Day 31

I love this crazy wonderful collage that I call my life.

Over the last 30 days I've taken time to stop and remember a lot of the great pieces of my life. The things that make up this life that I live. The things I get to do. The things I get to enjoy.

I'm not perfect. Even in remembering all this, there have still been some moments of sadness. Sad over the past that I can't change. Sad over what I wish was mine. Sad over my own devided heart.

Yet even in the middle of all of this God is so good. He keeps walking with me. Whether happy or sad He holds my heart. Whether I'm walking or stumbling, He's still with me. Whether crying in pain or laughing joyfully, He stays.

One of the things I love about my life is the fact that no matter where I go His presence (His merciful loving presence) is always with me. Sometimes convicting, sometimes comforting or a mix of both, but always there.

He is so good and gracious. He is so kind and generous.

Yes it's not perfect, but I love this life. In the days and years ahead I hope and pray that I can continually look to Him and enjoy His presence.

May He be the light in my eyes, the spring in my step, the hand that holds me when I cry, the One who carries me, the joy in my song, and my Eternal King.

Day 30

I love celebrating Passover with my family.

Every year on Good Friday we invite some friends over and celebrate a Christian Sader. It's a special time. We get to celebrate what God has done through His blood and resurrection and reflect on His faithfulness. It's also amazing how many pictures of Christ are woven into this Jewish holiday. We love it. 

After the Sader and dinner is over we go outside and enjoy a bonfire and dancing. It's the best. 

I have so many wonderful memories of this yearly tradition. It's so rich in meaning and history. 

I thankful God for a chance to celebrate His love and mercy in setting us free from sin and for delivering us into a new life. 

Day 29

I love how many stars I can see at night.

On a good clear night I can go out on our porch and see so many beautiful stars. That whole this about the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas thing isn't just a song. So many nights I have taken beautiful long walks under the stars and sang to their Creator. 

So often I have looked up at those stars and marveled that the God who made all of those big beautiful stars loves me and cares for me. That God takes care of me with the same care that He used t place those stars. I love that. 

Day 28

I love journals.

Since I was 13 or maybe 14 I have off and on kept a journal. 

It's nice not only to write down my thoughts, but to look back later and see what God has done. It helps me process life. It helps me to slow down enough to hear Gods voice. It helps me to have perspective. 

I've also recently started keeping a prayer journal. Just so I can see how God answers my prayers. 

Plus I enjoy all the beautiful journals that I have gotten over the years. The leather ones have been my favorites or ones with verses.

Day 27

I love the way that God created time.

I heard it said in a sermon that God gave us time so that everything wouldn't happen at once. I love that. We have times of joy and times of pain. Times of peace and times to fight battles. Times to work and times to rest.

I love that God has made it so that we don't have to tackle all the joy or all of the pain at once.

He is so good.

Day 26

I love live plays and movies.

Moving stories are so powerful. I love watching a good story unfold before my eyes. I love encouraging or romantic stories. They cause me to dream a little more. Reach a little higher. Sing a little louder. 

Fairy tales, Bible stories, and adventures are awesome.

Day 25

I love the promises of God.

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397513104595184662/

Today is Palm Sunday. The day that we celebrate Jesus riding into Jerusalem. He fulfilled the prophecies spoken of long before. He fulfilled all the promises He had made. Not one of them failed. 

The same is true today. I love that God is even now working to fulfill all the good promises He has made to me. 

Things like 

- He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion.

- I will never leave you and never forsake you.

- Commit your way to the Lord and whatever you do with prosper.

- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will make your paths straight. 

- I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. 

- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world. 
- When you pass through the waters I will be with you. 

I could go on and on. There are so many promises that God has made to me. Promises that He doesn't have to make. He doesn't owe me anything and yet He chooses to promise me so much. He is good. He is faithful. May He be honored and praised forever.    

Day 24

I love pink and gold.

I'm a big color person. I like having lots of fun color in my life. I enjoy being able to add beautiful variety with colors.

It's fun.

Day 23

I love that God has a plan. It's bigger than I can imagine. It's grander than anything I could dream up. It's not thwarted by my mistakes or the mistakes of others.

Even on the hardest days when I have come to Him crying holding shattered remnets of my dreams, He takes my trembling hands in His and reminds that He is still in control. His plan is still advancing. He will be with me. His plan will win.

Oh how often I have fought Him. Yet He still takes care of me and works to heal and restore me. His plan is always best. Always.

Oh my soul, trust in God. His plans are always best. His plans are always for your good and His glory.

The hardest time in your life may just be the beginning of His greatest work in you.

Day 22

I love sticky notes.

I'm a bit of a sticky notes addict. I enjoy making lists, writing notes, and using  different colored pins on my paper calendar.

I have a whole mini filing system for my sticky notes based on priority and when I need to do them.

I love little notes with flowers or Bible verses on them.

I know I can probably save money by doing it all on my phone, but I like paper and ink. It's fun.

Day 21

I love that I live in a country with police officers.

Over the last few weeks as the bombings have occurred around Austin, I've watched brave men and women step up, protect us, and follow leads. They deserve our respect and support.

All too often the cops are painted as the bad guys. We don't like it when they give us a ticket or fail to stop any harm from happening.

But these are the people that God has placed in our lives to protect us and enforce laws.

I am thankful to live in a country where we have people who's full time job is to keep us safe.

I pray blessings and safety over all of our law enforcement today.

Day 20

I love my wardrobe.

I love spring dresses, flower prints, lots of color, and dressing up.

It's fun to be able to play, match, and have more clothes than I even really need.

Day 19

I love how God sends me encouragement when I need it the most.

When I'm down and can't see to the other side, sends me encouragement. A friend, a blog post, a text from a loved one, someone's post on Facebook, a verse, or a letter. God knows just how to send me the encouragement I need.

It lifts me up. It spurs me on. It keeps me heading toward the goal. It makes all the difference in the world.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me and lifted me up. Thank you for encouraging me to press on and not give up.

Day 18

I love the church that God has us in right now.

It's not perfect (after all they let me in the door) but the people and the way we are fed and challenged spiritually keeps us coming back.

The music draws me closer to God and the messages challenge me in my faith. The people encourage me to be who God made me to be.

After being out of the church for a while, I am thankful for God providing us with a place we can grow and be challenged.

Day 17

I love how God works even in the middle of our tears.

Today I kinda had a rough start to the morning, but God still was lovingly calling to me. I was struggling with feeling down, but God kept sending me reminders of His love and that I don't have to live there. I open up Facebook and see something that brought up tough memories, but God cares for me.

In the middle of the tears God comes to me. He holds my shaking shoulders. He whispers kind words to me. He reminds me of His love. He tells me that He will work all this for good. He reminds me I'm not alone in the fight. He reminds me that He is still in control.

No matter how I'm feeling, no matter the tears that are stinging my eyes, no matter the pain that I'm carrying, it doesn't change the fact that He is still working. He is still making me all that I was created to be. He is still good.

Oh my soul. Trust in the God who works in the middle of your tears.

Day 16

I love my Bible collection.

So I have always enjoyed Bibles, but recently I became fancinated with Bibles and the stories they could tell. So I have started a little collection. My hope is to one day write a whole series of novellas about people and their Bibles. 

For now though, I just enjoy them. 

Day 15

I love the music I have in my life.

At work I get to hear Christian music all day.

On walks I can take my favorite tunes.

While working out I can have music to pump me up.

When I need reminders of His love and grace I can stick in my headphones.

While relaxing I can play something soothing.

It's great that I have so many choices for music. I love it.

Day 14

I love all the technology I have access to. 

Everything from my phone, to my kindle, to the Internet, to my IPad, to social media. 

It's amazing that I can instantly connect with anyone I want to around the world. I can get in touch with friends to know how I can be praying for them. I can see how friends are doing. I can listen to any kind of music I want. I can call friends. I can do video chats. I can blog. 

All of this is a great gift. It can be abused and taken too far, but I choose to believe that it's like a hammer. A powerful tool to be wheedled wisely. I'm far from perfect, but God is helping me to rightly use technology for His glory. Wheeled aright, technology is one of my greatest allies. 

Day 13

I love the friends that God has placed in my life.

There are so many of you. As I start to think the list just keeps growing. 

Sarah - My bestie since I was little. My confidant. My sister. You are so special and mean so much to me. I can't even sum up here how much we have gone through and how much God has grown us over the years. 

Mom - You have always made yourself a safe place to share. I thank God that I have you. 

Lea - You have been there to pray for and support me and our family. 

Debra - I'm so thankful for how we have stayed friends for over 9 years. How the time does fly. But it has been so great to see how God has grown you. Thanks for letting me come along. And you have encouraged me in some of the hardest times in my life. I'm so grateful for that. 

Hannah - You are so special. We have been through so much guy stuff together and shared our hearts. You encourage me when I'm down and brighten my day. You have a flare for life and a tell it like it is attitude that makes me smile. 

Christina - You have been a great mentor to me this past year. When I was at my darkest place you were encouraging me and praying for me. That is a great gift. 

Michelle and Josh - Thank you for opening up your home and encouraging me when I needed it most.

Kim & Vangie - When I first started volunteering in the Neuonatel Intesive Care Unit in Austin, I had no idea that I would meet two believers who would encourage and help me as much as you two. You have encouraged and blessed me so much with your perspective and caring. 

My Ultimate Frisbee group - we have been coming and playing with you all since last summer. It's been so fun to play with all of you and hang out with such a cool group of Christian young adults. 

Pastor Perry & Mrs. Perry - Who walked with me through last summer and proved to be good counselors. Thank you.  

Mama Liz- you have been  there to support and care for me at work. I love you so much.

My ADRN Friends- you have celebrated and prayed for me through so much and I appreciate all that you have done. Your support and your care have made a huge difference in my life. 

My Filmmaking friends - You have challenged me and encouraged me. I miss seeing you, but I'm so grateful I got to know you.

My Albuquerque Friends - Thanks for welcoming me and for helping me take the next step toward healing. You have a special place in my heart. Thank you for challenging me to come before God in all things and live the adventure that He has laid out.

There are so many more I could name. There are so many people who have taken time to have lunch, text me that they were praying, start a conversation when I was scared, called me when I was having a rough day, and encouraged me when I needed it the most. You have touched and blessed me more than you will ever know.

As I'm writing this my heart is so full. You have all meant so much to me. As your faces came to mind or the memories came up I am remembering how blessed I am to have as many friends as I do. You are such a treasure and joy to me. Thank you for being there and all that you have done. 

Day 12

I love the place I get to live in. 

It's so calming and wonderful to come home to an orderly house decorated with pictures of my favorite people. 

It's quiet (unless the neighbors decided to have a mega base party :P) a peaceful place to rest at the end of a workday. 

I've spent so many hours walking in the woods behind our house. Whether it's crying, dreaming, worshiping God, or searching my heart they have provided a place of refuge for me to get away from the distractions. It's beautiful. 

And this is my favorite time of year. Soon the leaves will return and our land will be covered in green grass and flowers.