Post 100!

            Its my 100th post everyone! Yay to me. Yay to us! I feel like I should write out some huge letter explaining why this is so special and how I feel empowered by this experience, but I shall save both of us the time. However, I feel that's its necessary to reflect on all God's taught me through this blog. I started off with intentions to share my thoughts and what's God's taught me, but this has become to much more. I've poured out my feelings to you all, my heartaches, my desires, and deepest ponderings. So thank-you all for listening and reading. Below I am posting the links to my top 10 favorite posts I've ever written so enjoy! Click away. Read up. And hopefully get others to follow too!

1. What's with the name?
2. Me... A Princess?
3. Childhood on a Bike
4. Eden.
5. Vintage Clothes
6. le reveur 
7. Where are the dreamers?
8. Fearless?
9. What's love these days?
10. People Pleaser?

My Heart Sings

             I'm sorry I haven't written in a while, I've been at my church's summer camp for the past 5 days. And in my entire life, nothing has ever come close to what I felt while there. It was 5 days of spiritual refreshment. I have never been full of such joy. I was accepted for who I was. I was needed. I realized who I was, not simply as an individual, but as a child of Christ.
             In the past 5 days I changed. I used to recognize myself as dreamer and utter romantic and truly, that is who am... but that is not the only thing that defines me. At camp I realized my definition does not simply come from the way I feel when I read romance novels, no... my definition is in Christ alone. During our first worship time at camp God revealed 3 small statements to me, but all with huge implications. He said to me, " You are treasured. You are loved. You... are Mine." And the effect that this had on me was astounding. Sure, being a hopeless romantic who views the world carelessly is good, but what if God views me as something even greater. What if what I have in my store for myself is good, but what God has is earth-shattering? What if I settle for the good when he has great for me? 
             With the knowledge of God's huge plans for me, my heart began to sing. I was not only needed, I was desperately needed in the huge scheme of all history. God has a place for me in this earth. How do I attain it? I surrender my will and grasp for His. I become audacious for Him. I become like Moses who spoke on behalf of Israel for their exile from Egypt. I be bold like Joshua who led the Israelites into God's promise land. I surrender like Ruth who followed in God's will and put herself into the bloodline of Christ. I walk like Esther who walked before a king assuming her death in order to save the Jews. I live like Jesus... the boldest of them all.

Billows and Mangroves.

This week so far has been nothing but billowy clouds and large mangroves. Feathery skies and sparkling waters. Each day I've sat out in the sun soaking up the rays and washing my body in the warm salty ocean. Pure bliss, that's what its been.

The mornings are full of home-made bread and family laughter. The afternoons are occupied with sand and sunshine. The evenings are enjoyed with delicious barbecues and fun-filled games. The nights are relished with sweet slumber.

I've been resting. This has been a time to finally sit before the Lord in a restful spirit and praise Him for His blessings. Praise God for vacations while on summer holiday. Did I ever mention I'm in love with summer?

Lightning.

Crackling. Flashing. Brightness collides in clattering booms and then... silence and the sound of tinkling rain. As I sit here and type away in the coziness of my own room lightning clashes away outside. Some complain and cry in fear of a lightning storm, me? Never. I sit near a window and take in the the beauty. It mesmerizes me. It grasps the breath right out me. I love its beauty and sound and heat. Its like the climax of every storm. As the soft rains form a song and the suspense builds, wind blows, a silent flash and CLASH! The pinnacle of the song has been reached. The trumpet has been played. The last note hit. And then the song begins again.

That's where the fruit is.

         Mark Twain once said, "Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is." And isn't it so true? Every time summer comes around I head to the library and rent books, do crafts, hang out with friends, and enjoy the long days of sunshine and rain. But for some reason this summer, I think God has something much more different and important for me. There's absolutely nothing wrong with reading, and doing crafts, and having fun with friends. All of those things are quite pleasurable and good for us, yet what if there's something God has for us that's so much more grand and special. So this summer. I'm going out on some limbs... cause that's where the fruit is, plus its a lot more adventurous than climbing on the same old trunk.
         
Limb #1: I'm going to my church's high school summer camp. I haven't gone yet, and this is my last chance to go since I'm a senior. Why is this hard? Well, none of my really close friends are going, I don't know a bunch of people there and I might now even be put in the same group as the few friends that are going. So, the possibility of spending 6 days with a huge group of people that I don't know somehow doesn't appeal to me. But, I'm tired of being afraid of these kind of things, so, I'm taking the climb out on this limb.
       
Limb #2: I tried out to sing for my church's worship team and... after 3 weeks of waiting for an answer... I'm now on it! Excitement and fear enters me at the thought of singing in front of all those people. I honestly am scared out of my mind to do anything in front of a large group of people. And singing? I love it... but on a more recluse stage... like in the shower. Not as much in front of other, but God has called me to this and I'll be obedient to His calling, I'm sure he knows what He's doing.
       
Limb #3: I'm going to Haiti again. Although I wouldn't say I'm afraid to go to Haiti, I guess it could be considered out of my comfort zone. But, you see, last time I was there I felt more at home than I do here in the states. It's my calling and I absolutely love it there, but I'm sure this time around God's going to stretch me much more. So one more limb to climb out on.
         
          So with all these limbs to climb, I'm going to need a little more strength from God. The other night as I searched the Bible looking for inspiration and strength to take on so much, I recognized I am not the only one who's ever been called out of their comfort zone. There are plenty of examples. Esther, Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Sarah, Paul, Peter, and Timothy. And even more to count. So, what did God tell of of these Biblical limb climbers? He said,

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Summer Sighing.

Je voudrais qu'il me demandez pas de danser.