Day trip to Seattle

On Tuesday night, my two dear friends - Leah (from BC Canada), and Libby (from Ferndale) and I drove down to Seattle/Mukilteo to visit two other friends from DTS - Brady and McKenna! We had so much fun together, catching up and just hanging out! Here are some photos of our time together!

Me and McKenna

Leah and Libby

me and random statue friend!

Mukilteo/Whidbey Island Beach

McKenna, Brady, Leah, and Libby on the beach

my favorite shot!!!!

Lovely Libby!

McKenna & Brady

reflections

Dreams...

Often when we are children we have crazy, wonderful dreams about what we want to be when we "grow up". Many little boys dream of growing up and being a firefighter or policeman or a ninja. And many little girls often dream of growing up and being a princess, until they reach the age that they realize they can't just grow into a princess, and they begin dreaming of being a nurse or a teacher or an actress or a singer. I remember dreaming of lots of different things. At one point I wanted to grow up and be a fighter pilot, and a few years later I wanted to be a singer or an actress. As I continued to age and mature, my dreams of being "grown up" shifted and changed, but deep within me there was a desire to be loved, to sing, and to somehow be a princess, captivating the heart of my prince.
Even at 20 years old, those dreams are still real within me, but I've found out who really loves me, I've found my place singing, and I know that I will forever be a princess to the King of Kings, my Jesus. It can be difficult to let go of dreams, or to see your dreams blow away in the wind. One thing that God has continued to show me and speak to me about, and that has been confirmed me through others several times in the last year, has been to hold on to my dream of music.
Last summer, I was at a youth service at another church, and was watching a young gal lead worship, I turned to the person next me and said, "that's going to be me someday. I'm going lead worship, and write my own songs too, just like her!" The other person looked at me, and politely said, "Good luck with that.", trying not to sound too condescending. I tried not to feel discouraged, and made a decision in my mind to hold on to that dream. Later that night, one of the youth leaders came to me with an encouraging word from God, saying that whatever dream it was that was being challenged in me, hold on to it. He said, "I don't know what it is that you need to hold onto, but don't let it go. Keep pursuing it, you know what it is." My hope was renewed, and my heart lifted. I'm still pursuing my dream of singing, and have been realizing that I'm created to worship, and the weapon in my hands that I give back to God is my voice. I will use it to fight for His glory, that all men may know of His marvelous love through my adoration and praise of Him.
I've come to learn (and appreciate) how much my parents and family love me. I know that even when I make poor decision, and don't always live as I should, they still love me, and will go to lengths to help me back on the right track. I know that when they talk to me about how I can do better, it's because they truly love me. I've also learned how the Lord loves me, and delights in who I am, me and my imperfections. He is in passionate pursuit of me, and He, too, goes to great lengths to show me how much He loves me, how much He desires intimacy with me, and how precious I am to Him.
I will always be a princess that captivates that the heart of the King of Kings, and one day I hope to blessed with my prince, who will also find delight in me, and I in him. But until that day, I know my identity, security, self-worth, future, and my dreams lie in the hands of the Almighty God, my lover, both now and forever.
Looking back on my childhood, and the dreams I had as a little girl, I see how God placed certain things inside of me that would carry into my future - like how I used to use a hair brush as a microphone and belt out songs in front of the mirror. I don't know if I'll ever be "grown up", but I think I will always dream. And I'm trusting God to guide me to the fulfillment of my dreams.

So, yesterday I randomly saw a friend of mine (well, actually my parents) and ended up talking to her for about 30 minutes! It was so great! After I told her where I had been and what my next plans are, we talked about how she and her husband have a vision to start a living community, and desire to live in community with other believers! She told me how she and her husband had gone to a conference in California, and heard Shane Claiborne speak, and met with him afterward. It was so encouraging talking to her, and sharing our similar visions/dreams/plans! At one point in the conversation, I told her that I was going to step out in my gift of prophecy, and say that I really believe that God is calling many people to live out what it says in the New Testament, and how living in community will be central to that. I felt strongly in that moment that I was supposed to openly take a leap of faith and prophecy, because I DO believe that  a day is coming when more and more followers of Jesus will actually live out what the Gospel is, and it will start with living in community!

This evening I went to my room to pray and seek God, and began by reading through a few scriptures. I started in Jeremiah, and then turned to Acts chapter 2. I had not intended to read the entire chapter, but after getting part way through, decided to read the whole chapter. In the last verses of this chapter, my prophecy was confirmed! 

"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

Acts 2:42-47 NLT

I really believe that God is going to bring a time when more and more people will start living out the Gospel, and  start living in community as this passage describes!

"Beloved" by Tenth Avenue North

This song is so powerful. It really spoke to me about how much God loves us, and the things we do that push him away. His love captivates me, and moves me to want to love Him more. Sometimes I am drawn away and distracted by the things of this world, but I was thinking of it today, and realized how great His love is, and how it should cause a change in our actions. It should cause us to want to put on righteousness, purity, peace, truth, and all the fruit of the Spirit! Wow! God's love is so rich, and I will never be able to fully grasp how wide, how deep, and how long His love for me is. He is in ever pursuit of me, and I want to be the lover in Song of Solomon that waits for His call, that longs for His touch, that can't sleep because of the thirst for her Beloved! That is my desire - to be so captivated in the fullness of God's love that I am swept off my feet! Oh man... His love is SO good! 

Love of my life 
Look deep in my eyes 
There you will find what you need 
Give me your life 
Lust and the lies 
The past you're afraid I might see 
You've been running away from me 

You're my beloved 

Lover I'm yours 
Death shall not part us 
It's you I died for 
For better or worse 
Forever we'll be 
Our Love it unites us 
It binds you to me 
It's a mystery 

Love of my life 
Look deep in my eyes 
There you will find what you need 
I‘m the giver of life 
I'll clothe you in white 
My immaculate bride you will be 
Oh come running home to me 

You're my beloved 

Lover I'm yours 
Death shall not part us 
It's you I died for 
For better or worse 
Forever we'll be 
Our Love it unites us 
It binds you to me 

You've been a mistress, my wife 
Chasing lovers it won't satisfy 
Won't you let me make you my bride 
You will drink of my lips 
And you'll taste new life 

Cause you're my beloved 
Lover I'm yours 
Death shall not part us 
It's you I died for 
For better or worse 
Forever we'll be 

Our Love it unites us 
& it binds you to me 

You're my beloved 
Forever we'll be 
Our love it unites us 
And it binds you to me 
It's a mystery 
It's a mystery

He is my Rock, My Refuge

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; 
       hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

 Let my teaching fall like rain 
       and my words descend like dew, 
       like showers on new grass, 
       like abundant rain on tender plants.

 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. 
       Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, 
       and all his ways are just. 
       A faithful God who does no wrong, 
       upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32:1-4