jeremiah 31:3

"... the LORD appeared to him from
far away. I have loved you with an
everlasting love; therefore I have
continued my faithfulness to you."


[Thankful SO much for God's everlasting love and faithfulness to me!]

some thoughts, thanksgiving 2011.

Another year older,
Another year gone by,
Another year is past,
As I think back it seems to have gone fast.

Another year older,
Another year gone by,
Another 365 days to remember,
From November to November.

Another year older,
Another year gone by,
Another family Thanksgiving dinner,
Thankful for Jesus loving me, a sinner.

Another year older,
Another year gone by,
Another bundle of memories to hold in my mind,
And I hope I'll remember them, even when I'm old and blind.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I know things change. Sometimes it seems like everything,
and every one, around me is changing. Things stay the same
sometimes. Sometimes I feel like I'm the same, still. And others
are only changing around me. Am I grown up yet? Am I an
adult? My life seems so similar to how it has been for years.
Living at home on Nona, going to college, working locally part-time,
helping at church here & there, etc. So much seems the same.
Seems mundane sometimes. Like, is this where I'll always be?
I see my siblings who are married, having babies, moving away...

God has changed me though. [I'm thankful for that.]

I know He is changing me still. God is working wondrous things in my heart.
He is preparing me for what lies ahead. I don't know what is 1 month, 7 months,
or 3 years in front of me... & I cannot pretend to know either. I want to truly
be excited as I look forward to life ahead, in 2012 and beyond. Truth be told,
I'm scared, sometimes. I worry. I'm unsure and doubt...

God is SO much bigger than my fears. [I'm thankful for that.]

The life God has planned for me is unfolding already, day by day. I don't
have to wait for life to start at a certain point, or when 'such and such' happens.
I am L I V I N G today! I am on a journey. God, it's hard though. I feel like I am 'behind'
sometimes or like I'm trying to catch up or stay abreast with others. But You
don't call me to that. You call me to Yourself, to follow You, to love You, &
to love others. God, I fail. I fall. I'm a mess at times. I SO easily forget You,
Your promises, Your love. Thank you, Lord, for your F A I T H F U L N E S S to me!

[Help me, Lord, help me.]



Happy Thanksgiving, 2011.


Sipping peppermint tea, Cil

there is no safe investment...

"There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal." ~C.S. Lewis


//Thank you, C.S., for your thoughtful wisdom.

peace out... I'm off to do homework, although I'd much rather be painting or reading or sipping a latte w/ a friend.

a new month!

With the start of a new month I thought I would share what I am looking forward to this month...

~ My sister and brother-in-law's visit from California Nov 14-22.
~ Celebrating Pj's birthday on Nov 12th... 17 years!
~ Celebrating Daniel's birthday on Nov 30th... 29 years!
~ Celebrating Josh's birthday, turning 27 (I think, on Nov 3rd)!
~ Opa's birthday is Nov 8th... he's turning 79 (?), I'm thankful for him!
~ Thanksgiving - a day to be with family, relax, enjoy a big meal, and some pie!
~ Run the Turkey Trot 10K with some friends - it's a tradition now.
~ A break from nursing school - we get most of Thanksgiving week OFF!
~ Just one month from TODAY is my own b-day... I will be 24 this year, wow!
~ Enjoying more of the Fall season -it's my favorite one.
~ More crisp, cool days to enjoy a good run.
~ Each day is new.

Even in the midst of confusion, heartache, and pain, there IS much to be thankful for, each & every day.


Be blessed in the Lord. -Cil