since being on the race i have been challenged to seek boldness in a different way than my typical idea of the word. boldness was something i thought was not my portion, it just wasn’t who i was. it didn’t make sense to me. i felt as if because i wasn’t bold, i wasn’t going to be able to make an impact in ways significant or beautiful enough to please the father or those looking at me. and while i have seen that boldness for me means allowing myself to walk in vulnerability and sincerity in new ways than before, the lord has reminded me that while i am a woman of boldness, i am also a woman of vibrancy.
a woman of many colors, bright ones. ones that make an impact. ones that scream beauty and creation from the father. and not in a “look at me, look what i can do,” kind of way. but in a way that reveals brightness, joy, excitement, passion, and authentic radiancy. because that is who the creator of all things created me to be. who he molded me to be. so this week i decided to capture the places and things that reflected the lord’s creativity and vibrance and divinity that remind me of the moments he placed me into to reinforce my vibrancy and fullness in him.
sunshine and flowers and all things good while i smile upon the faces of friends and family during a sabbath sunday at guatejava, a staple in our weekend schedules.
reds and greens and reflections of may and i who love our ministry, no matter if it is picking up trash on a monday morning. sweetness in serving ministry hosts and a town that we love so much. may is such a woman of boldness who exemplifies truth and wisdom and passion. she is a woman who holds me accountable and speaks so much life into our whole team. such confidence and intentionality is what she walks in.
inside of the church walls where we do most of our ministry. the gomez family is a family of boldness and refreshment and constant worship. we are honored they continue to invite us to sit with them, love them, and serve them.
a monday afternoon filled with childlike wonder and joy where we leave ministry so full that we desire to jump. to play. to laugh. to reveal brightness and colors to all the onlookers, the community of parramos that we have fallen in love with.
the view inside the school we teach english at on wednesday mornings. mountains and colors that reveal there really is no limit to the infinitely creative creator of all things. he so perfectly placed my team here. once seeming so daunting, now was to hard to walk out of the doors and hug our students one last time as the school year drew to a close.
a shot of me probably in deep thought during recess. thats typically where you can find me. a woman of depth and vibrancy loved so well by her team, god, and students.
paige and i taking in our last recess of the school year. paige is a woman who is so full of joy and humor and grace and constantly pushes me to do the same. colors of blues and oranges in this picture reflect our friendship so well. opposite on the color wheel making them so complementary for each other. bringing out the vibrancy in one another always.
sweet girls in my fourth grade class who write me notes, give me the best hugs, ask me questions about my boyfriend and family back home, and only laugh at my broken spanish a little bit. they walk in more beauty than they will ever know but i hope i did a good job of reminding them.
sun kissed skin, ripped blue jeans, and anklets from home. some of my favorite things about life on the race. taken on thursday. this day in guat consisted of learning about being a woman who speaks life to herself and others and getting to go out and actually do that. on a day where i felt dull and lackluster the lord so divinely appointed the lesson of speaking life. so i stopped, took a moment to capture my feet, to remind me of all the goodness and vibrancy and brightness i actually get to walk in.
a thursday evening sunset with our front yard at the view. another moment of such brilliance where i had to stop and really just sit in gratitude and wonder and refreshment.
pieces from home like red jeeps in my new home here that the father uses to remind me of the vibrant and life changing work he is doing there. now and forevermore placing a hand of protection and provision over them. man he is sweet to love me so well and place people both here and there that love me beyond compare.
a friday afternoon that i spent with the lord. painting and reading and journaling and reflecting and processing the week and all the vibrancy he did show me. man oh man the greens and blues that make up the landscape of guatemala. i will never be able to get enough of them.
a clear view of the flowers, paints, journals, and bible that make my heart smile. colors of wildflowers that have beauty and design and freedom that the lord also speaks over me. and if you think about it, most wildflowers aren’t even seen. they are overlooked because of the crowd they are surrounded by. but yet their vibrancy and beauty can not be denied or hidden.
vibrant. what a special word and feeling and color and vision. what an honor to be a woman of vibrancy who gets to reflect the colors and beauty and goodness and boldness of the father in some of the darkest and what seem like the dullest of places and times. but it is such a time to walk in brightness and light that comes from the father. that comes from the light. that comes from the creator. that comes from the maker of heavens, the sun, the wildflowers, and you and i.
a single week of capturing moments of vibrancy will never be able to really capture the divine beauty and colorful life here in guat. but i just love inviting as many people into all the goodness of this life. find the vibrant moments in your week. i promise the painter of the skies surely knows the way in which to paint perfection in the smallest of things for you. if most of the wildflowers are never even seen, but yet he still took the time to create and plant and garden and nurture them all, don’t you think he will attend to you, take pride in you, and do his best. for you.
