I don't know

What I would have done without you.
And my three dark-haired angels.

I have known you for such a short time.
By accident, really.
You made me realize things I never would have realized on my own.
And for that, I am so grateful.
So grateful.

Others tried to no avail.
I appreciate their effort more than they know, but what worked was you.
Your insight came from experience.
You've been through so much.
You saw the big picture, not the little ones making it up.
You made me see things from a different perspective.

You call me intelligent, resilient, knowledgeable, attractive, driven.
You know WHY I am as I am...and you embrace it, respect it.
You see that I'm not close-minded, I just know exactly what I believe.
Because I've seen enough to know what does not matter.

You say I comprehend things others never will.
I don't know.
But I sure hope so.

You appealed to the people-loving side of me.
And you understand where I come from, what makes me tick.
I make sacrifices.
I am not centered around myself.
Maybe I make too many sacrifices, but sacrifices...that's okay.
You understand; get it.

I'm not an idiot.
I'm not doing the things I find fundamental in the wrong way.
Maybe there are some things I am doing wrong, I get that. I'm working on it.
But I still know how I am.
And in that way, I'm still the person I knew when I was ten.

I'm changing little things, not who I am.
You are the first one to ever truly suggest that.
Thanks for sparking the fire.
I'm gonna kindle it the best way I know how.

Its called spiritual demons...

And yes, I believe in them.
I believe they are all around us.
Call me crazy.

Inside they open & break & bend.
And sometimes they grow.

They break out.
Shackles won't chain this now.
Spinning around.
Fire & flame.
...Why?

Red hands, red feet.

Splinters. Rocks. Darkness.
I can't run any faster!

I trusted you.

Confusion,
Frustration,
Lack of words,
Betrayal.

Heaven knows I love you, sweet baby lamb.
Your pink mischief just has me wrapped around your little fingers.
I'm yours.

Dizzy, dizzy, dizzy, dizzy.

Sorry, but I have to draw the line.
Have to draw that line.
Enough.

Now if you can wait til I get there...
Just wait.
Please.

Red hands, red feet.

Sometimes that only makes it worse.

Flesh, blood, life.
Once you were there, now you are here -> <3

Labored.
Fast.
Hell walks.
Hell RUNS.

I'd give my life for yours.

Red hands, red feet.

Heart on my sleeve.

How come every step you take leaves blood on the floor behind you?

Where to go, where to go?...

Come back.
Here.
Now.
Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.

Where have you gone?
Where have I gone?

Cross in hand, hand on my heart.

Red hands, red feet.

I'm gonna lay down right next to you.

Fruit loops & geometry. What a combo.

I need you here tonight...
Even though I don't know what it'd do.
I just want to know you're here.

"If you can just wait til I get home,
I swear we can make this last."...

Red hands, red feet.

Beneath the surface

So much hides.
Eyes shift sideways,
Hands nervously fidget.
You're not the only one, girl.

The weight of the world is not your burden alone.
Look around; there are hands reaching out
So that your burden may be lessened.

Don't worry,
There's nothing you can say or do,
Nothing that can make support run.
It's always gonna be here...believe it.
I won't leave you.
Promise.

Inside you, there's strength you don't even know you have.
A tiny spark...
will light a candle...
Which will turn into a flame...
That will light a forest fire.
A fire that destroys...
So that everything can be made new.

I'm learning so much from you.

Gotta get out

I feel held back.

Like the world is in my way.
Like the world does not understand what's really in my heart...
SERVICE. PASSION. LOVE.

My heart is full of such desire.

People mean everything to me...and I know some amazing ones.

I want to go do something that makes a difference.
Something I can put all my soul into,
Through good times and bad.
Even when sticking with it sucks.
And I'm gonna give it all to God when I do it.

Someday I'm gonna be free, Father... :)

I wish you could see

How beautiful you really are,
...and you are.

I'm glad you can tell me; you know I won't judge you. Your open-ness is admirable.

It's really cool have close we've gotten so fast.
...and I mean, really, really fast.
I can tell you anything. I hope you feel the same about me.

This whole thing, yeah, it's a little screwed up.
But don't we all have shackles?
Aren't we all like that?

I don't care what time it is, what's on my to-do list, or what people think.
I don't. Neither does he. Or she.

I'll always be here for you. Always.

I love you.

Broken-ness

is not always a bad thing.

Wisdom & advice that you give to others means a heck of a lot more if you have actually walked through that fire yourself.

You can say, "Hey, I've been there."
"I understand."
"Let me walk with you now."
"Let's beat this together."

Struggles make you who you are.
They are essential to your very life- force.
To your perseverance.
To your testimony.
To your ability to help others.

Don't shy away from them...face them full force.
Don't avoid struggles...they build character.
Most of all, don't sweep them under the rug...wear them proudly.
You just may help someone else in the process.

Don't worry what others may think.
You are beautiful.
You were created in the image of God.
And he rejoices over you. YOU.

Embrace the hardships.
....now go.

Every little girl

Should have the opportunity to grow into a strong, confident woman.

Good self-esteem is a RIGHT! I wish to help everyone find it.

I'm so excited about these girls we will be working with in my service trip this week.

May God guide our voices, our hands, our feet, our Bibles...and my awesome kids' mat-type piano.

Diakonia= servant leadership. Step up, step down, step behind and give support to someone else to learn to fly.

There have definitely been people who totally revamped major aspects of my life; People that were patient when I was set on my ways and didn't wish to budge. And then something amazing happened...I changed my mind. For the better.

If I can inspire that change in some aspect of someone else's life, you betcha I am going to do it.

Pay it forward, it'll go 'round and 'round and 'round...