A Tale of Two Best Friends

The story goes like this:

Two girls go to summer camp as kids.

They meet and become wonderful friends.

Late Monday night life talks in the driveway.

Late night coffee trips.

Late nights period.

Trips together to wherever.

San Francisco [ Too many times to recount].

LA [The world is pretty amazing].

Walnut Creek [Occasionally driving 80 miles for a nice cup of coffee].

Tahoe [...]

Monterey [...Monterey Peninsula!].

Atlanta [Amazing experiences every time].

Mexico.

Ukraine [Where they realized that together they;d survive anywhere].

Etc.

Dreaming, scheming, and planning.
Life for the friends was always bliss.
At the end of the day, the cup was always half full.

The girls always dreamt about being friends forever.

Living close enough to cook meals for each other's families sounds ideal.

Or cooking meals together. Vacationing together. Babysitting for each other.

Basically, it was a guaranteed friendship for life.

Without the guarantee.

Yet.

One girl has an older, single brother.

In due time, best friend becomes really good friends with the single brother.

One day, the brother is no longer single

because his sister's best friend has captured his heart.

Shortly thereafter, the sister's brother and the best friend are engaged.

And tomorrow, these two beautiful people will be forever united in love.

And the friendship of the two girls will finally and forever be guaranteed.

Finally.

Thoughts // Never Once

This song is running through my head and my heart today. Had a beautiful weekend of family and church, and this Monday finds me in utter awe of God’s grace (receiving more than I deserve) and mercy (not receiving what I completely deserve). It is beyond amazing that the Almighty God would see it fit to give us all a second (& third, fourth, fiftieth) chance at life at the fullest. I feel like I have overused the word “amazing.” To me, many things are amazing and I don’t hesitate to describe the weather, song, experience, person, etc with this adjective. But do I really stand back in awe and wonder all of this? Sometimes, yes, but not always.   

Today I step out and look at the bigger picture. And if there is anything wonderful and beautiful and worthy of noticing and proclaiming… anything amazing at all, it is this: that He would allow me to come boldly before His throne… and find grace to help in time of need. And not only is He gracious and merciful and all-powerful, but never once has He left me, us, to walk alone. Our God, He is faithful. On the brightest days, and in the darkest night, He is ever present. A strong fortress to those who trust Him. So beautiful & humbling

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Matt Redman // 10,000 Reasons // "Never Once"

Sweet Summer Days

Vanilla lattes.

Bows add cuteness to anything.

A garden themed bridal shower.

Indeed!

July 4th at Lake Tahoe.

Blueberries.

Coffee date with the besties.

This happens way too often.

Maybe this new case will help?

Summery nail colour.

Cute and yummy mini cheesecakes made by my lovely friend, Alla.

Flowy skirts = summer days at the office.

Kids camp! Annual summer highlight.

Pool times are good times.

Cherry tamatoes!

Hot or iced?

Cute little teapot.

Guitar = <3

Bridal showers & sour cream raspberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. :)

Raspberries.

times are changing

So amazing to celebrate my parent's 25th anniversary.  

Truly, looking forward to celebrating many more years. 

Truly, God is faithful.

Yes, three soul sister weddings in three short months. 

So excited for these ladies and their blessed men. 

I say blessed because all of these girls are 

unique, beautiful, and God-fearing. 

They will be amazing wives :)

Yep, my older brother is getting married very soon! 

A tad bit sad that you won't be around as much anymore,

but way more happy for you and your soon to be wifey! :)

Such an exciting time in life. 

One thing I keep realizing about life is that one can neither hold on to it, nor truly let it go. 

Time does not wait, and truly, times are changing. Or, more accurately, we are changing.

That's why it's so important to embrace every moment for all that it is, and live with no 

regrets... Looking to the past with joy and to the future with hope, all the while living today

with all that we are.

"There is a time for everything,

& a season for every activity under heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

words // worth recalling often

Romans 8:28

thoughts // the way things turn out

[By the uber talented Jessica at Vol 25.]

This puts into words how I feel about life.

Life is tough. My grandmother often points out that life is not a prance through the meadows. Or a walk in the park. Life is life, and sometimes, life is an uphill climb with thistles and thorns that aim to drag us down. Or a desert in which we see no sign of life and no end in sight. Or a mundane routine that almost forces us to remain the same and not grow or gain as each day comes to a close.

The point is, life is life. The mountains and valleys and “blah” days are bound to happen. In fact, they are supposed to happen. The difference lies in the way that we react to life. Do I throw a fit when things don’t turn out the way that I wished/hoped/supposed it would be? Perhaps I just dismiss these experiences and pretend they never happened? Or do I look in the face of difficulty [even though it is intimidating] and seek to make sense of it, to learn from it, to move forward with it behind me.

The way we react to what happens to us determines the way our lives turn out. Simple words. Deep truth.

Friday Thoughts

I don't think I've ever been more happy to see Friday. It's not that the week was horrible or anything. But there is something more appealing about being outside in the sunshine, with loved ones, enjoying the seasons of life, over hanging out with paperwork and a computer screen all day... Just saying. :)


Finding beauty in the present.

A summer afternoon.

Love this quote (Craig Groeschel).

In my sketchbook from last year. Love this song.

I cannot believe that these two will be married this month! Oh, how time flies. So happy for them.

:)

In my sketchbook.

All photos taken with my phone (mostly because I cannot bear the thought of more time on the computer after a workday... thus why the past few blog posts have contained either phone images or videos.)