Colleen Mary Cole

Meet Col!


Looks like this hot shot is getting a whole post to herself, since she wasn't at the bottom on the last one. I don't even know where to begin though, about Colleen. I can be goofy and tell her all day long about how "I need her in my life!" or "You're the cucumber to my ritz!" or "Something doesn't feel quite the same without you!" but that doesn't even cover the nitty-gritty get down to it reasons that I love and appreciate Colleen's friendship. Colleen will always be real with me, even when I think I want to hear it and then realize I don't. She will always tell me how she feels, or tell me her opinion. But in the same regard, when I mess up, or say something stupid, or act stupid, she doesn't hold judgment to me. She doesn't mother me, or baby me, she just loves me right where I'm at. Whether it's in the middle of a mess, or in the middle of a puddle of happy tears. In a short amount of time, I knew I'd struck gold with a roommate. I can't even believe this is our third year at Chico right around the corner, because time has gone by so fast. It is crazy cuz now I get sad thinking about NOT living with Colleen. This semester away has been hard but such a blessing. It has been hard because seriously, as dumb as this sounds (you can laugh you guys) I miss Colleen everyday! Just having someone to talk to whenever I want, or sit awkwardly on the couch with when our days just aren't going right. But, it has been a blessing because I know now more than ever how much I appreciate Colleen. She has been there for me, through IT ALL. Literally. The dumbest things, and the best things. Having someone be so close to you is so much fun We laugh and joke about our lives years from now, but the best part is, I know that we will be best friends for years and years to come. There's not a doubt in my mind. So... Colleen, as long winded and sappy as this is, just know that no matter where in this world I am, I care about you more than you know, and always want the best for you. You're beautiful, you're amazing, and you're one of the best people I have ever met. I could never thank you enough for every single little thing you do for me.

Alki and other sunshiney things

Today I went to Alki beach because...

1. I love West Seattle
2. I needed to see Megan Waldron so I picked her up to come with me.
3. It was sunny and you need to celebrate sunny April days in the PNW!

All day though, despite the sun and happy, happy faces, I have just been thinking of those less fortunate than me. One of those is baby Cash, who is on his way to Houston today to undergo radiation treatment. For those of you who have read about him earlier, or have been praying for him with me, he's really in some trouble and it is time to take further action. Him and his dad traveled to Houston today to begin 7-8 weeks of extensive radiation. The hard part is, he is only eighteen months old so he has to be put under when they do it, so he doesn't wiggle. Our poor little guy really needs grace and lots of rest. My heart breaks for him today! His mom and older brother will stay behind for a few weeks because momma is so pregnant! So not only will Cash and his dad miss the baby's birth, but mom has to wait a few weeks until she can get to her other warrior and comfort him. It's a family that is going through SO much and still, so faithful.

I am moved by how positive and optimistic they are.

I went to church at MH Ballard this evening and it just hit the nail right on the head for what I was feeling. Seeking healing (physical, emotional, and spiritual) is key... but God doesn't owe it to us to fix what we feel is broken. We can ask and receive grace, but we can't test him.
Woah good thing God is so good though right?

Last night, Julian rocked and rolled through his Little League game.
Presley didn't make me feel so bad either, greeting me with shrieks and sprinting over to me around the bleachers. He is so darn cute I hate thinking about leaving these families again. Watching them grow is an experience of a life time and one that I could never take for granted.

To think, just yesterday it feels like Amee was telling us she was pregnant.

And now, a short-stack of joy. With a goofy grin and the occasional snot bubble, this now "toddler" could steal my heart with one giggle!

They grow so fast.

I'm all warm and fuzzy inside! :) The sunshine... it gets to me.

Tangled

Good morning blog readers!

Today is a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest. It is sunny and time for some baseball! I am going to watch a little league game today. I haven't been able to do that in awhile so go, Julian... Jelly is going to rock it I'm sure! Let the games begin...

I am so excited for this summer. I haven't been really in the summer state of mind until the last couple days. There is just so much to look forward to! It's really awesome that I have so many wonderful opportunities.

Along with the summer, I am also trying to plan a trip to Europe for November. Hillary will be back in Switzerland by then and Blayne will be staying in Spain for a semester doing a Study Abroad.

Each day is woven into the next. I have so many things I want to do today, and I just pray that anything I don't accomplish, there will something done for them tomorrow. Whether it is me, or someone else getting to do them. I feel like I have this check list of things that I'm passionate about, and there is just so much. My Bucket List is so huge! I refuse to take one day for granted, when there are so many amazing things in this world to see and be a part of.

Today is about productive. I have canvases to finish, homework to complete, and errands to run.
I said a prayer last week that my Environmental Science midterm would go well because good grades would really encourage my spirit through the end of this semester. I was really worried about it. I got an 88%.

Life is so good in the small things.

I love this song right now:


"You find your faith has been lost and shaken, you take back what's been taken. Get on your knees and dig down deep, you can do what you think is impossible. Keep on believing, don't give in, it'll come and make you whole again. It always will, it always does, love is unstoppable"

I have a fountain of abundance in my life. It amazes me every single day.

Enjoy today for what is has to offer YOU. I know I will!

Clouds and quiet

I am sitting in my living room and watching out the window and completely admiring how still it is outside. There is hardly a breeze, everything is so calm. Wow. I feel like I needed that today! The clouds have covered the sky so it's gray and a little chilly. I like the sun everyday of course, but today is really giving me a lot of peace.

I have Mat Kearney in the background. For those that don't know him, download him! He's fabulous. Listen to the words of this song and tell me what YOU think of. I know what I think of!

"It's undeniable, how brilliant you are. In a unreliable world, you shine like a star. It's unforgettable, now that we've come this far, it's unmistakable that you're undeniable.

You're the only one who stuck it out last night. The only other one who caught the other line. You're the only one when this world collides, the one that I can't deny."


I have a lot of things I want to accomplish today. Before I go back to work, I am going to run and get passport pictures taken. Also, I have school work to catch up on and canvases to paint. Finally some time to do that. I have been really not able to make much time for that, and it is so important to me to work on them and really dive in with my paintbrush and lots of colors. Mmmm. Such simple things make me so happy.

Person to really love on today!

Meet Melanie McBroom!Gosh. Melanie is absolutely a wonderful gift. Also an April birthday! Eight more days until her twenty-first. There is so much to say about Melanie. The Lord really used Melanie in my life in a huge way; she was really instrumental in my walk with Christ and discovering myself! It's crazy because she really didn't know it was happening, she was just being who she is...which is so loving and so real. Melanie is FUN. All the time. She has such a spirit and spunk...anyone that knows her knows exactly what I am saying.I can honestly say that she blesses my life in so many ways, every day. She is BEAUTIFUL, don't you think? Look at that smile! The light of the Lord shines through her in a huge way. It's incredible. Mel, I hope you never forget how much I love you and how wonderful I think you are. Because you really are a vision! I could go on and on ... :)



Have an awesome day guys! Enjoy the things that bring you peace today.
Bri

Already April...

I really should get better about doing more frequent updates. It's funny how things slip away from you. I can have certain things be so routine to my day...good hygiene, reading, journaling, homework.... but blogging? Not as much!

Sometimes it is hard to think of something that has been entertaining or pressing enough to write down.

Darling Emily goes to Western Washington University, and this weekend I spent a day and night with her in Bellingham. Gosh what a beautiful city.I absolutely love it up there. Ocean breeze blows in (sometimes too hard) and this weekend, the sun was out. Definitely a gift!

It's crazy when you think about places.

There was so much of a possibility of me going to Western. But I chose not to. I chose to go onto a new place, even more new and unknown. Imagine if I would not have. There are so many people that you meet in each place, that change your life forever. Everyone is so intricately planted in my life. Sometimes it is hard to grapple with God's goodness and his plan! It's such an amazing thing....

My place right now is to shine. Wherever I am supposed to be physically, that's another opportunity given to me to shine a constant light of joy and helpfulness. I know I have big plans for my life, even for the RIGHT now. Whenever I feel anxious, I try to remember where I'm headed. Wait... I don't know where I'm headed! And that's okay. Wherever it is it will be a step in trust and an exciting journey. No one can deny THAT.



This verse really stuck out for me today.


I love to reflect on those that have made a substantial difference in my life.

Over the next month, I will feature someone at the end of my blog who has made a huge difference in my life. I won't put them in any specific order, everyone will get a chance!

Meet Megan Talbot Waldron! Megan is beautiful, talented, and absolutely gifted with grace. She is freshly nineteen, and that's kind of why I decided to start with her.Megan and I met three years ago through some mutual friends. It amazes me how so much wisdom and strength comes from someone who is only nineteen. Megan has always been a rock in my hectic life. I know that if I have struggles, I need prayer, or just someone to giggle with... Meggie is a great friend to call!
She an I have a very similar sense of humor. When we hang out, it usually involved hole-in-the-wall Seattle food joints, a delicious cup of coffee, and or her camera. I was so privileged this year to show her Chico and to have her come and play in the sunshine with me and all of my friends. I am so pleased her and I have stayed in touch, and that we have gotten closer over the last few months. She is someone who I really admire and I love her spunk and passion. Meg, you have made such an impact in my life! Thank you for being you...