Dirty Santa and a Thankful Heart

Hmmm… so it has been a while since I last wrote. I promise to try to do better.

Life has been busy with Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas.

A new tradition has been birthed at a few of our family Christmases.

Dirty Santa.

I must admit, in the past I have not been a big fan of dirty Santa. There just seemed to be something not very nice about stealing other people’s gifts. Guess how my dirty Santa experiences always ended… that’s right, I always ended up the proud owner of the worst gift brought to the game.

I was determined this year to fare better.

I drew awesome numbers 2 of 3 games. As we played the game my heart raced with excitement. I felt like the little girl so many years ago playing wahoo with my siblings determined to earn bragging rights, failure to do so would inevitably end in a stream of tears. Of course, not getting the desired gift wouldn’t make me cry at least not on the outside! :) I have grown some since I was a kid!

Once I got my eye on the prize I strategized and stole until the gifts were mine! I even stole from my mom a few times, is that wrong?! I ended up with really great gifts.

Now, I know that this isn’t what Christmas is really all about; however, it is really nice to get together with family to share in games, fellowship and life. I think we should do this more than once a year! God has given us so much! We should celebrate Him and His goodness on a daily basis and make special occasions for celebrating Him too. I think that God is pleased when we celebrate Him and share His goodness with others.

Thank you God for Your Son Jesus. Thank you for being the creator of everything good in our lives. I pray that we would live our lives sharing Your goodness with family, friends and strangers.

Fridge Monster

Gracie has been lurking around the refrigerator a-lot lately.

On several occasions I have joined her, stooping down on my hands and knees to see what is so fascinating under the fridge. Quick glances under the fridge revealed nothing spectacular.

However, desperation entered into Gracie today. I walked into the kitchen to find her trying to squeeze under the fridge. Now Gracie is a small cat. She squeezes into a-lot of tight spaces. An attempt to squeeze under the refrigerator, however, could result in a stuck situation.

Seeing her desperation, I once again joined her but this time for a more thorough look. Upon analyzing the situation, I saw that there were a few toy mice stuck under the fridge. With the help of my broom I began reach for the long lost mice. This is what I found.....

One mouse, two mice, three mice.... wait, eight mice and two rubber bands?! No wonder Gracie was going crazy, all of her toys had been eaten by the refrigerator. I guess we are going to have to make some kind of toy guard so that the fridge monster can no long feast on the cat toy delicacies.

At least for now Gracie is content having her toys back.

Closed Door

This is Gracie.

Gracie is good cat; however, her current stage in life seems comparable to that of a teenage girl.

While Gray Cat is personable and wants to be everywhere we are, Gracie loves us but only on her terms.

Lately, Gracie has been quite the isolationist. At the end of the day when my husband and I settle down in the the living room for the evening Gray cat settles down with us, usually in a box in the same room. Gracie, on the other hand, chooses night after night to settle down in the bedroom on the bed. She just doesn't seem to want to be around us.

Longing for Gracie's love and attention, one evening we decided to conduct an experiment. We calmly picked Gracie up from the bed, closed the bedroom door behind us and situated her in the living room with us. So far she has handled our tough love/forced interaction okay. 

Her ears and  eyes stay alert though, waiting for the first sign of an opening door. Maybe, just maybe, one day Gracie's love will for us will be a little more intentional and deliberate.

30 Posts 31 Days

Today is post 30 of my 30 day challenge to post a blog a day!

I almost met my goal, I think that in this case we will call almost 'good.'

30 posts in 31 days, not too bad.

Okay, I'm finished with bragging now.

The journey has been a good one. I've learned that if we really enjoy doing some type of hobby or activity and yet we seem to never have time or make time for it, then it is good to challenge yourself and make time for it.

All of a sudden when you make something a priority you realize how many things in your life (facebook, tv, netflix etc.) suck your time right out from underneath you. All of these things are ultimately empty. How much more worthwhile is it for us to spend time doing, creating, being who we were created to be?

Nonetheless, the past 30 days have been good but they haven't been a piece of cake. Towards the end of the 30 days I almost quit.  After all, sometimes if not most of the times, plopping down in front of a TV show is way easier than using the extra energy to be creative. Some of my days were going by with little if anything going that would be interesting to write about. My thought about this was 'why write if I have nothing really to say.' My husband then informed that it was my choice but.... True writers write even when they have nothing to write about. No guilt in that statement.

So, I pressed on and had some good posts and maybe some not so good ones too. The 30/31 days are up now. I am glad that I challenged myself, now to only keep up the hard work of keeping myself in line!

I still plan to blog some, maybe not on a daily basis, but a post here and there is highly likely.

Perspective

Ever feel like you are hanging on for dear life?

The first time I saw this squirrel balancing on this bird feeder holder there were two hungry cats hanging out underneath him.

I was surprised to look out the window one afternoon and see the squirrel out on that holder again but this time no cats. He was calm and looked like he was just taking it easy, enjoying the view from high up and way out.

I'm glad that this squirrel found peace with this holder and tree and isn't forever associating it with being chased by hungry cats.

Likewise, maybe it is good for us to occasionally view life from a new perspective, even if it means being pushed into it.

The Origin of Spaghetti

Throughout life lately I have noticed how God truly is the creator and originator of all things.

For example the mirror. Man created the mirror right? Well, God created the puddle or the water that reflects the object that it sees long before man figured out the manufacturing of glass.

My most recent realization of God as creator of all things was today. Today I made spaghetti squash for lunch.

As I was dishing out some deliciousness for my husband's lunch, I took time to observe this squash. Once fluffed up and left sitting in its shell it is the God created, original, healthy, good for you version of a bowl (that's right, God created the bowl too) of spaghetti!

There is nothing that we can create that He hasn't already created. God is so incredible and must take so much pleasure in creating. God in His love created us in His image. Part of His image is creator, so we too can partake in and enjoy the act of creating.

Although God holds the true patent on all creations, I'm sure that it brings Him so much joy to see His creation living life creatively and as  image bearers of Himself for the world to see.

Mind over Matter

Wim Hof, aka 'the iceman,' is known for his mastery of withstanding extreme cold.

Breaking the ice endurance record by staying immersed in ice for 1 hour and 44 min, attempting to climb Mount Everest in only his shorts ultimately falling short of his goal due to a foot injury and running a full marathon above the polar circle wearing only his shorts are just a few of Hof's astounding feats.

Hof claims he is able to control his body temperature by simply using his brain.

Amazing.

Our Brains are such incredible instruments that God has created us with. Our brains can either work for our good or cause destruction.

I once heard a mentor say 'whatever you focus on magnifies.'

It is so true. If we use our brains to focus on negative, worrisome things then negative, worrisome things will capture our mind and ultimately will affect our actions as our actions flow out of our thoughts.

The opposite is true as well. If we focus on positive, good things then our actions will produce fruit according to those thoughts.

Taking it a step further than positive or negative. If we as believers choose to focus on Christ, then He will be magnified. He will captivate our minds and attention and He will be who our actions flow from.

So, lesson for today: Mind over matter.... what you focus on magnifies so focus on the positive, the good. Focus on Christ.

Postman

Today I witnessed a rarity. True, authentic customer service.

The exchange happened at the post office.

There was one elderly man in front of me. He walks up to the counter and the Postal work says 'why hello Mr. So and so. What can I do for you today?'

The customer says 'well, I need to give this piece of mail back to you.'

'Oh, that's not even near your address now is it? Okay, I will get that to the right place.' said the postman.

Super simple exchange. What made me smile was how kind this postman was. This elderly gentleman was obviously a common customer. He comes by often enough for the postman to remember his name and address.

Even though the postman takes care of some pretty mundane tasks, you could hear the kindness and the 'I like my job' in his voice.

Definitely an example to strive for. To live extravagantly loving and serving others in every circumstance whether the circumstance be common or once in a life time

Multiple personality

Personality, so much personality!

Fierce!

 The snuggler

Easy going 

Comedic

Photographer

Reader

Play mate

Sipping Tea

 Ever had one of those moments where a taste, smell or sound triggers a memory?

Today I was sipping some tea and it took me back to a few summers ago all the way on the other side of the globe.

I had the opportunity to spend the summer in Central Asia, with a wonderful local family assisting with English camps for the kids in the community.

Moments spent with my host family were probably the times I treasured the most. We spent lots of time together and we drank lots of tea together.


The weather was hot and the tea we drank was equally scalding. This was something I didn't quite get. Why drink something hot when the weather is so hot? Doesn't it just make you feel hotter and sweat more? In the end, it didn't really matter what I thought; drinking tea was customary so we drank tea after each meal no matter how hot it was or how much we sweated!


The more tea we drank the more I became accustomed to drinking a hot beverage on a hot day and the less I really cared about it. Sitting down for tea became less and less about the tea, although the tea was delicious, and more and more about taking time to share our lives with each other. How I cherish those moments.

It is way too easy to get caught up in life and forget all about how we are created to be relational beings. When we neglect to relate to one another we miss out on something great that we were all created for- relationship.

May we take time this week to stop and smell some roses, sip some tea and share with a friend.

Calling

Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.

Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

Genesis 11:31-32

I once heard a pastor mention these two verses in a sermon about the call of God on our lives. You may be wondering how these verses could make any point at all, they seem rather insignificant. 

The pastor suppposed that the call that Abram received to leave his homeland and family (a few verses later) could have possibly been a call given to his father, which his father didn't carry out.

According to these verses Terah and his family were from Ur and at some point they packed up and left on a journey towards Canaan, the place that God would later promise to give to Abram. Why would Terah uproot his family to go to an unknown land? Is it possible that before calling Abram God first called his father?

Let's suppose that God did call Terah to go and he went. Well, what happened? On their journey they traveled through Haran and settled there. They didn't make it to Canaan and Terah died there.

Sometimes God calls us to something specific. We hear the call and head out on a grand adventure, just like Terah. Along the way we may make a few stops. Some of these stops are awful comfortable. We begin to reason that traveling on the road is dangerous and really no place for a family and we forget the original call. Before we know it, we have settled in a real comfortable place and have an enjoyable life but have neglected the call of God.

God's call isn't always comfortable or easy. Jesus says that broad is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life. More often than not, God's call travels on a narrow path. It is not a path that the world would choose, only someone who truly believes and trusts in God knowing that the end result will be worth the present lack.

May we strive to live our lives following God all the way to the finish; not letting worries, wealth, comfort or desires of the world deceive us thus keeping us from experiencing God himself and the fruition of His plan.

Sundays

Sundays are good for one thing. Rest.

Growing up, Sundays always consisted of going to church together, coming home for lunch and then letting the afternoon sweep you off your feet to far far away nap-land.

It seems like no matter how hard you would plan and strive to be productive on a Sunday the chances of plans being interrupted by a nap monster were highly likely.

I think rest is good. After all, God did rest after He completed His creation. If God rested, how could we expect to not need rest. Not only that, but part of the law for the Israelite people was to set aside a day for rest and worship. Rest is important.

In our world today, it is easy to get caught up in so many things that we are run ragged. Our things own us and the things we do rule our lives instead of God being in control.

Rest is good because it is a way to set everything aside and say, 'We trust You God to take care of us today. We rest in You knowing that you are in control of the world and that you are much more capable of handling our life than we are; so for today, I am going to set back and rest in You.'

Whatever day it may be, may we always find time to truly Rest in our Father's presence realizing that sometimes there is no greater thing we could be doing.

Many uses of a box

Boxes are definitely the toy of choice in our household. Our cats love boxes. I hear that this is the case with children too. Who cares what is inside of the box, it is limited; but the potential of a box, now that is limitless.

According to our cats, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can do with a box and a little imagination.

You can hide in a box.....

 

 Pretend to be a new creature in a box...

 You can play with a friend and a box....

You can fly away in a box...

You can be friends with a box....

Or at the end of a day, you can snuggle real good with a box.

Stars

He determines the number of the stars

and calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord and mighty in power;

his understanding has no limit

Psalm 147:4-5

  God knows everything about each individual star, even their names. If God cares for the stars in such a way, how much more must he care for human beings.  His created image.

I am so thankful to know such a wonderful, relational God. Out of the 7 billion people on the planet, God knows the 7 billion names those people are called. When He calls, He calls us by name. God knows us, may we strive to live our lives to know Him.

If you give a cat some chicken.....

If you give a cat some chicken.........

He will probably find a way to get some more.....

He will consider the risk, by taking a sniff....

And then go in for the score!

In our house you have  to watch your plate or something may just end up missing.

Our evening routine usually goes like this. Make dinner. Sit down for dinner and an episode of Star Trek (I know kind of dorky) and inevitably be joined by our cats.

The key is not to give them a taste until your plate is almost empty. If perhaps you cave in, giving a cat a bite, then the chance of having a peaceful dinner is highly unlikely. Your dinner time will look very similar to the progression of pictures above.

First a cat will try to hide behind any inanimate objects on the table, example: salt and pepper shaker.
Secondly, as you take a bite and your eyes off of your plate, the cat will get in as close to the action as possible all the while considering the options. Lastly, at the opportune moment a cat will go in for the steal with a swift move of the paw.

As yo can see, our cats are very clever. So next time you see a sign that says 'don't feed the animals' take warning and don't feed the animals.... or at least wait until your plate is almost empty.

Feet Covering

First freezing advisory = end to flip flop weather.

Such a tragedy! Flip flops are by far, in my opinion, the best shoes out there. Flip flops are cheap, allow your feet to breath, are easily removable and the next best thing to walking barefoot. Who could want more?

We all know that for the most part, trotting the globe these days with no shoes would be unacceptable to most. Those who would consider such a dare would risk the possibility of foot fungus, being labeled a hippie or a multitude of other awful consequences.

I personally can't help but think that if God created us without shoes then we probably can make it through our lives okay without them.

Can you sense my disdain for shoes?... That is except for the most minimal shoe out there, the flip flop, which for the most part shouldn't even be considered a shoe.

My family can attest that up through High School I would wear my flip flops year round. I would waltz into my Sunday school class wearing flip flops with my Sunday best in the dead of winter and immediately have a Sunday school teacher threaten to buy me some boots. My immediate response: no!

With time, I have come to realize that shoes may very well be a necessary evil, at least for the winter season. So, we will see what happens in my quest for appropriate foot covering.

Maybe I will splurge for some big furry boots or I hear that you can make a real minimal shoe out of a tire, that could be worth a shot. Maybe just maybe, I will tough it out and wear my flip flops and hopefully make it through the winter with all of my toes!

Chasing flies

Seems like I spoke too soon.

Here is where humbleness and grace enter in.

I missed a day of blogging yesterday. The super strong headache medicine that I took yesterday took away my headache but made me pay with being light headed and nauseous. Don't worry, I believe I'm feeling better this morning.

Off to a good start this morning. I have my cup of coffee and the cats are chasing flies.

Chasing flies is the excitement of their lives. Fly hunting is rather entertaining to watch. It all starts when an unfortunate unsuspecting fly or bug thinks that they will find refuge in our house. Little do they know that our house is home to two cats who are mighty bug hunters who won't stop until victory is theirs.

So, unsuspecting fly enters. Cats see fly with their keen vision and proceed to follow the fly around. Occasionally this results in a cat jumping straight up in mid air to catch its prey. Finally, the fly lands. A cat can be seen moving in slow motion, a maneuver used to get in the proper attack position, and then when the target is in sight.... pounce!

With the taste of victory still in the mouths, the cats usually wander around the house the rest of the day in search and in hope of finding some prey they can capture.

Yep, welcome to the fun that happens in our house!

Post 16

Thus far, my 30 days of blogging experiment has been a success! Today is post 16, half way there.

I must admit, I wasn't exactly sure of what the results of this experiment would be.

My main concern was about being disciplined. So often it is real easy to push most things aside for another day. Committing to writing something, for better or worse, at least once a day has often been a challenge; especially when there seemed to be nothing to write about or the evening, coupled with being sleepy, crept in on me. 

Overall, my experience has been a good one. Setting a goal for myself has been challenging and I like a challenge. Not only that, I also really enjoy writing. Blogging everyday, in order to meet my goal, has really caused my creative brain juices to flow more which results in a written product and a sense of accomplishment.

I'm thankful to have decided to do this project, hopefully it will cause some of you to seek out projects of your own. I'm also very thankful for those of you who read my blog. To be honest, sharing my goal with you has been a form of accountability to help  keep me disciplined. So thanks for hanging in there with me, for better and for worse, for rich writing and poor writing and till the 30 days are up.

Paleo Cookies

That's right. Paleo cookies.

No, not cookies from the paleo era.... those would probably be hard as rock! Rather, cookies made the paleo way.

Paleo nutrition as been a topic of conversation at our household for a while now.

Put simply, Paleo nutrition means eating foods that our Paleolithic hunter and gatherer ancestors would have eaten. Their diets would have consisted of meats they could hunt and vegetables and fruits that they could gather. Grains and dairy were not their thing.

Technically, we eat an occasional grain. For the most part grains are something we don't keep in our house though. I know that right about at this point, I am losing most of you. However, hear me out for a second.

It is one thing for a person to just say grains (and other non hunter gatherer foods) are bad for you, don't eat them. It is a completely different story when that statement is followed by a scientific explanation why these foods are not a good idea to eat.

As part of our research of the Paleo diet, we have been reading the book The Paleo Solution, The Original Human Diet by Robb Wolf. Although I am not quite finished with the book, I am very impressed with the amount of scientific research presented for this way of eating. It is not just a book of dont's, it is a book of do's and dont's backed by scientific research.

Our body really is designed to function a certain way and when it doesn't get the nutrition it needs, it malfunctions. It is extremely important that we give our body the food it needs. Paleo eating is more than just a diet, it prescribes for our body exactly what it needs. In turn, when the body receives what it needs, a person becomes healthy; health issues such as diabetes, infertility, colitis, thyroid problems, obesity and autoimmune diseases disappear and are prevented.

For anyone interested in improving their health I would recommend that you check out Paleo nutrition. An expert in the field is Robb Wolf, see his website for more details.

Potato Chips, Pretzels and Slavery

What is illegal everywhere and yet happens nearly everywhere?

Slavery.

'Slavery?' You may be thinking. 'Surely that doesn't really happen today.'

Let me assure you, slavery does happen today and in grossly grand proportions.

Twenty seven million people are enslaved today. Fields, brothels, homes, mines, restaurants, to name a few, are some of the industries that often profit by enslaving people.

Slavery today is a huge issue.

It is easy to turn a blind eye, especially when we live in a location where the true ugliness of the issue is more than likely never seen or experienced first hand. Can any effort made truly make a difference?

As human being we can't afford to not make an effort. Once a price has been put on life (currently, the  global average cost of a slave  is $90) no life is safe no matter where that life may live.

As believers in Jesus Christ it is even more crucial that we involve ourselves in such matters. Fasting is the topic of conversation Isaiah 58. Apparently the Israelite people were fasting yet God was not pleased with their fast. Below are just a few verses, if you haven't read the whole chapter I encourage you to do so, it is really eye opening.


Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for a man to humble himself?

Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed

and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord? 

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke? 

Isaiah 58:5-6 

Is this not exactly what Jesus did for us? He left His rightful place with God to come to earth and live a human life, die on our behalf and raise in victory so that He could 'loose the chains of injustice' and 'set the oppressed free' (the oppressed, by the way, was us)

If God did this for us, then how much more so should we be willing to help others? 

Okay, I could go on and on standing on this soap box. I will stop now. 

You may be wondering, 'what difference can just one person make?'

A good first step is to become informed and then help others become aware too. For more information, check out the following Ted Talk. Also, check out Kevin Bales website for lots of good information. http://www.freetheslaves.net 

Currently, it would cost roughly $10.8 billion to ensure global sustainable freedom for all people. This figure seems huge, however, seen from a global perspective $10.8 billion is a drop in the bucket. Americans will spend this amount this year on potato chips and pretzels alone.

'Just one' can truly make a difference when joined with other 'Just ones.' Who knows, maybe it is just a matter of giving up our potato chips and pretzels.

Daily Dose of Apple

The saying goes, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' but is it true? Will a daily does of apple keep a person healthy, strong and without need for a Doctor?

I once heard a nutritionist say that most diseases in the U.S. today are lifestyle related, namely lifestyle choices that involve diet and stress. While developing countries struggle with communicable diseases (Hepatitis, measles, malaria), developed nations struggle with chronic diseases (diabetes, some heart issues, and some cancers) which are all influenced by life choices.

Honestly, my information on this is limited. I haven't done much research on the topic of nutrition but I plan to do so. Just think, if many of the ailments today are caused by the decisions we make about what we eat and how much stress we allow in our lives, then eradication of these diseases is completely within grasp.

In my quest to research nutrition and its effects on health, I will begin by simply considering the apple:

An apple contains:
-Pectin- a type of fiber that lowers both glucose levels and blood pressure; it also helps maintain        digestive health.                                                                                                           -Quercetin- reduces the risk of cancer
-Vitamin C- enhances immune system performance
-Phytonutrients- Compounds, such as vitamins A and E, that can help prevent heart disease, diabetes and asthma

Maybe an apple a day could keep the Dr. away, especially if combined with other foods with equally good benefits!

The following site aided me in the more technical aspects of this blog:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/human-nature/health-myths/an-apple-a-day.htm

Super Cat!

In a previous blog, superheroes were the topic of conversation. What I failed to mention, is that I have a superhero living in my own house......

Super Cat is his name!

Now, I promise this isn't some weird case of animal cruelty during which we decided to put a plastic bag around our cat's neck and pretend to be superheroes. No this was all Gray Cat's doing.

What can I say? Our cat has lots of personality and likes to pretend. 

We first discovered Gray Cat's secret identity of Super Cat after a trip to the grocery store. Per the usual, upon coming home, we began the task of unloading our groceries. Groceries were put in their proper place while plastic bags fluttered to the ground until groceries were all settled.

Gray Cat, attracted to the flying, rustling bags begins to play in and through them. He enjoys this game, but soon realizes that the bags have holes in them that fit perfectly around his neck. This discovery of a toy that not only makes noise but can easily go with him anywhere in the house was almost more than Gray Cat could take!

He began sprinting through the house at new speeds, flying over the couch and scaling the cat tower with new vigor and strength. Gray Cat, or shall I say, Super Cat became invincible with his trusty cape.

Alas, all fun must come to an end. Gray Cat's owners forced themselves to take the cape away lest they turn their backs and later find something awful has happened to their beloved Gray Cat.

Gray Cat, still hopeful, waits in anticipation for shopping day and another chance to play Super Cat, if only for a few minutes.

Beauty from Dust

God speaks and out of nothing makes something.

With utterance of mere words God creates light, the sun, the moon, the stars, birds of the air, fish in the sea and creatures on the earth.

Lastly, out of dust, God says a word and creates man in His own image.

Awestruck doesn’t begin to capture my thoughts about a God so wonderful, a God so creative, a God who can make something out of nothing.

Today I’ve been thinking about God as Creator. Just because the earth and everything in it has been created doesn’t mean that God has ceased to be Creator. It seems as though God is continually creating and re-creating.

He not only creates us from dirt, but He also can and does create beautiful things out of our dirt. He can turn any situation, any mess up, any bad thing around for His good.

The following song is one that conveys my heart, my longing to be continually made new and to find my life in Christ. 

True Lob

Two years ago today my Sugarbear and I got married.

It was a beautiful October fall day.

Unbeknown to many people, the week prior was not so beautiful.

My Sugarbear had the opportunity to get a head start on the whole 'in sickness and in health' vow when I fell horribly ill the Monday before our wedding. All of my plans to have a clean, put together house (not to mention, a mattress other than my twin size) fell through the cracks. Survival was all that was on my mind. Thankfully, by the end of the week I was on the mend.

Aside from being a few shades paler (which did present some wedding day make-up issues), our wedding day was beautiful and went off without a hitch. A beautiful beginning to sharing the rest of our lives together.

Two years has truly flown by. We have had our ups and downs just like anyone. I can honestly say though, that I am still just as in lob (love) with my Sugarbear as I was when we committed to sharing the rest of our lives together, if not even more so and on a deeper level.

Here's to many more anniversaries, adventures, shared life and deeper lob (love) with my Sugarbear.

Superheroes

Superheroes have never been my thing. As a child, I played with Barbie and saving the world was definitely not on my agenda. Now, as a so called grown-up, I believe my preferences have changed. 

Tonight my husband and I watched ‘X-men, First Class.’ This movie probably came out a while ago. We aren’t exactly up with the times, nonetheless, the movie was excellent.

Movies, such as this one, appeal to people because themes often portrayed relate to human desire. In this particular movie two themes stood out to me.

1. Unique individuality                                                                                                               2. Commonality – To know others and to be known by others

The mutants in this film felt all alone, estranged by the unique ways they were created. It is when the mutants find one another and work together that the true power and purpose of their individuality is revealed and maximized.

This is a perfect image of how God’s church is supposed to function. God creates us all individually and with a unique purpose. We can do some things on our own, however when we work with other Believers in Jesus (the church), our giftings are maximized and God can do really great things through His creation.

All of the above doesn’t happen naturally. Professor X lovingly draws the mutants together, helps them harness and understand their giftings  and experiences both sadness and joy throughout the journey.

The same is true for the Believer. On our own we truly can do nothing. We are dependent on Jesus to draw us together and to show us how to use our giftings to work together for a purpose for His glory.

May the stories of love and redemption that are woven throughout creation (even in superhero movies!) serve as reminders of our purpose together and spur us on to action.

Changing Seasons

The weather is changing. Cooler weather has finally made its entrance. After an abundance of 100+ temperatures over the summer her coming is welcomed. Gracie, our cat, may be the only one sad to see the weather change.

We have this blanket. It is gray and scratchy. We call this blanket the dog blanket because it is the type of blanket that you would buy for your dog to lay on and to keep warm with. This blanket is not good for snuggling, that is, unless you are Gracie.

Gracie absolutely loves this blanket. During the warm months we keep this blanket stored in the closet. Any time the closet door comes open, Gracie flies in to snuggle with this blanket and stays there all day if allowed.

During the winter we put this blanket on our bed in between the sheet and comforter to serve as an extra layer of warmth.

Therein lies the dilemma and why Gracie probably isn't going to like winter so much. Winter means the end of closet snuggling with her gray blanket.

The farewell was sad and resisted. Winter will not last forever though and Gracie will have her blanket to snuggle with once again. I guess until then she will have to find something else worthy of her snuggles.... perhaps her pet owners, if we are lucky. 

A walk in the park... plus some

I started the weekend early with a visit with my family. We’ve had a really great time together. Let me tell you about our day. Our day began with a trip to Oklahoma City. After taking care of some shopping and lunch at Souper Salad we took an outing to Martin Nature Park.

We hiked for a while.....

And we posed for some pictures.....

We Climbed some towers and cheesed real big.

And we made some sill faces.

Next we took a rest.

We got kind of tired and needed a ride.

But we weren't too tired for some smiles and laughs.

We rode back to the car!

After our adventure at the park we went to the Sunflower Market for some groceries. Talk about an awesome place to shop! 

We completed our day with a trip to Pinkitzel, a cupcake shop!

A delicious treat.

And a great way to end the day!