And now, a word from lil' Chloe...

I am a real person...

... dependent upon the grace of God.

I confess:
*My house is currently messy, and I have a pile of dishes on the counter. My bathroom is desperately in need of cleaning. Any takers? ;-)
*I sometimes make frozen pizza (Yup, the ones they sell for $1 - and I try to use coupons to make them even cheaper) for my husband (twice in this last week alone!). Obviously, not every meal is gourmet & highly creative, or even homemade. I love to cook - but life happens.  He prefers PB&J sandwiches for lunch. (That gave me some serious "I can't believe I'm sending my husband to work with that" guilt complex the first few months!)
*My vitamin list does not fill a page or cause anyone to be impressed. I take two and they both come from Wal-Mart. I sometimes forget to take them.
*My child is unique, amazing, talented and thrilling - just like EVERY precious child God has lovingly created.
*Our marriage is wonderful and we have learned so much as we learn to love each other as God first loved us. (Rare, or in denial, are the newlyweds who haven't faced difficulties of some sort or measure... true?) And we  have tons to learn - bring it on! Maybe we'll write a book after we've celebrated 125 years. Until then, we'll be too busy learning. ;-)
*I have interests and I have skills. Really! I promise to not bore you by being sure you take notice. In fact, most of the time I'd really rather you didn't.
*Shockingly, not everyone likes me. Really, it doesn't bother me. ;-) Chloe and Dwight think I'm fabulous.
*I have killed plastic plants before. Yet I still try to grow real ones anyhow. Someday - I'll have bouquets of fresh-cut flowers. :-) I'll share, too!
*You won't be seeing a picture of Chloe as she enjoys an apple muffin on her 1st birthday - titled her first exposure to sugar! Reason: Dwight gave her a sip of Mt. Dew when she was 3 days old. Hasn't hurt her in the least bit.
*I didn't send out Christmas cards last year. Or the year before that! Someday I do hope to. ;-)
*I haven't worn make-up since Monday.
*I frequently lose my phone. Last time - it was under the fridge.  (Thank you, Chloe!)
*I don't like sushi, or escargo, or eel, or octopus (fried or boiled), or plain fat. Yes, I've tried them. I guess I'm just picky. ;-)
*My Bible is ESV, not Hebrew/Latin/or  Old English.
*My personal devotional/relational/nutritional/ etc. habits or opinions are just that - personal.
*et cetera

... so anywho. In case there are any myths out there - I hope they've been dispelled. ;-)Yes, I am in a rather facetious mood today. My hair did look rather red this morning! :-P

Out & About

For our heart is glad in You... :-)

"Our soul waits for you Lord; 

You are our help and our shield. 

For our heart is glad in You, 

because we trust in 

Your holy name. 

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

 even as we hope in you." 

Psalm 33:20-22

Lately we've been really praying and thinking about what to do for housing. Our lease needs to be renewed by mid-July and that raises the typical questions about whether to go or stay. :-) So we're really praying for wisdom. Lots of it. There really aren't many other possibilities, but we're learning to be glad and content regardless of where we are: because our hope is in Him! We're so thankful for how He has always provided so faithfully for us! :-) 

They said...

"My feelings are not God. God is God. My feelings do not define truth. God's word defines truth. My feelings are echoes and responses to what my mind perceives. And sometimes–many times–my feelings are out of sync with the truth. When that happens–and it happens every day in some measure–I try not to bend the truth to justify my imperfect feelings, but rather, I plead with God: Purify my perceptions of your truth and transform my feelings so that they are in sync with the truth.
That's the way I live my life every day. I hope you are with me in that battle."
- John Piper, Finally Alive

This spoke to my heart today. I've been very tired lately and just overwhelmed at my frequent forgetfulness and just general inability to get anything done! I need to focus on God's promises that "When I am weak He is strong," and that "His strength is made perfect in my weakness!" :-)

Studying with Daddy :-)

::I love them.::

The Colorado Sand Dunes

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies; Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise. ~ For the Beauty of the Earth

A bit over a month ago we took ourselves and a packed lunch and headed south to take advantage of Free National Park Week. Seriously, we contemplated crossing the border into New Mexico, we were that close. It began as a cloudy, cold, rainy and dreary day (hence the down coat I'm wearing), but God blessed us with beautiful sunshine! The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a fun place to see! And no... we didn't make it to the top, I was too tired, but we did make it over half-way! I know... whoopie. :-P But it IS almost 10,000 ft above sea level where they start.  And altitude and I really don't get along well. We're still working on it. Someday my friends, there will be pictures of us at the top of Pikes Peak. We are going to hike it. One of these days... That and the Incline are on our "To-Do while living in Colorado" list. :-)
Note to self: Next time you go travel somewhere, don't play around taking pictures of random things that you drive by unless you know that your battery is fully charged. Otherwise you'll get to where you were going, and have it die after just a few pictures. Major bummer. ;-(

 

Moon River, wider than a mile, I'm crossing you in style some day. Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, wherever you're going I'm going your way. Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. We're after the same rainbow's end-- waiting 'round the bend, my huckleberry friend, Moon River and me. ~ Moon River