i hate when don't things don't make any sense.  but what i have learned in this last month, is we are all  just walking each other home.  sometimes the walk is a skip, and fun, full of laughter and smiles and we feel so lucky.  other times the walk is a crawl, and hard.  it is downright grueling to take one more step.  but if we join hand in hand, we can do it.  we can all walk each other home.  it is a privilege an honor, to be with those that we love til the end.

big things and new directions

i am starting a new project.  a new life direction.  it is going to take about 6-12 months, but i am on a path that i feel like i have been called to.  this summer, i was really able to sort out a few things, clear my mind, and give myself permission to start on a new me.  while i can't give away all my details right now, and i am still in the beginning stages of getting started; this will eventually lead me straight to the path of self employment, and nurturing and caring for other individuals.  i am really excited and can't wait to keep you updated.  this blog will have a different spin on it than it currently has, but i hope to not disappoint.

the three p's

journal writing and thoughts.

three things.

PRAYER
PATIENCE
PERSISTENCE.

these three things can bless you in every way.  if we give them water and grow them.
powerful P's i call them.  put them into play,  practice them. oh, be careful with them, this might just give us what a heart desires, and along with that we are to bless our neighbors.  over and again.  repeat. to give our gifts freely.

hospitality

hospitality isn't just about entertaining your visitors or guests.
it isn't about making your house so clean and cute.
it also isn't about making delicious food, and giving your guests the time of their life.

i think about my sweet grandma who passed almost a year ago, and i remember the way she opened up her home. infact, i wasn't the only that remembered this.  so many wonderful people at her service had nice things to say about her.  but the one common theme i heard over and over, was she really knew how to invite people in.  her house was full on sundays after church for dinner.  and you, and you, and you were always invited.  i was thinking about her and hospitality, and how grandma should be the face for the action.  and i realized that people were not drawn to her because she opened her home, food, (and she did make delicious food) and conversation to them.  

she opened up: the way she did life.

 

just because she had guests over didn't mean she did life differently.  she welcomed them into her family.  they felt like they belonged.  they felt a part of the wahlstrom home.  guests always knew what to expect over there: food, prayers, real conversations, talks about our heavenly father.  and this made her home genuine, real, and warm.  hospitality was certainly a spiritual gift that she had.

it's something i have been really thinking about lately.  and hopefully something i can offer up in praise, and also something that can be a blessing to others.
just like granma.
this weekend i snapped this picture.  an impromptu slumber party with family friends.  i was so thankful for this moment.  i felt like i had done grandma good !!

a birthday boy

the happiest of birthdays to this guy !!!
i really hope this year brings you unexpected joy, and so many surprises that you feel God's love favored on you like never before.
also, we have officially spent one decade with each other, and we are now on our way to the second.
can't wait for the ride with you.  you are the best partner to travel this earthly time with.  you do a lot of the work while you let me sit and bask in the beauty all around.  i am ever thankful for you.  thanks for teaching me how to let go of expectations.  how to free myself from ideals, and the most perfect.  oh, i still love our make out sessions.
xox.

the beach.

at the beach.
i remember.
the sun kissing our cheeks.
the wind; it tangled my hair.
water, running thru my fingers as i made my way to you.
the salty water, and only the salty water kept us apart.  well, and my one piece suit the only space between us.
throwing my head back in laughter , i asked the dreamy skies a question.
throwing my arms around your neck,  i hugged you tight.
you.  twirling me in the water and playful drops hit my mouth.
stopping.  i kissed you.
noticing your lips are bigger than mine, i like this.  all of this.
we gave each other a chance.
taught one another a few things.  i will never forget that.  or that summer.
when i think of you i will always remember the way we played that day.
innocent.  and free.
i hope you look back kindly too.

freja sunshine is her name.

this girl.

always makes me smile.
she has a special way with people, she just gets them.  i can't really explain it.  but i know she shines love to me and this family.  she shines with creativity, a sense of stillness, and she is just the best performer.  the day she was born she didn't even cry.  she looked at me, smiled, and then the sunshine lit up our room, and i felt this warmness from her.  it soaked in me.  at that moment i knew she was our sunshine.  i can only hope and pray that her glow will continue through dark times, hard times, the unknown, and the battles that will come her way.  for she has given me a life time of pure shiny light.  love you sunshine !