Song of a Sparrow

After a long school day last week with much studying ahead I decided to take a walk to the grocery store to buy some snacks before my study group came over. All geared up in my rain coat and Wellies I took a wet but pleasant stroll in the rain and had my headphones playing some worship music. It's freeing sometimes knowing I can just walk somewhere if I want to. It's hard in today's world to do things like that especially for people like me who think there is an attacker lurking around every corner, but honestly this day was perfect. The rain fell down, the worship in my heart lifted up, and the neighbors wild flowers looked even more beautiful sparkling with in drops of water than they do drying up in the sun. It may look like an ordinary old street, but to me it was a moment in the rain. A moment to meet with my God and remember how His hand crafted all of this... ALL of this!! He is so big and mighty! And I just want to love Him more and more and more. He is so beautif

Oh Elisbaeth Elliot, you get me every time! Looking back in my journal from about a year ago here is an E.E. quote I kept. Just helps to keep life in perspective when singleness feels a bit redundant: "First of all, it is not our job to set about trying to coerce the men. They must answer to God who them the initiators. But a woman must answer to God by her acceptance of singleness, seeking to know Him in it and converting it into good by a peaceful, 'Yes, Lord!' Rather than into evil by a rebellious, 'No!'"

Walking home from the grocery store a few weeks ago I took these photos.  It was so exciting to finally see some life growing after such a terrible winter. I am in love with these little blue wildflowers and this space under the tree looks like the most inviting place to sit and write! This is just to show how it was super rainy, I actually pretty much got soaked on my walk home, but it was one of those afternoons that I felt so powerfully that joy in the hope I have in Christ.  God created this beautiful world and these tiny blue flowers; He created the rain that just washed over me.  I sang along in worship with my iPod and walked and prayed and admired. God is so good! This picture may not do it justice but just the emptiness of the street and the rain drops on the pavement... gave me so so much peace.  I could not help but be filled with joy. Today as I think about these things and think of how great the Lord is and how He loves us, I am reminded of the "Co

I can't be your Band-Aid Though I want to And I try I know that I can't fix you But it's hard to just walk by Band-Aids are only temporary And that's all I will be If I try to heal you and you depend on me But let me tell you There is hope You don't have to look far A hope that heals the deepest parts of your deepest scar

I've been meaning to do this for weeks now but life escapes me. Ithaca has been such a harsh winter that it was pure bliss the first night we got a breath of warm air rolling in. Classes were still killing me but it was about time to take a little break and let it feel like summer. So here are some pics of my friends our first "BBQ" of the season! :) Peter and Stephen happy to have such yummy goodness on their plates! Probably a little less happy that I am making them wait while I take photos to document everything. (Note:  I made the mac and cheese) Stephen made these handmade incredibly tasty juicy burgers!!  Caroline is ready to eat her burger! Taking a selfie... yes I'm being that person... can't wait to eat my burger with the disproportionately large italian bread - bread.

So there are so many more things I could talk about and catch up on, especially things God is teaching me in this life. Hopefully I'll find time to go back and cover the things I've forgotten to post, but in the meantime let me say I'm back on a baking kick. There is nothing quite so satisfying to me as working hard, putting something in the oven, filling the house with yummy smells, and then having this fabulous treat come out minutes later! More exciting is my expansion beyond cookies and brownies. I love trying new recipes and flavors and I am addicted to recipe browsing online. I probably owe Ithaca College some paper after printing so much goodness! Yesterday I made a cheesecake for the first time and was totally blessed by the overwhelming praises of the people who ate it. I doubt it was as good as they say, but I'm also not super crazy about cheesecake. My favorite thing was making homemade blueberry sauce to top it off. So much better than buying from a can

I said, "Let me walk in the fields." He said, "No; walk in the town." I said, "There are no flowers there." He said, "No flowers, but a crown." I said "But the skies are black, There is nothing but noise and din;" And He wept as He sent me back; "There is more," He said, "there is sin." I said, "But the air is thick, And clouds are veiling the sun." He answered, "Yet souls are sick, and souls in the dark undone." I said, "I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say." He answered, "Choose tonight If I am to miss you, or they." I pleaded for time to be given. He said, "Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in Heaven To have followed the steps of your Guide." I cast one look at the fields, Then set my face to the town; He said, "My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?" Then into His ha

I find that patience in the faith would be a lot easier if I had a firm guarantee that what I wanted was waiting for me at the end... But that's not how God works. We are called to patience and to trust Him in whatever the future may bring. He does promise us salvation and life with Him everlasting. He goes beyond that and sends us blessings in this world too, even though this life will pass away. Is that enough for us? Can we be patient enough knowing we do have a guaranteed promise in the end even if it's not the one we thought we wanted?? Holy Spirit break open this heart and open my eyes to see Your gift is greater and more than enough of anything I could wish for in this life. Grant me patience and trust while I wait.