Visiting Leaves

So our dear Abbie came to visit, soon to be our very own scrumptious sister-in-law! Only fifteen days. :)

We went for a walk, to celebrate joy and fall and life and health.


















I'm going to miss seeing the ground during the winter. And seeing Daviey every week.... :(

Little leaves don't leave just yet. Stay with me until I'm ready to face the winter.

Five of my favorite people - Daviey, Abbie, Mummy, Babs and Esther.



















I wrote a poem this morning.

truth is costly

but lies cost so much more

they bite, scramble, fray you all about

they blacken, bruise and lessen

lies can seem costly, comforting, alluring

but truth is worth so much more

treasure it like diamonds

wear truth all over your heart

so lies, costly lies, have no inlet

Happy Almost-Saturday, friends!

R<3

Listening to House Of Heroes - Salt In The Sea (been chain-listening to this song allll afternoon)
I'm here until you crash into me
I'm softened by the salt in the sea
I'm alive

Christians As Biscuit Dough

"While growing up in Texas, I enjoyed my mother's buttermilk biscuits made from "scratch" every morning for breakfast. But there was not a single ingredient in those biscuits that I would have enjoyed by itself. And even after they were mixed together, I would not have cared for the raw biscuit dough. Only after they were mixed together in the right proportions by my mother's skillful hands and then subjected to the fire of the oven were they ready to be enjoyed for breakfast. 

The "things" in Romans 8:28* are like the ingredients of the biscuit dough. By themselves they are not tasteful to us. We shun them. And we certainly shun the heat of the oven. But when God in his infinite skill has blended them all together and cooked them properly in the oven of adversity, we shall one day say, it is good." -Jerry Bridges, from Trusting God Even When Life Hurts

***

Up early again and so, so blessed by this book. Thinking about it, I'm feel so raw and pasty. I feel the unformness of all I am. My life is a mess, honestly, but it helps to remember that I'm dough! I am indescribably thankful for my Master Chef. He is working*. He is, he is, he is. Someday, I will beautiful and useful, sweetened by the trials and solidified and sanctified in faith because of the heat of the oven. Oh I can't wait. 

Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be til I die... and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you (and me!) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

R<3 

Listening to NeedToBreathe - A Place Only You Can Go (recommended by a fellow music lover)

(Both pictures are from this blog and the recipe actually looks really good! Anyone up for making biscuits with me? :D)

To A Friend (3)

(I wanted to post a fashion post and the pictures are here on my computer, but Flickr is mucha tootsie-slow tonight, so it'll have to be later.)

(credit)

Pause for a moment and remember that God is with you. Seriously. Close your eyes and remember that he is right there in the room with you and his constant love has not abated for a minute. It didn't even blip when you made your stupid mistakes. The main thing is not reconciling your view of yourself, but understanding God and his view of you. He loves you.

If you care to top that thought, remember that he planned every situation and event in your life. Maybe you can't see how your failure could be worked for good, but remember, 'our good' is becoming more like Jesus. Plus, maybe your failure in other people's lives is teaching them to rely more on Jesus. I know that people's 'failures' to me made me go to God and rely on him.

I'm feeling very much where you are. God doesn't necessarily design our lives to be happy and funny. Explosions are common. You can't control your life or 'be a good enough Christian' so they don't. Trust God with where you are.

Love you! Be well. I'm praying.

R<3

Lots Of Reasons

I think that there are lots of reasons for why I am the way I am. I'll think of one. I am the way I am because I'm tired and I'm young and I'm old and I'm curly and I'm confused and I'm a December birthday and I find old chairs sometimes and take them home and sit on them. That's why I am the way I am.

R<3>

Listening to Red - Pieces