{The Christmas Scale}

Remembering the best news in the world today. 

Merry Christmas! 

Love, 

Shannon 

{Jesus: Our Reality}

"Change is your friend that draws you closer to Jesus." This was the banner that hung in the training room at the briefing weekend that I went to before heading to Australia. When I first saw it I laughed and I can remember making little jokes about it with my teammates. But what I didn't realize is that this small sentence, containing nine words, couldn't be anymore true.

This semester has been all about preparing for a change. On May 4th I will be graduating from JMU. Over the past three years I have seemed to have forgotten that college has an end. There will be a day very soon where I won't be a "student." JMU, Harrison Hall, the Quad, West View St., and the Blue Ridge Mountains have been my reality for almost four years now.

Change is such a challenge for human beings, especially this one typing on the keyboard, because it means we experience a shift in our reality. Our routines change and our social sphere is altered. We are indeed creatures of habit, and when our habits change it breeds worry, anxiety, and doubt. I have been wrestling with all three of those feelings over the past few months. I have been frustrated with anticipation, and it has been driving me crazy, but also driving me closer to the One who is writing my story, and the One who is aware of the wrestling match taking place in my heart.

So what is the root of worry, anxiety, and doubt? I have been learning that the root is always the same. Satan always feeds the same lie, it's been his campaign through the ages. I love the way author Ann Voskamp puts the Serpent's lie, he hisses into our ears, "God isn't good. It's the cornerstone of his movement. That God withholds good from His children, that God does not genuinely, fully, love us." I have been visited by this lie many times this semester, sometimes it seems easy to believe because life gets hard and emotions fill me with discontentment.

But, more important than the lie, is the truth. The truth that I am asking God to root deep inside of my heart, the truth that sets me free from all uncertainty. The truth that removes the chains that Satan finds pleasure in draping all over us. The truth that washes us clean from all of the dirt that stains us as we walk down the road of life.

The truth that overcomes all the enemy's lies is that even when our realities seems to change, Jesus is the reality that will never change. He is our reality, and no matter how many times Satan tries to distract us by telling us that the gospel is unrealistic, the gospel will always stand-it never loses its "realness". Our choice is whether to believe the gospel as it applies to every aspect of our lives. Sometimes I am better at making this choice than others. But, the freedom & peace from anxiety, doubt, perfection, and everything else that we face on this earth is already there, we must humbly kneel down to receive it.

Jesus is our reality in the face of tragedy. 

Jesus is our reality in our heart break and sadness. 

Jesus is our reality in our frustrations at school and at work. 

Jesus is our reality when we are too hard on ourselves, trying to earn our salvation (which is impossible).

Jesus is our reality when it is hard to enjoy grace & we find ourselves fighting for our joy. 

Jesus is our reality when the enemy tells us God isn't good. 

Jesus is our reality in our family troubles. 

Jesus is our reality in the face of health issues. 

Farther along the way we will see the good fruit of our hard seasons, for they are not pointless (although the enemy would like to tell us they are). For God is always doing a good work in us.

I am holding on so tightly to the truth, because Jesus is my reality. He really walked on this earth, He really walked on water, His words really do bring freedom, He is real, He is our remedy, and He is worthy of my faith and your faith. His promises are true and they pull us through the darkness. When we embrace Him as reality, we are capable of anything.

Keep fighting the good fight friend, you are braver than you think.

{October: A Month in Review}

Today marks the last day of October, the last day of my favorite month. October 2012 has brought along with it some great memories. This month God opened my eyes to see all of the ways that He loves me, and not only me, but all of His children. It is so good for the soul to be reminded of the little things that He gives us to make our heart box smile. Little things like fireplaces, good friends, camels (yes, you read that correctly), flowers, horses, and apple cider doughnuts to name just a few. I am so grateful for this month of life, until next time October.  

"God invites you to vacation in His splendor. He invites you to feel the touch of His hand. He invites you to feast at His table. He wants to spend time with you."

Our neighbors, "The Humble Abode," invited us over for a fire. I could have stayed there forever.   

My good friends Nicole and Kevin (Noodles & Kev) got engaged the very same night!! 

I pass by these flowers on my commute to and from campus,  they survived some pretty cold temperatures #perseverance

Kline's Chocolate Peanut Butter...need I say more??  

Grateful for a cozy night with Heather, cozy wouldn't be cozy without chocolate chip cookies.

A trip to the country with Bethany happened as well. 

"For the pathway that lies before me, my Heavenly Father knows- I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose." 

THEN, Bethany and I came across camels! So, of course we had to stop and pet them, they were super friendly.

We also discovered the world's largest (dying) sunflower, definitely not your average Saturday. 

Horseback riding also happened, I. love. horses.  #happycamper 

Tire swingin' with two dear friends, Karen and Tiff. 

Blair Bear :) 

Olive and I spent plenty of quality time together #bestjobever 

My food smiled back at me, thanks Little Grill. 

I traveled to Winchester to visit Erin. 

We went to a drive-in movie and I fell even more in love with the fall when we went to the apple orchard. 

Apple Cider Doughnuts #awesome. 

Success!  

Love this girl.... A LOT.

"Anything, everything, little or big becomes an adventure when the right person shares it." 
Kathleen Norris

Stopped to snap a quick pick while on a run, so worth it. 

My intern duties led me to spending a rainy Saturday morning on Court Square.

Neighbors who shop together, stay together #HurricaneSandy 

One of my classes was cancelled so I found myself at Greenberries, one of my favorite places in Harrisonburg. I didn't mind at all.  

"True contentment is a real, even an active, virtue-not only affirmative but creative. It is the power of getting out of any situation all there is in it." J.K. Chesterton

{Extensions of His Grace}

Goodness, if this past week had a title, goodness would be it. Each day was full of friends who I love so dearly. I also managed to cover a lot of ground, the settings of my adventures included Richmond, D.C., & Maryland. This week included getting lost(on purpose), a watermelon picnic, and tree sweaters (among other things). All made possible by God's incredible grace. His grace that allows me to take each breath, and His grace that allows me to smile with such close friends in such beautiful places. This post is to praise Him, for He has much to be praised for. 

"It is God to whom and with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place." 

Elizabeth Elliot 

Dinner Saturday night at Kitchen 64 in Richmond with the cuties below, because adventures need to start with food. 

Reunited and it feels so good! Needless to say, fun was had and laughing ensued. 

Lights at the Yapple Frozen Yogurt shop in Cary Town (don't tell Sweet Frog). 

Sunday afternoon lunch at Strawberry Street Cafe (one of my favs) in the Fan. 

 "For all of us, whether we walk old paths or blaze new trails, friends remain important."

Louis Wyse 

Exploring the Fan. 

Megan & Casey, brown-eyed beauties. 

I dream of living in one of those pretty colored row houses, maybe someday it will come true. 

Coffee date at The Lamplighter, voted best coffee in RVA #masonjar. 

Jazz in the Garden in D.C. with Meg (picture taken with Meg's camera) 

Lunch at Sticky Rice for the first time with Courtney & Taylor, I will be going back. 

Bucket of tots at an asian restaurant, normal. 

YUM. 

 Richmond Rule: Sides of buildings make great canvases. 

Now for Maryland, watermelon picnic at the park. 

Laughter also happened here.

"A good friend is a connection to life-a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."
Louis Wyse

Taylor.  

Impressive mural at Birdie's Cafe in Westminster, MD, Taylor's quaint hometown. I wish my hair did that.

Nutella Frappachinos. I have been craving one since I finished that one. 

Do trees really need sweaters? In Westminster, MD, yes. 

What a keeper. 

How have you recognized His grace for you lately?

{Hopping into Puddles}

I went through a Sigur Ros phase a few years ago, and now, once again, this Icelandic group is capturing my heart once more. If joy had a sound, this would be it. The top three things I love about this video besides the music...

1) The plethora of knit sweaters.
2) The little nugget shown at 1:30.
3) The unreal (yet actually real) surroundings.

If I had to choose any outdoor concert to be present at, this one would be on the top of the list. Warm hot chocolate and a cozy blanket would make this girl one happy camper!

{The Sound of Your Fleeting Heart}

In honor of The Paper Kites announcing this week that they are going to release another EP in September (eek!), I thought posting one of my favorite songs from them would only be appropriate. Cheers to the imagination, friends, and pillow fights with magical colorful feathers. They are also Australian, and of course I found out about them from one of my favorite blogs, Today's Letters, after I had been to Australia. Oh well, it just proves I can't get enough of the Aussies.

What have you been listening to lately?  

{An American in Australia}

It is hard to believe that at this time last year I was in Melbourne, Australia. I am so grateful to have spent 6 weeks on the other side of the world reaching college students for Christ. Now, a year later, it has been so therapeutic to remember all that God did there in my heart. To remember everything that I saw, and to remember the wonderful people that I crossed paths with. I was challenged there, I laughed so hard I wanted to cry there, I developed genuine relationships there, and I grew closer to the Lord there.  

Around me when I look, His handiwork I see; 

This world is like a picture book to teach His love to me.

Jane E. Lesson

Our adventure began with the sunrise in Fiji. 

Flying over the mountains of Fiji. 

Exploring Auckland, New Zealand. 

July means Fall/Winter in the Southern Hemisphere. 

These nuggets taught us what childlike faith is, and also provided the entertainment.

Blessed to meet this fun-loving Kiwi, I miss you Jess! 

Sunset in New Zealand. 

Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive-it's such an interesting world.

Lucy Mead Montgomery 

We celebrated the 4th of July in New Zealand! Sparklers & fireworks included. 

Our team at the V20 Conference in New Zealand with the Hershey's & Katherine Ross. 

Melbourne: Home of the world's strongest coffee! 

This view greeted us every morning. 

And of course, Tim Tam Slams were one of our favorite past times. 

Flinders' Street Station. 

There are no architecture rules in Melbourne. 

A blend of the old & the new. 

The winning team of the Melbourne Amazing Race scavenger hunt! 

Our winning prize. Bananas are a hot commodity in Melbourne. 

Our visits to the Queen Victoria Market were frequent. 

Yes, that is a cow in a tree. I told you, no rules. 

Casey and I on our Melbourne Uni adventure. 

This is a dorm building, or should I say castle. Harry Potter?? Yes. 

The streets of Melbourne Uni. The trees make my heart box happy. 

It wouldn't be a visit to Australia without seeing wildlife. 

Rowan thought it was a good idea to eat the seeds/dirt. 

Casey, Erin, and I enjoying the sunset. 

Hello Melbourne. 

Beach houses on Brighton Beach. 

My team :)

I loved forming close relationships with these women. 

Mr. Koala. 

Kangaroo littles. 

Girl's date to Brunetti's bakery and coffee shop. 

Doughnuts on the tram, don't mind if we do! 

They know how to do dessert in Oz.

Savor little glimpses of God's goodness and His majesty, thankful for the gift of them: winding pathways through the woods, a bright green canopy overhead, and dappled sunshine falling all around. 

Our journey on the Great Ocean Road. 

The Twelve Apostles rock formation on the coast. 

I'm convinced mermaids live here.

Thankful for the friendships I have with these women. 

A JMU ladies cupcake date in the city at Melbourne Central Station.

Jesus is making Himself known in Melbourne, the shadow of the Cross at Melbourne Central.

Erin & I at St. Kilda. Grateful for this one. 

Arthur, came to Christ during our trip. 

The cafe we walked to every Friday. We ate many breakfasts there and didn't mind that there was free wifi. 

The Uni where we did our ministry, love those students. 

Blessed beyond belief to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef. I loved feeling like a Sea World employee for a day. 

50 cent ice cream cones from McDonald's a.k.a Macca's, standard. 

Last stop, Sydney.
Until next time Australia.

May your life become one of glad and unending praise to the Lord as you journey through this world, and in the world that is to come!
Theresa of Avila

Where is the place where you have experienced the most adventure?