June 15th 2011

This is a little late, but... better late than never.

The photo below was taken on June 15th 2011 while celebrating a special day. It was one year ago on that day (at thornehill broom beach) that I was baptized by my dear friend Camille!

I figured such a day called for celebration, so I put on a pretty dress and headed to that beach. The time spent there wasn't too long, but it sure was sweet. I walked around in reflection, remembering vividly the call I heard to die to myself and start a new life. I remembered the exhilarating new found freedom and love in Jesus I was experiencing. I remembered the hope, joy, and wonder in my heart as a pondered the incredible fact that I, at 20 years of age, was a brand new creation. I remembered the hard hard hard times both last summer and this last year that have been (and are still) molding me. I remembered the times of deep confusion this year, when I pushed Jesus away. I remembered times off arrogance, pain, and pride...as well as victory, growth, joy and tenderness.

This has been....quite a year.

With wonder I watched as each wave was a slightly different, but equally remarkable, swirly shade of blue-green. With troops of sand crabs underneath my toes, and a song of thankfulness in my heart... I couldn't help but smile knowing that everything was going to be okay. I picked up a black stone next to me and threw it into the ocean as a symbol of casting off the guilt and old life that I no longer belong to (but that often tries to attach itself to me). I offered up a simple prayer understanding that I cannot make it through this next year apart from literally being carried through it, and then went on my way to meet a friend for dinner at Panera (yummmmmy tomato soup!)

All in all, I could not possibly be happier with the decision I made a year ago. I pray that God gives me grace to know his love more deeply with each passing year, and that my identity is increasingly intertwined with His. So here I am at 21...still just beginning a lifetime journey. Here I am at 21... in Christ. Here I am, a new creation... constantly being made new.

Cheers to many more years with you Jesus. I love you.