5 minutes on the word of the week: intention

5 minutes on a certain special friend's word of choice....this week's word is "intention."  The time is 3:53.  Go. 

Intention

2 different things come to mind when I hear the word "intention."  1)"be intentional" and 2) "what's your intention?"  It's a word that, if I say it enough, it really starts to sound funny and I completely forget what the word actually means.  Try it...intention. intention. intention.  I certainly want to live my life with intention - on purpose.  I want to be intentional.  I've learned more and more that most things in life require intention - seems like most friendships don't "just happen" -- there's a certain level of intention that has to happen (or at least that's how it's been for me) -- the encouraging notes don't get written on their own....blogs don't write themselves...people don't always know that they are appreciated unless we intentionally tell them.  I'm learning more and more that time marches on and life continues to pass by and so much of what we want to do and who we want to be never comes to pass because we refuse to live with intention.  Plan it and do it...'cause that's what it takes sometimes.  Some things do just happen sporadically and spontaneously....and it's lovely when it does....but that's not very common in my world.   Plan that trip.  Call that person.  Enjoy that gift.  Live on purpose...with great and Holy Intention.  

3:58. Time's up...maybe I'll tackle the second aspect of "intention" some other day...

creativity, cakes and canisters...among other things i'm thankful for.

• kirstie & nicole are back on the ship!
• the trustworthy fact that our God is faithful and He has good plans for us.
• God's incredible artistic ability
  
• easy to open lollipops
• doughnuts (2 days in a row!)(and the perfect canister for them)

• dr. gary's talk on ebola
• frie-day (fries, jalepeno poppers, chicken fingers, onion rings)
• birthday lunch for/with ally
• beautiful structures/windows

• wonderful time being out of my comfort zone
• secret missions
• 2 hours of sunday afternoon all to myself 
• band-aids with special messages from special friends

• smoothie on a monday morning
• "seek My face and I will share My mind with You." - jesus calling
• sharing our lunch time with others
• cooking a cinnamon roll cake with shea

Trying it out - Word of the Week #1

Sometimes I think that I want to write more...and sometimes I think "it would be fun if someone could just give me an assignment or a topic."  So I'm going to try and do my own version of the "5 Minute Friday" that others participate in (I would do that....but I don't really want to go to the trouble of linking in. Lazy?  Maybe.  Just not up for figuring it out right now? Yup.)  

I asked one of my most favorite people in the world to give me a word (she shall remain nameless to protect her privacy...we don't want the fans flocking to her doorstop). She sent me the word earlier today and I typed for 5 minutes (I stuck to it!).  Below is what was created (not alot for 5 minutes...fastest 5 minutes of the day).

I must admit...this feels a bit silly.  Oh well.  I want to write more....this seems like a good way to do it (and will only take about 10 minutes from start to finish - depending on internet speed when I go to post it).

And...go.  

The word this week is:  

Sweet

“Y’all be sweet.” – that phrase was often said by my dad to me and my mom throughout my teenage years (and beyond).  He was reminding us to be kind.  Be nice. Be considerate.  Don’t say things that are so harsh and thoughtless.   It’s kind of amusing to me that my dad was telling me and my mom to be sweet to one another…but it was a very necessary word of instruction. “Y’all be sweet.”  I kind of want the world to hear that one…be kind. Be nice. Be considerate.  Don’t be so harsh and thoughtless.  We could do with a bit more sweet…and bit less mean.  A bit more love…a lot less everything that is not love.  That would be sweet (or suh-weet as I may be prone to say). 

gifts along the journey.

• fresh ideas
• hearing that a friend is considering coming back to the AFM for 2 years
• celebrating God's gift of Caroline

• kids' AFM fleece jackets
• learning names
• conversations that help connect deeply
• giggling girls
• curtains are up

• "my soul will rest in your embrace...i am Yours and You are mine."
• fruit salad
• duct tape

• those who cut up the fruit for the fruit salad
• coffee with jasmin (and the coffee and mugs she brought for sharing)
• spray paint success (a lampshade and a framed mirror)(not a trashcan and picture of my feet)

• FB chat/msg with molly
• laminated things
• "I offer rest for your soul." - jesus calling

all kinds of goodness.

• apple blossom & daffodil lotion (sounds like a crazy combo...but it's nice!)
• time with roland and carol
• being trusted
• reports of lives saved from ebola
• steph duncan/nail painting (the manicure/pedicure continues!)

• acts of kindness between strangers
• pizza & friends at "the meter bar"
• oreo mcflurry with caramel
• decorated trees

• chaplaincy orientation/training (feels like a team)
• willing & available afternoon babysitters for emma this week
• popcorn from the cafe
• fantastic first day of school

• a friend who calls from the other side of the ocean to tell me what God was impressing on her heart for me
• box of TA t-shirts!
• "it reminds me of a beach house." - nick talking about our room
• emma holding her breath through tunnels

'tis thursday

• shea is back!
• the impact of a simple card
• cards from miss catharine 

• 2 year ship-a-versary
• nick and eli's time together
• being in the cafe on sunday morning
• fresh sharpies

• "you're my place of quiet retreat; i wait for Your word to renew me." psalm 119:114
• nick's willingness to take our lunch dishes down to the dining room
• mandatory rest time
• windows being washed (ish)
• peaceful and creative play
• peaceful morning all around
• beautiful picture of nick and emma
  
• AFM cinnamon rolls (and "aunt amy coffee")
• book of/story of esther
• cup of coffee +  quiet moments = lovely start to the day
• date night.  always thankful.
• the chance to leave our bed unmade

• all the laughter from the "teacher table" in the cafe
• smooth sail to tenerife
• celebrating MOLLY. what a treasure. 
• successful middle of the night airport run to pick up krissy
• chocolate/mint aero bubbles from my friend who loves to share her treats (and it was fun discovering that they are 1/2 brown, 1/2 green....eating them in the dark makes seeing them in the light all the more interesting)