4.17.2011

Colossians 3:1-4 {NIV}

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears,
then you also will appear with him in glory."

4.01.2011

concerning summer 2011

scheduled an interview with
Palomar Christian Conference Center
to work in Accommodations,

I am thrilled!

3.31.2011

new life

Future plans are tangible, again

Lord willing..

1. I graduate college next Spring

2. Teach English in Japan..
while paying off my loans

3. Become a graphic designer for a
church/organization in Japan,
or anywhere else in the world :)

3.15.2011

let's be honest.

Ever since I left Baylor University,
moved back home,
& began to attend Palomar College,

I have been
angry & frustrated.

And bitter.
very bitter.

The more I attempt to type this post
about my stubbornness to follow God,
believe in His character,
& trust in His will,
the more I cannot ignore the truth.

God is good.
God is faithful.
His kindness leads me to repentance.
He is the Bread of Life.
He is Living Water.
In Him, alone, I am satisfied.
He makes all things new.
He will never leave me nor forsake me.

He will never leave me nor forsake me.

He will never leave me nor forsake me.

...

you're not alone, Natalie.

3.08.2011

頑固

stubbornness.

quite the stubborn seed.

2.25.2011

seeds

they cannot grow & bear fruit
until they die to themselves.

12.25.2010

Happy Christmas, my loves!

after all of the bustle of Christmas Eve,
my sister Michelle and I
sat in silence
in front of the fireplace
with the Christmas tree lit.

so much peace.

Jesus Christ .Emmanuel. "God with us"

Yes!! He is!!!!

12.09.2010

finals week

is over tomorrow!
I have a photography & Spanish final left..

I fly out of Dallas the 17th..

my friend Olivia {from South Korea}
is visiting me in San Diego from the 22nd-25th

my friends Meredith, Austin & Harrison
are visiting after Christmas, for about a week and a half

couldn't be more excited!!!

photography by Meredith Richey

11.27.2010

Deuteronomy 32:10-12 {NIV}

"In a desert land he found him,
in a barren and howling waste.

He shielded him and cared for him;
he guarded him as the apple of his eye,
like an eagle that stirs up its nest
and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
and carries them aloft.

The Lord alone led him;
no foreign god was with him."

10.29.2010

going to school in another state

helps me identify with
being a daughter of the King

instead of a daughter of the Shapiro family

...

random!
i forgot to tell you

God asked me to cut off all my hair
& trust Him

He wants to teach me to see myself the way
He sees me

When He says "you're beautiful. i delight in you so much"
He wants me to believe Him.

So last Thursday night,
Tommy Fry buzzed my head, prayed over me,
and said "God has a peace about this.
This is your new ministry!
Be excited!! You look good! You look good!"

it took me an hour to have the
gumption to face the world with my new self

but since then, i'm experiencing more and more freedom
freedom from lies
freedom from worry
freedom from opinion

my hair is something that glorifies Him

something that brings Him into conversation
with all that i meet.

mm. it's so wonderful.
and light.
and a reminder of
how gentle and faithful God is.

don't get me wrong,
it's difficult sometimes
but it's SO WORTH IT.

10.21.2010

ironic

that i'm typing this out...
but
i'm really learning to speak,

to say what's on my mind,

to share with others
pieces of me,
not just the
"Holy Spirit" in me

but also, Natalie.

haha, it just sounds so weird.
i've learned to speak with my eyes
and my smile.

but
i need my words, too.

10.08.2010

life is slowing down

not that i'm less busy

but that i'm finding it easier
to rest.
stop.
pause.
and meditate on the fact that
GOD IS WITH US, AH!

so great.

Selah.

9.30.2010

hate being dry

this weekend will be a time to refresh.

+ many art projects ahead of me {whoopay!}

i.e.

abstract illustration of
"i'm a line and i feel sassy"
for design methods class

a fully rendered
frontal view of the human skull
for figure drawing class

develop and print
black and white film
for "quality of light" study

...

He's all around me.

Flyleaf "All Around Me"

9.20.2010

conversations with Elisa & Harrison

we are spiritual beings having a physical experience

not physical beings having a spiritual experience

...

how did creation react to Jesus Christ's presence
on the earth?

did the trees and grass lean towards their Creator
when He lay asleep?

{apparently, this is a concept from My Epic}

...

my thoughts this day:

.God has blessed the world with coffee.
the divine drip© -Ryan Paulson

boy, did i need it earlier.

9.19.2010

thinking...

Palomar Community College in the Spring & Summer
and then transfer to Cal State San Marcos in the Fall...

brainstorming about a place to live...

my house is an option.
but i'd rather not.

9.15.2010

after a lot of soul searching

i have decided to transfer to a school in Southern CA
{maybe Cal State San Marcos}

.incredibly thankful for your prayers!

.i have so much peace and direction

.bitter-sweet. but more sweet.
because there's so much hope & promise

9.12.2010

peace.

mm.

please look up Kari Jobe's You Are For Me

sinks deep inside.

...

my loans and finances have been such a burden.
such a burden that my health is on the line.

please lift me up in prayer.

I'm praying for wisdom, guidance, and peace
..about transfering schools in the Spring..

9.08.2010

how deep the Father's love for us.

how vast beyond all measure.

that He should give His only Son.

to make a wretch His treasure.