things i love thursday

Here I am again, over two months later, finally getting a blog post out!

I'm just going to jump right into it...

First of all, I have to go all the way back to Valentine's Day because that's just how long it's been since my last post! It was our first time to attend the Sweetheart Banquet at church, and our first married Valentine's Day. Last year Brandon surprised me by cooking for us so this year it was my turn to be the chef...and I added a bit of decorating as well.

Sweetheart Banquet 2019

at-home Valentine's Day date

Our anniversary was a few days after that and we celebrated a week later by spending the night in Nashville and seeing The Celtic Woman perform at TPAC. It was such a nice, low-key celebration and I had a grocery shopping partner on the way home the next day! (Maybe it's because I don't have kids yet but I really dislike grocery shopping by myself.)

We picked up some 100-layer donuts from Five Daughter's Bakery for breakfast and they were the best I've ever had!

We also had one-year photos taken because that was my main reason for wanting a porch swing picture on our wedding day. I'm so excited to repeat the first photo year after year and see what changes take place!

My mom got to keep Josie Jean at her house a couple of weeks ago and since she was ten minutes down the road from me instead of over an hour, of course I had to go spend some time over there! Have I mentioned how calm and happy this little girl is? She is truly the sweetest child.

experiencing a little "country life" with MaMaw

And, just because I like these pictures I thought I'd share them. National Sibling's Day was yesterday and now that we're all married I had to put these side by side and see the changes!

Jacob's wedding in Texas - May 4, 2007
Stephen's wedding in Hawaii - May 21, 2011
My wedding in Tennessee - February 23, 2018
Amie's wedding in Tennessee - January 11, 2019

That's all for now! The weather has finally warmed up but that also means we've gotten even busier. We're taking all the steps to start building our house but we're still in the paperwork phase. I hope to document every new thing we get to do.

Have a lovely Spring, everyone!

things i love thursday

I haven't done one of these in awhile, and it just seemed like it was time. I truly want to post more, but there isn't always a lot to say. There are always plenty of blessings to count though, and I need to do that more often than I do.

Evenings.

I've always liked the day's end - especially in the summer. It's still warm enough to meander outside barefoot, still light enough to sit on the porch and see who you're talking to, and with the dishes drying in the rack and the to-do list cleared, it's finally a time to truly relax. I appreciate the evenings even more since getting married, because with Brandon heading out at 5:30am our time together in the morning is very short and sleepy!

4th of July.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it on here, but the 4th of July is right up there with my favorite holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4th. This year it fell on a Wednesday and our church had hotdogs and watermelon and a really nice fireworks show. We celebrated with my family the Saturday before and everyone was able to make in to my parents' house for a big cookout! It's just such a nice, pressure-free holiday and I love it!

You can tell Douglas wasn't the biggest fan of the fireworks ;)

Babysitting.

We got to keep Lena Rae and Dougy at our house for a few evenings in July and it was a lot of fun. They aren't a bit shy (they were for a little while right after the wedding) and we really enjoyed our time with them. Between the two of us we have 3 nieces and 4 nephews so we're getting lots of aunt and uncle practice! One of the evenings we had Lena Rae and Dougy my aunt brought her little girl Sophie to play and that was just extra fun - she and Lena Rae are the best of friends!

Uncle Brandon scoring all kinds of points reading books when he was already hoarse from working in the heat :)

We can walk to the river from our house so we took them for an after supper "adventure".

Dougy, Lena Rae, & Sophie

Heirlooms.

My grandma lets each of her granddaughters pick out one of her crystal bowls when they get married or to a certain age, and I finally picked mine out a few weeks ago! The first thing I put in it was a bright pretty salad.

I also have this pitcher that belonged to my great-grandmother who I'm named after. I absolutely LOVE this one!

Engagements.

My little sister, y'all. Amie's boyfriend (now fiance) Isaac proposed last Saturday night and it's still a little weird to me! I'm so excited for them, but now I kind of know how my big brothers felt when I got married. They don't have a wedding date yet, but already this year there are 5 weddings of people at Cornerstone, so if they decide on 2018 they'll make number 6!

He was texting me about rings Saturday morning - I had no idea it would all happen in one day!

I could go on and on about this summer because it's been a full one, but we've got fun plans this weekend so I'll just save all of that for another post next week. I hope you all have a lovely day - just one more work day to go then we've made it to the weekend!!

things i love thursday

Hello again, everyone! It's been a minute since I posted, so let me catch you up to speed real quick...

Since May 18, we've had two weddings, my mom took a trip to Paris with my oldest brother and sister-in-law, VBS, Jr. Camp, Youth Camp (all back to back!), my cousins and siblings and I spent a day at my grandparents' "spring cleaning", and a lot of other things got done that we just squeezed in somehow. Don't get me wrong, I love it, I just realized as I looked for my Proverb to read yesterday that it was the 21st....of JUNE. So that was a startling revelation.

youth camp 2017

So let's get into some of my favorite things over the last few weeks.

First, HAPPY SUMMER! Yesterday was the first day of summer, and let me tell you, I did not miss out on it! I wished all of my friends a happy day and generally just enjoyed the fact that even though it's felt like summer for the past month, now it's officially my favorite season!

pool days with the kids - Lena Rae swims without a ring float now, the three older boys can do handstands and flips and a gazillion other tricks, and Dougy Mac just jumps in and knows there'll always be someone to catch him. Warm skin, dripping hair, juice boxes...it's lovely.

fresh fruit - seasonal fruit will always be my favorite. Strawberry season came and went too quickly, but now there's watermelon and cantaloupe to chow down on!

"Grandparent's Day" - we didn't do this on the actual holiday, but the last Saturday in May several of my grandparent's grandkids met at their house to do some work for them. They never ask for anything, but it's been a hard year and we wanted to help out if we could. Since we're all adults, our schedules aren't great at matching up, so as many as could spent a Saturday morning washing windows, mowing, detailing their car, cutting wood, etc...whatever they needed! We ended with a big lunch and homemade ice cream. So far, it's probably been my favorite day of this year.

15 out of 22  (including "cousin-in-laws"), and 6 out of 8 "greats"!

Other things include...

Dougy's little laugh when he talks in his one word sentences - it sounds something like this: "Boys. Swim. Huh." | Lena Rae: "Kelley, when I get big like you, will you get me a phone like yours?" | simple pleasures - y'all know I love the little things, but it was raining today and this afternoon I made a bowl of spicy ramen to eat while I read a book and it was so nice | Bible trivia on Wednesday nights | VBS with the 2's and 3's | experiencing Youth Camp with 5 cousins there - 3 from my dad's side and 2 from my mom's! | new quotes

duck-duck-goose with 2 year olds - they're so little and huggable!

I remember these 2 cousins being born - now they're 14 and almost 16!

It seems like every year I find a quote that kind of runs around in my mind and becomes my non-spiritual motto for that year. Here's 2017's quote:

I hope you all have a great weekend, and that your summer is just beautiful. Thank you for reading!

a matter of time

I have so many things I want to write about, but can never seem to land on a topic long enough to come up with anything. I think it's because I've learned over the past year that a lot of the things that seem to constantly be on my mind also cast a shadow over my spirit and are simply things out of my control that are better pushed to the side of my thoughts. Things that only time will resolve and reveal, and I just need to wait.

I feel like I write too much about the topic of waiting, but that's the season of life I'm in right now. A lot of areas in my life cause me to practice this. Waiting for approval to finish a job, waiting on information to complete a list, waiting for healing, waiting on the Lord...waiting.

Right now there are a couple of things I want to grasp in my hands and fix, to make better, change, or finish. But in these situations, that's completely and entirely impossible. I'm trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it's not that my hands are tied behind my back and I'm completely helpless - because that's exactly how it feels - but it's a matter of faith, of total surrender to the Lord's will and timing. It's trusting Him to finish the job as He sees fit, and in the timing He's ordained.

Faith still doesn't always come natural to me. I'm someone who naturally wants to get things done and take action. It's one of the few things I inherited from my mom - Ladies' Meeting at 6:30? Our dishes are prepared and on a warming tray at 3:00. She calls herself a Martha, and I feel the same way so often. When you're naturally bent in that direction, sitting with empty hands and a troubled heart makes you feel so helpless.

Waiting. I asked my dad about it a few months ago, talked to him about how I knew it was simple enough, but didn't understand why God required so very much of it for some people, why even in it's simplicity it can be so hard. He reminded me that waiting can be another word for serving - like when you're at a restaurant, the job of your waiter is to serve you. Perhaps that's what God wants more of from me, from others - service. Wholeheartedly for Him. It's a lesson in patience, in service, in surrender.

Just a matter of time. I can flip back in the pages of my life and see things that have come to fruition quietly. Things that used to be such a big deal to me, but somewhere over the years they became smaller in my mind until they were resolved, and I didn't even notice. One day I'll look back on today, on the burdens that are so heavy for me, and realize God had a perfect plan. Yes, these burdens truly are bigger, more life-changing, and yet, however badly I resist, they are inevitable. I'll look back and see change and heartache, but I'll also see grace. 

If God can show me grace through the lonely days, through the difficult changes, surely I can be gracious in my service towards Him. It's just a matter of time until He reveals the reasons, shows us the full picture.

A Mendicant of God

I stood a mendicant of God before His royal throne

And begged him for one priceless gift, which I could call my own.

I took the gift from out His hand, but as I would depart

I cried, "But Lord this is a thorn and it has pierced my heart.

This is a strange, a hurtful gift, which Thou hast given me."

He said, "My child, I give good gifts and gave My best to thee."

I took it home and though at first the cruel thorn hurt sore,

As long years passed I learned at last to love it more and more.

I learned He never gives a thorn without this added grace,

He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.

-Martha Snell Nicholson

things i love thursday

"God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don't have now we don't need now."

-ELISABETH ELLIOT

Summer Summer Summer Summer!!!!

Tennessee has come through and delivered the perfect "spring" weather (as far as I'm concerned)! 60° mornings and 85° afternoons. Warm, breezy (is this called "balmy"?) evenings with the scent of honeysuckle wafting around. I can admit that the weather greatly affects my mood.

Last night the teacher I normally help was out of town so I had the class on my own. I read a character story, but since it was fairly short I tacked on an animal story about a pack rat that was discontent. We talked about contentment for awhile, and I really enjoyed listening to their perspective. Contentment has been a thought on my mind for awhile, and last night I decided I really need to spend more time focusing on the people and things I love rather than comparison and impatience.

I don't want to give the impression that I'm a bubbly, lighthearted person because I'm pretty sure if you asked my family, they would tell you I lean towards being more of a pessimist than an optimist! But the past few weeks have been busy, warm, and glorious, and I am thrilled about it. Here are some things I've been loving.

honeysuckle infused sunsets | Dougy kisses | afternoons in the sunshine | cleaning out the pool (y'all ever burnt the inside of your elbow? try not to) | books | "Yard Sale-ing" with my friend | baking | shopping (online and in store! I've turned over a new leaf) | coffee with hazelnut creamer | park picnics & slip-n-side with the kids (I get to hold the water hose and give them an icy spray!) | a new thermos (it made my day, being an adult is so weird) | ice cream cones | churches that feel like a second home-church and an extra family (talking about Ridge Road!) | sleeping babies | Alabama & family reunions - we always come home with chocolate oatmeal cookies from Aunt Julie and almond bark candy from Aunt Pam - it's kind of nice when your dad's the "little brother" of ten people! | home

Are your windows open? Are you getting fresh air? Have you colored a coloring page lately? All of these things lift my perspective so much, I hope you have a chance to experience them soon! Last night one of the last things one of the kids said was, "Miss Kelley, you are so neat, you like coloring with us!" The yellow crayon I was using for the flowers is the same one I would have used to color in my spirit when she told me that. Do something with some children, they make everything a little more colorful!

20 minutes after taking this picture the 3 littles were sacked out! I just love their white hair :)

Have a beautiful weekend, friends!

patience

My dad was preaching at a church a couple of hours from home recently, and since it wasn't far away we all loaded up and went. Usually him preaching at a different church means we may hear a sermon we've heard before, but that's ok, even the same outline is completely different from church to church.

This particular time he gave a bit of his testimony and the history of Cornerstone. Now, this doesn't change, but I could listen to it over and over again. When he first came to the town we live in now, he was still in the convention. After his trial sermon, and older lady shook his hand and told him she'd been praying for him for twenty years. Since he'd only just met her, this was a bit confusing. After looking at her a bit confused, she said, "You don't understand, I've been praying for a Bible believing pastor for twenty years." That would have been around the time my dad was eight years old - the age he was when his abusive, alcoholic father passed away. This lady may have been praying for a pastor, but that pastor turned out to be my dad - and those twenty years in his life had involved several major car accidents, the way too early death of his mother, suicidal thoughts, salvation, the call to preach, marriage, college, seminary...you see where I'm going.

Due to a stand on the KJV and a few other issues, a few years later, my dad was asked to resign that church. He handed in his resignation, and when he and my mom got to the parsonage there was a group of people waiting for him. They wanted to start a church. An independent, King James only, Baptist church. Mrs. Hailey, our valiant prayer warrior, was part of that group. They first met in a tent, then a community church building that was falling apart, and then in '94 they moved into the newly built building we're still in debt free.

Today, Cornerstone has been going strong for 25.5 years. We've expanded our sanctuary 3 times, built a gym, a Missions House, a residents house, and a Sunday School building. We're at full capacity - and to be honest, we're probably beyond that but the only way to get more room will be an entirely new building for a bigger sanctuary. I don't say any of this boastfully because God has a different time frame for every person and every church, but I say it to illustrate the great power there is in fervent and heartfelt prayer.

Now, I've heard that story my entire life. I'm 24 and our church was established one year before I was born. I don't remember Mrs. Hailey but I've seen her prayer journal and my mom wears her ring. For some reason, sitting in that church that night, the twenty years she'd spent praying stood out to me. Twenty years is a long time. I wonder if God had given her any signs that her prayer would eventually be answered or if her faith was strong enough that she didn't need one. Growing up hearing about her, I feel confident it was the latter.

She isn't around today, she didn't get to see that our biggest "problem" is our growth - and how can that be considered a problem? People have moved from states away to attend Cornerstone...and all of the credit goes to God, but what if she had given up? There have been things I've prayed about for going on five years, and I feel like my answer must be a "no" because I've seen no progress, but what about Mrs. Hailey? The fruit of her prayers continues to produce more fruit. I think, if she could see Cornerstone Baptist Church today, she would be utterly delighted.

She prayed, and God had a plan. She had patience, and God provided in due time. 

This is a time a great turmoil and great opportunity in America. It's a time for action, but there's never a moment we can give up praying. When I think it's a lost cause, I remember Mrs. Hailey. Twenty years of prayers for the same thing. Can I be as faithful?

God may not answer our prayers in our time frame, and I've told Him a time or two how much that frustrates me, but His plan is much more complex than we can see. Our prayers may be helping someone we've never met. We may not get to witness the fruit of our prayers in our lifetime, but I sure am grateful for Mrs. Hailey. Without her prayers my life would probably be entirely different. I feel like there's a generation of people in our church my age and younger who are the products of her and seventy-something other people who stepped out on faith and prayer into the power of God. How can I not hope to do the same for a future generation?

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

EPHESIANS 3:20-21

making lemonade

My PawPaw is well known for loving lemon flavored anything. He's also famous for his dislike of chocolate, but he passed on the "lemon love" to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

A couple of months ago on his 85th birthday the dessert table was covered in lemon cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon cookies, and a gallon of sweetly tart iced lemonade sat to the side. One of his gifts was a yellow basket filled with more lemon snacks than I had ever seen. 

But although I could carry on about my PawPaw or my family or my favorite lemon treats for awhile, that's not really what's on my mind.

A package came into the mail today and I noticed the return address was from a long time family friend of ours. Whenever I think of this lady, I'm encouraged to be better. I always remember my mom describing her at a ladies' meeting several years ago as someone who'd been handed some lemons and was making lemonade.

I know we've all heard this saying, but I'll be honest and admit that the few tiny little lemons that have come my way haven't been made into lemonade right off the bat. I puckered up and sucked the bitterness for awhile, even though I much prefer a little sugar and water added.

The thing is, it's up to us to add the sweetness. To hold the lemons in our hands, whether we expected to receive them or not, and make a decision about what to do with them. God has given us the things we need to sweeten them up, and He's given us the free will to make that choice.

I know so many people who have made gallon after gallon of lemonade, I know people who are currently making a few batches. But there are also those who display their lemons and announce how terrible they are, holding onto them and protecting their bitter flavor. They carelessly squeeze out the juice, infecting others with the bitterness.

Everyone wants to be friends with the person offering free lemonade. It's a classic favorite! It just cannot be made authentically without a few sour lemons. 

I don't have any more metaphoric examples to give right off the top of my head, although I'm sure there are so many. This was just a thought I had on my mind today and I wanted to share it. 

The sun is supposed to come back out tomorrow so I think I'll make a batch of lemonade for my nephews and niece. I hope you each have a lovely weekend with just the right amount of sweetness!

one last chance to play with the moon sand

currently

Hello, everyone! I have to confess that I don't have much to say today. I have several drafts of articles a few sentences long each, but lately that's as far as I can get. Maybe soon I'll break past the barrier of writers block, but for now, here's a list of things I'm currently enjoying!

 

baking

Chocolate chip cookies! They're one of my favorite things to bake because they're so simple and one batch makes a lot of cookies. I made them for the children we take care of during our first or second couples' class, and then the next, and then the next...this past week I walked in and one of them asked if I'd brought the cookies. I wanted so badly to create some kind of tradition - something a little special to look forward to, and that question made my day. One of the ladies who used to watch us when I was little always brought cinnamon graham crackers, and I always looked forward to being in her group! 

back road drives

There are so many back roads in my area that I absolutely love, and there are two in particular that I frequently take time out of my day to drive down. Sometimes on my way home from work on Fridays I pass my house to get gas from the little station down the road. On the way back I don't stay on the highway, but I take a right and wind my way down roads covered with leafy branches, through sprawling fields of tobacco or soy beans, past thriving farms and dilapidated barns and homes. These roads all connect and make their way around the back of our house in a large loop. My windows will all be down and if the music isn't blasting, then I'm enjoying the sound of crunching gravel while I dream of fixing up the old houses and wondering what it was like when the family lived there, children growing up and learning how to farm.

So many houses around here sit empty and begin to decay because the owners (usually children who grew up in them) have moved on but refuse to let anyone else live in them. This particular one is my favorite and has been untouched for many, many years.

listening

One of the wonderful things about working with children is being able to listen to their sweet conversations. I love asking questions and hearing what they come up with to answer. A bridal shower this past Sunday was particularly confusing for a couple of little girls, while a spider in his house was big news for one of the boys. A little boy Lena's age has learned that if he picks on her, he'll get a reaction. From the outside watching, it was so funny to see him do something to irritate her, and her turn around in her little bossy way to get onto him while he just grinned over at us adults. My favorite age to work with are 2/3's, but I solo taught the 8/9's this past Wednesday and had such a good time with it! I don't believe I ever said I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, but the more opportunities I have to do it, the more I understand why our current teachers have been doing it for 20+ years!

"Kelley! Jace just said a nice thing to me. I asked if I could play with his ball and he said not right now. He told me I can when he's done playing with it with Jackson. He is a nice boy!"

 - Lena Rae last week when I told her to ask nicely after crying about it in my lap for a few minutes

a gift from Jackson

windows open

My morning routine lately has been to turn off my alarm, procrastinate for a few minutes, brush my teeth, open my blinds and windows, and start my devotions. It's been so lovely (on the days it isn't raining) and this morning it was nearly 70 degrees at 8:15! I love it! I also got Whispers of Hope by Beth Moore in the mail to start in April - I'm excited to have an actual devotional to go through again, and I'll have to let you know how I like it! That devotional and Mrs. Kennedy and Me are on my reading lists for April and I'm excited to begin them. I seem to do more reading in the spring and summer than fall and winter, which is a little backwards I think.

"antique-ing" 

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to drive 45 minutes or an hour to a different town and stop at their square. We park and walk down the streets going into the antique stores and finding a little cafe to eat at. My dad browses the tools, books, and art, Amie looks for old white dishes and aprons, my mom searches out crocks, pottery, and unique kitchen gadgets, and I hunt for vintage Pyrex, Tupperware, colanders and anything made of copper. The day either has a break or ends with a meal that usually includes cole slaw on someone's plate, fries on mine, and sweet tea. We don't always leave with packages, but more than anything, it's a chance to inhale a bit of the past and get some dust on our fingers. I was happy with this pitcher that I found last Thursday! I didn't even know Pyrex made them.

It's so hard to believe this week will end with April beginning, but I sure am looking forward to it! It's been quite the week, and I have fun plans for next Monday. I'm ready for some May flowers, so let's bring on the April showers! I hope each of you has a fresh start to the new month! Thanks for always reading. I'll be back in a week or two!

P.S. Since April 1 isn't on a Thursday this year, you don't have to worry about an April Fool's Day prank from me! :)

 

things i love thursday

Have I mentioned before how much I love Longfellow?

Happy Thursday, everyone! I hope you've all had a great week - I myself am so happy we're past the mid-week hump and only have one more day until the weekend. It's been good, just long...and COLD! We had a little Spring teaser for a few days last week, but then the temps did a nose dive and it was 17 degrees when I woke up this morning. That's too cold for March in Tennessee, y'all. This weather has been unexpected and unwelcomed, but the forecast shows a rise back to the 70's over the weekend and Monday is the first day of Spring!

I sounded like a weather man just then.

First of all, two weeks ago I had a couple of my friends over for a brunch. We've called it the "brunch that nearly turned into lunch" because we traveled from the kitchen...to the living room...to their cars and conversation kept cropping up and it's so hard to say goodbye when you know it will be weeks or months before you're all together again. As we spent the morning catching up, it was like a battery re-charge. I sat there thinking "this is what's been missing", and it was such a sweet time. On a side note, my friend Faith is expecting a little boy! That's the third boy in a row for my little group of friends, and I cannot. wait. to meet him! (This is also the first boy for her family!)

Last week, our church took a group to the Master Clubs Regional Competition and I was surprised to see another friend that moved to KY when she got married a few years ago. I hadn't seen her since early December so even though it was a quick conversation because we both had commitments elsewhere, it was nice to see her and to bump into each other a few times throughout the day.

On the work side of life, something that's small but a relief to me is having our greeting card display filled up and organized. I've put this job off for a couple of weeks because it really wasn't that bad, but I knew once I tackled it I would have to organize everything. Sure enough, I headed up the stairs, got started...and an hour later every card had a slot, the correct number of envelopes, and the re-fill boxes were completely organized and labeled. I also got a huge tract order in the mail so now we're good for at least a couple of months! You know I can't post a TILT without mentioning some kind of organizing story. Sometimes I think about the little highlights in my week and know it must sound pretty lame to everyone else, but for me, it was a part of my week that I unexpectedly enjoyed.

Slowly but surely, the sickness is tapering off. I've heard of a few people getting a fresh dose of the flu (round #3 or #4), but it's not the majority anymore. Hopefully it will stay contained and everyone can be healthy for Spring! Thankfully none of my family has had anything - I've been using Thieves oil and taking vitamin C almost religiously!

And since the sweet joys of life are so often found in the little things...

giving babies sink bubble baths | shopping for summer clothes for Lena Rae since she has no big sisters and girl clothes are the most fun | aloe plants | party planning | fresh salsa | Wednesday night class shenanigans | Tanner's ability to make even us grown ups laugh (his sense of humor is way beyond a five-year-old. A bad thing at times, but so entertaining.) | progress - however slow - in sign class | the kids dipping their broccoli in ranch - snow on trees! | trips to the library | antique stores | surprise lunches with church friends in restaurants (this happened twice in one week) | early bedtimes | sunshine at 7pm | cooking - I made shrimp for the first time this week and I'm still thinking about it! (the recipe said it served four, but my dad was out of town and it only served three ;) )

I'd already dug in before I thought to take a picture

I hope this weekend exceeds your expectations and that your days are full of joy! What are some things you love this happy Thursday?

things i love thursday

"Relying on God has to begin all over again everyday as if nothing had yet been done." ~C.S. Lewis

What a week this has been! The beginning of January must have been the calm before the storm, because the past couple of weeks have picked up speed and had us looking forward to having a "sit down" on an evening we don't have to get back up and rush off somewhere. It's all been enjoyable, though, so I thought it was time for some things I love Thursday!

church family

First and foremost and all of the time. It's just one of those things I know I take for granted way too often, and being the pastor's daughter I sometimes get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes stuff that I should appreciate so much more. Last night we had our monthly church-wide meal before services. This month my mom and sister and I were cooking (aka my mom cooked and Amie and I helped wrap things up). We eat at 6pm, and at 5:15 all of the electricity went off in our county. I was putting dessert plates out, my mom was cutting cake, Amie was in another room. We don't have a backup generator and it was completely silent and totally dark. We felt around for our phones, turned on the flashlight, and kept plugging on. Thankfully, my mom's a prepare-er and everything was pretty much already ready. The Hostess Committee began to trickle in with their phone flashlights and while some of us held them up the rest of us filled cups, set out dessert, washed up the few remaining dishes, and got everything ready. More church members and men began showing up with flashlights and torches and shining headlights in the glass doors of our very, very dark gym. At 10 til 6 everything was done, we had enough bobbing lights and a big spotlight shining on the ceiling to see, and we prayed and went through line. It was a sweet picture to me of how a body works - each person did a different job to make sure it all got done, even though we were all experiencing the same "handicap". The lights came back on at 6:30 and we were able to clean everything up, start church on time, and proceeded as normal!

ballgames

But kind of only the home games. Our little church ball team has picked back up! We didn't have enough high school boys for a couple of years but this year they all got together and aren't too bad! We have another game tonight and they're always a lot of fun! With not a whole lot of "just-for-fun" things this time of the year, it's an enjoyable way to spend a winter evening.

the things kids say

"Miss Kelley, that's a pretty necklace, where did you get it?"

"To be honest [three year old] Mabel, I don't remember, but thank you."

"You are welcome."

"Lena Rae, while your brothers have a boy party [with about 20 of their friends they've been talking our ears off about] do you want to come play with me and A?"

"No, I want to go to the party."

"But you're a little girl."

"No, I want to go to the boy party, I'm a little boy."

"You're three, Lena Rae, you have to go to class."

"I want to go to the nursery, I'm two today."

"Ok, kids, someone tell me what your favorite part about tonight was."

"I wish we had played freeze tag! If we had played freeze tag, that would have been my favorite part!"

february
Sometimes it's alarming how quickly time passes. It's scary that we miss so many opportunities and I hate feeling like I can't keep up. Somehow though, I've been enjoying the passage of time this year. I have high hopes for 2017, and it feels like each new month brings a whole set of new possibilities.

my office
I got a new desk and rug and completely re-decorated! Yet another welcome and happy change. I just need to print some pictures and buy a fake plant or two (I've killed every real plant I've touched).

warm quilts | new books | Georgia cornbread | Dougy hugs (the definition of a bear hug) | Lena Rae dimples | the little boys' excitement | warm, sunny days | fresh air | group texts | my oil diffuser (I've even got one in my office! It makes the entire bottom floor smell like Thieves oil) | finally having short hair again | late night conversation with friends after church | planning ANOTHER baby shower - this time for Faith!!  | Wednesday night class - I love being a teacher's helper! | old pictures & videos - I've been so blessed to have grown up with the people I have!

back during our trip to Germany 5 years ago - the reason I started this blog!

I hope you all have a very lovely February! What are some things you're loving this Thursday?

things i love thursday

I firmly believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult, God extends grace greater than the hardship, and strength and peace of mind that can lead us to a place higher than where we were before.

-Andy Griffith

Doing these lists every Thursday has made me realize how quickly the weeks go by. This will probably be the last post for a little while because life is about to get really busy. It's only Thursday, but this week has already sucked a lot out of me. Do you ever have those weeks? You just get a little bit more "in your head" and maybe a little overwhelmed and you find yourself ready for the weekend and a long nap where you don't have to think about anything. As Scarlett O'Hara would say, "I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about it tomorrow."

those friends again

Catching up with the ones who've moved away and kissing their babies and getting those sweet little hugs.

Hiking with the ones nearby and discussing life.

Staying up until 11pm eating chips and laughing at snapchat filters. It truly is the little things. 

ten of my favorite people

pasta salad and chicken salad

It's up close to 80° again today, and those are the perfect things to eat. 

pumpkin everything

Pumpkin chai, pumpkin bread, pumpkin creamer, pumpkin candle, pumpkin cupcakes...pumpkin is a funny word. Most people around here say "punkin".

missionaries  

I sat in on a Missions Conference 2 nights this week and got re-energized for our own. The missionaries and their presentations always tug at my heart - especially when they expose their own heart for the people they're called to. 

This particular presentation was very special - we've know this missionary for so many years, and my church has built over 20 of these orphan homes. He is moving and changing this country because he truly cares about them. https://vimeo.com/178260459

thanksgiving

It's one week away! I may be "behind" on a lot of things, but holiday preparation is not one of them!

poem of the week 

Y'all ok with these? I just love them! (Plus, I think this one's neat because he wrote it for his brother.)

Hymn for My Brother's Ordination

Related Poem Content Details

BY HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Christ to the young man said: "Yet one thing more;

If thou wouldst perfect be,

Sell all thou hast and give it to the poor,

And come and follow me!" 

Within this temple Christ again, unseen,

Those sacred words hath said,

And his invisible hands to-day have been

  Laid on a young man's head. 

And evermore beside him on his way

  The unseen Christ shall move,

That he may lean upon his arm and say,

  "Dost thou, dear Lord, approve?" 

Beside him at the marriage feast shall be,

  To make the scene more fair;

Beside him in the dark Gethsemane

  Of pain and midnight prayer. 

O holy trust!  O endless sense of rest!

  Like the beloved John

To lay his head upon the Saviour's breast,

And thus to journey on!

I hope each of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I, for one, am very excited about it! Thanks for reading, what do you love today?