Welcome Home

8/22/14

There's something about traveling, especially in airports. You find all sorts of people, all kinds, from all places. And there's something about making a connection with them. Talking about religion, hobbies, careers, or education for an entire flight, taking off & coming back down with stomach dropping bumps along the way, whispered conversations about going home for a father's funeral or a fascinating book or the best things to do in Pittsburgh, hugs in the airport saying goodbye, simple glances or smiles with an unspoken understanding. I love these human beings, people I have never met, and probably never will. People who are living their lives, raising their families, pursuing their careers, overcoming trials, finding happiness, doing the best their little hearts can.

And it's times like these when I realize there is so much more to life than science, or equations. I mean, look at us. There is no possible way that we were just accidentally formed by evolution, or an explosion, or thousands of years of change.  There is no way that there wasn't something before this life, and there won't be anything after.  We are all children of a LOVING Heavenly Father.

WE ALL ARE, OKAY.

Every single person in that airport.
And in the cars on the freeway.
And in the stadium of a Steelers game.
And in the cute houses,
or huge apartment buildings.
And in Africa and Russia and Australia.
We are all part of a Plan of Happiness.

Look at us, we are Divine.
We are created in God's image.
And we are beautiful.
We are going to live,
with our families,
forever.
It's all going to work out.
This life is.
Heavenly Father knows us,
loves us,
is looking out for us,
and is proud of us.

I like that.
I like that a whole lot.

I hope some, if any, of this made sense.
Hold your head up, have hope, life is good.

Love, Bekah

Stranded in Chicago

8/21/2014

Dancing in Point State Park

8/21/14

Let's Make a Rap for Mel's Birthday

8/18/14

Faith & Beks at Joy's Farewell

xoxo

8/17/2014

Joy's Farewell

8/17/14

Hi, Pittsburgh

Hola, 

ni hao,

hello from the state of Pennsylvania. 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

I'm out here visiting my beautiful bestie, Joy Purnell (who was my roommate Freshman year), for her birthday and her mission farewell talk. On Saturday we rode the incline (picture a very slow, very cute, uphill train with one boxcar) to get an incredible view of the city, ate at Primanti Brothers (they put the whole meal - meat, fries, and cole slaw - on the sandwich), and walked around the city for a bit. It's a very unique city because it's very old (and old fashioned) and has lots and lots of bridges.  The city with the most bridges in the world, actually. BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL. SO that's been cool! Then Joy gave a very beautiful and inspired talk today. It was cool because here in Pittsburgh, since there aren't very many missionaries from the wards, they encourage traditional farewells where the parents speak as well. So we got to hear from Joy AND her parents, YAY. It was a "Power Hour" of Sacrament Meeting if you ask me. The spirit was very sweet and strong, and I felt the truth in their words and their testimonies. 

Joy & her sister Holly also sang a song called "In Christ Alone." 

The lyrics rang truth to me, and the spirit brought me to tears.

Here are the beautiful, beautiful lyrics:

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand​

It's been a really amazing Sunday. I know that Jesus Christ is our Brother and Friend. HE LOVES US. HE WANTS THE BEST FOR US. What a blessing it is that we a have a chance to feel the joy that comes from the gospel. Real, obtainable, eternal joy.  And that's really, really cool.

Love, Bekah Ellen Boyd

P I T T S B U R G H

8/16/14