And So It Changes

There's always distinct characteristics that you can recognize when seasons change. It may be a bit harder for Texans to recognize when the seasons actually change, but nonetheless, they do! As the trees here in the North are starting to change from green --> red -->orange -->yellow I think about how seasons change in our lives. This current season I am in is that of much gratitude for my Father in Heaven. This season, despite this broken world, I am learning and seeing glimpses how He has designed and intended things to be. Another thing is He is showing me that he is a Giver, The Giver of good gifts. When I ask with a right heart, ask with belief that He will give; He does-according to His will, my good, and His glory. 

As I think about this season I also think about previous seasons of my life just as Solomon describes in Ecclesiastes 3 where I have just mourned with a weak heart, danced, wept, laughed at days to come, kept, and cast away...etc. In those different seasons of my walk just as the distinct characteristics of new seasons here; so my heart has them also. I grow in what I hunger and thirst for. I hunger to trust Him more. I thirst to be in his presence more. I hunger to know Him more. I hunger for wisdom through His Word more. I grow in new tastes for things; things that are holy, righteous, and pure. What I once yearned for, I no longer do. What I searched for satisfaction in, I grow in distaste. 

All the more I am growing in wisdom and belief in the abounding characteristics of God. All the more as seasons change I become more and more dependent on The Lord in every circumstance. How gracious of The Lord to do that?! How humbling and easy yoked am I as I grow in belief that He sustains everything.  I see that He is faithful because He has never left me. I see that He provides because I have never been without anything I didn't need. I see that He is the God of all comfort. I see that He is pleased because I am His daughter. In every season that changes my God is constant and true, I can rest and have confidence in that. 

This is His will for us: our sanctification. Oh, brothers and sisters, to be more and more like Jesus.

More Belfast: Overdue

Sunday night after we picked up Sarah she was understandably just as tired as I was on my first night. We all decided to stay in with some pizza and movies with Meg.

The next afternoon Stacha took us to a quaint restaurant named Maggie Mays, by the looks of it you woulda thought we were in Denton. I got the fry plate. So. Good. Delicious.



After our tummies were full Stacha gave us a wee tour of Queen's University. I finally got to see the infamous CS Lewis Reading Room that she told me about over Skype when she first got there.

Our last stop before we made our way into the city was the Botanical Gardens. Unfortunately, the flowers hadn't fully bloomed just yet because it was still cold. Nonetheless, it was so beautiful-we spent quite some time there and left with a plethora of flower pictures.

Stacha had to go to work and so that left Sarah and I to Belfast. It was another chilly day. By this time I'm pretty much on expert level on Belfast and kind of show and tell Sarah of what I have come to know.

 After a warm-up break in a coffee shop named Café Nero (later personally renamed Café Nerd). We were so lucky to catch a free tour of City Hall! We learned much of Belfast...so much that trying to remember this today, it seems most of it has left me.

We got to sit in the meeting room where the swanky politians make serious decisions. Saw the beautiful, beautiful architecture. We heard some more of Belfast's pride in their building the Titanic.

And in perfect timing by the time we were done Stacha was done with work and we were all reunited. Tesco to get some groceries for dinner.

 

 

 

We busted out our domestic skills and had us a wonderful down home meal of fried chicken, garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, and lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. Perfect. It tasted just as good as you read it.   

 

 

 

 

After dinner we chatted for a wee bit. By this time Sarah is tuckered out and is anticipating our trip to London. Soon after Sarah decided to go to bed. Stacha and I opted for a pub- Filthy McNasty's to be exact. With this being my first pub it was nothing like I had imagined a pub to be. Filthy McNasty's had live music with multiple differently themed rooms. We made our stay in the eclectic all white country-esc room. The bartender was not sure about American concoctions so we took what he suggested instead. A while later we were in a cab on our way back home, eating left over dinner, and warm in bed.

 

That next morning Sarah and I flew to London.

For the Love of Snail Mail

What is it about checking the mail and low and behold-a hand-written letter? Pure joy, just pure joy! I do appreciate an occasional wall post on Facebook or a "Have a good day" text, but, I tell ya one of the ways to get a place in my heart is to send me something through the post!

Time and effort are of not cost to those who participate in the endeavor. Snail mail allows room for creativity. There's uniqueness of each one's stationary whether chevron striped, classic white, or lightly colored polka dots, as well as the way they dot their "i's" and cross their "t's". The sincerity of that person is hand-written in every word to me. Also, how about that fact that these could be historical mementos someone else could stumble upon. The love shared between two friends shown so clearly. Mementos of when someone got engaged, was having a hard time, or got a new job-just so much life in one envelope! Things to be remembered in the coming days of more joy and even sorrow.

Ahh, the benefits of snail mail are never ending. Need I say more about snail mail? Living in days of instant gratification and immediate responses, snail mail might as well be a lost art, huh?

So what are ya waiting for? Go. Send someone something. Remind them of your care for them. Encourage them with lovely words. Cheer them up with a wee present. I'm sure this is something that will not bring regret. 

I'll be checking my mailbox,
XOXO, lishernicole

Happy Birthday, Leah Bobeah!

Once Upon a Time...a Girl Scout troop in Corpus Christi had two little girls...and I don't remember the rest of that story. But, who knew that we would call each other best friends today?! Today is one of my best friend's birthday, Leah Breedlove Mandujano is 22! Leah has one of the most kind hearts. There isn't anyone Leah has not shown the love of the Lord to and they walked away wishing they never met her. I have been so blessed by her walking with me since I first became a believer in Jesus. I loved and miss our Proverbs 31 dates. How many countless hours just worshipping the Lord in our cars. Leah was the one who taught me how to play chords on my guitar-the first song she taught me: Revelation Song. Leah is faithful. Leah is always so full of joy. Leah treasures her brothers and sisters and is such an encouragement to them.

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I will never forget the time I accepted the role as one of your bridesmaids and then later having to say I couldn't. That day was full of so much sorrow and rejoicing. It was then so apparent her deep love for our Father and her love for me as her sister! I still can't believe that she is married and about to have a baby so very soon! Leah, my hope for you this year is that the Lord would continue to lead, guide, and bless you and your family. In this new year, you would only grow in your faith and dependence on the Lord through every circumstance. I love you so very much, Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday, David Gabriel.

A wee bit over a year after my birth, out came such a great gift to me-my cousin and a best friend. Today David is 21. Where do I even begin to rant on 21 years of him in my life?! I'm so glad that the majority of our childhood have been so faithfully recorded on VHS and our stored away on Memory Lane. Though our days of tag-team boxing Grand, Hide-and-Seek in the dark, slues of 'inventions', bike rides and so much more are long behind us; I love him just as much today as I did then. We share a love of music-country music...I'm sure he loves it more; he'll always be Rick Trevnio. He is generous in the things he has. We've bonded over many grievances and victories of our family. David is my partner in crime.

It's hard to think that we're both in our twenties and have such different lives, but it's sweet to know that, no matter how far we live or how long ago we've talked our friendship has not changed. David, is one of the most loyal men I know! He loves deeply.When I go home to visit even if it's just for a second, he's on his way to greet me. He's a family man. David, my hope is that one day you will be able to lead a family and love them well, of that like the Father. Happy Birthday, you're so grown up!!

Love, Ate

All to Him I freely give

In Genesis the Lord tests Abraham and tells him to offer his son, Issac, whom he loves so, to the Lord. They make their way up the mountain and Issac is bound on the altar of sacrifice and Abraham reaches out for the knife to slaughter his son...

"Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.  But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”  He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:10-12

Abraham was going to slaughter his son as an offering to the Lord. The Lord told him to and Abraham obeyed. By faith, Abraham trusted in the Lord, believed Lord was good, is better than anything (even his child), and that He keeps His promises!
  
 More times than not I think I'm smarter than God. I think I know what is best for me. When He does not give me a tangible response I turn to my gods-taking good things and elevating them to a place they do not belong.These things rob me of joy. These things rob me of more of The One True God. How serious Abraham was walking by faith, trusting the Lord, and giving up something so dear to him to the Lord and for the Lord!? Sit on that seriousness.

Think of your possessions and deepest desires. The ones that you long for, the ones you strive for, the ones you love, the ones you don't trust the Lord with; if those were gone, if the Lord told you to offer those up as a sacrifice to him, would your heart reflect a life of surrender to the Lord with open hands? Did you think "No, I can't possibly give this up, I love it way too much." Or maybe "Well...look at all the the stuff I've given the Lord, he has that already. I'll keep this stuff over here for myself, yeah, He can't touch that."  

"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:24  

Friends, He is not jealous for the things that you hold tightly in your hands-He is jealous for you. He wants every part of you. And that's great news! I want the Lord to have all of my life. I am the worst god and so are the gods I make. They lack in mercy. They never ever satisfy me. They lack in wisdom. They are not for me. Their love towards me is not steadfast. They rob me. They lead me to destruction. What a great God to want all of me for His glory! What. a. great. Father.

May the Holy Spirit lead you to repentance and stir a rightful desire in you're heart to lay those things down daily before the Lord with open hands saying to the Lord "Yes, whatever I have is yours; my life, my deepest desires. My hands are open to you, oh God. If it hinders me and I don't get more of you; then I don't want it."

In Belfast: the beginning.

It all starts with a plane ride from DFW to Boston, Massachusetts...and the rest is history!

I was greeted in Dublin by my best friend and an umbrella. My first meal in Ireland as some sort of cream cheese salmon bruchetta and a lemon Fanta. Afterwards, we began our 2 hour trek to the city that stole my heart: Belfast. For some reason, instead of sleeping on the way there I just talked Stacha's head off. (that has to be some sort of stage in sleep deprivation, yeah?) We made it to Belfast and the goal was to stay up as long as possible. I can't say how well I succeeded in that but, my first official day in Belfast had already exceeded my expectations.

I...

• had some delicious brownies.
• Found the best gummies.
• Experienced "all four seasons" of Ireland in one day.
• SLEPT.

Boy, did I sleep. When asked "What time should we set the alarm?" I answered "9:30." Little did I know what I meant by 9:30 was really 1. Nonetheless, Stacha let me sleep in til then and we started our day at St. George's Market. I loooooooovee markets! This market had so many different homemade goodies-both foods and crafts.

 

  Here we are at the market after eating brunch. 

I had this wonderful sandwich with "UK" bacon, mushrooms, and cheese inside of some very floury bread. If I had to choose some food to be stranded on an island for the rest of my life; this would be one of them.

Then she showed me around all of City Centre. I loved it. The shops, food, clothes, and buildings; a day in the life of Stacha Cae. 

 

 My first protest at city hall. 

 

 This is me (a little scared) on the very top floor of Victoria Square overlooking cloudy, yet, beautiful Belfast.

 That night we made some plans to go to BT1...for some Karaoke! Yes. Yes. and Yes. A highlight of mine from this trip forsures. Stacha, I, and a couple of her friends sang, danced, and danced. We sang a compilation of the Spice Girls and Destiny's Child songs. We also had a couple of interesting admirers. From one of them and a later experience in the trip lead me to believe that a pick up line in Ireland is "Shut up", "Shhh", or "Be quiet". Stacha had her bouncers with her and they were kicked out soon enough. We don't roll that way; but, an experience for the books.

 

 Meg, Stacha, and Me at BT1.

 The next morning we went back to St. George's Market. (this time a wee bit earlier.) 

 

 Meg joined us for the second day.

 

 Here's an excited little Stacha with her mockingjay necklace and the jeweler who made it.

 

It was the best of times. *dododododo*

Afterwards, we walked around City Centre a wee bit more. I had a lovely opportunity to go to church in Belfast and see the Lord at work in the lives of Village Belfast. For the short time I was there I knew the Spirit of the Lord dwelled among these brothers and sisters. Not too long after we were on our way to pick up Sarah. The journey continues...in the next blog!

A Spare Moment Saturday

1. I am thankful for the women that walk with me and the women I walk with. I am always encouraged by them in my walk with the Lord through different means like prayer, accountability, and just by watching their walk with the Lord.

2. I am so thankful for sleep. I'm glad I'm not a vampire from the Twilight Saga because I love my sleep, that's the truth.

3. I am thankful for what God has entrusted me with. Even though I have only had two meetings with my steps girls-my heart overflows with joy and love for them in our time together.

4. I am thankful for the hope I get to share with my mentee. I couldn't have gotten a more perfect girl to meet with mentee every week.

5. I am thankful for God, my provider. He is from whom all things flow.

My Creator, God.

In my history I wouldn't say that self-image would necessarily be a recurring struggle for me. I suppose it would be fear-of-man that would control that area for me, unfortunately. Anywho, last night you could say that I may have had a teensy weensy emotional spurt of a break down but it lead to a sweet revelation.

It all started with my want for a "change" and it seems that the only thing I can instantly change about my appearance is a drastic haircut. Determined to execute my plan the following morning I decided to take a look into the mirror and make sure this is what I wanted.When I sat in front of the mirror last night it was as if I had not seen this girl before. Every crease in her hands and toes were heightened with intricate details. Her eyes were full of life. There were no critiques about my appearance coming from my peanut gallery last night.


When I was focused on the One who made me none of what he created needed alterations. My heart was overwhelmed by this, fleshing out in a tearful worship for the creator and not the creation. I've had my share of  'I look good' whether that be because of the clothes I'm wearing or it may be just a good day. But just as things like flowers, waterfalls, or mountains beautifully portray God's creative hands-tonight, I did too. He said so gently that I am beautiful, I am flawless, and that I am his daughter-made in the image of Christ. This, this is what God sees when he sees me. Maybe for the first time I believed that this is truly and utterly enough. As this revelation made it's way these truths began to permeate my heart. 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14

  

For we are his workmanship, handiwork, masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Who stares back at you; someone with a big nose, thunder thighs, or flat hair? Or do you see a child of God, his beautiful workmanship, continuously growing into the image of Christ? My hope for you, believer, is this would be used as a reminder of who you are, where your identity is, and a renewed awe in who God is as the Creator of the universe. 

A Spare Moment Saturday

Welcome to the 1st edition of Spare Moment Saturdays! We're we take a moment at the end of the week to reflect and dwell on the things that we're thankful for!  

 

1. I am thankful for the the intercession of the Holy Spirit and Jesus on my behalf to the Father.  Oh. How. Gracious.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8: 26-27

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34. 

2. I am thankful for the internet. Even though I don't have cable, I am still able to keep up with my shows.

3. I am thankful for Skype. Keeping in touch has never been so easy. Shout out to my friends overseas!

4. I am thankful for the opportunity to go to continue my college education for another semester. Even with all the deadlines, financial quandries, and years. I am still looking foward to my classroom.

5. I am thankful for Brooke Fraser's most recent album "Flags". I cannot stop listening to it.

Happy Birthday, Stacha Cae.

Today is Stacha's __ birthday! I'm not gonna say how old 1) she might kill me and 2) I'm sure she doesn't wanna be reminded every time she reads this. Stacha was once just a stranger of a roommate to me 10 short months ago and now she's one of my best friends and sisters. She may love my dog just as much as I do.

I have never met anyone who owns as many boots as she. She may be one of the only friend's that I can jam out to Wacka Flocka one second then worship to Kari Jobe the next with. If you ever need anyone to just listen to you she's your girl. In all my weirdness she may just laugh at me and say "oh gosh, get outta of here, I can't even handle this"; I know how she really feels. She's one of the most studious people I've ever met. She is very servant-hearted. She's my hype-girl when I rap and harmonizer when I sing. She knows things of me that she will carry to the grave. She's my person (of course I'm Meredith because I love McDreamy).

I am thankful for technology, I that I can continue to walk with her in prayer and encouragement while she is going to school in Ireland this year. There are many things to Stacha, but what I love most about her is her heart for the Lord. I love her transparency and her honesty about where she is with the Lord. Her accountability and the how she always points me towards the Lord. I love her desire to constantly pursue the Lord and to pursue Him well. Her desire to do what will bring the Lord the most glory.

Stacha, my hope and prayer for you this year is that you would know the Lord and believe more and more His love for you like never before. Happy Birthday, sister!! P.S. Read this if you want to get punched.

Just What The Doctor Ordered

As I mentioned in the my last post this past semester has been quite a doozie for me. But, the Lord was so gracious in allowing me to spend what seemed like a month in Corpus Christi with my family this holiday break! I drove down in my trusty steed 'Betsy' with Big Mike in tow (of course). And when I got there I hit the ground sprinting and the majority of my break in Corpus I was welcomed back to Bourbon Street Candy Company to work, and boy did I work; a huge blessing nonetheless! I took the last few days off and just tried to jam as many things as I could in before I had to go back to good 'ol Denton. I had many a things on my list and whether I conquered them or not you may never know. But, what really happened goes as follows:

My best friend, Stacha, flew into the sparkling city but the sea on Friday afternoon! Just as she flew in there awaited a group of friends ready to help their nervous friend propose to his girlfriend. We all waited for Carissa for 15 minutes she still hadn't come-15 minutes we can't get back (I hope she said 'yes'). After the first day my family adopted her in...maybe a little too much (they were replacin' me at some points). Sheesh. We sweated our buns off during Just Dance 4 while my sister beat us at practically every song! We went on tons of missions to find certain clothing/accessory items. We drove down Ocean Drive to see the infamous Selena statute. And she even got a nice tour of Corpus, if I do say so myself, thanks so my lovely sense of direction. We watched a total of 5 new movies which included Le Mis and Dejango. On New Year's Eve we had a little shindig at our house and played games.

And watched our neighbor's illegally lit fireworks in excitement. On our last full day we celebrated one of little sister's birthday at Red Lobster; it's her choice of restaurant every year and topped it off with another movie. We slept for four hours and we were slowly on our seven-ish hour drive to Denton in my new stud of a car, 'Job'! Uh-huh a new car. My mom had surprised me with a car for my birthday!! Greatest birthday present ever, but not as great as the most selfless wonderful mom a girl could ever have!!

As for this seven-ish hour road trip...I have to say that I did not have any expectations really for this road trip so they were quite exceeded by the end.

A couple of highlights:

Jammin' out to some old skool songs ranging from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's like: Aaliyah, Keith Sweat, DMX, Chingy, one hit wonders I can't even remember the names of.

Realizing we missed our only Buc-cee's chance, five hours later.

Ensuring everybody in the car had a pleasant drive by helping Big Mike sleep using an anonymous OTC drug.

...and the Jack of all trades moment!
Stopping at the Collin Street Bakery. We chose our 3 cookies and took them to the counter to pay. With our wallets in hand we carefully recite the names of our cookies to the cashier. And 10 awkward seconds of staring later he says the names of them back to us(in his tryin' to have game but doesn't voice) and pushes the bag toward us leading us to realize he's giving them to us for free. As we are walking to the car Stacha tells me that on her way to the bathroom he gave her a little winky-wink. He loved her. He didn't even ask for her name. *shrugs*

We happily ate our cookies and went on our way. That was a $1.74 we didn't have to spend. Not too long after, we made it safely back to the little D.

I couldn't have had a better break. Praise. The. Lord.