‎"Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that really don't matter." -Tim Kizziar

I so desire this for my life. Reading in Francis Chan's book today, Crazy Love, I came across this quote. It gives me such peace. I don't need to succeed at party planning, being the most organized wife, or wearing the most put together outfit.

I need to love the Lord with all my heart, mind, and strength as the scriptures say. Apart from this, I will be bold enough to say that nothing matters. Our of loving the Lord will overflow a heart to be hospitable, loving to my family, and healthy. But they are not important in and of themselves.

If you aren't reading a good book right now - I hands down recommend Crazy Love. It impacts me every time I pick it up and gets us to think outside of ourselves.

Off to a day of a wonderful Grammie here to visit, an Apple Cider Pressing Party, and a support appointment with two of my favorite people!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Honesty & 11 months

I know that my thoughts around here have been sparse. We have been busy with MTD (Ministry Team Development), getting things back to normal after vacation, and all things life - as I'm sure you understand.
My sweet baby girl turned 11 months a few days ago. That means that I am busy planning a birthday party (with a post coming soon about all things party) and trying to take in my little one before she turns a year old. Every day is new as you mamas understand. But honestly, the reason I've been absent from my blog is because I've been shaking out my priorities. Making sure that how I spend my time is how the Lord wants it. A few things that I'm doing differently are getting up before Siena - who gets up at 6:15, so this means 5:20 for me to shower, have time with Jesus before she wakes, and make her breakfast. I'm not sure how long it will last and even though I am tired it is such a better schedule. I'm not rushed with her, I'm not impatient with her, and my focus is on Jesus and not on my tired and grumpy self. I'm also trying to be more organized and I'm trying to have a creative outlet. I'm praying to love my husband better, to get rid of anxiety and lean on the Lord, and to be used by Him in everything he calls me to. I'm thankful to Jesus for turning this selfish, angry, prideful woman, slowly into a patient, loving, kind, productive one who loves Him more each day.

Dear Sweet Joyful,

This last month has been wonderful. You are truly a joy. We left you for two nights, which was the longest ever. I missed you like crazy and I know you missed me. We picked you up and you cried when you saw us and then you got happy. I could tell that you thought we were going to leave again when we put you in your car seat so I rode with you in the back ;). You are such a verbal baby saying mama, dada, nana, nighnigh (good night), ba (ball), papa, Hi Dada (to everyone), and uh uh uh (uh oh). You are now crawling so fast, pushing to sit on your knees, pulling yourself up to standing, and cruising a little bit. You have always been so interested in details - squishing little things between your fingers and concentrating on a button or a speck of anything. You take all the books off the shelves everyday and pull all the toys out of each bin just to throw them behind you until it's empty. You love to swing at the park and to go on runs in your stroller with me. You eat everything. Little pieces of all veggies and fruits, meat, bread, pasta... you name it - you've probably eaten it. I love you so much. I can't believe that soon you will be one year old. How did time go so quickly?

~Mama

Psalm 67

Make Your Face Shine upon Us

May God be gracious to us and bless us

and make his face to shine upon us,

that your way may be known on earth,

your saving power among all nations.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

for you judge the peoples with equity.

and guide the nations upon earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God,

let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase;

God, our God shall bless us.

God shall bless us;

let all the ends of the earth fear him.