'til I reach you.

distance

is great. is tough. brings about adventures. stirs the heart to love. 

being far has been just this to me. 

I am convinced, however, that distance can {eventually} bring those furthest from you, ever near to you. For the time being, one can only draw others close to the heart. So, though distance brings about weariness, sadness, & sometimes loneliness, it's temporary. 

It's always temporary. 

{glory glory} 

we each may be at points where our journey and life's quests are taking us to places once never imagined in order that we may harvest the greatest of fruits. Right now, God is cultivating us & soon enough, we will be brought back together with those we adore & journey through life with them.

Being cultivated with those in which our hearts have desired amidst the miles of distance between those beings.  

{YES.} 

I must constantly remind myself of what I just wrote here for the week that stands between me & california & those who dwell there - Lord be my strength. 

rivers & roads by: The Head & The Heart 

this song says it all. 

ah, but there is more.

"You are much more than just sweet. You have passions, you have frustrations, & you have depth. That is who you are. You need to surround yourself with those who see past what is so obvious to those around. You need people who know you & who will push you to be the best of yourself, who will challenge you but won't change you, because these are the things that make you so beautiful- the whole person."  
// { Leah Serao }

It's true, friends. 

We are all so much more than what is simply seen by all. 

That is why it is so special when we meet those people who truly know us & desire to continue in their quest of knowledge of our whole person. 

Please hold on to these people.

 There will be few, maybe even just one or two.  

Don't forget their value. 

It is through these friendships in which we can see & embody the love of Christ.

 { Tis a powerful thing. }

 yes, another hand imagery.

{ hands are beautiful things. } 

*photos courtesy of pinterest.com*

express it.

If you love someone, go on and tell them. Better yet, show them. 

that's why I adore valentine's day. It brings people together & puts a spotlight on what that person means to them. 

IT'S GREAT. 

I was in the good ole target { doing some last minute valentine shopping} and my heart was filled with joy at the sight of ladies & gents, young & old, seeking out that one meaningful card that could only attempt to communicate what they felt for that one person. It was beautiful. I was overwhelmed with excitement seeing old men bending over, reading countless cards, or that one man who was printing out pictures of himself and the family, cropping it in just the right way, for his wife. Those countless men who had dozens of roses in their hands in order to make her feel loved, if just by this one token of their affection. 

its truly the little things. 

l o v e. 

so today, love those around you.

here's a little list of some simple acts to express love: 

1. smile more 

2. make a fort, cuddle, & watch a movie

3. pick some flowers for someone 

4. write a note 

{even if you just draw a happy face} 

5. embrace someone

6. ask someone to coffee 

7. make someone a home cooked meal. 

8. take a walk with someone {or play in snow} 

9. pass out chocolates 

10. wink at someone  

{its terribly awkward & quite wonderful just make sure you smile} 

11. stop to chat with that one person you always pass by 

12. get up early, make tea & breakfast for another. 

13. call {don't text} friends, family, & loved ones near & far to express your love. 

14. make a list of all the things you love about that person. 

L O V E.

SCRIPTURE: 

Song of Solomon {what a romance} 

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your unyielding grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame"

{ Song of Solomon 8:6 NIV } 

"I slept but my heart was awake..."

{ Song of Solomon 5:2 } 

"I am my Beloved's, and His desire is toward me" 

{ Song of Solomon 7:10 } 

"We love because he loved us first" 

{ 1 John 4:19 }

may we love as God loves; unconditionally & constantly. 

{pictures courtesy of pinterest.com}

brokenness.

brokenness : rejected, defeated, or despairing; disrupted or divided. 

brokenness can either define you or refine you. 

We don' t experience brokenness unless we ourselves are broken or are not functioning at our potential in the first place. So, identifying and understanding our brokenness is part of the journey to wholeness. 

If you are at this stage, congratulations, you are one step closer to experiencing the fullness and glory of God's workings in your life. 

"wait, so you're saying that being broken is good?"

Well, in a sense, yes. Of course, no one's desire is to be a heap of brokenness. But lo, if you are broken it is good  to identify this brokenness in order that one can to nurture it back to health. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to our spiritual life and walk with Christ. Brokenness, none the less, is devastating, frustrating, depressing, and most times lonely; especially if this brokenness is gone without notice. 

Now, just because we can identify our brokenness does not mean that the road and journey to fullness of self will be smooth sailing; that is why I said identifying is the first step in a journey of recovery. 

We will be placed in uncomfortable positions as we are being tweaked and shaped into God's desired form for us. it hurts. We are confronted with our brokenness head on. 

but look.

 there ahead of you.

 see and feel the glorious victory of Christ in our lives. 

indescribable beauty is ahead.

 so "be still" child and know that "I AM God." 

trust and know that God has plans that will blow.your.minds. 

How do we know that we will see the fruits of God's work? We don't know if we, ourselves, will see the fruits. But I do assure you that whatever God is doing, it is to bring all glory and honor to him. 

This brings me an overwhelming amount of peace and I hope it does for you as well. Whether I see my brokenness come to full recovery or not, I can know that God is going to receive all glory and that is all I can desire. (but boy, I would love to see the glorious fruition of his victory in my life). 

define or refine. it's up to you. 

P.S.

 I like the imagery of hands. they express so much. I love to imagine my hand in God's (or maybe just my hand clenched to his finger) as he guides me through unfamiliar territory.

 Or when you are so deeply in love with someone all you desire is grab hold of their arm for  security, warmth, and love because no matter where you are, familiar or unfamiliar, you have each other and that's all that really matters.

#originals

it's those moments where its just You & me. 

When it all seems to become real. 

fear & overwhelming awe overtake my soul. 

my inner-most being clings & clutches to You. 

You are I AM. 

I need not speak in these moments.

I just listen with all that i am.

Because that is what it takes to hear You. 

I have to push ever tiny distraction away that seems to be weighing tons 

in order to get those soul quenching glimpses of Your presence. 

It overwhelms me with beauty, fear & engulfing peace-all at once. 

I catch pieces of eternity in these moments. 

It's as if you are tapping me on my shoulder, 

only to remind me of all that is in store. 

Of the purpose of my life- to glorify You in all things. 

You call your people to be joyful always. 

Your purpose is bigger that what I can offer.

You don't need me to accomplish what is to come- You have that taken care of already

You want me to participate in this glorious working and plan you have for this dying & thirsty world. 

These are the moments it takes to get my wandering eyes & heart fixated on Truth. 

Indeed, you quiet my soul to a restful state but in this you set a flame to the urgency of your purposes. 

It is these moments I thank You for. 

#originals

we entrust our hearts to different people. 

we hope they keep it locked up safe & sound. 

we will hope until we moap 

we'll wait and wait for the right beholder 

and when we find it, we pray they'll never let us go. 

someone, somewhere.  

we give pieces of our hearts to people-

whether we know them or not

and whether we like it or not 

our hearts are in their hands 

and those we  give it to are like sand,

if they let you down the waves are sure to wipe it all away 

but someone, somewhere 

is holding a piece of your heart 

and someone somewhere is hoping you are holding a piece of theirs. 

so don't let it go. 

let your heart be free in the wind of the unknown

embrace it & dance in the pain, 

knowing he'll come to your rescue soon

someone, somewhere.

#alexis

AH.

i really should be writing my research paper right now.

 but.... 

I JUST sent in my London application, and so writing a research paper just won't work until i get my excitement out. 

AH. (that's really all i can say type) 

I have decided that whatever the outcome, God will show me and lead me to what He desires for me. 
And that is all I ask- to be equipped to do HIS will, not my own.

so we shall see! eeeek.

hoping I can take a picture like this....ah.

*all pictures from pinterest.com*