{#TellHisStory} Fearfully, wonderfully made

By Jenn Hall King Photography

Cate's birth father is Iranian. We expected her to have olive-toned skin. But instead people debate whether she looks most like me or her dad. We both have blue eyes. She has gorgeous brown eyes that always soak up details. She has always had defined eyes. I think this must come from him.

She tans well and has always had dark hair. It's lightened up some, making it closer to her birth mom's hair color. When she was younger, the cleaner her hair was, the curlier it was. On a rainy day or when she sweated, the strands would become spirals.

For a momma who has always had straight hair that won't hold curl and doesn't seem to want to grow long, I especially loved my girl's wavy, long brown hair.

She's a kindergartner now. Her hair is straighter. And we've {mostly} grown out those bangs I cut to keep hair out of her eyes when she was a toddler.

She's learned that if she sleeps with her hair braided, it's curly {think 1985 crimp ...} the next morning. So I've helped her with that a couple times recently. She has opinions about whether her is down or up, in a pony tail or pulled back with a headband. She usually wants to wear it down and I insist on a small, side ponytail to keep those almost-grown bangs out of her eyes.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. {Psalm 139:13-16}

God knew. God knew when I cried out to him for a baby that my girl would have this story. God knew he was going to make us a family through adoption. God knew her brown eyes and wavy-turned-straight hair. God created this. He created us. He created her. He created every eye lash and every hair that can be braided. And they are indeed wonderful. 
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I'm linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and other storytellers. #TellHisStory is a chance to tell a story that connects your story to God's story. You can read lots of past adoption posts here. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{God-sized Dreams} Get your toes wet

Madeira Beach, Florida in February 2013

Dear God-sized Dreamers,

See that big ocean out there? Yeah, it's all yours.

God knew what he was doing when he created this world. The way the waves crash against the sandy shore is so powerful yet peaceful. Only a God who is ever-present and all-knowing could know how to perfect that continuous motion that can soothe a soul so well that worries and fears disappear for a time.

Sometimes the first step in is cold. You may hesitate because you know you feel the same once you're in there. Maybe the salt water tempts you to stay on shore.

But inch in.

One step at a time.

It'll be worth it.

With these steps into the great, big ocean God laid before you, you'll find adventure and joy. Others will join you there. You'll all walk out talking about how you're glad you dipped in your toe, and then your waist, and then your soul. Grab the hand of a friend and help each other in.

And when you step back out, the sun will warm every piece of you. That's how God is with our lives. Immerse yourself in where he's leading you. He'll be with you on the journey in, the adventure there, and the steps back to shore.


He's here. And there. And everywhere in between.

It's not about how big this dream of yours is. It's about how you pursue God and what he's called you to do. He wants you to enjoy his creation and tell others about it. He wants you to take a risk so you can trust him more once you step in. He wants you to soak up the sun so you can give glory to him.

Go on, dreamers. You can do it. And you'll be refreshed when you do.
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Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I'm linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth's blog. You'll find encouragement, truth and community there. I also recommend Holley's "You're Made for a God-sized Dream," which officially released March 1. You can buy it from Amazon ($11.19) or DaySpring ($8.24 with code HOLLEY25 at checkout). 

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{God-sized Dreams} DaySpring Deals

I've mentioned loving "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" more than once around here. I've quoted it at least a couple times. {Review here. Stop delaying, start doing is a piece of the book's advice. Bringing Him glory is certainly the goal.}

But then I learned about these other amazing accessories that go along with Holley Gerth's newest sweet, encouraging words. I already feel like she's sitting at my table talking to me when I read her books, so bringing her words into my home with decor on the wall and cards ready to send friends is like inviting her back over for a chat. 

All of the items in this collection -- including the book -- are available at DaySpring for 25% off the already-marked-down prices this month. Just use the code HOLLEY25 at checkout. That makes the book about $8!

There are other great deals at DaySpring this month, including boxed cards, which are buy 2 get 1 free.

Happy shopping. Spring is coming!

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Bones & Booth

The following post is about the TV show "Bones." I've watched the first seven seasons and the first episode of season eight. OK, yes, we caved and paid $1.99 for the 40 minutes of television we had to see. That's what cliffhangers do. Don't read any farther if you don't want to know any of the plot from seasons one through seven. And, friends, really, don't tell me about the eighth season I haven't seen. 

Photo from www.wetpaint.com

Dear Bones and Booth,

My husband and I watched 142 episodes of you on Netflix. That's seven seasons. Sometimes two or three a night. Admittedly, I got a little bored with your show sometime in the fifth season. But that's normal for me. {Read more about my TV favorites and tendencies here.} It was the hope that you'd embrace your love for each other that kept me going, yet the lack of soap opera drama is one reason I liked the show from the beginning.

And then season six picked up. And seven season was possibly the best yet. That episode when Christine was born. Oh, goodness. See, I knew you all were meant to be together. I'm glad it's clear that having a baby isn't the only reason you're together. You really do love each other. We've seen it from the beginning. So has Sweets.

Your supporting cast of characters is strong. You'll are smart and loyal. And I don't know how the rotating cast of lab assistants works for you, but it actually works for me. Something about the regular irregularity works.

I remember watching "CSI," the original one and later the one in Miami, for years. I got tired of the cases because they started seeming the same. Somehow that hasn't been true with your work.

Earlier this week, we watched a case get personal and realized it wasn't going to get solved in the last nine minutes of the episode when we paused it. {I think I had to tell my husband something, prompting a pause.} It was after 10 p.m. and we were debating whether we'd watch the next episode, knowing we were hooked on watching you all figure out just how that computer genius killer who wears an ankle monitor was setting up you, Bones, to look like a murderer. Staying up that late to watch TV is a big deal around here.

Bones, you drove off, leaving Booth to make your world safe to come back to. He didn't want you to go, but he knew your dad knew how to advise you to be fugitive away from the system.

And we were left hanging. There wasn't another episode. #142 was it on Netflix. We didn't realize we'd caught up to the current season. We were going to sit there for another 40 minutes to see the rest of your story unfold. Now we'll have to wait a while longer because we can't keep paying $1.99 an episode.

Sincerely,
Fans who liked binge-watching you solve cases and fall in love
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Anyone have anymore Netflix recommendations? I'd love to here what you're watching. This post contains affiliate links. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

3.1 in the snow

In January, my competitive nature got the best of me. Greg said he was going to run a 5K, so I decided I would too. It should be noted here, I don't really like running. But since the beginning of the year, I've been running regularly. Our family's Saturday runs have been my favorite. I'd been running 2 miles pretty consistently for the past few weeks, but I hadn't gotten beyond that.

Well, you know, a 5K is 3.1 miles. 

Oh, and, hey, it was snowing and 31 degrees.

We're off. We're smiling because this is just the beginning. That's my friend Emily to my right. Y'all, I was so grateful for her. I was nervous about setting a pace. Greg said he'd run the first part with me, but then was going to go faster. He stayed with us for the first 3/4 mile or so. Emily ran a pace slightly faster than I had been running but was consistent, which kept me from jetting off too fast with the mob mentality of the real runners in front of me.

We did it! While going up a hill right before the last stretch to the finish line Emily reminded me the best part of running is finishing. She's so right. I don't love running, but there was such a satisfactory feeling of accomplishment to run that last stretch, finishing something I started that doesn't come easy for me.

I finished in 34:24.9. Greg had told his mom, who was sitting in the car with our kids while we ran, that he'd finish in about 30 minutes and I'd probably take about 40 minutes. I was so glad to beat his estimate. I'd running 2 miles in about 24 minutes, so I was thrilled to finish the way I did, especially because snow was coming down the entire race.

Such sweet faces were awaiting me at the finish line.

On a medical note, I usually take my insulin pump off just before I start running. But I took it off about 30 minutes before today, thinking I was running farther and my blood sugar was at a good level when I woke up this morning. {Exercise naturally lowers blood sugar levels.} After the race, my blood sugar was high and got even higher in the afternoon. Not sure what that's about.

Regardless, a couple people told me on Facebook that running is addictive. I'm not sure I'd go that far, at least not yet, but I am planning to run a second 5K in May. I'm assuming it won't be snowing then.

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Weekend Words

A Kind Wife :: "You see, I was so busy doing things for my husband, trying to be the perfect wife, that I was getting it all wrong. I was so tired and stressed that I was snappy, unkind, and impatient. And the only thing my dear husband wanted was a girlfriend! Am I saying that it’s wrong to do things for your husband or family? Of course not! But I am saying to think about keeping being kind as the TOP priority." I promptly emailed this to my husband so he can understand why I'm weary when he gets home from work. And then I prayed I'd continue to embrace imperfection and be nice to the people I love most.

Every Book Starts With A Sentence :: Thank you, Lysa. I read this at exactly the right time for my heart. I had writing ideas circulating in my head and this was just the encouraging nudge I needed. "It’s a process, this book writing thing. It’s hard and messy and crazy time-consuming. But what a wondrous thing to have words that live on beyond us. Sentences that linger and continue to inspire. Yes, please."

Less Yelling, More Praying: Bible Verses to Pray :: I read this one day and then didn't think much more about it. But then I was having a couple overwhelming mothering days this week and went searching for this again. This was the follow-up to Erin's initial post about a subject that I too am oh-so familiar. {I linked that earlier post in a "Weekend Words" a couple weeks ago.}
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{Five Minute Friday} Ordinary

Life in community, sharing food and stories around a table, is
ordinary for these boys. Yet it makes an extraordinary difference.

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday, a link-up writing prompt at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. This week the prompt is "Ordinary ..." 

Five minutes starts now. GO ... 

When I was a kid and then even later when I worked in a newsroom, being a mom seemed ordinary. Ordinary days seemed filled with ordinary errands and ordinary conversations. There were ordinary rules and ordinary routines.

And then I held my baby in my arms.

Being a mom didn't seem so ordinary any more. I felt called and chosen to be the momma to my baby who also was chosen for our family by a God who orchestrates details while we cry out the desires of our hearts in words only He can truly understand.

I spent the first week as a mom in a hotel waiting for adoption paperwork to be cleared in Indiana and Kentucky and then the next five weeks at home with my baby. We lived ordinary days and then I went back to work.

I realized I liked this misperceived ordinary. Yes, it was ordinary and simple compared to asking questions, reporting on events, writing stories, laying out pages and doing it all over again for the next 24-hour news cycle in a small town. My ordinary changed when I quit my job.

Our family expanded. Our schedules changed. Our ordinary changes regularly. We meet friends for lunch and playdates at the park. I run errands and drive carpool in my mini van. My life wouldn't be the same if it weren't lived in community. God has shown me the extraordinary that comes from a job that may seem ordinary but challenges me and inspires me like none other I've listed on my resume.


STOP.

Want to join us? Here are Lisa-Jo's rules: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you and encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about.
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{God-sized Dreams} You were made for them!

I want to write a book. Maybe two.

I am managing an amazing lake house that's available for vacation rentals in addition our own two lake properties {Vacation, anyone?} and want to build a freelance promotions company doing this kind of thing and other publicity projects.

And, most importantly, I want to be a mom who serves my family, embraces imperfection and lives in the moment.

As I read "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" by my virtual friend Holley Gerth, it's as if she heard me list these dreams and cheered me on with God's word and anecdotes from her own life. But she didn't stop there.

Holley writes soft-spoken truth. "You're Made for a God-Sized Dream" officially releases today. Go buy it.

Her words encouraged faith, challenged me to take steps, cautioned me that others may not see my dreams like I do, helped me realize God has been preparing me for this, and reminded me that my actions toward dreams are really about serving the Giver of these dreams.

"You don't have to be ready. Conditions don't have to be perfect. Because it's not about you. It's about God fulfilling his purposes through you, and he has always been able to make that happen in spite of our humanity and the fallen world around us."

{Holley Gerth in 

"You're Made for a God-sized Dream"}

I really loved when Holley wrote about how God intended us to live in Eden and heaven. 

"While we don't get to live in those places right now, we still have the ability to capture a bit of both in our imaginations. Eden reminds us of who we're created to be and heaven reminds us of where we're called to go."

{Holley Gerth}

Like our lives, our dreams won't be perfect. But God has us here, where we are, for a perfect purpose. We won't love every minute that we're here, working and dreaming and serving and living. Moving forward and finishing what we've started won't be easy. We'll make mistakes and He'll change our plans. But God is with us. He's leading us to a new place and his glory is there, just around the corner or outside your window.
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I received a free, advanced electronic version of "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" as part of Holley Gerth's Dream Team, but these opinions of the book are my own. I've mentioned the book at least a couple of times already {Stop Delaying, Start Doing. Bring Him Glory.} and I'm sure I will again. This post contains affiliate links. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{Out of the Blue} Truth throughout

My girl and a classmate on their school's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"-themed Christmas float.

I'm the daughter of a retired public school principal and a retired public school teacher, both of whom continue to work with school districts in various ways. My grandma worked for a public school board of education. The two years I had my aunt for junior and senior high school English class, I didn't know how to address her. My print journalism bachelor's degree is from a public university. One of my newspaper jobs had me covering two K-12 school districts, a public university and a private college.

I'm a product of public education who understands Kentucky's strange education jargon. And, you know, I think I turned out fine. So, of course, I debated with my husband for years about a schooling decision for our family before we even had to make one.

I was determined to send my kids to public school. I justified with academic, social and spiritual reasons. But, really, I just wanted to do what was comfortable. This wasn't the first time I was convinced I was right without giving God a chance to speak to my heart.

Kristen at Chasing Blue Skies has a weekly link-up on surprises. This week's prompt is: 

What is an unexpected adventure the Lord dropped in your lap or asked you to take? 


God spoke to my heart during Cate's second year at a local Christian preschool, where they prayed before lunch, talked about people in the Bible, learned scripture verses, sang songs that spoke truth, celebrated Jesus' birth at Christmas, and talked about the resurrection at Easter.

I realized when I sent my girl to public kindergarten, that truth was going to get watered down. We live in a community with two high-performing public school districts. My girl was on the verge of reading, is as social as they come, and wanted to go to kindergarten. She was made for school and I had no doubt she'd do fine wherever she was.

But I didn't want her to do fine. I wanted her to thrive. I wanted her learning to be based on a foundation of what is eternally important.

So I started looking into a nearby, private school that uses a classical, Christian curriculum. I didn't really know much about it, and I'm certainly still learning, but the more I talked with the principal there, the more I realized she was verbalizing the philosophy I held in my heart but hadn't put into words yet. God is the creator of everything. He gives us our minds, our skills and our talents. He's the creator of this world. His truth is portrayed in art and music and literature. His story is told throughout history. All of this is the foundation of the math, reading, writing, geography, and science lessons. Truth is woven throughout. 

We registered Cate for kindergarten at New Covenant Christian Academy before her 4-year-old preschool year was finished. I haven't regretted our decision once. I shouldn't have argued with my husband all those years. I shouldn't have been so prideful in my decision without really even consulting God. Yes, I'm the daughter of public school employees here on this earth, but I've been adopted into God's family.

My best friends here homeschool or send their kids to public school, but God has reaffirmed more than once we made the right decision for us. I wasn't sure what my public education family would think, but they seem to trust Cate is in good hands to learn.

I volunteer there each Friday morning. I've been on a couple field trips and help by taking pictures to submit to the local newspaper. I've become friends with the principal, who is such an encourager. And more recently I was asked to be on the school board.

I assumed Ben would go two more years to the preschool we've loved and then on to kindergarten at New Covenant. But, yet again, God has prompted me to change my mind. He's registered for preschool next year at his sister's school.

This isn't the first time God's led me somewhere I never expected to be. I'm sure it won't be the last. But, you know, He knows what He's doing. And my family is better off because I'm not really in charge anyway.
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I'm linking up today as part of the "Out of the Blue" series at Chasing Blue Skies. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{#TellHisStory} Bring Him Glory

She's comfortable enough here that she tapped on the door and then just walked in. I said hi from the kitchen and my kids literally jumped on her and her boyfriend. She's my kids' babysitter and their friend. They were excited Amber and Sean were coming over tonight but Mom and Dad were staying home too. We were all going to eat dinner together.

Last summer Amber asked me if she and Sean could meet with us regularly and just talk. For college students, they were being wise as they pursued their relationship with each other. Greg and I have an imperfect story we wouldn't change. We like where we are, even though most parts of our life are nothing like I planned. We started dating in college, like Amber and Sean. We were involved in the same campus ministry. We studied different things than they are. And I never ever had or will ever have a pet snake like she has.

We're glad they're in our lives. Yes, reminiscing with them makes us feel old sometimes, but we like opening our life to them. Our kids adore them. And there are only a couple of people who get my boy as well as Amber does.

Yesterday had been a full day. I had extra kids most of the day. I made extra food for my friend who is temporarily working a full-time job and prepared dinner for us to share with Amber and Sean. I had some writing inspiration I needed to go with while kids napped. Yes, I had three kids {two of whom aren't even mine} napping for about two hours. Ben seemed to have a harder-than-usual time listening and obeying. I took my 3-year-old boy and our 2-year-old friend to the grocery store, storytime, to pick up our 4-year-old friend, and then to Taco John's, where we met my friend and her two boys.

It wasn't a bad day. In fact, most of it was smooth and good. But it caught up with me in the 4 o'clock hour yesterday afternoon when I was making dinner, taking my boy to the potty in hopes he will soon decide diapers really are for babies, texting with a friend I hadn't heard from in way too long, and answering questions and listening to stories about my kindergartner's day.

Individually, these things aren't a big deal. But, yesterday, together, they had me overstimulated and on edge.

So when Amber walked in my kitchen and asked "How's your day been?" all that I could come up with is "tiring." As I was saying it, I realized my response made me sound ungrateful for these little people who fill my house and the opportunities to spend time with and help my friends. I knew as I was classifying my day  as tiring, there are people who work harder and longer than I do every day of their lives without the conveniences I have.

I wanted my husband to come home. And when he did a few minutes later, I felt like I would crumble out of relief of no longer being the only one in charge. He tried to help. I got snippy and demanding. We all sat down at the table and I still wanted to cry. I felt every whine, request, and disobedience from the whole day catching up with me.

Frustrations filled my heart. And I then I realized I whined and requested and disobeyed God as many times as these kids did.

My perspective improved over dinner. I think just sitting and having other adults around helped. Amber helped me clean up the table. We played with the kids for awhile. Then the little ones went to bed, our guests left, I washed some dishes and packed the kids' lunches for today, and then I sat down. And ate two Reese's eggs.

My husband and I got into bed early. We both were worn down from different kinds of busy days. I closed out a full day with words by Holley Gerth that were good for my soul.

"Oh, no, friends. God has more for you -- so much more than you can even imagine. You are made in his image, and the more you display all that he has placed in you, the more you bring him glory. And when we bring him glory, we feel joy, freedom, and purpose. Life becomes a gift rather than a chore."

{From "You're Made for a God-sized Dream"}

Amen, friend. 

Yes, my day was tiring. I felt weary. But that's not all. My day and life aren't limited to that because I have a purpose in these days of balancing mothering with serving. Amber wanted to be mentored, and yesterday evening was as real as it gets. It wasn't perfect, but it's part of the process God is using to draw my family to him and show us and others the glory that outshines every other imperfect human emotion and response that we use to define our days. 

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I'm linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and other storytellers. #TellHisStory is a chance to tell a story that connects your story to God's story. I also linked up with other mommas at Kayse Pratt's blog. Holley Gerth's "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" officially releases later this week, but you can buy it now. This post contains affiliate links. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

Winner, winner, winner!

And the winners are ...

Cathy Baker wins a copy of "No More Perfect Moms" by Jill Savage. Courtney French wins Holley Gerth's "You're Made for a God-sized Dream." LeeAnn Willett is getting "Holey, Wholly, Holy" by Kris Camealy.

Congratulations, friends! And thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway. 
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{God-sized Dreams} Inspiration

The God-sized dream assignment this week: Find a God-sized dream story that inspires you and share it with us. 

As soon as I read that prompt, I thought of my friend Holly, who was in Kenya pursuing stories as I sat at my kitchen table last week. This telling of stories is something she's been doing, but her dream was sending her to new places to tell stories that haven't been told.

Holly inspires me with her passion. She works hard in whatever she's doing and dived right into figuring out how to establish a nonprofit. She doesn't have all the details figured out, but she trusts the One who does. It's exciting to watch her put her beliefs into actions.

I introduced you to VoiceBox Media at the beginning of this year and now Holly is back to tell you a little about what she learned during her first trip with the nonprofit news organization she created. She went to gather stories about Kenyan Kids Foundation and came home with those ... and more.
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Holley taught one of the Kenyan boys how to use her camera. 

"Everything happens for a reason" is one of my life mottos, and nowhere in my life is it more true than when I started living this dream of mine, VoiceBox Media. Rewind about 12 years and I was in Romania for two weeks having my life rearranged and my paradigms shifted. Fast forward to present day, and here I am living that shifted paradigm -- a journalist reporting on international humanitarian issues and for my own organization. A friend recently told me: "You've found your dream job. You created it." And she's right.

I spent six days last week in Kenya, 3 1/2 in the bush, reporting on the work of the Kenyan Kids Foundation. If I didn't already believe that "everything happens for a reason," my trip would have proved it to me. Two examples are the connections I made in airplanes and airports.

On my flight from Amsterdam to Ethiopia, a gentleman was sitting in my seat, mistaking my row and seat number for his. I said I would sit in what was his assigned seat, the one in front of him. Because of this, I sat next to Annemieke from Holland, who works with a nonprofit that sponsors sports camps for disabled children in South Africa and Ethiopia. She's very intrigued by VoiceBox and there's the possibility of a story there.

On my return flight from Amsterdam to the states, the plane suffered mechanical failures and the flight was cancelled. It was the last flight out that night, so the airline rebooked us for the next morning. When I was standing in the security line the next morning, the man behind me noticed my Kenyan airports sticker on my carry-on bag. He struck up a conversation with me and next thing you know, he's way excited about VoiceBox and wants to meet when we're both settled back in our Texas homes.

Both are encounters that should not have happened, but did.

Another example is while I was reporting in Kenya, I thought that my story needed to be flushed out with interviews with a teacher and a school headmaster. About 15 minutes later, a teacher and a school headmaster were in my car driving us to a student in a remote village. While the team talked to the student, guess who I interviewed for my story.

There's power in being vulnerable enough to put your dream on the line, and to believe (as another friend aptly reminds me) that God is into the details. Plane seats and mechanical failures become instruments to create a chance encounter, and the unspoken desire of this journalist was met in the African landscape.

This is the year to put your dream into motion.
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You can follow VoiceBox Media on Twitter and Facebook. Tuesdays are God-sized Dream days around here and I'm linking this post along with many, many other dreamers on Holley Gerth's blog. You'll find encouragement, truth and community there. 

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{Florida in February} Busch Gardens

I like amusement parks and zoos. I liked them when I was a kid. I liked them before I have kids. So I certainly like them now that I'm a momma. Busch Gardens is like an amusement park with a zoo, so, obviously, it's my kind of place. Oh, and, hey, it's in Florida.

Did I mention I loved going to Florida in February? Well, yes, I'm going to be one of those old people who spends a month {perhaps two ...} down there. I hesitate to call my future self a snowbird because, well, I live in a state that doesn't get much snow.

Busch Gardens quickly made our agenda when we decided to spend an extended weekend in Florida, where my cousin was married in a lovely beach wedding earlier this month. The amusement park was the second item of business for my kids who were geared up to see Winter.

My complaints about Busch Gardens are limited to the price of admission and the shortened winter hours. Otherwise, I loved this place. I rode a wooden roller coaster with my husband, mom and brother. And, you know, it didn't leave us feeling the effects of a jerky ride. It was a good way to start the day.

See that ship that's nearly upside down? My 9-year-old niece and 5-year-old daughter got on that with me. I was so proud of them! My niece tried to tell me she didn't liked it after the thrill sunk in and we were back on ground, but she smiled the whole time we were on it. Cate is tall for a 5 year old, but she was just at the 42-inch height requirement so her feet didn't quite touch the ground. Perhaps that added to the upside-down thrill ... and scare.

They got over it and rode a roller coaster with an upside-down loop. I think they were less scared because the upside-down-ness was much quicker than the ship that gradually goes higher as it goes back and forth and then pauses as you hang upside down.

My fearless boy was said he couldn't ride in the bumper cars {and others} and I felt sorry for him. So I bought him some cotton candy. Most of you know I'm not usually that easy. But, hey, I'd be sad if somebody told me I couldn't ride a ride. Of course, I didn't want in a bumper car and I was reminded why as I watched my 30-year-old brother aim directly for his wife and daughter dodging the strangers along the way.

Ben loved the rides he could ride, though. And, you know, I'm looking forward to the day when the four of us can spend the day riding roller coasters together. {Greg and I went to Six Flags for our sixth anniversary and were recently thinking about doing it again. Spending the day riding roller coasters is our type of fun!}

Even though her adventurous spirit is tamer than Ben's, she's still a fan of amusement parks. I preferred to capture her sweet smile and not the gems on the side of this carousel horse she wanted documented. Priorities, people.

Busch Gardens was a great place for us to spend one of our days in Florida in February. We'll have to go back again sometime. Of course, then the kids will be taller, more roller coasters will make the agenda and I'll be a little closer to becoming an official snowbird.
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Read my other Florida in February posts: Dolphin Tale. The Beach. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{Cara Box} Beloved Friend

From fourth-grade and continuing for the next 13 years, one of my two best friends was a girl named Cara. It's been a decade since we've been close, and, you know, I miss her. We used to talk about what our lives would be like. We'd dream. And we'd make plans.

My life isn't much like I thought it would be, and it makes me sad she's not part of it. Every scenario I had for life included her. We have a mutual friend so I see the occasional Facebook picture or hear her name. I know tidbits, but those will never fill the gap.

In April 2010, not long after when my father-in-law passed away unexpectedly, I recognized her handwriting in my mailbox. She'd sent my husband and I a sweet sympathy card. She always was good to encouraging people with notes and I was thankful for the reminder of a friendship that will always be dear to me, even if it didn't continue like I had hoped.

When a dreamer friend posted about Cara Box, I was immediately intrigued both because of the name and the concept. Who doesn't want to make a new friend and get real mail? Exactly. And, hey, I learned "Cara" means "beloved friend." Quite appropriate.

So I signed up for the February exchange.

Kaitlyn has quite an efficient operation of matching people {this month by home state} and coordinating a theme, a timeline and rules for a gift box exchange. I sent Mandee a box, although I'm hoping she actually ends up with it. The postal tracking code says it's been delivered, but she doesn't actually have it ... yet. And Whitney sent me a box.

Along with Valentine's Day, this month's theme was about supplying items for a date. Whitney sells Pure Romance products. These are new to me, but that massager is amazing and Greg is looking forward to a question-and-answer game that aims to bring intimacy and conversation. I rarely {um, hardly ever ...} buy beauty products, so the nail polish, lip gloss and exfoliating scrub are nice treats for me.

From reading Mandee's blog, I learned she's a fellow Murray State alum and seems to have an entrepreneur spirit, so I sent her some encouragement with that in mind. While buying, packing and mailing Mandee's gift, I thought these new girls and my old friend who will always be close to my heart.
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Weekend Words

The Hardest Part of Parenting is Me :: "I look deeper–past the dirty room and scattered laundry and I see it there; it wears a different face, but under the layers of order, I see my nasty desire for control. Because really? The battles aren’t about a clean room or tidy drawers, folded laundry or emptied trash. It’s about my unhealthy desire to be in control of things that don’t really matter because I’m not in control of things that really do." I like how Kristen Welch finds truth in the ordinary. She does the same thing in her devotion book for moms. So, yes, I recommend this blog post, but I also recommend "Don't Make Me Come Up There: Quiet Moments for Busy Moms."

How to Know You're Headed in the Right Directions :: "The truth is we don’t know. We don’t know whether we’re headed in the right direction or if this new idea will work — or totally flop. But not knowing was never a good enough reason to not act. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity for faith, to put yourself out there and grow." And when you finish reading that post, go click on the link to the excerpt of his book. I don't really even know what his next book project is, but I think I'll want to read it. Good stuff, Jeff Goins.

I Cried, Decided to Be a Better Mom, Then Yelled at My Kids :: Oh. My. I've so be there. Like more than once a day. "Life doesn’t become easier just because we realize how sacred it is, or how quickly it can be gone, or how we might not have our little one to hold tomorrow. Life moves forward, and our sin-disease moves right along with it. Sin doesn’t give us a break, or care about our little ones, or pause when we need to re-group." I'm looking forward to watch else Sarah Mae has to say.
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{Five Minute Friday} My Mom

I'm participating in Five Minute Friday, a link-up writing prompt at Lisa-Jo Baker's blog. This week the prompt is "Tell me what your mama did that made her yours ..." 

Five minutes starts now. GO ... 


My mom signed us up for swim lessons not long after we could walk. I've loved the water ever since. She didn't push us to play sports or an instrument, but she did expect us to finish what we started. She fed us lima beans regularly because that's one of the few vegetables she likes.

She didn't complain about driving me, my brother who is almost three years younger and my sister who is 18 months younger than him to practices or commitments. She let me go to slumber parties, even when she knew I'd be cranky the next day because staying up late doesn't really agree with my mood. She helped us with projects and reminded me the anxiety I felt about speaking in front of my peers would pass.

I still don't like speaking to a crowd -- my peers or anyone else. I still believe in finishing what I start. And I still like to swim. I'm 33 years old, but my mom is still my mom. 

She's supported me from the beginning. She's come when I needed her, like when she drove almost 4 hours when I was admitted to the hospital with my diabetes diagnosis. I may have been almost 25 years old, but I was terrified of my first hospital stay. It even trumped that third grade project on D.W. Griffith.

My mom was there and is there. And she comes here. That picture of us? It's from 2009 when she surprised me at the 30th birthday party my husband planned. See, she was there? And, yes, she supplied that hideous hat!


STOP.

Want to join us? Here are Lisa-Jo's rules: 1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in. 3. Please visit the person who linked up before you and encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about. For reals.

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{No More Perfect Moms} More than a decade

I met Greg when I was three months shy of 19 years old. Now, I'm a few months shy of turning 34. When you frame our relationship with those ages, I thank God for getting us through, especially in the beginning.

When we met, I was a college freshman four months out of what I thought was a really serious relationship. And, you know, I guess when you're 17 years old, the relationship you choose for yourself is serious.

Greg and I broke up a few times, mostly because I would get way too caught up in logistics. And, well, I was barely 20 and trying to figure out life. God always managed to give us grace to move on to the next stage of our relationship, even when we had no idea what we were doing. 

I've told our stories here. We met through a mutual acquaintance and went on a date the next week. We dated {and broke up} for 4 1/2 years and then he proposed about eight months after I graduated from college. Almost every college memory includes Greg somehow. We were married about six months after he surprised me with a ring.

That was more than a decade ago.

{Read more posts about us here: Courageous. I am not alone. Top 10 of Us.}

Honestly, I like marriage the farther I get into it. Our marriage is nothing like I thought it would be, but, of course, God had plans better than the ones I scripted for myself. We've taken career risks, traveled many miles {literally} together, argued, laughed, made friends, adopted twice, grieved, decided where to send our girl to school, and learned that we really do like hanging out together. He knows when I'm about to emotionally crumble and helps me pick up the pieces. He knows when my blood sugar is high. He's become a better Words with Friends player because I used to beat him. And he knew I was cranky the other night because I get edgy when I know he's going to be gone for a few days {which is rare, thankfully!}.

Our days and weeks and months and years are far from perfect. But that imperfection has gotten us here. I'm a slightly more relaxed person because he's softened my edges. He can find things more quickly because I've organized our life. We synchronize our lives with Google Calender, but some days we assume the others knows what we were thinking. Reading minds hasn't come with our time together, but embracing this imperfect life together does. There's no way I'd want to do this life without Greg because I do it better with him by  my side. I'm looking forward to the next decade. Or four.
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I'm linking up with Jill Savage's Hearts at Home Blog Hop. This is another post in an ongoing series about how God's teaching me to embrace imperfection. I received a free PDF copy of Jill Savage's "No More Perfect Moms" as part of the book's launch team, but I truly want to embrace this message. 

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{Out of the Blue} Surprise Friendship

I am surrounded by some of best friends a girl could have right here in my everyday life.

Jaclyn and I have a 14-year history that spans so many seasons of life. Together we have five kids in five years who love-hate each other like siblings. Sarah and I text almost every day and like to lunch together even though our 3-year-old boys don't like to sit still. Courtney and I have different schedules as she homeschools her two and my oldest goes to kindergarten, but our friendship is worth making it work even if we don't love how the once weekly playdates have changed. Jenn and I became friends because we kept running into each other at preschool and birthday parties, so now we make plans to run into each other.

My community of these friends and others has sustained me and spurred me on toward whatever was coming next. I miss these women when I go very long without seeing them. I texted them all when my girl spiked a fever and I was trying to figure out what to do. They were there for me, even when I was 848 miles from home.

So, honestly, I wasn't looking for new friends. But God gave me some anyway.


Kristen at Chasing Blue Skies has a weekly link-up on surprises. This week's prompt is: 

Tell me about a surprise friendship of yours, one you didn’t necessarily anticipate forming.

Holley Gerth assembled this God-sized Dream Team that I've written about before. We have a Facebook group where much encouragement happens. At first, it seemed several of other 99 women knew each other and had existing relationships. I had read Holley's blog regularly before this and heard of other women who have well-read blogs. But that was it for my prior knowledge. Admittedly, I wondered about my place in this group because I wasn't necessarily desiring an online community of new friends. But I did want inspiration and encouragement as I sought God in a new way.

Well, you know, God has his way of doing what he wants to do regardless of what we think is necessary. 

I've bonded with a couple of the women over blog posts. Elizabeth and I seem like we're meant to be friends. Jessica sent me an elf hat {ah, now the photo makes sense ...} because when I blogged about buddies I talked about how the word makes me cringe and think of Buddy the Elf. Tonya's adoption story is one I love following. I just finished reading a book Kris wrote. Kristin and I have talked about trusting God when he leads us to change. And each time Holley writes {on her blog or more privately in our Facebook group} it's like she's sitting at my kitchen table. And that's on the tip of the encouragement iceberg, friends.

These women have grand ideas that inspire me. I wouldn't get to hear their dreams and prayers and hopes and struggles if I didn't invest in this online community that has surprised me with its depth and place in my life. Whether they mean to or not, these women cheer me on as I mother, dream, write, act, plan, promote, communicate, love and serve.

So, thank you, God, for surprising me yet again by proving your ways really are better than mine. Of course, this has been true and will always true, so I probably really shouldn't be surprised.
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I'm linking up today as part of the "Out of the Blue" series at Chasing Blue Skies. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter.

{#TellHisStory} Surrender

This idea of surrender keeps showing up in my life. While I embrace imperfection these first couple months of this new year, the words I read keep reminding me to give it {whatever it is changes depending on the moment} back to God. The songs I hear echo this message of me not being in charge.

God knows I need repetition. Perhaps that's why "No More Perfect Moms" {written for moms}, "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" {aimed to encourage women} and "Holey, Wholly, Holy" {a book about the Lenten journey} keep coming back to these messages for me: Surrendering is winning. Letting go is finding freedom. Knowing I can't do it all by myself in this moment or, really, ever, is being productive. Don't compare what's going on inside you to what you see on someone else's outside. We need to do what we can and trust God with the rest.

And then I keep hearing "White Flag" on the radio.

The battle rages on

A storm in temptest roar

We cannot win this fight

Inside our rebel hearts

We’re laying down our weapons now

We raise our white flags

We surrender all to you

All for you

We raise our white flag

The war is over

Love has come

Love has won

Here on this holy ground

You made a way for peace

Laying your body down

You took our rightful place

This freedom song is marching on

{"White Flag" by Chris Tomlin}

It's true. The battle is won. Love has come. If I could just grasp hold of that in the moments I feel like I'm battling 3-year-old independence, 5-year-old questions and negotiations, my own desires for perfection, simple miscommunications that prompt a snippy tone with my husband, weariness, and bad blood sugar days.

Instead of battling, I want to raise my white flag. And surrender to the One who really is in control.

"Grace overtakes a sin-wrecked life and makes us holy. I wrestled this grace to the ground and I'm thankful to say that because I lost, I won."

{Kris Camealy in "Holey, Wholly, Holy:
A Lenten Journey of Refinement}

I grew up knowing about the liturgical season of Lent. I started noticing God's pursuit of me when I sat in a pew toward the back of a Catholic church. My high school journalism teacher was also my Catholic church youth group leader. It was a season of me figuring out my life. I became a Christian and decided I wanted to be a writer the same year.

But it hasn't been until recent years that I've begun to really understand what a Lenten season is really even about. I haven't technically given up anything this year, but I feel like I'm giving up my heart in a new way. In a way that makes me slow down and surrender more.

"It occurred to me that perhaps what God calls us to give up, really, is ourselves. The paltry offerings we prefer to give up, while they feel challenging, are perhaps less pleasing because we fail to give up the one thing that stands between us and Christ. Ourselves. Only when we have given up our own ambitions and desires, from that death to self, can we be used to produce much for His kingdom."

{Kris Camealy in "Holey, Wholly, Holy"}

As a kid in the Catholic church, I missed knowing God is a personal God. That gap closed later because God is also a mighty God who works all things together for the good when we choose to love and follow him. But getting to the good and seeing the good can be hard in this broken world where we want to fight our own battles. It's when I try to battle for myself that I am reminded I need this personal savior of mine who already hung on a cross for me.

I loved hearing 1 Peter 4:12-13 from The Message in "Holey, Wholly, Holy": Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

Yes, glory is around the corner. Let's raise our white flags.
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SURPRISE! In the spirit of surrender, I want to give you something. Well, a few of you something. I going to give away the three books I mentioned earlier in the post. I ordered a copy of each of these three books specifically so I could give them to three of you.

{Learn more: "No More Perfect Moms," "You're Made for a God-sized Dream" and "Holey, Wholly, Holy"}

There are several ways to enter, which are outlined in the Rafflecopter below, but the one official entry is to tell me below which of these three books you'd most like to read. There are other tweeting and liking options for additional entries. Three winners will be selected randomly next Wednesday. God's got a story to tell, and we're part of it. I hope these books help you live out what God is calling you to do.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I'm linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and other storytellers. #TellHisStory is a chance to tell a story that connects your story to God's story. Want more? Subscribe to get "Insights" in your inbox. Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Or follow me on Twitter. Disclosure: Those are affiliate links for the books and song. But I just bought the books this week for you so clearly I think they're worth it and the song is already in my iTunes playlist.