the greatest gift

1 Corinthians 13. VIA

I feel like I have more to be thankful for this year than ever before. This year I have learnt a lot about love. It is my heart's desire to day after day, year after year grow in my understanding of the depth of love. Recently I was spending time with a dear friend who mentors me and I kept saying, "They know this about me....and they just loves. They knows I have done this....and they just love". I am blessed to have people in my life who know love. They know what true, unrelenting, unconditional love looks like because they know Jesus, and they then seek to love me in the same way.

To know that you are loved is the most beautiful thing. 

Love is the most beautiful gift to give, and to receive.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for love.

one of summer's many adventures

The summer time was a season full of adventures. I happen to love adventures and this busy semester is really trying my patience. The beau and I constantly find ourselves frustrated with the lack of adventures that we can chase down due to study, work, and class. So, saying that, on this cozy day-before Thanksgiving morning I find myself finally having a few minutes of peace and quiet and the opportunity to share some summer adventures with you. At the beginning of the Fall semester my colleagues and I packed up our climbing gear and headed to the City of Rocks for our staff retreat. It was the perfect way to kick start the semester and help us transition out of a wonderful summer and back into the lull of school.
On a side note.....bring on graduation. One more year!

a coffee date

If you were to stop by for coffee with me on this beautiful fall morning I would tell you that...


watching the sunrise over the hills at my parent's place takes my breath away
school is stressful. daily.
all i want to do is run away to the mountains, get lost in the silence and finally just. be. still.
i am extremely excited for halloween festivities.
i had the most incredible time dancing the night away at a macklemore show on friday night with friends
i have Oceans by hillsong on repeat
God is blowing me away by reminding me that if i take things to Him, if I press in to His presence then it is His pure joy to respond....to remind me of truth, answer my prayers and remind me of His unfailing love.
my soul is longing to travel. i am counting down the seconds until i get to return to Europe in the spring for a few weeks.
i enjoy every minutes i get to ride my bicycle around town
i am so blessed and happy to be running again
i adore waking up in my beautiful home that is filled with incredible friends who i adore
life is beautiful.

beautiful women

My best friend Krista wrote a post yesterday that really made me stop and think about strong, beautiful people in my life who have taught me precious lessons. I found myself thinking in particular about women that I admire. I am blessed to be surrounded by incredible women: where I work, study and in my personal daily life. I happen to currently live with two astonishing women who inspire me every day, encourage me and build me up in truth. What an amazing gift?!
I also happen to come from a family of great women: my grandmothers hold stories of living all around the world, my mum amazes me with the way in which she loves anyone and everyone furiously, holding nothing back. I have learnt the importance of relationships and people from my mum - yes she struggles with the house not always being spotless, but that would never stop her from welcoming in people to share meals and time with us. My sister....well, I could not be more proud of her. She is one of the most beautiful and generous people I know.
Wow, I am blessed to have so many incredible women in my life.

My mum, me and my sister this past weekend. Photos by Krista.

Portland, Oregon, in Black and White

During the very last week of the summer vacation, the beau and I travelled to Portland, Oregon, to spend a few days with his family. It had been a few years since I had spent time in this fun city and it was great to return and explore some more. Our time was spent eating doughnuts and drinking coffee (of course), looking through Powell's, peach picking, camping on the beach, watching sunsets, taking walks, catching up on sleep and laughing.....a lot. It was a great way to finish the summer. It was kind of a bitter-sweet end to the greatest season.

the greatest summer [job]

As I mentioned in my last post, since moving to Boise I have gained such a love and admiration for the water. The river is a happy place for me now. As soon as my spring semester was over I was out of the city for Raft Guide School (see this post). Guide school was a week packed full of fun and challenges...and...it enabled me to work my first summer as a river guide for the Boise State Outdoor Program. It has been the most incredible summer. What really can be better than working with some of the greatest friends made, out in the sunshine, whilst sharing a happy place with people? 

Best. Summer. Job. Ever. 

so long summer

This morning has been a roller-coaster. In fact, the last 24 hours have been. Today I had three assessments at school, so naturally, last night was a long night of cramming.
But it is now done.
I am off to work and then sharing dinner and church with friends. Wow, the best cure for a tough day.
I am missing summer. I regularly turn to a friend and suggest that we just simply go back to summer. This summer was one of the most incredible seasons of my life. I learnt a lot about grace and love. I learnt that healing takes time and it is a continual journey, but, a wonderful one with beautiful surprises along the way. This summer was also my first season as a river guide. I first took an extended trip on the river in the summer of 2012 and it was then that I gained a healthy respect and reverence for the water. For the first time I was able to approach the water with a sense of wonder and awe rather than fear. I owe this to the people I now work with as well as my late boss, Greg.
This past summer was just beautiful. In every way my life has become more beautiful and the relationships in it have grown deeper.

Here are some highlights of my sweet, sweet summer of 2013. Thank you, and so long summer.

life lately according to instagram

It's Monday. Surprise. And it's sort of a manic one. It was great to wake up at my parental's place and watch the sunrise over the glorious hills and mountains. We had friends over for brunch and the whole morning was wonderful. If only it was actually the beginning of a weekend rather than the beginning of a manic week. I shall have to head back into the city later today and face reality. It has been quite a while since I have shared some instagrams. So, here is life lately according to instagram - including some snaps from my busy wedding weekend: two weddings in two days and what great fun it was.

the sister and I / study time

the gals and the guys at wedding no. 1

the handsome date and I at both weddings

last river trip of the season / wedding dance time