Two things are for sure...

First thing. The Lord directs us.Following in Faith, with expectation is so important. As a friend text me this morning, 

"Praying for you that the Lord will help you keep your thoughts captive." 
Oh, how she knows me. 

"Trust the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not rely on your own understanding.

6 

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make your paths smooth."

Proverbs 3:5-6

And second, Worry only chips away at our souls. Angst is the enemy.

 “So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes?

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?

 “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying?

 “And why worry about clothes? Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes.  But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers.  That’s the way God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?

 “Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them.  But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

 “So don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:25-34

I'm so thankful for these truths and I'm asking the Lord to sustain me with them on this day full of unknowns. 

On the ol' pile of books

Well, I'm doing it again. Reading multiple books at one time... well, scattered times. But honestly, I'm feeling a little scattered so it's great for me. Some fiction here, diet book when I'm feeling good, bible study in the mornings. It works.

Here's whats on my book pile:

UnShaken by Francine Rivers

"A beautiful retelling of the story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz by award-winning author Francine Rivers. Readers will be encouraged by the truth that God will faithfully provide for His children even when all hope seems lost."

Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman

"Sometimes life feels a lot like a burden—day-in and day-out its the same chores and tasks, challenges and discouragements, anxieties and responsibilities. Dust bunnies show up on the stairwell, social commitments clutter the calendar, and our families demand daily attention and care. At times, just catching our breath seems like an impossible feat.

So where is God in all of this? Does he care about the way we unload the dishwasher or balance the budget? Do the little things like changing diapers or cooking meals make a difference? And how can we use our spheres of influence for God’s glory and our joy?

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working woman splitting time between the office and home, Gloria Furman—writer, pastor’s wife, cross-cultural worker, and mom—encourages us to see the reality of God’s grace in all of life, especially those areas that often appear to be boring and unimportant. Using personal examples and insightful stories, her richly theological reflections help us experience the gospel’s extraordinary power to transform our ordinary lives."

I used to be so organized by Glynnis Whitwer

"I Used to Be So Organized addresses the frustrations many women feel when they can't get a handle on their lives. They know, deep in their hearts, they should be able to manage things. After all, they used to be organized . . . ten or twenty years ago. But now, life seems to hand them one distraction and challenge after another, and ''helpful technology'' that just seem to add to the problem. Just when they think they have ''caught up,'' something else changes, and there s more to be done.

In this book, Glynnis Whitwer addresses the issue of organization based in this new reality of information overload, overwhelming choices, increased expectations and technology advances that won t slow down. This book contains twenty-three chapters, each short enough for a busy woman to read during a lunch break. Every aspect of life comes together in this one easy-to-read guide."

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

"Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn't a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the 'I'll start again Monday' cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. Learn to stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale. Discover that your weight loss struggle isn't a curse but rather a blessing in the making, and replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. You can reach your healthy weight goal -- and grow closer to God in the process. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the 'want to' in making healthy lifestyle choices."

So, yea... that's a few. Thanks to Amazon.com for the covers and descrips. I have a few other "fun" reads on my nook, but for the most part these get the most attention. I'm struggling through "I used to be so organized" - it's not my favorite. But it was FREE so I really want to finish it! 

And, lastly - I got this in the other day. Reading it as a potential youth bible study book. I dunno... Something makes me uncomfortable about the title, but at the same time I totally get it. God's word is never BLAH, nor is faith in God... but we get blah... treading new waters with this. 

What do you think?

What are you reading?

Goldfish bowl syndrome

Goldfish Bowl Syndrome.

I think it could be a real thing, though... I'm not finding anything online. 

We had our first house showing last night and I cannot even describe to you in intelligible sentences how much WORK I got done yesterday in preparation. Wow. I cleaned and scraped and painted and dusted, purged and packed, tossed and scrubbed the strangest items in our home. Just in hopes that if someone actually did look that closely... 

Today, the work load is light. Everything is so clean and organized, calm. The kids and I spent the morning at the library just so we could come home {again}to an amazingly clean home. :) I feel like we live in a goldfish bowl with the clear glass all around - so that others can look in and see if they like it. 

After lunch today I was reading a ballet book to my biggest girl while the 2 year old started a good ol' fashioned tantrum when she couldn't put on her own tutu. I know, it's dramatic at 2. So while I'm doing the voices for ballerina book and attempting to pull up a tutu on the squirming, tired child - I realize there is a lady standing in our yard. Yep, right outside the window that my child is screaming by. This gal had parked her car to face our home - right in the middle of the street and was unashamedly snapping shot after shot of the house. Weird angles, too. Like... our mailbox. Hey, I don't ask anymore. As she approached our realtors sign I stepped onto the porch to see if she needed anything - and maybe that's against the rules?! There is a fine line here for me. 

She told me she lived behind us, and in this area for her entire life. She was a single lady whose children had grown up and left home. She appreciated how we had taken care of the property and that her best friend was interested in this house. My house! I was kinda dumbfounded and a lil' awkward because I'm new to all of this - but, I offered her a flyer for info and she was happy to take it. {please keep in mind her car was now blocking traffic}Then continued to take a few more pics. :) 

I'm amazed the tantrum thrower was quiet and the impatient book reader was patient. All in that moment. 

Then, hubby sends a text to tell me the showing last night went well - people loved the house and are waiting to see if they can afford it. 

So I just smile. And again I remember to trust. 

We walk back into the goldfish bowl, tuck baby into bed, finish ballet book... 

And the bowl is tidy again. Ready for another day. 

"My" Soldiers.

Even if you don't have friends and family who serve our country in the military, this is still a special day for Americans. We MUST remember the sacrifice of so many and the dedication of thousands of men and women who have served, protected and laid it all on the line for our freedoms and comforts.

My grandfather, William Grice, Korean War

Today I'm thinking about "My" soldiers... and feeling extra thankful. I have so many cousins, family and friends who have served or who are currently serving.

My little brother, Joshua Grice, USAF

We are grateful!

It's official - that gene was not inherited.

We pulled into the parking lot of Hobby Lobby around 10:30 this morning. Found a front row spot. Smiled, parked, got out, walked in. The whole way over I had in mind all the things I wanted to try to spruce this place up a bit. Cute corner fillers, pretty framed things, crafty this and that. You know - all things Pinterest approved.  Honestly, since the for sale sign went in the front yard - the motivation has been lacking.
{tisk, tisk}
But, seeing how we are 3 weeks in and no offers... I figured I should get my act together and keep it beautiful for my fam. They are pretty worth it. :)

Two minutes into the store and I'm having heart palipitations in a bad way. As in, not excited, but feeling completely hopeless and about as un-crafty as they come. All my dreams and plans went right out the window as we passed the memorial day/July 4th aisle. {and, off record.. WHY on earth is the fall stuff out already?!}

All the things I thought would be so simple as I read them on the computer screen now seemed like preparing for a marathon, impossible for me.

We walked out with ONE single piece of patriotic scrap book paper and a bunch of greenery for my kitchen pitcher decoration. {flumpph} Man I felt like such a loser. It's totally confirmed that in fact I did NOT receive the creative gene, not even a drop. My brain shuts down upon entering those kinds of stores - like the smell of acrylic paints and silk plants flips a switch or something.

Well, at least I can wash the dishes and tidy this place up. That's as "cute" as it's getting today. Perhaps later I'll live vicariously through some of the pinners I've been following. Yea, that sounds pretty acurate.

Serving my family...with joy.

 

I needed the reminder this morning from the book of Philipians. Chapter 2 tells us-

" Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (vs 3-4)

Is it just me or are young children SUPER needy, SUPER urgent in all things, and SUPER selfish? By the end of some days I am one fried momma. My husband can attest to this! And while I don't have it all figured out {not even close...} I am learning that humility and selfLESSness on my end go a long way. I'm learning this after failing at it - time and again. 

My children like to drag out the bedtime routine. I'm sure we are not unique in this. But I will admit that it absolutely drives me crazy! I can have a great and victorious day of being patient and tender all day long...but when bed time comes, it's time. I can feel the cord on the dynamite burning down if things take too long. Relate? Bedtimes in the last month have been difficult and after the doors close there is usually crying and grumpiness from kiddos and mom and dad. It's not a fun time. I guess I always dreamed that bed times would be those magical connector times at the end of a fun day where I whisper sweet lullabies in my babies ears, and tuck them in as they doze off. My reality is an opinionated 4 year old who flips on a dime to full tantrum mode if every single thing isn't just exactly her way, a 2 year old who wants extra rocking chair and cuddle time accompanied by endless singing of "Jesus Loves me" and "Twinkle Twinkle" and a momma who just wants to throw herself on the couch and sleep. I'm tired! My patience runs dangerously thin at these moments. And while my husband is a great help - my girls just really, REALLY, prefer momma to do the majority of the rocking, singing, and kissing goodnight right now. I'm happy to do it... just, some days are harder then others. 

This week I have started praying with them before I say goodnight. We get our rocking and talking out of the way - and then we talk to God. I'm amazed at how it calms them, especially my testing 4 year old. They listen and I know the Lord hears. I've been praying for their salvation and obedience in all things. They hear me ask that. I'm exhausted, like I said, but it has been so worth it to serve them this way - in giving the last part of their day to the Lord, just as we start the first of it at breakfast in prayer. And oh the lessons momma learns when she is on her knees before the Lord praying over her babies.

The Lord brings joy. As I grow in this thing called motherhood I'm learning and understanding the value in serving with humility. I still blow it all the time - and God is good and gracious to me. I'm so thankful this morning for the reminder and command to serve and look for the interests in my family first. We can do this! Praise the Lord for his example and ruling in our lives.

The Storm

 

Needless to say, the weather has been crazy. With tornado activity covering a lot of the mid and southwest so many families have been affected or at the least scared. 

Self included. 

Our hearts are heavy for the loved ones left behind in Moore, OK. I have family in that state and I cannot imagine that pain. 

But even in the hard and painful moments - there is beauty. The Lord has a plan in even this. 

I took a few moments last night to catch some quick shots after the rain and "rotation" clouds went away. It was cold and creepy still. But so pretty. I could not believe the oranges and purples that I saw. The camera didn't even do it justice! Amazing.

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

After a scary night of tornado sightings, hail and crazy rain - it's gorgeous outside today. :) This Iowa weather still cracks me up. 

But anyway, happy Monday to you! Let's make it a good one! 

The weather.....
Gonna be in the 80's most of this week.

Right now I am....
Letting my girls watch "Rudolph" while I enjoy the crazy strong breeze coming in the window. 

Thinking about brewing up some coffee in the actual coffee pot, not the keurig. It's been a while.

 
Thinking....
So much housework to do today. Wondering if my girls will play well while I'm at it :)

On my reading pile....

"Glimpses of Grace" by Gloria Furman
"Unshaken" by Francine Rivers 

On my TV.....
A Christmas movie...am I nuts?!

What I found while surfing the net....
Love this biblical counseling blog I found this week. It's called "Biblical Counseling for Women" and has many helpful posts! If you have any opportunities to counsel women this will be helpful for you.

On the menu for this week....

Monday - Grilling out! Burgers and marinated veggies!

Tuesday - Chicken pepper pasta

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Grilled barbeque chicken pizza

Friday - Pancakes and sausage

Saturday - Cheesy pasta pie (AND open houses for graduates)

Sunday - Chicken fingers and salad

These are all Gooseberry Patch recipes, as I'm cooking through one of their cookbooks. You can find all the recipes on their site. :) 

On my to do list....
LAUNDRY
clean up and vacuum first floor
bedrooms deep clean
mop kitchen floor
spray for ants around back porch

In the craft basket....
None. No thing happening in this department.

Looking forward to this week....
First week OFF as youth ministry is in summer mode :) 

Brad's parents are coming in this week - might get to see them

play group at church

Looking around the house....

Little messes of toys here and there :)  

 

From the camera....

Little 2 year old enjoying a good mustache :)

On my prayer list.....
That our house would sell. that is all :) 

Glimpses of Grace

 

I have had one of those weeks where only today I'm sitting alone reflecting, in the cool breeze of the day, under a tree... recoiling at how bad my attitude has been, how quick my tongue and temper, and how absolutely unloving I've been. Been there? It all started on Mothers Day night - I let expectations get the better of me {that's all I'm sayin'}, and I should know better by now. Since that night I have felt sad and grumpy, irritable and just out of control. My lack of love for those around me also seeped into our home - laundry sat undone, dishes in the sink, every little thing left undone. My heart has been so hard and uncaring. The Lord has faithfully been chipping away at me and reminding me of truth. For this I am thankful. 

It's no coincidence that the book you see above was placed in my hands around midweek. :)

One quick read of the back cover and I was in tears. Because even though I SO desire to be the kind of wife and momma who is treasuring and teaching the gospel in my home... so often my intentions are left wanting. Relate? 

So I'm digging in. The intro alone has me nodding my head and seeing my NEED. I LOVE this portion that I read last night - 

"We live in God's world, we're made in God's image, and we interact with other people who have eternal souls. That makes theology vastly important and immensely life changing in our everyday mundane. Theology is for homemakers who need to know who God is, who they are, and what this mundane life is all about."

Sister, lemme tell you... the mundane was flat out getting under my SKIN this week and I needed this fresh air of a reminder to my soul. I'm not being paid to say these things or push for this book - but, if you have the spare bucks - it WILL be worth the read. I'm already encouraged and feeling motivated to treasure the gospel in my home and pass that on to my children. Who, by the way... are anything but mundane this week. :)

When the itty bitty turns 2

What I cannot believe is that my itty bitty little baby girl {who was born weighing 9lbs 2oz} turns 2 years old on Friday. I'm sorta in denial. 

She was born on her due date, after I had given up all hope on that.

She came quick and pretty easy, for which I am thankful.

She's been a momma's girl from the very beginning. 

And, I love it.

But, the problem is...

That she keeps growing up. And, oh, how it tugs on my heart strings.

And now... it's 2 years that have flown by. I'm so thankful for her health and smiles and beauty. She is a joy to my heart and life. But I still sniff and tear up thinking of how time is such a robber of days and how those days just seem to fly by.

August Hope, you are one of the biggest joys of my days. 

I love you baby girl. You are a gift and a reminder to this momma to slow down and enjoy the sillies. 

Happy Birthday this week! 

{excuse me while I go find the kleenex}

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm pretty sure that in the last 2 days all of the trees, plants and flowers have decided to bloom and grow. It's SO beautiful out and there is SO much color! :) For this I am thankful. It's a slow day here - after a pretty busy week and weekend. The girls are down for this afternoon naps and I'm taking a quick break before busting into more cleaning/packing/organizing. Though I am tempted to grab a book and go lay in the sun all afternoon. Happy Monday to each of you! 

The weather.....
I saw it! The forecast has 94 on it for tomorrow! Woot woot! Then back in the 70's for the rest of the week. Folks, that's near perfect in my book. :) 

Right now I am....
Finishing my microwaved cuppa joe. Listening to THE loudest crow I've ever heard right outside my window - wow, that's quite a noise. 

 
Thinking....
I'm weary today. My heart hurts, but, that's life sometimes.

On my reading pile....

On my Nook - "Georgiana Darcy's Diary (Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice con't)" 

by Anna Elliot.

I came across this book lastnight for FREE on my Nook. The lady is taking some liberty and just making up some story involving Mr. Darcy's younger sister. It's cute and written in diary style - nothing fancy, but, fun to read so far. It's 510 pages...I'll let you know if it's worth continuing on in. :) 

In paper - "Made to Crave" by Lysa, still. Going through this again with some girlfriends. GREAT reminders on how to crave the Lord, rather then unhealthy eating habits!

On my TV.....
Nothing. No plans.

What I found while surfing the net....
Well, hubby's phone is slowly recovering from it's quick bath in the sink full o' soap suds courtesy of me. {doh!} If you ever have this situation... follow the advice we used from this site. Who knew so many people dropped their iphones in water!?

 http://osxdaily.com/2013/04/11/dropped-iphone-into-water-save-damage/

On the menu for this week....
Thankful we are in grad party mode around here... we love going to each open house and enjoying all the goodies! But, for now...

Monday - Cantelope Soup & cinnamon rolls

Tuesday - Sweet & sour pork {over rice}

Wednesday - Cookout @ church!

Thursday - Meatloaf and rice

Friday - Easy Lasagna

Saturday - Cheeseburger Soup

Sunday - Chicken & Sausage Etouffee 

These are all Gooseberry Patch recipes, as I'm cooking through one of their cookbooks. You can find all the recipes on their site. :) 

On my to do list....
General tidying of downstairs

Unload and reload dishwasher

start laundry

tidy up back yard toys

Clean out van & vacuum

Grocery shop for the week

Plan out birthday details for my baby girl, who is turning TWO on friday. What?!  

In the craft basket....
None. No thing happening in this department.

Oh wait, I lied...

attempting to turn a pair of my 4 year olds skinny jeans into shorts :) Thanks to a lovely gaping hope in the knee they get a trim. She thinks I'm the COOLEST mom because I'm recycling something, like Daniel Tiger did. Nice. I was thinking of doing something like this... with fabric scraps.

source: pinterest

Looking forward to this week....
Last week of youth group until our summer schedule. 

Cell group AND finding out the gender of our friends baby! 

Open houses and VBS meetings 

Looking around the house....

Intentionally cleaning and keeping things tidy due to our home being for sale has been WONDERFUL. It's looking ok around here. Need to make my bed and get this confounded bags of rice put away. {cell phone therapy}

From the camera....

My ladies and I at the Mall of America this weekend! They loved the rides! 

On my prayer list.....
The sale of our home - soon!

Peace in the home

.:Saying goodbye again:.

Last weekend we celebrated some very special people - our graduating high school seniors. It seems like a blur, these last 4 years...but sure enough, they have gone by. It's a basket of mixed emotions for me. This was the first class we have had for all 4 years of highschool. As I shared with my girls during our last cell group date at Chili's :

- I remember the first time they drove into the church parking lot, alone.
- When braces came off
- Break ups and new flames
- Late night chats at retreats
- numerous coffee and restaurant dates
- valleys and mountaintops
- Baptisms and life changes
- ACT's, SATS, plays, basketball and volleyball games, band concerts, new jobs...

Priceless.

So Friday night as I sat and watched them I couldn't help but just let my eyes mist over. 4 precious years. And now we send them out to be adults, we say our goodbyes. {P.S. I cannot imagine doing this with my own dear children someday...}

And, I think everyone else had a good time celebrating our graduates, too. :)

The girls table {and my 1 year old}!

Some of our great leaders and teens

Hubs, bringing a great challenge! 

It's always hard to say goodbye to teens you love so much in your student ministry! But I'm thankful for the opportunity and I'm eager to see what the Lord does in each one of their lives! Congrats class of 2013!

Spring Time has come.

Hello Mr. Robin!

It may have taken a-while, but Spring made it. The temps are warmer, the birds are chirping, and leaves are starting to grow on our trees! 

We spent the morning yesterday enjoying God's creation on one of our local bike trails. We don't have bikes - but we have legs! So we loaded up a cooler full of picnic lunch stuffs, packed the stroller, laced up our tennis shoes and out the door we went. 

It was a PERFECT Spring day! 

After walking the trail for a bit we stopped and had a picnic lunch right here. 

Bugs buzzing, sun shining, just wonderful. 

Attempted a few family pics with the timer...

Attempt #1 - with the little telling me "tamera beeping"

Well, not bad for the second take!

And, most of all just enjoyed being outside! 

It was nice to get some exercise, too. 

While on the trail I found this crazy tree covered in huge, thick, thorns. I'm intrigued and hope to find out more about it. Can you imagine stumbling into this thing?

Anyone know anything about it? Crazy! 

From my home to yours... Happy Spring!

Happy Homemaker Monday :)

It was a high stress and partially high drama weekend for us here in Iowa. The combination of a super busy time in life and then...dropping hubby's iphone in the kitchen sink {full of Dawn!} made for some tension. But Grace abounds and we made it and are even better on this side of it! :) Happy Monday to you. We spent the morning walking a local bike trail and stopping for a picnic lunch! What a GREAT start to a GREAT week! 

The weather.....
We finally made it back to the 70's! Glorious spring weather! I cannot believe a week ago today we were watching big fat snow fall. 

Right now I am....
Finishing my morning cup of coffee that is on it's 2nd time being nuked. {gag} Why do I do this to myself?! I have the windows open and planning in my head what I want to accomplish most while the children nap. 
 
Thinking....
During our family walk this morning a bird... left it's "mark" on me. Ew! That hasn't happened in years. It's funny now... not so much at the moment. 

On my reading pile....
I'm SO SO SO enjoying "God's and Kings" by Lynn Austin, still. Have spent a couple late nights up with it, and this morning hubby let me read in bed for 40 mins as I was in the "thick" of the story. It's so great! I love the biblical history in it. 

On my TV.....
Off. Ah, sounds good.

What I found while surfing the net....
Excited about this new question! But, mine is a blog post, still :) I've mentioned September McCarthy's blog a few times before - and her post last week really hit me in a good way. "It's the little things" reminded me how to really take hold and ENJOY these days with my children. So good! 

Check it out here. 

On the menu for this week....

Confession: hoping to pinch pennies and eat from the cupboards and freezer this week. 

Monday: Spaghetti and leftover Broccoli-cauliflower salad. <---this a="" gooseberry="" nbsp="" patch="" recipe="" span="" was="" yummy="">

Tuesday: Pancakes

Wednesday: not sure

Thurdsday: Meal with potential new youth leaders, so, something yummy! 

Friday: Not sure.

Saturday: Graduation open house for brunch! Then off to MN for a fun weekend trip! 

Sunday: Something in MN! 

How's that for some LAME menu planning! 

On my to do list....
Laundry
General housework

Some bible reading

Clean out and vacuum the van {she's seen cleaner days!}

Pack up excess stuff and bring out a few nice spring decorations.

In the craft basket....
Have just a few feet left of yarn on my baby blanket - it's the size of a scarf! Progress! 

Looking forward to this week....
Monday - Going to one of our seniors band concerts with a fellow youth leader! {and coffee!}

Tuesday - Taking the girls to a local park

Wedneday - Play group in the morning

Thursday - 5am prayer and then a trip to the library with a friend and her girls! 

Friday - family day

Saturday - heading to weekend trip!

Sunday - same! and...it's MOTHERS DAY! 

Looking around the house....
It's not pretty. The girls were playing so well the last few days so every toy possible is out. Bedroom has some clothes to put away. Everything needs a good dusting. 

From the camera....

My big girl :) Cheesin' it up at church! 

On my prayer list.....
Trip this weekend, for safety and just a great time with these special students and leaders.

That our house would SELL quickly! 

Praying we get accepted into a student loan repayment plan to help us make the pennies stretch a little more. 

To glorify the Lord with how we live, in and out of the public eye! 

 Bible verse, Devotional....

Source: Pinterest

Beauty.

I tip toed out while the snow was falling in hopes I would find something like this.

Simple beauty. 

I seem to want it more and more these days. 

Beauty. 

Now mind you, most don't think snow on the 2nd day of May is much to write home about.

And maybe I'm not all that thrilled, myself.

But, you can't deny how beautiful it is to watch it melt on warm Spring flowers. 

Or how the water drops collect on the now closed tulip. 

Because even when eveything around us seems ugly and hostile and harsh...

we can still find the beauty. 

It is there.

HE, the creator of all beauty, is there. 

May blessings to you today, friend. 

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

 

Make me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

 

Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

 

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

 

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You."

Psalm 51:7-13