a sign of hope.

as i sit here with the windows open and hear the birds chirping, i can see green grass growing 

spring is always a miraculous, meaningful time of year. it brings change and newness. pretty soon, flowers will be budding and trees will be full. God always has a funny way of making my life change like the seasons. i think a lot of us feel that way. seasons come and go and life is always changing. 

it's good to take time and be still. my life has had some intense changes lately and it's not always easy. you truly learn that people come and go as do things, but the word of Lord stands firm always. i cling to that this day. God does not change even though everything and everyone else does. i have had to put my hope in Him time and time again.

in that promise though, it makes the season of spring so a live and exciting. the unknown is always a scary place but when you trust in a God who is bigger then the universe, it seems to bring a sense of peace.  

this verse stands out to me right now because as i type this, i have a dear dear friend who is in the hospital and starting chemo. she was diagnosed with leukemia last friday and right now they are trying to figure out if the cancer is in her spine as well. her world as well as her friends and family's worlds have been turned upside down. her name is Erika. she has been one of those friends that has always been there for me especially during the hard times of life. she has such deep compassion for others and now she is fighting for her life. the tears are hard to hold back. i have spent most of the last few days waiting for updates. you feel like you are powerless and all you want to do is help. we are counting on God to fully heal Erika. words can't even express the agony and sadness that one feels in these situations. however, we boldy know and can say that "we are WINNING with Erika." 

God truly has a way of strengthening your heart when you reach out to Him. and He always provides the right people to come a long side of you. i am so blessed by those in my life and for the ability to get stronger. i am loving my exercise and lifting lately because there is something about it that makes you feel like, yep, i am going to make it!

 sleep and laughing help too! :)

my room mate came home last night at 10pm and honest to God in no time had 4 things cooking on the stove. i do have a picture but will have to share it later. it made me laugh so much because she is just one crazy girl. she is training right now for a figure competition and she is almost done! such determination and i love it.

i will leave you with this picture of Erika and one of her little twin boys. she is a beautiful woman inside and out. i love you Erika!

 

 

a tribute to sweet grandpa george.

happy friday ya'll.

driving down nd hwy 2 yesterday from minot to williston, i had an overwhelming feeling of missing my dear Grandpa George. i can't begin to tell you what a sweet,sweet man he was. i don't usually do stuff like this unless i am talking to God, but i started talking to Grandpa and telling him how much i love him and how much i miss him. it's crazy how much i still sense his presence with me. his presence was so strong and had such an impact and left such a big legacy. my aunt and i have been talking all morning about him. both of us have been reminiscing over coffee about him and crying knowing he was truly the sweetest man alive. 

let me share one of the last pictures i took of him with you:

he was such a handsome man! and his heart was even more precious. not a day goes by i don't think of him. he came from a family that were all rough and tough and somehow there is not a mean bone in this man's soul. it doesn't make any sense. you put some of his brother and sisters in the same room as him and you would never know they were related. 

i can't WAIT to see him again someday. there are going to be tears of JOY. 

a reminder to all: 

always treasure the times with loved one because you never know when it may be your last.

i love you Grandpa!