5 minutes on the word of the week: expectant

5 minutes on the word....

Expectant

Waiting in joyful anticipation.  Hoping for the good that’s coming just around the corner.  Expect.  Expecting. Expectant. 

There’s a positivity about the word expectant…my eyes get big and my mouth curves up when I say the word.  Almost like there’s a secret in the air and I’m about to be one trusted with that secret.  “I wonder what’s coming?” “What does God have up His sleeve?”

We sing a song here on the Africa Mercy with the words “Great things He has done….Greater things He will do” – that’s expectant.  I know He’s going to come through (even if it doesn’t look like it) – that’s expectant.  It doesn’t make sense to me but I know He’s got a plan – that’s expectant.

It’s not always an easy place – there’s waiting as you are expectant.  Sometimes we aren’t the best at waiting…but without the waiting there would be no room for being expectant....no room for the Holy Twinkling Love to say “just hang in there…I’ve got something AMAZING heading your way.”  “Be patient…it’s coming.”  “In just the right time, all will be revealed….”

Let’s be expectant people…waiting with great joy and hope (and Divine patience) for what’s to come.  Trusting that it will be good…and worth waiting for.     

His generous bounty

• "we all live off His generous bounty, gift after gift after gift." - john 1:16 (msg)
• the excitement of new toothbrushes
• AFM open mic night
• weekend full of sleep
• AFM prayer room

• not taking myself too seriously (wish i could do that more often)
• amy humphrey's willingness to teach dance classes for the girls (and her all around loveliness)
• "i wasn't nervous talking to you." -words of a crew member
• sweet moments between the girls (in this case, caroline was giving emma piano lessons)

• THAT is over (THAT being emma getting 4 shots.  THAT was one of the most traumatic moments of my life...not to mention hers)
• "direct" option on instagram (watch out molly)
• "when you see yourself in the light of reality you become a candidate for God’s amazing grace. And you’ll experience the Truth – and the Truth will set you free."  – andy stanley
• having andy stanley videos/teachings on movie night
• beautiful sunset/watching it from the bow

5 minutes on the word of the week: priorities

Priorities

5 minutes on the word "Priorities." Go.

Set them.  Set them intentionally or you’ll end up with some unintentionally. 

I was having a conversation with a friend and he shared that his priorities for this season are 1)God 2)His work/co-workers 3)the youth/youth leaders.  It was refreshing to hear someone be able to state so clearly who/what they are to be investing in.  I said something brilliant back to him in response…but now I can’t remember what it was.  Oh well.  Guess it was only for him. 

When we set our priorities we can then see what isn’t on the list…what is NOT priority.  And then it’s a bit easier to call them out for what they are – things that are TRYING to press in and take over but, in reality, they AREN’T THAT IMPORTANT (or they aren't what we're supposed to be focusing on at the moment) …they are things that can wait and, in alot of those cases, we can begin to recognize that those things are more preferences than priorities.

Big broad priorities (in a very particular order):  God, my husband, my children, my community

Preferences (in no particular order): naps, cherry coke, cleanliness, being on time

If the preferences start becoming priorities, we’ve got issues…addictions….problems.  If the priorities start getting out of order (particularly if nick, our children or the community) start coming before my relationship with God, I’ve created idols and am actively worshipping them. 

Sometimes we have to actively choose in the moment to keep those priorities in order….other times it just happens because of the life decisions we’ve made. 

Random real life example:  ever since Eli was born, I’ve tried to spend my time alone with God during my children’s afternoon naptime – pretty soon after lunch they nap/rest/play quietly in their room and I give God my full attention.  There have been plenty of times where I have had to CHOOSE to ignore the dishes in the sink, the pile of clothes to be folded, the stack of papers to be sorted, the emails that need to be responded to, the ___________ that is screaming at me to get done (fill in with any number of chores/tasks! it's almost amusing what comes up as a distraction).  I can’t say that I’ve always chosen well – unfortunately there have been a number of days when I thought I needed to “just check one email first” or “just do this one chore”….and then, before I know it, the kids are up and I’ve ended up wasting the entire time NOT giving God my full attention.   Why would I ever choose to wash dishes when my Savior is sitting on the couch waiting to have a conversation with me?!

Time’s up…but this doesn’t feel done.  Oh well.  Stick to the rules. Rule keeping...priority or preference?!  

thankfuls....bigs and littles...

• my parents' 49th wedding anniversary
• interesting articles to read on so many interesting topics
• getting special surprises in other people's care packages
• watching nick play with our kids

• the luxury of watching a movie
• lovely card/words from lisa h.
• one last night in las palmas
• one last morning outing in las palmas

• the life and legacy of Truett Cathy
• paying what i think is a good price
• spur of the moment trip to claire's (10 items for 5 Euro...)

• really tasty baked potato (cheese, bacon, sourcream)
• smooth sailing
• lots of sleep
• laughing about "dinner on the go"

• celebrating amy jones & her birthday (lunch + tattoos + banners + treasure hunt)
• cute girls in cute hats (never gets old)

5 minutes on the word of the week: balance...

Balance

We totter precariously on the beam…arms straight out, trying to steady ourselves…trying so hard – so desperately hard - not to fall off.  That’s the picture that comes to mind when I hear the word “balance.”

I was walking with a wise lady around our beloved (and much missed) Lakebottom Park.  She said – or maybe it was just that I heard – “this ‘balance’ that everyone talks about really isn’t possible.”  This was way back when – way back before I learned the art of the ever so helpful “what do you mean by that?” follow up question.  How I wish I’d asked what she meant by that.  I’m still not certain that I heard her correctly….but it’s stuck with me…and I’ve often wondered if balance is possible.  Are we ever really balanced? Lined up just right so that we don’t topple over.  Do we ever get just the right mix of strict and fun with our children?  Work and play?  Do we ever truly find the balance in our schedules? In our eating habits?  Do we ever get the scale to level out as we sort through taking time for ourselves and investing in others?   Balance.  How much is too much?  When is it not enough? 

Sometimes balance feels like the moment before it all comes crashing. 

I suppose the good news is that even if we lose our balance, we’re assured of grace upon grace upon grace upon grace to get back up and try again.  And maybe the picture needs to include our amazing Father of a Coach who is standing right by the beam – holding our hand, cheering us on, not expecting perfection…just wanting us to try…just wanting us to enjoy the time with Him…or maybe He’s saying “why don’t you get off that balance beam and come play on the uneven bars for a while?” or “come run and do cartwheels with Me on the mats….”

abundance.

• smoothie from Jas (and the fact that she was really listening to what i was saying)
• inaugural trip to the skatepark

• ultimate frisbee on the beach
• handful of euros (gotta be careful cause it doesn't really feel like i'm spending money)

• late night "convenient store" shopping spree
• eli and caroline's friendships with joy and lucy
• churros and chocolate (and the company)

• "use your freedom wisely, by relying on me constantly." - jesus calling
• nick's hair fixing abilities (and that my daughters have a daddy who brushes their hair!)

• friends that just stop by
• sharing crunchie bars with krissy
• sweet way to spend a monday evening (beach + family)

• "i'm going to tell you who you are, really are." - matthew 16:8 (ish)(msg)
• having my international driver's license - being able to help shuttle kids to and from field trips and PE at the beach..helping is one of my favorites.
• picture of my dad (and brother and papa palmer!) on facebook

• knowing my super amazing friend is juuuuust across the ocean enjoying a much deserved vacation with her fellas!!!
• lovely way to spend a tuesday evening (another beach + family + friends + celebrating ruben + paddleboard + pizza + coke + incredible sunset)

• "joshua prays for your family every night." - words in an email from amy taylor 
• fresh flowers

5 minutes on the word of the week: Courage

Sooooo...about this "word of the week" thing (AKA dianna's version of Five Minute Friday)... are you really supposed to just sit down and start typing?? i find that nearly impossible.  if i did that, all you would get would be all the thoughts about which direction i should go with the word....cause that takes at least 5 minutes.  And unedited?  i'll work on that...

the fun fact about this week's word is that i thought it was one word...and then reread the email from my super awesome word-of-the-week-word sender friend and realized it was something different.  so the word that i had been composing 5 minutes worth for in my head is not the word...so this is the word...and here are my 5 minutes of thoughts AND typing....all wrapped up into a nice little blog post.

Courage

“Courage, dear heart.”  The C.S. Lewis quote is tattooed on the inner part of her wrist.  And now is certainly a time for courage as her brother is being deployed to the Middle East.  She doesn’t even know it – but she’s already so courageous. Living, serving, teaching high school and middle school students on a ship in Africa…telling stories and leading Ukelele Club…giving speeches and making Toastmasters on the ship possible…investing in friends…trusting God with all that she has and all that she is – even her future…even her brother.  She’s got courage – and it’s beautiful. 

“Courage, it is I.” – that’s what Jesus said when he walked out on the waves towards the boat with the disciples who were shaking in their boots (sandals?!), isn’t it?  They were afraid…they were afraid of the storm…they were afraid of the figure approaching them on the water. ON THE WATER.  Wouldn’t that be a bit scary?!  And our Savior says “Courage.  It’s me.”  Here I am. You don’t have to be afraid.  No need to be scared.  I am here…and now I’m going to calm the storm.  (it’s pretty significant to me that He didn’t calm the storm and THEN identify himself).  His presence makes it possible for us to be courageous.  He makes us brave (now there’s a song that’s been playing in my heart and mind and cabin this week!). 

Courage, dear heart, as your brother is going into a war zone.  Courage, dear heart, as your son’s heart and body are growing stronger and stronger but the future is still so uncertain.  Courage, dear heart, as you wait for the child that you long to adopt.  Courage, dear heart, as your precious daughter battles cancer.  Courage, dear heart, as your husband flies that helicopter and serves our country by being a soldier.  Courage, dear heart, as you wait on the Lord to give you the desires of your heart.  Courage, dear heart, as you mother your sons and serve your husband.  Courage, dear heart, as you continue trying to be who God has made you to be…He is with you.  He makes us brave.  He gives us courage.

Stop. 

alright -- confession:  that was a little more than 5 minutes...more like 7...and i have lots of other thoughts...maybe it should be "50 minute friday".  just kidding.  the "5 minutes" is what makes is do-able.  i like this little exercise.  

until next time...courage, dear heart. :)