love. love. love.

Ok - so, I realize the blogs have been deeper stuff as of late (aside from the Burrito Fairytale), but it's the deep stuff that is brimming out of my heart right now.  Like for instance, love.  I've been reading John Piper's Desiring God (no, I'm still not done...it's a thick one!).  He warns against legalistic love.  The kind of love that you do what you know you ought in actions but the heart is distant.  Legalistic love is so much easier than authentic love!  To follow the rules and never engage the heart, stay protected...it's safe and easy.  It's when I am called to put down my guard allow someone (or God) to love me - this is when love becomes riskier...and more rewarding.  This is when love becomes a process of refinement and joy, and not just a stagnate state.  Love is a gift, a gift of God...and when we seek to find our joy in God then our love for others pours out in response.  

And that, is my ever-growing thoughts on love.

For today.    

Sigh...

Over the past couple months I feel as if my heart has been through a bit of a roller coaster.  Questions about the future, the present, etc. have kept me moving through moments of faith, doubt, and joy.  Today as I was resting in God's Word, God brought to light the verse in 1 John that says

 "For God is greater than our hearts, he knows everything" (v. 20).  

Even typing the verse I can feel my body relax and sigh...a big sigh of relief.  I don't have to know everything.  As one who often likes to know everything, I don't.  Sigh...God  knows what's going on in my heart, and that truth allows me to rest.  Sigh...

Chinese New Year

A new year is approaching, and this new year brings with it a new adventure.  Ever since I've graduated college I've talked about going to China to teach English.  Through a variety of circumstances, it looks like it's going to happen.  And soon!  It is still slightly surreal, but God has a way of working out the details while I just stand back in awe.  I've talked to two dear friends of mine today who are both living in China.  I'll hopefully get to meet up with them and see their lives across the ocean.  I also have a friend who is doing the same program that I will be doing, and he is setting me up with insider tips, and advice from one who is where I will be!  Though I feel like I know nothing, I've plenty of people who are giving me guidance and wisdom for when I go.  I have my fears, hesitations, and anxieties - but I'm surrendering them to the Lord and praying for direction, strength, and peace.  

So here is to a New Year...a Chinese New Year.      

A Burrito Fairy Tale

Once there was a burrito...

I brought him (yes, for some reason my burrito is male) home hoping to eat it while sitting down for a quick newspaper read.  

I grabbed a plate to hold my meal 

 but the plate was too small.

So I grabbed a second plate...

but that plate was tooooo smallll! 

So I grabbed a third plate...

and it was the right size!  

The burrito had finally found a plate that could hold his gargantuan-ness!

And three meals later the burrito was gone, and I lived happily ever after. 

11 Days

I am currently house sitting for a family that lives around the block from my house.  They have two beautiful New Foundland dogs (pictures to come, I'm sure).  After one night in my new house I drove home and picked up a few things I didn't know I missed...After raiding my fridge, bedroom and bathroom I walked out equipped for the next 11 days...

1. Ground flaxseed for my oatmeal and yogurt (you mean, not every house has ground flaxseed?!)
2. Pillow
3. The quilt Aunt Peggy made - it's just so pretty, and I wanted a little "home"
4. The purple throw Andrew got me for Christmas a million years ago.
5. My favorite mug from Montana  (there are only white mugs to be found in the house)
6. Black bean burgers - Chipotle style
7. Bible
8. Journal
9. "Desiring God" by John Piper (yes, I'm still reading it...)
10. Arrested Development. Season 3.  Disc 2.
11. Christmas Dress - just in case I need to dress up. :)

Stand Firm

Leaving Montana I knew I would be entering into a new season, a season of familiarity, rest and waiting.  True to my suspicions the last couple of months have been a blessing.  Doors have closed and opened.  Just recently in church the Pastor spoke on Isaiah 7.  The verse that rang loud in my ears is v. 9 

..."If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all."

So though the door to moving to Oklahoma has closed for now, I remain standing in faith.  The faith that knows that even if everything I have planned does not work out, I will still be taken care of, loved, and protected by a God who is so much bigger than my plans.  

A Savior is Born...

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone the whirlwind of Christmas is drawing me quickly away from the Fall and into Winter.  A couple inches of snow has reiterated the fact that Christmas is on its way.  Bring it!

Susan and the big family tree.

My small tree - with bear ornaments!

A beautiful nativity scene made by Jo proudly displayed in the basement.