simply.

i just can't wait to go "home" for Christmas. i'm not sure i've looked forward to a holiday this much since my age was in the single digits.

perhaps the anticipation comes from the fact that my expectations only include words such as "relax," "converse," and "enjoy." there are no "big plans" beyond a lovely little party with our beloved youth who are no longer youth. simply family, board games, movies, music, cooking, baking, feasting, and being. that's what it is...being. i can't wait to simply be for a while.

it's been a beautiful, semi-chaotic, rapid semester, and it's time to both reflect and escape for a while. here we come.

a grateful heart.

today, i am thankful for so many things, big and small.

for a husband who seems to know nothing else but to love.
for a crazy/beautiful transition to dallas.
for a job that i love.
for a church that has embraced us, no questions asked.
for a school community that is passionate about the things of God.
for in-laws who call and ask if there are special things my family eats at thanksgiving so that they could help me feel at home during my first married, perry turkey day.
for a family who is already so excited about us spending christmas together that my mom and i e-mail about it almost every day.
for wonderful friends, new and old.
for so, so much more...

but this thanksgiving, i am especially thankful for God's perfect provision and timing in the announcement that...

OLIVIA IS OFFICIALLY A MEMBER OF THE FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIE CLASS OF 2014.

we are so proud of her, so thankful for her, and so excited to watch God's plans for unfold over the next four years. she's taking a road less traveled by graduating from high school early, in december, and starting college classes in january. we're amazed by her strength, in love with her wonderful humor and personality, and so grateful that she is a part of our lives. God is so good.

tapestry.

As a class assignment this semester, I've "had" to read a devotion from Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest four days a week and then write a journal entry about it. God has used Chamber's words to convict, encourage, and strengthen believers for decades, and I've been incredibly blessed in each of those ways as well.

In our Sunday School class at our church, we've been working through the accounts in the Old Testament, most recently coming to the chapters about Abram (he isn't Abraham yet :)). We've been challenged to see even the earliest recordings in Genesis as a part of our story as believers, recognizing that God is continually unfolding the story of His glory most of all, and our redemption as a part of that immeasurable glory.

Today, I pulled up the My Utmost entry for November 17th, and lo and behold, there's our friend Abra(ha)m! Of all the ways God reveals His presence to me, I must say that one of my favorites, if I can have those, is when He weaves multiple vessels by which He is teaching me about Himself together...or, more simply, when paths cross. Abraham on Sunday, and Abraham (surprisingly) throughout the week strengthens my faith so that I can say things like "Jesus, I know You are here."

In this devotion, Chambers writes of how Abraham "reached where he [was] in touch with the very nature of God." Doesn't that just make your soul sing? Statements like that help me to remember that there is absolutely nothing on this earth that could ever surpass the greatness of knowing God by the kindness and revelation of the Spirit, and through the blood of Jesus Christ. "In touch with the very nature of God" - aware of His essence, confident of His goodness and love, trusting of His justice and mercy.

May God draw us deeper and deeper into His heart so that we can believe more about Who He is, we can know exactly who we are because of Him, and we can love this world around us with the utmost confidence and courage.

see below.

i'm trying not to be a perfectionist anymore.

i think that's an oxymoron.

i don't think that you are supposed to try to not be a perfectionist but, what can I say...this is a process. also, i think the word legalist may describe my thinking processes a bit more accurately than perfectionist. either way, the point is that i'm going to try to calm down a bit...not feel like i have to be on top of everything all the time...

i'm going to have a little more fun, take a few more pictures, read a few more books, listen to some more music, and hide some more Word in my heart. burn a few more candles, learn a few new things, cook a few new dishes, and smile a few more times a day. i have a feeling that though i keep using the word "more"...life will feel a little less crazy.

...and i'm not going to try to sound poetic...i'm just going to let Life flow through me.

i'll keep you posted....

pun intended.

love justice.

Invisible Children has launched a campain called "We Want Obama" in efforts to see American government officials take a stand regarding the warfare and child slavery in Northern Uganda. Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) which is a guerilla group known for kidnapping children and brainwashing/forcing them into becomg child soldiers. The oppression and abuse have gone on far too long and Invisible Children is putting forth a petition calling for a Citizen's Arrest Warrant for Joseph Kony.

Please look at the site. Please take literally 30 seconds and sign the petition. Please take ten minutes and write your local government representatives through the links and e-mail template provided on the Invisible Children website. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Chet Edwards, and John Cornyn are all among the many officials who are yet to sign the LRA Disarmament Bill.

Children in Northern Uganda are dying. They are dying in spirit, they are dying in soul, they are dying in the flesh as child soldiers forced to be aimlessly fighting for an evil cause. You can do something about this. You really, really can. So do it. Our excuses and passivity don't stand before a God who loves justice.

And this isn't about what you think of our American government. It's about justice. And God loves justice.

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8