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