More of my favorites

Sandstone Falls Virginia Beach

This gull came by to visit on my balcony every day while I was there. If only I would have remembered crackers. :)

The pond at home. I love this spot!

Three Words that Changed the World

"I love you." The three simple words that changed the world. Okay. So they may not have changed the world, but they definitey changed the course of an entire weekend. They took me by surprise but I somehow knew they were coming. My heart had wanted to express itself for quite some time, but I'm you took the opportunity to express yourself first.



When I am with you...



I feel free. Unencumbered by the cares of this world and the thoughts of others. My soul feels as if it is on fire. My skin tingles when you tenderly caress my arm or pull me close to your side for a quick kiss. It is in those moments that I feel fully alive. I awake early in the morning only to be lulled back to sleep by the slow, rhythmic cadence of your shallow breaths accented by the occasional deep breath and simply smile on your face. I am grateful, amazed, and constantly thankful to have shared another night with you.



When I am with you...



I feel accepted. Never has anyone (other than my family) accepted me with all of my quirks and idiosyncrasies with such grace and quiet assurance. I know that I can be honest, expressive, and open without having to fear how you will respond.



When I am with you...



I feel open. I allow myself to feel: love, desire, openness, honesty, the lack of inhibition, and a sense of freedom that I've never really known and am only beginning to allow to unfold and blossom. I feel completely free to shed a tear when you tell me you love me for the first time, when I hear that special song, and when I finally embrace you after days of being apart. (I somehow manage to hold back my tears until I am out of the driveway and you are safely inside because it is simply easier to leave on a happier than sappier note). I feel no negativity, no fear of unmet expectations, and no worry about tomorrow. I'm caught up in the moment...allowing myself to breath deeply and drink in this gift that I have been given.



And when I am away...



I feel sadness yet a sense of anticipation and expectancy for the soon-coming day when I am allowed to hold you again...close to my side...closer than before...never to be taken for granted again.



What I do know...



Life and love are meant to be shared with those important to us...and I'm thankful to share part of my life with you. I have questions about the future. Baggage that must be checked at the door. Uncertainty and hesitancy creep in. The unknown has never been comfortable for me. I do not know what the future holds (and this causes a sense of fright and uneasiness), but what I do know is that whatever the future holds will be wonderful for I am blessed to have you in my life right now and I will always have you with me.



What the future holds...."Being like you are, Well this is something else, who would comprehend?...A part of your soul ties you to the next world Or maybe to the last, but I'm still not sure. But what I do know, is to us the world is different. As we are to the world but I guess you would know that. Please don't go, I want you to stay. I'm begging you please, please don't leave here. I don't want you to hate for all the hurt that you feel.The world is just illusion trying to change you."

Words from the Wise (2)

Jamie Gates--"To 'do justice' means that as God-followers, we hope to emulate God's thirst for justice as well as His frustration over injustice."



The word "justice" in a Biblical sense represents those actions or that posture that seeks to put things right. Justice will lead to balance, equality, harmony, and ultimately peace. Biblical justice is founded on the idea that God cares just as much for the marginalized and downtrodden as he does the mainstreamed and powerful.

More of my favorite pictures

Floral Beauty

I loved the picture of this little bird. I am literally less than a foot away from her nest (hence the poor focus on the closer images). I believe this is a ground sparrow. She laid five eggs total, and to date there are three chicks in the nest. More to come.

Flowers

I spent most of Thursday and part of Friday monring working on a perinneal bed at my grandfather's hourse. Playing in the dirt is wonderful therapy for me. I love to landscpae and I love beautiful flowers. Enjoy. I'll post more pictues as Papa's plants grow and mature.

Words of the Wise (1)

I love passing along "highlight moments" in life. I love to read, and you will rarely find me at my local coffee shop with a book and highlighter in hand. I love to underscore the words that jump off of the page and become alive with meaning, insight, and depth. Many of these highlighted words have deeply shaped my worldview and the ways in which I approach the joys and concerns I have.

So....words of the wise:

" Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral."

- Paulo Freire, Brazillian educator and advocate for the poor and marginalized.

What challenging words. It's impossible for us to be good global citizens and have no concern for those less fortunate than ourselves.