last time you heard from me I was not feeling very cheery...well, I am happy to report that my Christmas cheer did appear and I had a WONDERFUL holiday! I hope you all did too!


I got some wonderful gifts and I had a blast giving my sisters their presents. It has been wonderful to just relax and watch some movies, eat lots of sweets and listen to some new music. Everything I love. Food, music, movies...this is the LIFE! :)


We (my family and I) are preparting for a family vacation! We leave on monday for a short trip to visit some relatives. I am very excited for the time away and the chance to see some cousins again! What fun!


Well, this is a much shorter post, but, I just wanted to make sure you knew that I had a wonderful Christmas full of CHEER and SPIRIT! :)


Happy almost New Year to you all!! Much love-

christmas cheer

well, i am not feeling very cheery right now. i'm not quite sure why.


maybe i got too excited about christmas too soon, and now i'm on the downword "spirit slide". maybe. hmmm...


or maybe i just am not truly embracing all that christmas brings, and the joy that it holds for me, as a follower of Jesus Christ. maybe. hmmmmmm...


maybe it's the cabin fever i have right now. you see, when there are about 3 feet of snow on the ground, no one really gets out. and when i don't get out of the house for, oh, 3 days, i don't see other people with christmas spirit. maybe that's it. hmmmm...


all i know, is that i "need a little christmas, right this very minute!" i have tried a few things to help my "spirit meter." here, i'll share them!


i remember a line in the movie "Elf" that says, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!" So, i have tried that. i sit in my room and i sing and i sing and i sing. i must say, buddy the elf was right. Singing does indeed make me feel cheery!


and, i have been listening to Christmas music. Natalie Grant's Christmas CD is extra good for cheeriness.


AND i have been wrapping presents. which, REALLY helps my spirit meter. :)


well, i hope you all are feeling cheery. And, not to sound cliche but, let's truly remember why we celebrate this season. when i stop to think about that, I am FLOODED with CHristmas JOY. Because I remember what GOd did for me. How amazing. AMAZING!!


"Suddenly a GREAT company, of the Heavenly hosts, appeared with the Angels PRAISING God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests'"


I want to have the joy of those angels. :)


Well, i think writing this quick, scattered blog truly helped lift my spirits. it helped me refocus my mind and heart! Thanks for letting me think "out loud!"


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

well, today was awesome. it was a lovely ending to a hard, long week. i love it when God ends hard weeks with some sweet time with even sweeter people. today, i had the chance to spend time with one of my friends from MI...and boy was it fun!


it was fun because it was spontaneous...now, i am NOT a spontaneous person, i like routine, schedules and planning, but today, she suggested we go for coffee after school and i said, sure! :) so, we drove (in the BLIZZARD, i might add) to an great little coffe place. side note-i love coffee shops. i love the smells, the atmosphere, and i always imagine having great heart-to-hearts with people in coffee shops...today i had an awesome heart-to-heart. :)


it was fun because of the friend i was with. she is an awesome girl...a true leader, a solid christian, and just plain old FUN! she's super funny, but knows when it's time to be serious, and is a very good listener. i am so thankful i have met her and finally had a chance to sit and chat with her!


it was fun because we had great conversation. i got to know her, i let her get to know me...it was like talking to someone i had known for years. no awkwardness, no annoying small talk (i hate small talk!) just real, God-centered conversation...


it was fun because this week had some heart ache. it was a long week, with some ups and downs and frustrations and tears...i had been feeling overwhelmed, and tired, and a bit stressed, and instead of coming home after school and moping or wallowing in self pity, i had the chance to spend time with a truly amazing girl. what a BLESSING!


and added bonus, i got to drink some OUT OF THIS WORLD HOT CHOCOLATE! which i love. :) it's the simple things in life, right?


the rest of the day was also awesome, baked christmas cookies with some relatives...yum!


now, i am just going to enjoy the rest of the night and make christmas gifts, and listen to music and just thank God for the time to get to know a friend...