Bits of the Beauty of Holiness

July 29th's devotion from Jesus Calling really spoke to me.

"Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. I created beauty to declare the existence of My holy being. A magnificent rose, a hauntingly glorious sunset, oceanic splendor - all these things were meant to proclaim My Presence in the world. Most people rush past these proclamations without giving them a second thought. Some people use beauty, especially feminine loveliness, to sell their products. 

How precious are My children who are awed by nature's beauty; this opens them up to My holy Presence. Even before you knew Me personally, you responded to my creation with wonder. This is a gift, and it carries responsibility with it. Declare My glorious Being to the world. The whole earth is full of My radiant beauty - My Glory!"

'Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.' Psalm 29:2

'And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."' Isaiah 6:3

Last night, the pups and I were out for our walk we take twice a day everyday.

I realized how many things I see each day that I don't think twice about.

So tonight I decided to bring the big camera and capture a few simple moments in our walk.

Because fresh perspectives are refreshing.

And moments through a lens help me remember.

so not every photo is created by God, but there is beauty in these things even still

this happens to be my favorite house ever - is that not the cutest roof and garage door?!

A thankful heart: The Little Things

Today, as I checked out at Petsmart with a huge bag of dog food and bird food in hand,

I noticed the signature for my credit card was no longer paper, but electronic.

I asked the woman working when they got electronic signing pads.

She stopped, looked at me, and grinning ear to ear, said

"We just got them this week. It is new.

I think you are the first customer to notice!"

I didn't think much of it at first.

I mean, J and I frequent Petsmart at least monthly.
And it's technology for goodness sake. ;-)

But then I realized that was the point.

That it was a little thing. 

And that God gave me eyes to notice the little things.

One example:

J driving during our entire vacation last week,

smiling and calming me down when I gave the wrong directions

and we got stuck waiting for the train for ten minutes.

One more example: 

A cloudy fall sky. 

And the moon peaking out behind the sun, peaking out behind the clouds

on my way home from work today.

I'm so thankful for eyes to see the little things.

God, may I never miss the little blessings from you.

Show me every glimpse of your power, glory, and faithfulness.

Thank you for the {seemingly} little things and the {not-so} little things.

Thank you for little bits of kingdom eyes here in this life.

You are a good good God.

May I never forget.

Grilled cheese and yellow surprises

Tonight J had Bible study and Steve is in DC,

so my mom and I had a little late-night girls-night-in. 

[And Carly... since she was on the phone for part of it :)]

Mom made grilled cheese and sliced peaches for dinner for us.

I love our yummy simple dinners.

We sat outside and watched the dogs play,

chatting about life, planning for the 3-day, and laughing.

I love spending time with my mom.

Although it was less than 2 hours,

it was satisfying, rejuvenating, and encouraging.

As I was leaving, she gave me a special find she picked up for me 

because it made her think of me.

It's perfect.

Rejoice in the little joys

Today, I am thankful for

starbucks cafe vanilla frappuccino

fresh groceries

holding hands

money in my wallet (a little bit)

finished portfolio

my husband

big conversations

emma

luigi and his clean cage

marriage

baker's little round face

rolled tacos

1 timothy

black sharpies and yellow highlighters

laughter

my whiteboard to-do list (well, i'll be thankful when everything is crossed off... but i like the whiteboard)

the treat receipt

ibuprofen

my new comforter

emails from mom

fresh flowers

cinnamon

J-hugs

Something simple on Monday

[clarification: Steve is the mastermind behind all things outside. he works so hard every week to keep it looking fresh and beautiful. so credit where credit is deserved... way to go Esteban!]

sometimes it's the little things

like the flowers in my parents' front yard

that I wait for to open.

every Spring they never fail

to open on sunshiney days, big and yellow and proud.

it's like a secret garden 

walking up the pathway

you feel special, like they opened just for you

to welcome you home.

i really love flowers

the ones in our neighborhood make me smile

but there's just something about the flowers at my parents' house

that makes me smile extra big.

i love when nature does just what God created it to do

boldly proclaim His existence

and bring Him glory

by being beautiful

Better days

BLS certified in a half hour (thank you Christina!)

an Ikea trip to dream up our next project (we like projects :)

church with a really neat group of new friends

the gym

dog walks

some homework

starbucks

free smoothies (thanks Jess!)

Grandpa's birthday party

seeing my sis

a choir concert with sis (I love her because we have comments about every song)

the funniest radio show episode ever

staying up late with J, pretending like we're so young and hip

finally (almost) getting my 4th semester schedule

mc frappes (seriously, amazing.)

Target (always)

selling a book 

making future plans with J

2 presentations down

1 paper checked off the list

registering for the MS walk (looking forward to it, Mom!)

Yes, the last few days have been much better than last week.

Thank goodness! :)

Dear John,

Thank you for my oh-so-beautiful and perfectly-colorful-organizing tub/bucket (I mean, "updated storage container" or whatever you called it, that made it sound much fancier that "tub"). :)

I'm still deciding what I'm gonna do with it. But don't you worry, it will be perfect for whatever it gets used for. And oh so cute.

I love Target trips with you almost as much as I love you.

The joys of paper writing

Writing a family theory paper is really not fun. In fact, it is totally boring and completely frustrating. And incredibly slow-moving.

But springtime snacks (pretty pink pomegranate lemonade and oranges), a cute mouse, and sweet animals sure make it a bit better.

Early to bed

Yes, it is 8:00pm and I am headed into bed to watch 24 on my laptop with J.

Then, to bed to bed I said I said.
(that's how I knew it was bedtime growing up)

I like that J is tired early this week.
We are finally on the same schedule!

I'm an old lady.

Actually, I'm just my mom. :)

Thank you Saturday

I have learned that in the field I'm going into, weekends are not a given. And so I cherish days that both J and I are off, because it really doesn't happen that often.

Since I finished my Saturday clinical for the semester last week, today was our first Saturday together in awhile. And we made the most of it.

- Waking up together
- An early lunch (we love them salad and breadsticks)
- Shopping for new clothes for J's new job! (ooo I can't wait to go scrub shopping in August)
- A blizzard (reeses is our compromise flavor :)
- Target (a day off is not complete without a Target trip)
- A nap... yes, me, a nap!
- A great church service (thank you Getty's)
- Chicken quesadillas (by hubby... nice work babe)
- Hanging in the bedroom - J playing guitar and me attempting homework
- Bedtime (coming very soon... I'm a grandma, like my friend)

I love days with J!

My little helper

Today after clinical, I came home to find that John had stood in a long line at the post office to mail a package for me, so that I wouldn't have to do it. And then, he got me Yogurt Mill. Cappuccino and vanilla with chocolate chips. Maybe my favorite combination of things ever. Which I would have taken a picture of if I hadn't devoured it like I did.

It means so much when he does little [big!] things like that.

Thanks honey for being so thoughtful, and for running my errands for me. And thanks for thinking of me and remembering to take the coupon, and getting us yogurt for lunch.

Reason #1476 why I love John: He eats frozen yogurt for lunch with me.
Reason #1477 why I love John: He mails my packages for me.
Reason #1478 why I love John: He plays Mario with me until the cows come home. Or until I get too frustrated to continue. Which usually comes first.

I love you, J!

It's the little things

It's John bringing home pizza, breadsticks, and diet coke for dinner.
It's ice cream for dessert.
(yes, I admit ... not-so-good-for-me food makes two very-happy-Js. and it's Tuesday.)
It's Emma waiting for us for bed.
It's the simple things.

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 15:30a