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!

Advice From A Tree

One thing I love about being with my wildflower sister is that we can think out loud in front of each other. We can follow each other's thoughts and build off one another's creativity. God has opened our eyes to so much more of His beauty by making us sisters.
Dandel and I have a thing for trees. Before you laugh, sit under one and think about all that this piece of life holds.
The tree has become our reminder to "trust the process." The same Creator is behind us both, and through every season and every circumstance, He takes care of it all.

While in DC, we fell in love with Advice From a Tree.

Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view.

On Repeat

Apple Bread & Rollercoasters

The K-SQUAD had a night full of laughter, dancing, and good talks. We woke up with a delicious breakfast prepared by Momma. The Church family was ecstatic to have the girls there for Sunday morning service. We hopped on a trolly towards Dollywood, and took advantage of the short lines for hours. So much fun!

True joy, the truest form of it, is only found when it is from the pursuit of another soul experiencing it.

See God in Everything

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of Truth." -2 Timothy 2:15

I have set this as my aim. However, first I must accept the assigned portion and cup given to me in this present moment. Do I believe all conditions of my life are God's ordained choices? Yes. So, be it; May I practice the presence of God.
To see God in everything.
I believe when we concentrate on God's approval, with a teachable spirit, we begin to desire and learn how to "rightly handle" His word in all we do. I am also a firm believer on disciplining our thoughts, and the help memorization can be. Elisabeth Elliot's writings have opened me to see that the more heavenly my thoughts the more faithfully I will perform the meanest of earthly duties and tasks.
I just recently memorized this stanza, and hung it on my wall in my room:

Teach me my God & King

in all things Thee to see,

& what I do in anything

to do it as for Thee 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind."

-Matthew 22:37

To see, know, & experience everything with my Savior today- my prayer, my plea, my Grace given to me.

A Wise Woman Once Said

“Our loneliness can’t always be fixed, but it can always be accepted as the very will of God for now. And that turns it into something beautiful. Perhaps it is like the field wherein lies the valuable treasure, we must buy the field. It is no sun-drenched meadow embroidered with wild flowers; it is a black and empty place. But once we know it contains a jewel, the whole picture changes. The empty scrap of forgotten land suddenly teams with possibilities. Here is not only something we can accept, but something we’re selling everything to buy. In my case, selling everything meant giving up the self pity and the bitter questions. I do not mean that we’re to go out looking for chances to be as lonely as possible; I’m talking about acceptance of the inevitable. And when, through a willed act, we receive this thing we want, then loneliness, the name of the field nobody wants, is transformed into a place of hidden treasure.” 

-Elisabeth Elliot

Life-changing Words to Memorize

In Acceptance lieth peace. -Amy Carmichael 

Great thoughts beautify small tasks; I have found this to be true.