It's finally time.

Sweaters, scarves, jeans, hot chocolate, festive treats, clouds, rain (please), fireplaces, mountains, leaves, boots, blankets.. I could go on. But judging by everyone's facebook status' today I am not the only one excited-- Fall is here and finally feels like it is here!

Here's to Fall and all it brings!







Ps.. I haven't been blogging much because I have had a lack of photos to post. But, from now on it'll will be more random thoughts, topics, photos, life and more. Not sure if that will be interesting to you but I'm gonna keep typing.

four years of briefing

I love traditions. I do Holidays and occasions with full effort - decor, treats, attire, etc. And you always have to document with photos. Looking back on past years of repeated events is so great.

One thing that has happened for the past four years is the annual young adult trip to Forest Home (see previous post). For the past four years we have gathered our group to take a picture together on the 'small bridge'. I looked through my hard drive and found the collection.

2006


2007


2008


2009


Being a part of the Young Adult Ministry has been such a blessing. I've grown close to so many people, learned a lot of about serving, the challenges that come with it and seeking God and His will through it all. We are blessed with such a genuine and growing community, Ian and Julia and all their heart for the ministry and the people in it and being able to see growth and passions lived through those around us.

I love you all.

Moments

A cool breeze, mountains, community, solitude, late nights, endless laughing, stars..

All things that make little moments more significant. They make me stop, take it in and enjoy. Forest Home was a great weekend to get away with amazing people (new friends and old), worship and quiet our lives. I love the mountains. Going off roading was a great time of enjoying the scenery, getting off to an isolated area and being a little scared for my life. The weekend was super bonding for our church community and it was a great time of personal reflection, conviction and growth for me. I am so blessed to have so many people who love and support me and are on this journey with me. I really am honored to be part of such a genuine and growing community of people truly seeking Him in their lives.

Shades:














freedom

I've been pondering True Community. It has come up in many different contexts and conversations lately - Goals, a lack of, an abundance, etc.

I hear some cities are horrible for it, "I've lived here for years and haven't made a friend." Or "I have so many great friends that it can be hard to stay connected with all of them." And so on.

I don't know what it looks like for you, but to me community is a complex thing. Everyone has different expectations, desires and needs. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with how blessed I am by people in my life. Sometimes I feel totally empty no matter how many people I am around or how great the people in my life are. This can change quickly. So I ask myself, "When will I be consistently satisfied with the community taking place in my life?" I definitely do not have it all figured out but I do know God calls us to be dependent upon Him and one another. Him first, others second. He calls me to shift my focus to those around me; no matter how different or alike, how easy (or hard) they may be to love or if I will get anything in return.

Honestly, that is my goal. I love people (or I desire to). I thrive off of social interaction, busy rooms and real conversations. But in those times I find myself unsatisfied I find the answer of why in the fact that I've got it out for order. Being around people, helping people, phone conversations and facebook interactions will not do the trick. I have to first be seeking God in my life in order to experience community or love those around me. When I am not engaged in my relationship with God my other interactions are based on routine and selfish motives, not of genuine desire or overflowing love. This may sound basic and I hope it is for you, but I need reminding.

So rambling aside.. I am finding some time to myself. Time for reading, listening, writing and processing; giving myself over to my creator.

In my place:


Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2