our home sweet home of one year.

A year ago today.

Last year on September 29, 2012 we moved into this house.

It seems like yesterday.

It's hard to believe just last year my Grandpa was helping us move & this year he's not even here.

It's been a roller coaster of a year... a lovely one, but a challenging one.

We had a lot of awesome help from some of our favorite people!

We hosted a little at our old house up the road, but it's fun to see how much more this larger house has allowed us to welcome even more people into our home more often. Great to have more  fellowship and ministry opportunities right here in our own home!

Contrary to last fall, I'm hoping we can spend more time enjoying our house this season... as you know, we were barely AT our house last fall due to taking care of my Grandpa. So, here's to more front porch swinging, movie nights, & Jacuzzi baths! ;)

Uganda & this street are my top two places that I hope to live at some point 'when I grow up'. :)  My love for this place is sincere, y'all.

We've enjoyed this year very much & I'm looking forward to the few years I have left here. :)

In other exciting news, it's NATIONAL COFFEE DAY! {a.k.a. National Happy Emilee Day}
Grab a friend, drink a few more cups o' coffee than you usually would, be happy you're not unpacking your new house this time, & CELEBRATE!

See y'all soon.

In Abba,
Emilee

 

:)

To read a little bit about us hearing the news that we were moving here, click here & read my post, "move #5."

bits of life lately.

Greetings y'all!

I had every intention of adding to last year's pumpkin spice latte post. Also about Colorado. However, that won't be possible until some technical difficulties are solved.
I have taken many pictures lately with y'all in mind. Counting blessings; recording memories. Sooooo, someday soon you'll see a few more glimpses than these below.

So, who is up for some random updates from our corner of the world? Shall we?

I started school this week--the day after Labor Day, as always. It's been a interesting week adjusting to all of the changes going on in my world this fall, but school itself is going excellent. Of course, it's the first week. However, I'm excited about one certain unique textbook, writing papers in English, & literature projects. I'm reading Sense & Sensibility & simply loving every minute of it. Once I got used to the language, I have really enjoyed it. It's one of those books that you update your family & friends how it's going & nobody else probably cares. All well.

First day of school on Tuesday! I can't believe I'm a freshman. It's exciting & terrifying.

My cousin Nathaniel at his birthday celebration following his football game on Monday. He's growing up fast. Aren't we all?!?

I just finished The Help shortly after we got home from vacation in Colorado. Between my love of Mississippi, this story, & my lack in reading any fiction lately: I could barely put it down. Love this story. If anything else, it inspired me to write more stories. That alone was worth reading the book.

Several ladies from the 'gang' came over to watch Tangled at my house on their last night of summer. Love them so much.

Missing Colorado & lovin' my coffee. However, I won't drink coffee everyday until it gets cooler. I'm excited for that day to come. :)

On Thursday, our craziest of the week, we stopped by sister's tennis meet for as long as we could. On another happy note: I just started horse lessons AND got back into Greek on Thursday.

I love FaceTime. Especially with these beauties. This was our kitchen counter conference call Thursday night.

After Sunday school with the bestie! She's a pretty big deal to me. :)

This is my current favorite reminder. I have an anxious heart. Turning to Him!

On the way to Nathaniel's party, we had lunch with the Zimmer's! Love them to pieces. Jasmyn is getting so big!

Hope & Heartaches; the journal I most recently filled to the brim with musings from this peculiar treasure. It was almost painful going back & reading it all. It's authentic in every way & reading about how He was leading me through every hard & easy step along the way is a blessing.

After taking a break from all my knitting projects, I jumped back in a few weeks ago. Thus far, I've finished one orange & black scarf to wear to football games & am working on my next one. It's very soothing & one of my very favorite things to do.

I absolutely love this picture of Momma V & Auntie Diane in Colorado enjoying their Starbucks along the river. Besties of mine.

Is it cheesy to take pictures of your dog & call him handsome? If it is, I'm just gonna have to live with that title.

My sweet prayer warrior friend, Mariah. A lot of hashing, problem solving, & heart-to-hearts have taken place lately.... & with that:

Indeed it does. :(

My tease for 'pumpkin spice lattes 2013'! Ahhh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I posted this on my Instagram account a few days ago hoping it would make my followers' hearts smile, but mainly, it was so that I would, too.

Tomorrow {Sunday} afternoon Momma V  & I are headed to see Michael Buble! I'm extremely excited. A mini road trip, to be in the city, to see Michael live for the first time... what a great way to end this week! Ever since Momma told me that he was coming while I was at camp, anticipation has been building. Once again, I'm leaving you with the promise that you'll hear more about that later.

Thank-you for taking a random journey with me through life lately! 


With that, my loves, I will leave you for the night. I have church to go to in the morning... & hopefully, so do you! Whether I'll see you there or not, I pray that you will have a marvelous Lord's day! Enjoy being with your church family & praising Him together. I know I will.


Adoring away anxiety,

 

P.S. I'll let these pictures speak for themselves. I'm eager for what He has in store for us on these fall days filled with autumn activities that I look forward to year round.

 

 

 

if i had been tweeting.

Peculiar Treasures! It's been a long time it seems. While I was at camp from July 15th to August 10th I wasn't on Twitter. However, I couldn't let all that time go by without 'tweeting'. So, I kept track of what I would have tweeted if I would have had consistent internet access. Also, through the inspiration of Ann Voskamp's life-changing book One Thousand Gifts, I kept track of my gifts in my camp notebook as well. Before I have the chance to sit down & share the in depth learning experiences at camp, enjoy these tidbits of my month away!

• Ya know what drives me insane? Laying in my bunk & my pen runs out of ink. I grab a pencil, but don't wanna get up for a pen. #firstnightprobs #firstworldprobs
• After doing laundry in the silo, I went all African on that laundry basket... until other people could see me.
• No, my Disney princess pillow doesn't match a thing on my bunk. Yes, I'm proud of it.
• While taking an ice cold shower this morning, I had HSM 2's "Work This Out' stuck in my head. So much irony. #icouldonlyhumit #imissmyshowerplaylists
• What happens on a really sad night? Mice scurry around my room. That's what. #plainsadadtired #homesicknessstinks
• In the midst of my silly complaints, I'm trying to remember the peace. #homesoon
• Dude. I miss my sarcastic atmosphere. This land is dry. Pour down on us, O Lord! ;)
• Solid advice from the pastor in a nearby church tonight. If you're gonna snuggle with someone for the rest of your life, make sure you love how they smell.
• Oh. It's 11:15. I'm out under the stars watching staff drift to their cabins. I should probably go to bed. #ishould #notyet
• What is sleep? Pssh, it's not important.
• Okay. I'm starting to dream about cleaning & I smell like dishes. #uhhhhh
• Started out camp so beautifully. Praising Jesus!
• Only at camp does someone find out about our donated fryer & shout, "AMEN!"
• Y'all. I'm not being ugly, but just because it's what you're most familiar with doesn't mean it's valid. #Greektranslationprobs
• Rolling all the 'My Tide' commercials through my head as I am doing my laundry. My Tide: It has Febreze. At stinky camp. Amen & Amen.
• Got my first card at camp today that said, "I was thinking of you. Now you're thinking of me. Ahhh... the power of cards." #ilovemyGrandma
• Sat with the guys tonight & laughed more than I had in awhile it seems. Our conversation: boxing, injuries, & animals. #lovingcamplife
• Sent this text to my Mom tonight: Headed home for the night. Call if you want to hear my beautiful voice.
• Is it sad that the worst thing I'm missing at the fair back home is frozen lemonade? #girlsgotpriorities
• What do I send to my best friend in one of the last lines in her letter? Why this, of course: Can't wait to see you & bother you & awkwardly cuddle with you on the couch
  & make you uncomfortable. #bestfriendswaggg #acaawkward
• Once I got back to my cabin last night, I didn't write any more gifts. Why? My mice friends were back. #ewwie #itwashardtofocus
• Sometimes, you just need a hug. #sadface
• It's so fun to be on staff with friends I used to be campers with.
• New conclusion... or at least hit fresh on my mind. I can miss Kansas & serve Him wholeheartedly here, too. #leaningonHim
• These guys on staff are far from perfect. However, they are offering to let me eat before them & opening doors for me. They make my days go by so much easier. #Godisproviding
• I had a nap today. Although I was still exhausted, it was heavenly.
• Reminded of this advice while re-reading some of my camp mail: "Remember God puts us where He wants us to look to Him." I'm discouraged, but I get to lean on Jesus. #itsallworthit #buildingcharacter
• Ya know what makes me happy? Hurling insults (all in good fun) with the staff during clean-up. #itsbecauseweloveeachother
• "It's surrender." #EricLiddell
• My best pal put his number in my phone under the name "The Coolest Kid At Camp." I asked him how he already knew my number. #IMthecoolestkid
• ...and the receiving mail this camp season goes to... THIS KID!! #soblessed #thankful
• The question on our cheese machine in the kitchen, "What Is Life Without Cheese?" #youtellme
• Unfortunately, everyone got a taste of my sad day today. Buddy on staff comes up & says, "So, why haven't you been teasing me today?" #workingonthattomorrow
• Exhausted during the day, want to talk at night. #beautifulwearycamplife
• Kitchen staff picture of a heavenly day? Picnic with paper plates! #hecktotheyes #goWednesday
• Being behind the camera lense. >>>
• A highlight of today's (thus far) activities? Staff against camper tug-o-war.
• He knows exactly what we need. Thankful to see how He is providing.
• Yesterday a junior camper saw me going into a nearby building with a laundry basket & he ran to open the door for me. #daymaker #gentlemanintraining
• How to let the campers know you're weak & need a Savior? Leave bugs on the counter in your cabin. ;)
• Last night to sleep in this cabin alone. (Somewhat) Bittersweet.
• Going to get almost 8 hours of sleep. Praise the Lord!
• Excited for a week to listen & record. #fulltimecamper #workcomplete
• So weird being able to sit... & I've only been a camper for an hour. #bestillandknowweek
• What is it with guys & their blue striped shirts this year? #forgoodnesssake #imissmyotherbluestripedshirtedguy
• I have a nickname as of Saturday evening under the stars. Mark Twain. #thegirlversion #thanksPaul
• Athleticism. Just, no.
• "Yeah. Don't sign me for cardio." #PitchPerfect
• I stink at the games at camp. No looking far for embarrassing moments this week! #ohjoy #almostoverEmilee
• Two naps in one day. YAY!...but how can I still be exhausted? #camplife
• Seriously. How can a week be so restful & so exhausting?
• Last full day at camp. Excited to apply everything I've learned to the homeland.
• Gonna start clicking my shoes... #theresnoplacelikehome

I counted 243 gifts while away... here are 'some' highlights. :)

2. getting my dream bunk
8. setting early alarms
16. smiley face umbrellas
17. text messages awaiting
18. learning from mistakes
19. working so hard you don't know what time it is.
25. distant thunder
27. small churches
29. Dr. Pepper; a rare camp gift
30. a road sign seeming to be just for me
32. rainbow promises
37. hearing my sisters voice
41. thanking God under the stars
42. sweet guys saying goodnight
45. hanging up aprons
48. dreaming about my future family with a soon-to-be mother of 9.
57. teaching fishtails
58. 7 year old girl's view on boys
64. praying with staff
77. the pictures on my wall
85. dance party while the roommate is away
86. having the whole building to myself
93. happy tears over a text
94. wedding tiaras
98. that place between asleep & awake
108. gifts recounted
114. jobs that help with unceasing prayer
119. KSTATE shirts
121. cooler weather
122. near the pond PONDering
126. that road sign
134. people that REALLY listen
136. trying on rhubarb lip shine
138. being asked where I live
146. when everyone at the dinner table gets tickled
149. Greek words in Sunday school
150. rain on my rooftop
151. dinner with my new family
156. pictures that remind me of Kampala
163. being called Miss Emilee
166. silliness with Leah
172. a good cry
184. Dutchman's labels
187. teaching fam carpet ball
192. hoodies in July
196. Tasty Pastry; nut roll for breakfast
197. "HALF-WAY THROUGH!"
200. "You're getting so beautiful!"
205. "Well, you're there so it's exciting!"
206. being introduced as someone's mommy & daddy's flower girl.
210. telling a Pastor how God used him in my life five years ago.
214. singing sessions while doing dishes with my best pal.
217. giggling until my sides hurt
218. "See ya best pal!" :(
220. staff weekends
228. package of things I love
234. "PLOT TWIST!"

As you can see, there were many ups & downs... like any life circumstance.
All month long the Lord continued to provide in every situation & there were so many more reasons to be thankful. Whether it was a night to stargaze on weekends or talking to a little girl about Africa, He knew what I needed. A lot of decisions were made, they were well fed, & He taught me so much through all of the good & bad.

Praise Jesus for what He did this summer & what He is going to continue to do with the seeds planted. We love You & we're anticipating what You have for us this fall.

So glad to be home,
Emilee







peace must be dared.

My candle over there on the desk flickers. The lamp above my head makes my room all cozy especially at this time of night. After a day of splashing in laughter, tears, & talks, I am absolutely exhausted. I'm whispering muttered prayers asking the Lord for more of it... this peace. The peace that trespasses all understanding. Either people don't take hold of it very much or it's so indescribable that no one even tries. I need some more of it. With every crossing off of the list, every day completed that's what we long for. Comfort? No, not if to live is Christ. Peace? It's what our hearts need to go on. In the midst of the existent trouble, peace, through Jesus, conquers. Everything about Jesus conquers.

What is it about sleepless nights & tear stains on my cheeks that draws me close to God? Some of my days are after nights when I just cry at His throne. There is a difference between an unhealthy pity-party {which I can be known for more than I would like to admit} & Jesus breaking Your heart. Bringing Jesus to Your ache instead of whining about why it's there. That's the difference.

There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared, it is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means giving oneself completely to God's commandment, wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of Almighty God, not trying to direct it for selfish purposes. Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won when the way leads to the cross. --Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 I read these words when peace was the last thing on my mind. I was hurt.

In the next days, through His Word, through journaling, & other avenues of processing the thoughts on my heart that haven't left, He gave me peace. All I know is someone was praying for me something fierce. I shook my head & wondered why I was so relaxed with whatever the outcome may be. Thankfully, in His time, He is continuing to give me peace that I can't begin to describe to you...because it reaches every part of me & changes me by the minute. My girlfriend, Chloe, knows what is going on in my life as much as anybody. On Sunday morning following the service, she asked me, "How are you?" I answered quickly steering away from honest answers, even to my best friend, my sister. She looked at me & asked again, "Are you really?" The fact that I have a friend that cares enough to ask twice made my heart so heavily thankful. Surprisingly, though, I gave her the same answer. Everything may not be alright according to my standards, but according to His: I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Humbly walking with Him, taking Him into every secret corner of my heart, to every circumstance, every conversation. If this is true, the rest He will simply let me watch unfold with awe-filled eyes. I'm daring to take hold of His promises & take a deep breath. After all, His name is the sound of our breathing.

With this peace, compassion comes. Gone are the selfish ways of processing. He broke my heart tonight out of the middle of nowhere. My initial reaction is to just fix it all. I just want to label all these needs, be the one to fix it, & let the world see themselves as Jesus sees them. While those desires are of best intentions, none of us are near enough powerful, worthy, or capable of doing so. Instead, I don't worry... & I silently pray. The tears slide across my face. My heart is heavy, but my eyes are focused on Him. I can't fix it all. Instead of selfishly taking over, I'm laying it in His hands asking Him where I need to serve in the process.

So, tonight... I'm praying for peace. Peace for an irreplaceable friend, peace for my unsettled heart, peace in wherever He whispers to turn.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. --Isaiah 30:21

 I'm paying attention.

 Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!
    Then your peace would have been like a river,
    and your righteousness like the waves of the sea... --Isaiah 48:18

Peace. No guaranteed safety, no comfort in the world's standards, but a battle will be won with something, someOne, much greater than any weapon. No guarantee that tears won't fall again tomorrow; that my heart won't be broken again & again in a million different ways. No guarantee that we will slip & let stress chip some joy when it never, ever, should come close, but we do know that He is right. here. The Holy Spirit ministers with His Presence in all of these weaknesses, heartbreaks, & joys in a way that no one else could. Security in this: our Jesus leading us in the great venture; peace like a river.


Daring,
Em

a bunk with a view: torn.

My eight-year-old self would change into pajamas--anything comfy that I could find that smelled reasonable enough to put on--& embrace the challenge of climbing into the middle of our three level bunks.

My bunk with a view.

The counselor made sure all us young girls were safely in out beds among the chaos of suitcases & cosmetics laying around before turning out the light. I would chatter with my best friend and others would, with much enthusiasm, add into our playful, exhausted, everything-is-10-times-more-hilarious conversation. Our sweet counselor, Kara, would give us one last warning & one of us would volunteer to pray before we all tossed & turned & began to snore.

While I assume the rest of my cabin was beginning to snooze, my gaze was outside. From my window, you could see the barn; the cafeteria & home base of my favorite place back then: camp. While the staff did an overall acceptable job of making us feel included, I felt torn walking away each night. As I would catch up with one of my girls to walk the comforting path to our cabins, I would gaze back at the staff still chattering away. They would often times yell after us to leave & go get our beauty sleep. Those comments may have been all in good fun--they really did have sincere hearts, but... to my EXTREMELY sensitive eight-year-old self, I was hurt. I wanted to be included on their late night conversations. I strived to know what a relationship with the Lord looked like for them and what relationships with boys looked like with all of that in perspective.

I gaze out the window and eventually the lights would turn off and they all began to disappear to their designated rooms. I thought about the late night conversations they would be having as I lay in bed wondering & wishing. I may have been in a room full of girls, but I felt alone.


Here I am six years later. My first year to be on staff at that same camp that has seen the end of me & so many beautiful beginnings. Here I am fulfilling a dream... & I'm torn. I want to go to camp. I KNOW that it will be amazing, but... all at the same time, I have never wanted to be in two places at once. For one main reason & a million on top of that, I want to have gone, but I don't want to go.

One of my counselors in these past years in devotions said that one of her biggest struggles at the time was knowing she needed to be at camp, but feeling like she needed to also be at home. At the time it made no sense to me & for years I never really understood why she didn't want to only be at camp... hanging out with us. Now, in His time, I understand.

Join me in adventuring into these next five weeks--because in reality it's not that long--with sincere, willing hearts. I know that I can't pack you into my suitcase & head to Iowa {no matter how much I want to}, but I hold you in my heart. Pray for me as I make preparations & say my 'so longs' with a lump in my throat.

Praying that God would use me in a huge way this summer, work in my heart in the midst of my anxiety & homesickness, & bring many of these kiddos closer to Him through simple convictions that I know, for me, has lasted through the years only by His strength.

Part of me wants to make a list of everything I'm going to miss from my beautiful corner of this world while I'm away, but below I'm including a small list of little things that I'm looking forward to:

being able to go into the kitchen. {I've been in it once for a total of two minutes in five camp seasons.}

being able to sign as an 'adult' on kiddos' camp books

getting this year's camp t-shirt

getting to know whomever else the Lord has led to staff

chatting with the little girls especially & being the person on staff I always wished I would have had

hayrack rides

the quiet of unplugging

hearing from home on weekends

nature

carpet ball

late night conversations

serving the campers meals ... the chatter

chapel every night

writing letters

dressing up after a day of games, sweat, & work

the walk back to our cabins; this time not being torn for the reasons I was before, but for such a time as this.

As You wish, Abba. We belong to You.
Forever Yours,
Em.

P.S. Prayerfully I'll be back soon & very soon. Until then, snazzy blog makeover, eh? :)