Frosted Beauty // Thoughts on Christmas

We woke up Saturday morning to a world of frosted trees and breathtaking beauty!  As I walked through the snow with my camera in hand, I thought of Him forming each one of the spear-shaped crystals with His own loving hands.  It was so joyful to think of Him as Creator, and know that there is a reason and a beautiful purpose for everything around us.  It didn't "just happen", and it most certainly wasn't Jack Frost.  :)  Our Lord, who thinks upon us, also takes great joy in the glory of His creation.  As he prepared this beauty for us to see the next morning, He had our joy in mind as well.  

Frosted pinecones are so perfect! 

 

Mama has a thing for red berries so I took this picture for her.  :)

 

Right when I saw this lovely little bush covered in frost, I thought of the verse in Isaiah that says:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

 

As we celebrate Christmas this week, let us remember the reason we celebrate.  He became a man - JUST THINK OF IT!  He humbled Himself and became like us, to be tempted in every area, just as we are, so He might sympathize with us (Heb 4:14-16).  He lived in this sinful world, and God, who despises sin, lived with sinful people every day.  Then He bore our sin, the wrath of His Father, the rejection of men, and the rejection of His Father.  He died, was buried, and then, after three days, He was raised in glory.  Our sins were scarlet, and He washed them white as snow.  He loves us that much.  Christmas isn't just about Jesus being born in a stable in Bethlehem, but it is the whole story of His life, the complete story of redemption.  What a joyful season of remembrance this is!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!  :)

It's the Little Things



Do you have a place - a journal perhaps - where you record praises, little blessings, things that you are thankful for?  I have found this to be an incredible help to me in my walk with the Lord.  It helps me to actively cultivate gratefulness in my life.  

Can you imagine life without God's sustaining grace?  He has gifted us with beauty in everyday objects - green grass, blue skies, brilliant sunsets, kind smiles, bright eyes, hugs from my little brother "just because",  emails from dear friends,  laughter ringing through the house, incredible music, words of encouragement, time with the Lord when my heart is too full for words, sleepless nights when I can listen to scripture and pray, leaves changing color, sleeping with the windows open and snuggling deep under my warm quilt, the truth that HE is faithful, sweet passages of scripture where I can find a "resting place", precious friends, Ultimate Frisbee on Sundays, old weathered barns, wooden fences, cowboy boots, joy, worship, starry nights, dark chocolate :)...these are sweet things that I have been blessed with, and am so grateful to our gracious Lord for His goodness! 

What are you thankful for? 

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Lookie what I found today!!!!!  Dry, crunchy, bright, beautiful leaves!!!!!  Autumn is here, and I wore jeans, cowboy boots, and a scarf today, just for the fun of it.  :)  Ahhh, what a wonderful, wonderful day!  It is amazing what joy a dead leaf can bring.  :)

Autumn makes me happy, so delightfully happy!  Listening to some of my favorite music, doing office work for my papa, and praising God for His goodness in creating such a gloriously beautiful world. 

I read the first several chapters of Genesis today and they served as a beautiful reminder that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, our Creator, and our Redeemer.  You know - He could have made this fallen world an ugly, barren, joyless place with no change of seasons, no color.  But He didn't!  He graciously blessed us with eyes to see His handiwork, bright colors, changing seasons, stunning beauty.  We stand in awestruck wonder of His creation - the sun, the moon, the stars, incredible creatures, the miracle of a baby formed and knitted together in his mother's womb, and created with grace and wisdom that only our God possesses.  This is a beautiful world, though fallen, and I love the life that He has blessed me with!

Psalm 103 (one of my favorites!)

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 63:1 and Random Thoughts

Psalm 63:1

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.

 

God is good.  Always. 

He is the only One who truly satisfies. 

He is the giver all good things.  The One who created. 

When I feel like I am about to fall, He is there to uphold me. 

He gives us beauty to enjoy.  Because of His sustaining hand, I can watch the sun rise, enjoy green grass, and the cool evening breeze. 

He gives us strength and breath every morning. 

He has given me a precious family and friends who I call brothers and sisters. 

I am blessed because He was cursed.  Jesus died for me.  He died for those whom He loved before the world was created.  

I learn more each day what a sinner I am and how much I need Jesus.  But His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me. 

Praise be to God for His ever-abundant goodness.  I long for the day when I will see Him face to face, in all of His glory, and I, perfectly in His image. 

 

Just some random thoughts from me on this glorious Saturday morning.   

Daniel and Kerry - Married!

Saturday, August 3rd was a good, good day.  It was a blessed day.  A God-glorifying day.  A beautiful day.  A day of miracles and answered prayer.  

This was the day that my dear friend and mentor, Miss Kerry married the amazing man who won her heart. 

For years and years - as long as we have known her - we have prayed with her and for her.  We prayed that God would bring her a husband.  He answered those prayers in a beautiful way!

I watched the groom, groomsmen, and bridesmaids make their way to the front.  Then Miss Kerry came around the corner of the building on her dad's arm, and it hit me - she really, really is getting married, and she looks GORGEOUS!  And I cried.  I cried tears of absolute JOY! I hadn't even considered crying as a possibility, and I literally couldn't see a thing!  I quickly reminded myself that I had to capture these memories. :)  I wiped my eyes, and proceeded to take pictures through the blur.  What a memorable moment!  I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Their ceremony was very sweet, God-glorifying, and full of heartfelt thanksgiving.  This is something that I will always remember.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day: 

Coming down the aisle on her father's arm.  

I loved seeing her hold Daniel's hand...so precious to see my friend in love.  :)

Praying together while listening to the song "Never Once" by Matt Redman.  Powerful!

Reading their handwritten vows. 

The rings - their sign of commitment.

Introducing...Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Morrisett!!!!!  Praise the Lord!

The Happy couple!

She was radiant, glowing, beaming, and an absolutely beautiful bride!

She told Mama that she "felt guilty being so happy."  :)

  I am so happy for them, and grateful to God for His ever abundant goodness!

Love her! 

Where did the custom of "throwing things" at the bride and groom come from anyway?  Rather violent, don't you think?  :)

Off to begin a beautiful new life...together.

Proverbs 18:22

Burn For You

 

  I heard this song for the first time on Sunday.  Incredible!  

Break my heart, take my dreams, they’re only in the way
Of what’s better than I ask or imagine
You’re my home, You’re my place, each and every word You say
Set me on fire, fire for You, fire for You

Set my heart on fire so that I can burn for You
Set my heart on fire, let them see me burn for You

A face like stone, a heart like wax and a passion for the dead
Unfailing love is what You’ve asked, You’ve imagined
The offered lives of the weakest ones are known to change the world
You set them on fire, fire for You, fire for You

Burning, having a passion for serving our God - this is something that I have been pondering lately.  Again, these thoughts were sparked by reading Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 

I love the line in the song "The offered lives of the weakest ones are known to change the world".  That is so, so true!  Not only physical death, but offering our lives in service each and every day while we live.

 

I remember a conversation I had recently, as I was sharing my thoughts about Foxe's Book of Martyrs with a friend.  We asked the question as a challenge - whether we would be strong and even willing if/when the time comes.  In my mind, of course I would.  But, being willing to give up my life for Christ when, at times, I am hardly willing to show my love for Him by doing the dishes, or cleaning the bathrooms?  These little sacrifices.  If I am unwilling to give of myself in the little things, will I be faithful in the larger things (Luke 16:10)?  This is something that I have thought of so much during the past weeks. 

 

Another conversation I had in a group setting a few weeks ago, the young people were talking about spectacular ways to die.  It really got me thinking.  If I could choose a way to die, what would it be?  Truly, the conclusion I came to was that I would wish to die as a martyr.  I have prayed for God's will in this.  I do not know when or how I will die, but He holds me in His hands, He cares for me.  He knows when and how.  He knows when I will be going home. 

 

Charles Spurgeon said that "Death is but going home."  That is so true for the Christian!  Death is only the beginning of life!

 

Revelation 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (these verses from Sunday's sermon - the best I've heard in a long time.)

 

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
 

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
 

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Here is a quote from Charles Spurgeon.  I read it yesterday, and it is a great reminder that "every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

"Whatever thou art, thou hast nothing to make thee proud.  The more thou hast, the more thou art in debt to God; and thou shouldst not be proud of that which renders thee a debtor."

I want to burn for Him, be consumed with Him, have a passion for my Lord, a burden for lost souls. I am indebted to Him, and He is alone worthy. 

Psalm 86:11
"Teach me Your way, O Lord..."

Texas Trip - Time With the Renfros

Hello y'all! I'm back! Back home, back from Texas, back to blogging, and trying ever so hard to get back into a normal, structured routine. :)

A lot of what I am sharing with you is taken from my journal, texts I sent Mama, or memories from looking at photos.

Oh my! Where do I begin!?!

Have any of y'all had those times that are just so wonderful that you wonder if they even happened? Well, this is exactly how my trip to Texas felt. Every morning I woke up, praising my Creator and wondering if all of this could be real. No way did I go through several airports all by myself! Did I really live in the Renfro's wonderful home for a week? Am I seriously getting to know people that I have wanted to meet since I can't remember when? Did we really go to protest and minister at an abortion clinic? Did I actually go ski-bobbing with the Simons (more on that later!)? Am I really staying in the Beach's home and spending time with people I haven't seen in years? Yes! All of this happened, and it was absolutely life-changing!

First things first: I woke up Tuesday, May 28th at 2:15 a.m. to one of my favorite worship songs - 10,000 Reasons (after a nearly sleepless night - I was too excited to sleep!) in order to get ready for a long drive in the pouring rain to the airport in Moline, Illinois (we got a cheaper flight from there). After going through security and finding my gate, I did my devotions and then boarded my flight at 5:30. Flying was rather uneventful but could have been a major disaster in Atlanta if the nice man who sat next to me hadn't helped me most of the way to my gate. God certainly took care of me! He is so good, and I am grateful for His kind provision. I had nearly a ton and a half of baggage ;) to carry through the airport with my camera, my journal, a notebook, and 6 books, that I thought I could read on the trip (so not smart to bring that many books, especially when one of them is nearly 800 pages - what was I thinking!?!) . I was hot, sweaty, and sore after reaching my gate in Atlanta, but that didn't matter - I was on my way to Texas!

It was so great to give big hugs to the Renfro ladies when I arrived in San Antonio! We did some last-minute grocery shopping for the seminar, ate lunch at a lovely little cafe, had some sweet fellowship, and I also got to see Jenna's garden. It is just lovely!

I also was blessed to meet Mrs. Cone and her daughter Stephanie (they were the ones that did the majority of the work for setting up the seminar) that evening. I love them so much! I am so grateful to have been able to meet them! They radiate joy, have sweet, gentle spirits, and are so gracious. What dear ladies they are! We ran a few more last-minute errands that night, made some buttercream frosting for the cake decorating class later that week, and I got to bed about 12:15 that night. Whew! I was so tired!

On Wednesday, I had the loveliest time doing devotions on the Renfro's porch swing and getting acquainted with Daniel's last German Shepherd puppy (from a litter of 8). She is ADORABLE and I must confess that I wanted to take her home with me. :)

We left in the afternoon on Wednesday for the Becoming Seminar. When we got there, we had a time of prayer before beginning, and then I got to meet Jacqui Clark, a super sweet young lady that I had heard so much about from Jenna, and had wanted to meet for a l-o-n-g time. She is amazing, and I love her dearly. God is so good to allow such people in my life! She always has the sweetest, most joyful smile on her face, and it is contagious. I still find myself smiling as I look at pictures of her. :)

What a blessing the seminar was! We studied the "Heiress Factor" - we are daughters of the King and heirs (or heiresses) with Christ (Romans 8:17). An heiress should have all of these qualities:

H - honor/humility
E - excellence (ambassador for Christ)
I - others first (removing the "I" and putting others first)
R - righteousness/royal
E - excel
S - simplicity
S - sacrifice

During the seminar, we also had sessions on fashion, modesty, family economics, self defense, finding God's will, keeping our hearts pure, health, fitness, cooking/baking, and so much more. I was so blessed! A huge "thank you" to the Cone family, and especially Mrs. Cone and Stephanie, for putting so much time and effort into this incredible couple of days.

Wednesday through Friday were so full that I had to force myself to pull out my camera. Seriously! That's saying a lot, if you know me. :) It was a very good kind of busy, though, and I learned so much.

On Saturday morning, we went to pray and minister at an abortion clinic with Max Clark, Jacqui's older brother. It was truly a life-changing experience! I knew that abortion was horrible, but when I thought about it, it was only a passing thought, but since that day, I have thought of it and prayed about it constantly. It is now a burden rather than a passing thought. Mama and I are hoping to volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center here. I am looking forward to this as a great ministry, and a good challenge for me to get out of my comfort zone and minister to those who need it so much.  It is definitely a battle!

I forgot to apply sunscreen before going to the clinic, so I was out in the hot Texas sun for several hours with no protection. I had just the cutest cherry-red sunburn that you've ever seen (not!) on half of my face and neck. It was totally worth it, though, and very memorable. :) Bri was very sweet and did a great job covering it up with her makeup. We had a lovely time together!

Saturday evening was great! We went to the San Antonio Scorpions soccer game in their new stadium. One of Mrs. Renfro's cousins had designed the stadium, and he sang the national anthem before the game. It was beautiful and he did an amazing job! After the game, we went out to eat (dinner was amazing!), and then headed home.

We stayed up late (or shall I say, early into the morning hours) every day, and talked. It was amazing to get to know everyone on a deeper level, to laugh, to share what we are learning - what God is teaching us, what we are reading, and just to learn little things about each person. The time passed by so quickly!

On Sunday, we went to church and I got to meet more amazing people. :) The afternoon and evening was quite laid-back and quiet. I called Mama and told her all about how the trip had been so far, and later that night, we watched "Emma" together. Fun times!

Monday morning, Jenna and I made green smoothie for breakfast! Oh, so delicious! Later that afternoon, Jenna and I decided to have some serious girl time and Jenna curled my hair. It was a blast, and she did a beautiful job! We got to talking about health etc. and I mentioned how much I love Apple Cider Vinegar for so many different reasons, so Jenna and I decided to drink some while making nachos for lunch. That was fun! :)

We went to the Alamo on Monday night. It was incredible! This was my first time seeing it, and I must say that is was smaller than I had expected, but it was an awesome experience! We went to the riverwalk (gorgeous!) and had dinner at a cute little Mexican place, then did some more "exploring" on the riverwalk.

Tuesday morning was awesome, tiring, and invigorating all at once! I went on a 2-2 1/2 mile run with Daniel, Jenna, and Max (they ran farther than I did). It was my first real run this year, so I wasn't quite as good as I would have liked to have been, but it was still a great experience. I want to run more often!

And, since we ran that morning, we had to go out and do something naughty, like...go to a frozen yogurt place together! You wouldn't believe this place! I've never seen anything like it! I definitely want to go back someday.

I got to spend some sweet time with Jacqui and Jenna while weeding/caring for their garden. It was so fun, and definitely a blessing to get to know Jacqui better. I love her so much!

Wednesday was both depressing and exciting. I had to say goodbye to the Renfros (I cried like a baby), got traded to the Beaches, and then got traded to the Simons and went to stay at their lovely home.  More on that in my next post!

And now for the pictures! I must apologize that some of them are out of order.

Listening to my favorite soundtrack ever at midnight while writing out 1 Corinthians 13 (all of the young ladies attending the seminar worked on memorizing this together).

Daniel's ADORABLE little puppy.  I want her.  :)

A Charles Spurgeon quote from devotions.

Breakfast on the road with Mrs. Renfro.  Yes, licorice is a great breakfast food, and an excellent source of...ummm...well, there's got to be something good in there!

The family economics panel discussion at the conference.

Dinner!

The view from the front porch.

Texas:

Where there are big front porches, hot summers, everyone says "y'all", ladies in the grocery store call you "honey", where they guys wear cowboy boots and hat, and Texas is the place that some of the most wonderful people call "home".  :)

Devotions on the front porch swing of our little cottage.  Beautiful!  There's something special about doing devotions on a porch swing...

"Teach me your way, O Lord!"

On our way to the water aerobics class.  It was incredible!

Spending time with some of the sweetest people I know!

Cake decorating class.  Amazing!

Dear, sweet Jacqui!

Singing "Blessings" by Laura Story around the piano.  It is so sweet to worship the Lord together in song. 

The cooking/baking class.  Who doesn't like good food?

Cupcakes!  The cream cheese frosting was by far my favorite, though. :)

What a lovely group of ladies!

The chef is also a quilter. Her great grandmother made this quilt, and she is adding things of sentimental value (wedding gloves, photographs, pieces of clothing etc.) to pass on to her granddaughter.  So sweet! 

Memorizing 1 Corinthians 13 together. 

Worshiping the Lord. 

One of my favorite hymns!

The whole group, minus a few who could not make it on the last day.

The Renfro girls and Jacqui Clark.

The Renfro girls and Stephanie Cone.

After leaving the abortion clinic on Saturday.  So grateful for these people!  I learned so much from each one of them.

We made nachos for lunch on Saturday.  Amazingly delicious!

Jacqui and Jenna, the lovely gardening girls.

Jenna, doing her morning devotions.

The sunset at the soccer game.

Love these people!

That sun was BRIGHT!

With the Renfro's cousins.  The man on the top left designed the stadium and sang the national anthem that evening. 

Squeezing in for a group shot after an amazing dinner! :)

Mother/daughter heart to heart talk.

Green smoothie with the lovely Jenna!

Puppy love!

Curling hair.  :)

Finished!

Jenna and I with our ACV. 

More nachos!

 Jenna and I worked together on lengthening Bri's dress. 

At the Alamo! 

Father and daughter.  I love both of them so much.

Fun conversations.  :)

Daniel and Jenna had the most hilarious staring contest!  Daniel won.  :)

On the riverwalk.

At Kuhl Yogurt in Boerne.  If you're ever in that area of Texas, visit this place!

Look at all of those options! 

This picture of the cows is just so perfectly country.  I love it!

Call me strange, but I think cows are cute.  :) 

Anyone ever seen Scottish Highland Cattle?  Those are adorable!

After ice cream, we headed to the park to snap some group photos.  I am so pleased with the way they turned out. The lighting was gorgeous! Thank you, Daniel and Mrs. Renfro, for taking such great photos!

Beautiful sisters!

Amazing, wonderful friends! I love y'all so dearly!

"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life; many spirits might have failed beneath the bitterness of trial if they had not found a friend."

 - Charles Spurgeon

The lovely Renfro ladies.  So, so sweet! 

Parting shots with Jacqui.

 

The car ride to meet the Beaches. 

Renfro Family, I want to thank all y'all for everything you did for me.  I felt completely at home, loved, welcomed, blessed.  God is so good!  I miss y'all so much, and pray for more sweet fellowship soon.  Thank you for your faithful friendship, your steadfastness in serving the Lord, and your incredible hospitality.  You are a beautiful testimony to God's work in your lives.  May the Lord bless you richly.  I love y'all!

 

And to everyone else in the San Antonio area who I met, to those who made me welcome, to those who befriended me, to those who blessed me more than words can express, to those who changed my life, THANK YOU!  I love you all, and I pray that we may have much more fellowship in the Lord.  May it be soon!

 

"The encouragements of Christian communion are exceedingly great and the loss of them is very bitter."

 - Charles Spurgeon

 

 And this is post #300 on my blog!!!!!