Memories..

In the last couple of weeks I have been flooded with memories from Christmas' past. I'm probably more sentimental this year because this is the first Christmas I'm spending without my sister. You know...you always think you're prepared for something, then the time comes and you find you're completely wrong. I knew the day would come where I wouldn't have my sister screaming in my ear to wake up on Christmas morning, but I find I wasn't prepared. I'm sad and missing my family.

My parents are coming down today and I'm sure it will be eventful as always. We're planning on going to Mt. Vernon on Christmas Day. For a few weeks out of the year, they open up the third floor of George Washington's estate, which is where Martha's chamber was. After George died she couldn't bring herself to sleep in their bedroom anymore, so they added a living quarter for her on the third floor. For those of you who aren't into history you're like, who cares, but to me it's so interesting. Me being a dreamer, I always imagined their lives. She must of really loved him. His memory haunted her, so she had to separate herself and figure out how to live without him. Ok, I know I'm a romantic. But I think sometimes when we're reading history books we forget about the lives behind them. Were they happy, sad, loved, alone, desperate, poor, sick, bubbly, etc... These are all the things that go through my mind. What did we learn from their life?

I remember when I went to Israel my freshmen year of college. It was so eye opening. I finally saw my favorite history book, the Bible, come to life. I'm a visual learner if you haven't already figured that out. I remember looking out my balcony at the sea of Galilee and thinking, so this is where You were. Were You happy, sad, loved, alone, desperate, poor, sick, etc... Of course my Bible answered alot of these questions, but it was in those quiet moments on the shore of Galilee that I found a desire to know and understand the Man, Jesus. How life was for Him. Did He ever walk on the shore alone like me, deep in thought about where His life was leading? My answer was clear YES. He walked in my shoes. He had the same feelings and emotions. Every pain or hurt I have ever experienced He understands. You see He always understood me, but it took me going to Israel to understand Him. Putting myself in His shoes and understanding the weight of the load He carried. We weren't a easy people to save. We're self centered, self seeking, jealous, hateful, liars, the list could go on. But He loved us in spite of ourselves. He saw past our flaws and loved us for them. He saw our potential and never gave up. He thought we were worth dying for. I don't know about you, but most the time I don't think I'm worth a phone call. Yet, He thought I was worth dying for because He wanted to spend eternity with me. The least I can do is love Him and the ones He loved. One of my favorite Hillsong song's comes to mind it goes, "Heal my heart and make it clean, Open up my eyes to the things unseen, Show me how to love like you have loved me, Break my heart for what breaks yours, Everything I am for your kingdom's cause, As I walk from earth into eternity." I love that song, so as we get ready for this wonderful holiday season with friends and family, try to remember the most perfect and wonderful gift God gave us 2000 years ago. He gave us His Son, Jesus. He was here and He will return!!

"Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You" Psalm 9:10

Merry Christmas!!!

PS: I love you Nessa and I miss you more then you know this Christmas.
I'll see you soon. I love you, your little sis!!