Made for Greatness

Now that we are both recent grads finding our way in the world, Daniel and I have been committed to fighting the daily grind, and pouring over how to find purpose and life in the everyday. He sent me this quote the other day, and I am stirred:

"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."

- Tim Kizziar

Lately, our conversations evolve around discovering together the prompt in our souls towards something greater. We are seeing how this is more deeply a yearning for what IS great - the only that is great - Him alone.

[1992: Easter Baskets. I'm the bossy older sister, they are the adorable little brothers.]

[Notice: Daniel gets a bank. I get a pencil sharpener. What is this already showing us...???]

If there was ever any doubt - I know God is real when I look at my family. One of the most tangible blessings in my life has been growing up alongside my 2 younger [but not littler] brothers. They have shaped into the most insightful & hilarious & encouraging people in my life. We know each other in a way nobody else can - duh - because we inherited the family quirks, share silly growing-up stories, and dream big for our future lives: the family vacays, the home vids, the in's&out's of our dynamics.

{Me, Mikey, Daniel. This.is.us.}

And it only gets better. Now that we are all in our early-20's, have found a crazy home in Waco, TX, and are learning to navigate the post-college world, our relationships have reached a new level. Daniel & Michael's lives inspire me; they are not content with mediocrity, and they are sold out to Him. I find myself shamelessly bragging about them - how I see God written all over their lives - how He's using them to do something big, mobilize resources, stir our generation, create, design, and go DO. Life looks different to them, to us.

We know He has given us something special. What we do now matters. Having a heavenly mindset changes things. Hearing Him and where He has us is the only thing that will ultimately bring us happiness - the center of His Plan, not ours.

It is a gift to do life with family who have become best friends.

Honestly.

a little piece of me is expecting to hate Chicago. in a few months.

The leaves are starting to fall, which only means winter is that.much.closer.

Remembering the days of numb feet, cold hands, and breath in the air.

The rush from car to building.

Wondering if I have the willpower to survive it all again.

I guess it's only fall now.

I love fall.

I should probably try to enjoy it.

Okay Chicago, I'll give you a chance. Surprise me.

Like Yesterday.

Today I heard the sweet voices of friends I haven't heard since I left Spain. It felt so real - like I was sitting right next to them - about to meet them for a drink, eat a pintxo, or leave for an excursion. We joked about meeting in the middle - mid-Atlantic?

{Javi & Zoe - 2 of my dear friends whom I chatted with today.}

The problem is - that actually IS the midpoint.

I closed my eyes and I was on the pier, watching life pass.

Smelling the ocean.

Remembering home.

And how different life used to be.

Spain.... my memory triggers the beauty and the friendships. It seems I've forgotten the challenges. Perhaps reality is setting in and my memories have made it something it wasn't.

Or maybe life really was that good.

Now... I miss my cross-Atlantic friends. Wish I could discover at the beginning with Suz. Be silly with Ruth. Go on photo outings with J&Z. Laugh with Isa.

When I think about these precious friends, I feel an ache in my soul to be there.

So. I'll have to go back. And I know someday I will.

A Fun Read.

"That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment."

-The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

This book is a treat. Quirky, charming, and witty. You might read it in a day. Might laugh & cry. The characters get in your head.

I recommend.

It's Simple...?

"My biggest takeaway so far is the concept of wanting what you have versus having what you want." - Stephen Riley

The idea of living on "6 items or less" appeared in the Trib this morning, as a group of people, nicknamed "Sixers," have set out to fight American consumerism in the form of wearing what you have, and decreasing the desire for more.

This resonates with me for a number of reasons.

{Backpacked.}

After a recent return from an involuntary mix&match - redesign - be creative mindset while abroad, I am now faced with a new challenge: overcoming the expectations and pressure of the States to own the newest&greatest _________.

{The layer life}

(After giving up the '92 Acura and 5-year-old cell, this can prove to be more challenging than originally intended...)

When I think back to my time in Europe, America tricks me into believing it was barely possible: 1.5 suitcases, (and only a backpack on the majority of weeks), a level of material desire at a low, no cell or comp...?!

Admitted: at times a feeling of disconnect ensued, but had my level of "happiness" dropped?

{Scarf gone turban. Because... why not.}

No. But why?

Because you learn to love what you have, make it work, and even give yourself a pat-on-the-back for doing so. Otherwise, at what point are you content with what you own, and not living in want of what you don't have...?

A new happiness that occurred while abroad was in part owed to being forced to live simply. And seeing that it not only works, but is the only way to live. Among the many reasons for why I want to go back, this is definitely one of them.

"It taught me I need far less than I have or think I need." - Riley

I realize that living simply can be simple. It just takes some effort to make it a lifestyle.

Happy.

{January 2005:} polos&pearls.

{August 2010:} lace&stripes.

{5 years later. we've come a long way... and there's more to come!}

my dear friendship blessing, Happy 25!

Remaining.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

John 15.4

To remain... that can be difficult.

But - as always - I am learning to hear & trust. When things seems blurry, there is purpose and a plan. Okay, so I miss Spain. I miss the daily adventure. I miss speaking Spanish. I miss not having a clue.

But there's a life for me in Chicago...

I know it's true. I've heard it a million times.

starting: now.

There She Goes.

"your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me."

psalm 40.11

Scotland doesn't know how lucky it is.

Twenty-Four.

Doesn't get better than a cupcake and a bestie...

Something about the timing of my birthday falling perfectly in sync with the coming school year, has often made it more meaningful to me than New Years. (Or maybe I'm just a born-to-be teacher...?)

Either way, after spending some time in Europe, deciding to take a job in Chicago, and feeling the midpoint of this transition, I have just a few birthday wishes:

Be thoughful. Be decisive. Be confident. Encourage. Love. Live in community. Enjoy the season. Develop my interests. Be life-focused, never $-focused. Find an outlet. Do something exotic. Find Life in the everyday.

Though 24 loses an element of the young/vagabond feel of 23, I'm getting used to it.

And - in case it's important - 24 hrs into 24 I can successfully report that I do indeed feel older.

New Chapter.

Traveled the world, and back again.

Chicago.

Feels good to be home.