Free Nights

Found Poetry has won my attention lately. 

The Next Thing

The peace that surpasses all understanding, in a mysterious way, has the ability to give you what you gave up in the first place in order to receive it. "In acceptance lieth peace," said Amy Carmichael.
Is it possible that in peace lieth understanding?

We give up our desire to understand, and accept through trust..then..we receive peace, and gain understanding. 

Not a day goes by that doesn't bring  new opportunities to know Him. I recognize my chance to put into practice my obedience to Him, and I'm left with a choice. 

Day by day, I come to believe the promise is true; He cannot forget one whom He lays down His life for. I made up my mind years ago that I wanted one thing beyond all things, and that was to know Jesus. To be ruled by His love. However, more times than wanted, have I found myself under the rule of a lesser. A danger to the obedience and longings my heart and journals are so full of. 

So here I am, on U.S. soil, single, and no where near the fields or paths I've dreamt and imagined I would be upon the age 24. To Whom all desire is known, and no secrets are hidden, I bring this all to.

I come again, to believe the promise.

As a result, I find I know & understand His love a little more. The gift has kept giving.

Just like the great prophets of old asked "how, Lord?" so it is today.

 He answers with, "I AM."

I see full well that not knowing what's next is hard. I know, too, that this uncertainty can always be evaded, but if it is, my result is endless loss- for it is the cross that has come in the form of uncertainty.

I hold tight to my heart, and understand all I could be rejecting, and with both hands I pick it up. 

I do not know Thy plan for years to come,

My spirit finds in Thee its perfect home,

Sufficiency.

Lord, all my desire is before Thee now,

Lead on, no matter where, no matter how--

I trust in Thee. 

loss given

Silence, ache, and loneliness
draw tiresome
Your absence speaks mountains,
yet not words of Thy.
Imagined dreams and longings
come painfully undone
Closed eyes, tears dwelling,
O, loving promise-
suffice.
If waiting here
means more of You to come
Have I found loss given for Thee
to high a price?

We Hippie Dance

Judah & the Lion can put on a lively, soul-filled, folk to the core show. Yes. Music has once again gained more of my appreciation. Dandelion, has always been one to help me see it has as much to offer as you let it.

Penny & Sparrow opened the night with incredible voices & ended with many new fans, I'm sure.

Festivals & concerts are beyond ideal when experienced with my sister. 

The songs were felt, and the message was needed.
Just stand strong & Hold on to Hope
But when you can, just let go & do your hippie dance.

I think we are still running on the melodic therapy that Hope creates room for.
Oh boy, did we ever hippie dance.

Dandelion and Butter, natural born best friends- on adventures all around the world & back. 

Creating a Word-Picture

For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Acts 11:26.

There was a time (most likely many) when James, the half-brother of Jesus, had to consider the cost. Perhaps, the most defining one he faced came some time after the sword of Herod took one of their own, James the brother of John.
I am learning that you can see so much by creating a word-picture. James, who is unique in relationship and background to our beloved Savior, gives us a world of room to imagine. Possibly, during this defining moment, his thoughts went something like this..

"This thing were doing is deadly. Terrifying. I feel sick. I feel exhilarated. He said not to fear those who can only fear the body. Think past the pain. What about our families? What does all this mean? I feel like hoards of demons have been unleashed on us. There are angels. Real, live angels-- and some of them appear in beams of brilliant light. We may be captured, but we may be rescued. We may see horrors, but we may see wonders. We may lose our heads, but we cannot lose our soles. The stakes are up. The fire is lit. It's time to live like those who cannot die. 

Welcome to the life of those called Christians. "

The study of James.

From Kindergarten On

My best friend since 1995 said "I do," the night of September 20th!
It was an absolute honor to stand beside her on her big day. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. It was a gift to hold her hand just moments before the ceremony and go to our Father in prayer together with gratitude. Oh my, because none of that beauty and love could have been possible without Him! It was another wedding that reminded me it is only because He loved us first that we too can love! What a beautiful Savior we have, and I know Him better because of my friendship with Jamie. His never-changing love has always been shown to me through Jamie Leigh.

This fun, loving, always smiling, one of a kind girl was a gift to many from the beginning!

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Horner!

 I love you both.

For Until the Snow Starts to Fly

So, my dear Momma had another birthday Sunday. Unfortunately, things went a little different than planned after I came down with a terrible stomach virus in the middle of the night before. Momma spent the whole day and more bringing me Sprite and medicine. 
A mother's love, there is nothing like it. 

Anyways, this was the video that was meant to be played when she woke up Sunday morning. Since we couldn't all be together for her birthday, we put some love in a video! Debra K. this is for you! I hope this brings you a little love to hold you over until they get home... before the snow starts to fly:)

Happy belated birthday, and thank-you for always taking care of me! I love you!