Thursday, December 29, 2011

sisterly love


sisters stick together.
sisters defend each other.
sisters fight each others' battles.
sisters know just how to make each other laugh.
sisters fight.
sisters know when to let it go and just love.
sisters make it about "you" not "me."
sisters forgive.
sisters share.
sisters are a team.
sisters don't let sisters have bad friends.
sisters protect.
sisters have nightly sleepovers.
sisters are fashion consultants.
sisters encourage.
sisters can talk & listen.
sisters consider one another their biggest blessing.
sisters learn how to practice grace.
sisters have to practice grace in regard to people who hurt their sisters.
sisters are accountability partners.
sisters are roommates.
sisters can be boiling mad one moment and cracking jokes the next.
sisters have thick skin. 

Monday, December 26, 2011


The Moon on the Wing
The wee hours...
They belong to the mothers
They belong to the lovers
They belong to the lonely who stare at tv sets
They belong to the loved who leave one in bed for sunrises and cigarettes
The wee hours, yes, they belong to the babes
They belong to the writers,
to the mourners,
to the ghosts out of their graves.

Listen to the crickets.
Listen to the moon.
Is she comforting to you-- or does she arrive too soon?
She speaks not to me,
but perhaps you hear the sound.
Does she whisper or sing? Is she quiet or loud?

To me, she is cold and distant and blue
Unless she is low and enormous and gold
when she shines like that, I could swallow her up

I'd let her sink deep down into my gut and glow
If I glowed like that maybe then you'd know
how true is my aim
how real is my path
how much I am seeking
how I don't want to do this alone...

The wee hours...
They belong to the pray-ers
They belong to the dreamers
They belong to the hopeless who stare blankly into mirrors
They belong to the angels who stare back with fire and rescue
The wee hours, yes, they belong to the shamed
The prowlers can prowl and the gamblers can game
But the wee hours belong to the weeping and brave.

The sunlight will come and make a new start
Though, before one can start, one must make resolve
It's the moonlight, my dear, that stirs up your heart.

Let her dance in, but remember in the morn
That you promised and vowed and swore the night before
That you'd make a new start when the moon disappeared...
Well, the new sun is coming!
She's coming!
Almost here...

-bethany joy galeotti

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Life Lessons from Anne Shirley

Beautiful, smart, determined, witty, well-spoken, feisty, intuitive...Anne has it all. And we can learn so much from this beloved girl.


1. being dramatic is okay if you're elegant about it.
                                                   

2. if he gently touches your face and calls you, 'carrots', KEEP HIM.

3. laugh excessively with your best friend.

4. WRITE, even if the product is a bit shameful.

5. if you need to compete with someone in order to succeed, choose someone as cordial and forgiving as Gilbert Blythe.

6. allow older people to inspire you. 
"tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it"

 7. sometimes, you just gotta embrace that natural hair color.

8. find that romantic bridge and that handsome man in your own life.

9. consider happiness in terms of non-materialistic things.
"We are rich. We have sixteen years to our credit,
and we both have wonderful imaginations. We should be as happy as queens"

10. collect kindred spirits.

11. apologize with style.

12. find your paradise. 

13. fall in love reluctantly...enjoy it rather than rushing it.

14. memorize your favorite poems and quotes to recite when necessary. 
"There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colors gay
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot."

15. have the perfect response ready when the man of your dreams tells you he loves you. 
G: it'll be 3 years before I graduate med school,
and even then there won't be any diamond sunbursts or marble halls.
A: I don't want sunbursts or marble halls; I just want you.





XO, 

Destiny 






Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sabrina



Linus Larrabee: 
Go ahead, say it.
Fairchild: 
You don't...deserve her.
Linus Larrabee: 
I don't. I know that. But I need her - and I don't need anything. 

Monday, November 28, 2011

excuses


We all have them, we all make them.

"I can't write a book until I am pleased with my writing" 
"I won't wear this dress until I lose 15 pounds"
"I can't let go of old friends until I make new ones"

We use that word in order to limit ourselves and keep ourselves from reaching our true potential -- as if it is conditional. We nestle that word in the back of our minds, always ready to use it. We rely on that word as an escape from possible failure. We enable ourselves to be deterred from our dreams, our future.

What is your "until"? Overcome it! Let go of what ever circumstances are holding you back. Make your bucket list, check it off, live with intention!

UNTIL
...NOW

Monday, November 7, 2011

marriage & women

It is natural for girls to contemplate our future as fiancees, wives, and even mommies. Yesterday, my first NIECE was brought into this world. She is perfection wrapped up in a little human being sporting pink onesies. After her arrival, I began thinking how proud I am of my sister, Taylor, and brother-in-law. They make such great parents, and in order to be that, they have to be great partners. I often view their marriage and parenting as a model for my own future in these roles (how lucky I am). I know that before I can think about daughters and sons, I have to consider my responsibilities and purpose as a woman. Girls, we all want romance, we all want Prince Charming, we all want butterfly feelings. But I've learned that romance is provided for the woman who understands her role in the relationship; romance is given when the woman can be who her man needs her to be -- certainly not the unrealistic, perfect woman, but rather a Godly, Proverbs 31 woman.

"her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life...she is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household...charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" 

As an unmarried woman, I know I do not have insurmountable knowledge on this subject -- talk to a wife (like my sis) and get the inside scoop, but I do know what GOD expects of me. I do know that I need to become the model that God has so graciously given. If I can be a woman of value, a woman of character, a woman after God's own heart, then I will receive praise and blessings in return. Ladies, when we take time to be the woman God intended, then God will grant us a man that also has sought after the Lord and prepared himself to be the man that satisfies women's specific needs. It's a flawless formula that works.

I think the best way to illustrate and capture the role of a Godly wife would be to include this delicate poem written by my beautiful sister, Brianna.


When you look me in the eye, and I'm the only one you see
I'll look back into yours
And won't hold back any part of me

I'll declare you my lover, my lover for life
Then I'll walk down the aisle
I'll be pure, wearing white

Because I made you a promise, in the form of a ring
My commitment to you: heart, soul, and body
Yes, I'll give you everything

I'll be beautiful, for you, inside and out
I'll love you with this heart I've been saving
You won't ever have to doubt

I'll cook your favorites meals, every night if I'm able
And when you get home late
I'll keep it wrapped, I'll be waiting at the table

Through the joy, through the sorrow
I promise I'll be here
I'll be in your every tomorrow

I'll work on our friendship, I'll talk and I'll listen
I'll give into your will
With quiet submission

I'll kiss you goodnight, wake up with a smile
We'll experience the world together, just you and me,
And I'll never let your wardrobe get outdated in style

When you are sick, ill, or burdened with grief
I'll pray for you, without ceasing,
Until we both find relief

I'll bare us sweet children, a testimony of our love
I'll make you a daddy
Oh what parents we'll become

When you are weak, you fail and you fall
I promise to count our blessing, forgive,
And be with you through it all

When life gets hard, and love is tough
I'll point us to Jesus
He's always be enough

When we get old and have wrinkles from laughter
It's you I will hold
And always look after

And when death do us part, and that day will come
I'll be waiting for you with anticipation,
In the arms of our Love



She covers all the bases. Let's embody these traits. We CAN be powerful women when we follow God's intentional formula. We CAN be what Godly men in this world need and are searching for!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

october: full to the brim

October is my favorite month -- nevermind the fact that it's my birthday month -- it's just so lush and promising and chilly and colorful. This October was FULL to the brim with activities, events, monumental milestones, and beautiful people. I found myself looking back on the month (didn't it FLY by?!) feeling very fulfilled. Praises!



I was blessed to be on the worship team for CrossWalk's 10th Anniversary Service. I just LOVED praising the Lord for all he has done in the life of our church. Being on stage, I could look out and see the faces of changed lives and witness the worship of others. I was overcome with thankfulness and anticipation. God has so much in store! 
Plus, the choir ROCKED and Ben played the harmonica which was sweeeet. 

Faith Phipps and her two wonderful sisters came from northern VA to support Landon! He was so happy! 


Craig, my dear friend from high school, got MARRIED! Me, Catherine, and Ricky traveled to Simpsonville, South Carolina to see him and his beautiful bride tie the knot. It was so special to reunite with these precious people for such a memorable day in Craig's life. FRIENDS FOREVER!


The Ben Rothwell Band road tripped 4 hours to lead worship at a youth retreat in Falling Waters, West Virginia. For a whole weekend, we got to hang out and worship with young people that had such incredible hearts for God. We were so blessed! As a band, we got to go with the group to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. Ben rode his first roller-coaster since 2005!




I discovered my new musical idol. Sara Bareilles. Holy cow, she is flawless. She is quirky, confident, and talented. Her concert for the student body of CNU proved to be some of the best live music I've ever heard. I went with my sweet friend, Brianna Gomez, and our jaws about touched the floor. 


For my birthday, Ben surprised me by taking me to Charlottesville to go apple picking! We picked the juiciest, most delicious Fuji apples, and bought eh, about 2 dozen homemade apple cider doughnuts. The apple orchard is truly a little hidden gem on the top of a mountain. If you're planning on going, bundle up! because it gets even colder in the higher elevation. Also, make sure you leave with some locally grown produce! 





This month, I spent all my friday nights sitting in bleachers watching high school football games. I am not complaining. We were able to cheer on Landon in his moments of glory, and encourage him in those moments that could have gone better. We are so proud of our athlete who loves the Lord with all his heart and relies on HIM for all strength and talent. 


We visited a pumpkin farm to pick out our own pumpkin to carve. Excuse the finished product -- Anderson has been learning all his shapes, so we incorporated that theme.  




xoxo & autumn colors,

D.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

music in film

I am a person who likes the movies that matter -- the movies that take a stand, challenge your thinking, affect your heart, portray true love, show real events, and applaud difference makers.

I really like the movies with good music. I feel like the musical score truly enhances and even reflects the ideals expressed through the cinematography, plot, mise-en-scene, and actors. Music is a HUGE contribution to the value of a film, in my opinion. 

my ultimate movie score list: 


 5. The Holiday -- Hans Zimmer

 4. Ever After -- George Fenton 

         3. Lord of the Rings -- Howard Shore

 2. Anne of Green Gables -- Hagood Hardy

 1. Titanic -- James Horner
    


Sunday, October 16, 2011

CrossWalk's 10th Anniversary Service


Over 10 years ago, I remember my older sister and I were hovering over the computer, on dial-up internet, chatting with boys via AOL instant messenger, while my parents and a few adults had dinner in our dining room. We lived in Michael's Woods in Hampton, VA and my dad was a young, cool youth pastor at a church three minutes down the road. I remember Taylor and I were giggling loudly when my mom came in and told us to be quiet. "We're having a really important meeting in the other room," she said. 

I didn't know then that this was my parents' first meeting with the core launch team of CrossWalk Community Church. "CrossWalk" -- the dream that the Lord planted in my Dad's heart the night he awoke suddenly, overwhelmingly impressed to start a church in Williamsburg, VA. 

Much to us kids' adolescent chagrin, my parents uprooted our family, moved us to Williamsburg, where we rented a house for nine months until our permanent house was built. Within these nine months, my mom had a baby, my aunt, uncle & two cousins lived with us, we were surrounded by boxes, and we had weekly church services in our living room (but no weekly sleepovers, because we no longer had friends).

Needless to say, this was not the brightest of times for me and my sisters. My dad became busy, money became scarce, friends were hard to make, the retirement neighborhood was a bore, and we were entering those precarious middle school years that only bred more angst and unrest. 

It was hard to grasp the purpose behind everything; how selfish we can sometimes be. My parents were pouring out everything they had, and we were ungrateful because we missed the life we had before this whole "church planting business." 

Today, I have such an opposite perspective. I am thankful for the trials we faced, because God brought us to victory. I am thankful that my parents were faithful to God's calling, because we have reaped his abundant blessings. I am thankful that they never gave up, because CrossWalk persevered and is now touching the hearts of so many wonderful people.  I am so proud of my parents. They chased relentlessly after the vision God gave them, and the Lord has been SO faithful.

On October 2, 2011, CrossWalk celebrated its 10th anniversary. As I sat in the audience and watched the lit-up faces of my parents as they greeted over 1000 people, there was no trace of doubt in my heart -- only joy mixed with anticipation for what's to come.

The highlights:






the tent where the celebration commenced 

I am so blessed to be a part of this passionate team



the amazing and delicious cake (by itscake

my favorite photo -- it truly captures the spirit of the day


(images courtesy of Juli R Photography)

When CrossWalk purchased its first permanent building about 5 years ago, a scripture verse was engraved into the wall of the lobby:

"this is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes" --- Psalm 118:23

Nothing is truer of CrossWalk than that statement. 


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

a fall wishlist




------------------

Grandma sweaters



Switchfoot's new album, Vice Verses


polaroid camera

apple picking, hay ride, corn maze, howl-o-scream, pumpkin carving, farmer's market, Octoberfest, bonfires, homemade pies

cowboys vs. redskins tickets

this "sing" necklace

Breakfast at The Trellis and walks in Colonial Williamsburg

this vintage style ring

meeting my soon-to-arrive niece

Forever 21 outerwear

a nice 22nd birthday



------------------


take advantage of the most beautiful time of year,

d.




Sunday, September 18, 2011

Summer 2011: "now you finally know you control where you go, you can STEER"


- I celebrated two years with Ben Rothwell
- I painted on canvas
- I made many mix cds
- I spent 20 hours on airplanes
- I wrote tributes to both my grandparents and parents for their 50th and 25th wedding anniversaries
- I got to spend a week with my nephew and rub the belly of my sister, anticipating my new niece
- I was reunited with my Bulgarian cousins
- I read Anne of Green Gables 
- I received a wedding invitation from a high school friend
- I read a lot of John Keats' poetry
- I became a college senior
- I missed my family desperately
- I met Matt Nathanson
- I didn't see a single movie at the theaters
- I ate a lot of Chick-fil-a with Ben
- I experienced yet another successful road trip with the Morrow family
- I saw both my favorite worship leaders -- Joel Houston and Jon Egan
- I got my first speeding ticket
- I only spent 2 hours in Texas, which was unfortunately a layover :(
- I lost a couple friends
- I gained some new, beautiful ones
- I sang a lot of worship songs
- I saw Hillsong United in concert TWICE on two different continents
- I ate at the Macaroni Grill for the first time
- I listened to Tyler Hilton, Katie Herzig, Dave Barnes, Future of Forestry, and Needtobreathe
- I bought a real leather jacket
- I watched netflix movies with my mom
- I spent a lot of time with Catherine DuVal in both England and America
- I wore a rain jacket for 14 days straight
- I took 123 pictures of my sister and her date for her senior prom
- I was encouraged and loved by a dear sister in Christ, Ashley Hudgens 
- I ate the English Breakfast daily for nine days
- I saw part of God's plan to provide for me unfold
- I took the scenic route to North Carolina, with peanut fields and wild flowers whizzing past me on both sides of the road
- I wore jackets and scarves in July
- I rode on a red double decker bus
- I held and touched books that were centuries old
- I ordered the british delicacy "Bangers and Mash" at an English pub
- I saw Prince William & Kate's faces more than 1000 times in souvenir shops
- I willingly let my hair get soaked by rain on the rocky beach of the English Channel
- I downloaded and used Apple's facetime app
- I was driven around by my license-bearing 16 year-old brother
- I watched my little sister graduate high school
- I enjoyed having a twelve year-old roommate even though she hogged the entire queen bed
- I witnessed my 3 year-old brother willingly go under water for the first time at our neighborhood swimming pool 
- I was scared spitless in the the backseat as my dad drove through a hailstorm
- I made my parents an 11 minute slideshow -- telling their story through pictures
- I saw the Colorado Rockies
- I became responsible for 50 sophomores on the second floor of James River Hall at CNU
- I sat through 39.5 hours of training in the span of two weeks
- I took on the "skyscraper" challenge at a high ropes course
- I learned, despite my prior belief, I am not ready to go 2 months without a mom there to just "be the mom" when you need her
- I was given flowers when I got off an airplane
- I saw Big Ben, rode the London Eye, toured Parliament, walked through Westminister Abbey, and gawked at the Crown Jewels in the London Tower
- I went punting
- I attended my mom's first piano recital and watched proudly as her 7 students performed their pieces
- I sent postcards
- I drank lots of English tea
- I visited 5 massive cathedrals
- I chose family over friends
- I was inspired by various sights, sounds, and people
- I went approximately 58 days without any Anderson kisses, hugs, laughter, or quality time
- I, regretfully, missed more church than ever before
- I survived extended amounts of time without my sisters; still don't know how
- I read, I traveled, I loved, I sang, I drove, I flew, I tried new food, met new people, discovered new things; I grew up. 


Here are some of my favorite pictures from summer:

matt nathanson...before his concert was cancelled due to a storm

two years and counting


family photo in Colorado Springs

brother and nephew

sisterly love....plus the niece :)



white cliffs of Dover and the English Channel

tea time in Bury St. Edmonds, England

a moment with michelle while punting on the River Cam

virginia beach

my new college freshman


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