To every thing there is a season...

There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend,a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,a time for war and a time for peace. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8~

It's been interesting, this time in my life. All the changes are somewhat sad to me, but on the other hand, it's very exciting to see what God is doing. David left to go to the Philippines today and I know God is using him to turn people to Jesus; that's awesome. I'm very thankful and humbled by the place God's given me with being David's wife. God is way good to me.
I've been thinking about this question a lot: "Who am I?" I know who I am, but are those defining qualities really who I am? I am a Christian, a wife, a mom, a daughter, a singer/musician, softball player, lover of the outdoors, a reader, a friend... Yes, those are all true. The first one "Christian" is the one I've been contemplating recently and have found great comfort in it. I put this song's lyrics as my facebook status the other day:

I'm not the clothes I’m wearing. I’m not a photograph. I’m not the car I drive. I’m not the money I make. I’m not the things I lack. I’m not the songs that I write.I am loved and I am free! I believe, help my unbelief.
Here's the second verse:
I’m not the house I live in. I’m not the man I love. I’m not the mistakes that I carry. I’m not the food that I don’t eat.
I’m not what I’m above. I’m not my scars and my history.

These are JJ Heller's words, but I really liked them.
I'm not defined by being in "my band" (which I'm no longer a part of), I'm not defined by how well I speak Spanish (fortunately!), or by all the places I've been or haven't been...GOD defines who I am and I am His. So the fact that I'm not in my band anymore does bother me and the friend I've potentially lost, but I know that God's child is who I am. He can do more than we can ask or imagine, so I know He's going to do great things!
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." I read this verse in Spanish and English the other day in Hebrews 12:14. I've tried to make peace and I don't know any more to do. I love my friend and pray God will give her life in Him always. Being God's Daughter of the Promise, I have to live for Him the best I can and try to show His love to all around. I'm not perfect, but I try live for Jesus' honor. I've come from a nasty pit and God got me out. I know He can take anyone from where they are and place them on the heights! I pray that everyone will see the Lord when they look at me and know that I am a follower of Christ.
I heard today that my dear friend had a baby boy this morning! 9lbs 9oz! This event is one of those "pure & lovely" things I've been trying to dwell on recently. I can't wait to see baby Caleb.
Love to all of you out there!
~Caryn