To Cherish

While attending church with my dear friend Lauren last year, the pastor chalenged us to pray about a word the Lord would give us for a year. As I bowed my head in prayer, the word cherish immediately engulfed my mind. What a fantasticly passionate word! Not just enjoy or be thankful, but cherish. Hold dear.

Being someone that struggles with taking things for granted, I never really cherished much until my dad passed. I never took the time to truly cherish my dad. He was a great man with so much insight, but as I look back I realize just how much time I spent talking about me with him. My problems. My fears. Afterall, that's what parents are for... To be there for their kids, which he was, even when I would make big announcements such as I've been accepted to go to China in a couple months, I'm going to Portland in a week and staying with someone I've never met.... Oh geez. I am thankful that my dad backed me, even when he thought my decision was random.

Through this though, I have learned to cherish things and am learning to cherish moments.

My word for this year: restoration