I have a weariness in my bones.  It's a wonderful, accomplished, "WE DID IT!" weariness.  The kind that comes after a job well done. I had several trying moments over the last few weeks when people tried and tested my rules to see if they would get in trouble.  There were a lot of stern talks and strict emails.  But at the end when the gifts and notes of thanks came pouring in, and so many parents went and bragged on me to those around them it made it all worth it. This week is going to be a fabulous week of resting and being with my husband.  Someone I haven't seen as much as normal with this crazy schedule I'm keeping.  I cherish every moment and some times, I don't want to let go.  (But that's probably because we're still in that "honeymoon stage", or so I'm told...  We're going on 3 years now - so how long does that last?)

A few weeks ago I got the call that I knew was coming... I just didn't know when. My Great-Grandfather passed away. It's very unusual to have great grandparents at my age, especially multiple ones. My great grandparents just celebrated 70 years together. They were a testament to love, dedication and perseverance. My absolute favorite moments of my childhood were spent in their basement surrounded by everyone in the family on Christmas Eve night, eating ham, mac and cheese, and all the other tasty things Grandma could whip up. We would all then pile into the same pew at the local Lutheran church soaking in the meaning and weight of the evening, and then head back to a night of laughter and games in their basement. It was a very sad year that it all stopped. Christmas lost a little bit of it's magic that year. Growing up, it was always amazing to me the stories that Grandpa would tell about his work, the economy, drought years, and just general wisdom from a life well...

One of my favorite things in life is listening to where God is leading people. Precious conversations, texts, emails, and blogs connect me to those that He has led into my life. I am praying a special prayer for those who are boldly chasing after God's dreams. All of you inspire me each and every day.

So... Elkhorn Creek isn't quite a river... but it was close enough. (Side note: What constitutes a Creek vs. a River? I should look that up one day...) Anywho - Today was restful, relaxing, and renewing. The sky was clear blue without a cloud in sight and the breeze was the perfect temperature. It was a great time for Jim and I to get away from the world and to recharge, take in God's creation, and pray. As I paddled, I found myself thanking God for His beautiful creation and letting all the weight fall off my shoulders. I highly encourage you to take some time to get away from the busy world, turn off the cell phone for an afternoon and just BE in His creation. There is something so simple and powerful in those moments. Where do you find the greatest sense of His presence and beauty?

Life is an adventure. Every few weeks I feel like I'm standing in awe of what God is doing and where He is leading. I love this picture. I feel like it's how our journey with God looks sometimes. There are bends in the road and new things up ahead. He doesn't illuminate the whole road. Just enough - calling us to trust Him in the journey.

(written while blogger was down last week....) I have an admission… I got a little misty eyed today. I was sitting in a class at a conference about… a database. Yes, you read that right. I was learning about capabilities and functions of a database feature and I got so excited, I got a little misty eyed. I think I have officially hit nerd status. I was a little reluctant to come to this conference on my own. While not having anyone to eat meals with has been my least favorite part, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about what these systems can do and how they can make all of our lives easier and safer. I love being able to just raise my hand and ask questions that have been itching in my brain for a while. Am I the only one that gets super emotional over something really, ridiculously mundane?

For the first time EVER, I wanted to use a song in a blog and I can't find it anywhere online... For those of you that are knowledgeable about late 80's/early 90's Christian music, you might remember Bryan Duncan. He had a song out called Help Is On the Way released in 1987. WayFM used this slogan lots during that time and played this clip and song over and over. Look it up on iTunes and listen to the little clip. It's off the Whistlin' In The Dark album. I am working on pursuing a Masters in Counseling and so many situations that I come across remind me of why I would want to do that. There are so many hurting people and I want to be trained to say the right things and to be able to listen and to help them turn their eyes to Jesus. To help them BELIEVE that help truly is on the way - and that really... it's already here. Today, I have this song running through my head as I remember all those that have crossed my path that have shown me how difficult this...

God has been healing my very wounded heart. While there will still be dark moments and reminders of the trials and loss, I choose to look to the sky with hope in my heart. I am finding a sense of peace and restoration I never thought possible. What a blessing! All of my life In every season You are still God I have a reason to sing I have a reason to worship

If you know me at all on any level... I live in a world of black and white. Right and wrong. I am a firm believer that rules, systems, and regulations are always there for a reason. They were set up to make someone else's life easier or work better. Or better yet... They were set up to protect us or to help us get along in life. When someone breaks these rules - it really bothers me. Like... REALLY bothers me. If I have to stop at the stop sign and wait my turn, then you need to as well. If I have to follow the rules to not get in trouble, then you do as well. It's something that I live with and deal with every day. It's been brought to my attention more and more - but it's through my understanding of this that God is teaching me about grace. Grace is extended to those who don't deserve it. I think it's interesting that the definition of Grace means "a disposition to kindness and compassion" but also it means, "elegance and beauty of mov...

I've been meaning to blog for a while now. I have struggled since the fall of wondering... Why? I read blogs every day. I love the words and wisdom that they share with the world. I wonder to myself... What do I have to share? Well, I still don't have a great answer for that - but this will hopefully turn into another discipline for me. I also ask, should it be professional? Personal? Hobby-wise? My answer, for now, is that the blogs I love most touch on all those things - so why can't I? Life has been a very heavy whirlwind for me lately - so here's a fresh start. A new page for me... Ready or not, here I come!