Not Always What It Seems

Now these two beautiful photos you see below were taken by my wonderful friend Stacee. Stacee is about to graduate college and move East, many miles away from California, so this was one of our last times to be able to spend some time together alone (near the ocean which we both love). As well as, to reflect, to talk about God, and to be able to have some down time for ourselves in the midst of the craziness of both our lives. We had planned a wonderful afternoon...but lets just say it seemed for myself to start off a bit on the wrong leg. My day at work had been crazy and I felt a bit unsettled. And I pretty much carried that into my evening. Not sure if Stacee felt the same, but I can say that what we both had planned did not come to pan out exactly as we had hoped. However, we got our quite time in the busyness of ruby's on the pier and got our few moments of reflection looking at this incredible sunset! Then we got a chance to talk and share on our mile and half hike to and from the car. We shared laughs while driving through parking lots and I got to witness some of her handiwork in her own creative element. It may have not been our most "ideal" evening. But it worked and we enjoyed ourselves...at least I did :) I guess the point to my ramblings is that, I make plans I have ideas of how things should be and how they should go. But sometimes I have to let go of my agendas and trust that the "plan" unseen can be far better then the plan I have created in my head.

Faith

I continue to walk the road even after speaking a prayer into existence many years ago and still waiting on a reply, but also being able to speak a prayer and watch the answer come to fruition within a matter of moments. I am given such generous gifts. Thank you Lina and Nan for reminding me of these ever good gifts.

Music and Lemons

Music has always played a part in our relationship. It was something that came even with our first genuine interaction. One particular genre that always stuck around was country. It fits that it would be a part of the beginning and a part of the closing. It sounds so stange, but I felt like I was standing on top of a diving board looking down at the water a bit scared to jump, but because it was you I was willing to jump, but still something in me wouldn't release. What you gave over was allowing me instead of jumping to climb down and off the board. With my whole heart I thank you. I am just not to that point of that section of my journey and as much as I wanted it to be; I knew. Just as you knew the moment that tune played. I have been released and I thank God for releasing you. Go in peace and I pray when she walks into your life that you love her completely and beyond the extent that you so kindly showed me. You aren't a lemon (at all) and will never be remembered as one.

S.F.

I know you'll read this and because of that I wanted to pay tribute to you. You are dedicated and hard working, loved by your family and friends, and even the occasional co-worker who is willing to do the "happy dance" for you. Thank you for being one of my biggest supporters in this ever so rocky time it seems. Thank you for the long walks. The great chats. The constant encouragement. The willingness to revise and revise again. The "other" perspective. Thank you for listening to my side and hearing my heart. Thank you for believing in my dreams and wanting to see me have the best, even if that meant "letting me go". You my dear S.F. ROCK! And I am one of the privileged to have done the "happy dance" right into your life!

Developing Lifestyle

I feel as though I am coming into my own so to speak. Right before graduating college so many people around were discussing the idea/concept that college does very little to prepare you for stepping into the "real world", now maybe that isn't their specific duty; either way most twenty-somethings are thrown into the deep end in hopes that they will float! Everyone makes their own way, making different choices, different lifestyles; some get married, some adventure to other lands, some start careers, and some go home. I took the path of "other land" or "OE" as my beloved Kiwi friends would title it. Maybe it was the "Peter Pan Syndrome" in me or maybe it was the fact that I discovered this unknown love for other countries and cultures my second year in college. Regardless of why I made my move to New Zealand it doesn't matter because I did it and I am back and it forever shaped me. But now I am here in my home state trying to make a go of another type of lifestyle. I am waking up around 5 am most days, having green tea in the morning to wake up, regularly having quiet time, and on the road for work at 6:45. I am an adult who is making it a lifestyle to run each week, cook more of my meals than I eat out, really press hard into the passions that I have. So six months in I am still here, still treading water it seems, but I am doing it as unto the LORD. I get so frustrated sometimes, but I don't need to know it all right now, in this very moment...I just need to take it one day at a time. When Kristin and I traveled through Australia we took a tour that lead us up the coast and situated in a cliff was this plaque. She just sent this picture to me as a reminder. And what a sweet and true reminder it is.

Wildflowers

So my friend from high school, Steph, got me quite excited about the idea of coming home and seeing the wildflowers. Now of the benefits to living "out in the boonies" is that wild flowers during this time of the year grow all over, but to find the real special places you have to make a bit of a trip. So about thirty minutes even farther East from where we live my Dad and I took a car ride to find this specific spot (Shell Creek) he had taken me once when I was little. I remember the trip so vividly because it was one of the only times that it was just me and my Dad with my Mum being away for the weekend. My Dad spent a lot of his twenties living in the mountains so he loves spending time out in places deserted and surrounded by nature. At some stage in life he passed this love onto me, whether it was this outing when I was little or not I don't quite remember, but today when driving out on Highway 58 I felt completely at home. The moment we turned down this side road I flashed back to driving in my Dad's beat up Ford truck with the windows down and the country music playing (which I truly despised at the time). The differences of the day were we are both a bit older now, we had a lot more to talk about, we weren't in that truck (its long gone now); but the similarities were that just like I did when I was little I was getting to spend some quality time with Dad that I loved, country music was playing (and this time I didn't despise it), and the flowers were just as beautiful as I remember. These photos don't do it justice by any means. I love coming back here. Thanks Steph for the great idea!

Dear You

Several years ago there was a girl who was a part of my life...not a significant part, but around my life and I was around hers. Now over time I no longer saw this girl or had her as a part of my life. This made me sad, but the circumstances surrounding our friendship could not be changed and so I haven't heard from this (now young woman) girl in years. I bring it up because, I ended up reading an article about this girl. She is grown up now and living life. All the things I hoped she would be. It gave a bit of her story and where she is now and I could not help but think had things been different we probably would have turned out to be wonderful friends. Life is funny that way. We as people and people in relationships are funny. I miss this girl and wish I could convey a few things to her and let her know. Encourage her a bit and affirm her of her beauty and creativity, but its not my place or role. More than likely with all the time that has gone past she has long forgotten me or who I am. So it is my hope that someone will step up to that plate and do this for her. Funny how the past can come rushing in your door. The memories made me smile and reminded me that this life is SO much larger than myself. SO much bigger than who I am and who I am becoming. Its kind of exciting and thrilling, because I just don't know who I am going to come in contact with new and old. Hey! Even through these writings I have re-discovered friends who long ago were a part of my life. They were a part of my past but have now become a part of my present. You just never know what is going to happen. It's Tuesday and it's a much better day than Monday :)

Mondays

Why are Mondays the day of struggle? I wish there was a pill or something that could give me a better outlook on this day. I mean even when I have everything going for me...I woke up early this morning, did some things around the house, read, made breakfast, got ready for work...the whole nine yards!! Yet I still feel as though I have been socked in the stomach with a huge blow of somesort.

Something About Home

So when I was a teenager I thought like a teenager and I acted like a teenager and I wanted nothing to do with where I grew up. Now given, I had no grand plans to get out of the place, but I was COMPLETELY over it. Especially when you live a good twenty minute car ride out into the country from anywhere and as my friends affectionately deemed you live, "out in the boonies". Yet even as I write this I think that I am a decade plus one away from when the teenage years began and how much I have changed from that pip squeek of a girl. I now at the very wise old age of twenty four love going home. I haven't actually lived there in three or four years now. Maybe I gained my true sense of love for it when I was "forced" to go without it for a year...I know choosing to live in another beautiful country 10,000 miles away isn't really "forced" but you get what I mean. Coming "home" was not the wisest choice or in the budget. Since moving back to Southern California I have made a goal within me to make it home at least once a month if not that then it can't be more than two months between each visit. Its funny how a place can be a place that feels like "prison" (I use the term very loosely) and then be the one place in the world where I am completely free and at peace. Maybe it comes with age, maybe wisdom, maybe just a little common sense to realize what is right before me. I guess I could take this perspective in a lot of areas of my life, but for now it relates the most to going home, being at home. There is just something about it that gives it the feeling like Christmas is around the corner and how many people really want to pass that by?

Memories

Just missing it a bit more than usual. Enjoy the photos. They were taken all over both islands.

Grey's

So can I put it out there that I had NO time to watch TV in college and when I occasionally had the time to sit down and watch reruns of Friends or the occasional Gilmore Girls episode I always felt a bit guilty because I knew there were a million other things I needed to be doing. So I blame this pure "enjoyment/introduction" on my Kiwi girlfriends. They ever so kindly introduced me into their culture of television, but also had a wide range of knowledge in regards to American television. I had heard about Grey's Anatomy while at college, I know I walked into a few rooms that had it playing, but knew me and knew that once I started to watch I would be hooked. So I walked away every time. Until moving down South. Every Thursday night girls and the occasional boy would come over to my flat, explain to me all the back history, and then we would watch like a bunch of school girls/boy! I have (to my delight) found others who share in the "excitement" with me since moving back home. I even have a friend who has so kindly allowed me to borrow her seasons just as a "refresher". I am hooked and it's kind of annoying (said with a smile of course). To my Kiwi girls thanks ;) and I miss you.

Sweet Moments in the City

These are two shots I took at my lunch...well truth be told it they were shots I took after work, I had the full intention of taking them at lunch, but when I was at this particular spot with my camera in hand the nice little screen pops up reading 'no card'. Being the genius I am, I was trying to load pictures this morning on to my computer and left the card in the holder. Regardless, long back story to the actual pictures. If you were to look behind where I was standing or even a bit to the right you would see city, apartment complexes, traffic, 'land altered'. I have come to appreciate places like this. "Mystery Spots" as I have deemed them. Un-touched nature in the middle of consumed nature. When I was at lunch though, I had spread out a blanket and brought a good book, but in the middle of my getting comfortable moments I heard an ever so faint yet distinct noise, just above the traffic and sirens. It was a choir. I looked to my left and saw just as the hills begin to start there is a little church. A choir radiating above the noise of the city. I would not say I have the best hearing, but I am able to detect music over a lot of things. Even though I struggle with being here, God continually provides moments like this that reminds me of how very present He is in my life and my journey. This being one of my sweeter moments in this city life of mine.

Quality Human Being

So over the past few weeks my human nature has been made ever so clear in my eyes. Now, I would have to say for my life and who I am developing into this is one of the most difficult and humbling lessons to learn. It knocks me from whatever high horse I happen to be sitting upon and to the reality that I still have HEAPS of issues to work on. Several key individuals in my life have pointed out these issues to me and for the last month I have been throwing around these thoughts in my head. Now, because of how human and sinful I am, I have my days where these thoughts do in fact cripple me. But then I have my days where I wake up and I am reminded that I am God's and, yes, I am not going to get it right, say it right, or do it right...it is a slow growth (Ephesians 4:13-16) I take to heart what has been presented to me and where I need to die to self and live in Christ. ARGH! This is such a hard lesson!! But today was one of those days where I woke (in a rush I might add) and time just stopped for a moment as I remembered what today represented for me as a daughter, a daughter of God, and the history in which I come from. All my selfish desires, bad attitudes, demeaning thoughts, accusations, and judgments fell upon one man and not only mine but everyones. Today is a day that I remembered that I am not a quality human being, but there is one who came that was quality and far more than that. And because of His perfection I am forgiven. I am going to get this wrong far more than I am going to get it right, but I am not alone in this journey. I do not have to walk it alone in my own wretchedness. Because of another's sacrifice and willingness to lay down as a lamb to the slaughter I am made new. To those who read this and know me personally, I am sorry. I am so far from where I know I should be. Yet, I live in the hope that where my humanness has caused you a certain level of ache that He, the LORD, would restore.

Question and Answer Time

I have a spot on my wall...actually two spots that I am wanting to fill with something. I am doing the concept in my bedroom that less is more. So here you see my focal piece for the wall, now I have two 11 x14 frames for each side...any suggestions for what I should put in the frames?? I am at a loss creatively of what I should place there. Like I said, any (tasteful) ideas are welcome!

There Is Just Something About Country Music

I rather enjoy Taylor Swift and her music. She is bold. She is clever. She is creative. She is fun. And I enjoy listening to her :)

"Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission...but I'm ready to fly"

Creations

I enjoy baking...now currently I don't have the resources to make everything from scratch, but I have discovered it is becoming quite theruputic and my coworkers don't seem to mind my new found love. This has been one of my favorite creations to make...doesn't take heaps of time, but the process is fun.



I put on a little bit of this...


and I am good to go!

I am also being encouraged by those around me to start doing something with all the photos I happen to have stored away that are collecting dust :) Here are a few of those creations. (sorry the first picture is so fuzzy...I blame bad lighting!)

Right & Good

Sometimes you just have those days…
Where you know it’s right and good
But the wet becomes frigid
Cuts to the core of you who you are
Stings the deepest pit of you

Leaving you numb and emotionless
Yet beyond the physical and momentary
Deep in the depths of the soul
You know it’s right and good
And for now that is good enough

The Jig

Remind me how this goes

This dance and these steps

You’re thankful for the time

Yet sad to see it go

It’s the dance of freedom

The dance dedicated to new things

The dance attributed to new beginnings

So explain to me how it goes

Because my heart wants to get up and soar

But I can’t help but hold back just a bit more

Maybe I have this need to be the last one standing

To be the strong one

To watch everyone else walk out that door

And then maybe in the shadow of the light that’s left

I’ll get up and dance

Do the jig without the steps

And trust that it’s not the steps that matter

But the dance itself that counts

Community II

So I started attending a life group. I took my own challenge of community and jumped feet first into being part of an intimate and tight knit group. Now my fears could have only excelled in the area of rejection for the fact that this group has been together for 4 or 5 years now and has a HUGE history together. Yet, I was not alone in the "adventure seeking" of a life group. Three of us made the jump "together" without even knowing each other. What I have experienced and seen in this group leaves me with a strong impression; one of family, humor, passion, adventure, loyalty. I may be one of the "outsiders" but I am not treated as one. I am teased like the rest, listened to when speaking, and to some without even knowing the depths of who I am and my story; I am already cared about. I am still a bit hesitant and its not as though my fears have been entirely wiped away, but I am discovering a peace with this whole true idea of community and excited to see where it leads and what develops from it. We discussed last night that community takes work and it's not easy, but when we make the time and put forth the effort and care for those around us, it is so entirely worth it.

Break

To lose you would break my heart

I've had you this long and now I just want you a little bit more

A little bit more time to fight and laugh about it

A little bit more time to write that book together

It was my prayer throughout grade school

It was my prayer through high school

My prayer through college

My prayer through now

God has been gracious and exceeded my expectations

But my thoughts get lost in the voice of a father's desperation

My heart tears apart at the thought of not hearing your voice

To lose you would break my heart

And I am not prepared for that kind of break