Created by the Creator to Create

When I saw the Five Minute Friday prompt, I really wasn't sure where my words would take me. I did look up the word "create" in a dictionary just to give my mind some extra prompting. (It's been a busy-crazy-good week, people!) So, here we go, five minutes of writing on one word. Join us at Kate Motaung's place. 

Ready, set, go ... 

I create things all day long, but I wouldn’t always consider myself creative. I create meals and routines and memories. I like to create scrapbook pages and pictures with my words. I encourage my boy to create things from Legos. My girl creates by sewing and drawing and playing her keyboard.

To create is to bring something into existence or to cause something to happen as the result of one’s action.

That definition reminds me to create is to influence. That’s powerful. As a mom, I create what my kids will remember as their childhood. I create a home and a foundation for some many other experiences they’ll have. My husband and I create our marriage and in turn a legacy to pass to our kids.

And the foundation of it all is the fact we believe in and serve the Creator. We were created by the Creator in His image to create for His glory in whatever we do. {Tweet that.}

That alone makes us creative. So let’s create.

And stop.
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Build what matters

I saw the Five Minute Friday prompt last night on Twitter and immediately knew what I wanted to write about. When I finished folding some clothes, I typed this out on my phone. I love when one word spurs on so many thoughts and pulls together what's been happening in my mind. That's what Kate Motaung's one-word prompt did for me last night. 

Five Minute Friday is a flash mob of writers, all writing for five minutes about one word. This week the one word is BUILD. Write away. And then join us at Kate's place. 

Ready, set, write ... 

A year ago my husband, oldest girl and I were in Guatemala. That one week in a foreign land rocked my world. There have been related tears and joys and friendships and dreams – all rooted in one week in a land whose language I barely speak.

My first mission trip changed my perspective of pretty much everything. We went there to build houses and distribute clothing, food, and wheelchairs, yet God is building something bigger. I see parenting and church and service and relationships and society different than I did before stepping foot in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.

For the past year, God has been building upon that mission trip I took to Guatemala. I know what he’s doing in my life, and I have to wonder what he’s still doing there with the seeds we planted.

Sometimes in the midst of everyday life, I still find myself wanting to let God build more, starting in my heart and mind and spilling over into all the corners of my life.

We moved into our new house June 18. Since then, we've unpacked {most} of our boxes and arranged furniture. The washing machine here didn't work so before I did my first load of laundry, we had to move some appliances around. We've had one toilet overflow twice and the plumbers have been here twice to fix two of the three toilets.

Ben had a pretty bad case of poison ivy the day before we left for a road trip that started with Greg's business meeting four hours away and continued with a stop-over in Louisville on our way to Buffalo, NY, where we visited my sister and the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. At the end of our trip, my nephew unknowingly shared his hand, foot, and mouth virus with Rachel. W came home to "road closed" signs near our house, thanks to crazy amounts of rain. A few days later lightning from another storm struck a tree that blocked us from the open portion of our road.

It all seemed overwhelming. I thought I had come into summer intentionally choosing a freer scheduler and then I found myself outlining my day on Post-It Note because I was worried I’d forget something. Summer has been more adventurous than I planned.

And then, right there with a Post-It Note slapped on my calendar, I remembered my week in Guatemala. I remembered what we were doing on July 7 and July 8 one year ago. I remember how building houses built my faith.

And I remembered that God is building a good thing here too. We are making a new-to-us house a home. We are creating memories and embracing adventures. We have work to do for God's glory.

All of that is the kind of building that matters.
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Read all my Guatemala-related posts here. 

On wanting & needing things

I wrote this last night on my phone with 5% battery left after Kate revealed the Five Minute Friday prompt. Seems appropriate.

Do you know about Five Minute Friday? Basically, set a timer for five minutes and just write. And then join us at Kate Motaung’s place. You can find us chatting while anticipating the prompt on Thursday evenings on Twitter. Follow #fmfparty for all the goodness.

Now, WANT.

Ready, set, go ...

I have a long list of things I want ...

... to write.
... to visit.
... to do.
... to see.
... to buy.

Literally lists of chores and things I think our new house needs and ideas I have fill pages and my email inbox and my mind.

It’s as overwhelming as it sounds, sometimes. But sometimes I remember life is best enjoyed one project and one page of words and one dream at a time.

And then right there in the midst of living life I realize so many of my dreams are intertwined and separating them isn’t always possible. The big picture is full and beautiful, and the smaller picture of steps and projects and chores and places and products to get there is quite lovely too, really.

Sure, I finally found the white room-darkening curtains I wanted for my kids’ bedrooms online after looking in three stores with three kids.

I’ve got trips and outings plan that I want to have on the calendar.

And I’ve got my favorite season as a back drop.

I find myself looking at my lists and seeing what’s really right in front of me: My family of five that God made. Our {soon} move to 33 acres that’s my husband’s dream that has become mine. Friends who are like family. Friends who share in the everyday-ness of motherhood. Opportunities to serve and play.

So, really, I have everything I need.


{timer buzzing} And stop.
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I'm linking up with Kate Motaung and the rest of FMF crew. 

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On real hope & expectations

Hello, Friday. I'm so very glad you're here, ESPECIALLY this Friday because HELLO, SUMMER BREAK. I'm joining Kate Motaung and friends for Five Minute Friday, when we get a prompt and write for five minutes. Like a brain dump. Like a flash mob. Just write. 

This week the prompt is EXPECT. 

Ready, set, go ... 

I had hoped my kids – 9 years, 6 years, 8 months – would sleep in for the first day of Summer Break, but I didn’t really expect them to.

Hope. Expect.

These words are so similar, but I was thinking about how different they can be, depending on what I’m putting my hope in.

Putting hope in my 6-year-old boy who loves to rise with the sun and the moment he hears anyone else stirring and my 8-month-old girl who has decent but unpredictable nighttime sleeping length isn’t wise. I knew that, so I didn’t expect to sleep past 7 a.m.

My husband got up with Rachel at 6 a.m. and Ben soon followed down the stairs. They woke me at 6:45 a.m., when Greg needed to get in the shower for work. So my husband who knew I wanted a little extra sleep helped some of my expectations be met, but, even so, it was just the best he could do given the circumstances.

On the contrary, we can put our hope in God because he promises to finish what he’s started (Phil. 1:6) and work all things for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). We can wait expectantly because he’s not influenced by when the sun rises or what other people are doing. We can believe in what we cannot see because that’s the essence of faith that gives us hope – real hope, the kind of hope we can expect to make a difference.

So, welcome, Summer Break, may our togetherness be full of happy messes, limited sibling pestering, and fun adventures. And, yes, I’m still hoping my kids embrace the summer sleep schedule soon, even if my expectations are low.

And stop.
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this too shall PASS {a Five Minute Friday post}

It's Five Minute Friday time. I wasn't sure what I was going to write when I saw Kate Motaung's prompt {PASS} this week. But then when I sat down this morning, the words came. That's what I love about Five Minute Friday. I love how a simple word can prompt all kinds of thoughts, even in just five minutes. Well, I love that and the people. So, come join us over at Kate's place. 

Timer set for five minutes ... 

I remember my Nanny saying “this too shall pass” when my family was going through a difficult time. She said with conviction and wisdom.

I wish I knew more about the situations through which she’d walked in her younger days. I wish I had realized as a kid how special my time was with her. But I’m glad I lived near her after college and was able to use her washer and dryer rather than going to a laundromat. She usually had a TV show like JAG on and wanted to let me take care of my own chore but kept a close eye on how big of loads I tried to wash and dry.

She passed away in October 2001, about three months before Greg proposed and 10 months before my bridesmaids walked into “On Eagles’ Wings” – a song that reminded me of her and my Catholic upbringing.

I wish I had different perspective before Nanny passed away, but I also know she said those words – “this too shall pass” – with assurance that only came as someone who had lived through her share of life. I get a little sad thinking she hasn’t seen me as a wife and mom, but I’m glad she was able to influence who I am. And I’m glad I’m in a place that I can see a little bit of where she was coming from.

And stop.
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Some days it's easy to forget what day it is

It’s Friday! I can say that with assurance, despite my forthcoming post about how it’s been easy to forget what day it is this week. And speaking of EASY, that’s this week’s prompt for Five Minute Friday. Do you know about #FMF? Kate Motaung offers a prompt and then writers write. Five minutes. Just write. And then we all link up together. 

On Wednesday I was walking and talking with my best friend and said, “It seems later in the week than Thursday.” Um, wrong day. In my head I meant to say Wednesday but Thursday came out, probably because it never did feel like Wednesday.

This week, it was easy to forget what day it was. In some ways, my weekdays look similar but in other ways each day is its own.

I have a lot of ideas and thoughts and plans on my mind. And they’re making the days run together.

I started making summer plans because somehow that helps me embrace the moment. Making plans is my love language. (I watched “Leap Year” this week and loved when Declan said to Anna: “I don't wanna not make plans with you. I wanna make plans with you.”)

I have ideas of things to write. By things I mean blog posts, ebooks, and notes to friends. It’s easy to push those aside because other things seem more pressing, but, really, for the way my soul processes life, that’s not true.

I’ve showed our house, thought about our new house, and watched Fixer Upper with my oldest girl. (All that’s separate and related …)

Greg and I have both been up at 2 a.m. with our baby girl different days this week. Maybe those teeth are really coming though, but in the middle of the night, it’s easy to forget what day it is. During daylight, she’s happy and moving and discovering and soaking in life, whatever the day.

When my mind is swirling in different directions, it’s easy to forget what day it is, but, y’all, I’m glad for Friday and I don’t want to not make plans.
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I'm linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. 

Subscribe to get new posts and/or a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog in your inbox. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable. 

Whole {a Five Minute Friday post}

It's Five Minute Friday time! Hooray for the weekend! Each week, Kate Motaung hosts a flash mob group of writers. She issues a prompt and people write for five minutes. The prompt this week: WHOLE. 

Ready, set, go ... 

Last week the essence of Spring Break clicked in his kindergarten mind: "We are going to be off school a WHOLE WEEK?"

"Yep. One whole week."

And then my third-grade girl who sees the world in black and white piped up: "Well, it's more than a week. It's nine days."

"Yes, when you could the weekends, but you never go to school on the weekend."

And then I'm pretty sure that's when Ben broke out in the days of the week song. Telling time, in minutes or days isn't his strong suit.

But he did recently learn how to ride his bike, the two-wheeler as his big sister says. So he's been doing a lot of that this week, this WHOLE WEEK off school.

Cate took a couple horse riding lessons. Rachel worked on her army crawl, enjoyed the swing at the park, and basically smiled every time she say her big brother and sister.

We saw friends and worked on keeping the house clean (hello, trying to sell a house with children home for a WHOLE WEEK PLUS TWO DAYS ...). We slept later than usual and watched some extra episodes of "Fixer Upper." We dreamed about the summer adventures coming sooner really rather than later and we officially issued word our house is for sale.

A whole week home is good for a momma soul too. The break in the routine allows for some work, yes, but plenty of rest and play too.

And stop.
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I'm linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. 

Subscribe to get new posts and/or a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog in your inbox. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable.

Surprise! God's got a plan ...

It's time for Five Minute Friday with Kate Motaung and other writer friends. The prompt is revealed on Thursday night and then there's a flash mob of writing. Just write. Just write whatever comes in those five minutes. 

This week's prompt is SURPRISE. 

Ready, set, go ... 

I’m hard to surprise – probably because I ask a lot of questions. Part of me likes surprises, but much of me likes a plan.

Yet God has managed to surprise me with almost every detail of my life.

I live in a town I thought would be in my past after college graduation – and love it so much I consider it home after more than a dozen years.

I thought I would be a big-city newspaper reporter, but I worked in a small-town newsroom before I became a momma and now I stay at home with them – sort of. I do some work-type things on the side, between mothering moments.

I have three kids – which was what I thought would happen. BUT they didn’t come like I expected. God surprised me with three adoption stories I wouldn’t rewrite, even though there are some hard chapters.

God has surprised me with community when I least expected it and given me dreams and hopes I didn’t realize I’d ever have. And even this prompt 13 hours after I wrote this on Facebook: May your day be full of fresh views & sweet surprises.

God has surprised me with all the details of my life. But he’s not been surprised for a moment. {Tweet that.}

He knit me together in my mother’s womb and gave me an extroverted personality with introverted tendencies. He started writing my story long before I acknowledged him as the author.

I’m seeking him as the author of it all now, but I’m guessing there are still going to be some surprises around the bend.

And stop. 
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I'm linking up at Kate Motaung's place with other Five Minute Friday friends. Come join us. 

Subscribe to get new posts and/or a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog in your inbox. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable. 

"Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, or follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'.

On sharing stories

I'm joining Kate Motaung and many other writers for Five Minute Friday. Each week, there's a prompt and then we write for five minutes. Like a flash mob of writers. 

This week's prompt: SHARE. 

Ready, set, go ... 

Later today I’m going to share with some homeschool students what it’s like to be a writer. My friend who organized the career fair invited me as an author/writer.

As I was jotting down notes yesterday about what I would share, I remembered how being a writer is a broad term. I’m going to share all the many ways one could be a writer – non-fiction author, fiction author, blogger, newspaper reporter, poet, screenwriter, songwriter, technical writer, speech writer.

And I’m going to share why when I was editor of my high school newspaper, I decided I really did want to be a writer. I spent four years in college working toward my print journalism degree. I had jobs where I was paid to write.

It all comes down to this: I believe in sharing stories. {Tweet that.}

Maybe that’s simplifying it all. Being a writer runs deep because it’s part of who God created me to be. Being a writer looks different with each season. But being a writer is a calling.

So that’s what I’m going to share with these students who are learning about subject-verb agreement and how to write persuasive essays. I’m going to share with them that words matter because stories are the essence of life.

And stop.
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Five Minute Friday is open to anyone. Come join us at Kate Motaung's place. 

Subscribe to get new posts and/or a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog in your inbox. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable. 

"Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, or follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'.

Why my kids aren't going to watch Fuller House

My kids and their friends have been counting down the days until “Fuller House” premiered on Netflix. In preparation, we have been watching the first two seasons of the original “Full House.”

Well, today’s the day.

While feeding Rachel this morning, I decided to watch the first episode. Okay, yeah, so maybe I was pretty much as excited about the kids. My Instagram post of the show pulled up on Netflix even said: This is happening. Just one episode, maybe. The kids don’t have to know.

Within the first few minutes, I knew my kids – who are 8 and 6 years old – were going to know because I was going to have to tell them the show wasn’t appropriate for them. I didn't expect to have to decide that this morning.

Stephanie needed to put on a shirt that actually covered herself better than the slutty dress she was wearing. She later made a boob joke that referenced Dairy Queen – something my kids would totally have noticed. Jesse said “Damn, we’re still looking good!” and then later made a semen joke. That’s just not a conversation I’m ready to have. Kimmy walked in all Gibbler-like and made a prolonged joke about an acid trip. There were also references to unfaithfulness in marriage and divorce like it was a relief.

Growing up watching “Full House,” I appreciated the banter and situations that were reminiscent of the show set 29 years ago in the same house. I laughed throughout and enjoyed the current episode mirroring the original with the crew huddled around the baby singing “Meet the Flintstones.” I’ll probably watch more episodes – when the kids are at school.

But I didn’t appreciate the content that is inappropriate for kids and didn’t even add anything to the show. Obviously, this show is aimed at my generation and not our kids. Telling my kids that isn’t exactly the kind of after-school conversation I’m looking forward to having – but it’s better than explaining to them what an acid trip is and having to worry if they’ll make boob jokes next time we’re at Dairy Queen.
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Like I said, we've been watching the original show. So if you're looking to introduce your kids to the Tanners, maybe start there. You can get all the seasons in one set on Amazon or buy the individual seasons, although I can only vouch for the first few at this point in my viewing as a parent.

(Season One // Season Two // Season Three // Season Four // Season Five // Season Six // Season Seven // Season Eight)
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I'm linking up with Kate Montaung for Five Minute Friday. This wasn't the post I had in mind when I saw the prompt of MORNING last night. But when I sat down to write this morning, this is what was on my mind. If you don't know about Five Minute Friday, you just need to know this: Kate gives a word and then writers write for five minutes. Then everybody links up together at her place. It's like a writing flash mob, and we'd love for you to join us. 

Want more insights? Subscribe to get new posts in your inbox and a monthly newsletter with content not available on the blog. When you subscribe, I'll send you a FREE #choosingJOY printable. 

 "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, or follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin'.

Rachel @ 5 months {and on not forgetting}

This week's Five Minute Friday prompt went along with my planned post about Rachel, so I'm combining them. First up, FORGET for Five Minute Friday. One prompt. Then just write for five minutes. Kate Motaung hosts this writing flash bob. Come join us there. 

Ready, set go ... 

I don’t want to forget.

Really, not remembering is one of my fears as a mother. That’s why I document – in scrapbooks, on social media, in notes on my phone, and in school and birthday books. I want to remember all the moments – the good, the bad, the hard, the surprises, the laughter, the trips, the slow mornings, the meals at the table.

Most of all, I want to remember what God has done. My greatest personal testimony of God’s faithfulness in my family of five. There’s the redemption that’s come in our marriage – a relationship I’ve taken for granted more times than I care to admit. There’s the story of how God made us a family in a way I never expected. Adoption built my faith and made us a family.

Those are the highlights, but God’s faithfulness is woven through our everyday moments. I want to keep seeing it. I want to remember what he’s done and what he promises to still do. 

I don’t want to forget.

(And in the spirit of remembering, here’s some documentation of my baby girl at 5 months …) 

People look at her pictures or walk by us in the grocery and say, “She’s just the happiest baby.” And she is, really. I know I say this every month, but, goodness, we’re blessed to have this girl as our third child. It’s amazing to see God’s plan come together for her and for us.

And the fact she’s so happy and easy going makes it all even more delightful.

Of course, she’s still trying to cut some teeth, which she isn’t always happy about, but her fussing about it is short lived and can be usually be cured with some Oragel or Baby Mum Mums. I can tell her gums are irritated in two places. I blame the teething for her more unpredictable sleeping habits that lately have involved waking up – at a varying early-morning hour – to eat. Let’s be honest, y’all know I’m not a fan of the sleep regression.

But she’s even happy once I rescue from her crib at 4:40 a.m. – a time I firmly believe was meant for sleep. Here’s to hoping we can start the smiling fests at 6:30 a.m. or later.

Any other time of the day, Daddy and Ben get the quickest smiles, but she’s generous with them. She especially loves when people talk to her. She also loves Johnny Jump Up, chewing on stuffed animals and blanket tags, and naps in her swing. She still enjoys eating every 3-4 hours, hence the rolls on her thighs that are going to be adorable in the swimsuit I recently bought her and why I’m trying to incorporate cereal and applesauce.

And speaking of rolls, she has been easily rolling from her belly to her back for a while, but she conquered going from her back to her belly yesterday – on her last day as a 4-month-old. She manages to scoot short distances on her back.

She wears size 3 diapers and is mostly in 3-6 month clothes, although she’s outgrown some that have been mailed to get cousin Roslyn, who is 2 months old.

We’ve loved these first five months of Rachel’s sweet life and are looking forward to what’s to come!
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Look back on Rachel’s growth :: One month. Two months. Three months. Four months.

I'm linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday, a place to write whatever it is that comes to mind, like a flash mob. But, let's be honest, I MUCH prefer words to dance moves. 

Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Limit {a Five Minute Friday post}

I saw this week's Five Minute Friday prompt last night and had absolutely no thoughts about what I would write. When I came back to it this morning, I still wasn't sure what I was going to write, but I started the timer anyway. 

LIMIT. Five minutes. Just write. And then link up with Kate Motaung and her crew.

Ready, set, go ...  

For far too long I’ve limited God with the box in which I’ve housed him. I made plans and wondered why God was interrupting them. I set expectations that wouldn’t bend with life’s changes.

And then I learned that’s no way to live.

I mean, I learned it in my head. I still work on learning in my heart.

But I know limiting God is pointless. I know when I stopped pursuing adoption the third time and started seeking the One who makes families, he heard my desire and fulfilled it in his time – which was years after when I thought it was best. But I would have missed other people and places He’d called me to if I had a baby a few years ago. And that’s just what I know about through my limited view of the world.

God’s got a wide view and somehow manages to see it all – from then to now to what is to come.

An old friend found me on Facebook today and when we were messaging about our lives I told my life looks nothing like I expected but I love it anyway. The life I had planned surely would have limited God. Here I am, aware of my human ways, but wanting the Limitless One to take over. I want to hold on to Him tightly and everything – even my marriage and kids – loosely so I don’t limit what God wants to do in us and through us.

And stop.
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Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Focus {a Five Minute Friday post}

It's been almost a year since I've joined the Five Minute Friday crew to write. So here I am. The word this week is FOCUS, so I set my timer and focused on this for five minutes. It's straight from my mind to you. And I'm linking up with others at Kate Motaung's place. 

Ready, set, go ... 

{FOCUS}

The week after Christmas break, I had trouble settling back into a routine. Then we had some snow days, and I blamed them the following week for feeling unsettled. And now, here I am, at the beginning of February and I’m still feeling unfocused.

Except I see God working. I’ve been reading some valuable books and having meaningful conversations. Greg and I have been dreaming together and waiting to see how that unfolds. We’ve been soaking in time together as a family in the evenings.

But I get distracted. I want to solve people’s problems, but know I’m not in control of much. But I keep thinking about the friend I know who had to decide whether to terminate her pregnancy because her baby’s brain isn’t developed; the friend whose adoption is suddenly messier and harder than expected; and the friend fighting cancer.

So this unfocused feeling I’m feeling? I think it’s God reshaping some things, shaking up some priorities. The to-do list never ends, but that’s okay. I have more ideas than time. But I’m confident God has me where he wants me. I believe he’s working in my life, even when I can’t seem to get a grip on my day. I’m blessed with people to do this life with me.

Perhaps I should focus on that – and stop blaming the school schedule and the weather.

{And stop.}
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Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Five Minute Friday :: Plan

I'm joining the Five Minute Friday crew that all writes on the same word prompt. This week :: PLAN. Five minutes. Just write. And then link up at Kate Motaung's place. Come join us.

I like making plans. Yes, I know God sometimes has another – better! – plan. But I make plans because quality time is my love language. (Okay, ONE of my love languages …)

Lately we’ve had a lot of weekend plans. We hosted my mother-in-law’s birthday party. We went to Nashville for the Ohio Valley Conference tournaments. (Our favorite Murray State #RacersDeserveABid. But that’s another story.)

This weekend we’re celebrating our friend Daniel’s citizenship with an America Adopt Daniel party. And tomorrow is my best friend’s birthday so there’s a girl’s lunch and our chance to defend our trivia title.

We’ve had meetings about our upcoming Guatemala mission trip. I have a couple opportunities to share our adoption story on the calendar. And I have plans to visit my sister and her family in June, not long after she visits us.

Sure, some of these plans may change and they all certainly won’t go as planned. (I mean, really, my Racers didn’t win and are waiting to see if they can get an at-large bid which is unheard of in this mid-major league.)

But when we invite people over and plan celebrations, we are saying, “I love you. I want to do life with you.” {Tweet that.}

And I think those invitations – those plans – make God proud that we’re living beyond ourselves and learning to trust him with the journey. Now, I need to go prep some food for tonight.
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Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

Gather the Memories :: Reflections of a Snow Day

I'm joining the #FiveMinuteFriday community today. Kate Motaung gives a prompt and people write for five minutes. Just five minutes. 

This week :: GATHER 


Somehow we are still excited about the snow. Even after the last snow a few weeks ago hung around for 12 days and closed school for a week, we still were excited when we woke up Thursday morning to nearly a foot of snow.

A foot.

We live in Kentucky, where I'm happy to say winters are usually mild. Even with 95 degrees and all the humidity possible, I'm a summer girl at heart.

But I've loved these snow days. I almost feel bad about generally thinking I don't like snow. I may not love it. And I'm certainly not driving in it. Yet the snow has been beautiful and forced us to slow down.

We gathered. We gathered with each other. We gathered memories.

My girl has gotten some much-needed sleep after some trouble falling asleep in recent nights.

My kids explored outside. They laughed and jumped and went sledding with neighbors and played. Inside, there were LEGOs and Mario Kart.

The kids drank hot chocolate and we lunched on our new favorite pizza quesadillas.

I scrapbooked and watched more "Gilmore Girls." I tended to some lake house management business. I texted with some friends and talked to my mom.

My husband shoveled our driveway so we could be Nashville bound to watch our Murray State Racers later today. He worked some and played some.

God's been reminding me he's the artist, creating the snow-laden views and orchestrating the moments that make up life. He's encouraging me to choose joy as I gather these memories. {Tweet that.}
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After I wrote this post, my TimeHop app showed me a post from last year, on this exact day. It's the same sentiment. Rather than think about the redundancy, I'm choosing to see how God truly orchestrates time and cares for our souls. 

Other snow-day related posts :: How Snow Days Free Us. Make Memories Now. Family Game Nights for the Win. 

I'm linking up with Kate Motaung and the #FMF crew. When I was laying on the couch last night scrolling through Twitter and saw the "Gather" prompt, I knew I had to write because it's one of my favorite words. 

Want more insights? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

{Five Minute Friday} Share

It's been a long time since I joined the Five Minute Friday link up. {See? Only twice in 2014. And not since Kate Motaung started hosting it.} But this morning when I was scrolling through my phone in bed, when the house was still quiet, I saw the prompt {SHARE} and I knew I had to write. So I did. On my phone. In the dark. All of that sort of signified what I wanted to say. Yes, sometimes there's is darkness, but we don't have to be in it alone. 

If you don't know about Five-Minute Friday, it's a community of writers who each write for five minutes on the same word. Come join us. 

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We spend so much time teaching our kids to share their toys and their space. We want then to share their emotions using words. Sharing becomes the goal in life.

Now that I'm a grown up, I believe in community. It's a way if life I certainly want to share with my kids. In community, we share. We share the space around our table. We share our stories.

But what happens when people you love dearly are walking down a hard road? We share that too. We share grief and tears. And we share hope that God redeems.

It's a sharing I wasn't prepared for, but one I realize I believe in. As I've shared a hard road with a friend recently, I've been thinking about a passage from Jen Hatmaker's "Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity" ::

"Doesn’t this concept of being broken for others ring true? It’s a spiritual dynamic that bears out physically. Why is it so exhausting to uphold someone’s heavy, inconvenient burden? Why are we spent from shouldering someone’s grief or being an armor bearer? Why is it that lifting someone out of his or her rubble leaves us breathless? Because we are the body of Christ, broken and poured out, just as He was. ... Mercy has a cost: someone must be broken for someone else to be fed. The sermon that changed your life? That messenger was poured out so you could hear it. The friends who stood in the gap during your crisis? They embraced some sacrifice of brokenness for your healing. Anytime you say, 'That fed me, that nourished me,' someone was the broken bread for your fulfillment."

Sharing isn't always easy, but it always has a purpose.
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Want more stories? "Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family" is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin', or subscribe to receive "Insights in Your Inbox."

{Belong} On Gathering Together

I'm joining the Five Minute Friday writers for the first time in forever. Crystal Stine is hosting this week in Lisa-Jo Baker's online absence. Want to join us? Please do. Set a timer for five minutes and write. This week's prompt is "Belong."  


I've needed this week.

Vacation Bible School. It's been on my calendar these five evenings in a row for months. It's not even our church, but it's an event my kids have loved from the moment they walked in the joy-filled sanctuary a few years ago.

Even though I knew I'd be kid-less from 5 to 8 p.m. five nights in a row, I didn't have big plans. I figured Greg and I would hang out. Then a friend whose kids are also at the same VBS proposed a double date. Then my best friend and I decided to make a girls' night out of one of the evenings.

If I was alone, I could have scrapbooked or worked on my ebook or read or cleaned or ran errands or talked on the phone. But I was blessed with some time I needed more than any to-do list.

I was given a chance to have long conversations with my husband. I had time to sit in the passenger seat as Greg drove us around the lake to a couple destinations that quieted all the noise in my soul. Like an old married couple, we walked into the grocery discussing how times flies and our kids are growing up too fast. I had dinner before pedicures with my best friend whose life is especially messy right now. And I have another date coming up with my husband tomorrow.

Mothering is one of the greatest blessings in my life. But I was feeling empty, like I poured all myself out. This week has refilled me and reminded me where I belong. And, you know what, my kids are learning about how they always belong to Jesus, even when if they're different than everyone else ... like weird animals.

That's a good week for everybody.
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{Five Minute Friday} Visit

It's been awhile, but I'm joining other writers in this flash mob of sorts. We all write for five minutes. Just whatever is on our minds when we hear the prompt. This week the prompt is VISIT, courtesy Five Minute Friday creator Lisa-Jo Baker.

I've been making plans to visit some places. Soon it's me some writer friends. And then this spring it's a long weekend adventure with the family. My family meeting my parents and siblings at the beach this summer. Then there's a surprise for the kids in the works for fall.

Planning is a hobby of mine.

Funny thing is while I make plans God reminds me he's the ultimate Planner. He's teaching me to let go and live in the light. I'm trying to be present in the right now. {Often my right now looks like this. Or this. And I need this reminder regularly.}

Planning. Letting go. Being present. It all seems contradictory. 

Yet somehow it's right where I need to be. There's a balance between a visit to a temporary place and coming home. Like a mixture of adventure and steadfastness, God has me right where he wants me. Thankfully the right now is a place I want to live, not just visit.
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Join us! Set your timer. Write. No editing. Link up. Then go read. 

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{Five Minute Friday} Tree

I've missed the Five Minute Friday link ups. It's been since August since I joined and even then that was the first one since May. Geez. But here I am. I wrote for five minutes last night when Lisa-Jo Baker offered a sneak peek to the word on Twitter. I should mention I wrote for five minutes while laying on the couch and watching "Grey's Anatomy." 

Five minutes. Just write. And then share. This week's word is TREE. 

I'm a summer girl. Give me hot days over snow. Days spent at the pool have always been among my favorite. I don't drink coffee or hot tea but give me a fruit slush or snow cone.

And then fall comes. And I love it. I look out my front door and see the tree. The one that arches over my yard. The one that welcomes mini vans and kids and bikes and strollers. The one that changes to a beautiful yellow and sends its leaves to carpet the ground.

And then the temperature dropped and the winds blew fiercely. All the leaves were down. The tree was bare.

Time is escaping my grasp. This season is blurring over into the next. And I'm reminded to embrace this day and this season and that tree.
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{Five Minute Friday} Story

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker and many other writers who take five minutes out of their day to just write without worrying about it being just right. Lisa-Jo gives us the prompt, and then we write. It's been awhile, um, two months, since I've participated. I'm happy to be back. 

This week: STORY.

Go ... 

He slips into my bed before I'm ready to get up. So we snuggle. I'm usually in and out of sleep. On the best mornings, he falls back asleep too. This morning he nudged me awake and then said, "Momma, let's talk." So we talked. About a recent visit to Grandmom's. About swimming. About our day. He tells stories I already know about the bear pooping while we were watching him swim at the zoo or the big gorilla who peed for a long time.

My girl tells stories too. She's a little slower waking up in the morning and appreciates the quiet like I do. But when she's on, she's on. She makes up stories. She retells stories from movies. She reads stories out loud. She asks me to tell her stories.

My husband likes to tell stories from his childhood. My kids already have their favorites. You can imagine in a family of four extroverts, there are many stories.

I believe God is the author of them all. Just read my blog's tagline: Seeking God as the author of every story. My entrepreneur husband, my first-grade girl who never forgets, and my have-no-fear preschool boy are my favorite characters in my story. The way God made us a family remains my favorite chapter. Our life is a story that continues to unfold with plenty of adventure and plot twists.

Stop.
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You're welcome to join us. You just need five minutes. Once you've written, link up here. Read my past Five Minute Friday posts here.

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