When it all goes awry...

HE is faithful.

Sometimes... sometimes I miss it.

Knowing everyone's name, hugging everyone, the lighter homework load, the drama practices, the teacher's investing in you, knowing how to meet people where they're at, not having to worry about study groups or review sessions, being spontaneous, having random fun, trips to Dutch Bros, walks to get sandwiches, sloshing in puddles just because, working on set design or choreography, English class, Mrs. Henry, laying on the grass gazing at the sky, unplanned worship sessions, jumping off flights of stairs, doodling in class, laughing at the easiness of anatomy, being a teacher's aid, being the Candy Queen, basketball games with under classmen, watching Food Network after school, being completely devoted to the kids, small group once a week, taking weekend trips, staying home if I'm sick, going to bed at 8, having to wear dresses once a week, dissecting for pleasure, playing ring-around-the-rosy at break time, being bored at lunch, blogging, the smiling secretaries, the small core lunch group, not having anything on my agenda...

Yes, it's very true. There are days when I miss it. Lots.

Because I know hardly anyone's names, I hug those I know, I have homework spilling out my ears, I don't practice for anything, the teacher's are teachers, I have to work at meeting people where they're at, my life consists of study groups and review sessions, eating an animal cracker from a friend's lunch in the amount of spontaneity I understand, fun is scheduled and often cancelled, I don't remember how to get to dutch bros, walking is a waste of precious time, sloshing in puddles is irresponsible, there is nothing to paint or dance to, my English class bores me to literal tears, Mrs. Henry is at a different school, I would never lay on the grass because there's too much to get done, nothing goes unplanned, I haven't jumped off of anything since school started, doodling equals death, I cry at the severity of anatomy, I will never have time to be a TA, I can't eat candy for fear of gaining the freshman 15, basketball games are out of the question, I can't remember the last time I watched TV, my mind is constantly swirling with the assignments I have hanging over my head, small group doesn't exist, weekend trips aren't an option, I go to school every.single.day whether I'm sick or not, I go to bed at eleven on a good day, I am a loner in my dress wearing and sometimes feel dumb, dissecting is stressful, break times are just fifteen extra minutes to study, I feel guilty for blogging, I have no lunchtime, my agenda is booked... for the next four years.

Give me strength, Jesus. I know you are faithful and your plan is perfect.

You get your own, crazy kid :)

Yes, this special little boy gets a post of all his own. Call me crazy, but this sweet boy has done so much in my little life. I truly believe little boys have such beautiful abilities with older girls. Let me tell you about this amazing boy.

*He knows EXACTLY when to give me a hug. He knows the second he sees me. He will either run super fast and jump into my arms or simply say "dank you for picking me up, lyssa." He always knows which one it needs to be.
*He calls piggy back rides "pee-pee back rides". honestly?! Major cuteness.
*He loves his "broder" and "seester" and asks them all the time if he can "get dem a cup." He has a love affair with milk, you see.
*He loves one-on-one time, and begs to just sit on the couch and cuddle.
*He hates going to bed, but says he'll be fine if I give him a kiss to scare away the bad guys.
*He adores his daddy. When daddy pulls in the driveway he screams (and I mean, screams!)..."My daddy's home! Come on, Lyssa, wet's go see him!"
*He sings love songs to Jesus in the backseat when I pick him up from daycare.
*He has a blue blankie that he absolutely cannot live without, but he told me the other day that if I needed to borrow it for my "big test", I could.
*He has the most darling smile and the biggest heart.

My sweet Zachary,
Your hugs make me melt. I could hold you in my arms forever if you let me. Your simple love for Jesus makes my heart so happy. The sweet joy of the Lord is so evident in your baby blue eyes. Thanks for praying for me... I hope you know it helps. I just imagine your sweet voice when I am stumped or discouraged. I will always always always cuddle with you, and give you kisses to scare away the bad guys. I will always get up off the couch and go see daddy with you, and I will always praise God when you sing your sweet songs to Him. I will always wash "Blanket", and take delight in watching your face when I come surprise you with it from the dryer. I will always want to kiss your little cheeks when you smile that little smile and I will continue to pray for your big heart. I am praying that you use it for the glory of the One you sing to every day. You're almost four. Whoa. Slow down for Lyssa, okay? I want to soak in the "three year old you" some more.
I love you "even more than I love that shiny blue drum set", sweet baby boy.
~Lyssa

Four more.

I have decided to do a series... four people a post. Four special people that I love and adore and wish nothing but God's abundant blessings on your life.

First up today is a woman of many roles. My school nurse, my employer, my listening ear, my second mommy. Today I went up and sobbed in your office after getting a test score... and you just hugged me and cried with me. You said you remembered the days of crazy stress and studying so hard you have no life left in you... only to get a C on paper or exam. You told me to hold my head up high, because we serve a God that is waaayyyy bigger than any exam. That the same God who planted the dreams, desires, and drive in my little heart will carry those out in the best way possible. Do you know how much it means to me to have someone to run to day in and day out? To have someone that will speak into me words of truth regarding the majestic God you and I serve? Let me tell you, Momma Echols, It means SO much more than you will ever know. I will bend over backwards for you and your family... you have blessed me beyond measure. I love you.


Pam. The woman in Redding that everyone knows. I get to be under your teaching... and while I want to pull my hair out, bang my head against a wall, and/or incur brain damage so I don't have to study anymore... you are the most brilliant woman I know. and I mean that. I have never met a woman so passionate about the human body and how God designed it. I remember you telling us on the first day of class, "If you die for me, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll die for you." And this has remained true. Thanks for WANTING to see us succeed, and being there for us when we don't. You are a classy woman, one with amazing resolve and dignity. I thank God for you!


The drive-through people at In-N-Out. You are the friendliest people in the whole world! It pretty much majorly makes my day when I get to go eat there (which, sadly, is all.the.time!). I love your smiles and royal waves... and how you are starting to know exactly what I want... even being the {{picky}} eater that I am! You make my day.

Okay, so I'm just doing three today (and the last one doesn't really count, although I meant it!)... I want each one to count, not be an afterthought.

xoxoxo.

I love you :)

Real or pretend, I have the best family in the world. But today, I am talking about the pretend family. The family that God has blessed me with in this season of my life.

My brother, Er. Gosh... pretty sure I have never met a more selfless man in my life. I love that you are constantly asking me if you can do anything to help and telling me you are praying for me. I know you love Jesus, and I love that you are pursuing him with your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Hugs for you, my friend.

I have many many many sisters. But just to name a few...


Lauren. Sweet Lauren, who I see not-so-often... but when I do (like this weekend, for instance!) my heart is just filled with so much joy. Why? Because we never have any problem picking up where we left off. You are SO talented, and your spunky heart makes me just love Jesus more. We have been through lots, theatre buddy. Having similar passions, tastes, dispositions, morals, and loves just makes me believe we were absolutely destined to be friends from the beginning. Love you.

Emma. You've heard the story countless times, my friend. It.Blows.My. Mind. that we are friends. But God knows best :) He knows that you have impacted my life in a way that I never even could've imagined. He knows that I think you are lovely and beautiful and wonderful. And He knows that I would give almost anything to have me some Emma time. Hugs and kisses especially for you, Emmy :)


Caitlin. The newest addition to this blessed family :) Basically, I have never known so much about one girl in so little time. God knew that day in chapel when I embarrassingly asked you dumb questions that we were going to be lifelong friends :) I love the jokes we have, the loud laugh that we both get that turns heads, and our scarily similar fashion taste. I love impressing fellow students when we can whip through muscle notecards or bone models, and I love that we never wonder who we are going to sit next to in chapel. But all of this aside... I LOVE that we are growing together in Christ. Praying with you, conversing with you, wondering with you, praising God with you... I am so thankful for it all. God has truly blessed me with a stunning, godly sister. I love you! :)

I could go on and on and on and on and on about these four people. And I could go on and on and on (you get the picture) for days about fifty more people. Maybe I'll start doing this more often... taking four people at a time.

I love you, guys. Thanks for blessing me!

Sing to the Lord, for He is good.

The song that came to my heart, then my lips... on this rainy day filled with candles, slippers, music, and muscles.

I will run, I will run this race,
And I will do it all for love.
Your love compels me forward,
Your love controls my heart,
And I just can't, I cannot get away.

So I will fight this good fight of faith,
And I will do it all for love.
You are my great reward,
You're so worth fighting for
And I can't wait to see Your face.

So I will run, I will run this race,
And I will do it all for love.
Your love compels me forward,
Your love controls my heart,
And I just can't, I cannot get away.

So I will fight this good fight of faith,
And I will do it all for love.
You are my great reward,
You're so worth fighting for
And I can't wait to see Your face,
And I can't wait to see Your face.

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

You're a Lifer.

Kissing in the rain, talks lit only by moonlight, falling asleep next to each other, the sweet romantic guy whispering in her ear... these are always my favorite parts of movies. I talk through the whole movie until those scenes, then a hush falls over the room, followed my a collective sigh.
After a day like today, I would normally write about love that looks that way. I would right about how hard and lonely it can be to wait for a guy who loves God and respects me and who kisses me in the rain after I've been with the kids all day. This is where I would write about how hard it is to wait for real love, how fabulous and frustrating guys can be and how thankful I am for them. I would remind myself that this season is special and worthwhile whether I get a bouquet of purple gerber daises, or just a hug from Caitlin and a box of kleenex.

And all of those things are still very much true.


But there's a pretty amazing love that God has allowed me to have in this season. A "love" story all of it's own. It has nothing to do with star-crossed lovers or kisses in the rain. It isn't a love story between a guy and a girl, even though I'm a major sucker for those. It's something that happened by the grace of God... between two best friends.

Go snag some hot chocolate and let me tell you about these friends.


There is a girl...Her name is Alyssa. She drives down to Southern California to check out a potential college with her youth group. Sounds simple, right? God had other plans.

Shift over to Emma. There is a group of high schoolers coming to stay the night at her house in Southern California while they look at a potential college. Sounds simple, right? God had other plans.

The weekend progressed. This college was looked at, a trip to Disney was made, food was eaten, laughter had taken place. It's Alyssa's last night in town. She is at Emma's house, loving dessert time. The crowd starts to scatter. Some go to bed, others to play games... but four girls stick around. Two of them being Emma and Alyssa. Encouraging and challenging conversation takes places... then Emma goes to her room for bed, and the three NorCal girls go to sleep, too. On the way out, Alyssa says to her friend, Kaylin, "I really really liked Emma."

Fast forward. Everyone is back home, life is moving on. Alyssa and Emma are now friends on Facebook, and some conversations have slowly started to emerge... just over Facebook messaging and the occasional text, but Alyssa just loves sweet Emma.

This story could have a chapter (or five or ten) dedicated just to sweet Emma. She is the most beautiful girl you ever did see, and has a heart of gold. She is defined by Christ and her love for Him is so evident in her daily life.

Slowly, God starts to form this friendship. Some might say they did things "backwards." By this, I mean they learned the deepest, most intimate details about each other's hearts, leaving {close to} nothing out. They did not know favorite colors, favorite foods, or the little quirks. But the foundation? The absolute core of a friendship? That came early. The desire to seek after the kingdom of heaven was so evident in this friendship from week one.


Now, for the present day. This friendship is so so breathtaking. The hand of God is so at work in every aspect of Emma and Alyssa's friendship. Together, they are able to seek God's plan... through the lovely, sing-a-song, daisy picking days, and through the remind-yourself-that-God-is-God days. They love each other. They are there for each other. Always. Forever. No matter what.

Alyssa would die for Miss Emma. John 15:13. That is how much she loves this girl.

This story is still being written. Lord-willing, this story will continue to be written for the rest of there lives. The story might increase in characters (husband, children, pets)... but the core of this friendship stays the same. Jesus. HE is the core. Emma's heart, Alyssa's heart... they may fail. But the Word of their amazing God? That stands FOREVER. He will not fail. He will not forsake. He will not hurt and wound.

This, my friends, is the story of Emmy and Lyss.


When I think about Emmy and Lyss, I think about Ruth and Naomi. There was a war going on. They had to make a long journey alone. Their world was in an uproar, and so were their hearts.
At one point, Naomi begs Ruth to turn around and leave her. Ruth looks at Naomi and says, "Don't urge me to leave you or turn my back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay." (Ruth 1:16)
Ruth was in it for good. She and Naomi were "lifers", a term that I lovingly use to describe Emmy and Lyss. No matter what happens, they're doing life together.

Today was one not-so-hot day. I am thinking tonight about all the different kinds of love in my life right now. This day made it a great excuse to tell people I love them~ my parents, my brother, and my "lifers".

The Emmy and Lyss story also reminds me of the love that surpasses every other love. Even the sweetest love I can experience on earth can't compare to His. He's the One who thought I was worth giving up a life for. Today I came home and took a look at John 17 and 1 Corinthians 13. You and I are, truly, deeply loved.

When I hear the word "love" so casually kicked around, I'm not just going to picture the end scene from my favorite movie. Love is more than a sweeping kiss or bright flowers or faded sunsets. Love is also a simple college trip, mind-blowing conversation, lifting one another up in prayer, and two friends that would do anything for each other.

They're holding on to each other, and they're holding on to the One that never let's go.


Emmy, I love you so much. You are a "lifer".
~Lyss :)

Thoughts for the Kiddos...

I have been burdened this week with the world. The icky world we live in... and it's only getting worse. I go pick up my kids from school, and I hear about the lies they were fed, the words that are being programmed into their little brains. It hurts my heart.

Everywhere I turned this week, people were speaking to my favorite three little ones in the whole world. The TV, coaches, peers, songs, teachers. And all of them speaking into their lives.

Telling them who they are. Who they are suppose to be. Who they want to be. Who they should become.

Sadly, the cry of the masses speak so many things into their lives that I don't agree with. Actually, I more than disagree with them, for I know most of what they are telling them is wrong. You are successful if you do _____, Happiness is ______,You are worth something if you_______, You need to be more. You need to be less. You need to be whatever. I'm so sick of the lies!

The world wants to tell them who they are. Invite them on a journey to "find" themselves. Maybe I think too simply about this, but can't the answer to who we are be defined by just this? We are what Jesus thinks about us.

We are His. We were planned. We were created for His purposes. Created for His pleasure. We are His temple. We are precious in His sight. We are forgiven. We are new. We were cleansed to walk in fellowship with Him. We are beloved. We are His bride. We are chosen. We are adopted as sons. We are permanent. We are dependent. We are Desperate. We are free. We are loved and clothed in the blood of the Most High's son, Jesus. That's who we are.

Ok, so how do I instill that into the children that God has so graciously allowed me to spend so much time with? Not a puffed up self-esteem, but Christ esteem?

I think it's this: He has to be the loudest voice they hear. My job is to help make their world a place they can hear HIM. We need to silence the voices we can. Speak against the ones we can't. And mostly, we need to speak His word into their precious, hungry, impressionable hearts. I mean looking them in their eyes and telling them who Jesus has made them to be. Who He sees them as. Affirming the gifts we see in them. Warning them about the sins we know Jesus wants to rid them from. Speaking TRUTH into their lives.

I am ready to fight.

Noticing the Beauty...

Here are a few of the things I added today to the notice journal...
~I love how I can feel every single muscle in my body when it contracts thanks to Jillian. It hurts SO good.
~I love how water never tastes as good as it does right after working out.
~I love how the simplicity in a text message can make someone's day.
~I love when I hear random outbursts of "I love you!"
~I love accidental harmonizing that turns out lovely.
~I love the excitement of walking to chapel, wondering what songs we will get to sing that day.
~I love Caitlin's mousy little voice, and the way every single professor knows when it's her talking.
~I love that we named our cat after a real person.
~I love when moms talk to the baby in her stroller.
~I love shoes with bows or jewels on them.
~I love recognizing an old face.
~I love when people have their keys on a "leash", and they swing them.
~I love the smell of the wellness center.
~I love that the competitiveness of nursing has started to subside, and instead.... we just want to see each other succeed.
~I love when people's mouths fly wide open when they laugh.
~I love burning things up in chemistry.
~I love learning surprising facts about people's lives.
~I love telling stories that magnify what an amazing God I serve.
~I love the soothing, passionate sound of the cello.
~I love the smile that girls get when a boy calls them by name.
~I love singing in an empty room.
~I love being challenged in my faith through conversations with friends.
~I love voice messages and skype.
~I love that the petals of the flower are a different color than the little circle in the middle.
~I love the richness of the color purple.
~I love how boys are better with girls when they have older sisters.
~I love that pumpkins are associated with fall.
~I love the warmness in the cinnamon smell.
~I love putting new nail polish on.
~I love the way my ring sparkles when it hits the sun just right.
~I love knowing that my perfect God has a husband picked out for me.
~I love slowing down and listening.
~I love colorful umbrellas.
~I love brutally honest friends.
~I love the selflessness in studying with someone that's not in your class.
~I love the way my head fits perfect in my hand when I sit with it cocked up in class.
~I love the consistency in anatomy homework and studying.
~I love that I have to plan break times.
~I love that I have fallen hard and fast for the God of the Universe.
~I love that He has made me content with His love.
~I love that He has healed the broken and made me new.
~I love that each day is a gift, a chance to start fresh.
~I love that my English teacher never has any clue what he's doing.
~I love that my cell phone is becoming less and less important.
~I love seeing boys that take the lead.
~I love that when all else fails, my God is faithful.
~I love the beauty that is on the earth JUST for us to enjoy and savor.
~I love that He makes beautiful things out of the dust.



~I L.O.V.E. that the joy of the LORD is my strength.

Oh, Jesus. I am so so in love with you.

Beautiful Things :)

You make beautiful things.

Out of Dust. Out of us..... my family, my friends, my teachers.

Out of ME.

Whoa.

Continue to make me new.... Slow me down :) I don't want to miss anything You are doing.

I love You, Jesus.

I am in love.

I am in love.
With the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. My Rock and my Redeemer. My Sovereign God.

I am in love with my Jesus. The Jesus who captured my heart and made it His.

I am in love.


Let me say it just one more time...... I have fallen hard. I am head over heels.... I am in love.

Blessed.

I am so thankful right now. It's my first weekend that I actually have some time do to things like blogging! I am blessed beyond measure... that's really all I have to say right about now. Old friendships are continuing to be strengthened and grown, and new friendships are forming with full force!
College is beautiful. I have never made friends so fast in my entire life. Maybe it's because of the rigor of the nursing program, maybe it's because it's just a bigger sea with more fish... I'm not sure, but I do know that God has blessed me with some amazing friends. In four weeks, I have made lifelong friends. I know it. We have been through thick and thin in just these four short weeks. Intense joy, intense fear, intense anxiety, intense confusion, intense conversations, intense happiness, intense bonding, intense love, intense growing, intense life! All of it :) We've done it together... in FOUR weeks. That blows my mind. We have found our niche, each of us enjoying the time spent together, still getting to know each other and how each of us works and thinks. It will be fun to see where we are in just another four short weeks! :) Caitlin and Carissa, Taylor, Kat, and Abbey too... I love you :) I can't wait watch God's plan for our core little group unfold!

Then there's the old friends...
My dear friend Kaylin, who I love and miss so very much... it's just not the same without my Sunday morning hug :) I know God is doing beautiful things through you and in you... and I can't wait to see you in a couple weeks!

My lovely little friend E. I see you less and less, you know! But I love that you hang out with the football team and are enjoying senior year :) I'm going to come see your choir concerts and cheer embarrassingly loud, because I love choir, and I love you. So you're welcome in advance.

Finally, Miss Emma. My miracle friend. Today I sat and talked with you for twenty five minutes about worldliness... and how you and I get to trust in Christ alone... that He will sustain and carry us. How blessed am I? To be loved by Jesus so much, that he would let me know you. I am DAILY blessed by you. I have been rebuked, challenged, encouraged, and loved by the most beautiful darling young woman whose faith draws me to my knees. Because of you, I love Jesus more. What more could I ask for? Yes, you are in the "old friend" pile... but the "forever friend" pile? You are at the top of the list, sweet best friend. I love you so much, and miss you like crazy. Hugs and kisses for you :)