Lately

So. It's been awhile. It's been a doozy of a winter here in Indianapolis, and obviously a lot has happened since June.  I will have to *aim* for a weekly update to catch up until the present day.  For now, Happy *almost* Spring, everyone!

Summer!

Having time off work is wonderful.  While I still tutor full days a few days a week, I can get some tasks done around the house as well! We have hung pictures (and bought sunflowers at the Broad Ripple Farmer's Market!)

 These flowers just started blooming in our front yard!

 We have been shoveling rock and started replanting grass where the rock once sat (for over 40 years!)

 We took a vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama. 

Life is good today.

Fullness of Life

It's been a full week.  Our basement was full of water from the rain.  Our time was filled with concerts and work.  Our hearts were full with the love and support of family and friends. Despite the "fullness" of life, my prayer this week is that we might reflect on the fullness of God and what that means in our daily lives.

Ephesians 3: 

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Spring, will you please stay for awhile?

As I continue to read through Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, she continues to challenge me to be more Christlike.  In my thoughts.  In my actions.  In my attitudes and motivations.  One of my favorite topics in the book so far has been her analyzing fear vs. trust.  This quote from Chapter 8 was a breath of fresh air for me:

"All fear is but a notion that God's love ends.  Do you think that I end, that my bread warehouses are limited, that I will not be enough?  But I am infinite, child.  What can end in Me?  Can life end in Me?  Can happiness?  Or peace?  Or anything you need?  Doesn't your Father always give you what you need?  I am the Bread of Life and My bread for you will never end.  Fear thinks God is finite and fear believes that there is not going to be enough and hasn't counting one thousand gifts, endlessly counting gifts, exposed the lie at the heart of all fear?  In Me, blessings never end because My love for you never ends.  If My goodnesses toward you end, I will cease to exist, child.  As long as there is a God in heaven there is grace on earth and I am the spilling God of the uncontainable, forever-overflowing-love-grace."

These words are a powerful, comforting reminder on the dark days.  When it seems God is absent.  When the joy is seemingly more difficult to cultivate.  I am thankful for a God who sees me and who knows what is best for me, even when I don't "see" him moving.  

Now, about this Indiana "Spring".  You have to search long and hard, but when you see the sun shining through the dark clouds, and the buds pushing their way up through the ground, you get a small glimpse of what's coming.  Praise the Lord!

 I told you that you would have to search long and hard...can you find the buds in the bottom picture?  It's like Where's Waldo...without the stripes. 

One Thousand Gifts {3}

Continuing this list of God-whispered blessings in Orlando, Florida.

53. A warm rain falling over us at the pool
54. A father thinking the mayo was free at the grocery
55. Rain droplets on the screen in porch
56. Squeaky shoes on the gym floor
57. The phone ringing and talking to hubby
58. Dark clouds rolling through the sky followed by pure blue sky
59. A warm gentle breeze
60. Soft tissues to blow my nose
61. Children chasing slimy lizards by the pool...and catching them too!
62. A rainbow assortment of flowers
62. Palm trees swaying the breeze seemingly singing "hosanna"
64. Children's laughter over the small things
65. The imagination of a child...and watching them play pretend
66. Finding money that you forgot you had