Beautiful Things

Five days into 2015 and while I would love to say I have made miraculous changes and my life is now incredibly wonderful, I would then be lying to anyone who ever reads this.

All this pain, 
I wonder if I'll ever find my way, 
I wonder if my life could really change at all ...

I do believe that new years bring new things, but I don't want to fall into the trap of believing that 2015 will be a pain free year.

All this earth, 
could all that is lost ever be found,
could a garden come up from this ground ...

I believe that good will come from bad things.  I believe in the ability to look at situations and have a great attitude.  I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining.

You make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of the dust,
you make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of us ...

I believe that 2015 will be a great year but not because of anything I am going to do, the trips I will take, or the words I will say - no, I believe 2015 will be great because if I continue to allow God's grace to overflow within me, then love will pour out onto the people around me.

All around,
hope is springing up from this old ground, 
out of chaos life is being found in You ...

I don't doubt that I will fail in this next year.  I don't doubt that I will make mistakes.  I do trust that in spite of my stupidity, Christ will use my ridiculousness for His Kingdom.

You make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of the dust,
you make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of us ...

I am drowning in a sea of never-ending grace and I will never know why I am loved so much, but I am and I am thankful.

You make me new,
you are making me new,
you make me new,
you are making me new, 
you make me new ...

2015 is a new year and I am so excited for it! I am even more excited, however, by the fact that I am a new creation every single day!!!

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis

Lexi

The 25 Days of Christmas

I take my job as "Family Photographer" very seriously, especially in the holiday season.

So today, on this very Merry Christmas, I present to all who read my blog:
The 25 days of Christmas in the Life of a Friesen!


Day 1 - Lights














Day 2 - Decorations












Day 3 - Gifts

Day 4 - Tradition

Day 5 - Santa














 Day 6 - Stockings

Day 7 - Snow















Day 8 - Tree

Day 9 - Treats

Day 10 - Joy

Day 11- Carols














Day 12 - Vintage

Day 13 - Festive












 

Day 14 - Glitter

Day 15 - Warmth

 Day 16 - Ornaments

Day 17 - Wreath














Day 18 - Giving

Day 19 - Reindeer














Day 20 - Memories











 Day 21 - Bells











Day 22 - Cookies

Day 23 - Sparkle














Day 24 - Christmas Eve














Day 25 - Unwrapped

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis

Lexi

Home for the Holidays

There are very few better feelings then knowing that you have survived finals week, most likely haven't failed a class, and are able to head home for Christmas break with nothing to do except spend time with family and friends, eat lots of food, and sleep in as long as you want.

The one feeling that is better, though, is the feeling that you are incredibly loved.

I drive into my back driveway behind my house and almost instantly, my dad is there to open the door for me and my brother and him graciously help carry my immense amount of containers into the house.  My mother made sure that my siblings didn't eat all the pizza so I was able to eat right away.  I was overloaded with information on all of the high school happenings - the school work, the classmates, and of course, basketball.  The TV was on and the channels were obviously being flipped back and forth between the NCAA Volleyball tournament and the Duke basketball game.  Sarcasm was dripping from the ceilings in my house and laughter couldn't be contained.  The Sour Patch Watermelons were eaten in seconds.

This morning, my family was kind enough not to disturb me as people left for work and for school.  When I did wake up, I went to my dad's office to hang out for awhile, coffee cup in hand because my mom promptly left a brewed pot for me, along with buying a new container of my favorite creamer.  I got a text from my sisters saying they wanted to go to lunch with me today.  I came back home, played basketball and went on a run and later this evening, I'll be heading to all three of my siblings basketball games.  There is already so much happening and I haven't even been home for 24 hours yet!!!

Yet, there is no better feeling than being home and knowing that you are so incredibly loved.

I do understand if there are many of you who read these last two paragraphs and already feel overwhelmed by my family.  I totally get that not everyone lives in a house with six extreme extroverts, including themselves, but there is still something that overwhelms my heart with joy as I am officially home for the holidays.

To the college students who are now done with finals - enjoy your break!

To all the moms and dads who are preparing for their kids to come home - thank you for all that you do; it means the world to us!

To the high school students who don't truly understand finals yet - bless your hearts!

-Courage, dear heart. C.S. Lewis

Lexi