Distance...

Oh my poor, poor blog. I'm sorry, I know I've neglected you oh-so-badly.

I gave up Facebook (for at least the next month), so I will make time for you again. You've been on my mind.

You know, the whole "distance makes the heart grow fonder" thing? It's true. I've missed you.

I married the funny

The humor that's shared between my husband and I never ceases to reach all-time highs. And to relay even half the conversations we share would only cause you to roll your eyes and think "Huh?", so just trust me on this one. My husband is one of the funniest guys on the planet. In fact, his sense of humor was one of the first things that made me fall in love with him. You know, right after the beautiful baby blues and awesome smile. 

Texting is no acception. He makes me laugh, even when he's not here to hear it:

Big Hunk: I'm not going to meeting tonight.

Me: How come?

Big Hunk: Leg & foot issue (*he hurt his leg ankle really bad playing baseball on Sunday)

Me: Ok babe. They'd make you stand the whole time? ;p

BH: No but tonight is "dance your best dance for Jesus" and with my clogs being so heavy it might hurt.

Me: Ouch, that would be bad. Poor Jesus. I bet He would have loved your dance of "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N."

BH: Well I was thinking more of the Jesus-arana but whatever.

Me: And instead of putting your hands on your arms, you raise them in the air and lay hands on people?

BH: Sure.

Me: Wow. Way to shoot down our witty banter.

Okay so most likely that's only funny to me. And if I'm right, just lie to me.

God's Chisel

After a lot of friends were posting this on Facebook, I had to check it out.

Um yeah. Ten minutes and forty thousand tears later...

I would highly recommend watching this to anyone. Man did it hit home for me.

"You think you're junk, don't you? You really really really think you're junk. Listen to Me. I don't make junk."

I can't tell you how often I look in the mirror and see exactly that- junk. I see my sins. I see the many things I've done wrong in my life and continue to do everyday. I see the people I've hurt. I won't let me see myself through God's eyes. I guess I feel unworthy to actually live in the outpour of His grace and mercy, because it's a lot easier to remind myself continuously of how filthy I am was, than to believe I could ever be anything that He would love.

But then who am I living for if I'm doing that? I say I'm living for God, but if I'm allowing myself to live in the lies of the enemy- am I living for God at all? If I tell others of this great, miraculous forgiveness my Savior offers, but won't stop living in condemnation, aren't I a hypocrite?

"God, today I'm turning everything over to You. I'm not going to hold onto anything anymore.
Your word says that You will make me Your masterpiece, and use me to do great things. I don't see how that's possible. But I want that with all that I am."


Today. Today is the day.

Longing for the sand

We tried going to the drive-in tonight, but apparently the rest of California had the same idea. We're all about the trendsetting. So instead we attempted a couple u-turns and tried to outsmart the crowds, but only ended up going home. Ikey was in a groichy mood anyway, so it night be better that she got in bed on time.

We've been having a blast this summer, so much so that I'll have no desire to let it out of claws come September. We'll finally, hopefully, have our first beach trip next week and I can't wait. To live in California and not go to the beach in almost a year is pretty close to being a crime. We have been diligent, however, in our pool duties, and I've secured a pretty decent tan, so all is not lost.

We've had a trip to a local waterpark and have played in the fountain at the mall till little toes were pruned. We've sampled every bit of fruit (no vegetables) at the Farmer's Market and have brand-new butterflies on our table. Yes, I think our summer has been a success.

And God-willing, many sandy, wind-blown days and road trips await us.

I'm praying for you.

I want to update about our family and our summer, but this was weighing on my mind. In fact I've been wanting to write about it for quite a few months, but as I sat down skimming through my friends' Facebook updates, something struck me and I couldn't put it off anymore.

If you have a pulse, you've had someone tell you "I'm praying for you." At times that brings us comfort. Some may even pray right then and there with us (oh how I treasure those friends!). But am I the only one that hears those words once in a while and just thinks yeah right? I hate to sound bitter [and maybe I am], but it just seems like it can be such a cop-out. I guess it all depends on the person saying it. We all have those friends that are true prayer warriors and will drop on their knees the second you ask for prayer. The ones we know will lift us up when we're all prayed out, can't find the words, or just need to know someone has our back.

But then are those that toss around the words like breath.

Well what ever happened to being the hands and feet of God? Now I'm not saying we aren't to pray for one another. I think ALL of us are called to be prayer warriors. But where in the Bible does it say to pray for each other, and then wash your hands of it? Is that really loving our brothers?

A few minutes ago on Facebook, I read the status update of a friend telling about a fundraiser for a family that had just lost a child. Someone replied with something along the lines of not wanting to buy what the fundraiser was selling, but that the family definitely needed prayer. Now it didn't seem to bother anyone else so maybe I'm reading too much into that, but why are we so unwilling to just give a little of ourselves? When a friend is hurting and has no money for gas, why does I'll pray for you jump off our lips so quickly, but we never think of how God might want to use us in that instance? Do our words mean anything to that homeless man with nothing to eat?

I don't know, maybe these things don't even go hand in hand. My original issue was with the lack of prayer behind the words. Today though, it morphed into not just an irritation with the empty words, but with our ability to stand, hands tied behind our back with that invisible string, "helpless" to reach out to those that need us.

When do we unbound ourselves from that string we put on ourselves, and really truly get out there and walk the walk? When does the word Christian start to mean laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters, and not just someone with a busy Sunday morning?

Around

You know it's been a long time since you've blogged when Blogger has changed the format of their website and you didn't even know about it.

This blog has not become my redheaded stepchild (not that I have anything against redheads or stepchildren), but there has been so much going on. A lot of times I just didn't have the words for it all. Others, I couldn't even process it in my mind, let alone put it out there in coherent terms for anyone else. I'll try soon though. I think things I've learned about myself and others the past few weeks (!) are worthy of my time typing it out.

Until I actually find the time to sit and sort out the madness that is my brain, I just read this and wanted to share. I have been reading Lindsay's blog for a couple years and this is the perfect example of why I adore her. Anyone that isn't afraid to make fun of their kids' art project (or as is evidenced here, hates to share the spotlight) is right up my alley.

Now back to listening to the same episode of Curious George for the 32nd time.

Compassion Sunday

This Sunday, I will be handling the Compassion Sunday event at our church. I am so excited.

This will be the opportunity for members of my community and church family to sponsor a child living in poverty, and to change their lives forever. But you know, I have to say something. I know Compassion is all about changing the lives of children and "releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name." But I don't think that's entirely true. Okay, it's not the whole truth.



Because I would almost venture to say that the lives of our family have been changed even more.

I use a lot of words to say nothing.

I can easily say this has been our laziest, most relaxing Spring Break ever. I have slept in almost everyday (ranging from 7:30am to *ahem* 10:30am), we've hung out by the (dirty) pool and gotten sun, and we've spent 3 hours at the park- in one day. Yes, I can confidently say I am sucking every ounce of life out of this Spring Break.

I have been pretty diligent in my quest to eat well and workout everyday, despite the kids' Easter candy calling my name. And I can say with pride that the only casualties have been every last Mini Robin Egg- and what the kids don't know won't hurt them. Man are those things addicting (the candy, not the kids).

Tonight Big Hunk and I are volunteering with Compassion at the Rock & Worship Roadshow. I can't wait. I don't know if I'm more excited to see bands like David Crowder Band and MercyMe, or to help out with Compassion. I have just become so passionate about Compassion and want to help out in anyway I can. On April 18 I am handling the Compassion Sunday event at our church and I am so excited to see the Lord work. I received my box of CS gear yesterday, and it humbled me when I saw the stacks and stacks of kids looking for sponsors. Such beautiful faces, living in such dire circumstances. One of the boys, probably about 13, brought me to tears. His face just looked so sad and it looked like he had lived such a hard life. He's probably seen things no child ever should.

But I am so thankful for organizations like Compassion that are striving to change the very lives- and eternities- of these children. Giving them a hope and a reason to smile. Just letting them know that they are loved- not just by these families that sponsor them, but also by a Creator that knows every hair on their head. The two boys we sponsor have changed our lives- I so look forward to seeing families in our church changed the same way.

So anyway, I went on a little tangent there- I just wanted to say I am so excited about the concert tonight. ;) I just have a lot of words that jumble it all up.

I'll leave this (somewhat) brief and share a couple photos. Those speak a lot more than I do.

I'll let that visual marinate for a bit

I started P90X (again) last night. Let's just say that nothing motivates you to workout more than seeing your own "before" photos.

An Easter rundown.

*I forgot to add in the link for the crack dip at the end of the post. It's there now. You're welcome. Believe me, you don't want to miss it.*

I don't even know how to function this morning. Being it's almost noon, I think I should figure it out. Case in point: I've had to backspace about 12 times just in these 3 sentences because I can't type right. It's going to be a long day.

We had an awesome Easter. But it always feels like a wedding day- you know when you build-up to holidays and look forward to them so much, then they are just over too quickly?

We had a wonderful Good Friday; I spent it at home with the kiddos (still can't remember where the day went), then service at church that night. It was a POWERFUL night. It was beautiful. Everyone involved with the service was dressed in black, and the stage held a wooden cross with  a purple sash and a crown of thorns. Simple, yet so symbolic of our Lord's last hours. Our pastor always has this way of taking a sermon you've heard a thousand times and getting it to you in a new way. I will never grow tired of the way he does that. He walked out to the pulpit on Friday and started with "My name is Cornelius...." He proceeded to tell the story of Jesus' torture and crucifixion from the point of view of one of the Roman centurions. It was amazing. I can never say enough how thankful I am that God brought us to that church- and I wish He had done it sooner! ;-) I realize now we held onto our old church for a long time simply because of the friendships forged there and the ministries we enjoyed, rather than what we should have been getting.

I cleaned ALL day Saturday- and don't think for a second that I'm not embarrassed mentioning that I needed to clean all day, because I am. I realize now that if maybe, perhaps, I had been cleaning the way I should be, my house would not have needed a complete overhaul the day before Easter company. Quite embarrassing. And exhausting. Between cleaning and preparing side dishes for Easter, I was up until 12:30am, then had to get up at 5am Sunday.

I served in the Easter choir at church and it was so awesome. There is just something about a group of 45 people gathering together with the sole (soul?) purpose of singing praises to the Lord that gets my blood going. Songs that we had rehearsed and perfected every week for a couple months finally found an audience- an audience of One. An Audience that had given His life up on the cross for our salvation, and here we were proclaiming His name and glory to anyone that would listen. It was beautiful. I was so sad when our two services were over and it was time to go home.

We spent the afternoon with friends and my parents. It all went so quickly. We barbecued and watched "Old Dogs" (even funnier when you watch it with someone that laughed so hard they almost peed), and had the hunt for a-gazillion-eggs with 4 little ones. I don't know when I stopped knowing how to count, but even after the kids each had their allotted 18 eggs each, we still had many left over. Not that they were complaining. I'm pretty sure I'll still find eggs out there in June when I decorate for Ikey's birthday.

My night came to an end with this lazy butt falling asleep on the couch while Big Hunk watched "Bean". Let it be known that it is still one of the funniest movies and had nothing to do with my need to pass out. I made it into my bed by 10pm, and proceeded to sleep until 10am while the kids played XBox in the next room. All the running around finally caught up with me.

We are now on Spring Break and I can think of nothing more inviting than spending a full 5 days enjoying my kids' company and having fun with NO school responsibilities. That is, after I finish the dishes from our Easter get-together.

I just need to know how I'm supposed to resist the candy, brownies and crack dip that are plaguing my house now? I'm going to start P90X today and after being completely disciplined with my eating and working out the past few weeks, I let myself have a day off yesterday. Now all I want are those mini Reese's my mom so kindly left (not). BH will be taking those to work tomorrow because I DO NOT need them calling my name anymore. I've been good today. So far.