#beinglovely

Less than a week left of me being 22. When I began my 22nd year, I knew that I had a long year of growth ahead of me. I started the year with the harsh reality that who I thought I was and who I always hoped to be didn't reflect the reality of who I actually was. There was a deep sense of spiritual, relational, and emotional dissonance. While this dissonance was accompanied by feelings of disappointment, I felt God calling me instead to redemption and joy. It's been a challenging journey, but growing deeper in the acceptance of myself and in my relationship with God has been one of the sweetest and loveliest rewards I have ever had. I'm thankful that endings bring new beginnings, and that the end of my 22nd year isn't the end of this lovely journey but the beginning of it. #22 #beinglovely

I just have to take a moment to praise God for his love for me. His love isn't broken, it's not insecure, it's not selfish. Even when I feel broken, insecure, and selfish, his love is there, perfect and pure. All of my imperfections, every flaw is completely unreflected in his love for me. I am so undeserving, yet he is still there, comforting and empowering me. #22 #beinglovely

Viewpoint from my hike today. I will always love and come back to this bridge. #hiking #forestpark #stjohnsbridge #pnw #22 #beinglovely

Trying out a new coffee shop to be my Thursday home-away-from-home. So far, it does not disappoint. 👍 #22 #beinglovely

First day of work in the New Year. It feels good to sit in the library, writing down goals for the week and for this season of my life. 2017 was one of the biggest years of growth I have experienced - where I started 2017 is drastically different from where I am now. God has been loving, patient, and generous with me this year as I processed, moved back to Portland, and began working. He blessed me with friendships, the best work places I could ask for, bravery and the ability to be vulnerable, and better opportunities than I could ever deserve. Great is thy faithfulness, oh God my Father! #22 #beinglovely

As we close out the year, I am reminded of what my life was like a year ago, two years ago, three years ago. I feel so incredibly blessed to be where am I at now, much more than I deserve. The closing of the year also comes with the reminder that my year-long project to document my growth will also soon be coming to a close. It's hard to believe how far God has taken me, and how much he has blessed me. This summer I read about how Abraham was always placing altars to remember the good things that God has done. This project has been the same thing for me: a series of altars reminding me of the good God has done in me and those around me. I will forever be grateful for these altars. #22 #beinglovely

Some early mornings are for rest, contemplation, and watching the sunrise. Sometimes I wake up, and the things which I've been mulling over in my heart and mind are suddenly crystal clear to me. It's like my sleep has gifted me with calmness, surety, and self-awareness. I don't remember my dreams, but I can guess what I processed through in them. How blessed are we that rest does not just give us respite from stress, or even just restoration from depletion. It also gives us peace and understanding, the ability to see oneself with a clearer eye, to know oneself with deeper understanding. #allgoodgifts #22 #beinglovely

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is sit and look at the tree. Christmas is one of my favorite times of year - the joy, the reflection, the celebration of everything good and lovely. #22 #beinglovely