A-P-P-R-E-C-I-A-T-E

It's been 14 days (!!!) since Brandon has worked a "normal" 8-5 schedule. Thanks to the Sportsman Show and a Fleet Show in Indianapolis (can you hear my sarcasm), he will be gone until next Monday, another 5 days (yup, 19 days total)!!!

We did get to spend Valentine's Day together and I am TRUELY thankful for that. Eva has been holding on to every minute she has with Daddy. I went as far as making her a "countdown" so she knows when he's getting back and activities she can look forward to along the way. It seems to ease her sadness a little, until I hear her shout again, "I missssss my dadddddddddddyyyyyyyyy!!!"

Although it sounds like I'm journaling my complaints, I actually want to remind myself, in words, how powerful it is to be appreciated. On Tuesday, we enjoyed breakfast and dinner together, sans kids, but my eyes swelled with tears when Eva brought a bag into the kitchen from the Hershey Spa.

"Here you go Mama, it's chocolate!", Eva pronounced proudly. I gave Brandon the squinty eyes that said, "We said we weren't doing gifts", and proceeded to thank Eva for the package. Inside was indeed, chocolate (Hershey Kisses from the ladies at the front desk), but buried deeper was a Hershey Spa gift card. Before I had time to question, Brandon explained.

"This is NOT a Valentine's Day gift. This is for you, because you are a wonderful mom and you are appreciated. I know you have worked countless hours over the past couple weeks and it does not go unnoticed. I love you and I appreciate every single detail and thought that you have for me and the kids. (Gulp)

If my husband has these genuine words for me, despite my bad attitudes and complaints, how much more does God appreciate us, His kids? Words are SO powerful. They make walls fall down. They break curses. They heal and they create.

Partner with Him today and appreciate one of His kids. You are a mouthpiece on the earth, being used by Him. Go!

He's a Liar

Being pulled through the kitchen, dishes and ToDos whispering my name, the hot cup of tea sits as an invitation to peace and rest. I tiptoe towards it, as if it may slip away from my gaze. Thoughts unwinding, I spiral down a staircase of deceit.

Everything is mediocre.

I cleaned the house, but I didn't get the groceries.

I fed and bathed the kids, but they were exhausted and got to bed late.

I'm keeping myself busy, but isn't it just a burden on everyone else?!

Nothing I put my hand to is beautiful.

And then, before I slip any further He S T O P S me, dead in my decent...

But you don't love ME mediocre. Your prayers for the others aren't empty. Your fiery passion for MY will isn't in vein. And I, yes I, think you and all you create is beautiful.

The tea bag compresses and honey drips from the spoon. I sip the truth and swallow the WORD to my spirit.

The devil is a liar and pleads me to believe (John 8:44), but my heart has been given to another lover, whom speaks LIFE over me. And I will believe...and sip the tea of peace and rest.

Now it's your turn. Choose His perspective for your life, because it is TRUTH.

Picture Pages, Picture Pages

Valentine's Day is almost here.
Do you have any special plans? Gift ideas?
Do you think Valentine's Day is overrated? Cupid doesn't. His belly is as big as Aslan's! ;)

Tues Revues

Brandon and our good friend/business partner, Ethan (with their babies).
My husband, is one of the hardest working people I know. He is visionary and detailed. He refuses to give less than his best. He seeks out new and innovative ways to finish old tasks and design new ones. This being said, check out Diamondback Truck Covers' new website. This was the first website he has ever designed. This is the first website project he has overseen. I am SO proud of the effort he put into it and the finished project is pretty freakin' awesome.

Nails. Love to paint 'em. It's kind of therapeutic for me. It has a lasting effect. Take a glance at the color palette on your fingers and , voila, beauty! My bestie introduced me to a brand called Essie. I've been a longtime fan of OPI (don't worry OPI, you're still my fav), but Essie is a close second. The polish is thin, not goopy, but the color is vibrant, not transparent. The good news is, you can pick up a bottle of this nail art at Target! No need to go to the salon. Throw it in your cart at the local bullseye. Done!

My Pinterest meal of the week, Simple Chicken and Dumplings. My Grandma Stout turned 79 this week (still looking great Gram!) and I threw some comfort food together for the family. It was DELICIOUS! My dad always asks why I didn't "cook like this" when I lived at home. Needlesstosay, I was 18, Ramon and Velveeta Shells and Cheese were my main dish.Grams at 79!

Focus for the Week

Seek FIRST HIS kingdom...

before I put my feet on the floor as I roll out of bed.
when I touch my babes for the first time.
as I pray for family and friends.
over my mind and thoughts and attitude.
when I bless my husband.
before I speak.
while I doodle and sing.
as I look at their faces and know that they need Him to truly feel complete.
when I make decisions, big and small.

SEEK.

Rejoice with those who rejoice.

After a laughter-filled (late) night with friends, I set my alarm for early morning. Unexpectedly, I was attending a women's breakfast, in hindsight, it was part of a big plan. I'm a big believer in "all things work together for the good", so I can see how my blindness ushered in this revelation all the more.

The woman who was speaking is not a world-renowned speaker. Her clothing isn't flashy. She rarely takes the spotlight away from her husband who usually does the talking. But, she spoke a loud message in her funny, relatable, and powerful voice.

Her son had entered a contest in which votes would determine the winner. He created a video about honor. After asking family and friends and even her church to vote, she was stunned at the reaction of her close walking-buddies. "I'll have to vote for whoever is really the best. I think that someone in the service should win. Is it really fair that you asked your church?". These were some of the things they had to say.

Baffled by her friends reactions, she went home and deliberated. How could such good friends (for 18 years) have such a hard time making a simple vote? Sheesh. And you think you can count on people?! And then, she asked God about it.

God, why would my friends react like this and why are they having such a hard time with voting?

And this was His answer. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). He said, Sherry, it's much easier to mourn with those who mourn. You need a LOT of Jesus inside of you to be able to rejoice with those who rejoice. Hmm. Ahh. Woowwwwww.

Is it that we think rejoicing for someone else means there will never be enough "rejoicing" for us? Are we jealous? Do we think God isn't big enough to pour out more blessing on our lives?

She went on to tell some true and funny characteristics about central PA people. You know, someone tells you that they like your new car and you pretend that you didn't hide it in the garage so that no one would notice. You have an in-ground pool and you try to minimize it by saying it doesn't have a diving board. You bought a name-brand watch that you were saving up for, but cover it up by a long sleeve sweater.

Why can't we be secure in His blessings and be secure in what He's doing for others?!

We can. You aren't the older brother to the prodigal son. You are ALWAYS loved and there is PLENTY of blessing to go around.

Here are a few other little "nuggets" that I'm chewing on...

God has plans to PROSPER us and not to harm us.
If we hold back our own blessings, we're hiding what God did for us.
It's not me who does these things, it's Jesus.
False humility is holding back our destiny. You can be pitiful or powerful, but not both.
If you're faithful with what He's given, He'll want to give you more.
Appreciate. Celebrate. Rejoice. Use it.
What you focus on, you will find.

REJOICE!

Tues Revues

Nordstrom, Nordstrom. Where art thou?! Believe it or not, this Grantville-raised girl was first introduced to the department store in COLLEGE. Yes, COLLEGE! It took me 20 years to walk the BP section, Savvy, and TBD. Alas, 10 years later and I am still coming back for more. My girl from the west side, Natalie, helped with my recent purchases from Nordstrom.com. Hallelujah, free shipping and boxes outside my front door. Check out some major sales right now and if you need some cute new slippers, THESE are super cozy.

PODZ tanning goggles. These colorful eye covers snap on to your keychain and fold up into a super small carrying case. After the gym, there's no need to bring in a bag with your goggles, just get out your keys. Convenient!
(Photo courtesy of http://www.specialk.com/cereals/fruit-and-yogurt/)

I kind of like cereal...a lot. For a few months I was dairy-free, but now I reward myself with a bowl after a hard workout. Special K Fruit and Yogurt cereal is a little addicting, so if you like cereal too, you should probably stop. Here. Unless of course you want to buy a box and see what I mean...

Monday Madness

I have so much to be THANKFUL for. Here are a few of the first things that come to my mind:
warm, sunny January days
the gym
songs on YouTube at the touch of a button (our fav is We Are Family right now)
healings that take place in MY HOUSE
laughter, even at graduation parties
friends who have BIG God-expectations
tickle fights with my husbando that end up in bloody lips (ok, i could do without the lip-thing, but it's fun to play like kids)

Eric Smith has been a source of deep REVELATION for me in the last couple years. His words are fresh, straight from heaven, and they pierce my reality like a knife. Just a few of his thoughts from last night:
if you're praying for someone and you're getting nervous or if you're concerned if you'll be "successful", you are focused on yourself and not God.
when you take the focus off of yourself, love begins

Eva has been "potty training" for months, but now, we are getting serious. Sweet treats are waiting in the cupboard as the celebratory snack. So far today we are 1 for 2. Here's hoping for an empty snack bag by bed time.

Not the building.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

As I left her house, the children were cheering and waving, "Goodbye! Thanks for coming! See you later! Byyyyye!..."

If I think about the parallel for too long, little dew droplets well up on my eyelids, but the picture is too real to be ignored. In a throne room, so close to the king and too holy for here, they cheer and they watch and they wait. The cloud of witnesses. The ones who have gone before us. The ones who had a short stay here on earth. The ones who departed before their flesh could breathe a just-birthed-breath. They surround us with the anticipation that on "that day" we will be united. A beautiful cheer, encouragement, selfless prayers of the saints, belt out a blissful tune as their hearts beat in unison for the church.

Not the building. The people.

You are not alone. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are surrounded on each side by Father God and the Son and there is enough GRACE to keep you there. NOTHING can pull you away from that seat. The witnesses are applauding for you. He strengthens you.

And when you are weak, remember, He is still strong. And when your flesh is too loud in your ear, overcome the loud with the truth of who you are. And when your eyes are tired, remember the picture of the children. The cheering and waving and the shouting of your name. You. Can DO IT.

Because you were made for it.

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