Right now I'm just sitting in my living room listening to That Thing You Do, the old Tom Hanks movie that totally rocked my childhood. One of my favorite things about living at home is that it feels like home. The Christmas tree is still lit up, my sister and friends are over and life just feels right.

This is just one of those moments where you just sit back and soak it all in. The lingering smell of chicken fried steak, the childhood memories replaying in my mind and a deep forward-moving belief that my God will continue to lead me well. It makes me want to sew...to dance...to play outside.

Here are a couple links of goodness I've found recently

Alabama Stitch Book...Contemporary Sustainable Style
Amy Butler Designs...Just plain good stuff

Mornings bring a little spring to my step and a fresh perspective on the pesky bothers of life. For me, as a morning person, I think that Christmas is the morning of the whole year. I have a little fresher perspective of the problems I face and a little more hope for God's grace and mercy to see us through. The night can be dark and gloomy and long, but the morning renews my belief that redemption is possible in every circumstance. Nothing is immune from the mornings. Nothing is beyond hope for redemption.

And so I love Christmastime.

One of my favorite artists as recently released a Christmas Album and I think she's great. I wanted to share a bit of a Relevant Magazine interview that my designer friend, Linsey, shared with me (she designed this image below).

RELEVANTmagazine.com: There’s a community aspect to your work. Tell me more about that and why it’s important to you.

Rosie Thomas: Making music in community, collaborating with friends and family, helps me enjoy it again like I did in the beginning, when I was only making 20 bucks in tip money … and loving it. It helps me find my roots again. I thought only people like Madonna would need to do that. But you need to do it no matter what level you’re at. I need to ask myself, “Rosie, why are you doing this? Are you grounded? Are you seeking your identity in this?” As an artist, I’m in charge of sharing my brokenness. My job is to be vulnerable. If you saw me at a party, I’m not the girl who’s always in the spotlight, but probably in the corner having a conversation with a friend all night. I thrive around people who want to be just as open and honest as me. We really need community, family, friends, even strangers, to help see ourselves.

I think I need to ask myself this more... "Lindsay, why are you doing this? Are you grounded? Are you seeking your identity in this?" I need to take time to sit back and just be among friends. Take time to listen...to learn other perspectives...to trust that God is working things out in a way that my fretting won't accomplish.

I guess creativity really comes through community and not through my ability to plan and organize my life. Hmmm...more things to ponder.

Have a Merry Christmas Eve's Eve.

I have one word for you.

FREEDOM.

Freedom from deadlines, freedom from studying, freedom from commuting.

FREEDOM.

Now, I know that my heart has been free all along but it sure is nice for my calendar to experience that same freedom. The Lord has surely seen me through a very challenging season. I have the grades I need and that is victory!

I'm off to visit friends today in the Austin/San Marcos vicinity. It is going to be beautiful and relaxing and full of silly adventures. I'm sure I'll have photos shortly.

Have a lovely winters day.

Enjoy Soule Mama's blog photos today as I have none... click here!

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Here is a little technological bit of creativity.

I'm studying for my last final. Hooray!

My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
psalm 62 1&2

Today's the big day. The last day of anatomy.

I'm going to go ahead and shout hooray in faith that I will succeed.

All prayers welcome today.

Have a beautiful day friends.

This photo depicts a little of how my heart feels. I KNOW there's a lot of beauty all around me like the sunrise in the background. But what I'm FEELING is craziness. So much to learn, so little time.

Finals begin tomorrow.
5 tests.
5 days.
On the 6th day I'll rest.

Rest.

What a lovely word.

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (matt 11.28)

So I suppose, rest comes from Jesus. My soul can rest even before finals are over. hmmm.

This is Tommy the grasshopper. I found him chilling on the top of my car today.

I've been relating to King Asa from 2 Chronicles a little lately.

Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. Or LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You." 2 Chron 14:12-13

It's not a perfect analogy-- maybe a little melodramatic for finals-- but the stack of books I'll be tested on is taller than a small child. Only God can see me through this one.

That is all...back to finals studying.

Love you friends.

Labels: physical therapy