Sunday, March 9, 2014
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!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
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.
Monday, April 22, 2013
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."
Monday, April 1, 2013
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.
"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!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
One Thousand Gifts (2)
Day 2 of pondering what I am thankful for...
22. A yummy, easy dinner (manicotti) that makes all kinds of leftovers
23. Easter Candy
24. Resurrection Easter Eggs
25. Students recovering from flu-like illness
26. A God who hears and answers prayer
27. The opportunity to share the Gospel in Chapel tomorrow
28. The privilege to serve and grow God's kingdom
29. A direct line at hubby's work to chat with him
30. A loving mom to talk with on my commute
31. A baby grand piano in my dining room
32. A new thermostat (and I won't have to remember to turn down the heat!)
33. I found my I-pod today! And it still works!
34. Clean towels.
35. Red fancy plates to eat on
36. A cell phone that still works even if I drop it and it falls apart. :)
37. A kitty who sits quietly and looks out the window all night.
38. A suitcase to pack.
39. A new doctor.
40. Flowers starting to grow in my classroom.
41. A doctor willing to switch medication.
42. A doctor who isn't OK with me having migraines.
43. 48 plastic easter eggs for $1.97 at Walmart.
44. A parent who sends in 12 egg cartons to help with a class project.
45. Tickets purchased for 2 Vacations in 2013 with hubby.
46. A front and a back porch.
47. A heater/air conditioning unit on my back porch.
48. A blue sky.
49. New sidewalks on our freshly paved street.
50. Restaurants within walking distance.
51. The color pink.
52. Chocolate. Sweets. My Food Pyramid is a little inverted this week.
Over and out.
22. A yummy, easy dinner (manicotti) that makes all kinds of leftovers
23. Easter Candy
24. Resurrection Easter Eggs
25. Students recovering from flu-like illness
26. A God who hears and answers prayer
27. The opportunity to share the Gospel in Chapel tomorrow
28. The privilege to serve and grow God's kingdom
29. A direct line at hubby's work to chat with him
30. A loving mom to talk with on my commute
31. A baby grand piano in my dining room
32. A new thermostat (and I won't have to remember to turn down the heat!)
33. I found my I-pod today! And it still works!
34. Clean towels.
35. Red fancy plates to eat on
36. A cell phone that still works even if I drop it and it falls apart. :)
37. A kitty who sits quietly and looks out the window all night.
38. A suitcase to pack.
39. A new doctor.
40. Flowers starting to grow in my classroom.
41. A doctor willing to switch medication.
42. A doctor who isn't OK with me having migraines.
43. 48 plastic easter eggs for $1.97 at Walmart.
44. A parent who sends in 12 egg cartons to help with a class project.
45. Tickets purchased for 2 Vacations in 2013 with hubby.
46. A front and a back porch.
47. A heater/air conditioning unit on my back porch.
48. A blue sky.
49. New sidewalks on our freshly paved street.
50. Restaurants within walking distance.
51. The color pink.
52. Chocolate. Sweets. My Food Pyramid is a little inverted this week.
Over and out.
Monday, March 18, 2013
One Thousand GIfts
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Reading through One Thousand Gifts right now by Ann Voskamp. Feeling VERY challenged during this dreary week in March to come up with one thousand things that I am thankful for. The goal: to have blogged and listed 1000 things that I am thankful for/have blessed me by the end of April. Here. Goes. Nothing.
1. Glimpses of sunshine over the past 3 weeks (even if it doesn't last more than a few hours!)
2. Gift cards for a much needed oil change.
3. A husband who has a job and works very hard to provide for me.
4. A job that I love with 15 students that have stolen my heart.
5. An adorable fur ball named Lacy who sleeps with me when Joe works late.
6. Fresh fruits and vegetables to eat for lunch and dinner.
7. A healthy body.
8. A doctor to go to when the body isn't feeling healthy.
9. Glasses and contacts. I seriously would not be able to drive without them.
10. Speaking of driving, a car. My little Nissan is the bomb (dot) com.
11. My house. Which is also warm.
12. Heat. And the money to pay for the bill.
13. Even though our hot water heater will die in the next 4 months, HOT WATER! :)
14. My yard. That I can hopefully plant a garden in.
15. Friends. Especially the kind that bring you Coke from McDonalds or call and ask you to dinner.
16. My washer and dryer work swimmingly. And my clothes are clean because of them.
17. My garage door has an opener. All I have to do is push a button. Awesome.
18. A dishwasher. Seriously, this is our first good one and I LOVE it. We are good friends.
19. Food to cook. Even though cooking is not my favorite, we have never gone hungry.
20. Our next door neighbors, who will invite us over at the last minute for dinner...when they had just gotten back from vacation themselves...
21. My bed...which is currently shouting my name.
Happy Monday to you all! :)
Reading through One Thousand Gifts right now by Ann Voskamp. Feeling VERY challenged during this dreary week in March to come up with one thousand things that I am thankful for. The goal: to have blogged and listed 1000 things that I am thankful for/have blessed me by the end of April. Here. Goes. Nothing.
1. Glimpses of sunshine over the past 3 weeks (even if it doesn't last more than a few hours!)
2. Gift cards for a much needed oil change.
3. A husband who has a job and works very hard to provide for me.
4. A job that I love with 15 students that have stolen my heart.
5. An adorable fur ball named Lacy who sleeps with me when Joe works late.
6. Fresh fruits and vegetables to eat for lunch and dinner.
7. A healthy body.
8. A doctor to go to when the body isn't feeling healthy.
9. Glasses and contacts. I seriously would not be able to drive without them.
10. Speaking of driving, a car. My little Nissan is the bomb (dot) com.
11. My house. Which is also warm.
12. Heat. And the money to pay for the bill.
13. Even though our hot water heater will die in the next 4 months, HOT WATER! :)
14. My yard. That I can hopefully plant a garden in.
15. Friends. Especially the kind that bring you Coke from McDonalds or call and ask you to dinner.
16. My washer and dryer work swimmingly. And my clothes are clean because of them.
17. My garage door has an opener. All I have to do is push a button. Awesome.
18. A dishwasher. Seriously, this is our first good one and I LOVE it. We are good friends.
19. Food to cook. Even though cooking is not my favorite, we have never gone hungry.
20. Our next door neighbors, who will invite us over at the last minute for dinner...when they had just gotten back from vacation themselves...
21. My bed...which is currently shouting my name.
Happy Monday to you all! :)
Sunday, March 3, 2013
A little getaway...
Halfway through the dreary month of February, I got to take a three day hiatus to Marco Island, FL. My mom and grandma went for 2 weeks and invited me to come down for a few days in the middle. We had a great time and was the perfect way for me to spend my 3-day weekend! :) With the craziness of life and busyness of school, I had no idea how badly I needed to get away and gain some fresh perspective. I guess sharing life for three days with older, wiser women will do that to you...
My mom loves shelling out on the beach and had quite the finds before I arrived!
Due to rain throughout my visit, we went to play BINGO in the lobby...if only we could have won some dough!
Sharing dinner at the Pelican Bend restaurant in Isle of Capri, FL.
The sunset.
Shelling before I had to catch my flight.
Oh the seagulls.
I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with my family and for the stories and vision we share together. Here's to a new yearly adventure...right mom?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Seasons of Life
January, February, and March can be challenging months around these parts. It's easy to contract cabin fever (as well as the flu), easy to feel lonely, bored, or just to have a case of the blahs. It's even more easy for me to become narcissistic, selfish, and to become wrapped up on my own little world. In fact, often I let my circumstances control how joyful I am. At church today, I was reminded of the broader picture. Though my circumstances may sometimes feel bleak, Jesus has proven his great love for me and I need to rise up and share this love with others. This song, He is Faithful by Jesus Culture spoke to my heart today and I hope it ministers to yours as well.
He is Faithful by Jesus Culture
I have heard a sound coming on the wind
Changing hearts and mind, healing brokenness
I feel a generation breaking through despair
I hear a generation full of faith, declare
And our song it will be
Out of the darkness we will rise and sing
He is faithful, He is glorious
He is Jesus, all my hope is in Him
He is freedom, He is healing right now
He is hope and joy, love and peace and life
I have seen a light like the break of dawn
Giving blind men sight and letting lame men walk
I see a generation with resurrection life
We are a generation filled with the power of Christ
He has paid the highest price
He has proven His great love for us
We will praise Him with our lives
And proclaim our love for Him
Changing hearts and mind, healing brokenness
I feel a generation breaking through despair
I hear a generation full of faith, declare
And our song it will be
Out of the darkness we will rise and sing
He is faithful, He is glorious
He is Jesus, all my hope is in Him
He is freedom, He is healing right now
He is hope and joy, love and peace and life
I have seen a light like the break of dawn
Giving blind men sight and letting lame men walk
I see a generation with resurrection life
We are a generation filled with the power of Christ
He has paid the highest price
He has proven His great love for us
We will praise Him with our lives
And proclaim our love for Him
Friday, January 11, 2013
Exhaustion
Sickness.
Late to Bed.
Early to Rise.
Chores to be done.
Kids to love on.
Lessons to teach.
Shoes to tie.
Coats to zip.
Pants to button.
Laundry to fold.
Dishes to wash.
Parenthood to watch.
This is the best kind of exhaustion. Exhaustion stemming from purpose, from productivity, from serving others.
Good night!
Late to Bed.
Early to Rise.
Chores to be done.
Kids to love on.
Lessons to teach.
Shoes to tie.
Coats to zip.
Pants to button.
Laundry to fold.
Dishes to wash.
Parenthood to watch.
This is the best kind of exhaustion. Exhaustion stemming from purpose, from productivity, from serving others.
Good night!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Time For A Change
Happy New Year!
Hubby and I have been busy completing many projects over my Christmas Break...we have added storage in our basement, added a desk/craft area in the basement, put REAL shelves in our pantry, AND painted the family room. It feels wonderful to have a clean, organized house going into the 2nd half of the school year!
Here are some pics of the paint transformation...
Here is my newly decorated mantel for Valentine's Day. I got the hearts
and ribbon at Target in the dollar section and the ornaments (in the
vase) were 70% off from Christmas. The whole makeover cost me about
$8. LOVE this way it turned out.
Hubby and I have been busy completing many projects over my Christmas Break...we have added storage in our basement, added a desk/craft area in the basement, put REAL shelves in our pantry, AND painted the family room. It feels wonderful to have a clean, organized house going into the 2nd half of the school year!
Here are some pics of the paint transformation...
Lacy ALWAYS is in on the action. This gives you an idea of the wall color before--a greyish-blue color.
I had the blessing of MUCH family help. Ben and Osi are wonderful painters.
Mom is an amazing edger.
Ben, Sarah, and Osi, tired after their hard work!
Here are my new walls--Bittersweet Stem 75%. I LOVE them.
What home improvement projects have you attempted this new year?
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
In Memory of 2012
The year 2012 was a wonderful year for Joe and I! Here's a little recap of what happened...
Where has the time gone? When I look back at 2012, I am amazed at God's provision and perfect timing in all things. We have been blessed far beyond what we deserve in 2012 and I am excited to see what 2013 holds for us!
January
I had all four wisdom teeth removed and spent the first week recovering.
I celebrated my 24th birthday downtown at St. Elmo's with Joe and got a free dessert! After dinner, we walked around Georgia Street checking out all of the Super Bowl sites...unfortunately I have no pictures. :(
February
The Super Bowl came to Indianapolis which was a blast! My friends and I spent part of the weekend checking out downtown Indy...
Well, it was busy season. Joe spent Thursday nights recording for his new album and every other night working late...we topped off the month by recording his new album, The Fallout at the Quad Studios in Nashville with John David Webster. We had a blast staying in a disgusting hotel, meeting some amazing musicians, and I got to shop!
March
Honestly, I don't remember too much about March. I know it was unseasonably warm and all of the trees and flowers were starting to bud!
April
My parents took me on an amazing adventure to Key West, Florida. We had a great time exploring Miami, Key Largo, and ended our trip in Sarasota with my sister.
May
May started out with a baby shower for my dear friend and college roommate, Amber, and ended with the conclusion of my first year teaching first grade. Oh, and busy season was over!
June
We thought we bought a house, but didn't end up getting it. This was sad, but it has a happy ending...God knew what he was doing! The month of June was spent taking lifelong friends to Symphony on the Prairie, being at the pool, going to my parents, attending a wedding, and teaching a reading intervention course at school.
July
My good friend from school was married and we were blessed to attend!
We spent the 4th of July at my grandma's house on the lake.
My husband turned 25 and I made him a basket of 25 of his favorite things.
My mom and I worked on sewing rag quilts for craft shows in the Fall.
Throughout July, we were also continuing to look for houses and I started packing "just in case".
August
We found out that our offer was accepted and closed on this beautiful house! A week later I started school. The rest of the month is an insane blur. But a very happy blur.
September
We went to a wedding in Kansas for my lovely cousin, Erin over Labor Day weekend. The next weekend, Joe played a concert in the 'burbs.
October
Joe played another show for a non-profit, Purchased, which raises awareness for human trafficking. I helped mom sell Mittens at many craft fairs and she was our house guest. Oh, and my sister met me for Ivanhoe's! It was a great month of Fall Fun!
November
My
best friend from childhood, Rachel, got married this month. This month
was full of her bachelorette party, Thanksgiving, and her lovely
wedding.
December
December was full of wonderful time with family and friends. We attended our staff Christmas parties, decorated our home, mailed Christmas cards, my brother graduated from Butler, and we had 5 family Christmases. We ended the year at the Colts/Texans game as a gift from my parents. December probably just deserves its own post as we accomplished at least 5 home improvement projects, attended concerts, and just enjoyed being together.
Where has the time gone? When I look back at 2012, I am amazed at God's provision and perfect timing in all things. We have been blessed far beyond what we deserve in 2012 and I am excited to see what 2013 holds for us!
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