a year to celebrate

2011 was a great year. It was wonderfully busy and excitingly wonderful. It was full of surprises, love, and so many new things.

Here's the recap:

• In January I discovered Apple Cake and went skiing for the 1st time in about 10 years.
• In February I was a camp counselor at Snow Camp with ODBC and cooked Pad Thai for the 1st time.
• In March God taught me a lot about faith and trusting in Him for the future.
• In April God brought me to Grace Road church and I made this Clementine Cake!
• In May I bought a bike and started to bike to work!
• In June I spent a few weeks at Locust Hill preparing for and managing the Expo tent during the LPGA! woah
• In July I celebrated 6 years with Christ and on the very same day I met this man: 

• In August I went to Raleigh to visit my brother, paid off my car, and played tennis under the stars!
• In September I started dating that man officially and became busier than I've ever been before <3
• In October we went to NYC for a day and took a road trip to my favorite little town for a dear friends wedding.
• In November we stuffed our weekends with events and enjoyed Thanksgiving with family.
• in December we went to NYC on a rainy day, decorated for Christmas, celebrated my 27th birthday, and enjoyed the holidays immensely.
• It was the year I took a huge undertaking at work (read: managed the sponsor accounts and the Expo for the LPGA), rediscovered my love of photography, made some incredible new friends, and learned a lot about myself in Christ!
• And as I said... it was the year I met this man:

2012 will be a year of great things too:

Growing deeper in Christ.

Learning to make sushi.
And falling more in love with this life God has given me.

fotography

 baby beauty

 blue eyed

urban nature

 abandoned

deep blue something

moments in time

I could tell a story, or I could let my photos tell it for me...

Cityish

urban beauty

green

night lights

nyc transportation

manhattan

dubs

joy

love

art

an invitation to Joy and Peace

I've been having a lot of conversations with someone in my life right now about being rooted in Christ. About keeping Him the center of life and all we do. Seeking Him for direction and being open to His will. Last week as I flipped the calendar in our kitchen from August to September, I saw the new verse for the month:

Isaiah 55:12
For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace;
the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

After reading this a few times I thought about this whole idea of being "rooted in Christ". I thought about how it brings joy, it brings peace. Joy and peace that are not rocked by circumstances or our surroundings, but set deep in our hearts. Maybe when we have this... we would see the world around us rejoicing as well.

I really love all of Isaiah 55. It starts out proclaiming:

"Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
And you who have no money, come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

It's an invitation... to everyone, no money needed. But it's not for physical food or water (though He's comparing it to wine and milk, not water or crackers), it's an invitation for Him. The chapter tells us to seek Him, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near" (vs. 6). He tells us how much greater His thoughts and His ways are than ours (vs.8-9). Think about it, it's an invitation to an abundant life!

And we shall go out with joy and be led out with peace...



wherever I am

Once upon a time I wrote something entitled Sorting Mail for Jesus. It was a reminder to myself that wherever I am, whatever I'm doing, however exciting or menial it is... of where my heart needs to be while I'm doing it.

In a way, here I am, in that place again. for now. With the exciting challenges of the LPGA done I've changed offices once again (returned to my original office I should say) and as I was sorting the mail this morning I laughed and thought to myself "I'm doing this for Christ".

My attitude and heart for this office and the people in it needs to be in that place. always.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

some things change, some don't

Time flies and with it so many changes come, but some things remain unchanged. I just read this, something I wrote in January of 2009. Two and a half years later and all I can say is wow, this means so much to me still... as if I just wrote it for the 1st time. Thank you Lord for Your steadfast faithfulness.


I had dreams you know - 1/31/2009

Goals, aspirations, great things I wanted to achieve. Places to go, people to see. Some grand adventure to be a part of. High school found me dreaming of becoming an engineer as I took every technology course it offered. Senior year found me dreaming of becoming a photographer as I was given the gift of my first digital camera for Christmas. I brought life to objects and places people wouldn't usually think to capture on film.

I dreamed of graduating school, paying off my loans, and getting my own place. I thought of traveling the world with a camera and selling my photos, showing the world the beauty that still remained.

A year into college, I discovered that engineering wasn’t creative enough for me. I looked into photography, developing my own film, yes, that was it. I changed majors and let my inner artist free. I enjoyed every minute, though pencil to paper barely produced stick figures, with a computer I could create and design to no end.

I graduated, with no job nonetheless. But I did not fear, God had a plan. I traveled. Yes, Spain, I fell in love with the mountains. The Dominican Republic, well, it changed me, it broke me. Poverty. I came back changed.

The job came, it was God's plan, it wasn’t my plan. But His plan is always greater and more fulfilling.

So I have these dreams, aspirations, the desire to join in some grand adventure. But for a moment I forgot about them and settled into the routine of a job and loans. But my heart has been awakened. I’m letting it dream big once again.

And as I sit here, my room filled with the sounds of classical music, I’m thankful that God has made me just as I am… with these dreams, these goals, and these desires.

When I say, "I am a Christian"

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble - needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority I only know I’m loved

1988 - Carol Wimmer

Spain: Summer 2007 and What I learned

After a conversation about mountains with a friend, my mind flooded with thoughts of my summer 4 years ago. Where I went, what I learned, what I loved, and what challenged me to the core. My first missions trip, my first time overseas. I don't ever want to forget about those weeks and all they contained.

We were going to serve.

Wherever you are, be there.

Hurry up and wait. 

Read about it. Let's go back to Spain...

My Girl

For the last 2 years, I have been sponsoring a girl in Malawi (Africa) through World Vision:

Meet Hannah. She's currently 8 and adorable.

I've been able to write to her, get letters from her, and twice a year I get her report card :) getting airmail is one of the MOST exciting things:



This just came yesterday! She gets A's and B's in school and will be in 4th grade next year. I feel like a proud momma when I get her report card, I love that World Vision does that, especially since it includes a current picture! I'm thankful God is allowing me to be a part of this little girl's life... and her family's life.

And since this is a blog of dreams
I'm praying someday I will be able to go...
                                                                and hug her.

get out of the way

"The more we get what we now call 'ourselves' out of the way and let Him take us over, the more truly ourselves we become... He invented - as an author invents characters in a novel - all the different men that you and I were intended to be. In that sense our real selves are all waiting for us in Him. It is no good trying to 'be myself' without Him. The more I resist Him and try to live on my own, the more I become dominated by my own heredity and upbringing and surroundings and natural desires...

It is when I turn to Christ, when I give myself up to His Personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own. "

~ C.S. Lewis ~ Mere Christianity ~

 

 

True Love and Giving

During my trip to Spain in 2007, Julia befriended a girl named Nazareth in a small village we spent some time at, Sillar Baja. Toward the end of the trip, when saying goodbye to these new friends, Nazareth took the bracelet off of her wrist and put it on Julia's wrist. I will never forget this.

I looked at myself and my things and wondered if I would do the same. If I would so easily give up something I loved to someone I had just met. Being back in the states for so long, I sometimes forget that material possessions are nothing in light of eternity. It's the relationships, friendship, and people who are important. It's the love we give.

Psalm 107:9 "For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness."

I don't want to be satisfied with things. I want to be satisfied in Christ so I can love the world around me so much more easily.



Sillar Baja . Summer 2007



Once Upon a Dream

Once upon a dream, I spent my summer weekends on the water.
It was a place of adventure, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, reading, living, loving.
Once upon a dream, I stepped out of my comfort zone and my fears disappeared.

Once upon a dream I learned to sail.
Once upon a dream I ate the best blueberries I've ever had.

I felt alive.

Once upon a dream I learned more of His love and great plan.

distractions and being the best

Back when I created this new blog I thought I would all of a sudden want to post a lot and be inspired to do so all the time. And I felt that way... for a few days.

Yet I know why I'm not here, the distractions, the busyness, the things occupying my mind. I know where my focus hasn't been. And where it needs to be.

Work was really busy for the month of June, I soared at work and by the end of the month I had a lot of people telling me "well done"... I managed something quite large during the LPGA. And as much as I gave the credit away - to my awesome staff, my "right hand" Lynne, who was endless help, and all of the other support & resources I had, people kept bringing it back to me, but I knew it wasn't me at all. It was Him. 

By His grace I did well, I didn't fail, I was the "rookie" and I want God to get the glory...

At work on Thursday during a staff meeting/celebratory lunch (yay we survived the LPGA), we watched a video called "Celebrate What's Right in the World", by Dewitt Jones. It was an inspirational video about seeing the good around us, looking at situations differently, having the right perspective, etc. One thing he said stuck out: It's not about being the best in the world, but being the best for the world.

It got me thinking about what God calls us to. I don't want to be someone great in the world... someone who rises to the top to be on the top. I want to be someone great for the world and for God, not myself.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" Psalm 46:10

when I tell mountains to move

God is always working. Often I know it's happening in my life, but I don't see it. So I'm thankful for a friend who will write to me and tell me what she see's God doing in my life, so thankful. I don't want to miss what He's saying.

Many days lately have ended with the following heart cry "Lord, what can I do, what should I do? I really don't know what to do here." The things I question and wonder about turn into worries, I search for a place to make a change and come up empty.

But it's not until I quiet my soul and my worries that I hear "I know... you're right, you can't do anything here. But I can, and I will, and I will get the glory. Not in your ways, but Mine and not in your timing either. I know when you'll be ready."

So I keep hoping, praying, and eagerly waiting for Him to move.
"Just keep looking to Me"

So I seek contentment, but a godly discontentment lies deep within to keep me from becoming complacent. A godly discontentment to push me deeper into Him.

Lord, you know what I'm trying to do, take over, guide me and move mountains.

Religion is dead

Jesus is alive!

What's So Amazing About Grace

"Grace means there is nothing I can do to make God love me more, and nothing I can do to make God love me less.

It means that I, even I who deserve the opposite, am invited to take my place at the table in God's family."    

- Philip Yancey - What's So Amazing About Grace

His Little Girl

God is a Father, my Father, your Father. And like any father would give his child, He gives us little treats & gifts. It's reminders whispered to my heart that I'm His little girl, His princess. It doesn't matter my age, I still have the desire of that little girl in the dress, twirling, wanting to hear, especially from her father, that she's special, beautiful, his princess.

 

God does that. The little blessings, the silly little things, the things that say "yes I know you're there and I love you, you are special to Me" He does that. He wants to have that close intimate relationship with us.

 

And I love it.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:14-17

once upon a time

I went to the Dominican Republic... and I'm praying to go back.

seeking dreams

I’ve been learning a lot lately about the heart of God and His goodness, His faithfulness.

I’m learning about myself as I keep myself from bringing drastic change into my life just because I feel as though I need a change. To appease the immediate longing to “do something crazy” I’ve rearranged my bedroom, I know I know, I can get a little crazy. But in doing so I’ve “unearthed” bits of myself that I’ve hidden, and I don’t just mean the stuff that was shoved under my bed….

Despite a bit of a drastic change that really did take place in my life, God has filled me with a peace that I can’t explain. A joy found in the depths came forth through tears. And honestly it’s only possible to have joy through pain with Christ in your life.

But now I’m on the lookout, seeking God, rediscovering passions and dreams that I’ve forgotten about or placed on a shelf. I’m dusting them off and giving them another good look and prayer. And I’m seeing that it’s never too late to follow a dream…