Season of Refinement

So I've begun to read through Psalm 119 over this break from school on the suggestion of a dear friend and mentor, taking 8 verses every few days. I must say that this chapter is so rich with the Lord's promises and true of the desire of my heart. Jesus has been using this time in my life to convict, refine, and shape me. He has made Himself more real and evident to me in the last 6 months than I can ever remember happening before. Truly showing me what my attitudes, goals, relationships look like when He is put on the back burner of my life. Preparing me to be the person He would have be and being available for whatever He would use me for.

The first 8 verses have convicted my very core and left me unable to pray anything else concerning my walk with the Lord for the last week or so.

"Joyful are people of integrity,

who follow the instructions of the LORD.

Joyful are those who obey His laws

and search for Him w ith all their hearts.

They do not compromise with evil,

and they walk only in His paths.

You have charged us

to keep Your commandments carefully.

Oh, that my actions would consistently

reflect Your decrees!

Then I will not be ashamed

when I compare my life with Your commands.

As I learn your righteous regulations,

I will thank You by living as I should!

I will obey Your decrees.

Please do not give up on me!"

Psalm 119:1-8 (NLV)

This prayer, this plea has been burnt into my heart, and for a season I think the Lord is going to use it to continue to refine me. I want this passage to mirror my life or for my life to at least strive to mirror it.

A Christmas Post

Merry Christmas, blog-readers! I hope that you're day was wonderful, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed mine. A days spent eating, movie-watching, and hangin' with the fam was fantastic (having parents that are consistent in keeping their children focussed on the true meaning of the holiday isn't bad either!).

Here are a few highlights from the day:

Girls!

Family photo!!

Yeah, I think our parents are super proud of how we turned out... ;)

And this guy is the bees the knees. He's taking me to see Wicked when it comes to town in February. What a lucky gal I am.

Amazima Ministires

I stumbled across this blog a few months ago and it's incredible. This girl is 22 years old and an unbelievable woman of the Lord. This is her blog here and this is the site for the nonprofit ministry she has founded here.

Seriously amazing stuff happening in Uganda because of her obedience to the calling of the Lord on her life.

Winter-ish Weather

I must say, the weather the last few days has begged for a cup of coffee, a warm blanket, and a good book.

I'm diggin' it.

Granted, the temperature itself does not reflect winter (staying around 50 degrees most of the time), but the look of the day has winter written all over it. These overcast days are among my favorites and I'll soak them up, hoping and praying that the next day brings the same.

Not having class has left me with a little more time on my hands, and when I say a little I mean kind of a lot. Working a little more has helped with that, but I can't shake that during-the-semester feeling that there's a paper to write or test to study for! Thanks goodness there's not.

Now with Christmas just days away, I'm working on getting into the spirit of things while not getting carried away by the commercial aspect of it at the same time. I plan on having a little night of driving around looking at Christmas lights and drinking carmel apple spice, courtesy of Starbucks, checkin' out the River of Lights, and with any luck making a crazy gingerbread house. It should turn out to be spectacular if even one of these things is put into action! My older sister is coming to town for a few days over Christmas and the madness that is 6 people over 18 getting their schedules to match up shall commence. Christmas Eve will bring Mahon family traditions of church and dinner out to be followed by watching A White Christmas and hoping that Albuquerque has changed it's mind and decided to join in the holiday fun by having a white Christmas as well. Here's to hoping!

Oh Christmas Tree

Even though it's not the clearest picture ever, it's still there! I'm a big fan of Christmas trees, and although our little tree is nothing to brag about I'm still pretty excited for it and its big, red bow.

Lesson learned... again.

A long day, to say the least, and as I'm prone to negativity and complaining I did my fair share of alone-time ranting... I'm a natural.

After I threw my hissy fit and people in the car next to me laughed (as I was clearly not singing, but griping to no one), I felt ridiculous. No matter how irritating or difficult or frustrating or upsetting my morning has gone I am left without an excuse for my ridiculous reactions, whether they are internal or external. It was a moment of embarrassment that left me convicted.

Lesson learned... until the next time I need to relearn it... and the time after that. Probably in the next week or so. Thank goodness for the grace of Christ!

"You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." 
-Nehemiah 9:17

Howard & Ludafish

'Tis the Season

Fall weather is FINALLY in full force (and when I say "full force" I mean it hasn't gotten over 70 in about a week).

I. love. it.

I used to have an unnecessary aversion to the warmer months of the year, but I've learned to appreciate them as of late. However, send that crisp fall air my way and I'll turn my back on summer in a heart beat. Fall's arrival means that it is time to enjoy an obscene amount of delicious food, that Christmas lights and other decor will be up soon, that hot chocolate will taste even better than normal thanks to that chilly wind. Mmmmm, yes. AND there is no beating the turning of leaves along the river or in the mountains. I've gotta say, if trees could look like this all year round, you wouldn't find me complaining.
(Photo Courtesy of Searchihng for the Light Photography and Design)

For whatever reason, the dark evenings and cold air make me morph back into the bookworm I once was... back before growing up took over and graduation was just only a semester away. I head to my favorite coffee shop with my most recent book of choice (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, at the moment) and proceed to spend at least an hour sipping coffee and feeling cozy, all the while knowing there are projects to finish, papers to write, and textbooks to study. Prioritizing at it's finest, ladies and gentleman. Yes, it's true. Responsibility takes a backseat to my hour or so of wanting to feel like Fall. I stand by my choices.

Fall and I are meant to be.