Merry Christmas!

A Couple of Little Things

While babysitting last night, I worked in the kitchen while two girls ate their dinner, and I listened to their conversation. "I just want to die and be with God," the four year old said. And I marveled. Do I long to be with God like that? Is my heart fixed on Heaven? As I go about my work, I'm thankful to the Lord for such reminders, which set my mind on things above and point me to Him.

Shortly after that, I got her to bed and sang to her while I tidied up the room. When I ended the first verse of "Come Thou Fount", she asked me, "What's redeeming love?" Children aren't usually looking for complicated answers, and I replied simply, "It's a big love."

2014 (God's Goodness)

Here are a few pictures from 2014 and some highlights of the year.

Me & Charlotte =)

Time spent in Romans.

Winter vacation.

Piano was a big part of my year again. =)

I played in one last competition.
Mozart's Fantasy in D Minor got me an honorable mention.

My Bible Quizzing team.

Bible Quizzing Regionals.

Snow!!!

Singing in the chorale at the homeschool conference.

A few times a year, we have this 2-day project. =)

Best friend. <3

Singing on the dock with friends.

Tried something new--arranged a song for 4-part harmony. =)

Another year of lessons with my piano teacher. =)

Love this girl!

Only three of my siblings and I were home one night
in the summer, and I made a nice, simple dinner.
We finished with ice cream. =)

Church softball.

Brenna, me, and Dad at the ballpark.

This picture makes me miss summer a little.
So many good memories. =)

Days at the lake!

I absolutely loved getting to
be a part of their wedding day!

Hand-picked. =)

Jacob cleaned out the birdbath one day in the summer and
added the flowers on the water for a nice touch. =)

Best friends. =)

Working at the fair--running the cash register and
 making coffee drinks and milkshakes.

Tiny frog at the church campout.

My sisters. =)

Cake decorating. =)

I made this the night that Jacob scored a
touchdown in his football game. =)

A blue heron in the neighbor's tree.

The seven of us.

Annual Christmas photo of the cousins.

What 2015 looks like:

I've already been enjoying time in God's timeless Word, time in the kitchen, and time at the piano. And also opportunities of getting together with friends, serving in little ways, and just being with my favorite people. =) I'm looking forward to doing more of all these and many more things, AND...

These two are going to Uganda in April!!! =)
I'm not looking forward to being apart, but still excited for
them. I'm already looking forward to hearing all about the
adventures they're going to have over there.

I am blessed. I cannot even begin to say how blessed I am. I am so glad to have the security of belonging to the Lord. So thankful for my Savior. So glad for God's grace. And I am so happy to be part of my family. I am truly loving life. Enjoying this season. Treasuring all of the little things.

Words fail. I don't deserve any of these things at all. God has shown me His goodness--a goodness I do not deserve now and never will. I am blessed.

2015!

Happy New Year! I'm hoping to post a wrap-up of 2014 with pictures soon, but I'll just leave you with this photo for now. =)