Y'all know me by now. I'm a picture taker. I like capturing memories and being able to look back on them. I decided to look back on all of my pictures from this past year and pick out the highlights. This year had a lot of highlights :) Lots of things crossed off my bucket list; lots of fears that were faced; lots of amazing people; lots of lessons learned; lots of growth; lots of grand adventures; and, of course, lots of shenanigans. 2013 was a year of growth.
2014 was a year of fear facing. I have a feeling that 2015 will be a year of establishment, with lots of growth and fear facing combined, as well as lots of adventures and surprises along the way :) Here's to a new year with endless possibilities!
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A few days before Christmas I shared with BW, in a very Lew-like style, the reasons why I love Christmas so much. We grew up in very opposite ways when it comes to Christmas. He had a hard time understanding why Christmas was so exciting, which was hard for me to comprehend. Though, once given the reason as to why, I can understand. But still - we are very different in that way. Pretty much anyone who knows me knows that I turn into a little elf this time of year. I've got my child-like tendencies anyways, but it all just sort of bursts forth come December. So, to help him understand why it is that I love this season so much, and to dig a little deeper and be able to put it into words for myself, I took him on a short Christmas date, which pretty much just consisted of him opening little handmade envelopes and reading letters explaining my love for different elements of the season. That, and taking him to the "Pepsi-Cola" light display that our town does every year. Anyways, I've decided to share with you all what I shared with him. And so here you are : the reasons why I love Christmas so much. ![]() Mmm . . .the tree. The tree holds much fondness for me. My daddy and I go out and pick it out together every year, and each time we do we end up talking with the cheeky old man who runs the place, along with his tree finding dog - former years being Ed, but he died this year :( So now I have a new Christmas tree finding dog buddy: Flip :) They're an enjoyable pair, Earl snd Flip. Earl's wife died not too msny years ago, so it's nice to spend a little bit of time with him, giving him someone to talk and laugh with. Anyways, that's picking out the tree. I'm fond of the memories that I have with my dad picking it out, but also for the memories that my mum and I have shared through it. It's the one thing each year that we both always decorate together (usually watching White Christmas or Star Wars). We pull out old familiar ornaments, I wear the red bell ornaments as earrings and twirl around in the tree skirt for a bit, we make sure the colors of the ornaments all go together, quarrel over little things, find compromises, find new ways to do things, and just spend time together. And once the tree has been fully decorated with fond memories, ornaments, and lights, I place the star on top - all the while wearing the mandatory footie pajamas/onesie. Not only does the tradition of the Christmas tree hold many fond memories with my parents, but also with just solutary time spent with it. Staying up late by the fire with the tree, in all of its simple beauty, towering over me... It's a simple joy that comes but one season out of the year. Soaking up the memories, the colors, the lights, the smells... Oh, the smells! I always make sure to pick a Christmas tree that's wonderfully potent. There's something so splendid about how a Christmas tree smells. It's just lovely - and happens to be one of my favorite smells. Probably out of association for the season, but still. It counts. All of these things (and probably more) are what make up the Christmas tree for me, and why I'm so very fond of it. ![]() This is one of my favorite parts. As you know, one of my primary love languages to express is gift giving. Here's a little insight into the mind of a gift giver (at least this one): Christmas isn't a time to find things for people because the holiday obligates you to. But rather, it's an excuse to go a little crazy and express that love in a fun and festive way. Everyone is different regard. But for me, I find things all year round and save them up for Christmas and birthdays, or if I just feel like giving a gift to them spontaneously. The reason I save most of my gifts up for Christmas instead of giving them to people as I get them? There are a couple of reasons. It's more cost effective that way, since I don't have an unlimited amount of money. And also tradition. It's part of a widespread tradition. I love having a special time full of giving. I could give random gifts to people throughout the year - and I do sometimes. But I would much rather save them up and enjoy them all at once (like candy, or shopping, or vacation days). Saving them up and being able to give them during the Christmas season just adds to the joy of the season for me. When I'm giving you a gift - even though it's not one of your main love languages - you're blessing me and allowing me to express myself naturally. When I give a gift, I'm expressing my personal love, support, and encouragement. I don't give out of obligation. Giving brings me joy. Not just the act of giving itself, although there's that too. But to give meaningful, personal gifts. It makes my heart happy. ![]() Lights. This one's pretty simple: I think they're pretty. There's something special about not one bright light outshining the night, but many little lights softly dimming the darkness. You get the calm and beauty of the dark without the fear or concern of what may be lurking in it. They make things feel cozy; they make things feel safe. ![]() Christmas music is one of my favorites. It's something I limit myself to once a year, and it just sets a warm atmosphere. It's cozy; it's warm; it's rarely crude (the good stuff isn't at least); it's clean; it emphasizes tradition, family, and joy, and it's just wonderful. Nothing sets the mood like a little Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. The same goes for Christmas movies. They're almost always clean, with no muck that I don't want to see or hear. They help set the mood for the season (a mood that I love dearly). And a lot of them feel like home; movies that I've watched over & over growing up that I now watch yearly. White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, Little Women, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Home Alone, Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, etc. Plus then you've got all of the cheesy Hallmark films, which are just great in and of themselves. It's just delightful. The fireplace in the morning and evenings, my Christmas blanket, hot chocolate, cozy music, wrapping presents . . . They're all little things, but little things are my thing. And all of them add to this season to make it as special as it is for me. Also, I just really, really love wrapping gifts. It's just fun, and it keeps me out of mischief. Basically, Christmas is childhood, family, safety, and warmth. And oh so much joy and giddiness ^.^ ![]() While it's more in the background, this is quite possibly my favorite part of the entire season. The worldwide celebration of Christ's birth. Even though Christ wasn't born this time of the year, and I recognize and praise Him for what He's done all year round, it's still special for me to have a time set aside every year to really focus in on His birth. Cause even though there are many prophecies throughout the bible telling of Christ's birth and mission prior to the event, to me, this is where it all began. It's the beginning of salvation; the birth of our Savior. I so wish I could put into words how much this time means to me, with all of its reminders. But then, perhaps it's best that I can't. It's like a sweet little treasure that only God and I can share. But I'll give you a wee thought and insight into its value : this time of year, as we celebrate Christ's birth, I'm reminded of my life 7-8 years ago. I'm reminded of the depression, the suicidal tendencies, the anxiety, the isolation, the hopelessness. I'm reminded of the overwhelming feelings and lies of worthlessness and fear that Satan drowned me in. I'm reminded of the times that I came so close to popping a handful of pills or wishfully entertaining thoughts of cutting my neck with a knife. I'm reminded of that one afternoon I was in the shower, curled up in the fetal position, sobbing, overwhelmed with helplessness, weight, and no escape. And I'm reminded of that desperate, last ditch effort attempt of escape by looking to God once more, and the peace that came after. The words that come to mind for me this season are JOY and LIFE. The incredible joy that God has taught me to have in the past 7-8 years, and the abundant life that I've been able to live. Real life. He's taken a scared, insecure, helpless little girl, and shaped her into a passionate, joyous, lively little lady (I say that last part loosely) with a heart to grow, speak truth, encourage, and be vulnerable. I've still got my fears, I've still got my walls, I've still got my insecurities. But the distance that He has brought me from where I used to be is something beautiful. It's something that, for me, is proof of His existence and character. I love looking back over the years, including the last 12 months, and seeing and remembering all that He has done in my life. It is one of the sweetest times for me, sitting with Him, admiring His beautiful craftsmanship. I'm alive and living today because of being able to come to Him that day in the shower. I was able to come to Him that day in the shower because the veil was torn when Christ died on the cross. Christ died on the cross as a part of His mission. His mission began that day in the stable. I celebrate and treasure this time of the year because it's a reminder for me that I am alive in and through Him, and it all started on that day. Still my favorite Christmas song. Also, as a side note, I'm pretty stoked about this gift that I got to make this year.
Thank you, Pinterest, for all of your brilliant ideas :) Little things are my thing. The little things in my life are some of the things that I hold most dearly.
So I have a sweet challenge for you. Thanksgiving was a week ago. And while Thanksgiving is (often) a wonderful day set aside as a reminder of all that we have to be thankful for (and to stuff our faces and spend time with family & friends), it's also something that should never be contained to just one day out of the year. It's pretty easy to be thankful for things all throughout the year, but do we really stop and think about what we have to be thankful for on a day-to-day basis? Therefore, I challenge you to think of 100 specific little things - little moments - that you're thankful for. And as I'm not about to give you a challenge that I haven't done myself, here's my list of some of the specific little things that I'm thankful for : 1. The times when I get to play with Legos 2. Writing little encouragement notes for people 3. Clean sheets, boxers, and freshly shaved legs 4. Discovering that my BW switched laundry detergent and dish soap for me so that I can partake of them safely 5. Finding the PERFECT gift for someone 6. Warm slippers on frozen toes 7. The times when I'm not sick 8. Watching all the Harry Potter movies every Christmas 9. Driving on rainy nights, when the lights reflect off the water on the ground and the raindrops trickle down the windows 10. When a song comes on that I needed to hear in that given moment 11. Being able to be alone and have intimate time with Jesus in a room full of people 12. Home remedies that take care of things without needing antibiotics, liquid nitrogen, or ibuprofen 13. Teddy bears and stuffed mice that fit perfectly in my arms and hand 14. Listening to Adventures in Odyssey and sharing that piece of my childhood with a dear friend 15. Being able to serve others - cleaning their bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, doing their laundry, organizing, etc 16. Finding jeans that fit perfectly 17. When people (one in particular) read books aloud to me 18. Beautiful memories to hold onto 19. Being able to cross something off my bucket list 20. Yam/sweet potato fries in my tummy 21. Amazing Oregon sunsets 22. The feeling of coming inside after being in the cold 23. Little moments of healing, piece by piece 24. Making lists 25. Finding a quote that fits me perfectly 26. Home alone lip syncing dance parties 27. A dog who happens to be the best sick buddy ever 28. The feeling of chapstick on chapped lips 29. Moments of triumph against the enemy; when I stand firm, unwavering, in the authority and security I have in Christ 30. Freedom to be a girl 31. Cassette tape players and the memories they hold 32. Finding something on ebay for a good deal that I've been wanting/needing 33. A study bible that helps me understand things better 34. Christmas trees at night (by the fireplace ^.^) 35. Green lights when I'm running late 36. Heels that don't hurt and that I can actually walk in (that don't look bad either) 37. Making the cashier smile 38. Spontaneous adventures that end up making the best memories 39. Smashbooks - therapeutic creativity and being able to frame a memory all at once 40. When my mum makes me soup and tea when I'm sick 41. Having movie marathons with dear friends 42. Sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace 43. Homemade biscuits and jam 44. Beautiful views 45. The hope of being able to eat certain foods some day 46. Falling asleep under the stars 47. The sweet customers that come into the store, and the many conversations I get to have with them. Seriously, we have the best customers 48. Being able to make productive use of insomnia 49. Having the perfect movie to watch 50. Toilet paper. I'm thankful for toilet paper. And the fact that my dude buys the soft kind . . . 51. Surprise blessing missions (cleaning the house, weeding the backyard, making dinner - all without people expecting or knowing. Hehehe) 52. Sweats. And the worlds glorious acceptance of them out in public 53. The opportunity to try new things 54. The daily exercise of trying to be selfless 55. Clocks. Seriously, if I had no way of telling time . . . I'd go crazy. I get anxious if I don't know what time I go to bed/fall asleep . . . 56. Times when my hair behaves itself and does what I'd like it to without brute force 57. Running into people I know when I'm out and about 58. Watching old Scooby Doo episodes before bed 59. Moments of silence 60. Running up & down the hallway playing with Lacey, getting excited with her after she pees 61. Building blanket forts and enjoying them with people (also falling asleep in them is great too) 62. Spontaneous pillow fights, wrestling matches, and overall shenanigans with my daddy 63. When BW keeps his fridge and freezer stocked with my chocolate milk and ice cream 64. Thrift storing adventures with my bestie (AKA: Mad dawg, and or, Madi) 65. The times when my pelvis, hips, sacrum, and back aren't in pain 66. A soft, cold smoothie rolling over my tongue on a hot day 67. Playing board games with my family (especially Catch Phrase) and laughing until somebody is in tears or has to pee 68. That I live in a place where I can walk around in boxers and a T-shirt and it's completely acceptable 69. Nailing a spider on the ceiling with my Nerf gun 70. A smart phone that allows me to check things and get directions when I'm out and about 71. My car, and the fact that it doesn't have any issues 72. Coming home to an empty house and just decompressing after the day 73. When people remember my food issues - and better yet, when they can explain them to people so that I don't have to 74. Spontaneous neckrubs while driving 75. Time without heavy spiritual warfare 76. Being able to show love to someone in a way that they need 77. Finding scripture that hits my heart 78. When my cat curls up next to me and buries her face in my hand 79. Visual reminders of God's promises 80. Self control 81. Moments energy and motivation that produce mass productivity 82. When my dog licks my feet 83. Tissues - especially the soft kind 84. The patience of those around me (especially those who live with me) 85. Having the best comebacks that put people in their place without putting them down 86. Watching Christmas movies while wrapping gifts by the Christmas tree 87. Getting things organized 88. The feeling of accomplishment after finishing a task 89. Those rare nights when I can fall asleep in 15 minutes or less 90. Capturing the perfect picture 91. My bosses grace 92. Time to relax 93. Not having to spit constantly 94. Trying new recipes of food that's safe for us 95. Lotion on cracked hands 96. A really good dance - good lead, good song, and hitting every spin and being super in sync with your lead 97. Dinners with the whole family - sister and brother-in-law and all 98. Food, and the variety that we have 99. Empathy and perspective 100. Being able to see a glimpse of how God is at work in my life, and in others' It's crazy to see how our perspective changes the more we realize how much we have to be thankful for. Our hearts become shaped by gratitude rather than greed, and that is a beautiful thing. |
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