The Importance of Protecting Your Marriage...

It has been over a week since I have sat in this chair, staring at this screen, and tried to find words.  Lately, He's calling me to Silence and the flow of writing is slower, shall we say. Because of that, and because He is still calling me to a 'glorious lack of productivity' (His words... not yet mine!) I am linking up with all the places, so this post will graciously be --or at least start!-- in classic Five Minute Friday form.

I have missed you, but it turns out that God didn't want me to just WRITE about Rest. He wasn't asking me to just remind you guys again and again, but He was wanting me to literally slow and stop and actually do the work of entering in to His Rest for a time! 

How many know and can attest that sometimes it really IS work to enter in?

It was like a little mini refresher course of what I learned during my Summer of Silence and there is freedom in remembering that social media or the internet is not the boss of us!

In my Resting... He is reminding me of the importance of protecting the relationships that mean the most to us - and to Him (...and how we best go about doing that!)

I'll give you a hint: it includes expressing thankfulness, speaking life, and knowing (and remembering) who you really are! 

This enables you to bring your best self to the table!

Looking for Small Wonders and Counting Gifts...

Last Friday I wrote about Rest real quick like, before I ran out the door and hit the road running... in search of a little R&R while doing some dream team strategery (read: planning) for the year ahead at Dad's House.

The irony was not lost on me.

When the Lord is not being Oh. So. Obvious. in His attempt to capture my attention and slow. me. down. again, back to the rhythm of rest, then He is reminding me of one of the best ways to do that... by counting gifts!

Seriously - in the last couple of months, these are a few of the books He has put in front of me... 

When God Just Keeps Saying the SAME Thing... Rest - a Five Minute Friday post

You know how it goes... {Insert Gushing Comment about my tribe over at #fmfparty on Twitter and the whole Five Minute Friday Community here.}

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: REST

{GO}

I can't seem to escape this word... or of the need for it to manifest in my life.

Rest... we all need it!  

We hunger and thirst for it even --but it's not loud and it will not shout for our attention.

It's easy to put it off... push it aside... or think we are immune to needing it.  

It's not something this world offers freely and it will not happen on accident!  

True rest is intentional and slow... it seeps down deep to water our roots and often it's only when we find ourselves bone dry and dying of thirst that we notice our need of it!

How to Diffuse One of the Enemies Most Valuable Weapons

Don't you just love how God will use anything... and I mean any. thing. to reveal His love and draw us closer?

I was talking with a few friends this past week who are in a season that they are not really fond of and here's the thing: If you're not there now... well, let's be real... you will be (again) one day! 

All of us have gone through hard seasons, harsh darkness, heavy circumstances that we would've rather not had to go through!

I was telling a friend just this morning that a part of me longs for the 'good old days' of my Summer of Silence. 

I know, right? If you were around back then you may remember that I was not so much loving it as it was happening! 

And yet... In this season of full and busy, I find myself longing for the slow and quiet. And then He quickly reminds me that He taught me how to tap into slow and quiet both in the silence AND in the midst of full and busy (Apparently, He taught me that, you know, for a reason!)

Don't Lose Heart... a Five Minute Friday post

I made it, y'all! I made it on time and stayed for most of the party and it was so nice to be back! Some of the players (aka writers) have changed... I don't think we have talked about Nutella for awhile, and there has been less hashtagging it up (but I plan on bringing that back) and we haven't had a Ninja (Crystal Stine) stop by for awhile... but the heart of this tribe still beats strong and if you lean in and listen close, you will hear it... You can do this! You are a writer! You are not alone! (And who doesn't need that reminder every once in awhile --read: every Thursday night?)

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: LOSE

{GO}

My first thought is, "Don't lose heart..." but this week, y'all? Am I right? 

I wrote about #Orlando a bit here and I have been being intentional this week in not losing heart... in not growing weary... in practicing Self-Care and Rest and giving myself room to process, to heal, to breathe.

If you follow me on social media at all (or even stop by this little corner of the interwebs here!) you will see that I am in love and have all the swoony, romantic feels for my Hydrangeas! They take my breath away with their beauty!

When It's Vital (and Humbling) To Know Who He Says You Are

This world, y'all... it is heartbreaking and brutal and it can seem like it is spinning right out of control.

We can tap into the heaviness and let the darkness talk us into believing that evil is closing in on us on every side. We are easily convinced because, well - the darkness is dark and it spreads like oil, oozing on to everything... covering, but not sinking in... making a mess of slippery slopes and roads we don't want to go down.

But I am reminded again and again to look up!

Look up! For your redemption draweth nigh...

And there it is. That hint of Hope that the Light has come and darkness will never overtake it! 

It's in that moment that we remember...

Darkness never wins! Light is always dawning... coming for us... and while darkness may seem to be getting darker, the Light is ever increasing and it is shining brighter and brighter as His Glory and Love are put on display for all to see.

We do Him proud when we let Love win.

Satisfied from Wanting Yet Longing For More - a Five Minute Friday Post

I promise I will find my rhythm again and return to my regularly scheduled program of partying it up on Twitter on Thursday nights with my #fmfparty tribe but for now...

--Sickness has me like:

Actually... I am feeling MUCH much better today... I just still sound a little like I'm dying! 

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: WANT

{GO}

My first thought goes to Psalm 23... because, of course!

Or more like: because, I've been reminiscing!

You see, I immediately thought back to reading this psalm to our girlie when she was itty bitty and she stopped me before I even got to verse two!

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..."

You know how it goes. But to a toddler this sounds like, for some reason, David is saying he doesn't want God. 

I loved her curiosity! I loved that she would stop me mid-sentence and wonder why... why in the world would someone not want God?

So we explained it slow... assuring her that what this verse means is that God is so good, that we never are in want.

But that can sound like a fairy tale or a lie... because we all want something, right? 

There is always something or someone or somewhere just out of our reach and our hope and desire is wrapped around wanting... except when there isn't. It's possible to experience times when there really is no want...

--And that's the thing!

What Happens in Vegas...

I know... 

Honestly, I do!  If you know me us then you know that Vegas is not really our deal.  I mean, we love to travel and to see new places and new things but Vegas hasn't ever been on our radar as a desired destination! 

And yet... there we were --all three of us, taking off from Seattle, Vegas-bound!

I wrote about it earlier... how it all started off as a joke! How my girlie and I talked of being like Lorelai and Rory, and celebrating her 21st birthday Gilmore Girls-style.  But life happened, and time (as it does) got away from us and I forgot to plan it all out and I forgot to hope that she would even want to.

But when she asked, as if she really did still want to hang out with her Mama in Las Vegas, well... God showed up, leaving signs that He was all in, (Ya see what I did there?) and we put a trip together real quick like!

When Haven and Home Have No Street Address... A Five Minute Friday post

I know... I totally missed last week because of vacation and this week I planned a walk, only to get home just in time to party over on Twitter --except that we had a meeting at our house that had completely slipped my mind! I blame it on Vegas. (I may be doing that for awhile!) 

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: HAVEN

{GO}

My first instinct is to look up the official definition because, who really uses this word anymore, right? But it's so dreamy and romantic... I think we should use it all. the. time.

Definition of haven:

1:  harbor, port

2:  a place of safety : refuge

3:  a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions

I mean, come on... right? Swoon-worthy, for sure!

Earlier this week, I was thinking of what Home means to me... and I think Home and Haven are (or should be) pretty much the same thing!

What I Learned in (April and) May...

Somehow I entirely missed this post for April. Clearly I must have been learning lots of things because I failed to take time to reflect and write it all down? I will try to combine April and May while still keeping the list fun and relatively short! We'll see how we do!

***

12 Random Things That I Have Learned...

When Small Wonders Add Up To Kingdom

This past weekend was full... as in, super full.  

But it was filled with all kinds of blessings and so much honor! None of it felt bossy at all!

I'm gonna do this post old school... a throwback of sorts to Multitudes on Mondays or #1000gifts!

Because... well, 
I introvert on Mondays. Hard. 

And last weekend was full and blessed and it involved all kinds of extroverting, so we're gonna keep this short! Plus - Vacation!  Yep... we are leaving town in just a couple of days so there is all of that prep work that must get done, too!

We started off Friday night with a Wedding Rehearsal... way  (read: way, way, WAY...) out in the country... you know, where the buffalo roam.

When We Believe, But Do Not Expect... A Five Minute Friday post.

Once again I managed to have a meeting scheduled for Thursday night. This means I was only at the Twitter party for a few minutes, but oh how I love to pop in, even if only for a few!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: EXPECT

{GO}

If I would stop and just do the math, (...which I will not!) I would tell you that this past week -- it has cost us, my friends!

Things just kept breaking down (or catching on fire) and adding up and I was given ample 'opportunity' to worry and stress!

It was put before me and just when I felt justified to give in, I heard the Lord whisper loud in my ear,

"You CAN choose that route. But that's not the way I would go. You can worry and stress and let fear stroll right in to wreak havoc... OR... Or you can choose the path I would take! It's up to you!"

So, instead of letting the numbers add up quick and drown me in all those worse case scenarios that eat away at our peace, I decided to follow His lead and simply do this:

Choose to Trust.
Easy Peasy, right? 
Except when it's not!

I realized that I believe for a lot of things, but sometimes I forget to follow through with expectation!

Just when I was ready to give in and give up, He whispered soft, "Beloved, don't lose heart!" and I felt faith rising up... and not only that, but a sense of anticipation and expectation... I began to imagine what it could look like if He came through!

When Life Comes at You Hard... A Small Wonders Post

Y'all...? I mean... 

Last week, after weeks and weeks of thinking, praying, and second-guessing ourselves, we bit the bullet and booked three flights... a (not quite) impromptu birthday trip to take with our girlie for her twenty first birthday. (Hold me.)

And here's the thing: we are not gamblers... (clearly.)  

We are not impulse buyers or spontaneous travelers and while this particular trip started as a joke and an ode to Gilmore Girls, it began to feel actually somehow important. Necessary even. 

What?  
I know...

I know how silly crazy that sounds because we are not doing anything huge... no overseas flights or Kingdom centered plans. No.  We are going to Vegas. We are looking forward to a pool and an umbrella drink. We want to see the lights and relax together... to drink in something new while strolling side by side by side.  All of us... together. We want to see the Grand Canyon and make some more memories for our little family of three... long road trips, private jokes, laughing at nothing and everything, holding hands... we want that. We want all of it... and so even though we don't really have a vacation budget we decided last minute(-ish) to just go for it! We'd never regret the trip and God provides and so we clicked Book Now and I'm not even joking with you, less than 48hours later we hear two horrible very bad words strung together: New Transmission.

Yeah. That.

On Resting, Growing, and Being Tethered - A Five Minute Friday post.

My Thursday was booked... but some of that 'bossy' included fun things like a Watercolor Class with a friend, and --of course, Five Minute Friday on Twitter (#fmfparty)! A little of the unfun bossy? Work... and car problems... yeah - UNfun and uber Bossy and potentially costly, too!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: GROW

{GO}

I'm learning - and relearning Rhythm.

The repeating of sound and tempo... a rush of energy, followed by an slow unfurling of rest.

But just this morning, I found myself breathing deep and saying yet again, "I repent, Lord... --for in my slowing and relaxing, I've forgotten to Rest WITH You."  

I've been mindful of being present and resting in Him... but some times I forget that to truly do that, I must also rest WITH Him!

Instead, I've felt the racing rhythm

of my heart slamming against walls I have built,

rather than resting in the tenderness of His embrace.

But thank God, 

These are the Days of Patio Sitting...

Amen?

She is Priceless... Global Giving Day!

Today is May 10th, and this year - that means two things:

1. My girlie is 21 today... 

I know. I need a moment, y'all!                                 

Also there is this:

2. It's Global Giving Day and I am partnering up with Fair Trade Friday and Mercy House Global

So really... the whole She is Priceless and #putonyourpearls campaign is helping me to celebrate not only my girlie (Happy Birthday, bear!) but all girls... 

“She Is Priceless” Is A Campaign To Make A Difference In The Lives Of Oppressed Women.  

And we all want to do that, right?

It comes as no surprise if you have spent any amount of time in my little corner of the interwebs here that I am a huge fan of Mercy House and Fair Trade Friday. I fell in love with this ministry years ago and have supported them ever since.  

Here's the thing though: Our budget is crazy tight and we can't give as much as we'd love to - but we give what we can and amazingly enough, God continues to help that grow.  But ministries like this require a lot of funds, so even if you can't give much (like us), I encourage you to pray about giving something. 

When I heard that Mercy House Global was partnering with She is Priceless for Global Giving Day, I was all in!

How To Make a Difference: Hosting a Sole Hope Shoe Cutting Party

One of the exciting things of starting a church is that you get to be the boss.  Also - this is one of the NOT exciting parts, too... but I digress...

Seriously though, when you are the boss you get to just throw ideas out there and decide things, and pretty soon a whole bunch of the church is staying after service to trace and cut denim and assemble kits that will be made into shoes that will change the world for Littles in Uganda, because - what else would you do on a Sunday afternoon?

Well it turns out, whatever that may be - it pales in comparison to the opportunity to save and change lives for children in Uganda, while providing fair trade work for adults as well! 

If you've never heard of Sole Hope before, let me encourage you to check them out (here) and look into hosting your own Shoe Cutting Party (here)!  

You Don't Want to Miss This... a Five Minute Friday post

My calendar this week was full of all kinds of bossy... and what I had planned on Tuesday had to be rescheduled for Thursday, thus - I missed the party! Still... I can't not write... so here we go!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: MISS

{GO}

I reread an old post this morning. You know, it was one of those facebook memories and it was a year ago... a little wrap up of my time spent in Nebraska at Jumping Tandem.  

It made me miss the peace and the stillness before we jumped right in to the crazy!

It made me miss the quiet before the storm and it reminded me to stay present --even as the winds come straight at me and the waves swirl all around.  

I know this... this slowing to breathe... this Sabbath 
Rest that is necessary and wise.  

I know this.  It's just I don't always do it!

And yet - when I miss the least amount of details and accomplish the most amount of Kingdom good, it is when I'm remaining present, holding both my heart and hands wide open to the possibilities of the day.

It's when I am childlike.  

And when we can be like that... well, we miss the hard parts of adulting and we find wonder and blessings all around us... we find the things we don't want to miss!

When You Pray, Pray Like This... a Guest Post for Asheritah Ciuciu

In the Gospel of Matthew, up on a hillside surrounded by crowds who were spiritually hungry and wanting, Jesus lays out truth and teaches with authority.  He touches on the Law, on anger, adultery, making oaths, loving your enemies, and then He goes on to say, “And when you pray...”

When… not if!

When you pray, pray like this…

I am honored to be over at my friend Asheritah's place, One Thing Alone.  We are talking about prayer because, of course! 

Join me?  
Click HERE to read more!

P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

Kelly Chripczuk  for #SmallWonders 

Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday

Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp

Kristin Hill Taylor for #ThreeWordWednesday

Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory