Painting and Wishes

I like to paint. I've been doing a lot of it lately. Probably more than I should. The stray paint marks on my desk match those on my hands. I have finished canvases all over my dorm, ready to be delivered. I know, Mom.. I should be working on study guides, drawings for my classes, folding my laundry... But I'm not. I will eventually, I promise. For now I will find bliss in my careless painting though.

Changing the subject... I wish I had somewhere dark and warm to look at the stars right now. And someone to hold my hand and look at them with me. (Yep, I'm being sappy. Why? Because I can. And that's what happens when I am sleepy.) I love the stars. I see God's majesty in the stars. I want to enjoy that with someone. (This is the part where I cry myself to sleep because that will never happen. Or maybe it will, I just don't see it happening any time soon.)

Whatever. I'm being silly. Time to brush my teeth and go to sleep.
ZZZZzzzzz......
Grace

Thankful!

I am three days into my Thanksgiving break here at home and I have so much to be thankful for! I am blessed with a great family who either accepts my humor or is even funnier than me. (Yes I know, that's hard to even imagine. I am PRETTY dang funny. ;) ) I am thankful for my friends, who, after weeks of being apart, can pick up right where we left off and continue to laugh with each other. I'm thankful for the ability to three-way call and Skype friends who are far away. I'm thankful for (delicious) food on the table and the hands that prepare it. This all sounds so generic, but I am genuinely thankful for these things. Most of all, I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord, who makes the rest of my blessings possible.

"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20

I hope you choose to be thankful today and everyday. It is the way we are called to live.
I am thankful for YOU!
Grace
PS, the pictures at the top of this post are from our Thanksgiving celebration yesterday! I love my family!

Wigs vs. Hats

After researching the topic, I have learned that it is normal to shed 200-300 pieces of hair a day. I do not count the number of hairs that come out of my head each day, but by the looks of things, I would assume it is more than that. Hopefully this is due to the weather change, or maybe stress due to my transfer to Texas State next semester. If not, I may need to start considering what I am going to do when all my hair falls out and I am a bald woman. Will I find wigs? I could have a different hair style each day if I did that. Although, I would have to deal with the possibility of it being itchy or sweaty. Also, how much do wigs cost? Maybe I could wear hats. I could change every day and they aren't too expensive. Although, hats are not socially acceptable in all places. I don't know what I will do the day I wake up to a bald head. Until that becomes a reality, I will continue to wash and brush my hair.. and sweep the loose strands off my floor four times a week. Hopefully I will never have to deal with the problem and I can enjoy my natural head of hair for the rest of my life.

Prayers

A couple years ago I gave the Prayer talk at Happening #110 in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. I talked about the importance of living our lives in constant conversation with God. That God is the only person we can rely on completely. He is with us through our best and worst days, and all the days in between. Today, I have many reasons to pray.

To start with, I am thankful. Through prayer, I thank God for my blessings. A supportive family, compassionate friends, an education, and much more.

I am also in prayer for the family and friends of Amberlynn Fett. Amberlynn, from Dripping Springs, passed away today at the age of 22. She had battled Cystic Fibrosis her whole life and even had a double lung transplant. Through all her struggles though, she kept her head up and her eyes on God. I have admired her from a distance and I am encouraged by her perseverance throughout the years. God needed her to be with Him, and I know she is breathing easy by His side now. I pray for comfort and understanding for those who are in pain due to their loss.

Finally, I am in prayer for Happening #120 which will be taking place this weekend in Uvalde. Happening is a weekend retreat-type event designed for high schoolers to grow in relationship with themselves, each other, and God. Happening was a very important event throughout my years in high school, and I pray for the "happeners" this weekend. Specifically, for open minds and hearts.

The power of prayer is something we will never understand. For me, it is a time to slow down and be intentional with my thoughts. Join me in prayer. Not just today, but every day. We need to practice closing our mouths for a bit and opening our hearts to God. Listen diligently for what He has to say and respond faithfully through your actions. This is the way Christ wants us to live. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Never stop praying.".

Be blessed today, and be thankful.
Grace

In the beginning...

Hey friends!
I'm going to try something new! A blog! I plan to post here semi-frequently (You like that? It's not a specific quantity, but it sounds like I'll be really engaged in this.) to keep a record of my activities, thoughts, observations, celebrations, struggles, and whatever else may cross my path that I deem worth sharing. Who knows what this will turn into. I just want to have something to be able to look back on. (yeah, yeah... I'm sure you're thinking, "great, she's already getting mushy and sentimental". I probably am. I tend to do that late at night.) So, here we go! I hope you'll appreciate this effort.
Be blessed and get some sleep!
Grace