2012 July

Your Weekend to Take Home the Gold

‘Tis the season for the summer Olympics!

{And all the folks with Olympic fever say, “Amen!”}

Will you be watching? What’s your favorite sport? Every time I think about that, I list a whole bunch of them with gymnastics barely finishing first. In my mind’s eye, I can still see myself sitting on my Daddy’s lap in my one piece bathing suit {aka leotard} and watching Mary Lou Retton vault perfection. But then there’s swimming, and I get so into those swimming races I watch while jumping up and down like a crazy person. The outcome of a good swimming race changes quick as lightening, so they’re mighty exciting to watch. No matter the sport, cheering for your home peeps never gets old. So we do just that and heartily applaud when our fellow Americans snag another medal.

I don’t know what you have planned this weekend. Maybe something noteworthy, maybe something mundane. If you’re like me, your Olympics watching will be mixed in with some housey to-do’s and school shopping. And if you’re like me, you won’t be getting any awards for your mad laundry folding or deal finding skills. But if you do your best and listen real close, you will hear a King on His throne cheering you on with a resounding,

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

And then you rest knowing the Champion of your soul finds all you do worthy of a gold medal and so. much. more.

And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised. Deuteronomy 26:18-19

{Photos from the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs}

July 27, 2012 6 Comments Filed Under: Family, Fun Stuff, Your Weekend

When You Need to Soothe Those Sore Places

By Kristen

Great day y’all, puppies are a whole lot of work.

Georgie chews and chews on everything within reach of her paws and jaws. {I’m watching her right now go to town on a bell pepper plant from our garden. Whimper.} Of course we have super awesome chew toys for her, and they will do if they are within reach. Even then, her ADD puppy self finds wood, bark, rocks, legos, undies, flip-flops, and garden plants fair game. She isn’t picky. But should she find herself without anything to chew, she’ll plow over the trash can. In her doggy view, the trash can holds the Disney World booty of chew toy options.

Oh, how she loves herself some quality time with the trash can.

She has a one track mind: do whatever it takes to soothe those sore baby teeth. But still, not all “chew toys” are created equal and some soothe better than others.

I wonder if we people are the same? We all have sore places, and we anxiously sniff for something to soothe them. But we can be lazy and just go for what’s close: television, magazines, or an endless ADD cycle of facebook, twitter, and email. Those things are just fine in and of themselves; heaven knows I enjoy them all. But run to them and only them {all the time} and I’m just searching through the trash can for a quick fix. I’m forgetting the one thing that really satisfies the soul-ache: God’s living and enduring Word.

May we wisely choose to chew on what edifies and encourages us, what really soothes the sore places.

{And may Georgie lose her love affair with the trash can. Amen.}

July 25, 2012 7 Comments Filed Under: Faith, Faith in Action

For Aurora

By Kristen

I just sat and cried today on account of all this poor state has been through in the past month. No doubt about it, she has taken a beating this summer.

Wildfires galore affected Colorado from north to south. And soon after the Waldo Canyon fire is 100% contained, tragedy strikes an hour north of my town in a place called Aurora. Aurora, a name whose Latin origin means dawn, finds itself face to face with darkness at its most evil when a madman takes aim at a theater full of people watching Dark Knight Rises.

It is true: I perennially chase blue skies. But this world sometimes make me want to curl up invisible and beg Jesus to come sooner than later.

I don’t know when that will happen, but I do know what is happening now. He cries with those who suffer and lost. He holds them close. And that’s what we can do now for those families, share quietly in their grief and hope knowing some way, some how, Jesus will bring beauty from ashes.

In the words of this precious woman who was in that Aurora theater with her two daughters,

“God is always good. Man is not. Don’t get the two confused.”

Dawn will break and the sun will rise because the Son refuses to let darkness have the final say. Holding onto Him, the One who rose to fill all the dark places with new life…

Praying for the beautiful community of Aurora.

A great read detailing a miraculous discovery and recovery of one of the victims. Oh the chills!

Another article here describing selfless acts of heroism during those terrifying moments in the theater.

Lysa TerKeurst shares words of wisdom on what to do when there really are no words.

July 23, 2012 2 Comments Filed Under: Prayer

How to Enjoy Country Fresh Air Without Leaving Your Crazy City Life

By Kristen

We’ve lived in this home for a couple years now, and while we’ve spent time sprucing up our front yard, we have not been so affectionate to our backyard. And when you live in high desert country, a neglected yard means an ugly yard. We have managed to maintain our grass…and a healthy crop of dandelions.

But never mind all that. We both wanted a place to sit and enjoy the fresh air, botanical garden yard or not. So David and I bought a Wal-Mart patio set on clearance and proudly set that baby up. So far, our Wal-Mart furniture has not let us down. We love to sit down, slow down, and just relax together in our bit o’ outdoors.

I grew up in the wide open country of Oklahoma, but I’ve been a city dweller since marrying my Air Force man. While we lived near the ocean for one assignment, the rest found us living in a sea of houses. I enjoy being part of a neighborhood, but I miss having those wide open spaces of my childhood. There’s just something about country air that invites slow relaxation.

But just because my address doesn’t have rural route in it doesn’t mean I can’t bring a little of the country to me.

So when my day gets squished with chores and kidlets and a husband’s ever changing schedule, I look for snippets of fresh air right where I am. That is, space – no matter how small – to slow down and relax. And this makes me wonder: Maybe the same is true for you? Maybe you have to work to find the fresh air in your own un-country, un-mountainy, un-beachy home?

What gives you fresh air might look different from what gives me the same thing. {My man would have “Brew-Pub visit” at the top of his list.} That’s okay. There are no rules, except one: Never apologize for needing fresh air. If perfect Jesus needed some Himself, you and I certainly do. Below are 25 ways you can bring country fresh air to your city life. {And just so we’re clear, I’m not talkin’ the smell of manure.}

Read your Bible. No one sends fresh air into your soul like the One who gives you life to the full.

Become a habitual window stare-er-out-er. It’s not procrastination, it’s restoration!

Take a walk. Take deep breaths and look up at blue sky. It helps you be more productive, too!

Plant flowers. One of the best ways to feel fresh air is to plant your hands in some dirt.

Plant herbs. I’m a weirdo who has better luck growing them indoors than out.

Bring the green inside. Every room needs a plant!

Smell your flowers. Or if you don’t have any, smell your neighbors {I totally do this all the time}.

Flip through your favorite magazine. Some like this one are chock-full of pretty pictures and inspiring words.

Sit down with coffee or tea. Get some Tazo chai tea {available at most grocery stores} and follow the box directions to make yourself a Starbucks chai latte.

Go for a drive. Escape past the city limits and see what you find!

Take pictures. Noticing the large and small gives your soul fresh air. And have you seen her gorgeous photography?

Paint a room. This color and this color are fun!

Break out the board games or puzzles. Some good ways to make memories and build relationships!

Laugh hard. It’s good medicine and a gift. Read here why laughing ’til it hurts feels so good. {While I don’t agree with the article’s evolutionary bias, I found this interesting.}

Light a candle. Light a lot of candles! And when you shop for them a la Nester. it doesn’t cost much. Want a swankier one? This smells divine!

Read fresh air words. I love Stacey, Ann, Emily, Holley, Shannan, and (in)courage. If you’re a mama like me, read Lisa-Jo and Sally.

Read fresh air books. Shut off the screens {except maybe your kindle} and read books that feed you heart and soul.

Hold babies. Snuggle your babies.Pray for them anytime and everytime you can – inside your head and out loud.

Encourage a loved one. Encouraging others encourages you, too.

Admire art. Art like this is a mini-retreat for the soul. Buy this or other pretties for 25% off {this month only}.

Go on a bike ride. Feel the wind in your hair!

Pet a dog. They love so unconditionally! {Unless you are a certain dog named Lola.}

Invite company over for dinner. Keep it simple and order pizza! We love this take ‘n bake place .

Do something kind for a stranger. Pay for the person’s drink in the car behind you at Starbucks. Get plugged in with this and send the best gifts to a child.

Date Your Husband. Since my husband and I date once every 9 months or so, I’m preaching to myself here. We do, however, date at home by making time to talk and/or watch movies after the kids are in bed.

{And one bonus!}

Hang with your gal pals. Because I’m passionate about women finding friends, I’ve written endlessly about it. Friends are worth the time and effort.