Keep In Touch

My dog has been doing this weird thing ever since I got home for Christmas break. She usually sleeps in my parents bedroom while I'm at college, but when I'm home I like to drag her in and cuddle with her at night. But she rebels. She insists on us leaving our doors open so that she can go from room to room in the house at night, spending a few hours with me, and a few hours with my parents--just to makes sure we're all still there. I have a dog who considers it a priority to keep in touch with her family. Score.

Soul Whispers

There's a certain peace you can find if you sit long enough by a body of water and just listen. If you are able to silence all of those rambling thoughts your mind is spitting at you, you can hear it. It's an inner knowing deep in your soul. And if you listen very closely, sometimes it is laced with whispers from the heavens. 

Coming Untrue

The winter can make us wonder
If spring was ever true
But every winter breaks upon
The Easter lily's bloom
Could it be everything sad is coming untrue?
Could you believe everything sad is coming untrue?
-Jason Gray

Just Because

My truck battery was dead. I left a dome light on, and I knew if my dad ever found out, I would never hear the end of it. The first person that popped into my head was an old friend from high school. I called him right away. He came, snickered at my headlamp, jumped my truck, and got back in his car to leave. I told him that I definitely owed him. "If there's anything I can ever do to pay you back, let me know."

"No Emily. Friends don't owe friends." 

It was that light-bulb moment Gru has in Despicable Me. 

Friendship suddenly made sense. 

It's that relationship where if they need something, you're always there--because you want to be. They're the first person you call when you need help, and you're the first person they tell when they get great news. 

I hate making obvious connections, but this is totally what Jesus does. He's that guy who did us a favor we can never repay him for. It doesn't matter though because we're friends with him, and "friends don't owe friends." But knowing he did that for us stirs inside of us a love for him. And so when he 'calls in a favor' to us, asking us to come with him, completely trust him, and follow him wherever, we do. Not because we feel like we need to since he died for us, but just because we want to. 

Swept Away by His Love

"I was carried to the table
Seated where I don't belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don't see my brokenness anymore
When I'm seated at the table of the Lord
I'm carried to the table
The table of the Lord."
-Leeland

Find Them In the Fall

There's just something about fall. Something about wearing vests and scarves. When you can curl up in bed at night with some hot apple cider and a book, and not be too hot. Being able to give hugs more freely, because body heat is more appreciated. Fall reminds me of the positive side to reality. I may be missing home like crazy, but I get to be on my own, having my own adventures and writing my own story. Those few moments that I find my identity again are so sweet. And I always seem to find them in the fall.

the water's great!

After dinner the other night, my dad brought a gift bag into the living room. "We got you a little something the other day and forgot to give it to you," he said. I pulled out a journal, a bouncy ball with a grape on it, and then a pair of sunglasses. They said Boise Bible College on them. WHAT? "This isn't from you!!" I screeched. My parents had just taken the credit for someone else's gift! How evil. My dad then handed me the painting above. WOW. The box my sister was sending me had finally come! "We accidentally opened it,"  mom lied. "Hey, before you go do whatever you do at night, come out and see the sunset." I walked out the front door and there, standing in all her wonderfulness, was my sister. She had driven hours just to come see me. I was shocked. It was pretty much the most surprised I've ever been.

We spent two wonderful days together, watching movies, kayaking, talking, singing, and eating. But the picture she painted for me was something I needed today. I leave for college in three days, and my mind is freaking out. I know what God wants me to do, and I know I'm going to the right place, but everything is new and different. Also, my mom and dad aren't there. And I'm not really sure I can sleep without my dog cuddled up beside me. But seeing this every day reminds me that I need to 'step out of the boat' and experience the life God has planned for me.

I want to walk on the water too.