christmas

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," Romans 14:17

This one's for the man that made it Christmas all twelve months of the year with his truly generous and joyful Christmas spirit. I miss you, Papa. Christmas is certainly not the same without you.

affection and lewis

Recently I decided that it was time to pull a C. S. Lewis book off the shelf and read it. Lewis never fails to amaze me. So, this time around it is "The Four Loves". It is excellent. He starts out by talking about affection; something I haven't ever really thought about. He describes it as a bit like "liking" something or somebody, but it is deeper. It is stronger and older. He says, "But Affection has its own criteria. Its objects have to be familiar. We can sometimes point to the very day and hour when we fell in love or began a new friendship. I doubt if we ever catch Affection beginning." I've felt affection so many times, but I've never really know how to put my finger on it or what to call it. A bit before this quote, he calls it "warm comfortableness". Yes. I know what he is talking about: that deep, warm love. He goes on to say, "Affection almost slinks or seep through our lives. It lives with humble, un-dress, private things; soft slippers...the thump of a sleepy dog's tail on the kitchen floor, the sound of a sewing-machine, a gollywog left on the lawn." Affection is a humble, almost shy and awkward, love. It is an old love, yet somehow I tend to forget the things I am especially affectionate towards:

-the old, ugly quilt on my bed
-the smell of fresh cut grass and alfalfa
-crickets in august
-shrek bowls
-the way my mom is continually trying to keep the front porch clean
-the way front porch is somehow never clean
-old sweaters
-how our 5th step always lets out a little sigh
-my dad's silly sense of humour
-how all my socks seem to always have holes in them
-my puppy's orange eyes and playfulness
-waking up to snow
-butter on hot pancakes
-my mom's tender heart
-a cup of tea with friends
-clothes just out of the dryer
-the glint in my old people's eyes when I smile at them
-they way my aunt stands on her toes to hug me
-how our sliding glass door doesn't lock
-sundays
-baylee's spazzy personality and talent
-jordan's smile and the way she teases
-aaron's machoness and willingness
-floor matts
-old, water-crumpled magazines
-the smell of Autumn candles
-dad coming home from work
-crawling into bed after a long day
-coming home from school and knowing somebody is waiting for you
-cakes in the oven
-turning on all the lights when it gets dark out
-my birthday
-the constant battle with hank over my sweet peas
-hearing the gate open
-sweet baby smiles
-long hugs from my mom
-the smell of coffee in the morning
-the way my dad is always there to tell me he loves me when I leave for school

Lewis mentions that change is the arch enemy of this type of affection. I understand that. I don't want things to change; I always want somebody to be waiting for me after school, I always want to smell coffee in the morning. It won't always be this way. I know that. I think for now though, it is okay to dwell just a little longer on the things that I love so well because of that--because they won't always be there.

change

I hate change. I hate it when it happens to me, I hate it when I know I have to change, I hate it when people change. I don't think this is a very good or healthy thing. I would be pretty happy if we all just stayed the same; nice and comfortable. But, God really likes to stir my pot just when I am most comfortable. So the other day ago I was reminded that I need to change. Freeze up. I need to change? Oh yay. Headache. I need to change the way I treat my friends and my family. I need to change the way I'm involved (or lack of involvement...) in my school and my church. The list goes on...

So, I want this blog to be about my life and in particular change in my life. I want to look back and be able to read through my posts and see how God has changed me. I want to know God has changed me. I want to see that change. And, this my friends, is a very practical way of doing that. Or so I am told.


Two words about myself: (so we can get on with things)

I am Aly. I'm 17. I'm a waitress. I go to school most of the time. I love horses and I love Lee Dewyze (not in that order....or in that order?..hum...).

And probably a bit more important: I love the Lord and I'm attempting to be at least a little bit better than I have been. I have really cool parents and siblings (2 brothers, a sister in law, an older sister and a twin. It rocks.). And I love Idaho as well as mushrooms and cream cheese.

We should be friends. The End.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ" (1Thess, 5: 16-18).

the time of our lives

I titled this post "the time of our lives" because that is just what 2101 was--it was awesome, it was challenging, it was heartbreaking and it was full of laughter. I've changed and grown a lot. A couple things stick out to me the most: driver's licence, first job, several wonderful trips (including Vegas, Oregon, New York and Maryland), first full-time semester in college, first car wreck (ha!) and, of course, the trip to Winco that resulted in a hyphema, two weeks of bed rest and many doctor appointments. Last but certainly not least, was the passing of my Grandfather. It was hard in so many ways. I think I have a much better understanding of grace now. The impression my Papa left on me will never, ever leave. He truly was a remarkable man.

Most of all though, I am thankful. I am thankful for 2010 and I am thankful it is over. I am thankful for my siblings. I love every one of them so much and I am so excited to see what 2011 holds for them. I am thankful for my parents and my Aunt. I'm thankful for what they've done in my life.

So, I don't know what trials 2011 brings, but I hope really hope I can take it all with a grain of salt and just enjoy the ride. Bring it on.