TIME

*Disclamer: I feel that writing this is a contradiction due to the hour in which it is being composed and the time that it consumes...oh well!*

". . . is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back," Harvey McKay.

As a friend and I were grabbing a coffee the other day, we talked about although we may or may not be where we anticipated being, to live on purpose.  Previous to that I spent some time with friends I don't think I've seen in maybe a year or two and one of them mentioned a book and I just happen to begin reading it and it talked about being purposeful, especially with our time.  Had I been reading the words on those pages a few years ago, I would have been constantly analyzing my days, weeks, and months realizing my time was completely booked without so much as a chance for an extra breath.  But now?  Let's just say that cup of coffee turned into two hours at the coffee shop and another three once we went back to campus and ended up spending time with people we ran into.  Let me tell you, Northern Ireland and its culture has had its affect on me in several ways, but one of the most significant ones is teaching me to slow down, learn to say no, and spend time on priorities in my life so that I'm living on purpose for Him who died on purpose for me.

I have to say, something I have really struggled with while being in the States is attempting not to be completely consumed with the desire to be back in Northern Ireland.  I feel like I'm that obnoxious girl who thinks she's so cultured and can't shut up about "Northern Ireland this" and "Northern Ireland that."  Anyone who knows me knows that's not the case, I am simply passionate and completely consumed with God's work on the Emerald Isle.  I can't explain it, but it's where He's brought me to and I can't help but talk about it...ALL THE TIME!  But because of this, many times I struggle to truly live here in the States.  That was until I read a line in this book Weird,

"Wherever you are, be all there."

What a challenge!  And I'm always up for a challenge!  However, I can't help thinking about how much time I've wasted and that spurs me on to, starting now, become weird(er).  <---because many would claim I've already arrived at this lol!  But think about it, we have been challenged by Scripture, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is," Ephesians 5:15-17.  How are we spending our time?  Are we, in the 24 hours of each day putting in overtime?  If so...STOP!  We need to stop trying to fit more into each day, wishing there were more hours in each day, and finding validation through our busyness.  The answer isn't more time but a greater awareness of the time we have.  You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do.  If I actually began being honest and prioritizing how I spend my time...life would become less stressful, relationships would become deeper, and experiences would be more fulfilling because wherever I would be, I would be all there.

I have begun to see the ramifications (in a positive way) of living this weird way.  This is not to say I am abandoning or never thinking of the girls I left (AND WILL RETURN TO!) in Northern Ireland, but moreso that I will fully embrace the moments God has presented in my life here and now.  Since being back I have been busy, but not like I use to be.  I am not busy running around...I'm busy investing in others, filling people in on ministry and life, I'm busy living alongside others and making time for the important, not just the urgent in life.  Maybe I'm rambling, but I'll leave you with some pictures that would not have been able to happen if I hadn't slowed down, hadn't prioritized the important over the urgent, or hadn't been all there, wherever there had been at that time.

Tiffany and her family are such a blessing and I have been able to spend more time with them because I have lightened the load

A chance to spend time with cousins in Nebraska and get to really invest in them and what they're doing in life these days

First flight together!

I'll forgive being a Cubs fan because both of them are such a blessing...a precious niece with her Uncle Chase (not only do they smile, but both of them and their families make me smile and warm my heart with love, generosity, guidance, and encouragement.)

enjoying walks with people we love on a beautiful evening and enjoying God's creation and embracing it all ... TOGETHER

I cannot explain the feeling that comes from the grasp of a child's hand to my own...but it is a delight

bonding

friendships that run deeper and become extended family and lifelong sisters

whether new friends or old...experiences lasting a lifetime

the picture speaks for itself :)

road trip with grandma!

beauty on a long trip

getting to invest in the youth of God's army "Together we rise. Together we fight. Together we burn like a fire in the night. United by One. United by Blood. United we burn like a fire for Love."

spending time with my best friend from preschool and her new baby girl!

a sunset that literally sent a pier full of people into utter silence.

*I find it ironic that as I began this post both the next chapter in the book I'm reading (WEIRD by Craig Groeschel) and the song that came on iTunes were both about the idea of "rest".  Coincidence?  I think not!*