Spring into Gear.

Yesterday, was the first day of Spring.  And the daffodils must have known it too.  I was so surprised to see their bright, daffodil yellow color blooming when I came home. 

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?  Matthew 6:30

I'm really looking forward to getting outside and doing some yard work this year.  I've heard that you should have a plan for your yard.  A landscaping scheme of sorts for the layout.  ...tall things here ....full sun plants there.  I think I need help devising our plan.  Or at least someone to say, yep, looks good.  Our yard has such potential that I'd love to do it all at once but that can get overwelming too.  So, I will be thankful to keep it as a work in progress each summer. 

We went to the Flower and Patio show this weekend and had a blast.  Yep, I definitely have the bug now. 

Also, I never thought I'd say these words but I can't wait to start our own vegetable garden. Growing up, my parents had a big garden.  And in the summer, we'd all get up early to help pick green beans, tomatoes, corn, etc.  Then, we'd go inside for the hottest time of the day, put in a movie (often times, "Anne of Green Gables"), and snap beans.  I'm sure my parents put in most of the work, but as a kid, it didn't seem that way.  Although looking back, my dad did do a lot of the tending to the garden.  And my mom did do all the freezing and canning.  And yet, I think I'm up for the challenge.  There is nothing like picking a ripe tomato, warm from the sun, and eating it right off the vine. ... with a little salt, of course. mmm....

One last thought... I recently caught up with an old high school friend.  We've known each other since first grade, and it was so good to talk as if no time had passed.  After hours of swapping stories and telling new ones, we went home vowing to get together again soon.  The funniest thing she shared, to me, was that she remembered coming over in the summers and helping snap beans!


Our Spring Crocuses!

Face of Compassion

I've started volunteering at the local Life Centers branch near my home (you probably know them by their former name: Crisis Pregnancy Center or CPC).  Hearing that someone's started volunteering might sound like a simple statement, but for me, it's been a struggle.  Something I've resisted in my heart.  Simply because it's meant going deeper. It meant getting personally involved. 

I grew up in a home that believed in life (thank you mom and dad!). ... not just for us kids but for all unborn lives.  (I hate the current term fetus.  I know it's a medical term.  But it very much feels like it's taking away the feeling of knowing that there is a living, human being... a miracle! ... growing inside of you.) I digress... Anyway, I grew up with a strong desire to see things change.  I stood outside for CPC's silent vigil for the unborn.  I've gone to fundraisers and run in 5k's to raise money for Life Centers.  I even wrote my Senior paper on Partial Birth Abortion (this was before it was banned by the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003).  I've even felt so strongly that I got involved in campaigns with political candidates to help the cause.  All of this to say that I've been "involved" in helping the Right to Life movement. 

But before 2011, I had never visited a Life Centers branch.  I had never spent time seeing what they see day in and day out.  Of course, I've also had a full time career for the past 8 to 10 years.  But by going to the building and seeing who works there and who comes in for help... This organization is beginning to have a face. 

It's always been the face of innocent babies for me but now, it's become also the face of each mother.  It's the face of the hispanic married woman who only has a grade level education and is looking for a free pregnancy test. It's the face of the unbelievably filthy woman who's smell stays in the room much after she's left, and yet wants to be pregnant for the fourth time. It's the young girl who's only a freshman in high school and is relieved to find out that she's not pregnant.  There are so many faces and so many scenerios. 

And as each face comes into the building, she's greeted by a Life Centers counselor.  Since volunteering at Life Centers, I've been amazed by the compassion of the counselors and their willingness to share the Truth in love. That means loving each woman enough to allow her to walk out of the center and make her own decision. That means trusting that God will be glorified through the organization. It's truly the face of compassion.

The women are offered so many tools to help them with not only the choice of life but also learning of Christ.  It's best described by the following image from Life Center's website...

 On a side note, I also visited The O'Connor House last week. It's a home in Carmel that serves pregnant women over the age of 18 who are in a crisis pregnancy and need assistance in order to choose life for their unborn child. The home also provides shelter and aid to the existing children of these women, which is unique to The O’Connor House.

I hope to share more about this organization in the future.

Slight Obsession...

So, unless you haven't spent any time with me in the past ten years, you're well aware of my love for Chick-fil-a.  My girlfriends and I even spent the night in a parking lot for the grand opening of the Chick-fil-a in Carmel.  By being one of the first 100 guests, we received enough #1 value meal coupons for every week of the year.  OH YEAH!!  Let's just say, that was a very good year for me. :)

I just came across this youtube video and HAD to share it on my happy place.  ... Chick-fil-a makes me happy!  Enjoy!

Taking Time...

Being a stay at home wife has brought several new opportunities over the past several months.  I continue to seek the Lord for His direction for our future.  It's been great to volunteer at events, meet new people, get involved in programs and projects and find new ways to reach out with the time I've never had before. 

It's also a time of learning once again to wait for the Lord.  That was the anthem and theme of my single years... "Wait for the Lord. Be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord. (Ps. 27:14)"  Little did I know that waiting for the Lord doesn't end when you get married.  And it can take on so many different meanings... should I pursue a new career? should I continue my education? etc., etc. 

One of the unexpected blessings of this time in my life has been the opportunity to read more.  I love biographies and autobiographies.  I have found myself so engrossed in the stories that I have a hard time putting each book down without finishing it.  I've literally went through more books in the past few weeks than I did all of last year.  And what a JOY it's been!

Two of the stories that have really been interesting and encouraging to me in different dimensions are...

1.) Decision Points by George W. Bush

It took me a little longer to get through this book, but it was worth it.  I was most amazed by his determination and focus to protect the U.S. citizens from another attack following 9/11 until the end of his presidency.  Also, it was amazing to hear of his compassion and all that he did for the world in fighting AIDS and all that we didn't know that happened by the U.S. Government in preparation and following Katrina. 

We saw President Bush speak last year at the Life Centers event.  And he was relaxed.  It felt like you were talking with a friend in your living room.  I've read somewhere the difficulty of being the most powerful person in the world and how it can effect one's character.  However, President GWBush seemed very willing to accept his new role with poise and dignity and was very open about his faith.

2.) Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman

She was so honest in this book.  The stories she shared about her marriage and how God continues to change her heart were inspirational.  The stories of their adopting three Chinese girls and losing one in an accident were amazing and  heart wrenching. 

Mary shares how she knew what she wanted in life, and it was all very ordered and predicable.  and then came God.  From her experiences, she's had a heart to help others in the process of adopting overseas children.  And once her daughter passed away, she's overseen a project of building a home for children with special needs.  God's love continues to pour out of her and her family's lives even in the midst of their pain.