I never do these...
But I've seen a lot of other people dedicate posts to one person.
And I've decided to do that.
Yazz, here you go.
Yazzy:
She loves Helvetica with me. And surprisingly, has seen the documentary as well! How many people watch font documentaries? Not many. And how many know they even exist? We did.
She just told me that she was interested in graphic design. Not surprising. Why? Because Yazz does almost everything. She doesn't really surprise me anymore with things because I expect her to tell me new fun facts about herself every time we talk. So just because she doesn't surprise me doesn't mean she doesn't fascinate me. She's fun.
She knows what it's like to be a thinker. And sympathizes with me. But I'm convinced she thinks waaaay more than me. Her brain is just bigger. And wonderful. And holds so much valuable information. I'm impressed with the ability God's given her to retain information. And correct information at that.
The other day when I told her I had a newly discovered fascination with Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield, she told me she had Benjamin's whole biography-thing. Of course.
Her Twitter? Praises in everything she sends. Her blog? Bible verses everywhere. Our conversations? Edifying and fulfilling. I love it.
She has been through so much. And is so strong. The Holy Spirit has renewed her strength over and over and over. And I love to watch her grow. She is so dang passionate. She loves ministering to Jr. High girls. She loves helping those with autism. She loves high school students. She loves to sing. She loves to lead. She loves to be the friend that people come to. She prayerfully listens and responds when necessary. She has a passion for Truth. She has a passion for the Word. She has a passion for the Spirit. She has a passion for her friends.
She writes. Draws. Gets tattoos. Paints. Decorates her room. Moves a lot. Sews. Makes felt owls. Writes. Reads. Studies. Gets excited. Digs deep. Writes notes. Makes bracelets. Dresses well. She asks questions. She gives advice. She seeks wise counsel. She encourages. She knows what to say. She gives hugs. She listens. She talks. She teaches. She exhorts. She overcommits because she loves to help and do new things and discover all the mysteries of life. And as much as she probably feels way too busy sometimes, I think it's adorable how much she loves to be involved and sometimes just can't say "No."
She has lived everywhere. She's traveled a lot. She can tell you the best cafes to go too and the fun stores to shop at. She takes pictures. She loves memories. She loves the seasons. She wears cute rain boots. She shares her rain boots.
Yazz.
She is a blessing.
Her passionate love for Jesus
overflows.
And I hope she knows that
A walk in the park.
Another assignment for school that could be more properly defined as a blessing.
I thought about a lot of different things during my period of silence and solitude on Sunday. Before starting, I had a conversation with some friends about what to do with myself during the next three hours. I shared all these ideas, but they recommended that I didn’t set out with particular goals or a destination, so I felt like finally once I began my time, I was simply ready for intimate moments with God. And that was all. I sort of felt anxious, thinking I’d get really bored and I initially wanted to bring someone with me, but eventually I was grateful that I was alone. It helped me to realize that even though I was physically alone, I didn’t feel alone at all. In fact, I felt like I was walking with God—like we were just in communication, or in silence, which was a sort communication in itself—silent communication in which God poured His peace, joy, gentleness, beauty, and love upon me.
I remember I did have to fight back my urge to look at my watch fairly often. When I would look down and realize it’d only be 30 minutes, or sometimes 15, I realized how three hours of nothingness felt so long. Then it occurred to me how often I complain about how “there’s not enough time in the day.” But doing nothing seemed to slow time down and make the day feel so much longer. In my afternoon, I felt like I had forever in front of me. Such a beautiful concept—to finally have the concept of forever hit me in the face, as a reality. I didn’t feel rushed. I didn’t feel a pressure to complete anything. I didn’t feel like I was going to run out of time. And it’s amazing that in most of our moments throughout the day—when we don’t take time to slow down—we feel like time is quickly escaping our grasp. I finally understood Ortberg’s statement, “One of the great illusions of our day is that hurrying will buy us more time.” The moment of realizing how time slowed down reminded me of a relationship. It reminded me of love and how people say, “It’s like time stops when we’re together.” Maybe being in love, be it with a person or simply resting in Love—in God Himself—makes time not seem so fast or fleeting. And again, I began to understand what Ortberg was getting at when he said, “People who love each other can be silent together.”
In my first hour, it came to my attention how we all assume God speaks to us in silence as if His voice is one booming through the quietness—like His voice suddenly becomes so clear and distinct. But for me, knowing He was there wasn’t through hearing a voice or certain words. I began to think, “What if this silence is God’s voice?” The gentleness, peace, and stillness of the mind or even of the trees and the sky—that’s a different voice than all that we hear daily. It was distinct and wonderful. Unique and enjoyable. Maybe we shouldn’t always expect to be told something specific.
In the remainder of my time, I thought about Boston. I remembered feeling alive there. There was just so much beauty. I acknowledged my desire to be there. I also noticed that the sky seemed endless. I wrote down that, “This time of silence and solitude invites honesty. Makes me feel more like myself.” I asked questions like, “What do people who don’t believe in God think of nature? Why is it so beautiful? Every delicate, vivid flower! Not even just the look, but the fragrance! Creation is the only word that fits.” My thoughts were clearer. God was present. And I would love to spend time with Him again like I did on Sunday.
