Five minutes on the word of the week: Intentional

Intentional

Confession: writing about this word overwhelms me because I love it so much!  I'm glad (in one way) that my task is to write for five minutes.  An essay (or doctoral thesis) is definitely what is needed.  But 5 minutes it is...so we'll just lick the tip of the tip of the iceberg.  Not even sure why that's the phrase that came to mind...never have I ever thought about licking an iceberg.  I digress...going to type faster now. 

I think "intentional" is a key to living well.  Being intentional. Living intentionally.  It's a beautiful idea...but I'm not sure how much we as humans actually practice it (I sure want to practice it more).  Unfortunately, the vast majority of things we want to happen in life don't just happen (at least that's been the case for me...maybe my life is vastly different from yours...but somehow I doubt it)(even if that's what I want to think sometimes).  What I've learned (and continue to learn) is that if I want to do something...if I want to start a new habit...if I want my kids to learn something in particular...if I want to accomplish something (big somethings and little somethings), it starts with being intentional and making a plan.  I can think in my head all day long about doing something...and thinking is good...but DOING is what gets it done. 

Being intentional in friendships.  in sending mail. in having other families over for dinner.  in spending time with my kids. in doing something special for my husband.  in learning.  If I want it to happen, I must be intentional (and not just have good intentions...what's that phrase about the road to hell and its pavement?!?).  Intentional isn't always easy...especially in the midst of laundry and schooling and social shuttling and all the various planes of life that so many of us are keeping in the air.  But we make time for the things that are important to us.  One of my least favorite phrases is when someone says that they "didn't have time for that"...nope...you didn't take/make time for that (which may be perfectly fine!  maybe you weren't supposed to take/make time for that!  but don't say you didn't have time for that. ahhh...maybe it's semantics...or maybe it's a life-altering mindset).  I've chased those bunnies far enough down that trail.....it's a lovely trail though....

So...in conclusion, being intentional is much needed, much challenging and found far too seldom in this world. And I'm not even going to find any fun graphics or quotes to go with this post. Just words.  The end. 

more examples of the extravagant generosity of God

• "Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God..."  Romans 11:33
• when cottage guests really enjoy everbe and all it has to offer
• hannah mae's willingness to participate in life with us
• first icey girl and co of the season (should've captured it right when we got it...it was lovely)

• wooden spoons and paper straws.  way to go icey girl. 
• KJ's visit....all the things...especially the conversations. 
• velocity events throughout spring break
• the change of pace that our sort-of spring break week has provided
• wonderful quotes:

• lauren's life giving/conversation strengthening questions
• time at the park with lovely people
• carey. 
• i have a typewriter!  (oh sarah shultz...you're so wonderful) 

• bea-u-ti-ful weather (even though i really like cloudy days...sunny days are amazing, too)
• the blessing of sharing.  (God is so kind like that...we give - He gives more.  it's a win win win win win situation)
• sharing meals around the table (and nick's willingness to invite/make the plans)
• laughing with community group ladiezzz

bounty and abundance

• shamrock showdown (good conversations and connections)
• pie judging with emma
• finally found the purple parking area - a short visit with katie is better than no visit with katie
• nick's headache didn't last long
• the smell of wisteria (and how it makes me think of nick)

• REFRESH:Flourish Conference
• doughnut board
• gina's extremely uncommon generosity
• folding a whole load of towels - so simple and straightforward
• moonsets and rises

• all things Teen Advisor/Velocity
• not a single person from our tables cancelled (man oh man that makes things easier)
• asian food night at community group!  so good. 
• a day full of interactions with people from all over the globe...swaziland, albania, columbus
•  all the white things are back up (they make that turn/intersection so much easier and more efficient!)

• lake bottom + molly + capp blast + kiddos + beautiful day
• raising my hallelujah more and more
• the way our family makes decisions (simple - like cancelling netflix and switching to hulu...and huge - like moving to the africa mercy...and everything in between)
• "the Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so i know how to encourage tired people." isaiah 50:4 (challenge, encouragement, promise, reminder all in one verse)
• another incredible walk on travelers way.  

look for the gifts and you will find them.

• "what a friend we have in Jesus....in His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou will find a solace there."
• sharing hearts and lives and prayer over coffee 
• time with melinda on sunday

• blythe's investments in caroline
• my butter beer making friend
• toasting the 14 year olds in our world 

• when a friend says "yes" -- and what seemed so complicated is no longer so
• grandaddy and emma's sugar cookie making
• celebrating the birth of these 2 fine fellas  

• the way zoe giggled herself to sleep last night (i'd love for that to always be the case!!)
• steak for dinner
• quotes and captions that come across instagram that resonate with me 

• "we all have opportunities to color outside the lines, refuse to accept the status quo and rethink what could be." - cameron strang, relevant magazine
• pollen is seasonal and short term (i'm thankful it's not always this bad!)
• our bed.  i love the sheets and the comforter and the bicycle pillow.  it's comfortable and i love getting into it...and that's what i was hoping for. 

5 minutes on the requested word of the week: acceptance

Acceptance

(Acceptance might pair well with adjustment.)

For me, acceptance is coming to terms with a person, a situation, a choice, a decision...and being at peace with it.  I'm not saying agreement is mandatory or that compromise is necessary...but peace is important and reaching for it is important. 

Acceptance of a person - being at peace with a person - does not mean that you agree with them a million percent.  It does not mean that you accept every decision or choice - but maybe that you accept them as a whole (sounds like LOVE to me).  I accept my daughter - but I do not accept her bad attitude or sassy sauce when she throws it around.  I accept that DFCS has not approved a move for LJ (yet) but that does not mean I agree with that decision.  I accept it.  I have come to terms with it and am seeking peace in it. 

Acceptance of a person, a situation, a decision means receiving the gift that is being held out.  I don't think it means you have to like the gift or use the gift every single day...but you receive the gift - and maybe let the gift be what it is rather than wanting it to be something different.  (recognizing that sometimes the gift being given isn't what we think we want...and also remembering that really amazing gifts can sometimes come disguised in not so great circumstances/situations) (queue Laura Story's "Blessings")

Iyanla, whoever she may be, says it like this:

Something to think about.  So glad that my "something bigger than you you at work" is the Kindest, most Loving, Capable, Faithful Father and God of the universe who thoroughly accepts me and loves me completely.  I want to be more like Him in my acceptance and in my love.  

all the more.

• no damage to us, our home or our yard in the storm
• cookie dough and candy box during the storm
• little bit of retail therapy with the cash kids after it was all said and done
• jon and sophia's late night generator delivery (thanks for saving the contents of our fridge and freezer!!)
• magic tricks with mr. matt - and his willingness to teach emma

• learning how to use the binding machine
• nick is HOME.
• mercy ships mug and peanuts in a whiskey bottle
• treats and notes and cloth and such from the AFM community
• african fabric things for all the girls

• "may you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride and expectation with which God sees you in every moment." - john o'donohue blessing for solitude
• how easy it is to fill the car with gas...no crazy long lines or ration cards or language barriers or anything difficult. 
• a hug at just the right moment
• good run with the husband (i <3 date="" li="" nbsp="" night="">
• when zoe snuggles in/lays her head on my shoulder