A Time for Joy- One Eighty-One through Two Hundred

"Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed." Psalms 71:19-23


Tuesday, January 18th

181) Sunshine- I would probably have a hard time living in a place that was overcast or dark regularly because I do love my sunshine. There is nothing like opening the curtains and blinds and letting the sun shine in or going out and enjoying a beautiful spring day (which is hard to even imagine without sunshine). It is so wonderful to know that even when things are dreary and seem forlorn, the sun will shine again. And so it is with our eternal lives as well.... what a wonderful example of something so much greater!


Wednesday, January 19th

182) Memories- At different points today, I thought back to what I was doing four years ago. I have so many wonderful memories from the week of our wedding. Many of those memories occurred during the later hours of the night before our wedding day. I probably should have been getting my "beauty rest," but oh, I am so glad I spent that time the way I did. I love thinking back to the time spent with my family- parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins- playing cards in a hotel room, talking and just enjoying one another's company. It's even wilder to think that I then spent several hours tucked away in another room with two women who have been my dear friends talking about Drew, our upcoming marriage, and all the joys that fill ones thoughts at such a time. It was a wonderful way to spend my last night as a single girl and I have so many cherished memories from that day.


Thursday, January 20th

183) Four Years- Four wonderful years growing, learning, working, and loving together. I am so grateful for the four years we have had together; I look forward to so many more.

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin'
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.
(I Will Be Here, Steven Curtis Chapman)

184) Drew- I am struggling to write this entry, not because I do not know what to say but because nothing I write completely or correctly expresses my feelings. He has truly blessed my life and I am so thankful that we are journeying through this life together. I love him so very much!


Friday, January 21st

185) Growing up with a piano- I took it for granted while I had it- as I did the lessons I took from my mom and grandma- but I am thankful that my parents were willing to purchase and maintain a piano for us all those years. (And, I am blessed that my Grandma was so patient with me during those lessons because I wasn't a very faithful student.)


Saturday, January 22nd

186) God's providence- Looking back through the years, it is incredible to see how the Lord has taken care of and provided for my family and me. Things have not always been easy and we have had our struggles to face, but throughout every situation, the Lord provided what was needed. I am not solely talking about tangible items- though He has provided those as well. He has supplied my every need- giving me strength when I thought I could not continue on, comfort in times of heartache, guidance when I felt uncertain, patience for the difficult tasks, peace amidst chaos and fear, and love though I am unworthy. He knows and is orchestrating my needs and wants before I can even formulate a thought. It is so wonderful to know that the One who is watching over me can see the big picture when all I can see is one small snapshot at a time.


Sunday, January 23rd

187) Going above and beyond-  One of the blessings that comes from moving as much as we have is that we get to meet so many wonderful people. In every town I have lived, I have been blessed with friends who have blown me away by their thoughtfulness, kindness, goodness and friendship. They have gone above and beyond, not for any honor or praise, but because it is the kind of person they are. I am blessed  by their friendships and I am encouraged to be a better person because of them.


Monday, January 24th

188) Hope in the Lord- I have been thinking on hope a lot in the past few weeks. I actually wrote about it earlier in this blog, though at the time I was thankful for the bumper sticker that got me thinking. Since then, I have had some conversations that have directly or indirectly discussed hope and I have seen hope in various forms around me. Who and what do we place our hope in? I think most people recognize the amazing and wonderful power of hope- its ability to inspire, encourage and uplift our spirit, but for some people, that hope can be so very fleeting. It's all a matter of where and in what your hope is placed. Some place their hope in a human- a significant other, a politician, a well-known charitable figure, etc. Others place their hope in an event- an upcoming marriage, promotion, physical healing, or other significant life change. Others place their hope in wealth, power, prestige and/or fame. It isn't that it is bad to dream of these things, but what happens if they cannot live up to all that you hoped they would? Or what if things happen as you dreamed, but things afterwards are not any or significantly better? Did your hope fail? Or was it merely misplaced?

That is the wonderful and beautiful thing about placing your hope in the Lord. The Lord knows me better than I know myself and, although I am stained and flawed and I continue to stumble and fall, He still loves me. When He looks at me, He doesn't see those stains or sins; thanks to the blood of Christ, which has washed me clean, I am radiantly white in His eyes. I cannot think of anything else that could provide one with everlasting, blessed hope.


Tuesday, January 25th

189) Joy- There is a joy which can transcend our current situations. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines joy as "a source or cause of delight." As such it has the ability to redefine our very moods if we are focused on the correct source.

Just look to Psalms:

Psalms 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalms 19:7-8 "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statues of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

Psalms 43:4 "Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God."

Psalms 51:11-12 "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

Psalms 67:4 "May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth."

Psalms 92:4 "For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

Psalms 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Psalms 119:111 "Your statues are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart."

Psalms 149:4-5 "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."

What a blessing to be able to live in the joy of the Lord!


Wednesday, January 26th

190) Peace- Much about this life is chaotic, uncertain and even terrifying. I know I would not make it through a day with a shred of my sanity if it were not for a peace which is above all that is around me. Don't get me wrong. I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, pretending to say that I walk through this life always maintaining that peace which God alone provides. No, I often slip and fall on the way and give in to the uncertainty around me, but when I do, it is always the Lord who is there to help me up. It is His peace that comforts me and it is with His help that I can face tomorrow.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 4-7


Thursday, January 27th

191) Kissing sounds coming from the kitchen- Just a small reminder of a little girl's love for her father and confirmation for me that my little project helped her through this time.

192) Online banking- Between Drew and I, we have lived in seven locations in the past two years. That can make things like banking and the timely receival of bills most difficult. We have actually had mail that was forwarded from forwarded addresses. (Did you follow that?) Needless to say, I am very thankful for online banking. It definitely has allowed me to stay on top of our finances and the timely paying of our bills throughout all of our moves, even if I am an excel spreadsheet kind-of girl. :)


Friday, January 28th

193) A girl that can't stop giggling- I wish you all could have been flies on the wall of our car when we picked up Drew this evening. There was one little girl who just couldn't stop giggling- her happiness and joy were so irrepressible. She has been that way all evening and I wouldn't change a thing. I think it's just wonderful!


Saturday, January 29th

194) Family time- Family time has always been something held most precious in my life. My family growing up has always been very near and dear to me and my parents ensured that we were raised to value the importance of getting together. It's just not the same if someone is missing, be it a sister of mine or my brother-in-law. They are all my family, equally loved. Now I have my own little family and I understand just why my parents desired to instill that value in us. I love spending time together, just the three of us. Today has been the first time in a while and oh, what a beautiful day it was. Most of our activities may have been nothing out of the ordinary, but for me, it was pure bliss.


Sunday, January 30th

195) Stepped-on toes- Kind of sounds painful, doesn't it? And I suppose, somewhere along the way, the process may be painful, but when the Lord is the one doing the stepping, I have found that it is always a blessing. Whether my toes are being stepped on through a Scripture verse, a sermon, words from a song on the radio or some other way, I find that they are always leading me to something better when God is the one doing the directing. I know that although there may be some painful toes in the process, the end result will be well worth it.

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I've got to trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I might choose but this is the stuff You use

To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation

It's not the end of the world
(This is the Stuff, Francesca Battistelli)


Monday, January 31st

196) Having a big sister- My older sister has always been my best friend, but there were times that I thought she had it so much better than me. After all, she was the oldest. She got to do everything first; she always had more freedom and privileges than me, and Mom and Dad were older and wiser in their parenting by the time I hit any life event. As often is the case, things seemed greener on the other side and I often thought it would be nice to be the oldest. My thinking has definitely changed. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful older sister that I can turn to when I am going through something new or difficult. Even if our circumstances are not exactly the same, she always has some piece of advice or personal experience that seems to help guide me as I try to make my own way as gracefully as possible.

197) My older sister- Besides being blessed having an older sibling in general- someone who has been there and is willing to help me do that, I am blessed to have the older sister that I have. She is my best friend and always has been. She is an amazing, Godly woman who truly encourages and inspires me as a wife, mother, friend and Christian.

Tuesday, February 1st

198) Guest Bedroom- I am quite excited because we are expecting a couple different sets of visitors during the next few months. It will be wonderful to see each and every one who comes, and I am excited to share a little bit of our life here in Albuquerque with them. I am also quite thankful that we can offer our visitors the use of our guest bedroom. Not only will it help to alleviate some of their travel costs, but it also allows us to spend more time together. It is a blessing to have found a house that has the space for guests to spend the night. 


Wednesday, February 2nd

199) Time outs- Our daughter needs them; I need them. There are days when we need them far more than others. Whether I am just not dealing with a situation well or I need time to sort through my thoughts, taking a "time out" can really help. I see the positive effects on our little toddler and I recall the positive effects on me. Time outs have spared me from unnecessary fights, strife and distress and that is a blessing.

200) Shelter- As many of you have also experienced, the weather lately has been quite cold and snowy around here. After spending less than thirty minutes outside with our daughter yesterday- so she could play in the snow- I realized just how much I appreciate the house we live in. It is a blessing to have such a solid and sturdy structure in which to tuck yourself away on such cold and wintry days.