just what we needed to hear today

God is our refuge and strength

a very present help in trouble

therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling

psalm 46:1-3

new year

new year's is always a good opportunity for me to reflect on the past year and intentionally resolve to pursue life in a stronger, healthier and most importantly God honoring way.   in college, some of my closest friends and i started a tradition.  every year before midnight we would take time to somberly read through these questions.  it was also a very vulnerable time of sharing and reflecting which can be a powerful thing among friends.   though it is far from what people may typically do on new year's eve, it always felt right to end and start the year reflecting on what is true and lasting in life and will matter into eternity.  sadly, this year my close friends and i were unable to carry out our tradition together.  busier lives, babies and moving to far away lands make those times simply college memories but sweet ones none the less.  

enough reminiscing let's move on to a recipe.  here is a great soup to take the edge off the winter.   one website i check in with weekly is health-bent.  i have yet to make a bad meal from this website and this one was a slam dunk for sure!   the pad thai is crazy delicious and don't even get me started on the lasagna.   this soup is filling and has such a great mix of flavors and textures.  you can't go wrong.  

so this week print out these questions and discuss them over dinner with a friend or with family.  the questions will cut you and leave you feeling a bit vulnerable too.  but that which is dead must be cut down to make room for growth and life but at least you will have some warm soup to comfort you.    

i'll be back soon for a workout for those of you that have health resolutions, all you will need is a timer and deck of cards.  interested yet?

happy eating and reflecting!

one year!

dear jb,

one year?  it is amazing to me that one year ago i married you, my middle school crush.  one year ago before hundreds of our sweet friends and family and to our Lord we vowed to love and cherish each other. we bound our hearts together in a covenant with the Lord.   i am glad for all the things that make up our marriage- even the small piles you leave around the house of your clothes-which momentarily scare me into thinking the rapture has happened and i missed the beam up.  honestly i think if the shoes weren't poking out from under pile it might be less startling-just a suggestion.

anyway, you chose the song for our first dance.  when you first played it to me i sobbed- which i know was such a shock because i only cry all the time.  like the time i cried because i thought the ticket man at the movie theater was probably teased in high school so i started crying and then when we got home you promptly made me take a pregnancy test.  it was negative for baby but positive for crazy.  anyway, we knew this song was wonderful when we danced (and you almost very nearly cried) one year ago today but a year later we understand these words to be true in our marriage.


please dance with me in the minefield a thousand more years...

handiwork

i continually have my eye on the sky.  i love to watch the dramatic and ever-changing ballet of clouds and colors.  recently on a road trip the sky was particularly striking and i was able to steal a quick photo.  i couldn't help but think of God's awesome handiwork not only in creation but in my own life.

" the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.  day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  there is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  in them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  it's rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. "

  psalm 19-1-6

restoring marriages

marriage is the best and hardest thing i have done to date (except for resisting dessert on a very rare and painful occasion).  hard mostly because i am sinful and marriage brings that to the forefront of my mind constantly (as in all the stinkin' time).  sigh, and the Lord has given me such an incredible man to honor and love and yet it is still a process of being continually refined.  our pastor has been preaching thorough the book of colossians lately and last week the message was about restoring marriages.  even though i have a very happy (newlywed) marriage i find that we are continually renewing and restoring our bond.  the message was so encouraging and gave us both much to think about.  take a listen to the message here. 

last night, our community group further discussed the message.  we split up in to women and men to discuss the unique roles that each partner has in the relationship.  the women focused on submission and respect while the men discussed loving and being gentle with their wives (and somehow the topic of dinosaurs came up.  boys can get distracted and are still little boys at heart i guess).

 i found myself thinking, "what does it practical look like to submit to my husband?"  the Lord is so good in His timing.  today when i was checking in with one of my favorite blogs that's exactly what the post was about.  you can read carolyn mahaney's response to that very question here.  last night as the ladies were talking, we were discussing that to the world the idea of submission is not only unpopular but considered to not be in line with women's rights.  i think this type of thinking is rooted in a wrong understanding of what submission.  instead of trying to formulate my own words on the subject i think i will let john piper and the pastoral intern at my church speak on the matter here.

happy thursday.  it's almost friday!  what plans do you have?

hope

spring can represent so many things.  this year spring is reminding me of hope.  these blossoms were flourishing outside of the hospital.  they reminded me of 1 peter 1:3-7.

" blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! according to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. in this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by  fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  "