Make sparks fly

"The world's favorite season is the spring.
All things seem possible in May."

~ edwin may teale
  

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  things on my mind in the car this morning:

- my dad and i talked about the new jars of clay music that he's been listening to. as i listened to him talk about one song in particular, and what he liked about it, i thought about how cool it can be to see someone else's interests from their perspective. i've learned to appreciate so many things simply from have a friend really enjoy it. things seem so much more interesting when you're learning them through someone's passion. when i came out to my car to find a couple the e.p.s we had been talking about, i could help but smile with tears of emotion in my eyes.

- on the same line of thinking, i'm excited to study my fiance for life. he's just different enough from me that i'll always be able to learn from him, and just similar enough that we can enjoy being on the same page, laughing at the same things, and spend quality time. 

- i talked with my sister last night for a while about her job. i was definitely left with my mind thinking about how to show Christ's love in different situations. how to show grace without enabling, how to show acceptance without sacrificing holiness, how to love unconditionally, as well as how to forgive and not treat a person differently for their past behavior, how to put yourself aside and listen for the little voice of the Holy Spirit.

- when i focus on a prayer request list, it makes "continuous prayer" seem more possible. 

It's all for You

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What am I truly interested in, what should I occupy my time with? I feel the need to get refocused. I can so easily get distracted with accumulating and watching. I want to appreciate the things I'm steward of, take care of my body, and love in serving ways. Ultimately, I want God to be glorified through my days. 

I really enjoyed my daily devotion today, and wanted to share:

So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are, in effect, acknowledging that everything we have comes from God.

This is what we need to remember: God can take care of our needs. Do you believe that God can take care of you, even when the odds are against it? Maybe you work very hard. Maybe you save your money and invest wisely and have done well for yourself. And you say, "Well, I know it has come from God, but I played a part in it." No, it all came from God. The ability to think clearly came from God. The beat of your heart came from God. The blood coursing through your veins came from God. Everything you have is from the Lord, including the clothes you are wearing, the car you drive, the home you live in, and the spiritual gifts and talents you have. They are all from the Lord.

So when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we are acknowledging that everything we have has come from God. And we are also saying that everything we need in the future still will come from God.

If it matters to you, it matters to God. If it troubles you, it is a concern to God. So bring it to Him. He is interested in detail.

It's okay to feel

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I had a fabulous kiss-in-the-rain kind of morning, and we celebrated cuatro de mayo at work, with tacos. It was fun, although it's occasionally kinda wild to me to realize how much time I spend at work. In Bible study last night, we learned about becoming aware of our feelings. That positive or negative emotions are good, but it's the action that we take when we experience a feeling that we have to be careful of. Through Jesus' example, we should acknowledge the feeling, submit it to God, and do what needs to be done in a positive way.  

Verse of the week: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.-1 John 1:9

Lady

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In effort to get my hair to grow before the wedding, I started taking prenatal vitamins a week ago, that the fiance picked up for me. My nails feel awesome! I never knew they could feel so strong. I naturally have kinda week, peel at the ends, kind of nails, and man have they changed. I'm kinda hoping the same happens for my hair.. Happy Tuesday :) 

Happy May!

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I love how much promise a new month seems to offer. I love turning the calendar page, anticipating new weather, and feeling like I'm beginning again. 

be transformed 

by the renewal of your mind (part of Romans 12:2)

  

Rugged Maniac

 

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I love this man. I can't wait to wake up everyday to this face that can make faces like that.

*picture from the Rugged Maniac 5K in Greensboro/Asheboro

April Books

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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Coriolanus by William Shakespeare
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Rant by Chuck Palahniuk
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard
Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk
Richard III by William Shakespeare
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
1984 by George Orwell