Weekend | Glow 2013

My cousins and I. Love them! Thankful for gals like this I could look up to throughout the years.

The Glow Retreat was a sweet getaway with 50 girls from my church last weekend. We drank coffee, sang, explored, chatted, "smurfed," cried, cooked, prayed for each other, shared stories, laughed. We were right on the edge of Lake Tahoe and I thoroughly enjoyed speeding down (and back up) the long set of stairs to where the water met the sand several times daily. There is something about vast waters that overwhelms me in a really good way... my prayers flow more freely and my heart is steadfast. I am so thankful for my church and this amazing group of gals with whom I was encouraged to keep going and keep glowing in the Lord.

We lit up the sky on the last night and this was the result:

*I had this post drafted since March, when the event actually happened (lol). Hence the boots, scarves, and snow. I blame my tardiness on school. 

Mama

My mama. The woman who brought me to life and continues to bless me daily. Her grace + encouragement + optimism are an example of God's love to me daily. She is the strongest, most amazing woman I know. I love you, mama! Happy Mother's Day!

Sovereign

Sovereign. This word has been on my mind and my heart as of late...

"Sovereign" by Chris Tomlin on Burning Lights

Sovereign in the mountain air

Sovereign on the ocean floor

With me in the calm

With me in the storm

Sovereign in my greatest joy

Sovereign in my deepest cry

With me in the dark

With me at the dawn

In Your everlasting arms

All the pieces of my life

From beginning to the end

I can trust You

In Your never failing love

You work everything for good

God, whatever comes my way

I will trust You

All my hopes, all I need

Held in Your hands

All my life, all of me

Held in Your hands

All my fears, all my dreams

Held in Your hands

Simple Beauties

Mid semester vacations... sigh. I keep thinking that I shouldn't be here and should be home, studying. But as noble as that sounds, I truly think that years from now I will not remember my studies as much as I remember the moments spent with family. So here I am, vacationing and simultaneously working on my senior project. Best of both worlds :)

I realized some things today: 

1. My family is a blessing. Love them.

2. California is my home and my love.

3. Having my best friend as sister-in-law is the best thing ever.

4. Attempting to take a good photo of the whole family is not easy.

5. Quiet moments spent admiring the beauty of simple things leads to contentment. 

Enjoy some photos from such moments below...

Because It Is Done

Oh, what beautiful lyrics. What deep truth. How many times have I gotten tired of waiting for God to draw near to me? So often we mix up the verse that says "draw near to God" and then "God will draw near to you." It's easy to forget and to become selfish and stubborn and wait for God to come find us in our corner of this world, waiting for God to take that step towards us. The truth is, He has already taken that step. It is done. It is done. I'm reading through Deuteronomy right now and am so overwhelmed with the details of every type of sacrifice that was requirement to be made as an atonement for sin. A price had to be paid. And I am so thankful that Jesus has paid that price. I am so thankful that the veil was torn and the way was made for us to come into His presence, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. Let us not become complacent and selfish, but let us draw near to Him daily. He has called us higher.

"Called Me Higher" by All Sons & Daughters

I could just sit

I could just sit and wait for all your goodness

hope to feel Your presence

I could hold on

I could hold on to who I am and

never let You change me from the inside

I could be safe

I could be safe here in Your arms and

never leave home, never let these walls down

I could just stay 

I could just stay right where I am 

and hope to feel You

hope to feel something again

You have called me higher

You have called me deeper
And I’ll go where You will lead me

Lord, You'll lead me