Currently...

Samara from The Secret Life of Samara posted today, using the below questions, and I thought it would be fun to blog a random Question & Answer today, too! I hope you don't mind me sharing, Samara! :-)


Outside my window...
Metres upon metres of air... with city streets and many people below!

I am thinking...
About starting to use my new pocket diary to keep track of the never-ending to-do list that is always in my head. I bought the diary for $1.00 today! Bargain!

From the kitchen...
I miss cooking so much! Last night I was lucky enough to be able to do some baking. Let's just say the product of my efforts was a Valentine's Day sweet ;-)

I am wearing...
Black dress shorts, pastel green tank top with cream lace and beading (see picture at end of post)

I am creating...
A photo board to put up at Andre and my engagement party on Saturday

I am going...
On a Valentines Day date tomorrow night - all I know is that I need to dress up a little =D

I am reading...
Made to Crave Devotional, by Lysa TerKeurst. Amazing encouragement for people who tend to turn to food (or any other addiction) instead of God, when in times of need

I am hoping...
To book a caterer for our wedding soon. Fingers crossed!

I am hearing...
Fingers clacking on keyboards; papers being turned; drawers being opened; my computer's motor whirring (yes, I work in an office!)

Around the house...
"House" makes me think of my house - the future house that Andre and I will live in! I am dreaming what it will be like, wondering what engagement and wedding gifts we will receive to put in our new home... Can't wait!

One of my favourite things...
Long hair. Even though I often moan about my hair and don't know what to do with it, I truly do love it

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Family dinner on Friday, first Irish Dancing class on Saturday, and our engagement party on Sunday!

A picture to share...

My dear Australian and New Zealand buddies from Third Wave in Thailand last year! I've been missing these guys over this last week. (and the top I'm wearing in the picture happens to be the very top I'm wearing today!)

What is currently happening in your life?

~Rachel

20th Birthday Prayer

Yesterday was my 20th birthday! I can't believe I have left my teens behind! I remember how excited I was to turn 13 - to turn the page into a new chapter of life. It felt very grown up ;-) And now, I'm entering my 20's! Very exciting =D

I will share photos of my birthday, but first I want to share a prayer that I journalled yesterday. To be honest, part of yesterday was a struggle for me. This was my first birthday away from family and close friends, and that was pretty tough. I cried a few tears, but as I began to question the Lord and ask Him for comfort, He just began to speak to my heart. I want to share this with you today.

"I am here because You called me
Not to love less
But to love more
Not to throw away
But to hold on more dear

"Not to discount

But to appreciate more

Not to give up

But to keep, in a different way

Not to lose

But to gain

"And though it feels like my heart may break
Can I hold on to You?
Can You be my family?
Can You be my friends?
Can you have a party for me and with me, in my heart?

"Can you wipe away my tears

When there is no one else to?

Can You be my voice when I [literally] have none?

Can You shine through a smile; a touch?

Can I rest in Your arms all the while? -

as I wait on You?

"In my heart, I know You can

In my heart, I know You will

But my heart longs for home...

"Maybe I'm a little unsure where my home is now
Where it will be
In my heart I feel that my home cannot be a place
Perhaps not even people
Because I will move - I know I will
And times change
People grow
Lives fade

 

"Now I begin to realize why my FIRST love has to be You

Because You remain

You never change - never grow, never diminish -

except perhaps in my own human eyes

You live on in my heart, no matter where I am or who I am with

  

"Please be my Home, beginning today
This day that I exit my teens
Cry for my family and friends and home
Laugh with new friends
And bask in You

"Thank You for this vision

Of why You are my Home."

-dedicated to all the people in these pictures and many more... you are loved!-

~Rachel

Romans 8

On Monday night I read Romans chapter 8, and wrote down some thoughts from it.

Verses 5 and 6 really stood out to me:

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

When I read this, I was reminded of just how much I fail. Most of my time is focused on everything around me (how often does "life" get in the way of God?!)--subconsciously, I focus on things like work, friends, TAFE, music, computer, family, even church stuff... All of this (no matter how important) should be after God, but most of the time it's not.
He is worth so much more than I ever give Him.

Verse 6 says that to be setting our minds on the things of the world, it is death. Wow. How freaky!!! In my diary I wrote, "I must be in a bad state, then!" (by the way, feel very priveliged, as I have never shared with anyone anything from my journals!)

Particularly this year, God has given me amazing peace about a few things in particular, and I know that if I hadn't prayed about it, or if I wasn't in the position I was in, I would have been stressing no end about these things. For me that is just a miracle (not to be stressing)!

Verse 6 ends by saying that "to be spiritually minded is life and peace". I SO want that!! I just want God's life, light, peace, grace, love... All of these things that He graciously gives us through His Son... And I know that if I set my mind on the things of Him, I will (eventually) get even just a little bit of that.

Isn't God just amazing??!?!?!?!