for us & not against us

Happy Saturday friends. I love that spring is here and here to stay! Just as I write this I can look out my window and see beautiful pink tulips & two blue jays hopping around in my backyard.

Something about spring time in the natural makes me feel more alive in the spiritual. God has been speaking to me lately in deeper & ever more exciting ways. I have been very encouraged by Bethel's new album, You Make Me Brave. It is so very good & I encourage you all to get it! Particular favourites include- You Make Me Brave, It is Well, Anchor, & I Belong to You. But seriously just buy the whole album.

The Lord has been showing me that he has good things planned for me! In my heart I have known that all along, but sometimes you forget or it is hard to see how good could come from *insert your situation here*. But He never fails. He is always good. In every situation. Being completely honest, I will say that I am coming out of what has been an incredibly painful & difficult season, as I am sure some of you are too. These past few months/ years have been rough, BUT GOD. He restores. It is easy in times of hardship to forget that God has a good plan for our lives. But when He reminds you of his good & perfect plan, you can't help but praise Him!

Lately I have heard the Lord speaking to me about who I am. I am his daughter & he loves me. Recently I was reading one of my favourite blogs & she was talking about finding our identity in Him vs. the world. It was so very encouraging. 

I feeling so hopeful right now. It is a great place to be. I pray you feel encouraged.

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A Year to Remember

I can hardly believe another year has gone by. Seems like not to long ago I was compiling my 2012 video. Due to a crazy unexpected schedule, I was unable to create some fun end of the year video/ post, so this quick one will have to suffice. Allow me to recap this year.

Made 300 cupcakes in one evening with the best friend. Valentines dinner with the Class of 2013 (I have been in so many classes now, I have to clarify by their graduating year :). Rome. Florence. Assisi. Piza. Bologna. Venice. Placed 4th in state for business ethics. Turned 17. Watched my life long friend graduate High School. Disneyland. Placed in the top 15 in the nation for business ethics. Crew. Crew. Crew. Loved it so much. Family Camp memories. Quit my job!!! Became a nanny/ mom's helper. Senior Year. Gained 4 of the best girlfriends ever. Senior volleyball season. Watched my brother be awarded his Master's Degree. Had my last day of High School ever. 

And now I look to the future. A little unsure of what it holds or why everything in the past has happened, but this I know: God is good. A friend posted this on facebook today & it was too good not to share.

"This year has taught me so much about friendships, how some are meant for a season or a life time. Either way God put them in my life for a reason. He has a purpose for all he does."

No matter if it was for a season or lifetime, God did it for a purpose. I love how that does not just apply to friendships, but practically anything we go through in life. 

2013: you were an unexpected but good year. I had no idea what this year would hold, but it was good. I made so many new memories. Can't wait to make more in 2014.

2014 feels so right. Happy New Year!

Don't Lose Hope.

This song has been my song lately. I know that He is with me to the very end. No matter what.

You know me and I know You

You’re the God who calms all my storms 

You’re the voice inside my head 

Don’t give up

Don’t let go

Don’t lose trust

Don’t lose hope

You can have all my fears, God

You can have all my sins

You can have all my weakness

I know you’re with me to the very end