Awe

1 John 1:1-4, Paraphrased

The one who has existed from eternity. The one who will exist until eternity. That which was from the beginning. Do not gloss over, do not underestimate, do not miss the awe of his eternal-ness. He is the greatest of all things that has ever been, is the greatest of all things that will ever be. He is life. He holds life within himself to be given where he chooses. He is life’s master; he alone holds life’s power.

This power – this formidable and eternal and mind-bending being – he came to us. We saw him. We heard him speak. We touched him. He was – and is – fully real by every physical standard that proves you or I as real. We who saw, heard, and touched him stand as evidence of his realness.

We who have seen, heard, and touched him stand before you as real as he was – is – and we announce publicly what we have seen and head and touched. We tell you of his eternal-ness and his realness that we have witnessed first-hand because we want you to be on this level with us. We want you to experience, vicariously through us, the awe and the humility of his eternal divinity humbling himself down to realness for us, to save us.

We want you on this level with us because in our knowledge of him, we are in spiritual communion with him. We are with him – he is with us – hanging out, communing, fellow-shipping in our spirits, the same as when he was physically here with us. And it is so good, y’all. It is so good we can’t keep it to ourselves. It is so good we’ve got to spread it around, because the only way to enjoy something this good is with others.

He's The Man

"I love you more..."

My husband capriciously said this to me the other day. It brought me up short because I realized I didn't believe I could honestly deny it. I've had this thought before, that my husband has leveled-up ahead of me in the love department. And when I don't just brush past that uncomfortable thought, I'm forced to own up to old inadequacies and scars that I'd much rather forget.

Down the Rabbit Hole

My husband uttered some terrifying words today.
"You know," he says, all innocent and calm, "I think we're ready for a baby."
Uhm, what?

REVENGE

Watch out Stephanie Meyer and everyone responsible for the cancellation of Firefly...

Looking for the ultimate revenge? Ship glitter bombs to your mortal enemies!

One Hilarious Thing

I found this yesterday, and I still haven't stopped laughing.
You're welcome.

Who's Idea Was This?

There's white stuff on my car.

Are we under attack?!

Things I Learned Today

1. The country code to call India is 91.
2. Countries also have exit codes; America's is 011.
3. I can, in fact, dial India from my office phone.

Achievement Unlocked.

Here

It's the start of a new year.  Generally, this is a time to reflect on the year past and make new hopes and dreams for the one upcoming. I feel like 2015 was made for big things. I don't know what they are, though I have some suspicions.

Before, After, and Always: Amen

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6


"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" Luke 2:10-14

What's the Date Again?

Interrupting the Christmas season with a trip to (somewhat) warmer climes can really throw a gal off.

Glory

It's unendingness soothes me.
To look out to the horizon, where the water kisses the sky, understanding that in no way is it an ending; it's just as far as my weak and limited eyes can see. There is something of glory in knowing that I can't take it all in. I can't fit it inside parameters. I can't make it small enough to understand. There is such beauty in the vastness.

Not much can compare to looking out into infinity. I want to cry at my smallness; laugh at its absurd bigness; I want to run headlong into it and get utterly, utterly lost in its rightness. This is what heaven feels like.

I often wonder if I would feel the same were I out far enough to lose sight of land. Would the loss of my grounding panic me? Would my breath hitch, my heart stutter at the uncertainty? (Yet how can I fear heaven? The unknown is frightening, but the result divine.)

Another part of me though, a greater part, longs for just that. To be completely alone in the swell of the sea, with only expanse, above and below, for company. 

Sweet Sixteen II

Uhhm, so this is a thing...

Southbeach Bound!

Sweet Sixteen

Y'all. My little sister, who is turning 16, (Lord, save us) wants to spend her birthday in Miami. Miami! In mid-December!

1. She knows good and well this is a family whose birthday celebrations don't extend much further than going out to eat and an exemption from washing dishes for the day.

2. Miami?! I have a sneaking suspicion our older sister influenced this desire. I, for one, am not sold on the warmth.

3. And she wants cousins and aunts involved! And our mom? We're not organized enough for this...

Kid. I love you. But I just don't think this is going to be a thing.

One Warm Thing

My boss just unexpectedly presented me with Starbucks hot cocoa. I am now prepared to swear fealty.

Reflect

We are so blessed.
Life leading up to this long weekend has been such a trial. Finding out Jedidiah didn't get into school; funneling ever more money into the repairs of what was meant to be a free car; the frustration of having a second vehicle, but being unable to make use of it; unexpected crises at work; the headlights and heat going out in our one driveable car just in time for shorter days and a frigid cold snap. All of these things were going on at once , but what made it the worst was how lost I felt through it all.

Five Years

Five years ago this week, my husband chased me to the fair.

Comfort

This is what happens when I'm left to my own devices, all alone in an empty house, after an appallingly long day. Eat ALL the comfort food!!

Grilled cheese and homemade tomato soup; side of popcorn and tall glass of milk.

Peace

                            

This is my daily commute. Every morning, and every evening coming home, the sun rises and sets over wide open fields, a tree-lined horizon, and massive expanses of just sky, sky, sky. There is, after all, something to be said of living in the middle of nowhere.

Baby Fever

It's a thing, guys. And it is dangerous. Insidious, even. Baby Fever sneaks up on you and takes hold of your every desire, cropping up in all the most un-looked-for spaces. At least, it did me.

But I am fighting back. I am wrestling my will back from unbearably pudgy cheeks, drool-bubbles, plooshy lips, and adorable laughter; from shockingly bright and focused eyes, puffball feet, and surprisingly strong, tee-tiny, itty-bitty fingers.

I will not be ensnared by The Cuteness.

Regression, schmegression...

Pb&j for lunch with the requisite glass of milk, pear slices, and baby carrots. Yes, I am 6.

Can I have nap time after this?