Lilley of the field

I made this advent calendar for Aaron one Christmas when we were dating. I remember hoping we'd get married when I made it so that I could light it one day too with our family because I liked it so much. I got quite lucky. I'm more grateful for the awesome husband than the candle of course, but that doesn't mean I'll enjoy the candle any less. We have a traditional advent wreath, but light that one only on Sundays and this one throughout the week. Each week I tie on jute with the meaning for the week to this big white candle. Those taper candles wouldn't last all month for us on the traditional advent wreath. My week ended in so. much. joy. After a busy last two week of school filled with tons of sickness, last minute decisions, and nights going to bed at 7:30, I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked out Friday afternoon. An exhale of I made it .  I came home with the most energy I've had all week and started to get the curriculum for our child...

We're just two teenage girls racing against the beat of the song and the fading evening. Racing toward a glimpse of His glory. Her old beat up jeep is grinding forward. We jumped in the car on a whim. We glimpsed the pinks and oranges of the fall sun setting out the window and we're racing to that crest at the top of our high school school. David Crowder has just released a new album and that song is blaring through the speakers:  He set me on fire. I am coming alive. With this breath in my lungs. I am coming undone.  Window down. Hair blowing. Mouths grinning. Time ticking. Sun setting. And we reach it. Just in time to see the brilliant colors lighting up the sky. And just in time to hear the climax of the song: You are my joy. You are my joy. You are my joy.  God's creation and man's song joining together in perfect harmony to bring a glimpse of heaven to two teenage girls. Then the sun finally sets ushering in the piercing dark blue night. The song finall...