Friday, March 30, 2018

The Fight is Over

In my last post I wrote about being "tossed about," but I didn't mention the reason for the tossing. I always did hate when people wrote blog posts about the turmoil in their lives but never said what was actually going on. It sounds like they have a terrible life, but they leave us in the dark as to what is actually happening.
























Therefore, I think it is necessary to tell you why I was in turmoil.

My freshman year at college has been rough, to say the least. I was never eager to come in the first place, and throughout last semester I questioned what I was doing here. I went through a dark time toward the end of the semester and my grades really plummeted. If you have been reading the blog for very long, you may recall some of my posts, especially in November and December, reflected my gloom. But I do remember sweet moments with God. It felt so dark, but the warmth of His love filled me in a special way.
























Nonetheless, when I finally decided to come back this semester, I struggled to get back into the rhythm of school and was very tired. I took a lot of naps and got behind in my reading. My first quizzes and paper were not good. Finally, my professor advised me to withdraw. That's when I really became confused.



















I went back and forth, like I wrote about in my last post. I couldn't decide what to do. I wanted to persevere and fight through, but then I was so tired of fighting. Maybe God meant for this rest. I couldn't be sure.



















Until, finally, I realized I had to stop. I had to lay my sword down, at least for now. I told my professor I was ready, ready to stop. The answer was there, and I wasn't going to be persuaded to change again.



















It is still hard to understand all that is going on, but I feel peace and rest. I am still in my science class, so I still have work to do, but it is much lighter. I see light shining through, ways to serve, ways to help, ways to encourage.

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Tossed About



The crazy things that can happen to a person.

The decisions one has to make.

The confusion.

But then God finally smooths it out and all is bright and clear. It's as if there is a painting on a canvas cloth that has become wrinkled, and we only see the wrinkles from eye level. Then He stretches it over a frame and hangs it up on the wall so that we can see the clear picture. That is how I've felt lately. The wrinkles confuse me. When I look at it at one angle I think the picture is one thing, then I look at another angle and think it's something totally different.

Finally, I think the picture has been stretched and hung, at least one picture. There are so many pictures that combine to make one big, beautiful masterpiece, but being able to see one clearly is enough for me right now.


Friday, March 23, 2018

Favorites

I scanned through some of my pictures that I have posted in the past and picked out a "few" of my favorites. I didn't even get through all of them, but here are some. You've probably seen several of them, some even more than once, but I love them for various reasons. Enjoy. 

I love moss. I also love details. This picture captures both in one amazing view of something we usually see from afar. 


I love our road. I love winter. I love my sisters. Why not throw them all into one cool shot that my dad took. 

This picture is just awesome. 



I was young and Dad did a good job. 

One of my favorite couples at the beach in late afternoon sun. 

More of my road, this time in fall. It is so gorgeous and Bethany walking barefoot (probably clueless about what was going on behind her) makes it so picturesque. 

Once again, detail is captured in a delicate rose.

This picture is so cute, and I'm sure you've seen it more than once. It is one of my favorite favorites. 

It's moss again, this time wrapped around a little stump. So moist, so green, so beautiful.

The smooth wood of an old stump, brightened with green of, guess what? Moss!

Their smiles, their joy, my love. 

That little twirling, white-gowned blondie. I love you, Sweet. 

Ahh...my niece in her grandpa's arms. 

Because Jesse loves epic jumping pictures. 

I feel like I have posted this one a million times, but that face, that towel, those eyes--perfectly precious.

Sneaking pictures of my handsome brothers can be a challenge, but I did it. 

There's a lot to love here: The clear running creek, Lydia's perplexed face, me clutching her head and pointing, the bright green grass, etc. 

This is another famous one (in my opinion). We were posing for a band picture atop Jockey's Ridge, NC. Lydia and I had colds. I bet you didn't know that about this picture before now. Haha! And maybe you didn't want to know. 

Get 'im, girl!

Yike! And that's us. Did you even know Hannah could be so scary?

We'll end on a better note. Daddy and daughter. Literally one of my favorite favorite favorites. Whew! If that even makes any since. 

Wow! That was actually kind of fun, so I might do it again. 

Do you have a favorite (or a favorite favorite favorite!)?