time well spent.

last week i went to visit josh and jenn in decatur, illinois. time spent with them is irreplaceable. a married couple who have spoken great truth into my life. lives lived transparently beyond themselves. children growing up in a home where love abounds.

several moments filled with Bella asking, 'banana, will you play with me? will you hold my baby, she's crying."

tours of the town and shopping trips. honest conversations over treats to starbucks and children taking naps.

Bella is three, and determined that she can do most things on her own. when she asks her mom for permission to do something - and is told to wait just a minute - Bella is already well on her way to conquering her desire after being told not to. if only she had waited for mom - the chalk would have only been used to draw on the chalk board and not the floor. the play dough would have stayed on the table. and the mascara and lipstick wouldn't have been ruined.

waiting. a concept that is so hard for Bella to learn now. a concept i myself have struggled grasping lately.

waiting for answers over this summer.
waiting to know the details on going to africa.
waiting to see what life will look like beyond college.

even after we're told to wait - we act and move upon our own will and desire. perhaps our desired answer or outcome could have been heard or seen, had we just waited like we were told to.

learning to wait well.
learning to listen while i wait.
learning to live with great expectation as i strive to walk in obedience.