Counting my blessings

Dear friends,
      I know this post is a bit late concerning 2010, but oh well. This year I've resolved to count my blessings. Last year was hard to say the least and it ended wretchedly. But it was last year. However, like every year which always has trials it was not without blessings. I just had to look a little harder than usual, but once I started I discovered how blessed I really am.


      Last year I made very, very good friends. We are not a click, because we always welcome new people and we strive to do that. But this group, we reach out for each other. We can pick on each other all we want, but watch out if people start picking on us. You see...we got each other's back. What more...we allow God to watch our backs. It's not all fun and games, this group been through a lot. Most people can't see what lies beyond the surface, the hurt, the fears, and the faith to keep going because we know WHO we serve. I firmly believe that this year is going to bring us out more to glorify God. You see...there's 3 deep passions that lies deep within. First we all love drama, we strive to let people see God through our skits, we are about people and their hearts, and thirdly we are totally and completely in love with God despite our  ups and down. This group...they're my family and if you ever get to truly get to know them more than just knowing their names and the few things they like that you my friend are highly blessed. God has done mighty work in them. Yes, I gloat about them...I take pride my friends and family.


        Although my mom has been here one week and gone the next week, something that has been very hard on the family, we've learned that we really can step up and take the reigns. Frankly though, I like it much better when mom's home. I might be grown up, but I know I need her love and support even more now. But I keep counting my blessings every time she's in VA, and making blessings for others. That's the only way I know how to survive when she's gone is by blessing others and keeping the home while she's away. Guess what....she was the one that taught me that. I'm not like most kids, I need my parents...or rather I want my parents. I jealously guard my time with them.


       My parents allowed me in all the history of moving to pick my room first for the first time. Which meant I got the walk in closet. My clothes used to look sparse until I put summer clothes in there.  For the first time ever, I actually got a room put together. My parents gave me a new comforter that is grown up with the fancy shamchy pillows kindly provided by my sister. Guess what, I even got curtains tied by with brown ribbons. I'll be proudly showing you my room. This might not sound much to you. But this is a HUGE deal for me. Except when I was little, I've never own a bedroom that was as complete as this. To this day I still have my baby dresser, but I like it. I've gone for so long without that this is a blessing. This is paradise. This is one that I enter my room after a hard day and just utterly fill up my weary spirit. That's my home...a piece of heavenly blessing of paradise that my Father gave me. What did I do to deserve this...nothing. Absolutely nothing.


     We have a new home. One that I have come to adore. Two simple reasons, one it is a gift and the second people LOVE coming here. I am fast becoming a fan of blessing people in my parents home. A legacy will be passed and it is a precious one one that I do not carry lightly. When the torch is passed, I hope that I too can glorify God like my parents. We are about blessing people...and reaching out to them. Adults, kids, you name it. We love them. God is putting our home together and it is rich. This home is one I've never had and it will not be forgotten of how it came to past based on a dream. We are just now beginning to truly live.


This is but a beginning. I sense that this year will be more. More blessings, more grace, more love, more friendships, more family, more astounding life, most of all...more God.

Busy, but a wonderful time

Dear friends,

In my last post, I'd said I would try to post pictures of my dear grandparents. Since my grandparents were not feeling well, I wanted to be respectful of them, at this time I will not post pictures. Perhaps when we visit them at Christmas, you can see the beauty I see in them.

Ah, this is a very, very busy season for me. Photography is very rewarding, but keeps you on your toes. I'm starting up my photography blog soon and starting to load up pictures. This semester I have taken studio plus photography II and what a trip it has been. It has prepared me and taught me so much. Next semester ( I am SO excited) I will get to do portraits. Blessedly, I have a church that might be willing to let me practice on them. Squeal! And I ask nicely, I might be able to post their pictures on my photography blog. I'm hoping I can take babies pictures...I've never taken one, let alone in a studio. Ohhh...I've got goosebumps. I'm a blessed woman indeed.

What has been happening now? It is at the end of the semester. Funny, I'm starting to get energized. God has been blessing me with joy and I pray that it keeps coming. My photographs are being printed and boy they look good. It's intresting but for once they look better printed out then on computer screen.


Physics...I am loving. Although I must admit I do get frustrated at times, because I know I can know the materials but rarely have enough time to let what I have learned sink in.  In my inner heart, I think I might have gotten proud as a peacock when I tell people I am taking physics and they look at me in surprise. I love physics...it is no harder than trying to figure out simple math equations if you take the time to truly understand it and allow yourself to enjoy it. 


English, there's not much to say there. I'm writing papers, and reading essays.  Most english classes I have taken are hard, this one was much easier than most. My professor makes me smile, and most of the time I leave class with mild homework. 


Only a couple of days left before exam week. Not to crow, but for once I am actually a week ahead. This has been hard semester, and I've barely gotten everything done on time, but this time I am ahead. That makes me extremely happy. Except for physics, and doing a paper for english, all I get to do is: show up, smile, and hand in my stuff. Then...I party.  Yes, I rather think this is a wonderful time!

Thanksgiving time

Dear friends,
This week I get to visit my dear grandparents! I am so excited. Though I must admit, sadly when I first heard of it I was not at all thrilled. My school was pressing hard on me and I felt the crunch of time breathing down my neck. Only four weeks till freedom, and I'm hanging on for dear life. Never-the-less, I should have felt excited about going. It is rare now days to get to go to VA. I love going after all it is where I was born, but this time I could care less. I knew deep inside that was wrong. One night, I laid it all out at the feet of the Father. Ever since, He has given me a desire and joy to go. Yes, I still have relatless school beating me on my back, but my grandparents are more important to me than my grades and my work. Family, where would you be without them...you wouldn't be born. I'm taking my camera this week, and in doing so I hope that I can show the prides of my heart.

You haven't met anyone until you have met my grandparents! I can brag about them, because they are mine. My granddaddy is one of the most amazing people you will ever meet. My grandma! Oh...I now know where the spunky side of my mom came from. I have great, great respect for her not just as my grandma, but as a woman. When I post pictures, I shall tell you of my favorite memories of each person.

ATTITUDE

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, And noticed she had only three hairs on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.' So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror And saw that she had only two hairs on her head. 'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.' So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed That she had only one hair on her head. 'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.' So she did, and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and Noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. 'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!' Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary, For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, And pray continually. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain. It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. I was sent this in an e-mail from Tennessee School of Beauty. This e-mail has brought more respect for the school and I am eagerly looking foreword to the possibility of attending the school.

You can't force love

I still have much to learn. There's so many things I have yet to discover and there will be things I'll never know. But I do know...you can't force love and you can't force friendships.

Just like you can't force someone to love you, you can't force yourself into a relationship, that's not love, its more of a duty. Over the years I have pushed myself to spend time with God. That's good if when you are striving to spend time with God is out of love, not out of duty.

For years, I have done devotions and good books to help my walk with God. But that wasn't what I needed. Please do not mistake me that devotions and good books aren't good, but they shouldn't take the place of the Bible or spending time one on one with God. It is what you value that you will deem most important. For me it is because I love God, that I value Him. I don't want a forced love or a forced relationship. Guess what? Neither does God.

Relationships are crucial to our lives. Don't hem yourself with a bunch of rules or do what everyone is doing because it works for them, trust me you'll end up with nothing but a frustrated heart. I know, I have been there. Your relationship with anyone whether its a co-worker or something deeper can't be forged upon rules or based anybody else's standards, it'll collapsed when the lightening strikes hard and long. Great relationships are built on God, who is filled with love and grace. Sometimes you have to let go. Sometimes you have to hang on for dear life. Sometimes...loving someone or even yourself isn't easy. Relationships, however hard you try, are not based on just you. It takes two to have a relationship.

It is what you value in a relationship that will be deemed most important.

Major decision, Major changes

This summer...well this past year has been full of life time changes. But they are good changes. Changes that will transform my life. Never had I dreamed I'd where I am today...but then again most of us aren't where we thought we'd be today. When I was younger I longed to travel, to explore the world, and to "preach" the gospel. As I entered highschool, all that changed. I became focused and serious...putting away the carefree, outgoing girl I used to be. But I never lost my joy for simple things. Now...I am traveling the world and sharing my Beloved's message. But still...I am on the quiet side. And that's okay. There are seasons for everything.

Just recently we closed on our new home. The countdown begins as I help pack up and clean. My mom has found her love of jewel colors again, and we are happily looking to furnish our blessing home. You see, our home isn't just "our" home, its Harvest home. A place to come to be refresh, rest, and just to be.

Two days ago, I made a decision. It was tough, but I knew what had to be done. When I came home from the Netherlands I changed. While I was there, God spoke very clearly to me in many, many ways. One thing He told me was Graphic Design was no longer my major. So I came home, waiting, pondering, and listening to what He wanted me to do next. Three weeks later, I received my answer. As of right now I am a semester into being a photographer. In a year and half I will be a certified photographer with an associated degree. After which I will fulfill yet another dream...cosmology. Two skills, two certificates, and two dreams. How will I combined these two...by blessing people. I don't know what God fully has in mind...but that's okay. It'll be used for His glory.

Major decisions makes major changes. Most of them aren't easy. Many of them changes lives. But when you make that change for God...it'll be the best decision you'll ever make.

It's unlock...but what are you going to do?

There's doors, gates, keyholes, or whatever you want to call it that unlocks that most secretive parts in our hearts. The part that we rarely, if ever...really let anyone see. We sometimes don't know even know our deepest joy or pain. It hasn't been discovered yet. There's a lot we don't know about ourselves. But someone does. He knows every laugh you have ever laughed, every tear that has been shed, and every smile that crept across your face making your eyes twinkle in secretive delight. He knows you. Every core of your being is so special to Him and He wants be in the mist of all of your doings. He wants to share your delight, your sadness, your split can't stop laughing moments. Here's the kicker.

Until you open that entrance way, He can't fully enter into your life. He's not going to force His way in. You're going to have to choose. He's there for you... is not His name Emmanuel meaning God with us? That means in everything in the good, in the bad, and in the between, He's with you. But it is you who lets Him in completely. No one else can do it for you. No one can make you. It is your choice alone. God is with you, but until you let Him in your heart can you share with Him that only you and Him knows. Sometimes its scary and there's time you don't want to do it, but its worth it. But remember, only you can open that gate wide enough to let Him in. It's unlock...but what are you going to do? It's up to you.