The pottery is here!

Well, that pottery class I told you about has sadly come to an end (for now).

I finally have most of the stuff I made & thought I'd show you!

I know my bowls need a little work, but I really love them ;)

Making me smile!

I realize I often think of my future husband.

Sometimes I get all dreamy picturing a handful of fresh wild flowers in his hand, waiting for my eyes to behold them.

Or leaving each other little love notes.

Then a sweet picture comes to mind & I smile.

That's exactly what God has been doing for me! Sometimes at a random moment I'll get the feeling He just slipped an, "I love you!" to me.

Or I'll notice that He "gave" me a sunny day. (He knows what I like!)

And then earlier, He positioned the moon just right for my viewing. I love when He does little things like that! And I don't even deserve it.

But He loves us so much that He'll subtly & (sometimes sneakily!) sneak in a fresh flower or a butterfly just to make us smile. I imagine He loves watching us smile! I can't wait to see His!

But our heavenly Father is so...so wonderful.

And I am praying that my future husband will be just like Him!

"If I flew on mornings wings to the far western horizon, 

   You'd find me in a minute--you're already there waiting!"

-Psalm 139:9 The Message-

 "I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!"

-v.13-

"You are precious in My sight...and I love you."

-Isaiah 43:4- 

"Do not question and do not doubt. Each day holds some small joy that shall escape you if you are preoccupied with tomorrow. Nothing daunts your Father...but today you may live in the full blessing of your Father's smile. Live one day at a time!"

-Frances J. Roberts-

 

Let's go a'walkin

I wonder how many times I've heard a bird tweet above my head.

Or how many times I felt a sweet breeze sweep my cheek.

Or how many times I've walked to a new loved spot.

Or how many times I new this was going to be my new favorite place.

Or how many times my heart fluttered as I snapped a picture of bliss.

Or how many times I've spontanously walked barefoot in an unknown place.

I wonder how many times I took a silent walk with no one by my side except the One who walked in the garden during the cool of day.

-..."they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze..."- Genesis 3:8

Deep content & peace.

Life's sweetest things are often quiet things: 

The hush before the morning bird first sings,

The Peaceful stillness at the break of day,

A silent pool where dappled sunbeams play,

The light caress of wind, the gentle rain,

Sweet-scented dusk, the quiet after pain,

The silent wonder in the questing eyes

Of children seeing bits of paradise.

Stars hung like jewels in the far, still sky,

An arch of rainbow lights, a butterfly.

The fire glow of flickering quietude,

Quiet essence of a hushed and golden mood.

Just quiet things...a tranquil, greening hill,

A stream serene, the nighttime, sweet and still

Can fill the soul with deep content and peace

And from all the ills the heart can find release.

~Ruth B. Field~

Pictures not mine!

Reminders from heaven

So, I'm driving down the mansion way, past the tunnel of trees & I see a rainbow cloud. 3rd one I've seen this year. Well, it reminded me of something. It reminded me of a promise. Not just the promise of a flood long ago, but a promise. A sweet promise of God.

Then I kept on driving & was reminded of a necklace I've been wearing for a week. I figured it looked just like the moon, & when I hold it between my fingers, I am reminded of trust. If God can do the exact same thing with the real moon, & even with the earth, then I should trust Him with my life.

That reminder led me to the sun. The sun reminds me of warmth. Protection. Brilliance. Comfort. The comfort of a Father. A Son. 

And that led me to think of the stars. The stars remind me to be still. When I'm out under the twinkling sky, all I hear are the nighttime critters. The stars remind me of silence before a big God.

As I approached a red light, I began to think of other things. Trees. They remind me of growth. Just as a baby tree needs to be upheld by something in order to grow straight, I am upheld by Him. I am supported.

The ocean. The ocean reminds me of faith. It reminds me that God is able to calm a storming sea.

Then I saw birds. I've always seen myself like them. Small, yet full of dreams. Ready to take off. Ready to fly like an eagle. The only problem is, I haven't even flown out of the nest yet. Birds, they remind me of patience.

Rain. It reminds me of God's help. He knows our needs, just like rain after a drought.

Eagles. I love those. Grandma loves eagles. And now I can see why. They remind me of courage & strength. Of faith, as well.

Clouds. I am reminded of time when I see how fast they move across the sky. Life is short.

The sky. That reminds me of God's plan. It's big & wide!

A sunset. I am reminded of creativity & that it's where we receive ours from.

You see, everything has a purpose & God is right there guiding it along. He knows it all!

So, I got to my destination. And with a new courage that everything, everything was going to work out. That I had nothing to fear, that God is a God who saves.

Pictures not mine! I didn't steal them, I swear!

My Morning Glory...

   This morning I woke to the simple sound of nothing. I usually prefer to wake up before the sun comes up,    hearing birdies sing their morning songs, & arise to my rested feet when no one else can be found awake. 

But lately, that hasn't been happening. I have no real discipline for going to bed late.

Well, this morning, even though it wasn't the early morning hours, I stepped outside to take a letter to the mail. On my way I noticed a beautiful sight of red morning glories. A new favorite. They make me smile. And happy. I think it's these little joys that make a person truly happy, because they're so subtle & small.

They reminded me of God's glory in the morning. You know, how His mercies are new every morning. It's such a sweet reminder to to see morning glories and think upon His morning glory.

"My voice You shall hear in the morning,

O Lord;

In the morning I will direct it to You,

And I will look up."

~Psalm 5:3~

 I'm off to do school...this is a bittersweet moment for me.

The color of your life.

Color's great isn't it? I've been pondering a thought for a while: what if we lived in a black & white world? What a sad life it would be. There'd be no colorful sunrise to wake up to. No fresh red rose to gaze upon.

I think I take color for granted because I don't truly appreciate the beauty it holds; the life, for lack of a better word, it brings.
You know, gazing into silver-blue eyes,

Walking through a field of wild flowers,

 The different "paints" our creative Creator uses to pain the sky.

It's like He especially orchestrates the perfect happenings everyday just for us (sunsets & sunrises, shooting stars, etc.).
You know what it reminded me of? In a way, the world is sort of black and white. But the people are few where Color is their life.

Images credit: diviantart.com

A cup full of modesty.

Honesty.

This word is the word that was used when I was "forced" to process all that was coming at me. The words were put in the kindest of ways, but the meaning was just too harsh for me.

We sat there. Me. Mom. and my older sister. Discussing things. Things about me. I hadn't even started this. But still, we discussed. I was told many things that were observed about my life. I was told the concerns they had for me. Little did they know that I was totally oblivious to it all. 

Their thoughts: (which I very much appreciate now). 

I was told that I come off insecure, low self-esteemed. Now, they were not bringing me down, they were just concerned as to why. Depression was also one that was brought up. Oh, and isolation.

My thoughts: 

I assured them that I do struggle daily with my mind/thoughts. But I guess what they didn't know was that I love myself! Not loath! 

Some modesty issues were also brought up. I can totally realize why people question why I wear long skirts & little to no make up. I mean, hardly anyone does that in these days, and so its quite understandable. I hadn't really thought about the fact that people were thinking I was "afraid" to show my body off (as if it was a good thing!) or that I felt insecure about my body and that's why they think I cover up myself. My Mom & sister have always understood modesty. But they think I go to an extreme.

To some, it's an extreme to cover yourself up like "an old lady" in a skirt. To me, its beautifully modest and God honoring. And modesty doesn't necessarily mean dressing like an old lady might I add! Dressing womanly with a cup full of modesty and a tablespoon of style has nothing to do with potato sacs and nothing but cloth head to toe.

I am glad that the discussion was brought up because I know their true feelings & now they know mine. Now they know that I wear what I wear because I am happy with it, and I know God is too. They know that I love femininity and modesty and guarding my heart in that way. They know that yes, I feel insecure sometimes, and yes, I struggle with low self esteem, but that I am so comfortable with who I am. God made everyone different, I'm learning. And I love who He made me to be.

He made me to love these things. He made me enjoy certain things like, reading, writing, old fashioned things, art, etc. I really do love who I am!

I think this made me appreciate who I am more than ever. I don't want to change myself, and in some ways I know I need to for the sake of God's Word. 

My point tonight is that I am me, and I'm okay with it. I am still growing & learning. And not to mention experiencing and adventuring! But at this moment - I Amber Noella Leyba, love---me.

And I know God does too. And what He thinks of me is all that really matters, anyway. 

As long as it's pleasing Him, who you are, what you like, and what you do is the only thing that will ever matter.

With Arms Lifted High

"I desire therefore that the men [and women] pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands..."

~1 Timothy 2:8~

My head is lifted above me, and my hands are flying in the air.

Little beams of sun kiss my smiling face.

And then a soft, gentle breeze sweeps across my cheek, 

And whispers that You love me.

And with arms wide open,

I give You my all.

"To You, O God, I give myself entirely all

  the days of my life."

-John Wesley-