a fierce kind of beauty

God has been stirring my heart lately in regards to beauty. Beauty is a quality that I think every woman hopes to posses and simultaneously chases after if they feel they lack it. The search for beauty can be dangerous, but it can also be a wonderful adventure if true beauty is discovered.
I am in an incredibly blessed season of my life right now. I live with two beautiful woman who love the Lord and love people with astounding depth. I am surrounded by women in my life who demonstrate beauty to me. I am also dating a man who makes it a priority to tell me I am beautiful and to articulate why I am beautiful, what he is attracted to in me and how he sees me grow, refine my faith and strengthen my character.
Woman are strong. It is in our very creation that this truth stands. It's evident in science that woman are strong: we have the potential to grow life within us and we have been created to emotionally love our children, and others, with a love so furious that we would lay down our lives. That is strength. It is due to this reality that over the years I have found comfort in knowing that my tears are a sign of strength. Tears are proof that things have really hit my heart and caused a reaction that is authentic. I have learnt that passion is beautiful. I have learnt to celebrate strong bodies and a mindset that seeks to strengthen thighs and grow biceps in order that I can do more, be more and live more. I am no longer seeking to be skinny, or to not confess that somedays I really NEED to eat four entire meals before noon....I am hungry and food can build strength when used well.
I have been, and will forever more be, on a journey of self discovery. Lately my conversations over coffee with friends has been about identity, dreams and truth. I am reminded that I hate to fail, I can be stubborn, and I am not always willing to be vulnerable. I have also been reminded though that even before I have done anything, I am worthy. God made me. God made me. He made me in love and gave me a purpose. He placed in me a fierce kind of beauty that will pursue my dreams, seek purpose in life and love extravagantly. I borrow the term a fierce kind of beauty from Bobbie Houston who taught on the subject at a Hillsong conference back in 2009. I have, ever since, been captivated by the idea that beauty is strong and it is fierce. A fierce kind of beauty is one that reaches far beyond body types, hair colour, designer purses or successful careers. A fierce kind of beauty is servant hearted, humble, unrelenting in love and fiercely obedient to God's heart that says life is the greatest adventure you will ever have and I have the best plan for you and this time on earth, so just follow me. 

Idaho City [Part 1]

This winter break went by with great speed. It turns out when you are working and taking an evening class there is not much time to sit back and catch your breath. Fortunately the class I took was great - in fact, it was probably one of my favorite undergraduate classes that I have taken.
All that to say, when the weekends rolled around, the beau and I tried out hardest to have some mini adventures. The final weekend we had before the Spring semester started was a perfect opportunity for venturing out of Boise up into the snow covered mountains after I finished work on Saturday evening. We decided to head up to Idaho city, relax, and find some hot springs. We managed to make last minute reservations at the hot springs retreat called The Springs for the Monday before class. We spent our Sunday walking around Idaho City, taking in some the history, drinking coffee and then making the spectacular drive over to Lowman to visit the Kirkham hot springs and to camp.
We really lucked out and had the Kirkham hot springs all to ourselves! They weren't quite as hot as we would have liked, but peaceful and rejuvenating none the less.

A trip down memory lane...

Hello world. It's been a while since I have returned to this little space on the web to share my life and heart with you all. It's been a season where I have had to concentrate my time elsewhere. I am sure you understand. Here I am, returning with many things stirring in me heart. This past semester has been a whirlwind...and so has this winter break been also. I have been taking class, it has just finished and then the semester will start officially in just a few days. As I stop to take a breath I was prompted to blog. Many of you have followed me for a while now as I have moved around the world, travelled, studied and explored. What a great blessing it has been to have you a long for the ride, encouraging me as I go and giving advice on places to see, eat and drink coffee on my travels! Today I decided to look back upon my first ever blog post. WAY back in 2011 - way back when I had just moved back to England from the USA, before I had even started applying for University or sat my SAT,  before I moved to the Netherlands, then watched my parents move to Boise, before I had travelled Europe some more and then relocated back to the USA. It has been quite the adventure. I am refreshed and looking forward to many more adventures ahead and I hope to be able to share them with you all as I go. Here is a repost of my first blog post ever....

Who I Am...

I am... constantly learning

I want... a family of my own one day (I hope to raise a tribe of great, adventurous boys and girls!) Give me ten years…five at least….

I have... wonderfully wise parents - their insight amazes me constantly.

I wish...every man had good manners. I also wish that I could experience a studio session with Coldplay.

I hate...my knees! Some days they will just not run as far as the rest of my body wants to.

 I fear...wasting time and not marrying John Mayer

I hear... soft soul music and it always warms my heart. The voices of Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat and Carol King are always adored. I always hear the music in movies.

I search...for a little bit of silence each day. Just to remain sane.

I wonder... how many times God laughs at me each day.

I regret... not being straight with friends when I should have been.

I love...love. I also love the idea of living by the ocean and being a beach babe.

I ache...for anyone who does not know Love. And I ache for my Taylor when we are separated.

I always...promise myself I will not be late the next time I have a date….it hardly ever happens!

I usually...eat ice cream every day (But I also floss and run everyday so that balances that out…right?!)

I am not...fearless! Sometime I get through scary things because I don’t want to look scared to others when I am actually freaking out inside.

I dance...a lot…but hate dancing under pressure. In my mind I’m like JT.

I sing...a whole bunch everyday.

I never...want to let anyone down. But it happens and I am learning. I also never welcome rudeness, I know that I am English but, really there is never any need to be rude.

I sometimes…wish I was a pro tennis player….or a surfer. They just seem like the best jobs ever.

I cry... a bucket load every once in a while.

 I am not always...very welcoming to change. But, once I swallow my pride and get on with it I love the adventure.

I lose...my socks constantly.

I am confused...by people.

I need...sunshine to be happy. Mountains help also.

I should...start collecting air miles! I just never seen to get round to it and I miss out on free flights!

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.