...and the list keeps going.

TODAY, I am thankful for~

cozy slippers, scrubs in every color imaginable, faithful friends, unexpected gifts that God just knew you needed, hugs that make you grunt, carefully crafted kid's paintings, talented photographers that document life and its memories, sweet text mesages, and highlighters.

What are you thankful for today?

Once Upon a Snow Day :)

TODAY I am thankful for..... Random snow days :) Two days ago we were in shorts and t-shirts, but today we were pullin out snow gear. We have officially experienced all four seasons in four days. WHOA, Jesus. That's pretty cool :) Thanks for the Winter Wonderland today!

Dear Baby Girl,

It's Valentine's Day today, sweet girl. The day of Love. I want you to know that when February 14 rolls around every year... I will love you. If you are cuddled up on the couch watching sappy movies, I'll cuddle with you. If you are baking cupcakes with friends, I will play the best music for you all to dance to. And finally, if you are celebrating with your sweetheart, I will pray with you before you leave on your date. Know that no matter where this day finds you each year, you are so loved. You are loved by the God of the Universe who came down from heaven to save YOU. To save YOUR soul. That is pretty romantic. The way God loves you is amazing, honey. Last but not least, I love you. I love you so much and am praying for you before I even know who your daddy will be :)
Happy Valentine's Day, little love.
~Mommy

February 14.

Today I am thankful for...
1. Pink and red.
2. Candy hearts.
3. Roses.
4. Candlelight Dinners.
5. Love Letters.
6. Kisses on the Lips.
7. Surprises.
8. Cupcakes.
9. Romantic Movies.
10. Love... in all it shapes and forms.

Whether you are curled up in a quilt watching movies alone this Valentine's Day or out celebrating with your sweetheart... I hope you treasure the Ultimate Love that came to the world to save our sinful souls. THAT is pretty romantic.

The Stage :)

There's something really special about being on a stage... being exposed to the lights, the costumes, the chemistry between characters. I thought perhaps that when college started, this passion in me would be dimmed, maybe even completely burn out. But no! Friends, this passion has just deepened. I find myself LONGING to be on a stage... hear the noises, see the sights, smell the sweat, taste the hairspray. Today I decided that high school was NOT my last time performing. This is just simply a hiatus :) Excited to see what God might have planned for me musically, theatrically, and vocally. It's going to be pretty great, I just know it!

mmmmmm... the stage :)

180.

A week of pain, confusion, hurting, wondering, questioning, anger, doubt, fear... and sadness.

COMPLETELY turned around to be a week of joy, faith, understanding, compassion, passion, sincerity, hope... and LOVE.

Yep, it's been a 180 kind of week. SO thankful for the Sovereignty of God in every area of my life... ready to get back in the ring and fight for the pursuit of holiness!

“We plot. We plan. We assume things are going to go a certain way. And when they don’t, we find ourselves in a new place-a place we haven’t been before, a place we never would have imagined on our own. It is the difficult and the unexpected, and maybe even the tragic, that opens us up and frees us to see things in new ways.Many of the most significant moments in our lives come not because it all went right but because it all fell apart.Suffering does that. It hurts, but it also creates.”

Ready for a week spent reveling in the beauty of His goodness,
Nanny Lyss

I serve a really great God.

WHOA.

Seriously, my amazing amazing amazing God?! You are wayyyy too good to me. I am just blown away today at how God ornately chooses to orchestrate my life. It's so beautiful to be aware of! A few days of pain and confusion, followed by oh so much joy! I am just elated that I get to serve such a magnificent God... One who calls me His daughter, His bride, His FRIEND. I am humbled that I will forever get to sit at His feet, bow before Him, and call Him my Father. I had the best conversation today with my lovely mentor and came to the conclusion that passion and sound doctrine absolutely go hand in hand. I could believe all the right truths and say all the right Bible verses and go to church every Sunday and still be SO empty. Because the truth is this~ life without passion and joy found in Jesus alone is absolutely not fulfilling. While there are days when I want to give up, throw in the towel, be done... There is always joy around the corner! I get to rest in the fact that there is FREEDOM found in my God. He gave us the Holy Spirit, and I always want to be aware of how He is working in my life as well as the lives around me. I have the freedom to dance before Him, kneel before Him, sing before Him, love before Him, be passionate before Him, worship before Him. To me, worship doesn't always mean standing stick straight in a pew and never allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my heart and completely overtake who I am. Worshipping Him means complete abandon.

Ah, my heart is full tonight. It's full, friends.