Looking Back...

Today I decided to look back at old journals, diaries, and Facebook posts. Everything filled those pages from joy and sadness to regret and hope. One thing was constant though (and no it wasn't boys although one was talked about on every other page.), God has been so faithful to me. In one of my journal entries from my 7th grade year, I asked God to provide a new home for my family, which He did! While I have no idea what I want to do with my life, I know God knows. Although people have expectations for me and my life, all God wants me is to do my best, to glorify Him. He wants me to share and live the Gospel during my life. Amen.

Just a bit of pondering...

Sometimes you don't realize what you had till it's gone.
Sometimes you realize you have something, when others don't.
Sometimes someone else realizes you have, when you really think you don't.
And sometimes things just click and work together.
God truly is amazing and provides everything, even the things we don't think of!

Christmas!

This week, I've been helping my mom put out a bunch of our Christmas decorations, and I realized something. My family has so many Christmas traditions! It's always someones year to-put baby Jesus in the manger of the nativity set, pick out the Christmas tree, open the first present, etc. We also have at least one person at our table who needs a place to be on Christmas. Some years we have heard stories ranging from heroic battle stories to   romantic "how-we-met" stories. Another tradition we have is reading the Christmas story from Matthew on Christmas Eve, and then again before Christmas dinner, but this time from the book of Luke. I love hearing all the details of our Saviour's birth by candle light, surrounded by friends and family. I hope and pray that you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas wherever you are!
Here are a few of my favorite Christmas songs/carols for you to enjoy!

Just a little something...

Today I realized an awesome thing. God knew what I would be going through right now, before I was born, before my parent's were born, and etc.!!! What an amazing, yet confusing thought. He knows EVERYTHING!! 

I have been called a know-it-all before, just because I enjoy history and random facts of knowledge, but in fact, I am the daughter of THE know-it-all! That is just totally amazing! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family, near and far, new and old, and to you who read my blog that I don't know.
What am I thankful for?
I'm thankful for:
~ the little things that make life interesting.
~ God's grace and mercy in my life.
~ family.
~ second chances.
~ good food and a love for it.
~ books.
~ beautiful sunsets and landscapes/
~ coffee and tea as comfort on a rainy day.
~ great friends who help me through it all (thank you, you know who you are!).
~ a new community of Christians in my life (Qtown gathering).
~ good music.
~ 16 years in an amazing Bible Study.
~ prayer.
~ my Meme's stuffing :)
Be safe in all your travels tomorrow and in holiday season!

God knows!

When I graduated high school, one of my mom's good friends told me that even if I think I know what my major in college is, it will change. My response to her was "Yeah, right. I'm going to Liberty University for four years to study International Relations and then I'll go to Lebanon and work in the Foreign Service." Boy oh, boy was I wrong. I didn't go to Liberty for a few reasons, but mainly, because God closed the doors that had led there. I fought God almost all the way, even to the point of making myself sick. But praise the Lord He is all knowing! Now, I am at community college (saving a lot of  money!), with a Liberal Studies major and helping start a church in Phoenixville, PA with my family and friends. It has been quite an ordeal, but I realize that one day, I would love a family, and it is very hard to have one if you are in the Foreign Service, so I think my heart and head are learning why God closed that door. God always knows what is best, even if we seem to think He is totally wrong! Psalm 139 has been a huge encouragement to me. It also helps to have wonderful examples of godly people in my life for me to look up to. So all that to say, Patty, you were right! I've changed my mind a thousand times, because I'm young, and inexperienced and I have no idea what I'm doing, but God does!

Robert Frost...

The Easter I was 12 years old, my dad gave me a copy of the complete works of Robert Frost. At first the thickness of the book made reading it seem like a daunting task, but the following summer, I challenged myself to read a poem a day. I found that I actually enjoyed poetry. Soon, I was reading 3-5 poems a day. I would then discuss the meanings of them with my dad. I learned that Robert Frost had a very depressing life, and that it was reflected in some of his poems through melancholy imagery. Ever since then, I have had a love for poets, which brought about a knowledge and love for classic playwright's and novelist's works. So thank you Daddy! I'll leave you with my favourite Frost poem.

The Sound of Trees I wonder about the trees. Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our dwelling place? We suffer them by the day Till we lose all measure of pace, And fixity in our joys, And acquire a listening air. They are that that talks of going But never gets away; And that talks no less for knowing, As it grows wiser and older, That now it means to stay. My feet tug at the floor And my head sways to my shoulder Sometimes when I watch trees sway, From the window or the door. I shall set forth for somewhere, I shall make the reckless choice Some day when they are in voice And tossing so as to scare The white clouds over them on. I shall have less to say, But I shall be gone. Robert Frost