Quirks

I like learning people's quirks. Those things we all do that most would look at us and say "you're strange" or "hhmm that's interesting" or "whatever makes you happy" or "________(you fill in the blank)"

When someone knows my quirks, I feel like they really know me. I love when people really know one another! Like when they can order for you at a restaurant.

And when those who know your quirks and love you for them that's even better;)

I am not going to give away all my quirks...that would make getting to know me a bit boring, but I will fill you in on a few of my eating quirks.

I eat one thing at a time. My family thinks that I am strange for this one. If I have a plate with 3 different things on it, I eat all of one before I even touch anything else. Then I eat all of the next thing and so forth:) They often ask me what I think of something and then look at my plate and say "Oh you haven't even touched it yet" and then give me a little head shake and a smile lol.

If I am eating a sandwich, I eat the crust first. All the way around. My favorite part is the middle, so I save it for last.

Sometimes I just eat a healthy meal so that I can get to desert;) I mean really, who doesn't do that every now and then!

Well these may seem quite simple and silly, but I think it is one of the sweetest pieces of any relationship. No they aren't the depths of a person's soul or anything, but in a way it shows the intimacy of your relationships.

It's when you really pay attention to those little things, in my opinion, that shows you really know a person...that you really care about them. It's funny too when friends, family, and significant others begin to point out quirks you didn't even know you had.

What are your quirks??
If you have noticed any quirks of mine, care to fill me in??
Is the word quirk beginning to sound a bit weird to you yet?? It is to me... lol

Summer come quickly...!!!

Oh man what a day! I thought Terra Nova test week would be a breeze! Needless to say I was wrong! I won't bore you with the afternoon teacher vent session (I try to do those in the car on the way home so I can get it out and not burden anyone but today I was just too tired lol). A nap was a must today! After today I am very much looking forward to summer:) BUT! I am definitely trying my hardest not to wish away my days with these kids. I know that each moment with them is a gift from the Lord, and I am so thankful for each one of them!

Just so I can end this day on a fun note I am going to make a short list of exciting things to come this summer:)

*Most importantly I am going to enjoy the job of Aunt. I hope to make a couple of trips up to see this sweet girl and her parents:)

* Beach trip with two of my favorite ladies!! Oh I miss my college friends something terrible! I am so thankful for these sweet friends! Those friendships that you have where you may not see each other or speak to each other for months but when you do it is like no time has passed are so precious! I have gotten to see/catch up with a few this week...makes my day!

* Olympics!! Anyone? I love the Olympics! Favorite sports...gymnastics, swimming, beach volleyball, hmmm I am sure there are a couple others...

* Babysitting. This may not sound too exciting to most of you, butI am really looking forward to possible opportunities of keeping some sweet little ones. It will be a nice change of pace from the 15 wild ones I have right now:) I do love them all though!

* Working out and eating healthy! The flexible schedule will help me workout a bit more and summer is perfect for fresh fruits and veggies:)

* Getting organized! Maybe I can figure this out. I mean I am a pretty tidy person for the most part. I keep my disorganization kind of contained (although my mom may disagree). I would love to have a place for everything both home life and work life.

* Hanging out. I hope to have some good quality hang time with anyone and everyone who thinks they can hang with yours truly:)

* Take my time getting ready in the morn! I got spoiled on Spring break with this one!

* Hopefully some sweet little random adventures!

* t-shirt quilt. So I have had my t-shirts cut up for a long time! Next winter I will be snuggling up under this bad boy! (If you know me and my crafting abilities you know that this may turn out interesting!)

Summer without a set schedule can potentially lead to laziness and unproductivity. I vow right now, to all of you, not to allow that to be my summer. I am going to turn the television off and make the most of each day. I hope you will keep me accountable. I hope I get to spend good quality time with you and your lovely self this summer:)!

What a sweet season...

Many of you know of the ministry the Lord had put in my life last summer at Le Belle Maison Apartments. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to work with this precious community all summer. I thought my time was finished at the end of July, but little did I know the Lord has given me a few more sweet days with them. I could sit and chat about how wonderful it has been to see the way God has worked in these few sweet days over the past several months, but I think pictures will do a much better job.







And this about sums it up...oh how it melts my heart!

Some days as we leave, we may feel like all we did is give out some burgers and play with kids. But I believe with all my heart that God is going to continue to bring people to this work in this community and continue to stir their hearts and draw them to Himself. Oh man I could go on and on but I will stop there and just give God all the praise and glory. I thank Him for giving this very under-qualified, unworthy girl the joy and privilege of serving Him and loving His people!

Love...

Studying the story of Easter, I am filled with questions:

Looking at His trial, how in the world did He ever make it to the cross? They just didn't like Him. He literally did nothing wrong!

Why didn't He fight it? Why didn't He stand up for Himself?

Where were His followers during all of this? Why weren't they taking the witness stand to speak on His behalf?

How could this happen?

Of course I know the big answer...it had to happen. For you and I, it had to happen. It was the reason He came to earth. It was an act of obedience to His Father. For the salvation and redemption of all mankind, it had to happen. We could go on for days talking about this and looking at loads of different aspects of this most precious and most pivotal moment in all of history, but today I am overwhelmed with one thing...

This is the greatest display of love this world will EVER see!

God saw us in our depravity, in our filth, and in our wretchedness, and still He pursued us with wreckless abandon to redeem us and bring us back to Himself! He allowed His son to take on His great wrath that we wouldn't have to. Through the darkest moment in history, we now have the gift of freedom and forgiveness and salvation. The gift of life!

Kind of makes me think of a video I watched this morning, and on the commentary for it, it said "love makes us do crazy things". Not saying God is crazy...;) love you Father! But that He would do whatever it took to bring us back to a right relationship with Him! He would make the greatest sacrifice He possibly could for those He loved!

My heart breaks for those who refuse to accept this love. For those who can't put aside the need to have a scientific explanation for everything and have faith in a God who adores them! For those people who feel like they need to earn this great love, a love too great for any of us to ever deserve or earn. In my mind I see the faces of people I love, who are running from the hope and the love and the freedom and the joy and the peace and the redemption that is theirs if only they would choose to accept it!

I hope you will check out these videos and be encouraged this Easter by the God who loves you more than anyone will ever be able to comprehend.

An awesome video about the resurrection!

A great video of God's love for us.

I believe because we have heard this verse so often, we tend to become numb to it. It is the greatest picture of love, and I pray that we will all see it for the truth that it is.

God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17