Chels in Progress

{1} Joined the high school youth group leader squad. and got asked if I was a) a senior in high school, b) someone's sister, c) a babysitter. {2} Sold my guitar to a sister who wants to use it for worship. check out my last post. {3} Hearing testimonies + worship music with dear friends and new faces. {4} Freesoulcaffé + thrift store hopped with Allie Ray. {5} Discovered that Air1 now reaches Orange and LA Counties. {6} Warmer weather = skirt + tights + boots. {7} Comfy reindeer sweater twice in one week. {8} Made a paper chain by firelight. {9} Found a rad book on U.S. National Parks for 50¢ at the thrift store. {10} Christmas cards, decorations, smells, and music. and red cups at Starbucks.

My heart aches for East Asia tonight. For all the hands that touched this coin before mine. And for all the hands that touched it after. For the farmers. For the people in the marketplace. For the watermelon lady, for La La, and for all the people in the alleyway. For the people who sit on the street corners selling their fruit. For the person who wrote this prayer, this wish. For the people whose wishes are tied all around this one. For all the people who put their faith in wooden and golden statues. For the lost , and broken . For the hurting and hungry , the thirsty and seeking . My heart aches. And I can only imagine that this heaviness in my chest is simply a fraction of the ache, the grieving, that the Lord feels for the people He created so beautifully, intentionally , delicately, sweetly who wander aimlessly through life ignoring Him denying Him hating Him & I pray this aching in my chest ...

What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him? You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4-5  Oh my heart.  Sometimes, I am just straight up baffled at why the Lord desires to know me and use me and bless me and love me, because I just don't seem lovable enough.  But then I am grateful, because unworthiness the platform for grace .  So then, in my ugliness and chaos, I am in the perfect place to accept God's love.  Which is beautiful , because that's usually when I need love the most. I will always be grateful for this season of life.  It is definitely not where I imagined myself now, and it is definitely not how I would have planned it for myself, but it is so beautiful.  So desperately , perfectly beautiful, in a very countercultural way.  You see, I thought I'd be married right now.  I never set many career goals.  I never had any financial plans.  I ju...