The beat goes on, da da dum da dum da da

This is what is going on in my life lately:

*According to the pictures on my phone, i have been:

Relaxing and reading in the hammock

Trying new recipes. This is a double layer red velvet cake from scratch.

Catching up with old friends

Turning my living room into the best fort yet

Hiking through gorgeous country

Sometimes finding waterfalls in Yellowstone

Snuggling with my bird

Eating junk with my girl friends

Camping by a gorgeous lake

Celebrating when good people get married

Running around

*There is a new post-it on my computer screen that says

"Life Instructions:

1- Put one foot in front of the other.

2- Repeat."

*i have IT tendinitis. It hurts to run. i am praying for speedy recovery. Especially because Spotify has a new feature that matches the tempo of the music with the pace of the run. And because i have another race in 2 days.

*Rain has been falling most evenings in my little town. i rejoice in the rays of sun that i see during the day and fall asleep to the patter of the rain outside. 

*i am working on reading the New Testament and finding so much peace and love in the life of Christ.

Can i tell you a secret?

i am so happy. i feel incredibly blessed. i love my life.

Didja know?

Sometimes it is exciting to get to know new people--to hear their stories, likes, dislikes, and fun facts about them. But i find it especially delightful when i find out something new about someone that i have known for years. Maybe i can delight you today?

10 Things That You May Not Know About Me:

1- i like all food, except for pancakes.

2- i hate writing with mechanical pencils...only an EXTRA sharp #2 pencil will do.

3- My favorite part of driving is using on-ramps when there is no one in front of me.

4- i can't fall asleep if my closet door is open.

5- At least once a month i injure myself while cooking.

6- i am obsessed with curly hair.

7- My most watched movie is "Fantasia 2000."

8- If i could only change one thing about my life, it would be how i treated my mother when i was growing up.

9- i am the most self conscious about my skin.

10- My favorite color is a deep, rich purple (like plumish.)

Anything surprise you? :)

i believe in Christ

As i wandered through the streets of Jerusalem, i fell in love with the city and the history surrounding it. However, i did not instantly feel the connection to Jesus Christ that i expected as i roamed the city where He ended His mortal ministry.

After a few days in Israel, my father and i rented a car and drove up the Jordan river valley and to the Sea of Galilee. When we reached Capernaum, we found a nature path that wound through some of the countryside and then dumped out right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. There was no one else around. We were able to sit on a few stones right at the edge of the sea and watch the fish jumping and breaking the glassy surface of the water. 

There was something so incredibly peaceful about being there. It was easy to picture the Savior of the world standing upon the very shore where i sat, asking His apostles to follow Him. As i saw the solitude and calmness of the area, i felt that i better understood His temperament. i felt the difference between the serenity of the countryside where He grew up and taught in contrast to the craziness that was in Jerusalem where He was crucified.

As i stared out at the water and contemplated the life of my Savior, tears streamed silently down my face and i received a confirmation of what i already knew. 

i believe in Christ, in His divinity, and in His role as my Redeemer. i believe in the healing, sanctifying and enabling power of His Atonement. And i am eternally grateful for His role in my life.

 "Come unto me all ye that labour 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 is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

"Be not afraid, only believe." -Mark 5:36