It's the simple things.

~ Sleepin' 10 hours straight in my own bed...
~ Not feeling rushed at.all. during my time with Jesus in the morning - we can just chat it up!
~ Watching (forever)old Disney classics liike The Cat from Outer Space & still bein' able to quote half the movie. #thatslegitimate
~ Reading books just cuz I wanna. Y'all ever read Endurance? About Sir Ernest Shackleton? Uh-mazing.
~ Getting the yearly first-one-to-pelt-someone-with-a-snowball award...trust me, folks - it's prestigious.
~ Purchasing an entire season of 24 for $9. Yes, please.
~ Playing trains with the nephew and making the same (requested) sound effects 82 times.

(This lil guy's a keeper!)


















I don't think God ever meant daily life to be an uncertain, am-I-doing-what-I'm-supposed-to-be-doing experience. He's instilled in us passions and desires that drive us to the next step, that motivate us to dig out and determine where and how we would be used best for the Kingdom, but how this pans out in our day-to-day lives may be very different from what we'd picture... But you know what I think God is picturing? I think He's picturing us thinkin' about pleasing and loving Him more than anyone else...and I think He pictures us being driven by that love and desire to please Him in the way we talk to and treat the people He puts in our lives - encouraging other believers to love and good works and being completely unashamed with unbelievers as we act as His child and messenger of the gospel. And then, as we focus more on what we're being instead of what we're doing, He is faithful to open the doors and pave the way to fulfill our desires (which will, coincidentally, be HIS desires), and we'll be blown away by what He does through us. There will be no regrets at the end of a day lived sharing the love of Jesus!

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." {1timothy1:5}

Simple things...


~bethie

Last week, the fam hit up the beach for Thanksgiving!

(I'm slightly addicted to Instagram these days...but I would like to say that this photo remains completely unedited! And also, I'm much obliged to that seagull for flying across the sky with such perfect timing in such a picturesque manner.)

I love the ocean. Every time I'm around it, I gain a whole new respect for the Creator... maybe it's because they seem similar in some ways. One cannot help but be in awe when beholding either... Both have a power that remains contained, but is utterly unstoppable once unleashed. Yet this same sometimes unpredictable, always uncontrollable power source displays indescribable beauty. The ocean has depths man cannot visit...so the greatness of the Father is unsearchable (psalms145:3). Our marvelous God makes marvelous things :)

I super wanted to see the sunrise at least once while I was there! The morning after Thanksgiving, the seas were a bit stormy...and the day after that was also cloudy. Is it weird to say that I was maybe (just a little) annoyed that God didn't give me sunshine from 6-7am when the rest of the day was cloudless? Anyway, weird or not, I was... The last morning, I was debating or not whether it was worth it to try again (morning people, no judging from you please...), and Jesus was just like, how badly do you want this? How much effort are you willing to put into beholding beauty and being blessed? So I got up...and it was so. gorgeous.

How often have I missed out on a good thing from my Father just because I gave up waiting for it? Ah, the waiting takes effort and patience and complete trust... but I think that the moment we're about to give up, the moment our strength becomes weakness so HIS strength is perfected in us, that's the moment the beauty's unveiled. Hold fast!

On another note...

...I will do this someday. I will be terrified. But I will do it.

Soo, the beach was amazing, my family's amazing, break is amazing...God is amazing.

:)


~bethie

Today is a comfy-sweatshirt, no-makeup, Christmas-music, packing-for-home kind of day... in a word, theBESTkindofdayever!

I can't believe this semester has come and gone already... God has shown Himself to be SO strong. Since July, there have been conferences, board meetings, camping trips, 5k races, and banquets... I've tripped to West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, San Francisco, Illinois, North Carolina, and St. Louis to hang out with the most amazing people on this earth. I've learned even more acutely that approval from GOD is all that matters (2timothy2:15), that He cares vastly more about how much I fear Him than how strong I can prove myself to be (psalm147:10&11), and that all I need to overcome the world is solid belief in Jesus Christ (1john5:5) - man, show me what it means to really believe, Father!

I've also come to realize how important it is to make sure that genuine love trumps hasty judgment... I mean, we hear that all the time, right? Judge not, lest ye be judged...all that jazz. But how often do I still make negative assumptions about somebody without even knowing them...without taking the time to be like, hey, so what's hard about your life? What's happened that's molded you into the person you are? What drives you to talk, act, and respond the way you do? We're all who we are because of the events and relationships we've encountered in our lives - and God has been sovereign over ALL these things, the good and the seemingly not-so-good, so as we constantly release control to Him, we are confident that all is working for our benefit - but we filter the outlook of our lives based on what we've experienced so far... I guess I've thought about this more especially in the Life Centers as I meet complete strangers and notice my tendency to straight-up assess their situation with a single glance and think about how they could have avoided being there if they'd just made a different choice and how much righteousness I need to shove into their lives in the counseling room, and then I sit down and actually start talking to them, and that mentality is shattered every. single. time. Everyone has a story that's much, much more than meets the eye...believers AND non-believers. Be careful how you interact with those God has placed in your path, because there will be repercussions, good or bad - I've seen people inspired to good works through the unhindered love of another, and I've talked with others who have entirely written off God's existence because of a single comment made by a careless individual... Sure, hard things need to be boldly said sometimes to someone living clearly outside of God's will, but I have to remember that the words I say to people and the way I treat them does echo into eternity and since I'm a child of God, I can share the truth with the love He's poured into me to further His Kingdom, or I can proudly withhold it and try to impress people with how "good" I am...which is the exact opposite of my purpose here in living out the gospel. I'm no better than anyone else; I'm just washed in His blood...forgiven in His mercy.

I always think of that look that Jesus gave Peter after he denied Him the third time (luke22:61); even then, I bet it wasn't an I-told-you-so, you-failed-me kind of look, but a look that tenderly said, 'yes, you realize now that your human efforts aren't enough, don't you...but don't worry, I will love you always, and I will work miracles through you still...' And He did! Peter changed lives through the power of God in him! Even though he denied Jesus three times on the day he should have been standing the most strongly with Him, he was still a usable vessel in supernatural, mindblowing ways. There's no way I can assume that someone is useless for the Kingdom, regardless of their present state...God has crazy amazing purposes and plans that I cannot even fathom, and my words and actions can make a difference in how they respond to Jesus today. True Love trumped the ultimate judgment on the cross...and that's the message that needs to be seen in my life every day...

Aand here's where we cue God's grace.

Thankfully, He freely gives it. :)

Here's to break and seeing some of my favorite people on the flip side of a fourteen hour drive tomorrow! God is so good.


~bethie

God is SO good!!

Seriously, we deserve nothing...every good thing, every reason to smile, wouldn't exist if it wasn't for His generous, merciful blessings.

So many things to be happy about...

~ phone calls from people I love
~ God's healing power
~ singin' along to the radio
~ hanging out with Janet!! :)
~ the sound of a thunderstorm
~ Life Center miracles
~ air conditioning
~ the strength of love
~ supportive & productive coworkers
~ cereal n almondmilk!
~ renewed confidence
~ familiar faces
~ whispers to my heart from His Spirit
~ and, also, sunsets :)

"...You make level the way of the righteous. In the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we wait for You...my soul yearns for You in the night, my spirit earnestly seeks You." {isaiah26:7-9} 


Sometimes, I feel like life is just FULL of ups and downs - there are days when you just absolutely soar...and then other days when everything seems kinda sketchy, y'know? Well, He smooths out those ups and downs. He makes the way level...

The trick, then, comes in the waiting for level ground to return when stuff is crazy. But! I've realized, that even if the answers to all my questions and a detailed roadmap of my life were written out on a blackboard, it would be the right answers but the wrong person, cuz God uses the waiting, the (sometimes forced) trusting, to change somebody, and that's the person who's ready to handle the plans He has for them as they're revealed.

Gosh, when I think of it that way, I'm just so grateful that He gives a chance to wait! Maybe y'all already thought of that, buut, dang...it's a bit of a revelation for me.

He. is. faithful. <3


~bethie

You know you're in Alaska when::

• you eat moose for breakfast, salmon for lunch, and halibut for dinner...all in one day.
• you wake up in the middle of the night to gunshots cuz there's a Grizzly in the bed of the neighbor's truck.
• you climb a mountain at 10pm and it's broad daylight.
• you gotta break out the winter garb on July 5th cuz it's 44 degrees.
• you see Mt. McKinley on the way to church.
• you swerve to avoid black bears chillin out on the highway.

Truly, the good times never end.

One of my fave parts of summer Alaska visits is the trip to Seward for the 4th o' July...

Mainly cuz of this action.

This mountain's been conquered by runners on the Fourth for 85 years. It's a beast.

Daang, this coulda been me! Someday, it's happenin... you can bank on it.

I love that nearly anywhere you look, you're blown away by the majesty of God's creation. It's breathtaking to just look out the window as your trippin' down the road.

And to think it's a tiny glimpse of a mere hint of His glory! Mann...

"You make beautiful things..."

~bethie

things I love about goin' home on break::

-the rollin' hills of Pennsylvania...'specially the ones that greet me out my window every mornin :)

-days at the park with this guy...

-long bike rides with this guy!

-also, reading. 

summer reading list to include...

Started (and finished) The Heavenly Man today... y'all, read it! Golly, it puts a burning in my soul to do something for the Kingdom and to not let anyone shut me up about Jesus ever. Keeps things in perspective, y'know? And sometimes (alotta times...), I need that. There's stuff that's important in life, aaand...there's stuff that really isn't. Not in the grand scheme of it all. Truly, only one thing is needful...

"Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose." {c.s.lewis}

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever..." {psalm73:26}


And forever is a long, long time, ladies and gents. :)

~bethie

So my desk that was covered in work last night?

Yeah.

This morning it was basically covered with LOVE!!

And it wasn't just my desk. It was everywhere. Total bombardment.

made. my. day.

Golly, could I be any more blessed?? This is just one of the bajillion ways this week that God has shown me He loves me to the maxx. Thanks y'all for bein channels of His love :) Seriously. Could not ASK for better friends.

~"Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy..."{timothy6:17}

Life is supposed to be enjoyably simple. Love Jesus, let Him love you, and then spread that love around.

I feel like some people are pretty good at spreadin the love already...

Ah, I'm smilin' tonight :)


~bethie

board meeting plus graduation prep equals midnight office hours...

Yeeah, there's lots to do.

"And he has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness..." {2corinthians12:9}

But these are the kinds of days where I just end up standing in amazement at His grace. Truly, He promises it and He delivers. He gives exactly the strength each moment needs, as it comes. He hears my pleas for help and answers...over and over and over again.

"Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely til the sun goes down. And this is all life really means."

Jus' take it one day at a time! That's all God's askin' for. By His grace, we can be exactly who He wants us to be all day long. Let Him shoulder the hard stuff, and He'll just pass along the blessings! Sounds like a win-win...

...and I'm totally down.



--song of the day: all for you, mikeschair--

i leave my burden at your feet
in You i find my victory
there is nothing You can't do

i'll give my life for Your renown
i'll give it all and lay it down
i owe everything to You


'cause it's all for You, all for You
every heart will proclaim
every tongue will shout Your praise

all will hear, all will see
Love came down, and we are free
all for You


it's a new fave :)




~bethie

Sometimes, when life's been a lil overwhelming... for weeks... you jus need some chill time.

Well, this look promising!

All we need now is a bestie...

...check! 

S'gonna be a good night :)

~bethie

Yay for happy days!

Two days ago...my secret sister leaves dark chocolate M&Ms on my desk! Mm, always a good thing. Whoever you are, you rock.

Yesterday, my super sweet parents sent me flowers for Administrative Assistant's Day. Cuz I'm an Administrative Assistant. And I have my own holiday. How legit is that, my friends?

Then today, I went with some pals from College Park to go do a some TLC in Indy.

We did some general litter pick-up - Alyssa and I were machines! We, uh, won't talk about what treasures we found...

We did some gardening and landscaping...

Nessa and I were mulching and petunia-planting buddies! Dang, gonna miss that chica come June.

I love that Jesus gives good things with the hard things. There is always something beautiful to be grateful for in every moment. Dark chocolate, thoughtful parents, stellar friends... He sends the rain AND the sunshine and both are needed for life to thrive. Trace that rainbow through the rain.


~bethie

time for a...Pop Quiz!!

When faced with a stressful, unrelenting, overwhelming situation, should you:

a.) run five miles.
b.) listen to a genre of music, at a high volume, that would normally stress you out by itself but somehow, in this moment, seems completely appropriate and suitable.
c.) verbally explode about the issue to your roommate or some other unfortunate soul.
d.) a, b, and c
e.) take it to Jesus.

I, having multiple-choiced my way through the majority of my college degree, should totes be able to handle this one. Process of elimination, I learned, is the way to attack every test in this format, soo, let's break it down. K, so (a)... could be (a) - it's succinct enough and everyone knows that exercise releases the flow of endorphins, which is an anti-stress mechanism...we'll keep that one as a potential. (b) is a no-go, wayy too wordy. (c) maybe, but responding to negative emotions with more negative emotions doesn't ever fix anything. And since both (b) and (c) are included in (d), one would assume that I'd clearly have to pick (e)! But for some reason, today, I opted first for (d)... mm, fail.

However, God, in His mercy, after watchin me try everything else, was like, "...you done now?" And then, He speaks His truth.

~"And no creature is hidden from His sight...let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." {hebrews4:13a&16}

Nothing can hide from His omnipresence. Not even the stuff that hits us when He seems so disconnected from our daily routine. He's all over it...like white on rice. And when I actually remember that, I can move forward with confidence (definition: "the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.") because He TELLS me I can have confidence, and who the heck am I to doubt the God of the Universe?? He gives grace and mercy, and He gives it just when we need it. Awesome.

Not gonna lie, though...the five mile run was pretty satisfying in it's own way, too. :)


~bethie

So, Mondays could potentially be my fave day of the week.

Fo rizzle, ma brizzles.

On Mondays, I get to volunteer at a Life Center. It's...incredible.

Girls come in the door, leaving all their confidence and self-assurance outside. They're about to find out whether their lives will change forever, and we may be the only ones who know.

-they.need.love-

Genuine, true, JESUS love.

Today a girl came in for an ultrasound; we only offer those to abortion-minded clients. You could hear the heartbeat of that little baby throughout the entire office as the sonogram machine broadcasted the presence of a tiny human being.

She chose life.

She chose life! That lil person inside of her, no bigger than a blueberry at the moment, is gonna see daylight. God is SO good.

~"...and in Your book were written the days that were formed for me, every one of them, when as yet there were none of them." {psalm139:16}

My Father has seen, and planned, every day of my life. Not just some days, not just the good days, not just the days that I feel like I was actually worth something, but every day. He has 'em all lined up and He knows what's gonna go down. We jus gotta get outta bed and try to live like Jesus!

...no bigs.



~bethie

Five (legitimate) reasons why today rocked:

1. Slept in 'til 11:06am. Win.

2. I facetimed with this handsome chico...

3. Spent the afternoon drinkin' coffee, listenin' to some tunes, and reading an inspiring book about how much impact a single believer can have in their own little world, wherever that world may be. Don't ever disregard the role you have as an ambassador for Christ in any place, at any time, with anyone. Little things show His light and love just as much as (and sometimes more than...) the 'bigger' things... just live intentionally.

4. Translated an email from a Peruvian buddy! I was there when he met Jesus...and he wants to know Him more still. Mm, life-changing much?? Golly, made me miss Peru lots.

"...estoy interesado conocer al Senor por mi mismo y aprender mas de El..."

               --"...I am interested to know God for myself and to learn more about Him..."--

THAT's what's up! What a loving God we serve who is faithful to continue to draw our hearts. :)

5. Made cheesecake with several Brookman ladies. Girl time!!

"He has done great things for us, and we are glad." {psalm126:3}



~bethie

Do you ever have those days where you get up and deliberately, specifically put the day and it's events in God's hands, have a ridiculously unusual abundance of energy and optimism all day long, and then wonder why the heck you don't just give it to Him more often??

Mm, I do. And it happened today.

Life Groups
-chocolate chip muffins, Dr. Seuss stories, real talk, and too many laughs

Board Meeting Prep
-luncheon planned, attendees confirmed, and rooms booked

Grad Prep
-letters mailed, phone calls made, emails sent, blue program ribbon found (<--this was harder than you'd think...)

**productivity, for the win!**


~"...and she laughs at the time to come." {proverbs31:25b}

The Proverbs 31 woman laughs at the time to come. And I'm sure not because her life was just stress-free either. She's not anxious, she's not worried... she knows the Creator of the Universe is lookin out for her. She can chill out, and just be excited about how He's gonna work everything out for good...becaaause, she probably has no idea how on earth SHE'D work any of it out, but isn't the suspense more exhilarating anyway? Hmm, maybe not as you're living in the uncertainty, but hasn't He shown His gracious mercy and His outstanding goodness enough times that we can trust Him? Even blindly? Golly, life seems so complex - so many pressure-filled projects to finish, so many life-altering decisions to be made, so many different roads to take (or so few...). But God knows where I'm headed. He knows! And so I can let it go. I can give a little laugh, shake my head in awe that He actually wants to be in control of my ridiculous, pretty insignificant life, and let it go... and then watch the adventures and blessings unfold. How can I not be so, so grateful? And isn't that what life is all about? Living in sheer wonder of His great love and proclaiming it to the world? Mhm...

Soo, laugh a little, k?

--song of the day: let the waters rise, mikeschair--

God, You know where i've been

You were there with me then

You were faithful before

You'll be faithful again

there's a raging sea

right in front of me

tryin' to pull me in

bring me to my knees

let the waters rise

if You want them to

i will follow You

i will follow You.

~bethie

Dear world,

Idk why I've decided to share snippets of my life with you. I'm not really naturally prone to these things...

However, I do know that some days... no no no... ALL days... Jesus is exceptionally good to me, and I really just wanna tell everyone about it whether they want to hear it or not.

~"Tell the righteous all shall be well with them..." {isaiah3:10a}

Ahh, what a promise! If you know Him, if you love Him, if you *seek His face*, ALL shall be well with you! Take that promise! Own it!

I know I'm gonna. :) We're unstoppable.

-song of the day: here goes, bebo norman-

here goes nothing

here goes everything

gotta reach for something

or you'll fall for anything

what good is chance not taken?

what good is life not livin'?

and what good is love not given?

take a breath, take a step

what comes next

God only knows

but here goes...

~bethie