Snow in Texas

When December comes around and I'm preparing to head out of town for my holiday vacation it never fails to get asked by co-workers and friends where I'm heading. When I tell people I'm going home to Texas their immediate response is usually, "Wow! So I guess you won't be seeing a white Christmas, will you?"

"Actually," I tell them, "Texas gets all seasons, including winter and snow." Then I sit back and watch the amazement in their eyes as they begin to tell me how unbelievable it sounds. Yes, everyone. Texas has a winter. Yes, everyone. Texas has snow.

This year the blizzard didn't arrive until the day after Christmas. That's okay, though, because my family loves the snow and the fact we can stay inside and in our pajamas until the afternoon gives us much pleasure. We love the closeness it brings and how it means games are played and hot chocolate is made...and then endless supply of candy and cookies from Christmas are eaten.

To take it a step further, Texas is known for its unpredictability. All at once one area can have snow and sleet while another has tornado warnings and another a beach hazard warning. We love to stick everything in there so no one part feels left out. Tornado watches, for example, are a normal part of growing up in the Northern parts of the state. I grew up with a storm cellar in the backyard. In Texas, you are simply used to the mess the weather creates.

While I certainly enjoy staying indoors and letting the snow have its moment in the great outdoors, I do realize the danger it creates. My prayers go for all those traveling and those whose jobs require they get out no matter what the weather looks like.

But my heart is especially hurting for those just recently effected by the tornadoes in the DFW area (Dallas - Fort Worth). Just this morning we heard of almost a dozen people passing from the tornadoes. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones.

While I love the winter and all the beauty it brings, I understand the negative possibilities that come with it. In regards to those possibilities, my prayer is that everyone stays safe this winter. My prayer is that the Lord covers you with His protection and grace. May your time with your family be a memorable one, and your travels be safe and secure. May your decisions be wise and you have peace in all circumstances.

Stay safe this winter, friends. Stay safe...and cozy.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I thought of writing a post on my thoughts and feelings, but I'm instead going to pull a "Linus" tonight and leave you with the "original." May the joy we celebrate tonight rest upon you this night and throughout the year.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

- Isaiah 9:6-7

 

Merry Christmas to All and to All a goodnight!

Christmastime Is Here

Every year when the Christmas season begins the feelings of nostalgia hit me like a snowy gust of wind. All at once I begin to think of my childhood and all the memories begin to flood my mind. When I was a child my siblings and I would help set up the tree and decorate it with our parents as Christmas music played in the background. Then we would each set up our own little tree in each of our rooms. We each had one since we were babies. It was always fun to unwrap the ornaments from years past - every year getting a new one to add.

Even as I get older I can't wait to unwrap all the ornaments I've collected. Each one has a special meaning and I find myself reminiscing about my childhood. From a rocking horse to an angel to a small manger - each one of them are priceless. Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year.

Right now I am enjoying the Christmas and New Years holiday season with my family in Texas. It has only been a couple of days since I arrived but I'm already having so much fun. I enjoy everything about my family - the discussions, the games, the cooking and baking together, and especially the reminiscing.

My family was just reminiscing the other night about our Christmas traditions and the topic of Santa Clause came up. We were talking about the magic of Christmas and Santa Claus and everyone stopped to look at me. They all know how much I love Santa and how I've truly never stopped "believing" there is one and that he still does does visit our home every 25th of December. In fact, every year when Thanksgiving comes around I sit to watch they Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television and every year my reaction is the same when the end comes and Santa arrives on his sleigh - ecstatic! It may sound funny, even ridiculous, but when I see that jolly ol' man smiling and waving his hand at all the children and families my eyes water and I wave back at the television as if he can see me. It is silly, I know, but that is simply the child in me.

Every year as I get older the Christmas holidays tend to take on a slightly more melancholy feel. Between the distance of family and the added age in me, I find myself clinging more and more to the memories of past Christmases. It just means time is still moving and my attempts to make it still are failing. Still, there are the hopes of what future Christmastime will be and look like.

I can't wait for the time to come when I have my own family. I can't wait to have children excited, jumping for joy, at the thought of Santa coming to our home and bringing little packages of happiness.

Of all the memories I have of this special time of year, none compare to the deep love I've had of celebrating Jesus' birthday. More than Santa and presents, my parents wanted my siblings and I to know, love, and take ownership of the story of Jesus and his birth. They wanted it to be more than a story - they wanted it to be a part of our faith's foundation. Even as a little girl I knew the importance of His birth. I knew that it was the beginning of salvation. I knew it so well it would overwhelm me.

One of my favorite ornaments was the manger I received when I was four years old. I would place it on the tree where I could see it from my bed every night. As I would fall asleep I would think about how special that night must have been. It overwhelmed me far more than Santa. I want the same for my future children. I hope to bring the true meaning of Christmas to my home and that it will remain a foundation for my family's faith for generations to come.

I love pretending there is magic in the air and that Santa still gives gifts to all good children. I love the spirit of Christmastime and how it draws people closer together. But I love Jesus so much more. Though I will continue to get older and my childhood gets farther from me, I'll still hold on to the memories and pray that my children will have as much fun as I have had throughout the years. More than anything, I pray they understand and know Jesus and celebrate His presence in their lives all the days of the year.

Christmastime is here - and so I say Happy Birthday Jesus!

"For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas,
Amy

Love has Overcome

I love Christmas. I love the lights, the Christmas pageants, the church performances, the Christmas Eve services, the carols, the Christmas trees, the constant smell of pine. I really love Christmas. But this year, I have found the joy of the season so fiercely attacked in my life. I have had a number of things - from disappointments to utter despair - occur in my life so much that I found myself nearly numb to the season just a few days ago. I turned on the Christmas carols and the lights in an attempt to feel that spark and that magic that usually lights up within me at this time of year, but I was so utterly numb, it felt nothing would penetrate.

I did not begin this post planning to write a "reason for the season" post. I truly didn't. But the more I condensed my thoughts and feelings from the past few weeks, I realized, the only time I felt whole and known again was in drawing closer to God. This does not mean I was nearly as good at pursuing that as I should have been, but I see now, it is that and only that that truly broke my numbness. It is the only thing that breaks our numbness.

I have had the pleasure of experiencing many many happy Christmases in my life. Christmas is filled with warm memories of sweet family, good food, laughter, warmth, and love shown through gifts and pampering. Christmas has only positive associations for me and I have loved it for that. I remember, however, once hearing someone who worked in counseling saying Christmas is always a "busy" time for them. They said it seems to bring out many hurting people for some reason. I remembered being so surprised in my younger age - "unhappy Christmas memories??"

Being slightly older and Christmas having lost some of its sheen for various reasons, I understand a bit more how this season could bring out hurt in many where I had only experience joy. Isn't it sad that we live in a world where darkness counters light? Children have grown up in homes where their parents felt incapable to provide them gifts and inadequate in the face of so many other parents who could. People have lived in homes where the joy and cheer of the season has only brought cynicism and anger to those they love. People have spent Christmases utterly alone as they see families and couples stroll together with smiles and laughter. We live in a world where darkness and light coexist and for happiness in one, there lies hurt in another. We live in a world where the a "prince of the power of the air" has some authority still.

But the final authority lies in the one we celebrate in this season. The final authority came to earth and lived the life we never could that we might live the eternity we never could achieve.

If you've lived Christmases in fear, isolation, hurt, loneliness, inadequacy, don't write it all off. This is not the end. The theme behind the Santas and reindeers and trees and lights and credit card bills, the true theme of this time, the Christ who was born, truly is a reason to hope. This is not to tell you, "You must enjoy Christmas. You just don't understand if you don't enjoy Christmas." You certainly do not have to enjoy the lights and the bells and the bopping and the carolers, but please don't throw the baby out with the bath water. We do not celebrate bearded men and innumerable gifts this day - though our world has certainly made it seem so. We celebrate victory this day - the victory of God's love playing out for all humanity.

The troubles I've had recently include a big decision - you will come to find, I hate decisions. Nearly every decision leads me into a tail spin of "What does God want?" "What is best?" "What will be the most glorifying to God ultimately?" "What is the right thing to do?" All of which (as I'm sure you can imagine) only lead to more confusion, and on this occasion, more numbness. As I sat numb, a verse was told to me that made me think "If that's true, everything will be ok."

And I am convinced that nothing can ever

separate us from his love. Death can't, and

life can't. The angels can't and the demons

can't. Our fears for today, our worries for

tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't

keep God's love away. Whether we are high

above the sea or in the deepest ocean, nothing

in all creation will ever be able to separate us

from the love of God that is revealed in

Christ Jesus our Lord.

-- Romans 8: 38-39

And the thing is, this is true. It is true. No thing can separate us from God's love.

So you certainly don't have to be about the egg nog or the mistletoe or that weird song where the girl asks Santa for a diamond ring, but don't miss that the real point, the real thing to be celebrated is God sent his love to earth that we may never be separated from him. Christmas has certainly gone commercial, but it doesn't make the truth in the season any less true.

And if you've read through this all thinking "I really do love Christmas... why is this so sad?" Keep on loving Christmas, and maybe this will be an encouragement for all the more enthusiasm.

Until Next Week,
Sarah

Cheers to New Beginnings!

Merry Christmas! As Sarah said earlier this week, we both wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. I'm so happy to start this project with her and we both hope you enjoy reading!

A few years ago I wrote a journal entry about the woman in my head. No, I’m not talking about some random voice I started hearing out of the blue. I wrote about the woman I have always envisioned of being one day. To read it you would think I created some perfect, super woman. I recently found this entry and read it again. Yes, it was a little embarrassing, but at the same time a strong reality came to me: I will never be that woman…even if I tried.

I am human. Only Christ was, is, and always will be perfect. Even more, I will mess up daily. And just as I will mess up I will also need His grace  - over and over again. Probably multiple times a day. I am an imperfect follower of Christ who is striving daily to be more like Him. I’m now in my thirties and realize I still have a lot of shaping and molding that He is doing in and through me. Throughout the process comes much unraveling - but His grace is sufficient.

Recently I realized I hadn’t written in a long time; not for myself, not in journals, and certainly not in a blog I once had created. I had to ask myself why I felt disconnected. I voiced this to my spiritual mentor. When I told her about my journals and lack of writing it was clear: I lost my confidence in my writing - and more importantly in myself. I felt I didn’t have a reason to write unless I was writing something positive…something of growth and maturity. It was the wrong kind of thinking. Another friend once told me that if I waited to write until I was perfect in it I would never write at all.

I have a desire to encourage people. It is a desire that has been with me since childhood - to see the best in others, encourage their dreams, and lift them up when they are discouraged. I’ve always felt I had to conquer my stronghold and lack of self-confidence in order to help them. Now I realize that if I want to help others I must simply be willing. I love what Pastor Mark Batterson says: “God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

I’m originally from West Texas. I moved to Washington, DC in the summer of 2009 and have loved living in the heart of our country! My passions are everything Jesus and writing. My calling is to encourage others towards a relationship with Jesus Christ and be a positive light to those in need. I hope as time moves on we find connection in our Father’s love. I hope I can put a smile on your face, lift you up in Jesus’ name, and encourage you to never give up in what He has in store for you. I already love you!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:11

A shout out to all those 20-somethings finding growing up a rough road - stay tuned

Hello!

Amy and I thought we’d both introduce ourselves to kick this off. As a brief introduction to me:

I (Sarah) am currently 25. I live in Arlington, Virginia, was raised in Jackson, Mississippi, wandered to Edinburgh, Scotland, and am currently completely lost in the world of young professionalism. There have been so many things I have loved about my 20s, but I have also found it an incredibly vague period of my life. I have taken jobs to pay the bills; I have paid for degrees to see the world; I have “followed my heart” only to find shadows and wilderness surrounding me. . I find myself now in a stage of “catching my breath,” which sounds like it should be a breeze but has proven quite the opposite. The time and space to breathe has only left me questioning myself: “What have I done?” “What am I doing here?” “Why am I doing this?” “Where am I going?”  It’s been a period of refactoring the world as I see it and refitting all the pieces I’ve gathered, the largest of which is my Faith.

I wrote when I was younger and loved it but have had a recent period of silence. For once, in the recent past, I could not express myself through my own words. So here I am, trying again, picking up the pen (or keyboard, rather), attempting to get back in the saddle.

The title, Grace & the Unraveling, for me perfectly describes my 20s to this point and I (we, I think) hope it will be a voice to others in similar stages.   Unraveling is a particularly apt word. Being of the type-A persuasion, I set out into my early 20s thinking I could do whatever I wanted and would. I thought whatever I set my mind to I would accomplish with flying colors. It did not take much trying for me to find this was not exactly the way “things work” and after a few adventures and grand plans, my plans were foiled with bills, insurance, and cubicles. My once bright-eyed and bushy-tailed nature turned dim-eyed and patchy-tailed.  By the end of 2014, as a emotion-prone individual, I felt I had been through a proverbial washing machine and my life and “plans” have felt to be unraveling like a sweater with a hooked loose thread ever since.

This is part of why I write. I can’t help but feel I’m not the only young, Christian female who felt called to “save the world” only to find themselves in a job they can’t get halfway through explaining before they lose all interest of the listening party -- even when it’s their grandma (maybe that’s just me, actually, but I like to think others are in a somewhat similar boat). I had so many questions, foremost: why was I inspired to do something I seem to have no hope of accomplishing (by the age of 25, I know, high standards).  But one thing hast flooded over me and kept me more or less sane of the past year: God’s grace. And I believe here lies all the answers. He has repeated promises. Promises I was too quick to abandon. And He has shown me no path is too far for him.

So this blog is a tale of my wanderings and hopefully an even greater tale of God’s redemption.  

I hope there’s another lost 20 something kindred spirit, somewhere out there. If you are, may we both reach fuller understanding through Him. And thanks for reading.

Love,

Sarah

New Beginnings

Hello! Welcome to our new blog, Grace & the Unraveling!

We (Amy and Sarah) are so excited to start this new adventure in our lives and to start it with you. We began this venture out of our mutual interest in writing and our hearts to encourage those around us. We are a few years apart and consequently in slightly different life stages, but we have found ourselves walking similar paths with similar life questions, struggles, weeds, and twists in the road. This inspired us to share in writing this blog. We both wanted to write about our journeys and paths, and God’s goodness, mercy and grace, so why not do it together!  

We hope this will be a chance for you to know us, us to know you, and for both of us to more fully know and understand God and his goodness throughout the trials and triumphs of daily life. In the coming blogs we’ll introduce ourselves and how we got to this point a bit better, but for now we just wanted to give you a brief introduction to our purpose and vision.

Our commitment is to publish (one post each) every week for a year. Our purpose is two-fold. Most importantly, our prayer is that we can use the gifts God has given us to encourage and inspire others to see the greatness of a loving and dedicated God. We also hope that by allowing Him to use us -- as imperfect as we are -- now, He will shape us and mold us, and the gifts and talents He created us with, to better ourselves for His glory. Neither of us fully knows what this blog will look like yet, but we want it to be a reflection to a good God – and hopefully fun and interesting in the process!

Thank you for joining us in the journey.

Love,

Sarah and Amy