5 minutes on the word of the week: pursuit

Pursuit

Oh, that Declaration of Independence that I studied in American Government with Mr. Hammond....I don't remember much about it but the one thing I do remember is the lines about... 

...holding these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness... 

Or something like that (inalienable?). 

That's pretty amazing that those establishing a new nation, a new government, a new way of life would put the pursuit of happiness in the same category as life and liberty (and mark them as rights given by God!) (and have it following close behind the statement that all men are created equal).  Seems significant.  

The pursuit of happiness...a right that we have as humans have.  What does that mean? 

A few things that I pursue that make me happy:  

• questions
• sunshine (the kind that warms a car up on a cold day)
• thoughtfulness and kindness
• dove milk chocolate
• authenticity
• pajama pants and hoodies

I don't think that's quite what the forefathers were thinking...but it's what I'm thinking.  

What does your pursuit of happiness look like?  

grateful for the gifts

• 2 bus fulls of folks to the Hope Center
• my life/worth/joy are not dependent on certain teams winning
• tuesday popcorn

• fanice adventure
• no overflowing suds from the round of washing on monday
• hearts that remind me to pray for the chandras

• ice.  
• finACE talk with deck guys 
• chocolate cake from krystal

• carrot cake and cup of coffee
• sweet, sweet saturday
• view from "after 8" at myosotis

• "sunshine in my pocket" song
• coffee with martha and her lovely heart (and scottish accent)
• excellent tools

• where sin runs deep, Your grace is more.  where grace is found is where You are and where you are Lord I am free
• tasty african dinner 
• osman's life and testimony

5 minutes on the word of the week: relief

Going to try and do "word of the week" again...just feeling the desire to write a bit more - but only in 5 minute increments!  "Word of the week" is my version of "five minute friday"...just not so official or linked in with others.  Molly sends me my word...i type for 5 minutes....and then i allow myself to edit/format for 5 minutes...and then i hit "publish"....(so maybe it should technically be 10 minute Friday...).  This week's word...

Relief

Just the word makes me breathe in and sigh.  

What a relief.  Take a break.  The hard part is over.  Relief is here.    

I want to breathe deep more often...doesn't it feel good?  Take a deep breath...hold it...release it...that's what relief feels like.  

Relief can come in the form of a deep breath...or when Nick walks in the door at just the moment when I feel so done being a mom...or when a friend brings a coke with ice for sharing...or a friend across the world assures me that i'm not being ridiculous and that it's all going to be ok.  Relief.  

Relief pitchers in baseball.

Disaster relief.

Relief from the news not being so bad.

Relief from that experience being over. 

Coming in and offering help...just in time, just when it's needed most.  

Glad our God offers us the gift of relief.  

But what a weird word when you say it/type it multiple times in five minutes!  

the sign from 'chelle says it all

• boundaries - learning more about them, practicing them
• special snack time with emma
• surprise in crew mail from chelle - "give thanks" sign

• solomon's help with cutting and folding the thank you notes
• martha is back on the ship! 
• chocolate and coffee from scotland hand delivered by previously mentioned lovely lady

• "let us become more aware of your presence."
• date nights for 14+ years #datinginmarriageisthebest
• deconstructed brownie sundae for date night dinner

• "when you walk into the room" song
• listening to nick speak (in public and when it's just us) 
• 2 sets of feet that i love so much

• we chose the right cream for kevin (simple thing,...but i'm more convinced than ever that God is in the simple things)
• the arrival of relevant magazine
• understanding more in the magazine because of having listened to the podcasts

•  the work that Solo Hope is doing
• ordering a fun little present for a fabulously faithful friend
• shwarma with KJ 

gracious gifts

• fireball memories of middle school sunday school
• salted peanuts in a whiskey bottle
• KJ's nailpolish & friendship sharing self

• date night at dody's with nick.  
• nathan's help in draining the bathroom
• doughnuts (homemade by nick!)

• dody's pizza picnic with the veltjens and callows
• having a person from columbus here.  welcome, carly! 
• laser tag - boutique find! 

• lovely time at hotel du lac
• the chance to practice and respond to vulnerability 
• seeing cash kids' artwork on the wall

• generous gift (and lovely advice) from the Goode Family
• eli reading so much
• saturday morning snuggles with a snaggle tooth girl

• beautiful mess letter from a beautiful friend
• laughing at/with the relevant podcasts
• dock side conversations

another week of good gifts

• friends who bring cookies
• sunday afternoon nap
• anna and her beautiful spirit (even though good-byes are still not necessarily good)

• fresh supply of dove chocolate
• successful community groups fair!
• special dock moment

• "love rwanda" shirt from Allison
• quick drama class - and helping kids tie improv into the work of the AFM
• those Georgia "G's"

• easy access to ice
• double date with the barkis
• beautiful view at hotel du lac

• lunch guests
• hospital open house
• so much hands on learning and fun

• unexpected financial gifts
• sugared peanuts in a whiskey bottle
• nathan's help in draining the bathroom

thanks thanks thanks

• rainy sunday
• KJ came & fixed the coffee machine
• tortilla + chicken + cheese + sour cream + toastie machine
• "faithful, not famous"
• emma's notes from Sunday night about who God has created her to be

• Scary Close
• ultimate on the dock
• coke in a coffee mug
• trip to Ouidah

• child safety excellence on the AFM
• fudge from penelope
• hearing emma's secret
• caroline.  she makes me smile. 

• watching "the surgery ship" again
• celebrating remy
• 5K on a treadmill (it's something)
• fun with gummi bears