Nothing like a good porch

This wrap-around porch is beautiful. The view is outstanding, whether you are looking at the fall leaves and the chill water or flush greens and hot temperatures, the serenity of the lake is undeniable. It's the perfect place for family to be together, to fulfill the traditional gathering where you grill out, have lemonade and laugh a lot. I'm thinking about this because it's Christmas and J and I are packing up and heading home tomorrow; I couldn't be happier and at the same time couldn't imagine what holidays would be like if I wasn't able to share it with our families. I love this Christmas Season and enjoy everything about it from the decorations, to cold weather and hot chocolate but especially the Christmas Story that we've heard many times. It's a magical time and I can't wait to cozy up with J, with our families and enjoy every moment we all have together.

Thankful during the Christmas Season

Today I am 23 years old and though I don't feel older I've gained more life experience and perspective. It's funny how in adulthood we expect to know all of the answers, have the confidence to lead a successful life and the world seems like a cushioning place to live...it's even more ironic that I have learned, at times, I am more insecure and less confident of decisions. Learning to let go of control and give every inch of worry to God is something I work on every day. Once we learn to do that, our lives will transform into a life of great joy and faith and one without disappointment. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for what Jonathan and I are blessed with and we are aware of those who are without. The Blind Side is a wonderful movie that only reinforced our sensibility to humans. Not just the poor, or homeless but even those that have food and shelter but are empty on the inside. It's rare that those "with" are exposed as needy because they have the look and put on a facade of "everything is okay". Our world is consumed with an economic recession and the figures and stats of unemployment or loss of income but we should take a step back to look where the recession has hit. There is a real recession in our hearts where we have hardened and lost sight of the vitality of life and the joy God intended for us to share in.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22

We have allowed stress, tragedy and pity to rob us of true joy and happiness. My prayer is this Christmas season, people would be exposed to God's love and hand everything over to him so that they may live in harmony and experience true joy.