Currently Reading Mere Christianity By C. S. Lewis see related

it's amazing what communication can do. with people and with God.
just a little bit of honesty can change everything.
sometimes it can hurt. but oh, it can heal. very much.
my heart is thankful

tomorrow at 2 10 p.m. i will be on a plane [with no snakes] headed straight for hollywood, california for 8 days.  and i will get to see my sister and my wonderful turkey of a niece! get ready because i'll probably talk about her a lot again [:
i'll probably mingle with the stars while i'm there and go to fancy dance parties, too.

enjoy this day with me.

listening to: brown feather sparrow [let's be fine]
reading: east of eden by john steinbeck

very often i get overwhelmed by the beauty of God. and the things he has made and the way he has created everything to be just as it is and the way he is always right about the timing of things. and how he cares enough to time things just right.
mountains and sunsets and rain make me remember to appreciate life.
i think i'm learning contentment.
i believe [in my heart].

my summer has been just wonderful.i spend my days with lovely people. i have become very close to my nanny kids.currently they are on vacation for 3 weeks. (and i miss them)
and i am being paid to travel all around in my little white saturn and visit some of the people i am blessed enough to call friend. [thank you for showing me what love means. our friendship always makes me smile.] virginia to canton to home to grand haven, mi.
i wish i could explain how much i care for you with words.
thank you.

today is august 1. happy august to you. eat a red delicious apple today and think of me.

Currently Listening Animal Years By Josh Ritter see related

even though i miss very many people like you wouldn't believe, this summer has been very good to me.

this summer, i am a nanny for two funny children. they are older (9 and 12). sometimes they make fun of me because i am like a grandma and my car is "old". kendall says when he drives in 4 years, we will all drive hover cars. i guess we'll have to wait and see on that one. :]
 we do fun things.
after all, this is summer break! not spring cleaning

some days i drive for a long time and i see people who mean very much to me. and sometimes when i drive, i think also.
about life, and it's likeness to a puzzle. that was put together and crafted just so so that i would know you and i would be this person at this moment. by God. how astounding.
beacuse all of those decisions that seemed so little lead me to here and to you and to this life.

"i would like to carry joy within my heart. i would like to carry peace throughout the year."

i would also like to hear from you and know about your life.


find the beauty in today.

this is my mother, nancy kay bireley. she has taught me so much about life. and about love. and sacrifice. and together, we are both learning what it means to love and live for Christ. she is an encourager. she is joyful. she is brave. she is beautiful. she has a contagious laugh. she makes puns [kindof]. she is funny. she is a good listener. she can talk with me about anything. she sings karaoke and writes her own words (it is her spiritual gift, after all). she has a giving heart. she cares for people. she is patient. she never gives up. she is an optimist. you can't help but smile when you are around her. she is my mother. she is my best friend.

i am blessed beyond words to have her in my life.
i hope some day i can teach my children and love them as well as she has loved me.
praise God for joy. and for wonderful mothers.

sometimes i teach her things too.
today
i taught my mom how to take bff pictures. 
it took her some getting used to. but i think she finally got the hang of it.

i love my mom. enjoy today, mother's day.
i pray all of you have full hearts.
love and a happy heart, laura.

Currently Listening Illinois By Sufjan Stevens see related

today, right this moment i am 21 years old. when i was 12 years old i never imagined i would ever be this old. my my my, how time flies.
!
a lot has happened in 21 years.

so much happens in one year. so much changes. so much grows. i always get so nostalgic during goodbyes and see you laters. i am officially a senior. that is scary. exciting. everything. i love this place and these people and life.

i want you who are my good friends to know how much i care for you. i hope i have told you in person, but if i haven't,  thank you for making my years so good.

i'm learning honesty. [so put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because we belong to each other]. ephesians 4:25
thank you for grace. forgiveness. love when it is completely undeserved. hope. discipline. conviction. life. eternity in our hearts. little things. colors. trees. sand. music. beauty. soul. freedom.

this is christy mae hershberger. we have been roommates for the past 9 months. we have grown so much. and our friendship is absolutely priceless. she is honest and sincere and genuine. she listens and speaks and shares secrets. she is a phenomenal person and i wish everyone in the world had the chance to know her. and i wish words could tell you how thankful i am for her.

[plus her family is the best family in the whole world. i'm just saying]

sometimes we go to the beach of marion indiana and we enjoy sunsets and seashells.

happy summer. i miss you already, friends.

love, laura!