Coming Live from Florida!

“My heart is filled with songs of forever, The city that endures when all is made new, I know I don't belong here, I'll never call this place my home. I'm just passing through"-Dustin Kenrue

What better words could I come up with?

These last few weeks—no—months, have gone by so quickly, I feel as though I’ve been tossed inside a whirlwind. Working 30+ hours a week and taking two Master-level classes, I haven’t had as much time for writing as I would have liked, but slowly and surely, things are getting done.

However, that’s not what I really wanted to share today. Along with being published a second time, I have also settled my wedding date with my wonderful fiancé, Jeremy. In 71 days, he and I will be married! Since deciding this toward the beginning of the wonderful semester, my life has been filled with plenty more choices regarding the wedding and what comes after. But God is good and my checklist is slowly growing smaller.

This last weekend was absolutely amazing, and so is my God. Though I missed Jeremy terribly while he is away at his brother’s wedding, our mutual friends have been very kind and kept me quite busy. Saturday morning, I ventured to a local cheese farm and we laughed and had fun along the way. Afterward, I went to a Greek festival with several other friends and quite literally, had a blast! I ate so much delicious Greek food—and all of it was a new experience!

After dinner, I headed out with another close friend to grab the silk flowers I’ll need to begin making my bouquets for my lovely bridesmaids. :)

Speaking of which, there is a totally awesome girl that I have to brag about! Her name is Jessica, and my life has never been the same since we met. She is just a plain awesome girl with a servant’s heart and a ready laugh. She and I were cracking jokes by the end of our first meeting! The thing I love about her the most, is how she has been there for my family while I’ve been gone. My parents gush about her (which is pretty spectacular, I must say) and I know they love having her around.

But the best thing about Jessica, is how she managed to snag my brother’s attention. I have seen such an amazing change in him since she came along, and all I can say is, “Thank you, Jess. I love you, Sis.”

By the way, did I mention I love coffee? Well, I do. And the Drowsy Poet is such a friendly, wonderful place, and their coffee is delicious! Better than Starbucks any day!

I have so much more I could say, but I’m out of time. To all my distant loved ones, a warm hug and kiss! I cannot wait to see you in December!

What I Need

Should all the light be borne away;

Should no more mountains split the sky;

Should forests deep be made barren;

Should all the oceans be run dry;

Should all the stars fade to nothing;

Should all the flowers wither and die;

Should the moon melt into darkness;

Should no more sunsets light up my eye;

Still He would love me--

What more do I need?

Driving Home

Sweet scent of summer
grass, dusk slowly unravels,
nighttime reveries.

Twenty-Three...

Yah...I'm getting old.

Okay, maybe 23 isn't that old, but it sure isn't 16. That was when I first started writing--when I was 16, I mean. And for some reason, that feels like the beginning of all this. Not just my writing, but my life. Anything before that feels kinda...frivolous.

You know, the normal childishness, the hopes and dreams I once had; they feel kind of trivial now. Maybe because they were childish. Maybe because I know what I want to do now. And maybe because I know my reason to live.

And as I sit outside on my porch and stare up at the late winter stars and the full moon (thank You, God) with the early spring wind teasing my hair, I'm reminded of how far I've come. Of how far I've been brought. And I'm not quite sure if the tears that cause the dragon-in-the-moon to blur is from the unexpected brightness, or nostalgia.

For a long time, I felt like I didn't belong anywhere, like I...couldn't find that special niche meant just for me. And as I grew older, it didn't feel like it was getting any easier. It wasn't until I started my freshman year of college that I began to feel the inklings of what may be my reason.

Writing.

And even though the road hasn't been easy and some choices weren't so black and white, I feel as though I was never alone. My family and friends were always with me, cheering me on. My King led me every step of the way.

So, now, at 23, I feel as though I can honestly say that I know why I'm here. Yes, sometimes, I may waver, and even stumble; but the knowledge that I have my purpose, gives me the strength to go on.

"If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." ~C.S. Lewis

Happy Valentine's, my love...

On this beautiful, windy day, I thought of you. Though the spring still "clings to pale Winter's chill" I find my heart warmed by the very thought of you. Of us. And though many miles stretch between you and I, I find you near to me in my heart.

Happy Valentine's Day, my love.

I remember the night that I told you I love you.

Oh, my heart was beating so fast,

like a moth struggling to reach the flame,

which as it does,

is consumed by its desire.

And just as the moth falls into the flame,

I fell--

helpless and willing--

into your eyes.

Love always,

Nick

P.S. I love you.

Hidden Worship...

The wind breathes through the grass,

rustling, whispering, telling tales yet unheard.

Yet, I hear this ethereal voice,

capturing the worship hidden within.

Scotland, Jim Richardson

Streams in the Desert...

This year, I've been taking my devotions from a book called Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman. I have enjoyed the book immensely and wanted to share one of the excerpts here:


In "pastures green?"
Not always;
sometimes He Who knowest best,
in kindness leadeth me in weary ways,
where heavy shadows be.
So, whether on the hill-tops high and fair I dwell,
or in the sunless valleys, where the shadows lies,
what matter?
He is there.

--Barry

I hope this blesses you as much as it blessed me.

Nature's Mirror

Dark branches stretch across the sky,

across the water, they sleepily lie.

Tangling gently, shaking slowly,

converging in odd symmetry.

Golden tokens filter down,

littering both sky and ground.

Nature's mirror perfect reflection

to His love and earthly connection.

Well, I've decided to try and challenge myself with a picture a day and a corresponding poem. We'll see how long this lasts.

(Picture was taken by Maurits Van Wyk in South Africa for National Geographic)

Thunderstorm

Like the bare fingers of a pale dead tree,
the violet tendrils supercharge the night for just a
split second.

Then--an eternity later--the sky's heartbeat
rumbles across the deep realm of the night.


Honestly, all this dreary weather outside has got me feeling blue. Instead of snow, I would love for a gorgeous thunderstorm to rip through the sky!