Friday Faves

Here are a few of the things I’m loving lately… 🙂

1. I totally loved starting the week off with going to a gender reveal party for my sweet friend who is home from Germany!  Her little girl is adorable as well and she’s getting a little brother!  I’m looking forward to having her home for the next few weeks!  Oh and now I’m even more excited now to find out what we are having!  Oh and notice that almost 34 week bump I’m sporting there…yep. hello baby!



2. These puppies are hilarious.  They definitely are fighting for dominance and love to fight over the spot underneath my chair.  Though, they were able to play tug of war with each other.  Boaz takes on the bully of an older brother role and likes to flaunt any and all toys that he picks up.  He also uses his speed to get away whenever needed.  Oh puppies!

3. I saw this sign outside of Kohl’s and loved it!  This little reminder is such a good one for me.  I love keeping in mind that when I am saying no to some things…oftentimes, I am saying no so that I can say YES to something else that I believe is important or valuable.  Plus, getting to say yes to things you love is pretty much the best.  

4. Boaz is in for such a surprise when this little baby comes!  I’ve been having fun getting more baby things and getting ready.  Well, let’s be honest.  We’ve mainly just gotten the “important” things…a Bob jogging stroller, car seat, and this sweet Nuna Sena. Everything else has been given to us.  Let’s just say that my mom is beyond excited for her first grand baby.  I’m still searching for that perfect going home outfit.  I figure I can’t control much, but I can control having one of those!  Any favorite places to buy baby clothes!?

5. I’ve also been loving working on this puzzle and even finishing it!  There was a ton of blue sky and water, which made some of the pieces difficult, but not too bad.  Plus, there were pieces that glowed in the dark.  Super cool.  That’s what I’ve been loving lately.  Oh and warmer weather finally!

What about you? What would be on your list?

 

Catch-All

 

Forgive me for the picture overload…but here’s my catch-all post of all the fun things that have been going on lately.  This week has felt like a nice breath of fresh hair and we have our 20 week ultrasound tomorrow!!  So hello getting to see baby again.  We definitely have been a little spoiled in getting to see this baby at 12 weeks and a full detailed ultrasound at 14 weeks too.  I am definitely in denial that we’re halfway there!

Confession.  I don’t think I’ve ever actually made full on homemade lasagna before, but now I can say that I have!  Above is a nice little mixture of ricotta cheese, mozzarella, spinach, and some eggs.  Not sure why they added eggs…maybe to keep it together? I’d definitely try it without for fun if I ever make this again!  Below was the even more fun part of actually putting the lasagna together!  I totally made WAY too many noodles, but oh well.

Hello baby bump.  Whether I want it or not, this little baby is making an appearance on the outside now too.  People who know me are noticing. Ek!  I’m a little in denial about this too. I can’t say I’ve ever been one of those people who have looked forward to having a baby bump.  Maybe it’ll grow on me.  This is at least one of my fave pictures so far.  Plus, I do love feeling the little baby moving and pushing in there!  This little baby seems to love music (well assuming the baby can hear the music! “They” say he/she can on all those crazy baby apps…) or the other alternative is that he/she just doesn’t like when I have my seat warmer on when I’m in the car and is trying to get away from the heat! Ha.

Olympics!!! Boaz is just as into these Olympic games as we are.  Well he’s either watching with full attention or he’s sleeping on us. This is how we’re spending most evenings lately…

These two are my favorite.  And don’t let Boaz fool you…he’s getting ready to try to lick Ryan.  He’s just so kind like that. 

Hello baked chimichangas.  So delicious.  Guacamole is my favorite too.  I’m SO glad I can eat tomatoes again and that the little baby isn’t revolting every time I do.  That was definitely a not so fun part of the first trimester.  I love some good Mexican food. 

Here’s another bump picture.  Don’t mind all the nail polish–adds character 🙂

I’ve spent the last week or two devouring my grandmother’s journal and I’ve loved it!  This little note from her mother/aunt (she lived with her aunt and uncle and called them mother and father) was such a perfect reminder to make moments glorious.  

Oh and another Boaz one where he’s camped out at the end of the couch sleeping with his head on the table.  He’s been extra cuddly and sleepy this week.  I’m loving it.  We sit and read the Bible, read books, journal, write, and generally enjoy our slow mornings.  We’ll see what this looks in like 4 and a half months!  For now, I’m soaking it up!

Yep. He’s cute. 

This little baby is so loved.  Already getting Valentine’s day cards.So there you have my crazy catch-all post with all sorts of randomness.  I recently found my “Love your life” journal that I hadn’t finished from 2012 (the year of celebrate!) and I started writing in there again so in a way this post was just an overflow from there.  I love looking back see all that the Lord has done.  So much faithfulness even in the midst of pain, heartache, hurt, and frustration.  The Lord is good.

Things I’m Loving / High Five for Friday

At some point I should probably come up with a different name than the crazy long one up today, but it fit since I was torn between doing like I did last week and posting the things I am loving (from my favorite Vizsla loving blog) and from posting my top five moments of the week (from The Small Things blog).  So here’s my mish-mash of the two. 🙂

1.My husband is my favorite.  He plays with the dog when he gets home and the dog is going crazy from the cold weather.  He doesn’t hesitate to leave work when I call him with an emergency.  He helps make food.  He prays.

2. And Boaz…well he’s been a highlight this week with all his cute (sometimes annoyingly stubborn) habits of wanting to be under the covers.  He makes up for it by always being happy. Plus, he’s awfully fun to have nerf gun wars with at times. And he’s been a great napping buddy this week.

3. Unexpected follow-up calls from my doctor and the ER.  I so love that they took the time out of their busy days to make sure that things were still going good!

4. Visiting with my sweet friend, her husband, and their adorable baby boy!  I’ve been waiting for this ever since they came home for Christmas.

5. All of the Christmas cards, New Years cards, pictures, notes, prayer cards, and random things on my fridge! I love having a fridge full of life and people to pray for and encouragement.

6. Giraffe print! 

7.  Songs that speak to my heart while at church and reaffirm picking that pesky little word for the year (open).  

i want my knife back…

A few weeks ago, I heard a sermon from Bethel Church that shared testimonies about God restoring things in the physical sense.  One of the testimonies shared how a college student lost a paper when his computer died and it “showed” up on the brand new computer.  Another was where they coined the phrase “I want my knife back…” literally was where a knife with significance was returned to the owner.  My response to the stories: Awesome! Such faith and belief that God cares about the little things too.  But, I didn’t really think I’d find myself in a “I want my knife back…” situation any time soon….

Before the triathlon, I had on my Lerato long sleeve shirt because well let’s be honest, I like to wear a bit of Africa on my sleeve more often than not especially on days I’m a little thin around the edges.  Except the swim was first, so I took it off and left it in the bleachers with a friend.  Through some circumstances that don’t really matter, the shirt got left there and my post-race mind didn’t think to ask for it or grab it before leaving.

Only later did I realize that wait a second that was my lerato long sleeve shirt that I love and that I can’t replace.  A shirt that is cozy and comfy and from my friend June (who I get to see in June!!!!!!!).  Plus, it has my Sesotho name on it: Lerato.  In case you didn’t know, I’m a bit sentimental when it comes to things especially Africa things (Gifts is definitely one of my higher love languages…after words of affirmation).  I’m still holding onto a pair of jeans that probably should be thrown away but they’re the pair I wore when I told Lindo “see you in His timing.”

Back on track, all that to say that I wanted my shirt back.

A few tears and a few “Ah, shame, okay, God, I’ll keep prying my fingers off Africa and let You be God and do what You want to do and lay it all down again…” Gotta love how He uses even a silly little shirt to show how tight my grip is on things…

Mix that with a lot of trust and some mutters of “I want my knife shirt back…” I let it go and went about my day with a whole lot of peace.

Except the pretty awesome thing about God is that He cares about the little things and He sees us. He put those desires in our heart for a reason and likes to encourage us along the journey.  My heart beats Africa and He sees that.  I like to think that David probably had a few “I see you…” moments from God while he was out in the fields waiting to take steps toward his destiny.

A few faith steps later and the shirt was back in my hands.

Plus, a little bit of extra hope and trust came with it.

pretty cute, isn’t it? and wow my hair was long then…

lingering in the breaking

you’re breaking me apart

tearing me down the middle

jagged and uneven

my heart

stripped

all because i made you

too small

shoved you in my box

so i wouldn’t have to face

the walls that tell the stories

of pain

that i would rather leave

untouched

ignored

but you’re drawing me closer

you won’t let me ignore

me

so the tears fall

ripping my seams

breath held

crushing me

yet there you are

in the midst of the breaking

inviting me

to linger

as you paint the sky

for me to remember

there is a purpose in the breaking

sometimes to be whole

you have to break

light-hearted tuesday

Confession: In my head, I heard light and emphasized the t and thought for a minute or two that oh I might have a catchy, cute blog title…but then I wrote it out and realized no.  So then I started thinking of T words and then I looked them up…(this is how my head works sometimes and this is why prioritizing and  focus is needed!)

Other fun T words: Tabula, Tahiti, Teacake, Teetotaler, Theologize, Tall Tale, Timely, Tombola, Torr, Trail, Trailblazing, Trek, Trifecta, Trusty, Trustworthy, Trustful, Truthful, Twiddle

And well, it is supposed to be a light-hearted, fun blog post so at least thus far everything fits with the theme.  However, here is what I really meant to come post:

Now doesn’t that just make you want to go eat!?

Me too…

This little lovely meal packs a punch for only 513 calories (most of which are in that delicious drink…) Without the drink, the meal is only 288.  Not to mention that oh hey there just happens to be 40g of protein in the meal (or 25g without the drink).  I only say that because recently I was ever so NOT happy to find out that I was so nowhere near getting enough protein and this meal topped me off yesterday to finally reach a good daily amount!

In other light-hearted news, sunsets are beautiful.

Even especially when they come after I have an “honest, let’s get real, here’s how I actually feel about things” conversation with God which left me a bit at a loss for words anyway…He has a tendency to leave me speechless. Hello Job.

Oh and lastly some shoes that make me happy…now to just be patient and wait to buy them.

These on the other hand make my feet jump at the thought of spring and summer. Oh please come soon…I am beyond ready to run outside consistently and have those “God, teach me how to trust you” conversations out amidst the trees instead of the confines of my car.

 

Until then…since it is light-hearted tuesday, won’t you share something light from your heart? (or serious if you like, I’m game for that too)

 

heart tears: orphans

“Another photograph to wrestle in my head…another sleepless night..these thoughts of you like bullets to my soul I’ve got to find a way to get you home…i hope you know there is somebody searching for the way to get you here…as angels hold you tight may you sleep in peace tonight so dream dream dream my child here the whisperings of hope.”

Here’s the adoption story that goes with the song above–it’s awesome go watch it…made me cry…along with this song too: Come Home Beautiful

“she is beautiful but she has never known a love that will never leave. someone to help her see that she is beautiful. she’s redeemed. she is loved. she is the bride of the King.”

——

Even though I decided to stay home and REST instead of heading to Idea Camp: Orphan Care, I totally enjoyed the conference from the comfort of my bed!  My heart got captured right from the beginning when I heard this quote:

“A life interrupted is a life inspired. When life is interrupted by a story then inspiration is sustainable.”

Now that hits home and takes me right back to South Africa.  My life was interrupted there. I carry those stories with me every.single.day.  They are deep in my heart and the numbers that surround the orphan crisis hold faces.  Faces of babies I’ve held.  And so it makes the statistics even more heart-staggering.

Hearing like-hearted people share their passion for orphans stirred up even more in myself:

“What frustrates me about solutions for orphan crises is that people think we only need more orphanages & adoptions.”

“Orphan Care starts with the local church. Transformation there is sustainable. Work through the local church and let them be the hands and feet.”

“Man created orphanages for children, but God created families for them.”

“Every country wants their children to stay…”

“Caring for orphans is a lifelong investment. It’s not a cause, not a campaign.”

“Solve the problem, don’t just manage it.”

“Every situation of injustice we have seen in the world is because of a broken relationship.”

“Raising up a child in the knowledge of Jesus Christ takes more than giving up a latte…”

———

Caring for orphans goes beyond adoptions and orphanages.  Empowering, equipping, and igniting a culture of transformation needs to happen on a community level.  Not only do the needs of the children need to be addressed but so do those of all ages because the root of problem starts there.  The hope and power of Jesus Christ produces lasting transformation and that’s where it starts.  I could say so much more and will in time say more, but I’m still processing and sorting through these heart-thoughts.  Though, mostly (especially after listening to this awesome message on meditating and listening to God) I’m seeking God for His specific, direct, clear guidance and direction as to where, how, and what my own role will look in this and I am trusting His timing.

———

What stirs up passion for you?

love life

until my words come back…i leave you with a little something that makes me smile even though and reminds me to laugh and celebrate life. and as my leadership bible reminded me:

“Love life. Celebrate; don’t complain. Enjoy the journey.”

 

 

eyes tell a story

so much goes on behind the eyes.

so much is told in a look.

what story are your eyes telling today?

or take a guess as to what’s going on in one of the above pictures =)

believe, confess, act

I put words to what I believe in my heart and keep them before me so that I can walk them out with my actions.

“Be doers of the word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].” James 1:22

“You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.” James 2:22

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

~~~

What scripture is speaking to you and sticking out? Or any little phrases you have in mind?