So. I am sitting here (with a bad sunburn on the back of my legs and on my shoulders. My poor skin! Is that gross to say?) thinking about how I am not very expressive. It doesn't come very naturally to me. This thought was triggered by a conversation I had with Steph last night. Steph I hope you don't mind me pointing you out (don't worry there are only three people who follow my blog). I have had quite a few conversations lately where I just don't have much to say. I think it is good to be a listener but not to the extent that you are not present in a conversation. I don't think it is good for me because I often feel forgotten, but it is also not fair to the person talking to me. So one of my goals for this summer is to hone my skills of expression...to a certain extent. This blog is only one way of attempting to reach my goal. Hopefully, I will be expressing my thoughts a little more regularly this summer. With that said...


expression of my spiritual self is one area that I need to work on. I have recently met a person that references scripture all the time and is constantly focused on the applying scripture to his/her life. This is a good thing. However, my recent reactions to this have been contradictory! I don't know why. It almost seems like I can't relate to him/her because it brings a more serious, almost impersonal (maybe because he/she is not using his/her own words) tone to the conversation. That is so terrible to think that! But how they are speaking is so personal! This person is freely letting others know the most important areas of their life without being ashamed. We are called to know the scripture and to share it with others. Way to go (this person)! They are doing exactly what God called us to do. So my question is, Why is doing what God wants me to do so uncomfortable for me to even hear someone else doing? and Why am I not doing it if it is what God has asked for us to do?

I think it could begin with reflection, which seems opposite of my goal of expression. However, If I take a little more time to reflect on God's word, how he is currently working in my life, and what he will do in my future then I may have more to express to others. AND I think this may also inspire greater conversation between God and myself! which would be so cool!

That is all I have for now.

dancing

Today I danced...by myself...in my little room...and it made me so happy.

Today I sat in silence...I love that...listening.

Today I saw a giant mushroom...with a straw inside of it...it was weird...we named it Jose.

Today I appreciated my friends...we are all different...and beautiful...and thoughtful...and God created each of us.

Today I read God's words to me...he spoke truth...he is truth... isn't that amazing...I don't understand it but I do believe it.

Why are we always trying to complicate things? Make them bigger...grander. I really hate that. I would say that the majority of my life has been drama free, which I think is a result of this extreme sense of practicality that I have been discovering more and more in myself recently. Today I was thinking about this practicality, sometimes I like to think of it as common sense, and I realized that God blessed me when he made me into his "common sense daughter". Don't get me wrong, I do think there are moments in life that practicality should be thrown out the window. However, I do believe this common sense (or whatever you want to call it) has allowed me to fade out insignificant details at times so that most of what is left is simple, uncomplicated, and obvious. I tell you all of this to emphasize my true passion for simplicity at its finest. I know, I know...who doesn't love simplicity?. Simplicity is not a new and exciting topic. But it is a reoccurring theme in my life that I love to share with others. So here are a few moments that promote my love for simplicity at it's finest.
1. I found my dad's love letters to my mom, while i was exploring a old dusty wardrobe in a corner of my basement. (my basement is a never ending treasure trove)
2. I held my niece as she laid her head on my shoulder and sucked her thumb.
3. I took ran through a pasture in the snow with three dogs.
4. I talked about God's direction with my dad as we built fence together.