#496. early morning adventures
#497. her awe of the windmills in the desert...she couldn't get over that they twirled around and were everywhere
#498. the joy of a new friend and how quickly play begins when you're 2
#499. catching up with a near/dear friend and picking up where we left off 3 years ago
#500. pumpkin scented candles filling the house on a rainy Wednesday
#501. grateful that hair grows back...
#502. unexpected treat to see hubby before bed last night
#503. excitement for Fuse and the possibility/potential for meeting new friends

#490. a great morning pretending to be butterflies
#491. time to sit and catch up with my folks
#492. quality time with some cute kids at work
#493. a few moments catching up with hubby
#494. middle of the night snuggles with my girl, even if I am not exhausted
#495. joy and excitement over trash trucks

24:7

At church today our pastor rolled out the vision for the next 2 years at church. I love that it has been prayed about, fasted about/for, and planned since the beginning of the year and I love what the next 2 years are all about! The key verse is Exodus 24:7

"Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, 'We will do EVERYTHING the Lord has said; we will obey."

He then layed out how, as a church, we will do this...

1. Intentional Intimacy
-By spending time with the Lord, praying, and reading His Word seven days a week.
-By asking each day, "God, How are you going to bless me and who can I show love to?"
-By writing down what God puts on my heart, how He blessed me and who I showed love to.
2. Total Surrender (of our time, talents, and treasure)
-By using my talent and time to serve God at Crossroads for 100 weeks.
-By faithfully tithing over the next 2 years.
-By giving an offering beyond my tithe over the next 24 months.
3. Experience More
-By serving out of my comfort zone at least 2 times.
-By fasting with the church during two 40-day fasts.
-By meditating on the key 24:7 verses.
-By participating in a Learning Community.
4. Love Like Jesus Loves
-By passionately worshiping God.
-By passionately praying before church and during the invitation.
-By loving the family of Crossroads the way Christ loves me.
-By loving my family, my friends, and others the way Christ loves me.
-By participating in a place of Community.

I love the clear purpose and intentionality of all of this. I love the challenge that was set before us today and I love that He boldly called the church to step out of the apathy and into a real-life, passionate relationship with Christ. I am excited to see what God will do in our church, but I am more excited to see what God will do in my own life as I commit to these things. I have faith that He will move and that He will work in my life and also in the lives of those I love.

#484. playday with two 2-year olds and a favorite friend
#485. bein with someone who knows me so well and continues to be a part of my life, after all these years.
#486. "new friends" for my girl @ the game
#487. another sleep-in Saturday...so grateful my husband allows me to do so each week
#488. my sweet hubby took her to Costco, dalmation costume and all
#489. hubby who works so hard to do well and produce great work for his company

#472. seeing her potential and progress @ swim lessons
#473. cakepop stop...she ordered and "payed" all by herself
#474. storytime and some socialization...gotta find more of that for her
#475. grilling chicken...did it all by myself
#476. another day where quiet time was found and His Word spoken to my heart
#477. time with sweet friends
#478. she actually played WITH a friend cooperatively and shared
#479. 2 sweet babies growing healthy and strong and dear friend who is a rock star
#480. connecting with hockey friends again and meeting new ones
#481. a great game of tag around the arena
#482. her sweet voice asking, "mommy, hold you?"
#483. her imagination hard at work in the other room

#459. I went...and will continue to go...even if it wasn't what I hoped
#460. she still loves all things having to do with "my new church"
#461. her sweet "i love you Mom"
#462. 2 mornings in a row of not waking before "the cow"
#463. disciplined/diligent hubby who works so hard for us
#464. mornings spent watching shows and playing at home
#465. snugglin at naptime
#466. trips being planned
#467. Violet TV...her favorite thing to watch these days
#468. quiet time to spend in the Word
#469. hearing what God is imprinting on my heart
#470. her love of "projects"
#471. letters in the mail with her name on them

Psalm 1:1-3

"Blessed is the man (or woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his (or her) delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he (or she) meditates day and night. He (or she) is like a tree (FIRMLY) planted by streams of water (living water), which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he (or she) does prospers. " -Psalm 1:1-3

Yesterday I went to a Mom's group at our new church. It was definitely not what I had expected or hoped for, but God showed up and spoke truth to my heart. The speaker shared about "The Gift of God's Word" and she shared the verses I started this post with. They are verses that I have grown up reading and knowing and have even memorized, but yesterday they sunk in at a new level and I had a bit of an epiphany... As I was journaling last night about the verses I was struck with the idea of the tree being rooted, which would result in it flourishing and growing big and strong, providing a huge canopy of leaves and shelter, secure and anchored from the storms.

I am in no way an artist, but I had this picture/image in my head of a tree with deep roots and then the huge canopy of leaves as shelter. As I began to draw it out the words just flew onto the page and it was like a light-bulb went off. If I am firmly rooted in God's Word and my roots grow deep, my canopy of leaves will flourish and I will be able to provide shelter/security for my family. If I am grounded in God's Word, I am able to be anchored and then extend my arms to cover those I love with prayer and truth from His Word. It is such a simple picture/thought, but it is profound when I really think about it. If I am not rooted in His Word, if my roots don't go deep, I will be blown over and uprooted when the wind and rains come.

I want to stand firm, to be securely planted and strong in foundation so I can offer shelter/security to the people I love. In order to do so, I must be in His Word. The verses above say that they meditate on it "day and night". Having grown up in the church and being raised in the Word, I sometimes get so stuck in the formulas or feeling the need to do things the "right" way. When it comes to spending time in the Word, I often struggle as I don't know where to start or what to read or how I should do it...how many verses will I read? What chapter or book will I focus on? To be honest, I don't think it really matters. God can speak through His Word, through any verse, in any chapter, in any book, at any time. Truthfully, if I would just make the attempt and effort to show up and read even a few verses of His Word each day, I believe He'd speak to me and whisper to my heart. So...here I am...convicted and knowing that I need/want to be grounded in His Word so I can be like a tree that is strong and big and provides shelter.

This tree isn't finished yet...it needs a full canopy of leaves and the strengthening of it's roots, but it is a work in progress and I am excited to see what God has in store.