Delightful Little Things

An 8 year old inspired me yesterday when she showed me a notebook pasted with horses that she simply listed in neat printed penmanship, a list of all the things she loves.

It made me think: What would my list look like now if I were to write out all of the things that I simply LOVE?

I thought I would give it a try...

I love when the sun comes out after a week of rain in Oregon, and it makes it all worth it.

I love holding an umbrella in the rain.

I love when I get a random text from my fiance while I'm at work, telling me hi or that he loves me.

I love drinking coffee when it's cold outside.

I love reading and listening to the rain.

I love writing in coffee shops.

I love fridays with Becky.

I love when the littles at school make the effort to say hello to me and give me hug. It makes it all worth it.

I love making a difference in children's lives.

I love working with Jordan even when it is challenging.

I love to see Jordan smile.

I love being silly with kids, they're my biggest fans.

I love cuddling with Justin on the couch.

I love Justin's laugh.

I love when Justin and I spend time together doing anything.

I love when Justin kisses me and how it's new every time.

I love my family and how silly they are.

I love looking out my windows in my apartment.

I love dipping biscotti and/or shortbread cookies in my coffee.

I love hanging out with my girls and laughing about everything.

I love when Justin wears his glasses.

I love my macbook.

I love the color red.

I love getting cozy.

I love sleeping in.

I love planning my wedding.

I love Justin's and my new townhouse that we are moving into soon!

I love books.

I love getting new make up.

I love when Lauren comes to visit.

I love seeing my mom after a long time and having so much to say.

I love being silly with Justin and making each other crack up.

I love Justin hugs.

I love watching little Ro run. (Justin's nephew)

I love getting a fresh perspective.

I love hearing God's Father-like voice speak to me.

I love when my dad calls me.

I love when friends go out of their way to show me that they appreciate me.

I love how little baby girls Josie and Jordan look like their mammas.

I love playing checkers with Zion.

I love playing scrabble.

I love getting compliments.

I love surprises.

I love feeling creative.

I love writing.

I love when things match.

I appreciate the little things in life that make me happy. These' I loves' aren't based on my life but just for this certain time in my life. Thank you to all the people that make 'my loves' possible :)

Breakthrough

I can feel my heart beating in my chest to the rhythm of my footsteps-

The only sound I hear is my breathing in this surrounding darkness.

If only I could find my voice...

If only I had a choice,

Don't I?

I can choose to stop running and face whatever may be chasing me, but at risk of getting caught.

SOMTHING is out there and it has my scent,

tracking my every move.

If only I could find my voice...

I continue to run into the present darkness, searching for some way out.

Is that light that I see in the distance?

If only I could get there...

As I run the light becomes closer and closer, but yet I stuck somehow.

How do I get to where the light is?

The closer I get to the light, the more encouraged I feel.

All of a sudden I feel that FEELING-

Something is out there.

Oppressed, I attempt to continue to run towards the light, yet stumble and fall to the ground.

As I feel the darkness surround me, I begin to cry.

I still can't see anything but that far off light...

Is their hope?

I attempt to get back up, but something is holding me down,

If only I could just open my mouth...

Tears stinging my eyes, I struggle to bring myself up.

I can't run.

I can't move.

"It's all in your head, you don't see anything," I hear a voice from the darkness say.

"You can't open your mouth, you can't sing, Jesus Christ is not your king."

An aching from within builds from inside of me, as if it has been there along.

As if this longing has been instilled from the depths of my soul...

"OH GLORY! Jesus, now I know!

I know why I am here and that you are with me,

wanting to set me free!"

An overwhelming joy bubbles up inside of me, allowing me to hear, along me to see!

"My child, open up your mouth and sing!

I am with you and always will be! "

With the darkness overwhelming me, the JOY overcomes!

I now know I am not alone!

"You aren't getting anywhere, and you're nothing special.." the darkness states.

"You will not succeed, nor make a difference, no one cares about your influence."

I close my eyes and SHOUT! -

"Jesus!" I sing out with tears of joy-

"Jesus! Breakthrough!"

I sing aloud:

"This is Jesus, in His Glory, King of Heaven, dying for me!

It is finished! He has done it!

Death is beaten, Heaven beckons me!

The voice in the darkness is no longer there,

I open my eyes, no longer feeling oppressed.

I stand up, and seeing the light much closer now, I continue to run towards it.

I am not fearful, yet compelled to keep running.

I feel God pressing me towards the goal.

I am encouraged as I feel the freedom of His embrace.

I am running when I reach an opening.

I find myself standing on the edge of a cliff several hundred feet from water level,

big open clear sky ahead of me;

darkness behind me, and I look to see rushing water below me.

"Now where do I go?" I say out loud.

"Sing My Name." I hear God say.

I stand there for just a moment, open up my mouth and sing:

" Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, theirs just something about that name..

Master, Maker, Jesus, all of heaven and earth proclaim!"

"Trust me" I hear Him say,

"Jump!"

I don't hesitate as I dive down into the crystal clear water.

I've got you my child,

don't worry, I've got you."

Credit to my recent favorite: Kim walker's song, "See His Love"

Also: Worship song, "Theirs just something about that name" sung by many.