New Beginnings

Spring is one of my favorite seasons.
I like to think of it as a new beginning.
The trees and flowers have a fresh start to show their possible beauty.
The sky seems bluer. The air seems clearer.

Spring is a season full of battles. Summer one day, winter the next.
Only rarely is there a balance between the temperatures to create the perfect Spring day.

Easter, the celebration of Christ rising from His grave, is in Spring.
Christ, by dying on the cross and rising again, won the battle over death.

Spring is a new beginning for nature and for us.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

My Big Sister is Better than Yours!

Hannah and I took a road trip today!

Took pictures, shopped, antiqued, and talked....

I love you, Hannah!

L.s.R

Through the Highs and Lows

Friend: a person you know well and regard with affection and trust, an ally, a supporter.

Now, what I am about to say, will probably make you think, "What type of Christan girl is she? Duh!"

But I recently got hit with the fact that Christ wants to be my friend.
Everyday I am in awe of Jesus.
His many layers, his depths, his attributes.

What is a friend?
A friend is someone you can tell your inner thoughts too, who gives you tough love because you need it; someone who loves you for you.

To deepen a friendship, it takes effort.
You have to spend time with them, talk to them, be with them.
Friendship cannot be one-sided, it takes two.

This is what I realized: God cannot do everything in our relationship.
I have to do my part.
God has done everything he needs to do in our friendship, he knows everything about me, he is there waiting for me to catch up to him.
Now it is my turn.
I have always known this. But just recently I believed this.
I want to do everything in my power to know my Jesus more.
To know what he would say about something, to turn to him first with my troubles, to understand how his mind works.

I am slow, but I am so thankful that Christ showed me this.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15 NKJV

I am Happy!

More pictures at Hannah's.
Thanks Hannah, I love you!

L.s.R

Everywhere we go...people want to know...

So I made it.
We actually did 19 miles.
I only felt like crying once.....at the very end.
While running, Dad started singing his Jodies from back in his navy days.
Funny, how much it helped.

Love you, Dad!
L.s.R

The World is Turning

The end of another week.

*

Spring is in the air.

I drove home today from work with my sun-roof open and the music cranked up.

Thank God, for hunter green Jetta's, sunroofs, and Kelly Clarkson.

*

On Tuesday I passed the last Clep test I will ever take in my lifetime.

Sorry, for being dramatic....but I have wanted to say that for the last five years.

So there.
I requested to go to Braum's (gee, I am so classy, I know!) for a celebratory ice-cream.

This picture cracks me up....I look like a pyromaniac....and like a sugar-starved rabbit.

*

Did I mention Spring is finally here?

I did, but here is a picture to prove it. It is from the tree out front of my window.

*

Tomorrow Dad and I will be training for the marathon.

18.2 miles.

I think I am going to die.

L.s.R

My Eyes are Wide-Shut...but Trusting

Thoughts from the sermon this Sunday:

Deuteronomy 8

*God gave us life, and He believes it is sacred.

*God wants our life to be full. Do not settle for less.
When we are saved, all of God’s provision and abundance is given to us.

God has a purpose for all of the trials that we go through:
*To give us a heart of obedience
*To humble us
*To bring us closer to Christ

This sermon really spoke to me.

I have been going through a few personal trials, and since last Sunday it has been a roller coaster ride of emotions.

I am learning that God's will for my life and future is sovereign.

I have to be patient and trust Him to bring everything to pass in His time.

I just need to keep relying on Him and follow His leading.

------------------------------------------------------------

I have two weeks of classes left.
Wow.
God is powerful and so good.
I have learned so much, and it has been an unforgettable journey.

Dad and I are continuing to train for the marathon.

It was so cold this weekend, and it was hard to get out there and do our thing.

Next weekend we are going to be doing 18.2 miles for practice, and thankfully it will be in the high '70s!
I am so glad I get to do this with my dad.
He is my hero in every way possible…..and keeps me company :)

L.s.R