empowerment

winter has hit juneau. the day meets "sunlight" late in the morning and is soon greeted by darkness in the late afternoon. rain falls from the sky as it is moved by the high speed winds. the temperature is confused, because the rain turns to snow which then melts within hours of falling and turns to icy frost. i just want to be going ham on my rollerblades with n.w.a. blaring through my ear buds. but i can't. and that's okay. instead, i am filling my time with sleep (for once), friends, hikes, and popcorn. there was a week where i was going from 6 AM - 12 AM every day without being home. probably not the healthiest of weeks--i was pouring out so much, without taking the time to refill my cup.

during this time of year, people often suggest taking vitamin d. but i don't. and right now, i feel no need to. instead, i press further and further into my Creator. in this new winter season, one of literal darkness, His presence is so much stronger. the other night i had a solo ops out to the glacier to try and capture the beauty of the night sky. the mountains covered in snow as the stars shone with a new purpose. nugget falls could be heard from a few miles away and the snow crunched beneath my feet with each step i took. in that moment, my heart was in awe. i almost cried, which may have also been a result of the cold. talk about an adrenaline rush at 1:00 AM.

heavy burdens were lifted in that moment as i better understood the empowerment that the Lord has given me. because of Him, i am able to love in moments when it is really challenging. because of Him, i am able to serve even though my flesh may not want to. because of Him, i can (try) to put others before myself. i am empowered to follow God's will. what a beautiful thing! let's face it, the decisions i've made because i thought they were best usually resulted in a train wreck. but the decisions i've made as a result of following His will have blessed me abundantly (challenges and all). He provides incredible opportunities to love, serve, and live justly. which i am not deserving of at all. and trust me, i fall into the grimy hands of sin every day. but it pushes me to grow in my relationship with the Lord and better my identity as His daughter.

i'm looking forward to seeing what He reveals in the upcoming new year. a new year of possibilities, fresh starts, and restoration. woohoo!

i'll see you soon my midwest, loves <3

xoxo
-A