alone?

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelley on Pinterest

do you ever feel alone?
do you feel like no matter how many people are around, they are nothing to the emptiness inside?
sometimes you just need someone to tell you it will all be ok.

let me do that for you.

everything is going to be ok.  maybe not today, maybe not next week, it may even take a really long time.
but it will happen.
it will happen if you trust God.  He is the One who stands tall even when storms rage and strong winds push you to the ground.
when He envelops you in His love there is nothing that can take you away.

He is with you.  He will always be with you.

"even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

so do me a favor.  be strong.  be strong for yourself, be strong for me.  set an example for those around you.

because you will never be alone.

twenty.

She is twenty.

This gorgeous girl with her clear blue eyes and her sweet smile.

And her freckles.

I am so jealous.

She's my best friend, my inspiration, my partner in crime.

We've been together for ages, exploring and living, fighting, (of course) but always making up.  Things aren't nearly as exciting by yourself, right?

 We  love many of the same things, hiking, cooking, playing outside.

So those are the things we do together.

And we've always been super cool. . .

Well, she has.  I had some bad days. . . 

But, of all the things we love, laughing makes the top of the list.  I can think of countless situations, one of us having a problem or being in trouble, but always finding something to laugh about.  

She's like that.

Finding the good in every situation.  

{I have to help sometimes, but we are still human here.  :)}

So this year on her special day, my mother asked many of our friends to write something encouraging to Lillian, beautiful words for her to read over and over as the years go by.

On the morning of Lillian's special day, my family gathered around (with the addition of our amazing friend Olivia, who is practically family) to read to her the beautiful words from her friends.
It was lovely.
We cried.

And laughed.

Thank you to all who took the time to write something encouraging to my sister, who was truly touched by the evidence of so much love.
We get so caught up in our problems sometimes, so blinded by sin and sadness that we forget there are countless souls who love us for who we are.
And most of all that there is ONE who will always love us no matter what.
And that is what fills my heart with joy.

"Lilleyin, I wish you did not go.  I lov you so much." - Melissa Anne

". . .Lillian, when asked to write a note for you, I did so without hesitation.  The words came so easily.  I did not have to 'think of something nice to say.' That's because you are a wonderful person!  And I pray that God would bless you richly on your birthday and always!  Keep following God's direction in your life and cling tightly to Him always. . ."

"You always have a kind, positive, encouraging word.  You are thoughtful and friendly to those you meet.  You are quick to laugh and to share others' joys and sorrows.  You are a wonderful example for me to follow, and I thank you for that.  And Lillian, on top of being one of the most genuinely nice people I know, you are also one of the most beautiful girls I know. . . You are such a blessing to so many people, Lil!  Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.  Love you, sweet girl!"

My dearest Lillian,
It has come.  This day on which we gather to honor you and your lovely life.
I can't even begin to find the words to describe all that you mean to me.  You are so patient with me, especially when I don't deserve it (which, by the way, makes be feel especially terribly, and more like a lowly worm than anything else.)
But that is what I need.  A constant reminder of the attributes I know I need to possess, but so easily slip through my fingers.  You have a grasp on life.
Things don't seem to take you by surprise.  And even when they do, you somehow manage to keep your head and deal with them (well, most of the time).  You are a daily inspiration.  Watching you grow into a Godly young woman helped me realize the importance of growing in faith.  I was stuck in a rut of non-growth, but you helped pull me out, whether you knew it or not.  My goal was (and is) to grow up to be just like you, loved and appreciated by all.  You don't seem to see it, but people love you.  They love YOU.  For your sweet spirit and your quiet laugh.  For your continuing determination to show Christ's love, even when it does not seem to be wanted.  I hope you realize this as you read these notes, I did, just barely fighting back the tears.  I love you so much, my darling sister.  You keep me held together.  I don't know what I would do without you, and I pray I will never have to find out.  (Well now that I have finished this on a depressing note, I ought to think of something funny to say. . .so. . .I shall end with a Daily Odd
Compliment.  "Today, I gave myself a headache, trying to picture how someone would describe a jellyfish to a blind person.  And that's when I realized I shouldn't be left alone and I miss you."  He he he. . .)
Much Love,
Eady

broken hearts

"Father, break my heart for what breaks Your's.

Give me open hands and open doors.

Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

that my own little world is not about me."

My Own Little World - Matthew West 

We all have those days.  The ones where nothing seems to go right, when all you want to do is curl up in a little ball and cry.

When you feel like your heart is breaking.

You are human.  I am human.  We have emotions, feelings. . .we love. . .

And when everything seems to be going wrong, there is One who hears your cries, listens to your prayers, but most of all, He loves your heart.

He loves you.

Remember it if you are on top of the world, and when you are at your lowest.  When you are happy, and when you are sad.  Remember that He loves you always.

Because sometimes it takes a broken heart for true love to seep in.

Sometimes failure gets the best of you, knocks you down, tells you that you will never be good enough.  But don't believe it.  Get back up and move on.

You are strong enough. 



So, what are you waiting for?

he loved

Living, He loved me.


Dying, He saved me.


Buried, He carried my sins far away.


Rising, He justified freely forever.


One day, He's coming, oh glorious day.


Lyrics from "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns

a snow day and a sick day

We don't get snow very often.  In fact, if ever a few flakes fall, people start going crazy.  Schools get delayed, traffic slows tremendously, and everyone rushes to the store to grab that gallon of milk and loaf of bread that is absolutely necessary for survival.  What if the power shut down?  Or the roads were closed? Or that light dusting of snow froze overnight and became deadly black ice?  Friends of ours hailing from Colorado found this extremely amusing, coming from a place where a few feet "isn't that bad."  Not to be mistaken however, I love snow.  The silent, flakes that swirls around, resting for a moment on your hair or sleeve, then melt away as quickly as they came.  But with cold weather and such come the sicknesses.  So, recently I've been using exorbitant amounts of tissues, listening  to my favorite songs over and over, and playing too many word games.  It's okay now and then though, right?

"The children outside all are laughing,
under the perfect skies the shapes and colors of the season
make me feel alive."

"There's an anchor that's pulling on my heart,
and it's deep in the water,
but it can't take me down."

"The dawn is fire bright
against the city lights.
The clouds are glowing now,
the moon is blacking out, is blacking out."

"If every building falls,
and all the stars fade,
we'll still be singing this song,
the one they can't take away."

"Wake up to the morning light,
wipe away the lonely night.
Let a brand new day wash over you."

 Song lyrics -
1. "Beautiful World" - Tim Myers
2. "Waking Life" - Schuyler Fisk
3. "Your Love is a Song" - Switchfoot
4. "Closer to Love" - Mat Kearney
5. "Hold On" - TobyMac

Learning.

Seventeen years is a long time.  Having recently passed another milestone in my life, I have been mulling over the past years, my relationships with people, but mostly the ways I have grown and all the things I have learned.  And the good thing is, it never stops.  I am so blessed by the ability to constantly learn and apply the things I have learned, changing the way I view myself, the way I treat others, and ultimately the love I have for my Savior.

So here's to another year of:

Learning to spend more time outside, enjoying God's stunning creation.

Learning to really talk to people.  Not just skin deep, trivial, small talk kinda stuff, but heartfelt conversations where you laugh, and cry, and love each other.

Learning to keep climbing towards my goals, to shoot for the moon and land on a star, to follow my dreams.  And when the journey seems slow, pray and study the Scriptures to make sure my desires are aligned with God's word, and keep working, trusting God's will for my life.

Learning to spend more time with the people I love.  (Preferably while eating food that I love.  Like Thai Chicken Pizza.  Just sayin')

Learning to stand out. and not be afraid about what people think of me.

Especially when you look awesome like this chick.

And when you're wearing killer heels, everything is ok.  Even when that guy is staring at you like you're  insane.  You're not.

Learning to be silly.  I think I have this one down pat.  Life is short.

Learning to love fully and without restraint.  It's one of those things we can't live without.  And it's totally worth doing well.  When you treat someone with love, you are doing them (and yourself) one of the best favors I can think of.  Maybe they're hurting, or sad, or just having a bad day, but love can heal it all.  

Learning to think positively.   It really affects the way you act.

These awesome, gorgeous girls helped me understand the importance of being positive.
 And the importance of laughing more.   Like, all the time.   ;)

Learning to pray about everything.  Learning to give God everything.  All the honor, all the glory.  He deserves it.  I don't.



What are you learning?

Why not try. . .

. . .a fishtail pinned up into the milkmaid?

My favorite tutorial for the milkmaid can be found here.