Change

Just when I'm getting old enough to appreciate the joys in each day, they are slipping away faster than I can blink. I cannot believe we are almost half-way through 2013! If anyone has figured out how to make time slow down, please clue me in! Maybe these past 5 months have flown by because there were days and weeks I wished away, days and weeks I didn't want to savor or enjoy, days and weeks I'd rather forget. I'm not really sure the reason, but one thing I am sure of is that I want to enjoy today and not waste a minute of it.

If I had to choose one word to describe the last 5 months it would be, "Change". My job has changed twice, my living situation has changed twice, I've joined a new small group, developed a number of sweet friendships, and changed significantly as a person. Some of this change has been welcome and joyful, while some of it has felt like ripping off a bandaid. There's a vulnerability when a bandaid is ripped off. You have to expose a wound that's been protected by a soft, secure bandage. With every step I take further into establishing my life here, life after a broken engagement, it's like I'm exposing my freshly healed scars. God has graciously allowed me to take these steps gradually but He's been pushing me to take them. He always knows when I'm ready and He's always walking right beside me, sometimes even carrying me. I'm not sure if this analogy makes sense, but I wanted to try and share with you what this recent progress has felt like. It's exciting, scary, beautiful and painful progress. ...walking through it with my Savior...

Some blessings in the midst of and because of change:

Saturday: "3 Gifts about your parents"

In watching my parents walk through a tough season with me and then immediately after watch my brother leave and return and leave again, I have been wowed by their unconditional love for us. So blessed my their steadfastness and loyalty.

1. Unconditional love
2. Firm and loving instruction
3. Unfathomable generosity

Sunday: "3 Gifts Held in Hand Today"

1. His Holy Word
2. High Fives and Hand-Shakes
3. Baby Jack

Monday: "3 Gifts found in you Mother"

1. Never-ending support
2. Sacrificial giving of her time
3. Encouragement

Tuesday: "A Gift picked up, put away, put back"

1. A letter from my sponsored child in Ethiopia
2. Home Exemption successfully filed! :)
3. Time to organize

Basking in His love and mercy today! Happy Tuesday!