Lasting Letters

As promised....
a whole blog post devoted to quotes.


What is your favorite quote?


She always had that look about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world. {Joanne Harris}

Oh darling, we have a mountain to climb; any step could send us hurtling over the edge...but we continue on, for we know that at the top of this mountain is a view like no other - we will see the jagged rocks that led us to this moment; the violent pitfalls will cover themselves in shadow as the top radiates the break of dawn... {S.M. Scott}


I will not be another flower, picked for my beauty and left to die. I will be wild, difficult to find, and impossible to forget. {Erin Van Duren}

I'd rather die tomorrow
Than live a hundred years
Without knowing you.
{Pocahontas}

The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God's love for us does not.
{C.S. Lewis}

Leave it all in the Hands that were wounded for you. {Elizabeth Elliot}

To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest human achievement. {St. Augustine of Hippo}

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. {Psalm 37:4}

Courage, dear heart. {C.S. Lewis}

Monday came - in a swirl of falling stars and blinking moons...Pale dreams tinted the horizon; yesterday's failures trickled down the mountains and turned to rivers of grace. The future lay in the moment, the next moment, the next breath. Our thoughts collided in a burst of color; the red sunset exploded our hopes into existence. You see,
Monday came. {S.M. Scott}

Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. {Eleanor Roosevelt}

Perhaps the greatest risk any of us will ever take: to be seen as we really are. {Cinderella}

How long a year is in heartbeats and growing pains... {S.M. Scott} 

Take It From Seventeen

       Seventeen is a little crazy. You're still young, but you're almost an adult, and all the biggest decisions you're going to make are in front you. So...one of my close friends and I wrote a blog post together about things we've learned so far, things our Jesus has taught us, etc. This red-head friend is one of my fave people EVER. We met at a camp a couple years ago, exchanged emails, and found out that friendship was ours for the taking. We recently went on a mission trip together, and learned so much about and from each other, and joke that we've spent more time in a different country than we have in the U.S.! Rissa is proof that long-distance friendships can work!!!! My words are in blue and Carissa's are in green...enjoy!!! 

{Also, at the end is a link to Rissa's amazing blog. Check it out- it's pretty neat!!!}

Biggest thing Jesus ever taught me: This is going to sound cliche, but I think that every believer comes to this idea at some point in their Christian walk: trust. I remember a few years ago, in a time of loneliness and doubt,  it was always “trust.” The very foundation of salvation is trust; believing that God is who He says He is. The crazy thing is that trust is a part of grace. We can’t really trust Jesus on our own; He has to gently shove us toward trusting Him with our very lives. Man, He is so good. Just…good. No more words. XD

Biggest thing Jesus ever taught me: I have to agree with Sara…trust is so huge! It’s been super hard for me to learn to lean on Jesus. I get so stressed, and the root of it is simply that I don’t really fully trust my Father God to take care of me (Romans 8:15). So I guess perhaps the biggest thing God has taught me is what he’s teaching me every day…that he can be the source of my peace if I trust in him. Grace & peace & trust, baby! He is trustworthy and he is big enough to tackle anything that comes my way. <3

What the Lord is teaching me now:  1—“Busier” does not always equal “better.” Jesus also calls us to rest and enjoy the moments in-between (Heb. 4:9) our different activities. Let’s not fill our lives up so much that there’s not room to simply sit still and enjoy the company of the Lord our God.
2—Seek inward beauty instead of constant comparison. I spend so much time comparing and wishing my life looked more like the lives of those around me, and I cringe to think of how often that insecurity leads to judgment. What if, instead, I looked for the beauty inside people (1 Sam. 16:7), including myself? What if I learn more about who God says I am and be confident in that instead of seeking approval from others? What I look for, I’ll find. If I look for things to judge, I’ll have more than enough just by looking in the mirror. If, however, I search for beauty, I’ll always find it … because God is beauty, and he is everywhere (Psalm 139).

What the Lord is teaching me now: Oh goodness. Lately I feel like heaven’s opened up and everything just, you know, kinda clicks. Reading government: Oh, look. That verse. Again. Reading Econ: Oh look, I was just discussing that… 
And today specifically, I’ve been thinking about hope & joy. It’s so hard to base these in Jesus when life’s going great. It’s when we step back and realize that “wow, way too much of my joy is found in this or that” that we can transfer our hope and joy to Jesus.

Relationship advice: “Single people give the best relationship advice.” Said one of my single peeps. Take it or leave it, but it all comes down to God’s plan. One of my friends kindly informed a young man that I would say “no” when he asked me out. Why? “Sara’s not looking for a relationship; she’s looking for God’s plan.” Couldn’t have said it better! When God’s plan does include a relationship, that’s going to be AMAZING. Like, I can’t even wait! But I will, cuz my Jesus knows what He’s doin’!!!!!

Relationship advice: Be honest. Honesty is super super important.  I’ve seen people play the “game” of ignoring someone they like, flirting with someone just to make someone else jealous, etc.…and I get how that can make people feel powerful, but it’s not really kind. So let’s strive to be people of kind honesty—in all areas of life! First, let’s examine what we want to say and see if it’s kind. Will it build someone up? Does it go along with what Jesus walked and talked? And if so, let’s say it! I appreciate so much when people are honest about how they feel. And when they aren’t, it can end in a lotta confusion and more than a little hurt. So there’s my relationship rant…back to you, Sara.

One thing Mexico taught me: This year in Mexico, I found myself constantly thinking about “Oh, last year this…last year that….” and comparing the two trips. But they weren’t anything alike. I had to apologize to Rissa for constantly talking about the year before. The truth was that the year before was the year before…and this year was what was happening! As it turned out, God brought some of the coolest conversations/breakthroughs/experiences ever – this year!

One thing Mexico taught me: Oh goodness…Mexico. I miss it so much! Mexico taught me a lot, including the importance and beauty of smiles. I know a little Spanish, but not a ton, so I learned to smile to communicate. A lot. And I noticed how happy these kids got with even the smallest touches of love, like a hug, a piggy-back ride, or a smile. Loving connection means the world to these people…and I was reminded how important it really is. Seeing the gleeful grins on these kiddos who didn’t have much but had a double dose of love in their lives was beautiful and very convicting. Am I seeking loving connection? Or am I attempting to fill myself up with clothes and stuff and the next “best” thing? One more note: It was actually really neat, because at just the right moments just the right random Spanish 3 vocab words would pop into my brain…just what I needed to connect with the kids. It was pretty cool, and I think it was God putting those words in my brain—I seriously doubt I could’ve remembered them on my own! Yay for connections and God moments. 

One thing this summer taught me: Ever step back and think “I did not live until this summer?” Story of my entire life. I feel like this summer spanned ten years. I met so many people with so many stories….I worked through challenges and had some pretty life-changing conversations. But the summer has definitely had a theme. Psalm 37: 3-5 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” The Lord used one of the verses to confirm my going to Mexico, and then a few weeks ago, {through a super wacky set of experiences}, the Lord gave them to me again, and then in the last couple days they’ve been coming up again. God’s love is pretty radical- He is relentless with His promises and guidance! I love Him so much!! 

One thing this summer taught me: God is bigger. I have some friends who did some pretty nifty things over the summer, and for a while I struggled with some jealousy. I worried that God wouldn’t teach me as many cool things because I wasn’t having the amazing experiences they were. But then, the more I heard them chat and recall what God had taught them this summer, the more surprised I was…because God had taught me lessons quite similar while I was living out my summer—in Mexico, at camp, at VBS…and even at home. I tend to limit Jesus and think he can only reach me when I’m in a beautiful place with my highlighters, journal, and Bible at the ready. But God is bigger than anything I can even imagine, and he can break through and teach me the lessons I need the most in the most ordinary places imaginable. So let’s not put down the life Jesus has given us. Let’s rejoice in it and realize that his plans and his best will prevail. So whether I’m on a beautiful vacation, adventurous mission trip, or sitting at home on the couch, God will teach me whatever I need to hear, as long as I’m open to him. Nothing limits our King!

One thing Sara’s taught me: Loving people doesn’t have to be complicated or the result of years of planning. One of the best ways to show real, tangible love is simply by serving the person next to you. When we were in Mexico, our backs would be sore from wielding pickaxes and riding on super bumpy roads, so when we got back to the bunkhouses Sara (even though she was tired and quite sore herself) would give my back a massage and help me with my hair…these were “little” things, but they made me feel so loved and blessed. So let’s never feel like a gesture is too small or silly. Let’s love others “with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18), like Sara does. 

One thing Rissa’s taught me: Well, first of all…I can’t quite take credit for all of the “acts of love” that she says I did. Rissa is pretty perfect, so brushing her gorgeous hair and giving her a massage was a blessing for me! As to what she’s taught me…? Where do I start?? She’s perfect! But my favorite thing about Rissa is her love for Jesus. I sometimes think about an email she sent probably more than a year ago, and it was so obvious that she was desperately in love with our Jesus. When you see someone like that, you want to be like them. “Iron sharpening iron” should be our mantra, because she is constantly sharpening me and encouraging me. {Carissa, please, let’s room together in college. That would be *excellent*. Also, we’ll take midnight trips to an OXXO equivalent store. #happiness}

Favorite quotes: Confession: I have waaay too many fave quotes to just pick one! So here are a couple of quotes I’m loving right now:

 “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”—Mary Oliver, The Summer Day    

 “You don’t have to be pretty like her. You can be pretty like you.”—Pinterest 

“Interrupt your day with little celebrations. Your real life will all be waiting for you when you’re done, and nothing will be all that different. But you will.”—Luci Swindoll (She’s pretty amazing…look her up!)

Favorite quotes: {I agree with Rissa! Who can actually pick ONE favorite quote? These are some that make me super happy though!}

We are perishing for lack of wonder, not for lack of wonders. – G.K. Chesterton

If you love deeply, you’re going to get hurt badly, but it’s still worth it. – C.S. Lewis

Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps. . . perhaps. . .love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath. ” 
 – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea      {I love this sooo much, Sara! L.M. Montgomery is the best.}

I carry your heart. (I carry it in my heart.) e.e. cummings

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney

Okay, I’ll stop there…but eventually I’m going to do a blog post devoted solely to sappy quotes I find. Bring tissues.

Random thing I’ve learned along the way: Confidence is key. When we begin to grasp more fully that God chose us and we are forever his (Ephesians 1, people!!), our eyesight changes, and we become more comfortable with who God made us (Gen. 1:27; Psalm 139:14). As we stop worrying so much about ourselves, our focus starts to shift to God and others more. Obviously, this is a process and takes hard work and accountability (and lotsa prayer!), but it’s something that’s been on my brain lately.

Random thing I’ve learned along the way: Life is unpredictable. If you told me two years ago who I am today, I’d look at you and give you a “Say what? That’s crazy!” Because, sometimes, I step back and realize that I’m exactly who and where I always wanted to be. God’s plan sometimes takes us down scary roads, but He is a good Father. And someday, in the midst of a great trial, I’ll still believe that. Because it’s not about us being happy, but holy. Not about our dreams, but His will. But in the process, we have great joy and feel like our dreams are being fulfilled. 

Verses I hold onto super tightly: Proverbs 16:9—“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Hebrews 12:1-3—“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Romans 8:14-17—“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” I also adore Nehemiah 8:10 and Galatians 5:1…check ‘em out!

Verses I hold onto super tightly: I’ve already mentioned some, but Ephesians 3:20 has played a big part in my walk, as has Psalm 16:11 and Philippians 3:12-13. I love how Paul says “Not that I have already apprehended…” and it reminded me that we don’t have to have everything figured out, but can just keep going with life {which is something I really struggle with.} And Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Jesus and I had quite a skirmish over this one. He won, as usual. My heart knows that it’s a lost cause to fight what God directs me to do, because, well, my heart is His. And both He and I know it!

Well there you have it, folks. Hopefully this encouraged, blessed, and/or inspired you a little today. Hopefully you’re reminded of how m u c h God loves you, and how amazing he made you!
<3 Blessings,
Sara and Rissa
Ephesians 3:20-21
 
Rissa's blog:
http://runningwithrissa.com 

I Stumbled Upon Grace {Excerpt}

Well, it's been a while since I posted from the novel I'm working on. Since then, I decided to change the novel from third person to first person, and started rewriting it. I even changed the title! I know, I'm a bit too impulsive for my own good. Though I'm sure my parents are merely happy that my impulsiveness is directed towards writing and not life.  Here's a little excerpt. Hope you enjoy!    

           Breakfast was served promptly at seven. When I entered the small dining hall, Nathan was alone, looking out the window. At the sound of my steps he turned, and for just a moment his face was unguarded, and I saw an expression of pain on his face. But it was gone in a second, replaced by cool eyes that said a thousand things. They were questions and answers that made no sense to me. His hand rested on the back of a chair, and I noticed a long scar that ran down the length of it. I raised my eyes slowly, and he was watching me.

“How d..did you sleep?” he asked quietly. It was the first time I had heard him speak, but his voice was so low that I could hardly hear the stutter.

“Well,” I said hesitantly. For a moment more we stood there, each lost in our own thoughts. Would he ask me about the names under the painting? What would I tell him if he did?

Jeremiah and Elizabeth arrived together.

“Good morning,” Elizabeth sang, and then stopped as she saw the serious looks on Nathan's and my face. Jeremiah's face betrayed an expression of questioning, and again I knew that I needed to be careful. This family was knowing, intuitive. They liked to laugh, but they loved truth. I sensed this, and it scared me. Jeremiah moved to my side, and I forced my eyes to his face.

“How are you this morning?” he asked pleasantly.

“I'm fine.”

“Just fine?” he teased.

“Well, it has been a whole eight hours since I last saw your face.”

Jeremiah grinned.

“You're a good student. You're picking up our sarcastic ways quickly.”

“Perhaps I learned them from someone else. And perhaps I was not being sarcastic.”

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow.

“Well then. You must introduce us to your teacher.”

It suddenly seemed to me that everything this family said was calculated, intentional. There were no idle words. Even Elizabeth's outspokenness seemed to be a cover for secrets. And yet for some reason it did not appear fake, or dark. I truly believed that they were sincere, but were they covering secrets as I was? The thought frightened me. A marriage could not be based off deceit, no matter what the reason.

My father and theirs arrived together, talking in interested tones about the upcoming hunt.

Their father excused the queen, saying that she had decided to sleep in, as she was very tired from the day before.

“Is she all right?” Nathan asked quickly, and I sensed deep concern.

His father's eyes shifted to the window. “She will be fine,” he said quietly, and Nathan nodded, apparently still unassured. Jeremiah seated me, and I tried to calm myself. I felt that I always had to be on my guard, protecting my past, protecting myself from the bewilderment that I knew was pending in the back of my mind.

Fear Could Be Your Legacy

Fear is a crazy dimension.

It takes the happiness out of joy and cripples the very essence of hope. It destroys, tears, and maims those who have the greatest potential. 

And yet fear is a choice. 

I am naturally a fearful person. I remember years ago, crying because I was afraid.

I remember three years ago, pacing my room, terrified.

I remember three years ago, letting fear capture my peace.

I remember last year, walking through fear, heart racing.

    

Walking through those fears has made me who I am.

And now the generation of this moment, this second, well...they have a choice.

We watch the news, willfully placing ourselves within fear's grasp. The terrorists are taking over our hearts and minds because we let them. Isn't that what they are trying to do? Make us afraid? Aren't they doing a pretty good job?

I would be afraid too.  

One of my mentors always encourages me. 

She lived in Bulgaria years ago - she was part of the generation that lived in a constant state of fear. Of dictatorship. And she tells me that those were the times when the church was on fire.

It's not about the upcoming elections, or the terrorists, or even America itself.

It is about not giving into fear, because fear can kill us faster than what we fear.  

Fear brings people together. Fear initiates commitment. Fear is a decision.

Decide today if you are going to let fear rule your heart. 

Remember, 
if you know Jesus, "to live is Christ, to die is gain."

Death holds no obstacle. 
Pain is temporary.

But our legacy extends forever.

Hold onto hope, my friends.   

Room of Yesterday

There was no one there. I flicked the light switch and walked forward a few steps. I swung my backpack off of my shoulder onto a chair and sat on the one next to it. This was the room. There was no one there- but it was not silent. The voices of yesterday, the echo of laughter, useless conversations, meaningful conversations, a few tears. That was the corner...there was the seat...the memories were tripping over themselves. I felt a dull ache. It was a longing- the kind of feeling of losing something dear and knowing that it can never return. A tear slipped down my cheek. This room represented a time in my life- a time of tears, a time of laughter, a time of learning, a time of the past. For a moment I felt helpless- trapped in a current of time- the waves trampling me under yesterday's grip. I breathed a goodbye and my eyes shut, the tears finding a way onto my fingers in my lap. So tangible, and yet untouchable. Here was yesterday- it was here- but I could not reach it.

As Of Today

This is basically a random amalgamation of what I've been learning and doing lately. Perhaps you can find some inspiration and/or entertainment in one girl's travels through the last days of sixteen. XD

1. Lately I've been seeing God, the gospel, grace, and the Bible in a whole new light, as I write a story in which the protagonist is learning of these things for the first time. Sometimes you teach yourself things you don't learn from other people.
2. I've thought the worst of people for a long time. Maybe it's because I don't want to be disappointed or hurt. Whatever the case, the Bible says that love “hopes all things and believes all things.” Thinking the worst of people is wrong, and I want to be the person who believes in people even when they can't believe in themselves.
3. I've been reading War and Peace. There's one character that I especially identify with. Some of her actions are driving me insane. But then, some of my actions drive me insane too. Hmm...
4. Being found in Jesus is easier when you have nothing else to hold onto. You hear people say that “Oh, you're only with Jesus when everything is going well.” For me it's the opposite. When I'm lonely, or depressed, or whatever else, that's when I truly feel closest to Jesus. I don't want to be like that. I want to be found and complete in Him, even when I feel that I could be complete through something else.
5. I've been running lately. Okay, that's kind of a lie. I jog. And walk. Me: C'mon Sara, if you jog to the mailbox, you can walk to the next one....
6. Relationships are up and down. A friend and mentor informed me of this a few months ago, and it was confirmed in the Reader's Digest. Ahem. But, to be serious, it really helps to realize that even if something is going badly, it's not the end.
7. Seasons. This season seems to be totally stable and totally bipolar at the same time. So probably mostly the latter. And I guess that's okay.
8. I'm learning that it's okay to be lonely sometimes. I have many, many, amazing (and I mean, AMAZING) friends, but sometimes I just don't see them. I'm learning to enjoy all this introvert time before I head to college. Speaking of which, *gulp* Never mind. College = we'll talk another time.
9. Whom the Son sets free...is free indeed.
10. Watching Cranford. OKAY. Can I just meet Dr. Harrison tomorrow?? #relationshipgoals
11. The act of deglutition is miraculous. {Wow, totally random. Sorry!}
12. Apparently statistics are worse than Geometry. But, I really wouldn't know.
13. Sometimes you feel like you know who you want to be, what you want to do, and where you want to go. And sometimes those dreams turn out to be just that: dreams. And that's okay. I want to honestly say, 'Jesus, “You write all the best stories, so take my pen and write mine for me...”' {Kolby Koloff, Settle}
14. Sleep is important. And *yawn* I need to get to bed and I really need to stop writing blog posts in the back of my math notebook in the “middle” of the night.

Well, there you have it. What's your journey looking like?

Memories With The Cousin

Family. You KNOW what I'm talking about. *laughs* Yeah, you know. This week, my cousin drove six {whole} hours to stay with us, and it has been an unceasing whirl of, well, maybe we'll tell you a little bit.

Me: JOE!!!!

 Joe: WHAAAAT! *sarcastically*

Me: You mean sara-castically, right?

 Joe: Puns! We go a back a looooooong time. Remember the punching bag?

Me: My word. Duct tape. Wrinkles. Biscuits. Ring-pops.

 Joe: How do I even explain...?

Me: We were young. And you had that punching bag...

 Joe: We would run around the house, jumping over couches and punching my Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers punching bag until it finally popped a hole in it...

Me: A small hole. That we couldn't actually find. But, like the smart kids we were (right, Joe?) we determined to find that hole if it killed us. It almost did. Our idea was that every wrinkle on that punching bag was a hole...

 Joe: So we duct taped the entire punching bag, just to make sure.

Me: Pretty sure we found it. Knowing us, though, we...probably didn't.

 Joe: Good times... Let's not forget about the delicious home-made buttermilk biscuits in my-

Me: In a drawer. They were that good. Only, they weren't the same next day. #worstmomentever

 Joe: Oops almost ruined it. She's threatening the silent treatment. Honestly that wouldn't be too bad.

Me: Yeah, yeah. I kinda talk his ear off. My sister has declared that the guy I marry will be the one with whom I can act  like I do around Joe. {Feel honored, Joe.}

 Joe: Yeahhhh we've definitely had some adventures. Like when I rolled down the window and rolled up my pants and stuck my leg out the window of Becca's car. 

Note: Becca is a good driver. {She just wanted to make sure you all knew that.}

Me: Becca almost had a heart attack and I 'most died laughing, especially because there were people behind us and...guess what? We are not finishing this story. Let's just say... SWERVE!!! 

 Joe: Sarah!!! People are going to think that I caused a car accident!!!

Me: You're not that funny. Especially with your cute spelling of my name. Real cute. 

 Joe: You know you love me, cuz.

Me: Blood is thicker than water...or....ring-pops!

 Joe: Oh boy... Just yesterday I happened upon Sara's ring-pop at Awana, so I obviously had to take a bathroom selfie with it...

Me: Why are all of our memories awkward and hard to romanticize into sweet, childhood memories??? Also note that I was studying the whole time he was doing this. Priorities.

 Joe: Well while Sara was studying God's word, I was preparing for my perfect immaculate bathroom-ring-pop selfie. However, right as I was about to snap the picture of a lifetime, someone's dad popped into the bathroom, and I promptly said "Hi" as awkwardly as I could and popped the ring-pop back in my mouth.

Me: Which goes to show that...oh forget it.

  Joe: I think all of our experiences teach a moral lesson. This one is to not take ring-pop selfies in public restrooms.

Me: Can we stop talking about this? My face matches your shirt. 

 Joe: Speaking of shirts...

Me: Joseph!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I....have no words. We are done. You have relinquished right to my blog....{probably should change my password...}

 Joe: (her password is-)

Me: Later, all! We I {since Joe is no longer living} will see you all next time. 

Family is the best. Don't lose those moments that will make the best  funniest memories ever.

Can I Just Stay Now Forever?

I am TRAUMATIZED.

There is no other word to describe it.

Dismayed. Horrified.


Because.


In less than three months I will be

seventeen.

Sixteen and seventeen are as different as

Stars and fluorescent light-bulbs.

Purple and green.

Childhood and adulthood. {literally}

Yes, I am being way over-dramatic.

No, I am not seriously traumatized.

At least, not to the point of fainting. {Unfortunately, I might add.}

Sixteen has been the best year of my entire life.

I learned how to say no; I learned how to say yes.

There were times when life seemed like it was just too hard.

Times when life was overwhelming.

Then there were times when life seemed too good to be true.

Times when dreams became reality.

Yes, "I am sixteen going on seventeen", but I am not "waiting for life to start."

It already did. My life is as near perfect as any life could possibly be.

And yet, I know that this life is not the ultimate end.

Which means that turning seventeen is not taking me from a perfect life- it is thrusting me forward towards, literally, paradise.

Seventeen is going to be great. I'm counting on lots of laughter and dreams and tears and smiles and dances by myself and grins at my reflection in the mirror because life is good but God is greater.

So, life, bring it on.

I'm ready for you, seventeen.

Growing Up Part 2

My imagination.

Oh my.

I might add:

Oh my. 

   When I was five (or six, or somewhere around there), I figured out that I was not limited to my circumstances. Oh no. I could be anyone I wanted to. I could hold the world...every person, every path, every dream- it was all within the reach of my imagination.

     As I got older, my imagination was a little closer to home.  The situations actually had possibility.

    Of course, imagining has large drawbacks. For one thing, life has enough complications on its own – why I found the need to create more, I have no clue. Also, imagining became interchangeable with school (kind of like writing. The keyboard I'm typing on is literally sitting on top of my geometry book. Ick.) I wish I had spent a little more time doing things to contribute to those dreams – rather than just thinking them.

     Well. There. That was quite a large intro to my “growing up” theme. And I want to assure you that I think that somehow, the imagination can and should play a part in our life. I'm not exactly sure how, but God did give it to us, so I believe He does have a purpose in it. [If you know anything about this, please let me know.] XD

     But a few days ago, trying to focus on geometry, [did I mention that geometry and I have a life-long feud?] I ended up looking out the window and imagining. And then I saw something.

There was a hummingbird outside, hovering near a cluster of fake flowers. It was trying to find some nectar, and finding no satisfaction in the flowers, flew off.

I confess that it took a few seconds to sink in.

And it was if it was a message – for me.

Stop looking for satisfaction in something that can give you no substance.

Stop searching for satisfaction in something that looks pretty but has nothing to give.

Yes, I will still struggle with imagining.

God has reminded me over and over lately that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

God imagined my story.

Before I was born. Before the world was made.

Can I trust His plan?

Yes.

Now excuse me. Geometry calls.