Life.

My heart is heavy.

So. very. heavy.

The journey we travel has many paths.

I suppose mine keeps taking the ones I never thought it would have taken.

Through the hurt and tears, I can hear the small voice of Jesus calling me. 

He says. "I love you , my precious daughter. Please run to me. Please. I'm waiting."

That love, HIS love, is so overwhelming that quiet tears always fall when I least expect them.

He reminds me that though I am imperfect and flawed, that I am worthy of HIS love and grace.

Little ole me.

Worthy?

"I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:1-2

I pray that this rocky journey I have been on, this season in my life, will soon pass.

Your sweet prayers would be greatly appreciated, dear friends.

I am wishing you all the happiest Monday.

If I am absent a bit over the weeks to come, please don't worry.

For, "this too shall pass....".

much love.

xoxo

(While writing this post, I listened to KellyAnn's music monday. 

I hope you get the chance to do the same.)

Weekly loves from this past week.

This is a flash back Friday ... on Saturday! ;)

A friend & I at chili's one afternoon back in my college years.

The sweet memories. 

I love finding so many lovely things through blogs that I follow or read weekly. :)
So, I thought I'd share with you all some links that have made my week a little brighter.
Enjoy!


Don's dialogue with his daughter & what it means to her! So cute.


I always love the DIY posts from Melissa about her wedding.


This post made me laugh so hard. -- I love Lauren's loyalty to Peeta. I'm right there with her!!


I adore the watermelon skirt that Elizabeth made.
I don't feel like making one, though. It probably wouldn't look as pretty.
**If any of you can sew & get the itch to sew me this gorgeous skirt, then I wouldn't argue. ;) just sayin'!


Katie's blog is probably one of my top 5 favorites. & when her son Max writes letters to his baby sister (who is still a bun in her momma's belly), it makes me giggle and laugh so much.


Molly shared what was on her heart.


I loved Katie's mommy & daughter, daughter photos! Adorable.


Mandy's blog got a new, simple blog design (done by her husband). *loves* -- especially with her new post on being a tattooed momma!


Oh, and Jess + Rene's sweet blog that I came across the other night! :)

I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend!
My Saturday has been filled with a trip to pick up a grill (that I couldn't help Nathan carry), getting food + some coffee (yippie), all his friends coming over ... and more friends ... and more! Ha. I loved it! I just kept having to make more burger patties! -- Then we looked at funny & CRAZY videos on YouTube. :) It has been a pretty swell evening.


much love, friends!

I had to ...

I just got home from work not too long ago.
The first thing I find out online is the news that Whitney Houston had passed away this afternoon at 3:00.

As many know of me, I am a pritty emotional person.

I can feel so strongly for people I don't even know.

It may be weird, but hey, it's who I am. 

My heart goes out to her family right now.

I mean she has a 19 year old daughter, who is left with a father who isn't really a role model in any sense of the word.

It breaks my heart.

You hear about how Clive Davis discovered Whitney, and how her voice was like no other.

It definitely was distinct. 

I can't tell you how many times I have seen people try to remake a Whitney song.

People only wishing they could have the talent that God had blessed her with. 

Though, we are unsure at the moment what the cause of death was ... we are all thinking the same thing.

Drugs.

What a sad end to such a beautiful talent!

Sometimes I wondered what would have happened with her and her career had she never married Bobby Brown. 

I mean, we all make our own choices. Good and bad.

She could have wound up marrying someone just as similar to him.

But what if she hadn't ... would the sound of her voice still echo through the speakers of our car radios?

What if her vocals weren't damaged from years of drug and alcohol abuse?

I'm not sure.

I would like to hope that the outcome would have been different.

All I know is that I wish her family peace and comfort during this time. 

You know, the first time I ever knew who Whitney Houston was was when I watched 'The Bodyguard'.

The performances given by her and Kevin Costner were amazing.

I could see that even at 11 or 12 years old.

When she started singing "I Will Always Love You", I'm pretty sure a little piece of heaven opened up and shined down. 

I really do.




Thank you, Whitney. 
I pray that you have found rest for your soul.