eternally encouraged

I talked with my little brother the other day. He sounds so mature and grown up.
I was just thinking, I don't go one single day without thinking about Laurel, Chad, Acacia, Aimee, Stefan or Daniel. I hardly go an hour without wondering what's up in Annapolis.
I have this really strong feeling that part of my heart lives there.
In spite of this I've been able to reel in my whole heart so that I can enjoy life in it's fullness. Now is where I dwell.

Life is so good right now.

I am encouraged and refreshed by the long sunny days. The last couple days, I've woken up before 7 and taken a deep breath of the sunshine that was lighting my room up. Thank you God for long days.
Papa comes into my room and says "food." Awww he made breakfast.
Monday was especially good. He woke me up at 6:30 and we went grocery shopping and sat down for coffee across the street from the grocery. It was a glorious time. While we waited for the scones to come fresh out of the oven, he told me about his climbing trip to Squamish, Canada. We watched people with their dogs pass by. People watching with my daddio. Nothing better.
At home we made a big breakfast and chilled out a some more.

I am extremely encouraged by people. Just being around them. Seeing them laugh and enjoy themselves in the gym, seeing them interacting with each other. There is beauty in this.

People are taking on a whole new beauty to me these days. There is something special I like about every single one of my clients. As a coach, I get to learn things about people not many people my age get to experience. The richest part about coaching is the loving. I have a secret for you: coaching is a disguise. My job title isn't coach. Coach is the name of my costume. My job title is really servant, lover of people, washer of feet, giver of goodness, encourager.

I am encouraged by truth. I have a personal Counselor, a spirit of truth who has planted in me a desire to know. The Word speaks loudly, and it's as if the words are written on my heart as God's commands were written in the stone for Moses. They are there, constantly prevalent, burning, impending and gently guiding. I am filled and overflowing.

Mama Shawn, a very loving mother figure at my church was talking about me to another girl she had just introduced me to. She was saying how I'm a good girl and quiet and mature, etc. She turns to me and asks me "You are a good girl at home, right?" I nod and laugh.
Then she turns back to this girl, Alex, and says, "Yes she is a good girl, and every time she opens her mouth, there is truth on her lips!"

I am so encouraged by the amounts that I have sat in the Lord's presence and he's told me, "My child, I want to use you."

I am especially encouraged by 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
This love is Agape, Charity, the Love of God, unconditional, selfless, ever giving.
This is the love that Jesus was talking about when he said "love each other" in John 15:17
This is the verse that guides me. What would love do? I ask.

I am encouraged by this: MY UTMOST June 18
Because there are so many things that I hope for the future, but see how actually far off they are, and how much needs to be done etc. I'm aware that much could go wrong. I know that all noble things come with difficulty. I know there will be valleys in which the Lord will batter me into shape for a purpose that I am not fully aware of.
In all this, the wind and waves may be boisterous and high, but the face of Jesus is kind and beautiful. And he has no greater joy than to share the burdens and pain with me.
"My yolk is easy and my burden is light."

"May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thess 2:16-17