Recapping the past 500 days via Photos and short phrases 2013-2014

Recapping the past 500 days via Photos and short phrases

"It's just you against you"- I've crossed over to the crossfit world and have no shame about it. I have a long way to go to get stronger but it's pretty amazing to see what your body is actually capable of. I've drank the crossfit Kool-Aid!

 

 "A girl in her jeep, it's a beautiful thing"- My big girl job gave me the chance to get the vehicle I have always wanted... A Jeep !! Jeep hair and I don't care. I've wanted this truck since I was 16 and now at 29 I continue to rack up the miles on the road just this time it's a blast.... River trips, roadtrips, trips to games, night trips... any trip! I've never been into cars but in this case I can't wait to spruce it up a bit! 

 Still playing Co-ed softball!! It's been fun and entertaining to see old "veterans" come together and relive their glory days! I just need to keep an eye on the slide in to third... I'm playing for an over-sized t-shirt these days... not a state championship!

"There is still so much to see" The travel wanderer in me found Napa to be just as good as it was the first time, Colorado to be just as wonderfully spontaneous, and refreshing, the beaches of California to be inspiring, and the spirit at Wrigley Field to be just as memorable as all the legendary players who have played in front of the ivy!

 

 

 

In the world of 5th graders where I often look around me and think... this is my job... today I am dressed like Waldo and a super hero... this is my job! :-) Kinda makes me happy! 

Four years of teaching 5th grade has been fun, but praying about possibly moving up to the world of High School students and coaching a girls golf team.. should be a next fun adventure!

And of course...Teacher Happy Hours are still a must!

 

 -All three college roommates are married off and two have children. 13 years later and these women are still incredible important to me!

My Middle Sister just got engaged.. Bring on the first brother and the first of 3 sisters to get hitched. I love her and I love him... so blessed to be a apart of their lives. 

Program has wrapped up in Denton and I walked away with a changed heart and a greater understanding of God's absolutely amazing Grace! Praying that this past season of repentance, rejoice, forgiveness, and grace will push me into this next year a women with a heart that looks more like Him as my sweet heavenly Father continues to teach me about love through the way He loves me which will allow me to love Him more and others more!

Leraning to Never doubt the ability of God to continue to Transform my life!

It's amazing to me that 6 months ago I could sit with this same computer in my lap, listening to some sort of similar "moving" music just as I am now but my heart can be somewhere completely different. Evidence to me that God is undoubtedly in the business of change, growth, transformation, blessings, and supernatural happenings for our entire life- All for HIS glory!  I have no solid justifiable "introduction" paragraph that will "pull the reader in" before I jump to the "meat" of the writing (I am starting back to work on Monday therefore, proper writing process is crossing through my mind.) So, I will just jump right to it- Summer 2013 was a summer of favor from on High and here is why:
(1.)God brought a childhood friend from 18 some years ago back into my life.
(2.) I have new living quarters. My very own little apartment that couldn't be more perfect for me. The apartment has lamps, candles, books, maps, country flare, photos, music, no cable, no internet, and the eagerness to have people fill its walls with laughter, tears,  joy, peace, and deep "lets be real" conversations. I LOVE it!!
(3.) This new apartment is no longer in Frisco, but in Denton Texas. Bring on the college students, quaint places to listen to live Indie music and whatever else, as well as unique coffee shops on every corner, and the reason to finally get a mountain bike and trek all over this little city. 
(4.) Tonight (August 15th) marks the beginning of my 9 month adventure with "Program." The program is a nine month, intense discipleship and leadership training program for post graduate women from around the country. It is specifically geared toward women who desire to grow in grace and personal knowledge of God and what He has done for each of us—thus leading us to serve in dependence on Him and as an overflow of all that He has done on our behalf. The goal of this program is to call women to root their affections deeply in our Lord Jesus Christ, walking so closely with Him that He will be reflected in their behavior and their love for Him will spill over into their love for the world; and to equip women for the work of service, to build up the body of Christ. (Eph. 4:12) “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 What What!! I'm pumped to say the least!
(5.) I am still teaching 5th grade however, I get to indulge in the goodness of teaching U.S History (This teacher will be in costume at least once a week-Bam :-)


Right now I am at a state of complete gratitude and awe at God's grace and mercies He has poured on me. Not only has He chosen to show me so many beautiful things about who He is and His character but He has chosen to show me these through portals that will have an eternal impact on my life. Through change,  another faithful transition, answered prayers, friendships, and adventure. My biggest challenge I could pray for myself (based on what I have learned lately)  is for me to continue to pray faithfully, and thankfully for transformation to always be happening in my heart and soul. Also, been understanding that we are built and designed for community- don't be afraid to indulge in that community with a posture of humility and joy. Embrace change and pray for it. Live life abundantly without fear of falling out of line of an Americanized manipulation of the "true definition" of happiness and success. Love people everywhere you go and actively look for ways that God is at work in their lives. Love them by seeing them through the eyes of grace and as a chosen one by God who has a plan for them. Relationships with people is what is eternal- "We get to enter their lives, discern how God is actively present, draw attention to that, and then celebrate it! And so we leave behind a soul that has been built up and edified."  To get to do that is a gift and a privilege.

If God Wills it... It will be

"Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." Isaiah 14:24

A small food for thought on this Monday night. If God wills something.... so it will be. If I really read and hear what God is saying in Isaiah 14 I am taken aback by the greatness of that truth. "As I have planned it so it will be, and as I have purposed it so it will stand." What God wills to happen so it will be, there is nothing my human self can say or do to manipulate the creators plan to be what I see to be best. The weight of that truth is good....  the burden of "figuring it out" is lifted off my shoulders. God's plan and purpose will be fulfilled no matter what. I tend to make my part as a child of God much more difficult than what it should be. God calls me to just "be" be all His. I am not left with the responsibility of making all the choices for my life... God wills the happenings in my life, my role is to just allow them to happen, and to surrender my whole selfish self to Him.  I have been reminded, through God's word and great friends of the sweet Freedom we all have in Christ...the Freedom that comes only from when we stop white knuckling our grip of control and let Gods will happen, because no matter what... God's word says "my plan will be" so... I see it as God calling down saying "sweet child of mine we can do this the hard way or the easy way... both ending with an abundant of undeserved blessings but both having very different looking paths so now choose." God allows us to be apart of the story He has written for each of our lives, coauthor's in a since to our very own stories...each uniquely different and excitingly intriguing. My desire is to be completely His, completely embracing the desires the Lord has put on my heart, pursuing a life that glorifies my heavenly Father. God is given me a magnificent life thus far. I like to think when God put the story together for my life He had full intent in storing by "book" in the "adventure, action, mystery, love, laughter, comdey" section of His heavenly bookstore. I want God to have to create a new section in His library just to store my "story" because it will be that unique. He can store mine and another dear friend of mines story there (you know who you are.... we are basically cut from the same mold) Blessing of a friendship with a friend in another part of the world is totally a God thing!! :-) This friend recently sent me a message saying.... "Our Friendships knows no borders or geographical boundaries.... because we are nomads, free spirits that belong no where yet belong and fit in everywhere.... because the lens through which we see the world is not bound by societal norms but by our love for people, culture, Truth, and all people's desire to know The Truth. We were created this way because we are literally the Lord's chameleons... we can go-go-go and be any and all things to all people. Our ability to adapt is mind-boggling but it is rooted deep in our assurance in Him and where our True Identity lies... we are His aroma, enjoying the fruits of His creation and indulging in His good gifts and people.... we have a heart for people.... Who we are is made up by our spiritual DNA... God is who makes us who we are." The Will of God is Jesus Christ.... God's plan for my life is to "be the feet the of Jesus." My challenge for myself is to take God's word and learn it, know it, live it. Press into God harder than I ever have before and listen. Welcome each new adventure like it's the first one, and to take the challenge from a good friend and be the aroma of Christ to people...all people...God's people. To have the ability to love people, because its not me but Christ that is in me that is exuding His love.  My life is blessed.... blessed beyond what I deserve. I pray I never stop giving thanks to my Heavenly Father for the "story" we are writing together... the story of my time on this magnificent beautiful earth my Father single handedly created! :-)

2012-Lively, Playful, Delightful

To make a News Years resolution or to not, that is the question!?? I feel almost "unAmerican" if I don't jot a few "go to" resolutions down i.e work out more, pray more, get more sleep etc... however as "unAmerican" as that is I have decided no on the resolutions for 2013 but rather yes to -reflecting on this past year and the utter unknown of what this year-2013 will hold for me. But what a year 2012 as been, what an unbelievable God blessed year 2012 was.... I laughed and adventured more than I ever thought I would. God is good... God is SO good:

2012 started with:
Finally being able to stand on steady ground in a 5th grade classroom as a 5th grade teacher. 2012 started the second half of my first year of teaching and I was finally getting the hang of it. Working with some of your favorite people was so much fun and such a blessing.

 2012 also marked my first trip to Colorado to see some of the bestest friends in the world. Laughing, hiking, frisbeeing, and the feeble attempt at snow skiing was accomplished.

This past year brought on rollerskating adventures, and laughter as I celebrated my 27th birthday. It also brought an unforgettable camping Nomads mission conference weekend with my best friend. I learned so much about what this missional life is all about and what it looks like around the world. Construction of a small tent was made, port a potty usage was in full force, eating on the ground was a given, long satisfying naps were had, deep rich, good conversations delighted the soul, busted air mattress, and a cozy nights sleep in the back of the yellow FJ.

Time in Africa for me to go and see God at work in that beautiful country was laid out before me and I jumped on it. Changed my life in so many ways.

Countless nights at the ballpark watching the Rangers with best friends was on the agenda this past year, along with a fantastic trip down south to float the river with sweet friends. Co-ed softball, and Co-ed volleyball definitely satisfied my competitive nature this year.

A trip to Honduras with some fabulous High School students from our church was laid out before me... I took it of course and the Lord blessed me with some insanely cool opportunities of discipleship with some really fabulous young high school and college students.

4th of July in downtown Dallas with awesome views. Trips to the batting cages, and Gnosh painting to express my "artistic" side, along with stepping foot on the streets of London for a night. Not to mention Aggie Football rocked the face of the SEC and college football this past 2012 football season! WHOOP so proud to be an AGGIE

The beginning of my second year of teaching 5th grade all the while keeping me on my toes by switching to teaching math and science made fall of 2012 nothing short of challenging and stretching, but opened the opportunity for me to learn some big lessons about myself.

One UNFORGETTABLE trip to Brazil- living on a boat, sleeping in hammocks, for ten days, with people that love Jesus a whole whole lot, and floating down the Amazon River. Going into villages and building relationships with the locals and introducing them to Jesus. This truly was one of my biggest highlights of this past year.

Sweet Sweet Sweet time with my family. My sisters are truly becoming my best friends as we get older and start learning to love each other well. Next to Jesus my core family is my constant, my one thing I can count on. I love them dearly and this year I couldn't have loved more the time I got with them. I love that little boy we now have in our family so much- So proud of the father my uncle is to him and and his girls-just very blessed.

Lastly, the year has ended with some really hard growing pains. The lord decided to cap off the year with what probably will end up being one of the biggest turning points in my life. It has ended with me needing to turn a huge corner and start down a path that is strangely unfamiliar.  It's at this moment, with the things the Lord has slowly been showing me, that I'm confident God is breaking my current mold into pieces and now-January 2013 He will spending time putting that mold back together all the while using still, pieces from my current mold but also bringing in brand new pieces as He begins molding and shaping me into a woman that is more like Him, and a woman that wholeheartedly listens to the voice of God and answers. It hurts to be broken but, like most things that hurt, when you start healing you starting feeling stronger than ever, you start healing with a new outlook and perspective, you begin to heal-and heal up in a way that makes you better than before. I have no idea what this next year will look like for me. I do know that my sweet, mighty heavenly Father has a tailor made plan for my 2013 year and it's better than anything I could dream up. So for me, no resolutions for this year, just daily walking by faith and snatching up every adventurous opportunity the Lord puts in front of me. As 2013 begins I marinate on these Truths: We have such freedom in Christ, He gives us choice so don't let fear of choosing wrongly paralyze us from simply just choosing He wants us To delight in our hearts desires, let God teach us because we can't run away from a lesson, seek biblical truth than wise counsel, heal and forgive yourself, discipleship is essential, and God is ridiculously good to us :) 2013 is going to be my year- yet not mine but His year- His year that I make it not about me but about the one True King who deserves it most.