Present

I obsessively enjoy looking forward to upcoming things, even if they could be years away. My sisters wedding, going back to China, vacations, buying a home.

How much more of an impact would I have to the people around me if I thought more about the moment than the future?

Babies Galore

I'm pretty sure everyone and their brother is pregnant.



Did I miss the memo?

Are you "special?"

God uses the unexpected to break us.

Praying, pondering, searching, breaking, healing, growing, loving.

I will rejoice and be glad in it...

I knew I would be bad at this blogging thing...but here are a few recent ponders.

-Wondering how to comfort my mom as we celebrate Father's Day on Sunday.
-My brother will be 12 tomorrow, and I feel old.
-You think a triathlon in less than 2 weeks would motivate me. It doesn't. (Hence, I'm blogging and not running right now.)
-Why do I try to plan things that could be years away?
-Writing out the Scriptures is more tiring than I expected. A good discipline, though. Looking forward to what will come of it.
-I love my husband.
-Why don't I want children yet? Is something wrong with me?
-The title of this blog is the song I sang over and over and over last week. Work is stressful. Too bad I have "a low paying, zero respect job that I happen to love." (Can you tell me what movie this is from?)

John 1:27 He is the One who comes after me, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.

Ohio doesn't have any wind

This past week has been a challenge for my family after the loss of my mom's dad. My Papa was the gentlest and most generous person I know. Family came first, and it was no secret he'd do anything for his grandchildren. It's hard to think about never hearing his voice again. I'm glad I'm done with school because who would I show my report card to? Education and hard work were very important to him!

Although a sad couple of days, with many tears shed, I walked away from the funeral so very thankful; thankful for a man who loved his wife for 56 years and put his family first, a man who served and led in his church, a man who taught my mother about Jesus so she could teach me. I found myself thinking about the generations that have come before me and how if they had not raised children to bring glory to God with their lives, then who knows where I'd be.

I never thought a death would change my mind about having a family. But it has.

Haiti

So, like any other natural disaster, the earthquake in Haiti has left thousands dead, homeless and hurting , while it has left the rest of us praying, wishing there was more we could "do."

This natural disaster has not only left so many homeless, but also so many family-less and so many orphaned. I think of the families who may have waiting children in that country, desperately wondering if they are ok. I think of those that will now explore adoption as an option for their family. I am drawn to pray for those wondering the streets with no parents, and I pray families around the world may open their hearts to these children crying out for a forever family.

When to Prepare

Last year, about this time, I was putting much spiritual preparation into a trip I really wanted to go on. As China drew closer, I spent a lot of energy reading, learning and praying. I've realized in the last few months that "preparation" has stopped.

So here is my question, why do we spend so much time preparing for mission trips that take up maybe a couple of weeks, but fail to "prepare" for the ins and outs of everyday life?

I think the later is much more dangerous.