I needed to be reminded today.

A bit of reminiscing.

Some reminiscing for your viewing pleasure.  

One of the many things that happened on tour after set-up was finished.  

Please note in the video how un-phased Uncle Vic is about it all :)

ArtPrize

This weekend we had gorgeous weather here in West Michigan.  It was celebrated by lots of time spent outside.  

 ^At Robinettes, I love this place.

 ^I wonder how many coats of paint are on here?

 ^God's handiwork

ArtPrize...Amy you would love this event.

^This gentleman burned the wood with a magnifying glass.  I'm pretty sure he hails from Florida or Texas for this type of art.

^Rules, rules...

^Single sheets of paper cut with an exacto knife.  

^Sister in front of the "paper trees."

^I really like all the colors.

^The artist painted all of these on a "spinning" easel.  

 ^Um, okay? Projector with a glass of water on it?  It is even for sale.

 ^Downtown

 ^Lego man

 ^Entirely made from duct tape.

 ^Don't you just LOVE the reflection of the trees in the windows.  love.

 ^The winner of ArtPrize.  The artist won $250,000.

 ^A close up of some of the tiles of the winning piece.  

 ^Monkeys on the bridge =0)

 ^Sisters

Rosy Mound

 ^Fall colors.

^I can't get enough.

^A lovely walk with Hilary.

You've Got Mail

This season has been one of complete trust.  That is the only word that really describes what my purpose is day in and day out.  I am trusting God with today and tomorrow.  I love how God encourages His children through a quiet word, a written note, scripture, prayers, and through...emails.  Feeling particularly weary the last few weeks, His encouragement came at just the right time.  Today I received two emails reminding me of truth and to keep on trusting.  

Email #1

Running Aground by MaryBeth Whalen

“Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Acts 27:26 (NIV)

Have you ever been going along, intent in your calling, certain of your direction, sure of God’s goodness, only to have something happen that throws you completely off course?

When my husband and I resolved to become financially sound, we were dismayed to quickly have an appliance break, shelling out the entire emergency fund we’d built up to repair it. Instead of moving forward we were going backwards.

We had two choices to make at that moment: thank God that we had the money to cover the repair or doubt God’s sovereignty in allowing the appliance to break.

In the book of Acts, chapter twenty-seven, Paul tells the people he is traveling with that God has called them to their mission. Not only that, he is certain the Holy Spirit is on their side. And yet, for reasons he doesn’t go into, we read in our key verse that he also tells them they must run aground, which means they’d be delayed on some island before their purpose would be accomplished.

This delay, it turns out, is part of the plan. This setback is actually sovereign. But of course at that moment they can’t see that. All they can see is a looming shipwreck, a deserted island.

Perhaps you are on your own deserted island—a personal exile that has been painful and prolonged. You wonder if God sees where you are, if He cares. You remember the time you were moving along, the wind in your sails, full speed ahead. And you miss that time. You wish God would rescue you from the island, put you back on course. Perhaps you’re beginning to doubt God really does have a plan for you.

I don’t know what your deserted island looks like. It might be the desolation of a marriage, the barren land of motherhood, the wasteland of a career. It might be the emptiness of simply not knowing what your purpose—your passion—really is, even as you watch other women seem to steam forward.

When I start to feel this way, I think about this verse. I remember that even Paul ran aground, even Paul faced setbacks. But I also remember that the island wasn’t the end of the story. Rescue was coming. Running aground doesn’t mean you’ve run outside of God’s will. It might just mean you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Use this time to increase your trust in God and to see Him work on your behalf, even when the palm trees obscure your view.

Email #2

The Right Doors Open by Max Lucado

You try one door after another, yet no one responds to your résumé. No university accepts your application. No doctor has a solution for your illness. No buyers look at your house.

Obstacles pack your path. Road, barricaded. Doorway, padlocked. Do you know the frustration of a blocked door?

God uses closed doors to advance his cause.

He closed the womb of a young Sarah so he could display his power to the elderly one.

He shut the palace door on Moses the prince so he could open shackles through Moses the liberator.

He marched Daniel out of Jerusalem so he could use Daniel in Babylon.

And Jesus. Yes, even Jesus knew the challenge of a blocked door. When he requested a path that bypassed the cross, God said no. He said no to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane so he could say yes to us at the gates of heaven.

It’s not that our plans are bad but that God’s plans are better.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so my ways are higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8–9 NLT)

Your blocked door doesn’t mean God doesn’t love you. Quite the opposite. It’s proof that he does.

So today I remember that I am His daughter, called, thought of, and loved.  

Pictures of fall

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, 

of gathering together.  

For nature, it is a time of sowing, 

of scattering abroad.  

Edwin Way Teale

Walking and enjoying fall.  Contentment.

 Saturday morning breakfast with the brother.  So good.

 My little brother.  

(Or maybe I should just say younger brother now.)

 A few pictures in an attempt to capture fall and all that it means.

Anyone want to have a cup of coffee? 

I love fall.  I love the feelings that it brings and what it stands for and encapsulates.  This has also been quite the season in life for me personally.  God is teaching me so much and growing me closer to Him through it all.  In a few words...

I have felt and known God's kindness and love for me.
I have learned that God's timing is perfect.
Change is good.
Resting is vital.
Faithfulness and trust are things that we can have because they are part of who God is and we are reflections of Him.
(and so much more)

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall, 

for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

This is a promise for me.  And you.  I have no doubt that He proclaims this over all of His children.

What do you love about fall?

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, 

fluttering from the autumn tree.

-Bronte

Happy Birthday Peace!

My last two birthdays were spent on a bus.  The first was in Seattle, it was a travel day if I remember right.  We arrived to the church after having the mornings with our host families.  The team sat me in a chair and the chaperones and kids sang a beautiful version of Happy Birthday to me.  I think back to that day and remember thinking that I knew everyone so well.  I had been with them for about 2 weeks but it felt like 2 years.

The second birthday was in Haines, Alaska.  It was beautiful.  By this time on tour, after knowing everyone for a true year, we realized that it was Peace's birthday as well.  She is my birthday twin, a few years younger and from a different continent, but my birthday twin all the same.

Today I am missing her especially as I think back to my last birthday.  We stayed at the same host family and so I was able to wake her up with a happy birthday and a hug!!!  We then walked to the church (the town was pretty small and quaint) and Peace and I were greeted downstairs to a tunnel of our family singing Happy Birthday and dancing.  There was a lot of joy and laughter.  I felt loved and cared about.  Mel gave me a beautiful cake that she made and Stacy was so kind as to schedule my day off for me that day!!!!  Mel, Amy, and I then set out to explore Haines.

We found a coffee shop first off and then walked and walked some more.  The ocean was gorgeous and then we stumbled upon a great local cafe/grocery store.  We had a good lunch sitting among lots of hippies and fishermen.  After going back to the church we picked up Chelsea and wandered some more and took some photos.  It was a lovely day.  One that I will always remember.

I changed a lot from my first birthday on tour to my second.  I learned how to see life through my beautiful childrens' eyes.  I learned a lot about patience and unconditional love.  And now here I am another year older.  Lessons have been learned in this season.  Some painful, some beautiful, all good.  I don't know what God has planned for this next season of my life, but I am trusting Him no matter what.  For His timing is perfect.

My heart aches today for Peace.  I want to be with her to celebrate her turning another year older, but I can only wish her a Happy Birthday from afar.  This is my birthday prayer for her.

Lord, I ask that you would overflow blessings to Peace as she turns another year older.  May her character deepen, her love increase, and her devotion to you grow deep roots.  As she grows into a young lady guide her footsteps.  May she know that she is beautiful and special and unique.  I pray that she will feel valued and esteemed today.  And most of all Lord may she know that she is loved.

I love you Peace.  Happy Birthday sweet girl.