God I Look to You

God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed
Give me vision to see things like You do
God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from
Give me wisdom; You know just what to do

I will love You Lord my strength
I will love You Lord my shield
I will love You Lord my rock forever
All my days I will love You God

Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns
Hallelujah our God reigns forever
All my days Hallelujah

(By Bethel)

Such simple words...yet such a profound message. So often we find ourselves in a world of hurt, confusion, stress. We forget that the solution is simple. It may not be easy, but it is most certainly simple.
Look to God.
When we learn of His love for us...that He would send Christ into our world as a little baby, then as a man die for perfectly and blamelessly for the sins of the world...when we learn of that kind of love..we can learn to trust Him.
That's it.
That simple.
If I trust God, then I know I am safe. I know I am loved. And when I know that, I am free to love Him back.
He is so beautiful.


Here is a beauitful music video from Bethel. Stunning...that's all I have to say.

Enjoy :)

New

Happy New Year...

A little late? I know, I know....I sort of lost these pics for a bit. BUT they stumbled their way back into my hand this week and I can't not post...they are too fun not to.
This New Year some friends and I gathered at an apartment clubhouse for some good times. It was low-key and perfectly lovely. Here's a few shots from the night:

Beautiful Sister/Friend Dannie

Insta-friend Sheriesse...because our friendship took all of 5 seconds to develop!

How precious is he??? This is Bryce, he turned 5 Sunday! Happy Birthday Bryce!

My DIY feathers! I got the idea from this lovely lady here.

That's Kerri...isn't she GORGEOUS??!! Check her out here.

I think that reflecting on the New Year 2 months in is more helpful than on day one. I should save some of these photos for April and then do this again...na.

January seemed to fly by. February not so much. I am ok with it being short this year...most often that annoys me, but I am ready to say good bye.

The other day my dear sister/friend Dannie and I had a scary incident...then a few days later we had the most traumatic incident of our lives.  Just a few days apart!! Not right!
Anyways, I am just so amazed and thankful for the wonderful protection of our Daddy in Heaven.

A situation that could have been life altering, was not.
A fear that could have been paralyzing was not.
A memory that could haunt me will not.

A few nights after our experience I found myself having a little trouble sleeping. I didn't really want to go to bed to be honest. And I didn't like that. So I decided to read my Bible. I opened my bible up to Psalm 136 and the first verse I read was:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. 

His love endures forever." 

In that moment God gave rest to my mind. He is good...and His love is enduring...through all things.
I went on to read the entire chapter as if it were my prayer. 

"Thank you Lord, you are so good. 

Thank you for your enduring love." 

Each thankful verse became my heart's prayer, my heart's delight. By the end of all that thankfulness, all of that praising the Almighty God for all of His Wonder and Power and Love... 
there was little room left for fear.   
What a blessing. 

Let it be done

One of my favorite things about reading the Bible is really picturing what it would have been like to have been there in that moment. All of these people God chose to use for his purposes were just ordinary people. Ordinary people who did not have the advantage of knowing the end of the story like you and me. You've probably heard this before, but when you really think about it, its quite amazing. When I read stories in the Word, I always almost instantly put myself in their position and wonder how I would have reacted, not knowing the end of the story.

I was reading in Luke Chapter 1 about the two visits the Angel Gabriel makes to 2 very ordinary people.  It's interesting to compare their reactions as one of them seems to handle their news better than the other. The first visit is to the priest, Zachariah. A man of God who was blameless in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. Gabriel appears to him and tells him his wife will bear a son. And Zachariah's only response is "By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years?". ( Luke 1:18)

Um, hello! An Angel of the Lord is standing before you and thats your question? A priest who is blameless before the Lord and you question whether God could give you a child in your old age? Sheesh!

OK, lets move on to Mary's response. The Angel Gabriel appears to Mary, a 14 year old virgin and says she will bear the son of God. Her response is also a question, but not filled with doubt like Zachariah's. She asks how this could be since she is a virgin and the Angel goes on to explain how this will happen. ( Luke 1:34)

And both stories continue on as we all know.

As I was reading this first chapter of Luke, I put myself in these positions and just wondered what I would do. Its easy for me to look at Zachariah and wonder what he was thinking, but I wasn't there. He and his wife wanted a child so desperately and it had never happened. And now an Angel appears to him in the Temple and his first reaction is doubt. What would my reaction have been?

Mary, on the other hand, could have very easily been filled with fear. She could have been stoned to death for what was about to happen to her. And who would really believe a 14 year girl that she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit?  But that was not something she allowed to overtake her. What she saw in all of this was a chance to be used by God in a mighty way. What perspective!

My prayer in all of this is that I would have a Mary reaction in moments like this. When God has something for me to do or to step into, that I wouldn't allow my circumstances to define my abilities. But that I would cling to what the Lord has spoken and like Mary say, " Let it be done to me according to what you have said." (Luke 1:38)

Just a thought on a cloudy day in Frisco, Texas :)

Shan

Dear Monday,

Dear Monday,

   You’re not my favorite, although I think Tuesdays are worst.

Dear Rain, 

   You have made Monday brighter better.

Dear Bank,

   Your confusion is not helping my stress level…call me asap!

Dear Coffee,

   Thank you for the wake-up call this a.m., I am grateful.

Dear Friend,

   Thank you for making me feel known and special.

Dear Park with the Ducks, 

   Thank you for all of the lovely lunches.

Dear Pink (the color, not the person),

   Thanks for making my desk cheery and fun.

Dear Tazo Refresh Tea,

   Thanks for making the 2 o'clock wall a little easier to plow through.

Dear God,

   Thanks for the reminder that you are faithful, you are in control, and you are wonderful :) I love you, and 

   I trust you...thank you for another Monday.

 

InstaFriday!!

So, this is friday :)

Here is a look into our views on this lovely day.

 

I (shan) have fridays off so my day was spent doing very little really. I was home all day long and it was quite lovely. It's funny how as I grow up, I cherish the moments where my soul just gets to rest and relax more and more. Not having to be doing something or going somewhere all the time is quite nice. A few years ago, I would have thought that was so boring but not anymore :) Here is a glimpse into my day...

puppy dog moments & pancake fridays 

 quiet time & more pancakes...& coffee :)

walk with the new sneakers. spring is starting to pop up..slowly

 the tree still says its winter. but such pretty skies

Fish tacos...yum!

reupholstering some chairs. more to come on this :)

 

 

While Shan was enjoying her day off, I was working...my instagrams are slightly less exciting, as I was staring at paperwork and a computer screen all day...what are ya gonna do? :)

 

I surround myself with hearts and the color pink at work :) And eat yummy breakfasts



 

 

My wardrobe today ...boots, comfy sweater, flower headband, and knotted Tee over a dress...

oh...and that's Cleff, my fish just because he's cute.

 

I ended the evening with Chinese and these two lovely treasures from Anna. :)

 

 



Dear January

Dear January,
Where did you go? You snuck right into my busy world, and just like that you left again.
I'm a little hurt...but I'll survive. February is looking up, looking full, and looking fun.

2013 is proving to be a fast start to what I believe will be a full year. God is planting many things in my heart already for this new year. Although the first month was a little rocky, I am hopeful and excited for all that I have on my plate. This is a year of creativity and I am excited to begin some new projects. Here are a few things I am looking forward to in 2013:
    -Photography Class --> Better Pictures!
    -New Look (I recently chopped my hair!)
    -New Car ...I'm on the hunt
    -Finishing some songs/music projects
    -Writing More Songs
    -Leading Worship for a Teen Girls Retreat!
    -Vision casting and beginning women's ministry ventures with some dear friends
  

New Fav Top: Sears Outlet   Dress:Thrifted    Boots: Thrifted

Gold Chain: Thrifted    Bow Ring: Forever21