Six years ago, I thought I was having the worst asthma attack of my teenage years. Bending down to move something in the safe of the retail store I worked in, all the air filling my lungs came rushing out as if a balloon burst inside me. Logically, I soon made my way, struggling for air, to my locker, where I fished my rarely-used emergency inhaler from my purse. Anticipating the relief that usually came within minutes, I returned to…
It’s crazy to think as I type this I already have my Christmas tree up and my house partially decorated. Last year, I wanted Christmas to be over instead of anticipating it, but this year, since I am out of retail, I am taking my time to enjoy this season we are heading into as I remember what I have learned in the past three months. The past couple of months have been relatively uneventful, simply busy as they always…
November has seemed to be a full month. I started writing a book for NaNoWriMo, which has taken up a decent amount of time (but not as much as one would think), I’ve been working on getting ready for the holidays, and along with all of everything else that goes on in life, Andrew and I went away for a few days. We went to Wisconsin for a wedding, so that threw off my journaling and devotional time, too. I…
Celebrities and breaking news is not what I usually like to think or talk about. However, recently Andrew was away and one of the nights I spent by myself I was awakened at three in the morning by my dog, Mountain Pie, who was unhappy that she was getting rained on in her room. Understandable, right? Yes. But waking me up in the middle of the night tends to make me very jumpy for a while, thanks to my adrenal…
I am inadequate. That’s not something you see people admit very often. That’s something we pretend we don’t feel, yet somehow it bubbles to the surface more often than any of us would like to admit. I am inadequate. We say this, and people jump up and say, “No, you are not! You are more than enough. You are strong. You aren’t weak.” Except. I am inadequate. You are inadequate. On our own. By ourselves, we are inadequate. We will…
You are never further away from me than a realization that You are with me. When I feel nothing more than numb and want to do nothing but cry, You are there. You are there when I see figures in the shadows and danger in the creaks of an old house. You are there when all has run out and I think it’s the end, yet somehow life keeps going. You are there when I feel I have failed, yet…
Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? Mark 4:40 Wow. That one hits me pretty hard. And sadly, I have to let it hit me hard often because I always manage to forget it. I remember a time in life when I had no cares in the world. I trusted my mom’s watch would beep and tell us it was time for my meds when it was time. I trusted I would have my medicine and I…
You don’t despise my weaknesses. You don’t laugh at my humanness. You don’t look at me in shame and wish I could be better. You don’t cut down my broken spirit as a game You play because You enjoy it. It is not a way for You to pass the time or be spiteful. You do not make fun of me for being unable to grasp Your love for me or comprehend Your grace and mercy. You do not tire…
Driving with my family along the Veterans Memorial Highway nestled in the Adirondack Mountains in Lake Placid, New York, we came to a quaint toll booth. It reminded me of something one would see around Christmas, almost like a gingerbread house. Made mostly out of wood and gray stones, the building seemed to have two parts. The first part was a small, almost round stone building with a tall pointed roof that was horn shaped and reminded me of something…
I believe it is important to reflect on the past and see where we have come from on occasion to see more clearly where we are going. Every three months I plan to list a few of the things I have learned, both serious and maybe seemingly silly things – whatever sticks out the most. Here are some of the things I have learned this summer! 1. I adore companionship. I love being alone, but I don’t love being by…
I recently shared about my last day working for Kohl’s. It was an ending, but it was also a new beginning that I was (and still am) happy about. I didn’t mention, however, was that evening was another new beginning, but in a much different way. Andrew recently sold his truck. We used to joke that if he ever sold the truck, I was going with it because I love that truck in the most ridiculous way. I don’t believe…
There’s something about knowing something is ending that makes me extremely sentimental, especially when it’s something that’s been going on for a long time. On occasion, I’m just done and walk away without looking back. Other times, I take pictures to remember as much as possible and try to fight back tears. Still, other times, it’s more of a celebration. Today I’m celebrating. Closing a chapter in my book that’s been open for almost four and a half (long) years….
Today marks Andrew and my one year wedding anniversary. To celebrate, he took me on a surprise trip to Natural Bridge, Virginia where we enjoyed the weekend alone together. I’ll write more about our travels in later posts (with pictures!) but today I’d like to list off a few things I’ve learned in this first year of marriage. First: it went by way too fast. Actually, most time seems to be going too fast nowadays. I’ve been taking time to…
My friend Alyssa and I decided to go on an evening adventure and ended up at High Rock in Cascade, MD. It’s a popular place to hang out and watch the sun set around here. Some days, there’s hardly anyone here. Other days, like today, it’s so full it’s hard to not be in some else’s way. We decided to not sit on the usual old look out, but on a different rock further back instead. It’s interesting to people…
It’s been a long week. I feel like I hardly got anything done. I haven’t been home to do anything. I’ve worked both of my jobs and I’ve helped get ready for my best friend’s wedding but I still feel like I have gotten nowhere. Except, I have been working through an email series by Carolyn Watts called “An Invitation to Rest”. I found it after reading a blog post called “When life takes a detour“. It was very timely…
We crawled out of bed at 4:40 in the morning. We were going to the beach. I am not a fan of early mornings. Even being surrounded by some of the people I love the most, I was not a happy camper, or, I suppose in this case, beach goer. We hit the road a little after five, stopping at a gas station soon after getting into Maryland to fill up on gas and grab some food for the trip….
Sunday, May 19, 2019 started like any normal Sunday, except for the fact that it didn’t at all. I suppose waking up to Andrew’s alarm was normal enough, but not going to church was not normal. My best friend, Kiara, graduated that morning, so I was going to support her at ten o’clock instead of going to church. I got ready as usual, but instead of getting in my car to drive a few blocks to church, I drove thirty…
The beginning is a good place to start. If only I knew where that was. I find it ironic I am starting when a lot of other things are ending. School is ending, I have friends graduating high school and college, the Wednesday night program at my church is ending for the school year, and Shekinah (the ballet company I participate in and help teach) is on a break. Life is slowing down for a lot of people, which is…