2017.
I'm probably going to miss 2017 forever. for a while, I fought that; it seemed like holding on too tightly. but 2017 will forever be the year of nineteen, always barefoot with messy hair and filled with so much living. I'm going to miss it forever because I will never experience a year like it. and 2017 is a year worth grieving because it was so good. so hard, and yet, so beautiful. my word for the year was dependence, and although I fought it when I first knew it was going to be a theme in 2017; it is the perfect banner over this year. 2017 was the year I found grace beyond my wildest imaginings and joy became an anchor. the joy of the Lord is my strength. and my song. I will forever be immensely grateful for 2017 and all that it held: the challenges, the laughter, the broken, the freedom.
JANUARY: was the month that stirred waters and opened doors. on the january 3, I said yes to a management position of a campus kitchen and three days later: hopped on a flight to Washington to be apart of a leadership meeting for Delight & Be and visit my forever kindred spirit (as Anne would always say). those nine days were filled with adventure: from mass winter storms and being delayed in portland for an extra 2 days, to late nights filled with laughter and Emily running barefoot out of the house to get snow to make snow ice-cream. I got to explore Bellingham and northern Washington with my bestie and we drove for miles in the mountains, rambled through bookstores and drank copious amounts of coffee and hit up coffee shops like it was going out of style. I got to cross the border into Canada for the first time and a darling little oceanfront town made for a great adventure.
returning home came with lists and phone calls and walking around grocery stores, recording prices and working out budgets and building menus. and the start of the real adventure of 2017. que a few butterflies and a minor freaking out wondering what in the world I had signed up for.
it sounded like: Only Jesus by Brian & Jenn Johnson
FEBRUARY: was filled with learning, making mistakes, late nights and early mornings. it was belly laughing every day and still attempting to be two places at once. it was the kick-off of the winter spring semester which meant new crews and more people to love, more people to feed. it was a day celebrating nineteen and being reminded what a blessing it is to be surrounded by beautiful people who bring you coffee and sing happy birthday multiple times, even when those are the 2 most guaranteed awkward minutes of the year and they become multiplied. Day by day began to reveal why dependence was the banner over this year. february deepened my love for coffee and real talk: the #momlife began.
it sounded like: Always Enough - Kari Jobe
APRIL: was full of spring and life and laughter. It was more late nights and an endless list of awkward moments in grocery stores. It was heading to Washington to find another kitchen to share love from for the weekend. those four days included far more than cooking, from kitchen floor ice cream escapades (#realrawrelevant at it's finest), to mopping up septic water and cleaning bathrooms (more adventures), to finding freedom in new places and beautiful times of worship together. April was cherishing the small moments remaining. It was extra hugs and extra tears. but so much grateful.
it sounded like: More Than Conquerors - Rend Collective
MAY: was for rest and rejuvenation and three of the biggest events to add to the records. 170 people, 150 people, and 180 people. all of that equaled SO MUCH FOOD. Happy days filled with the most beautiful pinapples (and apparently I have a deep love that is only evoked when pineapples in the highest quality appear) and seeing dear friends again and remembering the "good old times" and how much we laughed and realizing how many rules we broke. whoops. May brought catering my first wedding and a cherished week of lazy mornings. #allthepraisehands.
I now alternately respond to: the bagel lady, mom.
JULY: was 4th of July fireworks, that basically lasted every day of the month. It was constant challenges and learning how to never let the thousand grocery bags it felt like I was carrying, drop. And yet- it held more love and the community of good people than one heart deserves. July taught me how to use a butter knife as a chisel and blowdryer at 11pm on a Wednesday night and to always have a good cup of iced coffee near by, in gallon jugs #notkidding. It was taking 30 minutes off to go get free slurpees at 7/11 on july 11th with the gang. Celebrating Christmas in July with Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, food-themed carols and a Christmas dinner rap that should probably never see the light of day again.
I still get a headache remembering everything that broke that month, and always at the worst possible time. story time: the fridge broke down one day, the air conditioner struggled every day and working temps were +100*. Then the power in both locations went out the next day, plan B for lunch was established and route C for dinner was taken. A flight was waiting- prayer and trust that "everything will be fine for the next 48 hours" was the only option given. In those 24 hours, I learned prayer and trust are always worth it and seeing a dear roommate say "I do" to a man who loves her so well will show you love. a love that always protects. always trusts. always hopes. always preserves. and never fails.
and in the end, July taught me that I will always have a choice. to choose joy and see the ways He's working all things for good, even in the middle of the storm, or to choose to be overwhelmed and look at the waves that seem to be multiplying.
🌻 from a journal entry: "He is faithful. It's the essence of who He is and I get to walk in that, every day. so, as a result: life is good. He is good."
it sounded like: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Look Up) - Nicole Nordeman
AUGUST: has double the amount of photographs because August was the month double the living. or basically the equivalent of 3 full months packed into one. let's just say, August was one for the books, in the best way.
It was spent celebrating, with open hands, the sufficiency of a grace beyond imaginings. Sufficient when events got changed last minute and 4 prep days were lost (and probably along with it, any remaining sanity). Sufficient on days when the laptop holding the chains that made the wheels go around refuses to powering on. Sufficient on days when system errors happen and truck orders show up wrong, or you know- sometimes not at all. Sufficient for days of summer head colds and a traveling mountain of kleenex, emergen-c and essentials oils (not a sponsored plug but probably should have been because they were well loved).
August held a heart so full, it overflowed every day, and yet carried an ache of goodbye to so many people I never wanted to have to say goodbye to. In those final sun-splashed days, we laughed and laughed, ate too much leftover fondue, made memories like they were going out of style, and were ever so grateful for what there was left- even if it was only a few more days. It was "the end" of an era. To say "grace was enough" is most likely the understatement of the year because the reality of this summer was- grace abounded. I will never ever have enough words for August.
even so, it is well.
🌿 from a journal entry: "He will not take me down a path where He is not present. He is steadfast and His love is sure."
it sounded like: Rescuer (good news) - Rend Collective & Until Your Will Is Done - Ed Cash
SEPTEMBER: was finding a new normal. September 1st was the end of the end day: the kitchen was cleaned top to bottom, keys turned in, boxes packed. Two days later, I moved out of the first place on a lease with my name and said goodbye to the dear people who filled little Fairfield cottage with love and lots of music. It was back home with my family for a few weeks before packing up Parker (my car) and driving nineteen hours to a new little house, a new house, a new community. It was a week long Delight leadership meeting with 4 incredible women. women who inspire me and make me laugh until I feel like I continually can't breathe. it was adjusting: waking up and not thinking about how many boxes of bananas and gallons of milk existed
it sounded like: Whatever Comes - Rend Collective
OCTOBER: is always one of my favorite months. it brought deep breaths and french press coffee in the morning with the mountains and orchards looking on. it was sleeping with six pillows and quiet evenings with a book and cups of tea. it was full of meeting new people and making awkward small talk but realizing that soon there won't have to be small talk because the new faces will be known as friends. October brought the pumpkin spice lattes (because the bakery down the road actually served a satisfactory pumpkin spice latte) and learning that it's okay to grow slow, that each deep breath is a gift, and that He is always pursuing the broken.
🍁 from a journal entry: I’ve been brought to a fresh place of seeking the Lord. and the two words He has pressed into my heart are: deeply rooted. so, this month, I’m soaking that in. I am grateful for a season with space to intentionally grow in. to be deeply rooted in His love. deeply grounded in His goodness. clinging to His faithfulness. and dwelling in His Word, in person + in text.
it sounded like: In The Whisper - Christy Nockels
NOVEMBER: was wrapping up the last of the [be intentional] workshop, which meant having a house full of the sweetest friends, seeking Jesus and what it means to live purpose-filled lives. it taught me how to live as a daughter of the Father, to live from in favor instead of living for His favor. it was claiming what has already been purchased. bought. signed, sealed, delivered. it was quiet days with my Sav and songs on repeat. November brought the dream of a Delight & Be's magazine to life, and it came with mailers, stickers, stamps and post office runs. And my words in print, talking about digging into the Word and talking about the heart of the Father when we seek Him.
it sounded like: Hidden - United Pursuit ft. Will Reagan
DECEMBER: was roadtrips all around eastern washington state and sitting on gym bleachers watching basketball games. it was discovering I actually liked basketball, using a basketball emoji for the first time in my life and finding out I'm actually a little invested. it was cancelled flights, but finally getting to sing "I'll be home for Christmas" and putting my feet back on colorado soil and soaking up every sunset. it was christmas music, marble games, and settlers of catan. it was seeing old friends and spending time with the fam and walking in all my "old haunts" as Anne would say. december taught me it's okay to mourn the loss of that which brought so much living- the heart achingly full type of living- and that it's good to remember, to cherish, to hold it all with open hands and yet not let it slip through your fingers.
it sounded like: All That Is To Come - Christy Nockels
there are new beginnings ahead, new adventures to find, new hearts to love deeply, old hearts to cherish just as deeply, the same steadfast Love to dwell in, and the same Truth to speak. He is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2 timothy 2:13)
xoxo. - marcia
JANUARY: was the month that stirred waters and opened doors. on the january 3, I said yes to a management position of a campus kitchen and three days later: hopped on a flight to Washington to be apart of a leadership meeting for Delight & Be and visit my forever kindred spirit (as Anne would always say). those nine days were filled with adventure: from mass winter storms and being delayed in portland for an extra 2 days, to late nights filled with laughter and Emily running barefoot out of the house to get snow to make snow ice-cream. I got to explore Bellingham and northern Washington with my bestie and we drove for miles in the mountains, rambled through bookstores and drank copious amounts of coffee and hit up coffee shops like it was going out of style. I got to cross the border into Canada for the first time and a darling little oceanfront town made for a great adventure.returning home came with lists and phone calls and walking around grocery stores, recording prices and working out budgets and building menus. and the start of the real adventure of 2017. que a few butterflies and a minor freaking out wondering what in the world I had signed up for.
it sounded like: Only Jesus by Brian & Jenn Johnson
FEBRUARY: was filled with learning, making mistakes, late nights and early mornings. it was belly laughing every day and still attempting to be two places at once. it was the kick-off of the winter spring semester which meant new crews and more people to love, more people to feed. it was a day celebrating nineteen and being reminded what a blessing it is to be surrounded by beautiful people who bring you coffee and sing happy birthday multiple times, even when those are the 2 most guaranteed awkward minutes of the year and they become multiplied. Day by day began to reveal why dependence was the banner over this year. february deepened my love for coffee and real talk: the #momlife began.
it sounded like: Always Enough - Kari Jobe
MARCH: was learning how to cling to the faithful One. It was hours spent in the kitchen with my girls. it was laughter upon laughter and awkward stories every day. learning things the hard way, learning what it means to love and lead and serve and never loose joy. It was spring days that called to be spent barefoot, long talks in bathroom stalls and out by the dumpster, and sharing pizza on sidewalk curbs. It was Wednesday afternoons, laughing harder and turning the music up a bit louder as we flipped pancakes and french toast for dinner.
it sounded like: Mention of Your Name - Jenn Johnson
it sounded like: Mention of Your Name - Jenn Johnson
APRIL: was full of spring and life and laughter. It was more late nights and an endless list of awkward moments in grocery stores. It was heading to Washington to find another kitchen to share love from for the weekend. those four days included far more than cooking, from kitchen floor ice cream escapades (#realrawrelevant at it's finest), to mopping up septic water and cleaning bathrooms (more adventures), to finding freedom in new places and beautiful times of worship together. April was cherishing the small moments remaining. It was extra hugs and extra tears. but so much grateful. it sounded like: More Than Conquerors - Rend Collective
MAY: was for rest and rejuvenation and three of the biggest events to add to the records. 170 people, 150 people, and 180 people. all of that equaled SO MUCH FOOD. Happy days filled with the most beautiful pinapples (and apparently I have a deep love that is only evoked when pineapples in the highest quality appear) and seeing dear friends again and remembering the "good old times" and how much we laughed and realizing how many rules we broke. whoops. May brought catering my first wedding and a cherished week of lazy mornings. #allthepraisehands.
I now alternately respond to: the bagel lady, mom.
it sounded like: Oh Praise the Name (Anastasia) - Shane & Shane
JUNE: brought life with an amplifier. Everything became more. Our summer semester began and 120 people filled the tables. It was catching every possible moment for solitude, which mostly appeared as kitchen floors after hours (oh wait, there were hours?) and surviving on french fry runs, multiple cups of coffee, and a crew of the best of friends. Flexibility became the only option and the more it was chosen, the more it became needed. June taught me how to roll with the punches, no matter how fast they came. And to never say "no" to coffee. You'll always need it later.
it sounded like: The War is Over - Josh Baldwin
JULY: was 4th of July fireworks, that basically lasted every day of the month. It was constant challenges and learning how to never let the thousand grocery bags it felt like I was carrying, drop. And yet- it held more love and the community of good people than one heart deserves. July taught me how to use a butter knife as a chisel and blowdryer at 11pm on a Wednesday night and to always have a good cup of iced coffee near by, in gallon jugs #notkidding. It was taking 30 minutes off to go get free slurpees at 7/11 on july 11th with the gang. Celebrating Christmas in July with Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, food-themed carols and a Christmas dinner rap that should probably never see the light of day again.
I still get a headache remembering everything that broke that month, and always at the worst possible time. story time: the fridge broke down one day, the air conditioner struggled every day and working temps were +100*. Then the power in both locations went out the next day, plan B for lunch was established and route C for dinner was taken. A flight was waiting- prayer and trust that "everything will be fine for the next 48 hours" was the only option given. In those 24 hours, I learned prayer and trust are always worth it and seeing a dear roommate say "I do" to a man who loves her so well will show you love. a love that always protects. always trusts. always hopes. always preserves. and never fails.
and in the end, July taught me that I will always have a choice. to choose joy and see the ways He's working all things for good, even in the middle of the storm, or to choose to be overwhelmed and look at the waves that seem to be multiplying.
🌻 from a journal entry: "He is faithful. It's the essence of who He is and I get to walk in that, every day. so, as a result: life is good. He is good."
it sounded like: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Look Up) - Nicole Nordeman
AUGUST: has double the amount of photographs because August was the month double the living. or basically the equivalent of 3 full months packed into one. let's just say, August was one for the books, in the best way. It was spent celebrating, with open hands, the sufficiency of a grace beyond imaginings. Sufficient when events got changed last minute and 4 prep days were lost (and probably along with it, any remaining sanity). Sufficient on days when the laptop holding the chains that made the wheels go around refuses to powering on. Sufficient on days when system errors happen and truck orders show up wrong, or you know- sometimes not at all. Sufficient for days of summer head colds and a traveling mountain of kleenex, emergen-c and essentials oils (not a sponsored plug but probably should have been because they were well loved).
August held a heart so full, it overflowed every day, and yet carried an ache of goodbye to so many people I never wanted to have to say goodbye to. In those final sun-splashed days, we laughed and laughed, ate too much leftover fondue, made memories like they were going out of style, and were ever so grateful for what there was left- even if it was only a few more days. It was "the end" of an era. To say "grace was enough" is most likely the understatement of the year because the reality of this summer was- grace abounded. I will never ever have enough words for August.
even so, it is well.
🌿 from a journal entry: "He will not take me down a path where He is not present. He is steadfast and His love is sure."
it sounded like: Rescuer (good news) - Rend Collective & Until Your Will Is Done - Ed Cash
it sounded like: Whatever Comes - Rend Collective
OCTOBER: is always one of my favorite months. it brought deep breaths and french press coffee in the morning with the mountains and orchards looking on. it was sleeping with six pillows and quiet evenings with a book and cups of tea. it was full of meeting new people and making awkward small talk but realizing that soon there won't have to be small talk because the new faces will be known as friends. October brought the pumpkin spice lattes (because the bakery down the road actually served a satisfactory pumpkin spice latte) and learning that it's okay to grow slow, that each deep breath is a gift, and that He is always pursuing the broken.
🍁 from a journal entry: I’ve been brought to a fresh place of seeking the Lord. and the two words He has pressed into my heart are: deeply rooted. so, this month, I’m soaking that in. I am grateful for a season with space to intentionally grow in. to be deeply rooted in His love. deeply grounded in His goodness. clinging to His faithfulness. and dwelling in His Word, in person + in text.
it sounded like: In The Whisper - Christy Nockels
NOVEMBER: was wrapping up the last of the [be intentional] workshop, which meant having a house full of the sweetest friends, seeking Jesus and what it means to live purpose-filled lives. it taught me how to live as a daughter of the Father, to live from in favor instead of living for His favor. it was claiming what has already been purchased. bought. signed, sealed, delivered. it was quiet days with my Sav and songs on repeat. November brought the dream of a Delight & Be's magazine to life, and it came with mailers, stickers, stamps and post office runs. And my words in print, talking about digging into the Word and talking about the heart of the Father when we seek Him. it sounded like: Hidden - United Pursuit ft. Will Reagan
it sounded like: All That Is To Come - Christy Nockels
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
and now. 2018.there are new beginnings ahead, new adventures to find, new hearts to love deeply, old hearts to cherish just as deeply, the same steadfast Love to dwell in, and the same Truth to speak. He is faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2 timothy 2:13)
xoxo. - marcia
