Mercies

Having time away has been wonderful. The change of scenery is especially nice. I have an amazing view of downtown Dallas from my room; check out the sunrise...When I opened the curtains this morning I grabbed my camer and scripture started running through my mind, "His mercies are new every morning" and "From the rising to the setting sun His love endures for ever.". I take such comfort in those promises and I'm learning that I can't rely on my own strenth and understanding. My daily bible reading spoke to me along these lines too...

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in people.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes."
Psalm 118:8-9

I'm clinging to these words and let their meaning flow over my heart and fill me up. I'm holding on to the hope God will show me the reason for the way things are going right now. I would always pray that I would glorify Christ with my life and everything I am. He's answering that prayer but in a very painful and confusing way but I can't focus on the waves crashing around me because I'll drown. My flesh is screaming for the shore but I'm in the middle of the sea in a storm. All I can do is take as much daily prayer time I can and put one foot in front of the other.

"giving that we receive"

This prayer has been on my heart for a while now. When I was in 6th grade I knew the song version of this prayer but now-a-days I can only remember bits and pieces. I finally had the time to sit down and think about finding these beautiful words again and taking comfort in them. They call everyone, not only Christians, to a deeper level of love that looks beyond personal comfort. Despite is love for fine things Francis always had a heart for the poor and would give generously to help support them.

They were written by St. Francis of Assisi who was born in Assisi, Italy in 1182. No one loved pleasure more than Francis; he was clever, loved to sing, wore fine clothes and was always putting on showy displays. Handsome, fun loving, gallant, and courteous, he was very popular among the young nobles of Assisi.

One day, while crossing the Umbrian plain on horseback, Francis unexpectedly drew near a poor leper. The sudden appearance of this repulsive object filled him with disgust and he instinctively retreated, but presently controlling his natural aversion he dismounted, embraced the unfortunate man, and gave him all the money he had. This act begain a work in Francis that would continue and grow for the rest of his life. His dying words were "I have done my part, may Christ teach you to do yours."

I wanted to share his words with you and if nothing else to appreciate the man who was close enough to Christ's heart to relay them to us...

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life"

Hope and Change...Whatever

You gotta love Houston politics...NOT! I noticed this mural in down town Houston for the past 7 months...it bothers me how angry I get when I see it.

After all we are Americans and God will protect our contry no matter who the leader is...
"Having power is not as important as what you do with it."
~Matilda

Mr. Sutter

Some of my favorite high school memories include my teachers. I had a wonderful surprise running into one of my favorite St. Agnes teachers Mr. Sutter. He introduced me to the wonderful world of Monte Python..."It's only a flesh wound!"

This picture is from back in September but it was so cool running into him and his family at Panera Bread that I had to add it. It's funny how quickly certain people take you back to times in your life where you were completely different. The ticket for me is not getting wrapped up in possibilities of the past and being content in my present stage of life. High school is over, thank goodness, and I would never trade my experiences for another chance to do things over....but when I hear a certain song or smell a retired perfume I'm taken back to a time that seems less complicated and carefree now but I know were real concerns for me then. It is easy for me to romanticise the past but I will try and look at each day as a new possibility for growth, change, and love.

Puppy Love....We're Back!

So I've been a very bad blogger lately. Since my goal from the beginning of this blog was to write about everyday moments that get lost in the harriedness of life but there are somethings I'd rather not remember. I'm not going to pretend everything has been "hunky-dorrie" these past couple of weeks but part of life is living it...actually ALL of life is just living it. I have been very blessed to love one of God's creatures that really does this whole "just live it" thing really well...

Meet Toby! He is my 9 week old Maltipoo puppy and I love him to pieces!! He makes me smile every day with his wobbly walk, sweet puppy kisses with puppy breath, and enthusiasm for everything simple about life. I'm working in Dallas all this next week and I really will miss walking him in the morning and visiting him at lunch time.
Charlie and I got to spend time with our very good friends Adam and Kati. They fell in love with Toby too...

Please note Kati's super cute hair cut too! I never thought I would be "one of those" people but this reindeer costume was two bucks at target and I couldn't resist! Toby clearly loves it...

He really is adorable when he isn't being dramatic