I'm all about mantras

Yesterday marked the passing of another year of my life.  Something about it always makes me nostalgic, reflective and very excited.


(Note: while I do get excited about birthday cake, that's not exactly what I was referring to here.)


It's a chance for me to examine my life, think about where I've been, where I am and where I'm going. The whole ghost of Christmases past, present and future thing only without the ghosts and without Christmas.


We sat around the dinner table after a succulent Mediterranean style dinner debating who got spanked the most as a child, revisiting the past.  I shared a funny anecdote from my day, dwelling on the present - and now, today, I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Verses like that are good for days like this.

If I've learned anything about aging, it's that you can't reverse it.  You always have the future, and you always have the past, but the present is just here for a couple of blinks.

...So walk on the clouds today. Laugh at the frustrating things. Smile at jerks. And always remember that letting people bring you down to their level is never worth it.

I wake up in the morning after all this reflection and celebration and expect to feel different.  I still feel excited, I feel older, (but that could be from staying up to late and eating junky food) and I feel inspired to make this next year - just like the last - the best of my life. In a way I am different, but mostly, I'm still me.

Sunday afternoon

So its time for a nap. Today's my last day on the farm, and I'm sad to be leaving, but happy to be going home. I miss my family like crazy.

I miss my dad's wisdom and insight. I miss sharing things I'm discovering in the Word with him. I miss listening to him talk, sing, play the guitar or whatever.

I miss my mom's counsel and advice. I miss cooking with her, talking with her, listening to her, working out with her and hugging her.

I haven't seen my oldest sister in months! I miss her family like crazy! My nephew is talking now, I've been told.

I miss the other married siblings, but I'm used to missing them. I can't wait to see them all when I get home!

I miss my oldest brother and his passion and dedication. I miss his piano playing too!

My sisters at home are my very best friends, and I miss them so much. I miss waking up and seeing their beautiful faces. I miss working with them, playing with them, talking with them, drinking coffee with them, and fighting with them.

The three little girls are such precious jewels! I miss their antics, their giggles and watching them grow up and discover life. They keep smiles on all our faces.

My manly, exuberant brothers, my pals, protectors and friends. They're all taller than me now. Even the youngest one. I miss looking up to see their faces. =) I miss their jokes.

I miss them all!

It's been an amazing week learning to be a farm girl. I've done things I never thought I would do, from milking a cow by hand to driving a tractor. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and the experience! (besides the fact that it was a ton of fun!)

Tomorrow I'll be boarding an airplane to fly home. I'm excited about that, because I love flying. Even by myself.

I'm excited to spend a week with all my brothers and sisters at home, because that doesn't happen very often!

I'm excited to see what the future holds, because I know the One who holds the future.

Oh, and I'm excited to see the 180Movie which is coming out tomorrow on their website, www.180movie.com. Check it out if you get a chance!

"Let no man despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

That verse has been talking to me all day. =) Alright. Nap time is over. I'm gonna go wash milk buckets.

July 14th, 8am

There's a song running through my head that was brought on by what I read this morning in Isaiah, but I don't think it counts as writing if I post someone else's work. Does it?

I'm basking in God's greatness today. He's all powerful, all knowing, and all loving! He's justice and mercy. A paradox of sorts. His word shows me over and over how big He is and how small I am, and for that I can only praise Him. I'm elated that He chose me to be His child.

A child is exactly what I am. I can't even count the times I've recollected my childhood and sighed, wishing I could go back. I really had it made. I was loved, carefree, worry free, protected, provided for, nourished, instructed and disciplined in love. When remember the imaginary games I would play with my brothers, the silly things we would do, the way I dressed, I realize that I didn't care what people thought of me. I was secure in my parents love. I knew I didn't earn it and couldn't lose it.

That's what God has to offer me. I'm His child just the same as I'm my parents (now grown) child. The funny thing is, living at home I receive all the same advantages my childhood had to offer. I just don't realize or appreciate them. I didn't when I was a child either.