The Hands that are Holding the World, are Holding Your Heart..

   One of my most vivid and favored memories as a child is when my family took a week long vacation to Myrtle Beach. As a child, my family didn't spend much "quality time" together unless it was through yelling, at the dinner table where my parents often forgot to show up, or when my parents were fighting in court over custody of my siblings and I.. But this particular memory is a delightful and encouraging one. 

Blurs of waves crashing, and a swaying pier; faint sounds of seagulls and laughter still rings in my ears.
    When I was younger- I was terrified of the ocean. ..I can only fathom it was because the size was extrememly intimidating to me, or perhaps, how unsure it seemed; so violent and vast- and it went on forever..
    My Dad tried, time and again, to convince me that this foreign concept of an ocean was an okay thing. "Your brother and sister loves it, Ainslee! Why don't you want to go play in it and swim, and laugh, and ride the waves like they are?" ..But everytime Dad walked me to where the ocean met the sand, I began to stubbornly and fearfully scream.
    It was taking me in! It was dissolving the earth beneath me! It was burying my feet and trying to pull my little hands out Daddy's! It was strong- stronger than Daddy, and I knew it.
    Finally, Dad scooped me up and walked into the ocean with me; I was screaming the entire time. He held me over his head, and above the crashing waves until he walked out far enough into the ocean where it was calm. Then, He gently let me down, eased me into the water, and allowed me to sit on His knee as he embraced my terrified little body.
In that moment, I knew that my Dad loved me, that the ocean wasn't a bad thing- and that's all that mattered.
    Mom stood at the shore, and sighed with relief (along with the other beach-dwellers that day of whom I'd been disturbing with my high-pitched little girl scream..) and I knew she was joyed that I had made peace with the big blue thing that was swallowing Daddy and I.
    That day, I learned how to swim, ride the gentle waves, and got my very first sand burn. I also fell in love with the ocean. It was one of the very first things I learned to fear and appreciate.
    So many times- when I'm struggling- I revert to this moment.
    When we reach adulthood, all of the sudden- WE are the ones that are supposed to be fearless and wise. We are supposed to have already done it all and fit right into our place in society. We are supposed to be stronger than heartbreak, and depression, and stupid mistakes.
    ...But what happens when we aren't? ..What happens when we don't measure up to the expectations of adulthood? ..What happens when we don't even trust enough to let our Father hold our hands as we stand by the shore and feel so small? ..What happens when we don't notice that He is picking us up, and carrying us over the rough waves, only by His strength? ..What happens when we are too stubborn to be content when He places us into His loving arms and cuddles us as we drown in the Ocean of His Grace?
    Life isn't always pleasant. Life doesn't always go the way we plan it too. Life isn't always comfortable. But when we notice His grace- His Son suffering tremendously after living the perfect life we are unable to, dying on a cross for our sins, rising again, and gifting those whom believe it with the gift of eternity- how can we NOT be comforted with the fact that the Hands that are Holding the World, are Holding Our Hearts?  

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Breakfast for Dessert!

Have you ever come across that odd craving of breakfast, but it's wayyy past time for dinner, and may be morning in China?
Problem Solved.

White Chocolate

+Pretzels

+Yellow Reese's Pieces

______________________

= AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS

Bacon & Eggs

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This morning is kinda a Rainbow Pancake goodbye kinda morning..

How To: 3 containers of Shake n' Pour Bisquick mix (buttermilk); food coloring; 6 mixing bowls; 6 spoons; patience with mixing colors; and be in a joyful and bright mood!

  It's the morning my brother heads back to his Naval base after a week of being home.

I hadn't seen my twin brother for about a year, so the long-over due visit was lovely.

Now, he is a little bit older, and a little bit wiser- but he's STILL the Adam I said goodbye to a year ago before I gave him up to Basic Training. ..Just, a little more frivolous with the women, I think. ahahaha. The joy I feel when I see my brother- indescribable. I know that he accepts me for all that I am, and looks up to me, as I am his older twin sister. It's a beautiful reflection of how Christ accepts us. With all of our flaws, with all of His heart, with selflessness and passion, and joy.
For his coming home party- we gathered as a family and enjoyed a messy helpin' of burritos!
For his going away party- we decided to try rainbow pancakes!
These turned out WONDERFULLY!! (with the exception of the purple ones.. hahaha)
The batch of pancakes added a bright and fresh perspective on an "Oh too familiar" goodbye...
If you want to try your own- good luck! They're quite simple! And have a blast!! We did! 

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Industrial Park Photo Adventure in 7 Minutes..

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A West Virginia Christmas: 2011

The looming mist rolls in amongst the cracks and crevices of the happy valley; the sun reflects off the slow trickling stream. The West Virginia hills pour out in a never ending gush of braided land- weaving and tossing, with only a few leaves hanging on with the last breath of fall to what was once an eyefull of color, but now- only sparce, sickly twigs.

The promise of snow is only a rumor but the nights are still silent; clear with what should be unique snowflakes making rest on the sloppy mudmess of ground. Joy rings in with only quick glimpses of sunlight as smiles peek onto the faces of you and I.
Families gather and come home. Gift exchanging only echos what should be the Spirit of the holiday- grace and giving- but is lost in translation..

God joined us on a Silent night. He stepped off His throne and joined time. He grew as a man, and died for this world. How unworthy are we? What a gracious servant! How great such a thing? Born of a virgin, in a manger- a small, healthy, glorius wee child. Our Savior! Papa God, your mind truly is beyond our own. You are an AMAZING God.

We celebrate this holiday to be reminded of this- His sacrifice, beauty, and grace. His entering into this world- our time. His adventure on earth for us..
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Spotlight: The Pride.

All week, you’ve heard about how you’re now apart of something.

Well- there’s no turning back- because you are.

You’re a part of something bigger than you could imagine.

Bigger than self. Even bigger than Bill Nevin’s voice: “www", "Chriiiiiiistopher Nichter", & "And now, from the College of Creative Arts..” 

You’re a part of something that can really get your blood pumping. Even if it is at the tempo of 220 beats per minute, or faster, depending on how the drumline is feeling that day..

You get to now wear the uniform that stands for Mountaineer Pride. That thing will be hot when it’s hot, cold when it’s cold, and wet when it’s wet- but it means Pride. 

You get to have more field time than some of the football players. Soak in every second you get on that field. Embrace every turf turd that falls into your shoes and makes its home there; every time you get to march on the WV; every time you get to watch the Mountaineer shoot his musket right in front of you; every time the football team runs by and get's pumped because of this Band.
You get to travel, and make some of the fondest memories that you’ll ever have. You won’t have any fun on the buses, though. Nope. No fun at all. Staff sees to that. But, the miles you’ll put on. The fans that WILL break rank- no matter How many times a tub,a trombone, or scared little twirler says they can’t, the crazies that run onto a Marshall field and turn the game around, the rain, so much rain, and the respect from the unexpected- the other teams fans. They will see our Pride. They recognize it. And they know that we have more of it than them.
You’re a part of something that only so few get to experience. You’ve got the upper hand. You get to stand on the inside of the circles, and watch outwardly. You get to see the crowd rise and cheer when you slip into the state formation. You get to march with a famous Drumline. Meet them. They're great people. Crazier. But great.
The family you’ll have while you’re here, and when you leave. It’s probably going to be about ten times the size of the one you have right now. Take that from a socializing Pro. Your best friends WILL come out of this band. You think that you’re weird, or unique. There’s at least one more of someone so much like you in this room. Find them by the end of your four years with this band. I dare you. You will, and you might end up being a part of their life for the rest of yours. If you can sort through the faces, that is. You’ll see a new one everyday.
The feeling of performance. Trust me, you’re going to have to pee- that very first time you sprint onto that field, avoiding falling tubas, trumpets, piccolos, avoiding in-your-face-during-College-Game-Day-cameramen, and cords. Watch out for the cords. And grab your cape. One, two, ready, Go. The amount of gold, and the lack of breath is beautiful.
Nothing beats that feeling. Performing with the Pride. It makes everything worth it. Sacrifice, time, sickness, dehydration, the weather, sweat, tears. Everything. After the first few times you do it, the appeal kinda wears off. But when it’s for the last time- it begins to mean something. Every performance isn’t half effort. Even the Demo shows become more of an honor than a task. Every time you sing the Alma Mater, it begins to sink in- what you’re singing for. Whether you have to start it over three times in a row because you aren’t properly articulating Wes”t”, or whether it’s your last time singing it in the Mountaineer Stadium embraced arm in arm with your best friends after swaying and crying all the way through Country Roads. Almost Heaven, indeedy.
Whether you end up a statistic of this band, a story, or a staple- you’ve entered into a new musical realm. One that can hardly be explained by words- but easily by experience. Take what you have been given, as a simple gift. Proudly take it, and make it all that you can- Whether it’s your first, fourth, or 30th... &, um, Welcome, to the Pride of WV.

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Thought Processes...

     It's interesting, how every single person, sees they're own view of the world. How many people are on Earth today?  -7 Billion, or something?  Yeah. Crazy awesome. But God has made us to do so. He has given us the past, the elements, the environment, the potential. Every single one of us.  But one of the most interesting things, is that God has also been re-created almost as many times as there are humans, as well.  Because we are all different, we all think of God differently.
     But God Is.  He created us. We can't create Him. We can seek Him. The more we seek Him with our hearts, the more we will find Him.  He's always been there. Waiting for us to take whatever it is that He's offering us with an open hand. Grace? Joy? Peace? It's there. 
     So many try to create God- without studying Him, and learning about Him, and without seeking Him and His truth.  How is that even acceptable?  We can't just squint our eyes and see the bad.  ..The suffering, the pain, the hypocrisy. We can't do that.  Why are so many people willing to see the bad, without the good?  How is that fair to the God that gave us EVERYTHING He had to offer?  How is that fair when He has created us this world to prepare ourselves for eternity with Him through enjoyment, beauty, nature, song of worship, fellowship, and truth?  How blind are we? 
     As a young human, I'm aware that I was born into a culture that is so accepting of almost anything and everything taboo. And it's so hard for older generations to understand why we are so accepting and open minded about it.  It's because we have been blinded. We are consumed into a media-saturated society that it makes everything unusual- accepted, and makes "the ideal look" something that is so unobtainable and filthy.
     It's hard for me to grasp the concept that so many people think that there isn't even a God. They believe that we just "are" and we live- life sucks- and then we die.  Whoo-hoo. Yups. That'll help me get up every morning. That's the kind of attitude that'll make the world a better place. That'll promote joy and peace and enjoyment. It'll definately motivate me to live life to the fullest for nothing.  Whoo......hoo.   It's sad, really.      
     Maybe people seek God for some peace of mind. Yes. Is that a Terrible thing? Is it odd that people know where to go to find relief from this world and worldly things?  Why is that thought an awful thing?  Yes. God is peace, and light, and love- but there's hard things in the mix too. Life as a Christian isn't all sugar cookies, and rainbows.  Ask anyone that lives their life to glorify God.  It's hard. Then it gets harder.  But man, is it SO worth it!!! 
     The group of people that I grew up around and continue to seek worldly fellowship with- they judge me so harshly.   Looks are beyond important to them.  If you don't listen to the right kind of music and aren't the right kind of person- they don't accept you.  I mean, a lot of the group accepts me still- but I don't even want to know what they say about me when I leave a room. I certainly don't command earthly popularity or anything even remotely close to it.  They all openly see me as odd, though.. They laugh at me and question me when I wake up in a joyful mood, when I'm loud and friendly, or when I stop to take in how beautiful the sky is. Or when I want to run in the rain, or not pick up any of their addictive habits. 
     But nor do I care.  I am steadfast and strong- but that is how God raised me.  That's how He makes me process the world.  He has blessed me with the attention, appreciation, and time to slow down and enjoy the little things hidden within Him. When I am 77 years old and finally admit to myself that I am aging after all these years- I won't, at all, look back and regret NOT taking the time to enjoy life. Love. Joy. Song. Laughter. Friendship. Nature. The sky. Family. My youth. My health. An ever-growing relationship with Our God. 
     Think God.

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