Remembering

Forgive me for not writing my gratitude list here last Monday. I was in beautiful Mexico and wrote a short one in my journal, but I didn't get it here. But I'm back, and if I may, I have plenty to thank Him for.


451. Healing from the sickness in Mexico. He is Immanuel. God with us.

452. That He is God of Mexico. I didn't bring God to Mexico . . . He was already there.

453. The sun rays. Warmth and different perspectives.

454. Beautiful people, leading by an example how to be servants of God.

455. Laughing with friends in a brand new country . . . working with them too.

456. Being able to physically work. A gift.

457. CLEAN WATER! I love being able to brush my teeth from the tap here and not worry about water droplets carrying parasites as I take a shower or grab for a drink. America is blessed with that gift in many parts of the nation.

458. Being home . . . so nice to have a place to go when I came back.

459. Prayers of the Saints, holding me up, encouraging me.

460. Her card in the mail, so unexpected, so gracious. Another proof that God is good.

I press on. I don't want to face the battles here again. It's easy to become weary under the load, but I will try to choose joy today, choose to lay the burdens at the feet of the cross. This is Resurrection week . . . beautiful, horrible things happened this week. I want to remember. How are you remembering?

Sweet

It's Friday. Last day of spring break. First full day home after being gone on a mission trip to Mexico. I'm so tired. And loaded down. Homework, battles, futures.

And sometimes, we live on grace. And the remembrance that God is sovereign, expansive. That He knew before I was born what I'd be digging through now. He knows the joy set before me, and I'm quite certain that He wouldn't want worry to squash the joy He offers. He gives rest. Hope. Destiny. Dreams. And it's exciting. So, I blow away the stress and push through. God knows how much I can handle, so I trust Him. [And He knows the same for you, friend]

"It's not me but You that makes the heart beat. I'm lost without You, You dying for me." -- BarlowGirl.

I'm anticipating and praying for that Beautiful Ending and the sweetness of the center. And waiting, I make it my goal to trust and praise and relax in arms stronger than myself because "Your love is beautiful." Farewell friends for the night . . . See you later!

La Paz

Hey folks! My sister, Briana, and I just began a new blog to document our mission trip to La Paz, Mexico! We'd love for you to follow along on our journey! You can read of our experiences here.

Bye bye for now, U.S. of A.!

When Everything Falls Apart

Looking back, this week was CRAZY. Honestly, it felt like the longest week that I've experience this school year, and maybe one of the worst ones . . . but Jesus is redeeming it. He's redeeming me. Things just fell apart this week . . . things I thought I knew, things I was holding onto; I fell apart. I'm doing so much better. Jesus is the God of hope (Romans 15:13). But it's incredible, you know? It's incredible that there was still good stashed between some awful moments. And I owe Him thanks for that. Another thing I need to mention is that often times on here, I state something great that has happened and then post that God is good, but I think I'm portraying a misconception there. God isn't good because I think good things happen in my life. God is good because He is God, you know? I've had to struggle with some bad things lately, but God is still good. I'm glad.

Anyway, once again I want to thank Him. Thank Him for . . .

451. The prayers of many. [Keep praying, please! Keep. Praying.]

452. The spring, flowering trees

453. That one person accepted Christ after the Zion drama my youth group put on for a church nearby

454. The church's prayers for us, how they touched us and prayed for us. That's what beauty looks like.

455. Their forgiveness when I blew it this week.

456. Trip to La Paz, Mexico is coming up! Some spark to look forward to. :)

457. The poetry slam this week and hearing Ms. V.E. recite the Spiderman poem. :)

458. Proverbs . . . I just finished the book this past week, and I honestly miss it, which is weird I guess, but I do. Loved that book this read-around. Spoke to me.

459. Auction project completed! Disappointed it didn't bring much, but it's one more thing behind me. :)

460. The song "Everything Falls" by Fee. The lyrics are beautiful. They summed up what I've felt kinda recently. Want to read 'em?

You said
You'd never leave or forsake me
When you said,
This life is gonna shake me
You said
This world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
This I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

When I see
The darkness all around me
When I see
The tragedy has found me
I still believe
Your faithful arms will never let me go
And still I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

Sorrow may last for the night
But hope is rising with the sun
Its rising with the sun
There will be storms in this life
But I know You will overcome

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on

Listen here.

There is always hope. Love from: danae

No Words and All Words

"Do I dare, do I dare to believe, that I still have a reason to sing? That the pain that I've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming? I'll try to hold on and wait for the light; Jesus, hold me, help me to fight. Let this pain that I've been feeling, be the dark before the morning."

-- Before the Morning by Josh Wilson (my version)

She Hath Wings

"Be like the bird that, passing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings." - Victor Hugo

Sweeter

"It's easy to trust Jesus when the storms far away
But when memories and feelings of your home far away
Have been smashed into pieces by the storm's awful waves

Then it's sweeter to trust Jesus."
- Sara Beth Geoghegan "Sweeter"

You know, I'm sure Peter and James and John probably weren't too thrilled by the storm's waves, but I'm so glad that they experienced that storm and Jesus' calming and that it's written in God's Word, because I need that reference point to understand some of the twists and stormy weather in my life.

I was chatting with my dad two days ago, telling him that I just want to get life over with kinda. And no, I'm not suicidal, but don't you ever have the feeling that you just wish part of your life would be over? You know, like high school or college or finding a spouse. Like my Dad's said, it's awful to wish your life away, but sometimes, I do. I guess one of the best ways to describe it is knowing that your life has already been written and figured out and just wanting to get to the good parts. You know what I'm saying?! :) I guess I'm maybe living too much in the future, but the grays and blues swirl tightly, and it's cloudy. Sometimes, it's just plain hard to live in today.

There was a certain issue(s) I was struggling with, and Dad mentioned that maybe I'm not trusting Jesus with it (or something to that effect). It kinda hit me like a tower of water . . . swoosh. At first, I was kind of defensive I think. But actually, that was a big part of the issue. I'm not sure that it's all the issue, but granted, it's a big part. Another thing I was reminded of is that I need to be .still. That there's a good chance peace may not come in my life from the outside in, but my heart can be settled, and Jesus can be there.

I wish I could understand myself, my situations sometimes. Don't you? Hmm . . . someday.