Advent and Creating

Tonight, I was inspired to create and craft. I miss you old friend. It's been quite some time. I'm not sure what kept me from you. But I think I know what led me to you. A hunger to spend time with my Creator, reflective tunes courtesy of The Brilliance, and words from a friend. It's good to be back. 

My book bookshelf I made earlier this year

Advent Creation

Words from my dear friend Taylor

Besinnliche Adventszeit....Have a reflective and thoughtful Advent-season

"May we love as you love" --- words from The Brilliance


Much love and grace to you,

Amy

Beauty in Words

I'm simply and utterly captured by this quote.

"Every time you feel in God's creatures something pleasing and attractive, do not let your attention be arrested by them alone, but, passing them by transfer your thought to God and say: 'O, my God, if thy creations are so full of beauty, delight and joy, how infinitely more full of beauty, delight and joy art Thou Thyself, Creator of all.'"

---Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

This morning as I sat with God, I began reflecting on who He has been to me this past year. I filled the last pages of my journal, started on March 25, 2011. This always causes some sentimentality for me. I want to share my words with you this morning. They are close to my heart but I do want to sing out who God is, who He is in my life. So here goes...

Father! I love you :) I love seeing you at work. I love your gentleness, the way you create beauty, the way you overcome me, those moments when in the pit of my stomach I feel your presence and my heart quickens and I feel as though I will just burst because I am so full of your presence. And know your love so deep within me, so real. You are real. You are alive. I'm so excited to live my whole life for you. To spend it all for you. Thank you Father for knowing me for letting me experience glimpses of you. And for hearing your voice. You have been so faithful in letting me hear your voice this past year. Each time I was at such a broken place. I had nothing and was so weak and vulnerable. And you spoke. And you brought hope. And newness of life. And each time I was so amazed at your faithfulness. How you meet me in those times of suffering. How you made me desire for you. And you weren't scared of my anger and tears or my roller coaster emotions. You comforted me. You gave me time alone with you. You are such a gentle God. And you showed me my sin more clearly. And you beckoned me to put my hope in you. My identity. And my failures and faults didn't seem so overwhelming anymore. Because you loved me in them. And your desire was to walk with me as I grew in you. As I discovered more of who you are. And sometimes I was really disappointed. I didn't understand why life couldn't be easier. Why pain couldn't disappear. I wanted to run from it. I did. But I didn't get anywhere. And my heart was still filled with bitterness. Then you gave me the courage to look at the pain in my life with you. And my soul started to wake up. I saw your hand in the pain. In the brokenness. You are beautiful. You breathe life into me. I'm inhaling it Lord. Sweet breaths of you that give me peace. hope. A delight in you. A guttural thankfulness. You are with me. You are my song. My joy. My desire.

Summer Nights

Today was a beautiful warm summery day. And sadly, we have not had too many of them here in Germany lately. But today was such a day. I wanted to go be a beach bum for the day but since I couldn't I went to eis cafe. I love those late summery nights when it's 9:30 and the sun is just going down and it's still warm enough out for shorts. Tonights choice of flavor was pfferminz and schokolade. Delightful :) Here is me demolishing a cone :) Zwei Kugel, bitte! Thank you Jesus for summer nights, ice cream, and walks! 

fluffy clouds and changing skies

The weather is constantly changing here. Today was such a day. This morning was clouded over with drizzling and downpour intermixed. Those poor JV soccer girls. They got the brunt of it. I think they kind of enjoyed playing in the rain though! The day turned beautiful around 5:00. I was so taken by the fluffy clouds that I just had to go take pictures! So early evening I sat under the changing skies and the fluffy clouds and read. I felt God's grace and love wash over me as I sat among God's creation reading One Thousand Gifts. I was particularly struck by a verse the author shared from Isaiah 14:24. "Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand" (NASB). I drew so much strength from these holy words. Seeing events in our lives through the lens of God's plan. And his love and goodness towards his children. It was a moment when everything was so full and perfect. Full of life in the light of Christ. Thank you Father for fluffy clouds and changing skies. You are good!

up-do's, pretty dresses, and celebrations

Tonight was a special evening at BFA for junior's and senior's. It's especially a night of celebration for the senior's as it is one of their last big events before graduation. Just like any celebration the guys pull out their tux (and get ready in ten minutes!) while the girls spend hours getting ready! Except this year due to it being on a school day, the girls only had an hour or so. But, the girls looked absolutely stunning. Tonight I was able to go and take pictures of the kids before their night of celebration. The event was hosted at a place called Funfschilling. It's a beautiful venue with amazing food, fresh produce, an apple orchard, and outdoor/indoor seating. I loved seeing these girls all dressed up and even had the opportunity to style a girls' hair! Thank you Jesus for night's of celebration!!

Taylor and Rachel! I'm loving Rachel's one shoe on/one shoe off!

Taylor made her date a boutonniere from a lightbulb....impressive!

Hanna!

ElleBelle! She's being silly :)

Tay Time

Today I am so very thankful for an afternoon visit from my friend Taylor. She is such an amazing woman of God and we always have such a great time with one another. We have walked through life with each other at Moody and now at BFA. And one of our four year old friends wonders why were not sisters. She tends to get us confused. Anyways, thanks Tay for being such a great friend! And thank you Father for a community of friends :)

Sitting outside on a warm, sunny balcony sipping coffee. 

Gilmore Girls

Yesterday, I was so thankful for Gilmore Girls. So thankful, in fact,  that I watched it instead of posting about it. From the witty humor and fast dialogue to the quirky characters and relationship between Luke and Lorelai that is always on the brink of beginning. So good!! Especially when you're watching them with someone who has never seen them...thanks Roomie :) I always want to eat and drink coffee while watching Gilmore. But, if I had a cup of coffee every time they did in an episode...I would have a complete coffee buzz. Not sure if that's the right terminology. But, you get my drift!

If you haven't watched them, check em out. Well maybe not if your a guy. They usually don't like them!