Love Lately

I've been reminded of or discovered several things I love lately. Being more intentional about my friendships. Monday night girl's night. Remembering the little things. Cards and hand written letters. Plays without microphones. Talks with my sister. Surprise visits. Reunions. Booking vacations. Late night talks with my husband. Experiencing city culture. Supporting the community. Inside jokes. The perfect date - not too hot not too cold. Finding a song I love enough to put on repeat. Checking things off the to-do list. Air conditioning. Appreciating people for who they are. Thanking people for what they've done. Skype. Phone dates.   

It's been a long, but good month, and summer is right around the corner. Spring stayed around a little longer than expected, but probably was not appreciated as much as it could have been. However  the above kept me pretty busy in a really good way. I'm still learning life's little lessons and I've gotta long way to go.

Affirmation Junkie

Affirmation Junkie(n.): An individual who becomes dependent on the acknowledgements of others in the form of compliments, applause, praise and affirmation.   

In the past, I often referred to myself as an "affirmation junkie." I googled the phrase thinking I might have been witty enough to have been the first person to pen the phrase. I quickly and clearly  discovered I am not the only one who has ailed from this symptom at times.

We're the people pleasers. The compliment thrivers. The praise seekers. The applause lovers. And ultimately it's exhausting. We're sent flying by the applause of men and crashed at the hint of potential "failure" or discovered imperfections. We need the approval of man. We need to "just know" all is well in the eyes of others regarding our selves. We need the highs of accomplishment and excellence. We give. And though unspoken, we want back the subtle acknowledgment of a job well done.

One question. In Whom is your confidence? If it is in yourself, you will inevitably be met with disappointment after disappointment in this life as you come face to face  with the reality you are merely human, finite, and imperfect. You will find yourself tired and exhausted. You will find yourself hurt by those around you and bitterness knocking.

If your confidence is in Jesus Christ, the Son of the One True God, then you have a different reality. Not one of superhuman makeup, but one that frees you from the reliance upon your limited and gross efforts. Your reality is that of what He has proclaimed for you. Abundant life. Everlasting life. A love that no height or depth could separate.

Romans 8:31-39

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Do I need to worry about the expectations of this world or worry what they think? No, I can rest. Rest on knowing I have won the heart of my Heavenly Father - not because of anything I have done but because of the work Christ did at the cross. When he exchanged my filthy rags for a robe of righteousness. When He saved me from myself and my own works.

If you have found yourself ever seeking the applause of those around you, I encourage and challenge you to re-frame and remember: seeking affirmation reinforces dependency on self which ultimately exhausts, wears down and drains the seeker. This world has continued expectations that fluctuate as quickly as today's fashion. Don't be swept away with the changing inconsistent opinions and preferences of people who cannot bring ultimate fulfillment, satisfaction or happiness to you.

"Its not by works any man is saved lest he should boast." There! Not your works. Not then. Not now. No bragging rights here.

Challenge: Who is your Audience? If it's this world, it's ever changing and unpleasing. If it is the Lord, you have His full attention. 

Ephesians 1:6 -8

"...to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.

Ephesians 3:20-21

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"

Spring MUST DO List

Spring has been here for a few days now, but I still have a lot I want to do before it has completely passed. The main issue with spring here is that it gets hot so fast that typically after Easter spring is considered summer. So again, intentionalality. I must be intentional about living - and celebrating! I want to enjoy and embrace the season, and the season, I am in - even if it is a little warmer than desired.

1. Festivals, Festivals, Festivals!
2. Go for a bike ride
3. "Take me out to the ballgame!"
4. Picnic in the park
5. Participate in annual egg dying
6. Spring clean
7. Go to a fresh market and pick a bouquet of flowers
8. Walk on the beach
9. Sing in the rain (okay, maybe hum in the rain)
10. Enjoy a garden!
11. Plant a plant.
I found this article too which has some great ideas for enjoying springtime.

The Egg Competition

As promised, our egg contest entries . Years into the tradition and we still have ideas!

BK's (the sister) entry: Angry Birds

My entry: a blue elephant

TC's entry: Fiesta! (Complete with pinata)

Dad's entry: Pipe cleaner bunny

Mom's entry: Puppy dog (aka Baxter)

MK's (the brother in law) entry: Banana/Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

Two first place prizes were at stake.

Based on our wonderful panel of judges, which consisted of 8 unbiased individuals who were text pictures of each entry, Dad's egg won for most creative and TC won best egg overall.

You win some. You lose some. One thing is for sure - win or lose- this is always a fun competition.

2007 flashback from when the tradition started (the egg competition that is; egg dying has always been a part of the fam):

It's evolved since then...

Two of closest friends, Sarah and Jeremy (even today they are still the besties...thankful for them!) joined us for the festivities.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter friends!

Luke 24

Jesus Has Risen

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

Thank you, Lord!

It's been such a wonderful day from
Church to the beach.

**My little family (missing my sister and brother-in-law)**

Easter Weekend

Family is in town this weekend. We've had a wonderful time visiting the beach, watching home videos, laughing and eating. Soon to start this morning is our annual Easter egg contest. It's not like any Easter egg dying contest. It's competitive. Intense. Creative. Think-all-year-what-you-can-do kind of contest. Our neighbors judge. Prizes to be won. Bragging rights for a year. We love it. It started a few years ago, but I am pretty sure it's a tradition that will not be leaving the family.

{Here's a few pics from last year}:

This year, as always has a lot to live up to! I cannot wait to see this year's results... I'll post soon.In other news, we spent another day at the beach. Mom, Dad, my sister and brother-in-law, and TC and I had a great time walking the beach, collecting shells, (eating), flying kites, and sleeping in the sun. It was beautiful!

Watching home videos last night. Hilarious, sweet and nostalgic. Look at their smiles.