Sneekapeek of Ashley

Ahh! Okay, so this is Ashley. A friend of mine who happens to be a beautiful dancer. Last month, I had the privilege of taking pictures of her and her mum. I think these have been some of my favorite photos so far! I mean c'mon she's beautiful ;) I'm gonna post a blog post of the shoot this week on my photography blog, www.leijeaphotography.com/blog.
Eek! So excited to share!

East Coast Day Trip

This past weekend we took a short trip over to Stuart and Vero Beach. It was nice to get out of town for a little bit. The main reason we went was to see some friends we knew from high school in the Philippines.
Here's a pic of Zeb jamming with one of his good friends, Nathan. Good times!

the Best Friend

I'm holding on to my best friend for as long as I can.

10 months married to you just can't be real.

Waiting

When I think of the season we're in, the strongest word that comes up is "waiting." There are a bunch of other words that chime in like, "praying, hoping, longing, having-to-trust-ing, surrendering,"  but definitely waiting is the big one. Zeb and I are in a time of transition. As much as people like to read cheery and bouncy things on blogs (not that those are bad things), I just always want to be an honest writer. 

Since the new year, each day has been kind of hard for me. Zeb and I both feel that God is moving us on to something new and great in the next few months, but for now, we're just like "What is it, God?!" Where is it you want us to go? What do you want to do in our lives these next few years? How are we gonna live?

When I think about it, I guess it makes sense that we wouldn't just know all that instantly. Of course it's going to take time to hear from God. Here we are, stuck in this place of cluelessness. We have some ideas of what we want, but I think we're both tired of the idea of settling down some place the Holy Spirit won't use us. I remember when I was a senior in  high school, I had a revelation that whatever environment you're placed in, if God puts you there, you'll find purpose. So that's all I wanted, even 'til now, to be where he places me.  I'm having to re-check my heart each day that I'm trusting him and his promises ahead of us. God is faithful. 

That's like the story of my life.  

Why is it that every song about God's faithfulness wrecks my heart? He is so good.

I wrote a song awhile back about God's faithfulness, called "Hands." I haven't played or touched it for a year and a half but recently I was fooling around on the piano and was inspired to play it again. The song was inspired by when Elijah took on all the prophets of Baal then shortly after in fear for his life, found himself in a place of weariness and dismay (1 Kings 18-19). God's like "C'mon Elijah, did you forget the amazing work I just did through you?  This was so the Lord when 2 weeks ago in church, our friend spoke an awesome word on not giving into dismay as it breaks down the courage within us. Seriously it was like, woah, I just pulled that song out yesterday after not singing it for a year and a half. Here's the lyrics: 

 HANDS 

The sun's about to rise yet, I am afraid
it's so easy to forget, I turn to dismay that she might soothe my weary soul 

I try to hold her hand tight but all that I find is my fingers slip, my sandals trip from oil she's left behind

 Just before my knees say hello to the grass again, there's a small steady change in wind. I hear you say, 

"Do not fear for I am with you. Trust that I have the mighty hand and it holds you. 

Faithful, I will be faithful to you. Faithful, I will be faithful to your heart."

So I put on the garments of praise and watch my fear shake off like dust

 I will rejoice, I will rejoice, for the Lord is good to me 

He is faithful, He is faithful to me 

oh God, you are faithful, faithful in my life…

I will not hope in the likelihood of my circumstance

but I will trust in the one who has my name

written on the palm of his hand

because a promise is a promise,

a promise is a promise.

I'm thinking of recording it sometime soon, but isn't that crazy awesome? I mean how often do we find ourselves back in that same place even right after God brings us a victory in our lives.  And I wrote this song! How do you think I feel? ;) God's saying, "Hellooooo Nika, don't you remember when you were "waiting" before and how I brought you to the perfect place after you learned to trust me?"

So that's a bit to chew on, but it's where we're at right now. I've been complaining a bit lately 'cause little things haven't been going my way. Even though my computer broke, we have one car, and we have no idea where God's taking us, Zeb and I were realizing how blessed we are and that we are grateful for having 1 working computer, car, and nice little apartment even though I can't paint the walls ;). Thanks so much for jumping into my heart for a few minutes. I hope that anyone who's in a similar place can remember when God has been faithful in your life and that he's unchanging. He sees your heart and will not leave you. He will empower you and be faithful to do great things through you for his glory.

-L

"Don't get stuck in dismay 'cause you won't make it out."
"Don't rehearse what you've done wrong 'cause God's not even gonna talk about it."
"God's not worried about what you've done or haven't done but that you're willing."