The art of tangled vines...

Vines.

Life is very similar to vines. The way they get tangled if they are not cared for.

The way they creep and slither and do the most unruly sort of things when no one is watching.

But these very vines that snake their way around and seem to never end.

Are the very vines that bring life to fruit.

"He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree shedding its blossoms."

Job 15:33

The very fruit that these vines produce are like vanity. Some fruit is good yet some is bad. Whether, you keep the good is up to you. I know that I have had to clean out some of that "unripe" fruit that is holding me back from being beautiful in his eyes.

Which brings to the current dilemma.. It seems as the end of the year is fast approaching. And the girl that started this blog has long since grown into a budding woman whose heart lies with one... The Alpha, Omega, and the everlasting King.

There seems to be decisions I have to make.

Along the road, I have been hurt, hurt others and ignored a few. But all the while still claimed to be a follower of Christ. How can one that doesn't forgive still be following the ultimate forgiver???

Which leads me to my next point.. Why not now? Why not throw my pride to the side and ask everyone I have hurt or everyone that has hurt me to forgive me...

So with that, some maybe receiving emails or voicemail's asking for forgiveness. Asking to replant a friendship that was once there. When I start the new year I want to know that every seed was sown and every effort was made to create a garden full of blossoming friendships...

Are you ready to take the challenge as well???

Where flowers bloom so does hope.
- Lady Bird Johnson

Hello World..

Have you ever been inspired by a music video? I can say I have more than once now. My inspiring song and video is "Hello World" by Lady Antebellum. It just a great reminder how quickly life can change and if you don't take the time to look around and appreciate all that you have it may quickly pass you by or worse you may loose it.

There is just 11 days till Christmas! And of course I haven't even begun to head toward the stores. I can say that my feet are still dragging to head to the battle field.

This past weekend, I was so blessed to see my Uncle, Aunt and their kids. Its amazing how much they have grown, I can still remember them being little infants and caring them around the house. I wish we lived closer because I would want to spend more time seeing them. But it was a good family day that I enjoyed oh so very much.

Interesting facts: This is the very last week of my first semester as a grad student and although the semester has been one of providential growth, I have been having difficulty writing. But I guess with time I will progress to a better writer... Hopefully:)

Another fact, I am reading through Job right now. I know its about the faith of Job, how he lost everything but still never cursed God. But in Chapter 7 verse 14 I had a moment were I related it to something bigger.

"I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning."

So after reading this it came to me... What if you were out of relationship with God during times oh struggle and hardship. Would you curse the skies? What would be the meaning of life if it weren't for a bigger purpose? I think about all those who would rather be alone than with and my heart breaks for them. How lost would you feel if you had no meaning? This makes me realize ever more that those that are lost have no hope and even though they may be "with" their family or "with" their friends, they are never "with" HIM!

I pray that I may be used, that barriers will be brought down, that mountains will still be able to move, that he provided me with the chance to see a nation and a world at unrest so that they may become at peace with his love.

In all this, In all that is in his provision, I find hope in what I see... In family, in friends and in the painting that we call the world but I see as a image of a great artist.May your journey through the flower fields be long, may you never cease to see where you are going, and never forget where you came...

Dried Flowers...

How do you tell someone "No." Is there anyone else out there that has this problem. I think it is so odd that I have this problem... I have no problem telling how I feel about certain world ideas but when it gets the personal issues why can't I just speak the truth.

I am so worried about what the other person is feeling that I don't think about what I am feeling or thinking. So what should one do when you want to say no when you feel like you cant...

Praying that I find the answer to that...

Oh fact of the night went on Santa Runs for the city and was the body guard for the reindeer and the elf. Who can have that on there resume? Not many I am sure.

Trying to find the beauty within the dried flower fields... Have you ever wondered whether or not beauty can be found when all is gone. What is beauty? They say it is in the eye of the beholder.. But I wonder whether or not the beholder has the same problem as me the inability to see the truth. That you can't have it all and one day your field of chances will dry out. Wow that sounds so morbid. I guess I am just at a loss right now trying to figure out what to do.

Dried flowers come and go just as the ocean tide goes high and low...

I don't need a lot for Christmas...

Its December! The time when the world speeds up lines get longer and bank accounts run dry... But this time of the year is one of my favorites. I love the cold weather. I love cuddling in blankets and making tent houses to play in while the fire is burning. But my favorite part is that family and friends are brought together to celebrate the life we can have because of the birth of our Savior...

I met with one of the professors at CBU the other day. He is in charge of the program I am in. It was a awesome encounter and I can truly say the more I understand the vastness of the world and what I can do for the people I get a sense of contentment of knowing I am living for more than myself. I am in preparation for the WORLD!

God has had his hand right in my life lately and the providential moments that have arisen because of his handy-work have brought on a even more appreciated contentment with what I am so immersed in.

I have been writing a dialogue that goes over the world views of Judaism, Mormonism, Christianity, and Hinduism. When I was writing about the purpose of life from the Mormon's view I got a ring at the door bell and low and behold God had sent two missionaries from the LDS church. It was beyond awesome. I am sure I scared those boys with my in depth questions I wish I would have taken some more time to ask more questions but I trust that the Lord will provide many more opportunities. Still it was an awesome encounter!

"The grass wither and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever"

Isaiah 40:8

Till the next time we meet... I hope that even though flowers are hard to find and the season has limited them for you, try to find some joy knowing that they may be gone now but they will come back until then God is always constant.

Here is my favorite Christmas song...