...arms of love

As I was looking through old photographs tonight, (some as recent as high school, and others as old as my baby years) I was reminded of how blessed I have been through my life. I found photos of my daddy and me fishing when I caught my first trout with a marshmallow. Ones from my great grandfather and I pretending to fight (kung-foo style...or as we called it "...karate chop...hhhiiiiii-ya"). Countless trips to Quaker Meadow Camp (my church camp growing up), and Mammoth trips, and volleyball pics, and old high school crushes, and dances, and family parties, and the list goes on and on and on! But one common theme through-out all these pictures from the various stages of my life is love, and people. Each photograph is a reminder of how much I am loved, not just by my parents, and family, but by the many friends in and out of my life while growing up, and the teachers and church staff that helped make a difference in my life. And the teammates, and coaches, and mentors. Not each from of love was the same, there were certainly varying degrees of it, but nevertheless...there has been no shortage of love in my life. These photos just remind me of times that are to be cherished, with people we love, and not taken for granted.

I guess I have really realized this in the last year due to my long-distance relationship. It keeps me thankful for the time we do have together. No matter how short, or busy with family stuff, or how much work awaits...it helps me keep things in perspective. I pray that I never take for granted those in my life that love me, put time and effort into a relationship with me, and care to make a difference.


Dear Heavenly Father....
Thank you for all the incredible people in my life that have shown me your love. Make me a conduit, showing your love to all those around me. Keep me in check when I begin to forget how blessed I truly am. Thank you for your consistent reminders of how much I need to rely on You and others to help guide me through life. I pray that You help me to stay faithful to Your call to love both my enemies, and my best friends. Thank you for Your LOVE God. You are the best example of what I pray I can be. I love you.

in Your name...