Where do you see yourself...

One of the things I love about our trips (which are not vacations by the way...contrary to popular belief) is getting to know the students better and have long and short and interesting and wacky conversations... Everything from how many broken bones to where do you see yourself in 5 years... For them... seniors in high school or freshman in college... for me...the mom of a high schooler and middle schooler - that's pretty crazy. Then I started to think about the crazy ride that God has had for me over the course of my life... (I'm kinda talking more work-wise here, I think, we'll see where this goes...) The group was really interested in if I would be doing student ministry for a while or not... and what I would be doing if I wasn't a middle school youth pastor. I had been a stay-at-home mom for a few months before accepting the new role in Salem, together with having fun as a Creative Memories consultant...so I guess I'd be doing that - together with volunteering with student ministry somewhere... I've always just kinda walked through the doors that have come my way - many times surprisingly... I was also thinking this week how by my closet you'd think I'm going backwards in life --- in my early 20's - mid 20's til about 5 years ago... dressy clothes, suits, dresses, heels, purses, plus a few jeans and t-shirts... Now? jeans, jeans, jeans, jeans, jeans, tshirts t shirts tshirts... 1-2 pairs of khakis and a couple of dressier shirts. You'd think I was reverting... and yet... while I have mostly truly enjoyed the experiences of my work experience - by many standards people still wonder what I'm really going to do with my life...but I think this job IS the job of a lifetime... I don't even like calling it a job. I believe with all my heart that this IS what God wants me to do --- and I'm blessed to get to do it... But...let's take a look back at the ride to get here... a very unlikely road (I think...)

• Accepted Christ as a Senior in high school (woo hoo Campus Life/Youth for Christ ministry!) I include this only because it feels like many I meet accepted Christ very young, and that's not my story... OK...so what "jobs" have I held...
• Baby sitter --- I did this SOOOOO much from 7th grade til yeah...forever. Oh the babysitting stories --- from motorcyles to possums to a trip to the Bahamas... I should blog about those sometime...
• A receptionist, then secretary in a legal office - 7 attorneys - very eye opening for a young naive 17-18 year old - my first "real" job --- I think I made $4/hour to start - wow!
• Receptionist/real estate office where my mom worked...a funny work moment --- when an agent asked how I got to work, and I told her I drove, and she asked if it was ok w/ my mom, and I said - sure... Then she asked how old I was and I told her 18 - and she told me she thoughts I was 13! Not necessarily the compliment I was looking for - I appreciate now though the times people mistakenly think I'm 5 years younger... (btw - this was a part time job...)
• Legal Secretary for a sole practitioner --- A great fit of an office of working at my own pace while doing school, went to work in the morning, then raced off to Chamblee ...
• Youth for Christ/Campus Life - oh the cool experience I got there --- receptionist, secretary, event planning for Golf Tournament & Report to the People banquets, bookkeeping, then a club director and area director... crazy fun/cool days!
• Director's assistant for a paralegal school - someone was willing to give me a shot w/ legal office experience and administrative gifts...even though I had been working for a ministry --- really did like working in that office... then, they closed our office... so... went from office/computer tasks to flying to a different town to prepare for expansion of the school to a different area - investigating classroom space, interviewing teachers, etc. Wow...they really gave me some crazy cool responsibility...
• Administrative Assistant for a Commercial Real Estate firm --- suits every day, heels every day, working in a high-rise building in downtown Atlanta --- ultimate corporate environment... loved working downtown, but most honestly - I was bored out of my mind...when I got a phone call (after being there just 4 months...) to go to...
• Registrar at a different paralegal school --- very personable position with students and instructors...and was in Buckhead - which I truly loved. Again - still suits & dress-up kind of environment...
• Private Christian School --- Headmasters/Development Office Assistant - another chance for a crazy cool variety of things from highly administrative detail, communications, contracts, ordering books, scheduling to helping coordinate with great teams/friends big development events - auctions, golf tournaments, etc. Full time before the kids were born - then part time (ok, sometimes triple full time - during auction season) after God graciously gave us children...
• Stay-at-home mom... honestly felt I needed to stop "working" - one of the hardest decisions I ever made...but totally right...
• Middle School Youth Pastor --- now who would have thought that a receptionist, legal secretary, secretary, bookkeeper, paralegal school working, commercial real estate supporting, Christian school event planning, stay at home mom would end up in the opposite corner of the country as a youth pastor... then again...

So where will I be 5 years from now... who knows... I've always said I always see myself doing student ministry - I can't imagine my life without it. One of my early role models was doing middle school ministry at 70+ - still loving it and still relevant - Oh that He would still have me doing student ministry at 70+ and loving it...and Him more... I've never been great at setting goals career wise...but I remember saying about a year after becoming a Christian that I hoped that people would describe me by saying that I love Jesus with all my heart and that I loved others, regardless of if they believed in Him or not... Five years from now... I hope I love Him more...and love others more...

Did you ever wonder...

So tonight I am resting on the floor of a generous church that allows our beloved middle school group to sleep in it's building after a day in Seattle (I think tomorrows blog will be about our trip...) But when we were at the Mariners game tonight I had one of those "who ever thought of making that" kind of moments. Do you ever have those? I do - I will randomly be enjoying something I see or experience fairly often when all of a sudden I'm like huh, this was a good idea... Wonder who?? Wonder why??? Wonder if they are still glad they...

Tonight at the baseball game I had one of these moments --- ready?? Who is the person who thought of mowing the grass at a baseball field in funky designs?? I mean, don't get me wrong, it looks cool, but why?? What does it add to a game?? What was the reason?? Whoever thought of it??





Other things at a stadium you can reason - batters circle, foul lines, plates, dugouts, matrix boards, scoreboards... Clear reasons for all of them... But geometric designs on the field?? I don't get it...

So, when I get home I will figure out who first designed a baseball grass field design... And why...

Any things you ever wondered about like that?? (or is it just me...)

The Best I Ever Ate...

Have you seen that show on Food Network? Their network stars talk about the best foods they've ever eaten in different categories...so, why not...here's a few of my own...

Best Ice Cream - White Chocolate @ the Hyatt Ravinia (well, it was the Hyatt Ravinia in Atlanta - I worked banquets at the time, and this event had white chocolate ice cream w/ white chocolate shavings on top. I remember being so tired at the end of this event, and taking off my glove and the chef (knowing I love white chocolate) just holding up a tray to me so I could pick up a scoop with my hand...oh so yummy!!

Best Fish - Blackened Sword Fish - The Lime Inn - St. John, Virgin Islands --- 20 years ago this December I tasted the bestest fish ever - it's one we (Steve & I both talk about) - seasoned well (not spicy hot, because I do not do spicy hot) - cooked to perfection - melts in your mouth. Wish I could get some tonight...

Best Pizza - Potato Pizza in Sharpsburg, GA - oh my word. It was absolutely delicious - slices of potato - maybe a 1/5" thick, with onions ... it was truly fabulous...

Best Drink - hands down - Coca-Cola Classic (I was one of those fanatics that wrote letters to the company when they changed to "New Coke" - ick!) --- other good drinks that most honestly I order at these places because I love 'em.... Lemonade from Chick-fil-A and Cherry Limeade from Sonic.

Best Ribs --- the ones my Steve makes - of course I mentioned those yesterday...

Best BBQ (not ribs) - Longhorn Steakhouse had a tri-tip bbq sandwich - literally melted in my mouth --- so yummy! (gee, I'm saying that a lot --- I would not make a very good Food Network Star)

Best Donut --- Hot Krispy Kreme Donuts - no contest

Best Burger - Panama Hatties - St. Augustine Florida - also really like Fuddruckers... =) but there's no place that makes burgers like Panama Hatties - hamburger inside phyllo dough baked. Sigh...oh to have some right now...

Best Shrimp - O'Steens - St. Augustine Florida - if I had the chance, I could stay all day to eat these little masterpieces.

Best Bread --- this one's tough --- a bunch of honorable mentions --- Croissants from California Dreamin', Garlic Rolls from Provinos!! AND... Great Harvest - I'm a sucker for the honey wheat and the 3-cheese garlic...and there's another that we tasted last summer but the kind lady in front of us got the last loaf, and I forget the name... that's bad.

Best Family Favorite - pierogies - potato (not sauerkraut) - I'm so glad I braved learning how to make these --- and my kids love them too...

All time favorite food - mashed potatoes. Awesome mashed potatoes do not need gravy --- mom's mashed potatoes are always awesome... best restaurant mashed potatoes - from the Ritz Carlton Buckhead Cafe. (They would call me on the phone when I worked in the building to let me know they had mashed potatoes on the menu that day... I'm serious about my mashed potatoes)...

OK...so what are some of your "Best _____ I Ever Ate"??? It doesn't just mean favorites --- it means literally the best of what you've ever eaten or had to drink!! Can't wait to find some new "Bests" to try...

More random thoughts...

• Another fun day today - church, then lunch then OMSI with the in-laws and kids and my hubs. Just a day that started out pretty gross weather wise and turned beautiful...(Hmmmm...
• speaking of turned beautiful... if you haven't heard the song "Beautiful Things" by Gungor yet...you should.
• My hubs made bbq ribs tonight - amazing - again. I'm so grateful for him.
• I take the in-laws to the airport bright and early (like we leave here in about 6 hours...) - we thought they were here until Tuesday...loved having them here. Lots of fun times...
• Kaylee joined in to the traditional Unwin card game tonight --- and she rocked it!! our little card shark came in second place --- to mom who finished in first both nights we played. Mom will be flying high from that for a while!!! Watch out --- Kaylee & Mom are both forces to be reckoned with at the card table...
• After taking Mom & Dad to the airport, I'm heading to Doernbecher's to be with Lisa's family during Lisa's lung surgery tomorrow... Lord - we've been here before...and You're right there with them... I do believe that with all my heart. Praying for Your presence to be so real tomorrow...
• Have I mentioned how much I love spending time with my husband?? He rocks!! Today we were riding in the car and just laughing like crazy...I love these days!!!
• Two verses I'm clinging to tonight... Psalm 33:22 - May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." and Psalm 71:14 - But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

And so...here's the song I'm singing tonight as I head to bed...

Like it was yesterday...

Yesterday was August 6th --- I mentioned a happy anniversary to Erik & Jeanne-Ann, and a happy birthday to Michael... Michael was born 16 years ago yesterday (we were at Erik & Jeanne-Ann's wedding calling up to the ATL every 10-15 minutes for updates --- we really really really really really wanted the scoop on this baby coming into the world!!) And Michael's parents are truly two of the sweetest, amazing, most wonderful people I've ever met. I know... many of you fit that bill (honestly you do)...but Kimmie and Mike are definitely on that list! We became fast friends oh only forever ago (ok, it seemed like forever ago) when we first got married, and this guy who worked in the milk section at Kroger was always so nice to us. Enter the picture --- Mike. =) Steve and Mike are from the same mold in many ways --- I've been thinking about him a bunch lately because our kids are starting to love Sponge Bob (I haven't acquired that taste yet)...and Mike loves Sponge Bob...so many days I wish he was close by to watch SB with Steve and the kids. I can hear him laughing even now. Kim (his wife) --- yes, she's amazing too. In her high school yearbook someone wrote "Kim - stay the piece of perfection that you are..." Yep --- that's Kim. Adorable, kind, easy to talk to and listen to... she rocks. OK, so you're wondering ...why all the love for this couple?? Well, after mentioning Michael's birthday yesterday I just wanted to hear Kim's voice (it's been, well, wwwwwaaaaayyyyyyyy too long since we've talked - like probably 2 1/2 years or so...THAT'S TERRIBLE ON MY PART...TERRIBLE!!!) So I was sitting here this afternoon, looked up the number and dialed - sure that they would be off doing something - let's face it - they have 7 kids, the oldest of which is Michael - then there's James - then Julia, Marianne, Scott, Will, and Stevie - they've got to have something going on. Ring, ring, ring, ring ring... pick up and I'm sure it's the voicemail when I hear 'MEESHIE!!!!' And I call out 'KIMMIE' - and yes we were doing all those trying to cram 2+ years into minutes conversations, but I felt as though I was sitting in her kitchen or family room, or her in mine, and we were fully present, fully aware, fully appreciative for the few moments we had to spend together.

Can I just say I know I'm blessed --- I have great friends. We have great friends. God has had our paths cross with so many people that somehow "get" us --- and we're weird - no doubt about it. And yet they stick --- we may not live next door to each other, but I know there are many of you that if we needed something - you'd be there...and we hope you know that if you needed something --- we'd be there. Thanks for gifts of laughter, memories, getting to know us, allowing us to get to know you, accountability, longevity, commitment, care, love, grace, endurance, perseverance and more. We are truly grateful.

Just thinking about even last week or so I was thinking about being grateful for friends --- and here I am again...same thing. OK, this'll be honest - do you ever have those days when you wonder if you dropped off the face of the earth if people would notice?? I'm not saying that as a doom and gloom or a negative nancy kinda thing --- I'm just being honest by saying there are days I feel that way. I'm not in a season like that right now (wait til it's cloudy and rainy...) - but here's a note to me for one of those days --- hey you... you have great friends who you know care about you --- so don't be a doom and gloom girl or a negative nancy (this by the way is not a reference to a specific person, it's just a saying).

I've had other good friends in recent months that we've reconnected with as well. It's pretty amazing how in so many ways it seems like it was yesterday the last time we spoke. I know years have gone by. I know I'm not the same, and neither are they... but there's just something about REAL AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIP HUH!!?

In honor of the friends you have --- take a sec today to just say HI and connect with someone you haven't connected with in a while. It's totally worth it!!

writers block...

So, I've started like 3 different blog posts...and I'm not really liking where any of them are going. So here are some short snippets...

• We watched a fisherman pull in a 40 lb. coho salmon and how it reminded me of missionaries in countries who are diligent, determined, committed to Him, not to a catch...just like this man is committed to fishing and not to this specific fish. It'd been 35 years since he last caught a fish this size. 35 years. If that's not commitment, dedication, determination and sheer love for something I don't know what is. To fish, consistently, joyfully, expectantly...and not catch something that big for 35 years... wow. What in your life are you that consistent, joyful, expectant about??

• I'm loving vacation...but admit that my brain keeps thinking of the long list of things I need to get done for church stuff. I think I've done a pretty good job of turning my brain off...emails are piling up, voicemails are going unreturned, text messages are slipping by... in the name of taking some time "off"... but even outside of that I think how on earth am I going to get everything done...I know I will. I know I MUST and WANT to spend delightful restful time with my family... but also know I'm gonna have to work at triple speed to get things done... but I can't think about that now...I'm on vacation...

• I'd love to read something...but I haven't made the time in the last week or so to do it... I should.

• I already mentioned yesterday how much I love and need sunshine --- and today after chasing sunshine for 3 days we found it... back at our house...and on the drive back!! YEAH!!!

• Realized today that our in-laws are leaving a day earlier than we thought... =( I love watching the grandparents (both sets of them...although only one set is here...I'm reflecting on when the other set is here too) with the kids... I love watching them smile over Kaylee & Noah. It makes me smile.

• happy anniversary Erik & Jeanne-Ann --- so excited we were at your wedding 16 years ago!!! And that we're still such great friends now!!! Which also means --- happy birthday Michael!!! You were born 16 years ago today and I remember calling back to Atlanta over and over again excited about your arrival and when we got back we just couldn't wait to see you and your mom and dad... 16 years old... WOW!!! You da' man!!!

OK...that's it for random thoughts for today...

I'm solar powered...

I admit it. My family knows it. Our ministry team knows it. I know it. Everyone who knows me also knows that if there is a seat in the sunshine, I'm the girl for that seat. I won't fight over it, but you know my heart will leap for joy to be sitting amidst the rays of joy that illuminate Earth so beautifully... I am solar powered. I need the sun. I don't mean in a vitamin D, good healthy kind of thing (although I know that's important)... I mean it in a "the sun gives life to me" kinda way. Literally. I am a totally different person when I see sunshine or blue sky than I am when it's cloudy and gray. Sorry Annie, the sun will come out tomorrow is NOT a declaration of hope to me... (OH, I just watched that with Kaylee for the first time last week...FUN!) Oops...back to sun...

We've been on the Oregon coast for two days...and the sunshine has been limited at best. Then I look at the current weather back in Keizer and it says sunny. =( I mean I am glad for my friends to have sun...and I'm sooooo glad to be having a great time with my fam on our mini-vacay... but I find myself over and over apologizing that it's not sunny. Steve finally said today, "I think God apologizes for that one, not you..." And then I realized I was apologizing when I should have just been saying I wish it was sunny. And I find that I actually do that a lot. I say sorry the weather isn't like it's supposed to be (then again, when did the weatherman ever truly get it right --- no offense to meteorologists, but the percentages are not usually that great...). I think what I'm doing is apologizing to my innermost being that it won't be getting it's sunshine lifeline today.

Today when we were out crabbing the sun was out!! YEAH!!! (Back in Wheeler it was gray with a break of clouds to show blue sky...) When I was parking the van it hit me... sunshine! It was warm and beautiful!! I was so excited. As I walked up the steps to the pier, something else hit me --- this freezing cold wind that sucked the life out of the sunshine I should have been feeling, and the joy the warmth and sunshine brought. Then it made me realize, sunshine in and of itself is not quite enough... being warmed by the sun is just as important to me. After manning up for about 30 minutes out on that pier we all figured we had enough (actually dad & Kaylee went back about 15 minutes before us...). We get back to the parking lot (where it's WARM)... and after reloading our gear, I sit in the drivers seat and... (no lie) ... lean my seat back about 4 inches and sit back with the sun roof open and just lay there in the van (with everyone else waiting) to just soak in the warmth and sunshine for about 3 minutes. I wanted to trick myself into thinking it was wonderful. (And those few minutes were...) The moments were put to a halt when Noah chimes in from the back seat "what are we doing?" My response: "Mom's just having a wall-e moment" Noah: "Oh. That's enough sun mom. Can we go eat?"

I remember being in a parking lot one cool day and the sun breaking through the clouds and I looked up and tried to pretend that the sounds of the cars going by were really crashing waves... and while everyone else in Kentucky was freaking out about the sun and the warmth, I was embracing the love for it all (I'm glad I had that ... being solar powered I think I stocked some of it up to make it through the last couple of weeks)... my

I make no apologies for being solar powered. I really do try not to grumble too much when the sun isn't out and I know I don't do a great job of it... I think I need to create a name for this condition I have. I confess --- coming from Georgia where I can wear flip flops 11 months out of the year to Oregon where I actually have to wear socks for several months has been a shock to my system. I even have more than one pair of Nikes (the last pair I had before moving to Oregon I had bought about 8 years earlier... I never wore them, so I never wore them out...) I need sunshine.

So... that's why I sit on top of my van at work when it's a sunny day. That's why I long for the sunny seat at the table where we're eating. That's why I make the kids go outside on a sunny day. That's why I stand at windows looking up at the sun for a while. I adore the sun... and the One who made it. I need the sun... and the One who made it.

P.S. Kaylee comes by this same condition honestly...she's just as much of a sun and warm girl as I am... =) Mama is so proud!!!

And it begins...

... a vacation with the fam and the in-laws...

Seeing trees that are beautifully different than those near our home...

Checking out overlooks that I could sit at for hours...

Wishing the sun would shine so I could see it in a whole new light...

(not complaining, ok, maybe I am a little...but it's beautiful either way)

Being surprised by the cutest little lighthouse I've ever seen...

Gasping at the beauty of what He has created...

And... already experiencing stories we'll never forget... simple things like a new scenic drive, or Noah drinking an entire cup of hot chocolate in one drink (and having an adorable chocolate ring around his face), Kaylee falling over exhausted after climbing the dunes...but smiling so big at her accomplishment, playing games of Scrabble, calling and singing Happy Birthday to Grandpa (the ATL Grandpa... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!), eating lots of popcorn, hearing mom and dad laugh that they have more leg room in our van than they did on their flight out here, enjoying FREE videos, popcorn and Cokes, turning on the heater and fireplace in August...

and then...having a bizarre kind of moment --- the guys were fishing off the pier at our lodge and Steve casts his lure as a huge seagull simultaneously begins to swoop for it...and Steve catches --- THE SEAGULL!! Poor thing - got hooked right through it's beak. As he began to reel in (thinking that it would pull off), we realized for the first time it was truly hooked. Steve slowly reeled as I ran to the inn office to see if they had gloves (which they did). As I run back, Steve has reeled the SEAGULL in to the edge of the pier and it is sitting in the water with its wing covering its head. Steve puts on the gloves and slowly and carefully lifts him from the water. After a few minutes he is able to remove the hook from his beak!! WHEW!!! BUT... then the gull is so excited to be free that he begins to flap and it's the hook stuck in HIS WING!! So.. Steve cradles the bird again, and I carefully remove the hook from his wing after a few minutes of trying. Once freed, and we're sure the hook is out of the way... Steve tosses him gently back into the air where he flew far off into the water. I think he'll think twice about trying to snag something from a fisherman again. So... the fishing score today - Noah - 1 fish. Steve - 3 fish...and a seagull... Oh what will tomorrow bring...

VACATION!!!!

It's finally here... summer has already been crazy - so much going on...but we're finally to VACATION!!! Steve's parents fly in tonight for the week (I can't believe they haven't seen this house yet - well, they actually saw it in construction mode last time they were here). Noah woke up this morning @ 5:00 am asking if Grandma and Grandpa were downstairs. Um, no sweetie. They come in tonight - go back to bed. (He did for about an hour, but he was up, so why sleep... oh dear son, someday you'll appreciate sleep...) Anyway - we've been looking for months to try to find a reasonable place to stay, and hopefully see something "new to us" while they visit. We know of course they are perfectly content to just be with us...but they love the adventure of it all too - it's their vacation.

After literally 2 and a half months of looking, we found it. I'll be honest - almost all the online trip reviews are 5 out of 5 stars (except 1) - it appears to have amazing views - it's not right on the ocean, but it is on the water - there is fishing and crabbing and kayaking and wildlife to see. I admit it - I've built up this place in my mind so much - if it stinks it'll be beyond bad for my mind. I know it's not much to look at necessarily from the outside - but it's a B&B style lodge with just 12 units available for rent. Anyway --- we won't be gone too long, but I will keep you up to date. I'm not giving away the location...yet... but I will soon... I promise...

Where's your favorite place to visit in Oregon or Washington?? We're definitely open to any and all suggestions (especially the reasonably priced ones...).

Just when you think...

I got a GREAT hanging basket for Mother's Day (well, I bought it for myself when Jeanne-Annand I went tothis way cool nursery). It's a Moonglo - never seen it before or heard of it... Of course I didn't take a picture that day - why? I'm not sure - but man - love it!!! Mine has more pink in the bloom that this one, but I love it. It has cascading green leaves and the blooms hang upside down andliterally open up facing the ground...and opens into this beautiful creative surprise! I love it (Oh, I've said that huh...). It also has a desperate need to be watered well. So the morning ritual includes watering the Moonglo... then the strawberries and peppers (ok, occasionally the opposite order). It's so fun to wake up in the morning seeing the new blooms, or drive up after being gone for the day and see how much it's grown in such a short period of time. With the wateringthing, it seems a bit tempermental ... but it's soooo worth it!

As you know, Steve and the kids did Camp Pathetic while I was off in Louisville, KY for LIFE 2010. They had an absolute blast...and I'm so glad they did - crabbing, sand boarding, camping, and more!! Now when we had a dog we would always think through who is going to care for things at home while we are away...now that we don't have a dog...we don't typically think about it. The sprinkler system kicks in automatically, and the backyard is doing well. But OOPS... the Moonglo... when I got home, it was hanging there to greet me but it didn't look as though it weathered my absence well.

So... after about two weeks, I just took it down. I had tried to water it, but

to no avail. It just looked that much more dead. That much more shriveled. That much more kissed by heat. I placed the hanging basket by our green yard waste container to dump

it in later in the week (why I didn't do it then, I'm not sure...)

Last Thursday I went out to put the poor thing out of its moody misery...

When all of a sudden I saw something so unexpected. Green leaves popping out of branches all over the plant. It's was sprouts of hope in the midst of obvious disaster, distress, and doom. It was the absolute LAST thing I would have ever expectedto see - actually I don't even thing I would have begun to expect to see that happen. Actually, I guess I did, because I watered it with expectation that it would come back to life, but when it didn't within two weeks, I thought for sure time was done. And then... greeeeeeeeen.

Today...it's back closer to the front porch. It's sitting on the ground, and within the path of the sprinkler system, but still in the shade most of the day...and... look at the huge green leaves sprouting out everywhere. I honestly can't believe it. I even have a first bloom that has developed. I honestly consider it nothing short of a miracle. It was literally hopeless, dead as can be, beyond help, and we had all given up any glimmer of hope that there would be a different result.

I don't know what you're facing today that seems hopeless, out of control, completely beyond rescue... but I love the picture of this plant I love being the promise that even when I can't see it God is at work doing His thing. And even if this plant had just withered even more sitting next to that container, I am confident that He was still working - I'll be honest. There are things in my life that seem impossible. Or things that I wish would work on a completely different timetable (for my sake, or for the sake of others I know). Or that things would work according to my plan and effort. Yet I'm grateful for a simple reminder of His goodness and knowing He is watching out for me...and for all of you as well. In this life I will laugh and plan and love and give and wonder and yes, I may still cry or not understand all that goes on... and I know that I don't know all of the intricacies of how He works... but I will trust and hope in Him.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:18-22