it's a ho hum week...

Sometimes I just feel kinda ho hum... it happens to us girls if you know what I mean. ;)


Just been going through the motions for the most part... just blah.  Not sad or anything... just one of those weeks.  I'm excited about this weekend thought - mom's coming for a "Strokes of Faith" painting party, a high school pageant, and hanging out. We also have a Belize Mission Trip fundraiser - we are volunteering to babysit kids! Are we crazy? YEP! PLUG TIME - If you want to support our trip to Belize... READ THIS! 

Well... you know it's Lent right? It is, if you didn't know. It's the 40 days leading up to Easter that Jesus followers can really set aside and focus on the amazingness and crazy love that the crucifixion is.  Usually people give something up for Lent. Some do see it as a challenge, a weight-loss tool even... that's not what it's for. If you "sacrifice" something... it's to give up something you treasure and replace it with focused time on Jesus... a VER VERY VERY small picture of the S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E. he gave for us.  So... I was thinking... what do I treasure? What do I hold up as important? What do I obsess over? What is most valuable to me? For me... it's not chocolate (but i do enjoy it), it's not soft drinks (i'll drink a DDP anyday though), it's not facebook/social media (i could do without), it's not the phone (i don't like talking on the phone... text me), it's not tangible things.  What I hold most dear is TIME. I like to plan every second of everyday... I always have. I want to use my time the best way possible... most of the time for me... sadly.  But... how do I give up time? kinda difficult. Well... let me tell you. I don't think Lent is ALL about fasting FROM something... but rather FEASTING on something better.  You FAST from ____ (fill in the blank) and FEAST on JESUS!!! That's the overarching theme! For my turn on that, I have decided to FAST from time spend selfishly and FEAST on writing letters to love on and encourage people in my life. 

Maybe some of these Fasting/Feasting suggestions line up to your life. Check 'em out:

It’s a time to Fast and FEAST:

Fast from ANGER, FEAST on PATIENCE

Fast from DISCOURAGEMENT, FEAST on HOPE!

Fast from SELFISHNESS, FEAST on COMPASSION

Fast from MEDIOCRITY, FEAST on EXCELLENCE

Fast from LAZINESS, FEAST on ENTHUSIASM

Fast from SADNESS, FEAST on JOY

Fast from INSECURITY, FEAST on TRUTH

Fast from DISSATISFACTION, FEAST on CONTENTMENT

Fast from HATE, FEAST on FORGIVENESS

Fast from ISOLATION, FEAST on COMMUNITY

I love writing letters... but I claim I don't have time to do it.  Well... now it's my mission. I know I need encouragement. God has filled me up with the spiritual gift of encouragement (I use it most of the time...). And I want to FEAST on lifting up the beautiful women and people in my life... that's what Jesus does for me. He writes love notes to me in His word... showing He knows me, loves me despite my wretchedness, and encourages me to dig deeper... to press in... to discover new treasures with Him. 

So... maybe you'll get a letter... it might be late so don't judge me... I don't like deadlines. So, if it's after Easter... just say thanks! ha! If you don't get one... sorry. :) 

Happy FRIDAY! 

Just some things...

• I'm so pumped about going to Student Life camp in TWO weeks!!! I can hardly contain myself! If you know anything about me... you know I LOVE CAMP!!! I love bandanas at camp! I love being dirty and LOUD at camp! I love JESUS at camp!!! - We are taking the youth to camp at Louisiana Tech at the end of the month. I think I'm more excited than they are! Ha! I would live at camp for real! Be praying for us. Pray for open hearts. open minds. a passion to worship Him. a hunger for His Word.
• I just got back from the Alabama Association of the Deaf Conference in Birmingham. They did an excellent job putting it together! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wish I could have spent more time with by bestie Katy and my mommy... but that's life. What did I learn from the conference: 1) I don't have to know it all and I will never know it all. 2) I don't challenge myself. 3) I don't understand people sometimes - the Deaf community is SO strong and so passionate and CAN DO SO MUCH together... the community has the fire, the power, and the vision. That's all I know to say about that...
• My husband is wonderful. He led worship on Sunday for big church while our music minister was on vacation. I love seeing him worship and worshipping with him. He hasn't had the opportunity to lead worship lately so it blessed my heart. :)
• My BESTIE has a blog and I'm pumped about it.  Follow her: http://emilyjoy-totheworld.blogspot.com/. She's very clever and funny... WAY funnier than me.  She loves Jesus and I honestly don't know where I would be without her. I miss being with her 22 hours of everyday! That's how we were in college and it was wonderful. She is just a good person :)
• My neice, Johanna will be here in LESS THAN 2 MONTHS!! Ahh!!!! So crazy!! I'm so pumped. I also just found out that 2 of my cousins are pregnant!! I think something is in the water.  I am now officially on a water fast.  Only sweet tea for me for the next.... 10 years! Just kidding mom... not 10 years... maybe 5 or 8 or something.
• This weekend is Father's (is it Fathers' or Father's... hmm... interesting thought) Day. Lots of emotions are involved in this one for me: forgiveness, love, thankfulness, striving for the opposite of bitterness, challenging, grace, mercy, hope.  I am thankful for all the men who have played such an important role in my life... SO THANKFUL. My youth pastor Ernie - such an amazing man of God and he has prayed fervently with me for 10 years and counting. My (now) father-in-law Mr. David, he accepted me as the crazy girl I am since day one and has encouraged me in that. My PawPaw - I don't even know where to begin... this is my PawPaw - he hurts when his (grand)children hurt, he celebrates when we celebrates, he laughs when we laugh, he cries when we cry, and he wants to beat anyone up who breaks our hearts! He is a wonderful man.  My daddy - I am thankful for so many memories growing up and the stories I have with him. I hope there will be many more to come :)

My favorite picture of restoration and a God who forgives and who allows His children to learn to forgive... and love.