I Saw the Signs

I was sitting on the bus this morning... i-Pod in hand and ears... listening to some good music... when I hear from a fellow bus rider...

"It is Spring."

Friends, it is in fact Spring!!! 

• It is sunny and rainy every day.
  
• Tree blossoms are blooming everywhere. Thank goodness for no allergies.
• I am beginning to have trouble finding a parking spot in Greenlake.
• Running outside has become more routine.
• On Monday, I wore a t-shirt instead of a long-sleeved shirt for soccer.
• The other day, a bee harassed me. Terrifying.
• The first spider in our house was killed this week... by yours truly i might add.
• Flying kites and having random football/soccer pick-up games in the park has become the norm.
• It was 7:30pm last night... and the sun was STILL shining!
• I ordered an iced coffee the other day because it was too warm outside for a hot one.
• On Saturday I'm going hiking.
• Flip flops are back in style.
• So are sunglasses.
• And I swung in our hamak outside on our back porch last weekend.

And what's even better than spring??

SUMMER!!!! Friends, it is just around the corner. Hang in there with me.  Its almost here.

Heart Words

I read a brilliant quote today...

"Words are but a pale expression of what our hearts truly mean to say." 

- Anonymous

Talk about powerful! And oh, so true.

Just last night I had trouble verbally expressing what my heart was trying to say. As a result, my heart felt restless and chained as I struggled to convey true meaning. I felt the meaning - because it was inside me and was a part of me - but the English language failed at providing a path to full understanding. This left me in a sense of defeat... if only I could have expressed my heart, maybe I could have reached the summit of where it was attempting to lead me.

If only we were able to take our deepest heart tinglings and put them into adequate language for others - and for ourselves - to better understand our inclinations. Seemingly, this would make all the difference in the world... in my life... as I attempt to learn who I am, define who I want to become and interact with the world that surrounds me.

Perhaps that is one reason why we need the Holy Spirit's intercession on our behalf. Because sometimes there are NO WORDS to express our deepest love, needs, hurt, excitement, joy... and perhaps that is exactly it... our yearning hearts lead us to Jesus because we cannot figure it out on our own. Only He knows.

So, where does that leave me? Feeling defeat? Maybe for a time... but eventually it transforms into knowledge and understanding that my heart isn't my own. It belongs to Jesus. It was created by Jesus for His glory and purpose. 

My heart is merely attempting to respond to His call. I think I better let it.

A Belated Lent-Like Challenge

I don't really like Lent. I'm not Catholic, so I'm not bound to the tradition of giving something up - but many Christians still partake in Lent. I think its great that so many people give up something as a sacrificial outward act to spend more time with Jesus and remember his sacrifice for us. 

The reason I don't partake in Lent is that it seems so based on tradition and legalism... like people use it as a New Year's Resolution... to cut out chocolate... to stop watching so much TV so they can work out... to give up (you fill in the blank)... 

But that's just how I feel about it. I know Lent is a great thing for MANY people... and it really does cause them to grow closer to Jesus and experience Him in a new way. And because of that, I am an advocate of Lent for them. But for me, Lent truly becomes something based on legalism - and that's why I do not partake in it... because it wouldn't be for me what it is meant to be.

But lately, Jesus has been leading me down a path of sacrificial living... of simplicity and love. And I believe He's asking me to give something up for Him for a time... to put what I'm learning into action. So... I've decided to do just that - a mini belated Lent.

We will see how it goes. I'm expecting to learn a lot on humility and obedience... its time to work on this pride of mine.

24 Years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY... to me :)

Yep, it was my birthday last Friday and I am officially 24 years old. Crazy! Despite it being just another year older, there is one thing that I am looking forward to... 

You see, here's the thing... even though I'm 24, I look young - like high-school young. This isn't necessarily a bad thing... its just they way things are. It could be a good thing... like when I'm 50 maybe people will think I'm 30 or something. 

But, now that I am 24 - having lived one more year of life - I'm hoping that maybe now I won't get carded for R-rated movies anymore. Because let's be honest, no one likes to be mistaken for 16 when they are actually 21, 22, 23 and now 24.

Other than that, I've already decided that my 24th year of life is going to be the best lived yet! Overly optimistic you think? No way! I'm climbing Mt. Saint Helens in July, backpacking the Enchantments, playing soccer on the best team ever (by the way we are currently undefeated this season! woohoooo!!!), living in the most amazing place with the coolest girls ever, and honestly...

I'm just really loving my life :) Here's to being 24!

I feel like a mom.

So... my parents happen to be on vacation... in Hawaii... 

Therefore, I am "stuck" watching this wonderful little guy...

ROSCOE!!

My family got Roscoe when I was in 9th grade and since then he has literally been the love of my life. Despite the fact that I am irrevocably a BIG DOG type of girl, Roscoe has and always will be the best dog to EVER live. He's just great... you can ask anyone.

But here's the thing... now that I'm living in Seattle, its harder to watch Roscoe while my parents are gone. I either have to stay at their house in Redmond, which requires a longer commute time to work and play... or I can take Roscoe with me to Seattle (which I've never done before). 

Well, I decided to bring Roscoe home with me to Seattle last night. I was worried that he'd be really anxious (yes... he gets anxiety... he's old!) but he didn't! So, I took that as a really good sign. But, this morning, I had to leave him all by himself at our house for the first time... and I'm having a postpartum response. Actually, I just feel like a mom who doesn't want to leave her baby with a babysitter, only Roscoe doesn't have a babysitter, he's by himself...

I'm sure he's fine. Its just that, well... what if he's not fine?? I guess he will have to deal with it. Hopefully he won't go crazy and will be able to relax and sleep the day away. I'll be home after work and that in itself will reassure him that he isn't getting abandoned. I'm still here.

Anyway, I'm sure it will all work out. He will get used to my place and I'll feel more comfortable leaving him home alone... but for now, I can't wait until I get off work and can go home to him.

California Loooovvee!!

WOW! I'm back from my trip to California and I just must say...

IT WAS THE BEST TRIP EVER!!!!!!!!

These 9th graders are seriously fricken' amazing! We had the best van EVER, the perfect weather every day, no issues with driving, a perfect roller-coaster experience, the BEST Disneyland guide (yeah Tyler!) and a truly relaxing Newport Beach day (despite the wind).

Thanks to everyone who prayed for safety and sanity. The trip was perfect. Refreshing. Rejuvenating. And wildly fun!

To my 9th graders: You guys are awesome! Thanks for such a perfect trip. A group like this doesn't come around often and I hope you know what a huge blessing and encouragement each of you are to me. You guys are the best!!

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The greatest van EVER!

 

The group at Disneyland.

Elise, me, Leah and Claire at Disneyland.

Splash Mountain picture! So great!

Space Mountain ride #2 group + running through Disneyland = Amazing!

Check out Van 3's mascot (Hulla Ken!!) and the fruit snacks on the windshield that Van 2 attacked us with... seriously the funniest thing ever to watch - 8 boys licking and throwing fruit snacks on our van and them sticking to the windows for the entire trip home. I'm still laughing!

Highway to...

It's my lunch break and I'm eating some super yummy pasta - Loving my life right now!

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This Saturday I am going to California for a week! Most of you know that I am a 9th grade leader at my church's youth group and, we are taking 25ish 9th graders down to Cali for a good ol' time! We'll be riding super fast and scary roller coasters at Magic Mountain Six Fags, singing "Its a Small World" at DisneyLand, and tanning it up on Newport Beach. Ahhh... sounds pretty dang perfect... despite the 20 hour drive down there and the 20 hour drive back (of which I'll be driving I might add...). 

And therefore, if you by chance think about it, please pray for our safety as we drive down and back. There are three vans and 6 drivers going down and we are all "acceptable" drivers according to my church's insurance people who have approved us of being good enough to drive kids in 12 passenger vans... but I don't claim to be perfect and I know everyone else who will be sharing the highway with us won't be perfect drivers too. So, that being said, yes - pray for safety. 

Oh, and if you think about it, pray for good weather. I'm sick of Seattle weather and I need some good lovin' by the sun again. California is the perfect remedy except for the fact that currently the forecast is predicting rain while we are there. It seems like I just can't get away from the rain. But prayer works, so if we all pray then maybe the sun will come out to play.

I guess you could pray for sanity as well. I mean, I am going with junior highers. And all we eat is fast food. Enough said.

But I'm still excited! These kids are amazing and super fun to hang out with. And, at least its a "vacation" away from the routine of life here - and that sounds good to me.