Sixteen is Sweet

Hey Ebeth,

         Sixteen. It feels so grown up, right??? You're driving! Congrats on your perfect drivers test, I know you were proud about that. Yep, I was there and now I am here (fourteen years later) and I'm gonna give you a little advice.

         First, you're doing awesome! Truly! You are walking with Jesus and staying true to his path. That's not always easy for a high school girl, but you're doing it! I'm proud of you for choosing your friends wisely; friends who will lead you down the straight and narrow instead of the wide and twisty roads. You make good choices and walk with integrity and that is something you will never regret.

      As proud as I am of you for your awesome choices, there are some things to think about. First, remember not to judge too much. It's high school, girly, nobody has it figured out. Now is a great time to get off your high horse and reach out to others with open arms. Second, open yourself up and stop worrying so much about what others think about you. I promise they aren't thinking about you as nearly as much as you think they are. Relax and just have fun! Someday you'll reget that you missed out on so much because you were so worried about looking stupid. Let it go! Lastly, be careful with your words. They are a double edged sword and once there out, there is no taking it back. Think before you speak - always.

       So, you know that guy you're on the fence about? The one you're not really sure you like? Yea, him. I'll let you in on a little secret..... he's the one. Yep! I know you're not sure what to think about that, but it's true. He has far more to offer than what you give him credit for and it may take some time for you to realize that. Sure, you need to test the waters and you want to see if anybody else bites, but he's it and he'll wait for you to figure it out. Infact, he is one of God's greatest gifts to you. He is the one who will understand you better than anybody else and see the worst in you, but still want to be with you. He's pretty awesome and in about a year, he'll grow some muscles ;) Yep, you'll see the light, but until then be kind to him (otherwise he'll hold it over your head).

        Elizabeth, something is going to happen in two days that is going to scare you. The world is about to change and you will wonder what the future will hold. This day will be marked in history as 9/11 and the ripples from that day will continue until my time. Be strong, be brave, and don't worry. Remember that God is still in control. None of it will make sense and it never will. The world will continue to change and you will continue to have moments when you are scared, but you will also continue to grow in your trust of a Savior who has got your back. Always.

         Alright, before I go I want you to go look in the mirror. Yep, go do it! Look in the mirror and tell yourself you're beautiful. I know you don't believe me, but it's true. Stop wishing away so many of your beautiful and unique characteristics. Your nose is just fine, I promise. In fact, your babies will have your nose and you wouldn't want it any other way. No, you're not fat. Yes, you are smart. You're creative, kind, loving, loyal, sincere, and unique. I'm proud of you!

Yours truly and forever,
Ebeth

BLOG-TEMBER DAY 5 | MY TUNES

        Oh, I love music! It has got to be one of my favorite things on this earth! I think it's so interesting how music can tell so much about a person. I can chart my emotions and feelings by the music I was listening to at a certain time (as welcome or unwelcome as it might be). I grew up with music constantly playing through the house and have continued that tradition in my own home. My kids are always asking for it when it's not on and we have wild dance parties in the living room, which may or may not be because I don't know how to dance.

        Currently, I have been listening to a lot of James Taylor and Jon Foreman. Their music has become the soundtrack of fall for me in the past couple years. Their music has a mellow warmth that mimics the changing of the season. It makes me want to light pumpkin candles and curl up in the chair with a blanket. If you want to join me in my fall music bliss check out James Taylor's Greatest Hits and Jon Foreman's album called Fall (or any of his music, really). Without further delay, here is my music playlist on shuffle:

1. "Same Girl" by Jack Johnson

2. "Fun, Fun, Fun" by Pharrell Williams from Dispicable Me II

3. "That's Christmas to Me" by Petatonix

4. "Lead On" by Phillip Phillips

5. "Lay It Down" by Sanctus Real

6. "Create in Me" by Rend Collective

7. "As Sure As the Sun" by Ellie Holcomb

8. "Cannonball" by Kieza from the Home soundtrack

9. "God I Hope So" by Remedy Drive

10."Grateful For Your Love" by Ellie Holcomb (not pictured)


       I'm not sure how reflective this list is of what I really listen to. It is a mash-up of my husbands, my kids, and my music. Funny how that happens. Honestly, I listen to my Pandora playlist way more frequently than my iTunes because of it's variety. I've discovered so many new artists and great songs through my Pandora stations, but all the songs/artists above are awesome and totally worth checking out. Anyway, happy Saturday! Hope you have a relaxing THREE day weekend and may it be filled with lots of family, friends and football!

BLOG-TEMBER DAY 4 | PRESENT PASSIONS

        I thought long and hard about my passions today. As I sat in the "car rider" line at my daughter's school, I jotted down a list and then immediately began crossing things off. My list grew shorter, but my heart beat faster because the things I am really and truly passionate about are the heart beat of my soul. They are the things that make me emotional and cause my eyes to tear up in a mixed up bag of emotions. These four things are my hope and (hopefully) my future :

1. JESUS | If you don't want to hear about Jesus and my relationship with him, I'd suggest not following me. He's it! My all in all and there is nothing I am more passionate about. I owe everything, EVERYTHING to him. My rock, my foundation, my LIFE.

2. MISSIONS | I am convinced that there is nothing more life changing than going to another country, experiencing another culture, and allowing God to use you in a new way. Missions has completely and utterly reshaped who I am. My life has been changed and perspective flipped. You want to know what's really remarkable? We think as Americans we go to help them and teach them because we have so much to offer, right? Well, I guarantee that you will be the one helped and taught; you will be the one changed. Read about my first trip to Kenya here and here.

3. ORPHANS/ADOPTION | I have had a special place in my heart for orphans since I was a little girl. I never thought that I'd have the opportunity to serve the orphans in Kenya or that it would grow into something that I'd want to do for my life career. I don't know if it will ever be apart of my life calling, but I pray it will. We will see what God has in store.

4. FAMILY | In a world where healthy family units seem few, I am pretty passionate about keeping mine alive and beating. I am very adamant about keeping our supper times sacred and always carving out time for each other. I am so thankful that I have a husband who works really hard to get home at a decent hour so that he can spend time with his kids. We aren't perfect. I still spend way too much time staring at my phone and not my children's faces, but I am working on it. Family is forever.

     Thanks for stopping by my little space. I hope you related to at least one of my passions and if not, I hope it at least sparked some interest in you. Can't wait to read all your amazing blogs this September.