Crazy Good

You spoke the words I've been longing to hear
for so long
Now we're starting down a path
That we've never been down before

Can you feel my excitement?
Can you sense my thoughts?
Can you tell that I am unsure
and nervous and happy all at one time?

// Life is crazy good when you know
When you know you are loved
So much better than a fairy tale
Because everything you're going through is real //

I wanna savor this moment now
And remember this day
How you were shaking
as you tried to find the words to say to me

// Life is crazy good and I know
I know I don't deserve you
I can't believe you chose me
But you did and I'm so glad that this is real //

Surreal - like a dream
And it seems as though I may wake
To find that I was sleeping
But every waking moment I'm reminded

// That life is crazy good and I know
I know we're gonna make it
With Christ guiding our hearts
I can't wait to see how our story unfolds //

image source

Fragile Beauty

The beauty of Spring. I can never fully capture it, yet I do try every year. These photographs are unedited, and showcase my feeble attempts. I will always be fascinated by the details that make this world such a beautiful place. I cannot wipe this smile off of my face! I am filled with joy, and my source comes from a fount that is overflowing. Can you die of happiness?

Extra Baggage

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Japan, I have had luggage on my mind. Well, I have had a lot of other things on my mind in addition to this, especially as of late, but I've been starting to consider what it is I need to pack and purchase before leaving the country. As is usually the case, my mind began to wander, and I got slightly off track. I began to ponder about the kinds of baggage, or extra luggage, that people tend to tote around in their lives.

Baggage like stress. And bitterness. Resentment. All the fears and anxieties that keep people up at nights. The uncertainties of life that we all worry about, and fret over, but cannot control. I was reminded of the passage in Matthew, and the words that Jesus spoke concerning these things: "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ... Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." {Matthew 6:27-30, 34}

And the other passage that I pondered was also found in Matthew, again spoken by Jesus: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." {Matthew 11:28-30}

This is baggage that we need not carry. What a sense of freedom and release, when once the burdens have fallen. When we let go of the heavy baggage, it is as though a weight has been lifted from our mind.We were not meant to live under the shadow, but to walk in marvelous light. Not only does Christ take our burdens upon Himself, but He tells us to 'bear one another's burdens.' "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."{Galatians 6:2} This verse has taken on a special meaning to me personally over the past couple of week. The particular 'burden' came in the form of an unexpected sudden injury to one of my dearest friends. Her burden was the pain and everything that accompanied a broken leg. It is a burden that she should not carry alone - and thanks be to God that she is surrounded by friends and family who have supported her throughout the entire journey. In her own words:

//Life// exciting, unpredictable, {ʎzɐɹɔ} and sometimes a lil bit painful... =) but still definitely good, because God is so amazing! oh and also because (just so you know) I have the best family and friends in the whole wide world! {{seriously}}

I am so glad that Christ came to give us life, and life abundantly. I am learning to trust His guidance, and have seen how perfect His timing is. He has placed people in my life, and in the lives of my friends, in such a way that I cannot help but marvel. La vita e bella. I believe that life is beautiful. I thank God that I am alive to glory in both its beauty and its pain.

Magic Carpet

You pick me up to go for a ride
And tell me its gonna be a surprise
I smile 'cause I know how you do
You never make plans and I don't have a clue
Where we're going

We're heading downtown but you still won't say
And then we pull into a parking garage
Ascending upwards to the topmost floor
You slide in a spot and then open my door.

And now we're here
Yeah this is where we are

// We're sitting pretty on top of the city
Watching as the world goes by
And oh, I wouldn't want to spend today
In any other way
And oh, it just feels so right
Beneath the stars with you tonight //

I don't understand it
I couldn't have planned it
But once again my cares fall to the ground
The sparkling lights below and the stars up above
You've taken me on a magic carpet ride

Now that we're here
Yeah this is where we are

// We're sitting pretty on top of the city
Watching as the world goes by
And oh, I wouldn't want to spend today
In any other way
And oh, it just feels so right
Beneath the stars with you tonight //

On my magic carpet ride
The world seems so small from this new height
I don't want to come back down to the ground
But I know it can't last forever...

Back at home you see me to the door
Now my dreams are filled with fresh memories
And I can't wait to make more

..................................................................................

The beauty in the ordinary. The simple things. This is the magic of ordinary days. When the people in your life can make your day just by spending time with you, then you have relationships that you can treasure. Make lasting memories, and take the time to invest in the lives of those around you. Our life is so fleeting, and the moments that we have with our loved ones should not be taken for granted. Live each day to the hilt.

image credit: mcxlphotography.com

All That I'm Asking For

And so my freshman year is drawing to a close. Looking back, in spite of all the stress, ups, downs, highs, lows, I can see how my character has been shaped. What I've experienced, the things that I've been through, and the journey I embarked on has given me wisdom and knowledge. I have learned so much over the past months, and not just scholastically. Just living life day to day gives me a wealth to glean from, and this year was no exception.

I have been challenged to push past boundaries and to take my creativity to new levels. I made decisions and have had to deal with the repercussions. What I am taking away is lasting, and the lessons I have learned were 'life lessons.'

It seems strange to think that I have invested a year of my life, and I always in the back of my mind ponder the question: was it worth it? Rhetorical, yes. It was not a waste.

The support of my friends and family was invaluable. You know who you are: I could not have done this without you. For your prayers and encouragement, thank you. To Lifehouse: It was wonderful to listen to your songs driving to and from school - your lyrics never cease to amaze me. Inspiring and right where I am, your albums have become a part of me. Christ, who has never failed me. You have been faithful to see me through every 'crisis' and situation. I rest securely in you.

And for those of you who have no idea what this is about - sorry. The posts will change, I promise. I just have to get through these final weeks. Fun things are in store.... Meanwhile, enjoy the bonus track from Lifehouse's new album Smoke & Mirrors. Just so you know, their album is amazing.

Blyss Animatic

After long last, and having geared up for this all semester, I have put together my very first animatic in After Effects. I can honestly say that a lot of thought and effort was invested in this little two minute production. For what it is, I am rather fond of it. If I had taken more time, I am sure I could have refined it. But it is a sweet story, it reflects what I wished it would. True love, sweet and simple.

Tides

Your eyes are the first that I look for
When I waltz into the room
Your smile can light up my day and my world
Yeah you know that its true

// I've never felt this way before
I can't explain or rationalize //

But just like the ocean's tides
I feel you pulling me under the surface
Are you doing it on purpose?
You're making it hard to breathe...

And I don't know what I'm feeling
And I don't know what I want
And I'm dazed and confused
So completely bemused by you.

Trying to sort things out somehow
Wanting you to carry me away...
Please don't ask me what I'm thinking
Because I don't know what I should say

// I've never felt this way before
I can't explain or rationalize //

But just like the ocean's tides
I feel you pulling me under the surface
Are you doing it on purpose?
You're making it hard to breathe...

And I don't know what I'm feeling
And I don't know what I want
And I'm dazed and confused
So completely bemused by you.

I need to know - Would you stay with me
Even in the face of a raging storm
When the waves crash over our heads
Will this last? What are we holding onto?

Just like the ocean's tides
I feel you pulling me under the surface
Are you doing it on purpose?
You're taking a hold in me...

Those Days...

You know those days when you have so much to do, and seemingly not enough time to accomplish everything? And the feeling that in spite of it all, despite every obstacle and in the face of all the impossibilities, it will turn out right in the end? That is where I am today. And so I will plod steadily onward, all the while keeping the end in sight. Because this too shall pass. In time...

Lifehouse's Crash and Burn has become my theme song for finals.

Signing out until I can find something interesting to say...

April Showers

It is so cliche to say that April showers bring Spring flowers, but it happens every year. I finally took the chance to capture some of the beauty that is all around me, and have uploaded some of my favorites here to share with you all. More to come later ... meanwhile, bask in the glories of Spring!

Stop the Clocks

Where have the days gone? They have passed, and I have grown, older, stronger, wiser. My words are few, but I see much. What I ponder in my mind shall stay there. I dare not voice my thoughts. Sacred secrets, like chambers to which I hold the keys. I unlock only the doors that I wish to open.

Tonight

The brilliant sky
Is fading to grey
And I stand here now
I don't know what to say
But I know your presence
Surrounds me
Though how I can't define
So I wait for You to call me
Yeah I wait for the divine

Come reveal this mystery
Teach me Your new melody
Start another symphony tonight
Whisper softly in my ear
Speak the words that I should hear
Envelope me tonight
Hold me tight
Never let me go

I wish that I could stop the clock
And make time stand still
Oh I know the years will pass me by
But God You never will
'Cause nothing compares to You
Who can comprehend
All that You do
If I had a million years to try
Would I succeed
Would You open my eyes?

Come reveal this mystery
Teach me Your new melody
Start another symphony tonight
Whisper softly in my ear
Speak the words that I should hear
Envelope me tonight
Hold me tight
Never let me go
Don't ever let me go