Summer

*Sigh*
Only five more days of summer
*double sigh*
I can't believe its almost over.

May through August has whizzed by. On the one hand, I feel like I had so many goals, so many plans, and so many things I feel like I just had to do. Usually, I travel during the summer or pursue some adventure that my heart has been dreaming of since I was a kid (you can read about that adventure here). I have to admit, I was a bit heartbroken that I wouldn't be returning to West Virginia.  But, on the other hand, I have people that I love here in California; people that I had far too long neglected with adventures and the busyness of Nursing School.

So this summer looked wildly different than the average one, but let me tell you, it was incredibly fruitful. God's teaching me the beauty of slowing down and catching up, even if my stubborn heart takes decades to learn this lesson (seriously, pulling my teeth out one by one would be exponentially easier). Between moving back home, being involved in new ministries, trying to sneak in time to spend with my family, catching up on missed dates with my wonderful boyfriend, and working full time, I was blessed with joys that I would have missed out on. Not only that, but in the repetitious weeks of life, I got to see first hand my struggles without putting on the bandaid of "new and exciting", and now can rejoice that Christ is faithful to grow me.

As the sweetness of summer fades into the blessings of fall, I am overwhelmed by God's grace and incredibly abundant gifts....tidily put together in a photo compilation:

Summer Round Up! 

Even though I don't get to spend a ton of time with my sister, I absolutely adore her. Her fashion sense, operatic-singing ability, and adoration for all things beautiful. 

Sister Beach Time=Sister dress up time= Big hats and drawn-out decisions

A week at the river with high school ministry proved fruitful, HOT, and yet refreshing to see growth and faithfulness. 

Photo Credit Clarissa D.

Camping with friends is fun. Camping in a moth war-zone a survival-skill adventure. Camping in a moth war-zone, with no showers, with your favorite people, enjoying God's graces in a recipe for jokes to last the year. 

                                           

I'm pretty sure the real subject of this photo is the Subaru. 

                                               

Even sweeter than a week at the river was this past weekend at the beach with my college Bible Study, where we were challenged to pray desperately. I'm convinced that there is no sweeter time than in prayer and in community. 

It didn't hurt that it was probably two of Catalina's most beautiful days in history. 

I desperately pray to go back!
Photo Credit Dave W.

I would be ignoring the bulk of my summer if I didn't mention the seven weddings I was honored to attend. I'm going to dub this the summer of love. 

Angels of love in the summer of love
Photo Credit- Katie Marble

We welcomed a new member of our family this summer. Meet Luna. 

Ok she's technically Julie's cat...... but I love her. 

How can I say no to an animal that's sole mission in life is to cuddle and play fetch with straws?

And she's in a basket. Does it get cuter than this?

The sweetest and hardest time of the summer: sending the best of brothers to another state to finish seminary. Is it possible to be so full of happiness, yet also wanting to hang onto his leg and yell "No! Don't go!". 

So I challenge you: what are the glories and trials that you experienced in these last four months? How do these draw you to the grace we are given?

Honest

I promise, I'll connect honesty with this quote. Just read Romans six (and bang your head against the wall in a mix of emotions and truth).

I struggle with being honest, not like I lie about stealing cookies or how tall I am, but about the state of my heart. I would rather not see my sin, my emotion, and simply coast by. This way I can be seemingly perfect, low maintenance, and fun. The whole issue is, it's not coasting, it's sinking. 

Self-reliance and perfectionism is destructive, especially because how self-deceptive it can be.  It's essentially claiming ourselves as our own gods, rather than relying on the strength and basking in the love that God has lavished on us. It is trading true perfection for cracking and empty satisfaction. 

So on a mission of honesty, God broke me. Romans 6 absolutely revolutionized my train of thought. 

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:6-11 ESV)

So often I sit and look at my sin in a hopeless state. In my own strength, I can't move away from it or see past myself. It's selfishness, pride, and an ignorance that propels me to ignore what I cannot change.

But Christ DIED and ROSE for that. He came and conquered sin, not just so that we could be in relationship with Him forever, but also so that we could be more like His Son. We don't have to sit in our sin anymore. We have the power of God to change, with His grace, and through His mercy. 

Are you kidding me? This is incredible. 

Preparing for school, leaving my job, and studying my brain out, looks vastly different now. This intense and soul-filling truth fills me in the way no amount of approval or achievement can; because I know that what I have done is forgiven, and the things that I will do are covered in the Lord's grace and power. 

So yes, C.S. Lewis, far greater things lie before us. 

Weekend Bliss

With the boy off shooting wedding bliss in Nashville, Tennessee, I found myself with a free weekend. No work, sunshine, and friends all around. 

The Godmother of Malibu Cafe- home of the best warmed goat cheese salad

The lovely Michaela asked me to be her date for a Malibu wedding (who can turn that down?). Although the thought of a beautiful wedding in one of the most sought after destinations in the world brings glamour and sophistication to the average mind, Michaela and I were evidently bereft of the "Classy" gene.

For example, this wedding was so magical it even had a ferris wheel. 

Ferris Wheel of Doom complete with ominous stroller

Not only was this a carnival-esque treat, but a spinning race against time; whereas the rider was delighted with vertigo, and a healthy fear of heights. Or, if you're like Michaela, and already have a fear of heights, you simply gain the experience of being nearly catapulted into space. 

It really was a lovely wedding though, and I should have definitely taken more pictures. Instead Michaela and I took turns spilling makeup/food/ beverages onto our clothing, eating fancy finger foods, and improving our social skills one advantageous conversation at a time. 

The most normal moment of the day, with credit to caffeine via the the cutest Starbucks ever. 

Sometimes its the days with most hilarity that seems to clean out my spirit. 

Yesterday I was blessed enough to spend the afternoon sipping tea, talking, and getting over a cold with this beauty. 

Even when ill she's beautiful, ridiculous. 

Recently married and perpetually encouraging, Bree, banjo and I enjoyed Chai and watched Meryl Streep movies. You really can't have a much better day than that, especially when it's filled with cuddling the most adorable little dog in the world (try to disagree with me, I dare you).

Although it was a wonderful, fun-filled few days, the best part was driving to pick this guy up from the airport.

Happy Sunday everyone!