two days in a row after over a month of no posts...

Taken from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" daily devotional:

"When once you are rooted in Reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith; but nothing can ever upset God or the almighty Reality of Redemption; base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God.  When once you get into personal contact with Jesus Christ, you will never be moved again."

Your hands that shape the world are holding me...

I heard this song awhile ago and I love it.  It talks of the faithfulness of God amidst the unsteady happenings in life.  I know that I haven't blogged in a long time and a lot has happened so I guess it's about time.  As of a couple months ago my world was a little shaky in the sense that I had no idea what was about to unfold, but I knew something was about to happen.  I like to call it Holy anticipation because instead of feeling anxious there always seems to be a sense of excitement for what God has in store for me. Things seem to have fallen into place and I'm pretty much amazed everyday I  wake up and realize my life is not a dream.  

Fade to two months ago:  applying for jobs daily, hearing nothing back, feeling rejected and unsure about the prospects, getting anxious and restless, missing friends and desiring fellowship of some sort, trying to live out Psalm 31:14,15 daily:

"But I am trusting you, Oh Lord, saying 'You are my God!' My future is in Your hands."

It's easy to look back and say "God was faithful", but it is much more difficult to see that in the process.  Even though I'm constantly looking back and seeing how I truly never leave His hands I still seem to find myself caught in a state of frustration as I wait for God's plan to unfold.  Instead I need to begin to see that the plan does not just happen in the culmination, but rather the plan is unfolding all along...the plan is the process not just the end result.  

Currently I have a wonderful boyfriend and that alone is a prime example of God's perfect timing.  I have TWO jobs and I have a car.  My life does not feel shaky or unsteady, but it's not because of what I have, but who I trust.  If you took away my family, my boyfriend, my jobs and my car I would hope that I could still say that my life was not unsteady because I know who is holding me.  There is a peaceful, easy feeling that I have, but not because of my current circumstances...God has been teaching me through various adventures in my life that He truly does have the whole world in His hands and that includes me.  What is there to worry about when worrying doesn't get me any closer to the answers I want?  Instead Psalm 31:14,15 shall be my daily commitment... after all, my future is in His hands and who better to hold it than the One who shaped the wonderful world we live in.

living vicariously through Clare

Oh, High School Spirit Day!!!  Even though we've moved Clare's school colors are the same as my old school colors so this morning brought back some great memories.  I helped her make shirts last night and we bought tons of ribbon and some sparkly fake eye-lashes.  I loved Spirit Day when I was in high school! I remember that we all used to get together and decorate shirts and shorts together and then get to school early to do each other's hair and makeup.  All the halls were decorated by the different classes and it was just an awesome day to be in school.  When else do you get to dress like a complete idiot on purpose?  And then of course the pep rally which means that instead of going to class you got to participate in games that made you look even more stupid!

I obviously don't really want to go back to high school, but I think that we should have more days like that in general.  I don't know...maybe a Family Spirit Day and each family dresses up in awkward outfits with colors that describe who they are and then all the families compete in stupid games together?  That would probably be kind of hard to organize and I'm not sure how many families would want to participate, but I think it would be fun! For the record, I think our family colors would be green and gold! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JACK AND JENNY!

A year ago today Jack and Jenny were married and it was a beautiful day!  I can't believe it's been a year and I know this is just the beginning of many anniversary's! I'm so happy to be able to call Jenny my sister...they are so good for each other! In honor of them...here are some pictures from the wonderful day they became husband and wife!

HOLAHAN HALF BIRTHDAYS

the woman making the cake looked at me really funny when I said "Happy Half Birthday Clare"

I bought her some shirts that she wanted (and that I will likely borrow)

and my parents bought her UGGs

When Clare was 4 she asked us how people have surprise Birthday parties if you know when your Birthday is and we decided to surprise her to show her how it's done! So, on October 11, 1998 Clare woke up to balloons and signs wishing her a Happy Half Birthday! She was very surprised to say the least and that was the beginning of us celebrating Half Birthdays.  Every year since then we acknowledge Half Birthdays in some way.  Yesterday was Clare's Half Birthday and when she came home she was greeted with a cookie cake and some presents.  This is the first year since she was 4 1/2 that we actually celebrated on her real Half Birthday--usually we do it in the days before or after in order to catch her off guard.  

My Half Birthday is in March, but I wasn't home to celebrate so I was surprised last night as well!  I thought I was in on the surprise, but I got a pair of UGGs too!  I've never really wanted a pair, but I love the ones I have now!  SURPRISE!!  

Half Birthdays may sound a little weird and may make us look spoiled, but we never really expect more than a card and a cake...which is why everything is such a surprise!  Our parents recorded a Half Birthday musical card that said "one birthday or two what we're trying to say is, 'WE LOVE YOU!'"  I think that summarizes Holahan Half Birthdays... 

soup for three

So, like I've said before, I have been experimenting with recipes during this time of unemployment.  Someone told me I'm learning to be a wife...I'm not so sure that was the motive, but I'll take the practice I guess.  Anyway, I've made a big pot of soup every week since it's been cold out and I have really enjoyed trying different things.  Minestrone is my favorite to make especially being a vegetarian because pretty much all it is is vegetables and beans.  

Yesterday Tricia, Meag and I had a date to make soup together and it was so much fun.  Tricia even made the table look beautiful.  We each brought different things and combined them to make soup.  It was delicious and we are that much closer to being the perfect future wives of whoever we marry. We thought maybe we could open a restaurant and make soup.  Since Tricia's table only fits three people we'd have to take reservations, but the possibilities are endless.  I love soup.  I love friends.  I love life.

coffee on the interstate

I saw this coffee truck on the road and it made me want to pull up next to the truck, stick out my coffee cup and have coffee drip out.  I've never seen a truck like this before, but I think they're on to something.  We all know about drive-through's, but what if they started a drive by coffee business and all you had to do was drive by this truck and coffee would dispense?  Sure there are some kinks that need to be worked out of that brilliant idea, but I think it could be something wonderful.   Keep your eyes open for this truck...if you like coffee as much as I do just the thought of the possibilities of what this truck could be will be sure to make your day!  

ps. don't worry, I was not driving and taking pictures at the same time...I was with my mom and she was driving so my hands were free to take a picture without causing any dangerous situations.

Ebony...Something...Kendrick

Last night I had a long talk on the phone with Ebony and it was really great to talk to her. I can't believe it's been over a month since I've seen or talked to her and I miss her a lot.  We did a lot together in DC and I have a ton of great memories with her.  Ebony called me Erin Patricia Holahan after she found out that was my middle name, which seems to be what people do when they find out my middle name for some reason.  Anyway, one day I tried to call her by her middle name and realized that I didn't remember it at the time so I said "Ebony...Something...Kendrick" which was funny to us, but probably doesn't make for a great story.  By the way, her middle name is Lauren.  The reason I told that story is because my Nana always used to say to people she really liked "you're something else again" and that's how I feel about Ebony.  She is a great friend, a hard worker, and always willing to help out when she can.  She is very selfless and I'm glad that I can call her my friend.  

One of my first days working at Ebenezers I told Ebony that my house didn't have a coffee maker and I had to change that immediately so I was going to buy one after work. Well, not knowing the city at all, I was going to go to the only place I knew how to get to which would have been really expensive.  So, Ebony took me to Target and we got Ben's Chili Bowl for lunch.  It was such a great day and from that moment on we were bff's.  I'm so thankful for her and I'm so excited to see where she goes in life.  It's sad that we aren't in the same city anymore and we can't just get coffee or go to a fun place for dinner or find the only Pizza Hut in DC, but I know that she was brought into my life for a reason and this past year was just the beginning.  

We have a lot of goals separately, but one of our goals together is to write a musical.  I know that it sounds like a joke and it sort of is, but I think we can really do it.  Watch out because we're developing characters and you might find yourself in one of them ;)  Needless to say, Ebony is a joy to be around and spending time with her is effortless.  Here's to you, Ebony...

"May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand!"

pumpkin bread

I have found that there is something inside of me that comes alive when I am cooking.  Maybe it has something to do with the endless hours I have spent watching food network over the years, but I have really grown to love the time I spend making dinners or baking.  Yesterday I was feeling weird so I decided that I would make a huge pot of vegetable soup and a couple loaves of pumpkin bread and it totally changed how I was feeling.  

I have been using a vegetarian cookbook as a base for the meals that I make and it's been really good, but I want to learn more.  I have decided that I am going to take some cake baking and decorating courses as well as a few classes in cooking other kinds of food.  My favorite class that I'm signing up for is how to make butternut squash ravioli.  I'm really excited for that...and I think I might debut what I learn at Thanksgiving this year so stay tuned for more on that.  

Psalm 8:1-9

"O Lord, our Lord, your majestic

name fills the earth!

Your glory is higher than the heavens.

You have taught children and infants

to tell of your strength,

silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

When I look at the night sky

and see the work of your fingers-

the moon and the stars you set in place-

what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

Yet you made them only a little lower than God

and crowned them with glory and honor.

You gave them charge of everything you made,

putting all things under their authority-

the flocks and the herds

and all the wild animals,

the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,

and everything that swims the ocean currants.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic 

name fills the earth!"

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today Clare and I took mom to Color Me Mine (I told you I was obsessed) for her birthday.  We had a great time and it was a complete surprise for mom.  We each painted something and it was such a great way to spend the day.  We got Cold Stone after that and then went to see Fame.  It was so special to be able to spend the day making memories with my mom...we had so much fun and didn't worry about anything all day!  We could have just bought her something that I'm sure she would have liked, but Clare and I thought that it would be nice to just spend the day enjoying each other and making memories that will last forever.  Now whenever we look at the pottery that we painted today we will remember this birthday and how much fun we have together.  

On a side note...I know that Fame has been getting bad reviews, but I really liked it.  I'm a sucker for movies like that.  I felt inspired and I could not stop dancing to the music!  It might not have been the most amazing movie in the sense of acting or technical things, but I was entertained!

Color Me Mine

For my birthday last week Tricia took me to Color Me Mine where we painted pottery.  It was so much fun and really relaxing. Of course I painted a coffee mug and I think I'm addicted!  We were so into being artistic that we didn't even really talk much, but you know you have a great friend when just being together is enough-no words need to be spoken. It takes a week for them to finish it after it's painted and I picked my finished product up yesterday:

what will your routine look like?

why'd we buy these knives?

Have you ever tried typing without using one of your index fingers?? Well, that is what I'm doing right now and it's not easy!  Yesterday I was getting dinner ready...which is what I do now since I'm home all day and I actually love it...and I was singing while I cut up some vegetables.  This is not an unusual occurrence: 1. for me to be cutting vegetables and 2. for me to be singing, but I have never really done them together I guess.  I slipped and the knife cut my index finger worse than I've ever done before.  I don't want to be graphic, but those Cutco knives cut things really smoothly.  I held pressure on it for awhile and then put two bandaids on it.  I ate a cookie because that makes everything better.  I thought it was getting a lot better and I was excited!

I had tap dance class last night and when I came home I asked my mom to help me clean my cut.  As soon as we took the bandaids off the cut started to bleed again.  That's when I realized I cut it a lot deeper than I thought.  She was able to wrap it up in gauze and now I look really weird, but at least it's not bleeding anymore!!!  So, my advice is DON'T USE CUTCO KNIVES IF YOU WANT TO SING WHILE YOU COOK!!!

I'm 22, I'm 22...

*I spent the day with Bailey at the vet because she got stung by a bee, but I'm glad she's ok!*

*Mr. Dominic's for the annual birthday dinner!*

*Homemade Carrot Cake with pink frosting!*

There's a part in the movie Never Been Kissed where Drew Barrymore's character exclaims in her high school English class, where she is an undercover reporter, "I'm 17, I'm 17" in order to convince everyone else and herself.   I remember this line every year on my birthday because it's often difficult to believe that an entire year passed AGAIN!  

I celebrated my 22nd birthday on Wednesday and really spent a lot of time reflecting on birthday's in the past.  As I look back over my life I know I was with the people that I needed to be with on my birthday each year, but no year is exactly alike.  Last year I was in DC with wonderful roommates and friends who I had just met and eating cupcakes my family sent to the office.  This year I spent my day in Rochester with my family and actually had to take my dog to the vet unexpectedly.  It felt like any other day except that all of my favorite songs seemed to be on the radio and I ate a lot of cake.  While it may seem weird, this is exactly how I needed to spend my birthday this year.  It was a very relaxing day, nothing too crazy, but it was great.  After I took Bailey to the vet I went to my mom's school to eat Chipotle for lunch and hang out with her. Who better to spend your birthday with than the woman who gave birth to you?  The rest of the night I spent in my pajamas watching my new 8 Simple Rules DVD with my sister and eating a homemade macaroni and cheese dinner and relaxing with my family.

So many times I find myself comparing myself to other people and focusing on what I don't have, but the truth is I have so much.  This year I am going to focus on being content no matter what situation.  Whether alone or with other people, whether working or walking the dog in my sweat pants, whether cooking dinner for myself or my family, I know that as long as I'm breathing I have everything I need.  It's not about material things, but about the number of breaths we forget we take that God never misses.

Don't get me wrong...I got some beautiful gifts for my birthday and sweet cards in the mail, but even without that I am completely content to know that I am embarking on another year to grow a little more in wisdom and love.  I know I'll look back on September, 16 2010 and think "I can't believe another year has passed" and I just want to enjoy this 22nd year of my life to the fullest!

A whole new world

So, I'm back in Rochester and it's another surreal experience.  Right after graduation I moved to DC so it feels weird to be here and not be in school.  I've gone back to campus a couple of times since I've been back and it's a whole new world.  I've visited since graduation, but living so close and not going to school gives me new eyes.  I've really enjoyed connecting with people again and see how things and people have changed over the course of a year.  

I feel like the last year has been a whirl-wind  and I am still processing everything I have experienced.  I'm grateful that I have time to do so because I feel that so many times we miss out on what God has done in our lives because we don't take the time to process and digest exactly what has happened.  

It's a whole new world being back here and not being a student because that's all I've known while living in Rochester, but I'm embracing this time and learning a lot from it already!

2 weeks

This picture is from exactly a year ago when I was visiting DC to look for a place to live and two weeks from today I will be moving away! I can't believe that it's been a year! I'm definitely going to miss a lot about DC, especially my roommates, but I know that this year was a divine appointment and I have been overwhelmingly blessed! I won't miss the mice and cockroaches, but I will miss the people!  I have been reminded once again that it is not about where you are, but who you are with that makes all the difference! I have been involved in a community of believers that has built me up and encouraged me in ways I am still seeing unfold.  God is good and I look forward to the next adventure of my life.  

These next two weeks are going to fly by and I'm just going to enjoy every moment to the best of my ability!  

Has the Lord redeemed you?

Once again, reading through the One Year Bible has been awesome...I always find something I haven't noticed before and it gives me a thought for each day. While reading this morning the section from Psalm 107 struck me:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!

His faithful love endures forever.

Has the Lord redeemed you?

Then speak out!

Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,

imprisoned in iron chains of misery.

They rebelled against the words of God,

scorning the counsel of the Most High.

'Lord, help!' they cried in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;

he snapped their chains.

Let them praise the Lord for his great love

and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

For he broke down their prison gates of bronze;

he cut apart their bars of iron.

But he also turns deserts into pools of water,

the dry land into springs of water.

He brings the hungry to settle there and build their cities.

They sow their fields, plant their vineyards, and harvest their bumper crops.

How he blesses them!

They raise large families there,

and their herds of livestock increase.

But he rescues the poor from trouble

and increases their families like flocks of sheep.

The godly will see these things and be glad,

while the wicked are struck silent.

Those who are wise will take all this to heart;

they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord."

                      -Ps 107: 1-2, 10-16, 35-38, 41-43

Obviously that is a long psalm and I only picked out pieces to put on here, but it is so awesome to read and remember that God is faithful.  I love how this psalm begins: Has the Lord redeemed you?  And I love how it ends: those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.  That is so awesome.  If God has redeemed you you need to tell people and they will see the faithful love of the Lord throughout your history.  

This psalm makes me think about Ethiopia and the kids that I spent time with there. These kids live on the street and are just trying to survive.  We found out that three of them are now in jail and the part about God breaking down the prison walls and breaking the chains is so powerful. God is faithful.  He is faithful to the hungry, he is faithful to the poor, he is faithful to the thirsty, he is faithful to the imprisoned.  The truth is that he is faithful despite our circumstances.  When I look throughout history I see God's faithfulness and I want people to look back on my life and see just that: the faithfulness of God!

"But Moses gave no allotment of land to the tribe of Levi, for the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised that he himself would be their allotment."

-Joshua 13:33

 

The past couple of days I've been reading about all the land that was divided up among the different tribes of Israel.  There are a couple different places in the chapter I was reading today that talk about the tribe of Levi not receiving an allotment of land, but verse 33 really hit me when I read it.  God promised to be their allotment.  I'm at a place of truly desiring God to be my allotment.  The tribe of Levi didn't need an allotment of land because God promised to be their allotment.  God promises to be enough for us too and my prayer is that I look to Him daily to be everything I need.  I don't want to look left and right and feel that I need what other people have; God promises to be enough for my every need and He is faithful to His word.

The VA Gold Cup Races

values and strengths

While I was at The Greater Things Business Workshop we did an exercise in finding our values and we took an assessment of our "strengths" using the book Strengthsfinder 2.0 .  My results for the strengthsfinder test were as follows:

1. WOO (Winning Others Over): "People who are especially talented in the Woo theme love the challenge of meeting new people and winning them over.  They derive satisfaction from breaking the ice and making a connection with another person."

2. Communication: "People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words.  They are good conversationalists and presenters."

3. Positivity: "People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious.  They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do."

4. Developer: "People who are especially talented in the Developer theme recognize and cultivate the potential in others.  They spot the signs of each small improvement and derive satisfaction from these improvements."

5. Belief: "People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging.  Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life."

We did an exercise where we had to flip through cards that had certain values written on them and decide which were our top 6 values.  Here are mine:

1. Family: spending quality time together

2. Integrity: I am who I am, no matter where I am or who I'm with.

3. Passion: uncontainable Joy

4. Faith: belief in something bigger than myself

5. Diversity: crossing boundaries of life and culture

6. Loyalty: being committed and dedicated to something

I am sharing all of this because I sat down with Heather Zempel, Discipleship Pastor at NCC, on Tuesday and we discussed "next steps".  She said that making that sort of decision should start with looking at my strengths and values and going from there...so, I am trying to work through opportunities in accordance with my strengths and values.  It's a very interesting process, but I really am finding a lot of joy in it.  I feel so thankful for opportunities that I've had and confident that there is a specific opportunity lined up for me next...and I can't wait to find out what it is!

Everything rides on hope now...

This song has gotten into my Spirit over the last few days and sort of sums up how I'm feeling... The lyrics say so much in such simple words and while it's easy to say them it's hard to live out this prayer every second.  I am trying!

Everything rides on hope now,

everything rides on faith somehow...

cherishing the moments

So, my sister was in DC last week and it was such a neat experience! I loved meeting up with her and her entire 8th grade class and walking around.  It was awesome to be able to do that! I do feel really blessed to live in DC...there are so many beautiful things to see and I just have to remind myself that I'm actually here sometimes!  Regardless of how long I stay here I know that I will always think about this year and cherish the moments! It was so touching that my sister actually wanted me to hang out with her and her class! I have very close relationships with my family members and despite the age difference my sister is one of my best friends and I love it!  I love watching her grow up and just being a part of her life...I cherish those moments with her as well because I know that time flies and soon she will be going to college and will  move away to embark on amazing adventures of her own!

SO EXCITED!!!!

My sister and her 8th grade class will be rolling into DC tomorrow and staying through Friday! I'm really excited to see her! Even though she'll be with her class the whole time it will be nice to be able to meet up with her while she's here! Plus, I'll be able to walk around the monuments with her class and watch her give a presentation on the Vietnam Memorial!  So fun!  

always praising

"Oh, Lord, you alone are my hope. 

I've trusted you, Oh Lord, from childhood.

Yes, you have been with me from birth;

from my mother's womb you have cared for me.

No wonder I am always praising you!"

-Psalm 71: 5,6

I don't really have much to say about this except that as I was reading this morning I noticed the sentence: "no wonder I am always praising you!"  There should be no wonder, it should be such an obvious part of our life--to always be praising the Lord that is our only hope and has been with us from birth.  Life is busy and I think that sometimes our constant praise is lost, but think for a moment about a day like yesterday. Yesterday is a day devoted to celebrating Jesus' resurrection and His life.  There is so much Joy involved and I don't know about you, but I feel like everyday can be that joyful because that truth is true EVERYDAY not just Easter!

I want to live a life that is always praising God! God is my only hope, God is my strength, God is the life-giver, God is my provider, God is my rock, God is faithful, God is just, God is Love. He has done so much in my life even in the past year and His plans are greater than anything I can imagine. I should say: "no wonder I'm always praising You!"

HAPPY EASTER from the Nation's Capital

This was my first Easter away from my family and it was definitely weird, but such a good day!  I woke up at 5am to head to the Lincoln Memorial with my roommate Mia for the sun-rise Easter service. It was great to be there with hundreds of people celebrating the resurrection of Christ at the dawn of the morning.  Mia and I also had a small Easter brunch together.  

One of the things that really struck me today is that while I wasn't home in Rochester with my family like I usually am, the message of Easter doesn't change.  It was a wonderful day full of different ways to celebrate, but it was all about Jesus and that's the important thing.  Today at church before the kids were dismissed Pastor Joel talked about how Jesus is risen and I heard one of the little boys I teach in Kid's church say "YAY!!!" and it just made me smile!  What a beautiful day...what a beautiful sacrifice...what a beautiful truth that no matter where we found ourselves today the reality remains that our Redeemer lives!!!

Mia and I walking through the park to get to the Lincoln

HAPPY EASTER

some of the people I celebrated Easter with at sunrise

cold, but so worth it!

HE IS RISEN!

our Easter brunch for two!

crossing the river

"Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you.  They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky!  The people are strong and tall--descendants of the famous Anakite giants.  You've heard the saying 'Who can stand up to the Anakites?' But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them.  He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised."

-Deuteronomy 9:1-3

It seems like Deuteronomy is full of situations like this...a reminder that God is the one in control, that God is the one behind the victory.  It is such an important reminder. It is easy to look at a situation and feel completely unqualified and afraid to pursue it.  Such as a situation like this one...crossing the Jordan River to conquer nations greater and more powerful.  I think most of us would be worried and led to find a way out, but this reminds the Israelites that God crosses ahead of them.  God doesn't just make the plans, He's involved in them. In fact, He is the most important part, He goes before us.  Not only would we be afraid before crossing the river to conquer the nations, in the end, it is often easy to take the credit for success.  This is also a reminder to the Israelites that without God they can't do this so it is not their strengths, but God's.  I love reading Deuteronomy because I feel like I can relate so much to the feelings and thoughts that are discussed throughout the book.  It's a common theme in my life: worrying about situations.  I need to learn to trust that just as God went before the Israelites to cross the Jordan River and subdued the nations so that they would be able to conquer them, God crosses the rivers of my life first and prepares the way for me to fulfill his plan, his promises.

What river do you feel like you're crossing?  Even if the situation on the other side is greater and more powerful than you are...it is not greater or more powerful than God.  Recognize that God goes first and the challenge won't seem so daunting anymore.  

each day

"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!

For each day he carries us in his arms."

-Psalm 68:19

"The Lord did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today."

-Deuteronomy 5:3

Reading through the Bible today I was struck by these two verses.  God chooses to do specific things at specific times.  He is very intentional. The covenant on Mount Sinai was not just a random idea God had, but he knew exactly what he was doing and who he was talking to.  God carries us each day into the chapter of our lives that he has already written.  He knows exactly what he is doing...he chooses to bring you into certain situations with purpose.  Walk confidently today knowing that God has directed your steps!

cherry blossoms

I went on a walk on the National Mall with a couple of my roommates over the weekend to see the cherry blossoms and it was so great.  The weather was close to 70 with a strong wind.  We just had a wonderful time talking and looking at the trees.  There were so many tourists and it was weird to actually be someone who lives in DC.  We walked home from the festival...we are right in the center of all of this excitement...monuments and cherry blossoms.  It's really a neat feeling! What a beautifully chaotic place to live! I love it!